Medical & Health Specialties Program

@ Maury High School...Celebrating 32 years 1986-2018

Volume 8 Issue 1 Fall, 2017

IMAN ABDOUS

DESTINY ALLEN

NAHARI ANDERSON

NEVEAH ANDERSON

NICHOLAS BEAUDOIN

NATHANIEL BENSON

ADAM BONEY

DESTINY BRITTON

SYDNEY BROWN

BROOKE-MARK

BURFORD

TREY THOMAS BUSH

ALIANA BUTLER

RILEY CASEY

LELA CREQUE

GRACE CUMMINGS

ZOE DAWANG

KASSANDRA DRACHMAN

SIMON EDWARDS

ANNA HERSEY

LAUREN HOPKINS

JASMINE JOHN

BLAKE JOHNSON

EMILY KESSER

GABRILLE KIEFER

ALEX LAPLACE

CELIA LAPLACE

NGUEYAP LESLINE

JOHNNY LI

RYAN LIGHTBOURNE

MIA LYNCH

LEANNE MAHARAJ

KYLIE MARTIN

LIAM MCLINDA

GABRIEL MENDOZA

KAYLA MICELE

OWEN MIDGETTE

JULMARIE MORALA

DEVON OLIVER

NADIA OWEN

GRIFFIN PADDOCK

DANNY QIU

CAYVEN REED

GABRIELA REYNOSA

FAITH ROBINSON

MARIDEL SAMSON

ISABELLA SCHROEDER

EMMA SEARING

ERIN SHAFFER

GEORGIA SIMPSON

RAYA YOUNG

FRESHMEN ORIENTATION SUMMER, 2017

Who’s Who 2

Who’s Who 3

Program

Expectations and

Contact

Information

4

Andrew Califano &

Norfolk School Board

4

Inside this issue:

WELCOME TO

OUR NEWEST

COMMODORES!

MHSP CLASS

OF 2021

GET TO KNOW YOUR TEACHERS….

Page 2 Medical & Health Specialties Program

Veteran teacher, Debbie Allen, has earned both a B.S and M.S in

Biology from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. Married for 32

years, she has two sons: one who serves in the Army Airborne and the

oldest works as an executive chef. She is also the proud grandmother to

a two year old granddaughter who is “simply amazing”! She is widely

known for a menagerie of eclectic animals and currently owns a bearded

dragon, named after the first dragon in the Harry Potter books, Norbert,

as well as the sweetest little hedgehog. She feels she has been pretty

fortunate with some of her lab and field experiences, which have

included being underneath a tornado in Missouri and being walked on

by a bear in the mountains of New Mexico! Needless to say, she loves being out of doors

and enjoys hiking, biking and the occasional kayak trip.

Bryan Bennett teaches the senior level Bio Ethics class. Mr. Bennett

holds both a Bachelor and Master of Arts in History from Old Dominion

University. He had a very busy summer, completing his masters course

work, taking the graduate level BioEthics course and enjoying his

toddler daughter, Coralie May. Mr. Bennett is a third generation teacher

within Norfolk Public Schools and loves spending his free time outdoors

with Coralie, his wife Lea and their two cats Yummy and Chico.

Sometimes, you might even catch a glimpse of him running along the

streets in Ghent...just see if you can match his pace.

Donna Mitchell is starting her 23rd (!!) year at Maury High School.

‘Ms. Mitch’ as she is affectionately known has B.A in Biology from

Hampton University. Her BioMed classes are always quite

lively...even when dissecting fetal pigs or teaching students suturing

techniques on banana skins, music plays in the background and you’ll see

her bouncing to the rhythms as she moves from table to table. She

LOVES line dancing which matches her energetic and outgoing nature.

But more importantly, she’s the proud mom of two boys.

GET TO KNOW YOUR TEACHERS….

Volume 8 Issue 1 Fall, 2017 Page 3

Jillian Peeples, teaches one of the EVMS anatomy classes. This is her

6th year in the field of teaching. Ms. Peeples earned a B.S. in Criminal

Justice and a Masters degree in Secondary Science Education. She is

married to a military pilot and has three boys, one who started college

this year. Suffice to say, the boys keep her very busy! As typical of a

military family, they have moved and traveled quite a bit, living in four

different states in the last 16 years! Ms. Peeples is quite passionate

about photography, which occupies the little extra time in her busy life.

All who are familiar with her know her to be “energetic, organized and

in love with teaching!”

Donald Robertson teaches the sophomore level Chem-Med classes. He

graduated from ODU with a BS in Bio-Chemistry and a minor in

Biology; He has also completed an MS in Chemistry. During this time,

he took advantage of a study abroad opportunity and did work at the

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. Born in Hawaii,

he is well traveled and, not surprisingly, has an adventuresome spirit. For

example, did you know that he took a solo bicycle trip across

country in 1999 and rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle from Alaska to

Virginia Beach in the summer of 1998? He was also an Eagle Scout and

used to have long hair...imagine that ...AND he’s a lifeguard in the

summer and a certified EMT ! He is married and has two young children.

Terry Zablocki attended Cortland State University in New York and received a Bachelors of

Science in Athletic Training, followed by a Master degree in

Education and Athletic Training from Old Dominion University.

Anyone who has had her as a teacher knows about her pet beagles,

Zipper and Bagel, but she also has a little flock of chickens and tends

bees ( her friends are often the recipients of extra eggs and honey!)

She has many outside interests. As a certified EMT she rides rescue for

the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad. Additionally, Ms.

Zablocki is an avid biker, though her passion used to be running. She

is particularly proud of having completed six marathons, including

THREE Boston Marathons...Folks should also note: Ms. Z is a Giants fan and LOVES

chocolate chip cookies (hint, hint).

Program Expectations in a nutshell...

One of the key factors in determining a student’s

future success, whether that be in college or in a

career, is the ability to manage time.

Hand in hand with this,

comes the development of a good work ethic.

The following academic standards have been established to encourage

these skills in each student. Program students and their parents are made

aware of these at the beginning of each school year and reminded

throughout the year.

Medical and Health Specialties Program students are expected to

perform at a level above other students. Students must earn a B- or

better in each of the core science classes and maintain an overall

and semester GPA of at least a 2.75

Additionally, all MHSP students are expected to complete a

minimum of 30 community service hours each year, 20 hours which

must occur during the academic school year.

If you haven’t started this yet, please begin!

MHSP @ Maury High School

322 Shirley Avenue

Norfolk, Virginia 23517

Karen Berg, Principal

CONTACT

INFORMATION

757-628-3344x 3025

Anne Christie, Program Leader

achristie@nps.k12.va.us

Parent-Teacher conferences

are held twice each month on

designated Thursday

afternoons at 2:15 in the

cafeteria...Please call Mrs.

Christie 1 week in advance to

make arrangements...

READ

THIS!

MHSP top senior, Andrew Califano was

selected to serve as a co-representative to the

Norfolk Public Schools School Board. Andrew will

be wedging monthly meetings into his already

packed schedule. The photos at left show him taking

the oath of office at the September Board meeting.

Andrew will represent student concerns and issues

to the board for consideration. The third of four

Califano brothers who have all participated in the

MHSP, Andrew maintains a stellar grade point

average, plays varsity baseball and has amassed

220 community service hours so far. He and his

sophomore brother Daniel, sponsor a used sporting

equipment drive each year, where MHSP students

can earn a few easy hours with contributions.

Details will follow…

CONGRATULATIONS, ANDREW…

we’re very proud of you!