Page 29 - North Haven Magazine Issue 39 Summer 2025

PROGRAM

BUILDING THE MINDSET, HABITS, AND CHARACTER

THAT TRANSLATE INTO LIFE BEYOND SPORTS

role as a coach is to provide the structure, our unity as a squad have allowed us to be-
guidance, and motivation needed to help come both the conference champions and
them realize their potential. My idea of suc- state champions. The team supports each
cess isn’t just about what happens on the other no matter what, and we have Coach
fencing strip. It’s about building the mind- Harris and Coach Holmes to thank for that.
set, habits, and character that translate into Four years ago, we were low on numbers,
life beyond sports. What I tell the athletes but Coach Harris and Coach Holmes real-
is that if you focus on doing things the right ly strengthened and rebuilt this program.
way, the results have a way of taking care of Overall, it’s been a great honor to be a mem-
themselves. I like to think of the quote from ber and captain of this team, and I am super
Hoosiers, ‘If you put your effort and concen- proud of everyone for this fantas-
tration into playing to your potential, to be Women’s Foil with their Trophy- Third in the tic season.”
the best you can be, I don’t care what the State. (L-R) Coach Cooper, Melanie, Zayna,
scoreboard says at the end of the game, in Emily, Hanako, Coach Harris When Jim Harris came
my book, we’re gonna be winners.’ My ulti- back to coach at North
mate goal is not just to develop strong com- try upon graduation and would like to pur- Haven in 2021, he had
petitors but to prepare these young people sue a career in pharmaceutical research. the goal of returning
to take on challenges with confidence, both the fencing program
in sports and in whatever paths they choose In commenting on her experience with the to its former glory.
to follow.” fencing program and particularly on some of Four years later, it can
the traditions that have had a positive im- safely be said that this
While it is vitally important for the coach- pact on the team’s chemistry, Cerasoli stat- aspiration has been ful-
ing staff to establish a positive culture, it ed, “Joining the fencing team has been one ly realized. The North
is equally essential that there be quality of the most rewarding decisions of my high Haven fencing team has
leadership among the team members, and school career. The team has encouraged me firmly established itself
in this regard, the current fencing program so much, and we have created bonds almost as one of the premier
could not be in better hands. The squad this as if we were one big family. Although the programs in the state
year has been led by captains Emily Ceraso- team is separated by squad, it does not feel of Connecticut.
li, Anna Hansard, and Nina Novicki. These divided. We always cheer each other on
young women are exceptional student-ath- during bouts. One fun tradition we have is
letes who have exhibited outstanding lead- called ‘The Krusty Glove’, where every week,
ership skills and have been exemplary role Coach Harris’s old fencing glove is given to
models for their teammates to emulate. a squad that they believe earned it during
Cerasoli has been an honor roll student and the week. I like this because it gives people
has taken 7 advanced placement classes recognition for the work they put in. Anoth-
during her high school years. In addition to er thing I love is the spirit days that happen
her participation on the fencing team, she is the day of our matches or the day before
also the president of the Interact Club, the tournaments and the pasta parties that we
Diversity Club, the Model United Nations have. These traditions help our team feel
Club and the Computer Club. She plans to much more connected. Overall, it has
major in computer science upon gradua- been an amazing three years, and I feel
tion. Hansard is ranked sixth in her class out so privileged to be on this team.” Cera-
of 236 students. She has taken 8 AP class- soli’s sentiments are echoed by fellow
es throughout her high school years. In ad- captain Nina Novicki. In reflecting
dition, she is the secretary of the National on her experience, she said, “Be-
Honor Society and is the vice-president of ing a member of the women’s sa-
the Interact Club. She plans to pursue pre- ber squad has provided me with
law classes in college. Novicki is ranked 2nd the opportunity to be a part of
out of 236 students and is the salutatorian something greater than myself.
of her class. She has also taken 8 AP classes. What makes us successful is not
She has been the treasurer of her class for pure talent, but also the bond we
four years and is the founding member of share with each other. Our uncon-
the Leo Club. She plans to major in chemis- ditional support for each other and

NorthHavenMag.com 29