Athlete intent
on preserving
native language
Nya:wëh sgënö’ lani ni’gya:söh
Onödowa’ga:’ ni:’ah
This is Lani Cornfield’s way of saying to you: “Hello, I’m thankful you are well. Lani is my name and I’m of the Seneca Nation of Indians.”
Cornfield, a member of the Putnam Science Academy women’s prep basketball team, says life on campus isn’t all that different from living on the reservation, aside from one major thing. Instead of having time set aside each day to be taught her native language, she has to find time in her very busy schedule to teach herself to stay in practice. English is the dominant language on her reservation in western New York, though most of the elders there speak Seneca. She is passionate about keeping up.
“My mom knows a little bit. And my grandmother was fluent so I’d be speaking to her in Seneca around the house,” Cornfield said. “I’m just trying to learn as much as I can. In college and after, I do still plan on taking classes in the language and making sure my kids are exposed to it and around it.
“Our language is dying and I’m trying to keep up with it as much as I can and keep it alive.”
Cornfield, 17, moved to the reservation with her family – including twin Shawni, who is also at PSA – 10 years ago, and this is her first time away for such an extended period of time. Before this, it would be maybe a couple of weeks for basketball tournaments or visits. She has adjusted well off and on the court (more on the latter in a bit) but does still feel the tug of home and the culture.
“I want people to know about the history of Native Americans,” she said. “There is so much people just don’t know. Most schools that are near a reservation, they will learn about the reservation near them, and they’ll have the option for a language class for students to learn. But most schools don’t know or teach about Native Americans because they don’t live near a reservation.
“The hate that Native Americans get, the fact that a lot of things in our history are unrecognized, I just don’t think it’s fair and I think people should know about it. Our language is dying because of certain things that happened in the past. I just don’t think that it’s right and I want to do what I can to preserve it.”
(Full disclosure: Putnam Science Academy does not offer a course in Native American history or language.)
While back in New York, Cornfield was a dynamic scorer for Lake Shore High, where she scored more than 1,000 points through her junior year. PSA coach Amanda Morales had high expectations for the 5-foot, 6-inch point guard, but she wasn’t expecting them so quickly.
Cornfield took little time establishing herself though, dropping 21 points off the bench in the Mustangs’ season-opener in late October. She has continued to impress since then.
“She’s got her name in almost every category of the stat sheet and makes it really hard for me to take her out of the game,” Morales said. “She’s a dynamic guard with a high IQ. She’s very cerebral, picked up on the offense extremely fast and she knows every play from every position. She’s a winner and gets the job done.”
The Mustangs split their first four games of the season, played in a series of scrimmages this past weekend in Maryland, then return to the floor for road games that count in the standings tomorrow and Saturday.
They will be home again for three straight on December 5, 7, and 9.
Cornfield, the team’s leading scorer, will be ready.
“I think everybody has played well,” she said. “Everyone has their own key aspect to the team and their own thing that they can do really well. For me, I think I can see things outside of what we’re doing. I think I’m able to see things before they happen a little bit more than some and anticipate well.
“Everyone is always going to want to make an impression. But honestly, all I want to do is help my team win. That’s all I ever want to do.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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Thursday and Friday - No school. Happy Thanksgiving.
Woodstock public schools
Monday: Fish sandwiches, cole slaw, fruit. Tuesday: Mini pancakes, breakfast sausages, hash browns, fruit. Wednesday: No school.
Putnam Elementary/Middle
Monday - Breakfast for Lunch: French toast sticks, warm apple slices, scrambled eggs, hash browns. Tuesday: Sloppy Joes, carrots, Rice Crispy treats. Wednesday - half day: Mozzarella sticks, marinara sauce, broccoli.
Putnam High
Monday: Cheesesteak grinder or spicy chicken sandwiches. Tuesday: Rodeo BBQ rib sandwiches or bacon cheeseburgers. Wednesday - half day: Cheesy beef tot-chos or cheese quesadilla.
Pomfret Community
Monday: Popcorn chicken and mac n, cheese, carrots, rainbow tray with fruit and veggies. Tuesday: Roast turkey, gravy, smashed potatoes, corn, rainbow tray. Wednesday: Rodeo burgers, baked beans, rainbow tray.
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Honored
Two brothers who served in WWII, Constantino, 93, second from left; and Victor Lippiello, 99, received the Connecticut Veterans Service Medal in a ceremony at American Legion Post #67 in Thompson Nov. 7. Pictured with the Lippiello brothers are Senator Mae Flexer and Ryan McKenna. Courtesy photo.
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Wed. Nov. 20
Art Exhibit
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present Art @ the Library, Fiber & Art Compilation by Hope Barton, Pat Ferguson & Cathey LaBonte through Nov. 30. Opening Reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 13. 860-923-9779.
Thur. Nov. 21
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will host a winter art show through the end of December at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
Holiday Nature Store
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will host a Holiday Nature Store from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 20 at the Grassland Bird Conservation Center on Day Road. 860-928-4948.
‘Tastefully’ Feast
HAMPTON --- The Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce will present “Tastefully New England --- A Moveable Feast” starting at 6 p.m. at StoneHurst at Hampton Valley. $50. 860-774-8001.
Sat. Nov. 23
Community Conversation
DANIELSON --- The Quiet Corner subcommittee of the Windham/Willimantic NAACP Chapter will present “The Hurricane” (Rubin Hurricane Carter) at 1 p.m. at the Westfield Congregational Church on Main Street. It’s part of a free film series. Movie and popcorn free. Discussion follows.
Nature Program
HAMPTON --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret Center will present “Haiku Workshop with Sherri Vogt” from 10 a.m. to noon at Trail Wood on Kenyon Road. $5 for CAS members; $10 for nonmembers. Register online.
Fund-raiser Auction
EASTFORD --- Eastford Elementary School will host its annual Goods & Services Auction starting at 5 p.m. at the school’s gym. A brazen barbeque dinner will be available. Fund-raiser for the eighth grade trip to Washington, D.C.
Holly Day Fair
UNION --- The Congregational Church of Union on Rt. 191 will hold its Holly Day Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission free. Food and beverages available. Handicap accessible.
History Hike
EASTFORD --- The General Nathaniel Lyon “History Hike” on the Natchaug Trail will take place from 9 a.m. to noon starting from the Nathaniel Lyon Memorial Park on Kingsbury Road. 2.5 miles. For information and to RSVP: 860-774-3300.
Pastry Sale
DANIELSON --- The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church will hold a Greek Pastry Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the church on Water Street.
Sun. Nov. 24
Healing Service
BROOKLYN --- A Christian Healing Service will be held at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church on Providence Road. Includes praise and worship music at a celebration of the Eucharist. All welcome. 860-774-9352.
Turkey Shoot
N. GROSVENORDALE --- The Knights of Columbus on Riverside Drive will hold its annual ham and turkey shoot from 2 to 6 p.m. All welcome. 860-923-2967.
Tues. Nov. 26
Interfaith Service
PUTNAM --- The Greater Putnam Interfaith will hold its Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at 7 p.m. at B'nai Shalom Synagogue on Church Street. All faiths represented plus music and comments. Fellowship and refreshments follow. Monetary & non-perishable food donations for Daily Bread will gratefully accepted. All welcome. 860-928 7595.
Thur. Nov. 28
Happy Thanksgiving!
Fri. Nov. 29
Santa Coming
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Recreation Department and WINY Radio will sponsor Santa Coming to Town at 4:30 p.m. at Rotary Park. There will be candy canes, cookies and hot chocolate. The Big Ornament will be lighted and the new Santa Across the Falls will be unveiled.
Game Day
POMFRET --- The Windham-Tolland 4-H Camp in Pomfret is offering a Camper Game Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29, Black Friday, for kids ages 6-12. Food included. $20/child. All welcome. Preregister by Nov. 25: 860-974-1122.
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