By Ella Hopkins-Gianotti & Morgan Cappock – Social Media Editors
Jonathan Law students have been back in school for just over a month and the effects of the school’s phone ban are beginning to take shape.
NEWS
THE ADVOCATE INVESTIGATES: One Month With No Cell Phones – Student Survey Infographics
By Ella Hopkins-Gianotti and Morgan Cappock – Advocate Editors
The Advocate surveyed 244 Jonathan Law students across all grade levels about their feelings on the new cell phone policy. Here is a breakdown of their responses and suggestions.
THE ADVOCATE INVESTIGATES: One Month With No Cell Phones – Jonathan Law Students, Faculty Adjust To New Cell Phone Policy
By Calder Costantini, Tyler Lilly, Taylor Mola, and Tiana Rosiak – Advocate Editors
The 2026-2027 school year has been in session for just over month, and so has the new phone ban enacted by the Milford Public Schools.
THE ADVOCATE INVESTIGATES: One Month With No Cell Phones – Why Cell Phone Lockers?
By Ava Grippo – Editor-In-Chief
Cell phone lockers, also known as “Victor Boxes,” are now being used in many schools across the country.
NEWS: Milford’s Jazz’n Downtown Festival Looks To Attract Audience Of All Ages
By Danielle Kotansky, Aislyn McKernan, Alexandra Oliveira, and Eloise Mackell – Co-Editors-In-Chief For The Advocate and The Mane Street Mirror
For the first time, Milford is hosting Jazz’n Downtown, a Milford Arts Council-sponsored event featuring 15 jazz artists who will be performing throughout Milford’s downtown.
NEWS: Law Student Band Syndicate Plays Show At Toad’s Place
By Grace Terranova – Staff Reporter
Local hardcore band Syndicate, composed of five Jonathan Law students, played in a 12-band lineup at Toad’s Place in New Haven on September 17.
NEWS: Mr. Batson Teaches History Students With Creativity, Humor
By Trey Berlingo – Staff Reporter
Mr. Batson is a history teacher at Jonathan Law where he teaches all grades, including a Criminology class.
NEWS: Jonathan Law Offers All Students Plenty Of Support Options
By Juliette Robertson – Staff Reporter
Some common struggles that high school students face are getting burnt out and feeling overwhelmed.
NEWS: Jonathan Law French Club Returns, Looks For New Members
By Gianna Morant – Staff Reporter
The Jonathan Law French Club, advised by French teacher Dr. Evans, will be starting soon.
NEWS: The Morning Briefing Back On The Air For New School Year
By Emme Moulton – Staff Reporter
Jonathan Law’s daily morning news show, The Morning Briefing, has restarted its program for the new year.
NEWS: Law Debate Club Returns For 2026-2027 School Year
By Shravya Thokala – Staff Reporter
Jonathan Law’s Debate Club is taking off again for the 2026-2027 school year.
NEWS: Law’s Multicultural Club Celebrates All Backgrounds, Traditions
By Nadia Cepeda – Staff Reporter
Jonathan Law’s Multicultural Club is now up and running with bi-weekly meetings Thursdays after school in Room 58.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…
5 QUESTIONS WITH..Advisor Mr. Boynton About The Law Key Club
By Joey Amaro – Entertainment Editor
Mr. Boynton is the Advisor for Key Club at Jonathan Law.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…Science Teacher Mr. Morazzini About The Law Fishing Club
By Cameron Medina – Staff Reporter
Mr. Morazzini is the Advisor for the Fishing Club at Jonathan Law.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…Mr. Maurutis About Helping Students Build Healthy Futures
By Jackson King – Social Media Editor
Mr. Maurutis is a Health teacher at Law.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…Head Coach Mrs. Francisco About The Girls Soccer Team
By Ryan Woods – News Editor
Alicia Francisco is the Head Coach for the Jonathan Law girls soccer team.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…Dean Of Students Mr. Ragaini About The New School Year
By Zach Hyatt – News Editor
Mr. Ragaini is the Dean of Students at Jonathan Law.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…Mr. McPartland About Teaching Spanish At Jonathan Law
By Matthew Witteman – Social Media Editor
Mr. McPartland is a Spanish teacher at Jonathan Law.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…Mr. August About His Role As The Jonathan Law Tutor
By Morgan Cappock – Social Media Editor
Mr. August is the tutor at Law.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…Senior Manager Ava Daniele About The Law Choir
By Taylor Mola – Social Media Editor-In-Chief
Senior Ava Daniele is the Choir Manager for the Law Choir.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…Sophomore Class President Marina Cosmas About The School Year
By Alexandra Oliveira – Editor-in-Chief
Marina Cosmas is the Sophomore Class President at Jonathan Law.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…Senior Class President McKenzie Forte About The ’26-’27 School Year
By Aislyn McKernan – Editor-In-Chief
McKenzie Forte is the Senior Class President at Jonathan Law.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…English Teacher Mr. Healy About Advanced Creative Writing & Publishing
By Tyler Lilly – Editorial and News Editor
Mr. Healy is the Advanced Creative Writing and Publishing teacher at Law.
5 QUESTIONS WITH…Senior Co-President Aislyn McKernan About Law’s SAVE Promise Club
By Dani Kotansky – Editor-In-Chief
SAVE Promise has begun their regular meetings and activities this school year.
SPORTS
SPORTS: ACL Tears Sideline Several Jonathan Law Fall Athletes
By Nicholas Vancho – Staff Reporter
Less than a month into the new school year, an epidemic has already hit Jonathan Law – an epidemic of ACL tears.
SPORTS: Bickelhaupt Enjoying Role As Jonathan Law’s New Athletic Director
By Malachi Warren – Staff Reporter
Jonathan Law hired a new Athletic Director, Ms. Bickelhaupt, this year, replacing former Athletic Director Tom Drew.
SPORTS: Jonathan Law Cheer Team Ready For Fall, Competition Seasons
By Penny Timmeny – Staff Reporter
The Jonathan Law Cheer team is ready to enter its fall season.
SPORTS: Law Boys XC Team Takes Starting Line For Fall Seasom
By Henry Smith and Logan Mullarkey – sports editors
With the 2026 season underway, the Jonathan Law boys cross country team is focused on improving every day and competing for a Milford City Championship.
SPORTS: Senior Venditti Ready To Lead Law Boys Soccer Team This Season
By Ryan Woods and Zachary Hyatt – News Editors
Senior Amilio Venditti is very confident in the Law boys soccer team this season and thinks they can advance deep into the State playoffs.
SPORTS: Jonathan Law Football Team Looks To Return To State Playoffs
By Calder Costantini – Entertainment Editor
The Jonathan Law football team is gearing up for its season-opening road game against Hamden on September 10 at 6:00 p.m.
SPORTS: Law Volleyball Team Prepares For Successful 2026 Season
By Connor Ryan – Sports Editor
The Jonathan Law volleyball team is ready to start its fall season.
SPORTS: Senior Captain Moller Leads Law Boys Soccer Team In Senior Season
By Vaughn Kraynak – Entertainment Editor
Last year, the Law boys soccer team was led by a young group of three junior captains.
LIFE AFTER LAW
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2026 Graduate Jackson Judge
By Vaughn Kraynak – Entertainment Editor
Jonathan Law Class of 2026 graduate Jackson Judge recently began his freshman year of college at Southern Connecticut State University, majoring in Finance.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Will Smith
By Henry Smith – Sports Editor
After graduating from Law in 2025, Will Smith decided to take a different path from many of his classmates.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Connor Woods
By James Austin – Staff Reporter
Class of 2025 graduate Connor Woods is looking back on his football career at Jonathan Law and his journey beyond high school.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2026 Graduate Jack Lefevre
By Connor Ryan – News Editor
Jonathan Law Class of 2026 graduate Jack Lefevre recently started his first year of college at Southern Connecticut University, majoring in Sports Management with a concentration in Sports Media.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2026 Graduate Molly Croce
By Logan Mullarkey – Sports Editor
Jonathan Law Class of 2026 graduate Molly Croce has begun her first year at the University of Connecticut, majoring in Animal Science and following a pre-veterinary track.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2026 Graduate Brian Gonzalez
By Dylan Gaillard – Sports Editor
Jonathan Law Class of 2026 graduate Brian Gonzalez recently started his first year of college at Southern Connecticut University, majoring in Business and Finance.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2026 Graduate Jordyn Torres
By Madi Black – Social Media Editor-In-Chief
Jonathan Law Class of 2026 graduate Jordyn Torres has begun her first year of college at Southern Connecticut University, majoring in Psychology.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2026 Graduate Molly Lynch
By Ava Grippo – Editor-In-Chief
Jonathan Law Class of 2026 graduate Molly Lynch has begun her first year of college at Emerson in Boston, Massachusetts, majoring in Journalism.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Carol Jiang
By Anwita Puttam – News Editor
Jonathan Law Class of 2025 graduate and former Law girls tennis captain Carol Jiang is now completing her freshman year at UConn.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Bryce Butros
By Taylor Mola – Social Media Editor
Jonathan Law Class of 2025 graduate Bryce Butros is currently attending the University of New Haven, where he is majoring in Cybersecurity.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Quinn Shane
By Harshitha Kothapalli – Editor-in-Chief
Jonathan Law Class of 2025 graduate Quinn Shane is embracing college life at Clemson University, where she is majoring in Financial Management.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Sean Luxedor
By Logan Mullarkey & Yeiden Nieves – Advocate Editors
After graduating from Jonathan Law last year, Sean Luxedor took the next step in his educational journey at the University of South Carolina, where he is studying History.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Sage Sonsini
By Molly Lynch and Ava Grippo – News Editors
Law Class of 2025 graduate Sage Sonsini is currently attending Albertus Magnus University in New Haven where she is majoring in Biology and playing lacrosse.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Cam Upchurch
By Henry Smith & Sebastian Beltran – Advocate Editors
Jonathan Law Class of 2025 graduate Cam Upchurch is finishing his freshman year at Monmouth University, where he is studying Economics with a concentration in Finance and competing in track.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2024 Graduate Maya Markowitz
By Kayla Markowitz – Editor-in-Chief
It has been approximately a year and a half since the last update on Jonathan Law Class of 2024 graduate Maya Markowitz.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Paige Kantor
By Aislyn McKernan and Madi Black – Social Media Editors-in-Chief
Jonathan Law Class of 2025 graduate Paige Kantor is finishing her freshman year at Endicott College, where she is majoring in Nursing.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Michael Merchant
By Connor Ryan and Brady O’Niell – Advocate Editors
Jonathan Law alum Michael Merchant is finishing up his freshman year at Salve Regina University, where he continues both his academic and athletic journey as a member of the baseball team.
LIFE AFTER LAW: Catching Up With Class Of 2025 Graduate Lasya Pydipati
By Cora Aitkenhead and Dani Kotansky – News Editors
Jonathan Law alum Lasya Pydipati is wrapping up her freshman year as a UConn Husky.
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT: J. Cole’s Surprise EP An Exciting Piece Of 2026
By Calder Costantini – Editorial Editor
Released on January 27, J. Cole surprised fans with his four-track mixtape, “Birthday Blizzard ’26.”
ENTERTAINMENT: ADÉLA Debuts With The Notable Album “PRIMA”
By Tiana Rosiak – Entertainment Editor
The artist ADÉLA released her debut album, “PRIMA,” on September 4.
ENTERTAINMENT: Looking Back On J. Cole’s “4 Your Eyez Only” Album
By Calder Costantini – Editorial Editorc
The 10th anniversary of J. Cole’s “4 Your Eyez Only” is December 9, making it the perfect time to look back on this short but impactful project.
ENTERTAINMENT: “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” A Perfect Mix Of Romance, Fantasy
By Ava Grippo – Editor-In-Chief
“The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” is an adult novel written by V.E Schwab that was released in 2020.
ENTERTAINMENT: “Twilight” Remains Awkward But Memorable After 19 Years
By Tiana Rosiak – Entertainment Editor
The film “Twilight” was released on November 21, 2008.
ENTERTAINMENT: “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” Gives Peter Parker A Fresh Start
By Calder Costantini – Entertainment Editor
Spider-Man has long been one of Marvel’s most recognizable heroes.
ENTERTAINMENT: “Obsession” Movie Takes Internet By Storm
By Joey Amaro – Entertainment Editor
“Obsession” is a psychological horror film from 2026 that was both directed and written by Curry Barker.
ENTERTAINMENT: “Backrooms” Makes Strong Attempt At An Adaptation
By Tiana Rosiak – Entertainment Editor
The movie “Backrooms” released in theaters on May 29.
OPINION
EDITORIAL: White House Media Ban An Unconstitutional Attack On Press Freedom
By Tyler Lilly – Editorial and News Editor
President Trump issued a statement on September 19 announcing that CNN, Politico, and MS NOW were banned from the White House effective immediately.
EDITORIAL: Flock Cameras A Blatant Attempt To Normalize Mass Surveillance
By Tyler Lilly – Editorial Editor
There are over 130,000 Flock cameras in the United States, owned and manufactured by Flock Safety.
EDITORIAL: Hantavirus Outbreak Is Not The End Of The World
By Tyler Lilly – Staff Reporter
On May 2, the World Health Organization was alerted to an outbreak of hantavirus on a U.K. cruise ship, the MV Hondius.
EDITORIAL: Signing Off…Together
By Kayla Markowitz and Harshitha Kothapalli – Editors-in-Chief
If you know anything about The Advocate, you have probably gotten used to seeing our names at the top of articles for the past four years.
IN-DEPTH FEATURES
FEATURES: LGBTQ Community Fights For Equality, End To Bullying In Schools
By Jordyn Wirth – Staff Reporter
On January 28, Keloni Grand was harassed and threatened to be killed for being a transgender female. This happened as she walked home from school shorty after school was dismissed. A group of males followed her out of Melrose High School in Melrose, Massachusetts, calling her hurtful names, threatening to do harm to her, and threatening to kill her.
FEATURES: Would Teens Benefit From Later School Start Times?
By Ethan Harrigan – Staff Reporter
Brian Zirkel is a sophomore at Jonathan Law High School, balancing a large course load, including an AP class, with playing varsity tennis for the Law team. He usually gets only 6-7 hours of sleep due to the homework he has to do after his extracurricular activities, and because of the school start time of 7:20 a.m.
