By Nisali Fernando (Entertainment Editor) and Tyler Chavez (News Editor)

The Jonathan Law Class of 2021 recently learned what it means to be #lawmazing.

Members of the Jonathan Law community recently made its annual visit to speak to 8th graders at Harborside Middle School and West Shore Middle School.

On October 5th and 6th, nearly 20 Jonathan Law seniors visited the middle schools to answer any questions the eighth graders had and inform them about life at the high school.

“I thought the presentation provided my students with important information about all the great opportunities available at JLHS,” said former Law assistant principal and current West Shore principal Mr. Cavanna. “More importantly I thought the presentation demonstrated the family atmosphere that Law offers and the great relationship between our two schools.”

The Law students took a bus to each middle school where Law principal Mr. Thompson presented a slideshow which gave an overview of the school. The presentation gave eighth graders a glimpse into what Jonathan Law was like.

“It was my hope to generate some interest so that the eighth graders would tell their parents to come to our open house because I believe once they get to Law just being there really helps to clinch the deal about making their choice our school,” Thompson said.

Afterwards, the eighth graders and Law students were divided into groups. Here, current Law students gave their personal stories and history with Jonathan Law High School.

“We had a tough task actually, we had to sum up the entire high school experience in only about 1/2 an hour, which as I say it is pretty much impossible,” Law senior Matt Zancewicz said. “We did our best to explain the challenges that can come along with high school. The homework, grading policy and expectations are all new to them so it’s tough.”

The seniors used their own experience to give the middle school students a view into the life they could live at Jonathan Law. They wanted to highlight how getting involved around school could make their experience so memorable.

“I told them how at first I wasn’t really involved in too much,” senior Casey LaScola said. “But then I jumped into a bunch of clubs and joined golf and now, I’ve got little families all over the place.”

The eighth graders asked questions about topics related to Jonathan Law. The seniors and accompanying faculty members answered these questions attempting to give the middle school students a better understanding of Law.

“I was inspired by each of the Law representatives’ stories about their experiences at Law,’ Harborside eighth grader Adarsh Senthilnathan said. “I am glad they came to talk about amazing things at Law. I’m excited to be a Lawman!”

Jonathan Law students made sure to display their school spirit. They didn’t hesitate to make it known that they are Lawmen as they wore their “I’m A Lawman, What Are You?” T-shirts and smiled when talking about their high school.

“[The Law students] were well-spoken, friendly, and knowledgeable,” Cavanna said. “They looked great in their Law T-shirts.”

Everyone involved wanted to show why Jonathan Law was the best choice for middle school students.

“I wanted [the middle school students] to get a first-hand experience of the great academic and extracurricular experiences Law has to offer,” Cavanna said. “Simply put, I wanted them to see that Law is their best choice for high school.”

Middle school teachers were very impressed with how the high schoolers carried themselves. They felt the presentation was informative and helpful for middle schoolers.

“I believe the presentation and particularly the break out sessions where students get the opportunity to talk with [middle school] graduates help to put the students at ease with this big change in their life,” West Shore social studies teacher Mr. Montanaro said.

Jonathan Law seniors looked back at the visits from high schoolers from when they were in eighth grade. 

“Middle school visits were big when I was in eighth grade because I was choosing between Law and St. Joseph’s,” Zancewicz said. “After attending both open houses, the ability to converse with Law’s students truly put Law over the top.”

Middle school students took away valuable information from the sessions. The interaction with actual high school seniors made them more comfortable.

The Harborside and West Shore teachers were also able to reconnect with some of their former students. It was a reunion for the Lawmen with some of their favorite teachers.

“I look forward to the presentations every year but my absolute favorite part is catching up with my former students just to learn what is going on in their lives,” Montanaro said. “I am delighted to see that they have grown into wonderfully caring and responsible young adults who are willing to come back and put our students at ease.”

Reconnecting with old teachers during the presentations were an added bonus for the seniors.

“I loved seeing my old teachers,” LaScola said. “I’ve been busy with school and clubs and everything so I haven’t gotten a chance to go back and visit on my own in a while.”

Even Cavanna and Thompson got in on the reunion fun, sharing a friendly hug and conversation as the seniors and faculty members entered the West Shore cafeteria.

“Now that my friend Mr. Cavanna is at West Shore, it’s really fun to go down and see him,” Thompson said.

From visits to the middle schools, to the freshman seminar, Jonathan Law is working to help prospective Lawmen adjust to high school. These seniors have made it their mission to showcase the great things the school they love has to offer.