By Harshitha Kothapalli – Editor-in-Chief

Jonathan Law Paraprofessional Mr. Greenbaum has taken his talents beyond the classroom with the release of his first book, “The Joy of Words.” 

The book is available in both softcover and hardcover on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Bookshop.org. In a generous gesture, Greenbaum also donated a copy to the school library for any students or staff interested in reading it. 

“‘The Joy of Words,” is about 50 pages long (haha),” Greenbaum said. “The book expresses the humor that I find in words, and the joy of learning new vocabulary. For example: ‘Here is a sentence using the words hummus and attune. I asked my friend to hummus attune that he heard on the radio.’”

Beyond writing and self-publishing his work, Greenbaum is donating all proceeds from book sales to the American Cancer Society. He said the book took him months to complete.

“I wrote ideas on paper for several months,” Greenbaum said. “Then, I rewrote, edited, and deleted the text until I was satisfied with what I had written.”

Greenbaum said writing “The Joy of Words” was rewarding in many ways.

“There were two parts of writing the book that were fulfilling,” Greenbaum said. “One was the creative process of expressing myself. The other was the joy of creating the illustrations. I was thrilled to find AI image software from a company called Craiyon, which was able to create illustrations in the style of artists such as van Gogh, Monet, Audubon and others that I had seen in museums. The intention was to offer readers the opportunity to search these artists and enjoy their  works.”

The biggest hurdle Greenbaum faced was trying to get the book published once it was written.

“The traditional route is to find a publishing agent who will accept the manuscript and then market the book to major publishers,” Greenbaum said. “I did not succeed, but I was able to get my book self-published.”

Greenbaum said he will continue to write – and is already coming up with ideas for a second book.

“My family has provided some suggestions, and I hope to get started soon on a new book,” Greenbaum said.

By Mihika Dabhade – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law SAVE Promise Club recently participated in National Safe Schools Week to raise awareness about school safety, mental health, and inclusion.

The club’s goal is to help students feel safe, supported, and connected.

Throughout the week, the club organized activities to spread awareness and promote safety. Members hosted a movie night on Sunday, October 19, shared a video message for National SAVE Day on October 22, and celebrated the school’s therapy dog, Winston, with a birthday party on October 23. The club also plans to send out a student survey during advisory to learn how safe students feel and gather ideas for improvement.

Advisor Mrs. Bregoli said that National Safe Schools Week is meant to draw attention to the continuing problem of school violence and teach students how schools can be made safer.

“It’s important to our school because unfortunately school violence is everywhere,” Bregoli said. “Many individuals have an invincible frame of mind, where we think it will never happen to us.”

Bregoli also noted that school shootings have nearly tripled in the past 20 years, with at least 118 incidents of gunfire on school grounds this year alone.

“We are looking to continue growing our impact as a club by promoting inclusion and friendship as a school,” Bregoli said. “Our hope is that everyone knows what SAVE Promise Club is and views our group as the ones who are promoting safety, mental health well-being, and a close community here at Jonathan Law.”

Junior Avery Oliveira said she loved the chalk drawings displayed at the school entrances during the week. 

“They added color and warmth to the entrances of the school,” Oliveira said. “The kind messages were a nice inviting way to start the school day.”

Senior Melissa Servas said she wanted to help promote SAVE to a wider group of students and the community.

Senior Sarah McCann said she joined because of her passion for mental health awareness.

 “I think it is important that students know there is always someone they can talk to. No one should ever feel alone,” McCann said.

With events like National Safe Schools Week, the SAVE Promise Club continues to encourage kindness, awareness, and safety at Law. The club hopes to keep growing its message throughout the year and make every student feel included and supported.

By Shania Sanchez – Staff Reporter 

Law’s Be The Light Bible Club was started four years ago by graduates Max Akuffo and Sarah Ahmed.

Akuffo and Ahmed approached Advisor Ms. Blude to start the club back up after its previous hiatus. The current Club Presidents are seniors Abby Jenkins and Hailey Stephen. 

The club meets every Wednesday after school in Room 49, Mr. Batson’s room. 

“Be The Light Club is a space where people who are or aren’t Christians can come and bring up any questions that they may have about Christianity for discussion in a judgment-free zone,” Stephen said.

Be The Light brings a kind, lively, and welcoming energy to its meetings. It intends to follow through with its name, to bring a strong light to Jonathan Law.

“The goal of the Be The Light Club is to bring students of faith (and even those questioning faith) together in a safe place, hoping to be a light of hope in our school,” Blude said. “It is so great bringing together students of different ages, ethnicities, and spiritual denominations together because they love Jesus.”

A goal of the club is for all to come and feel safe and to be a light of hope at the Law. 

“The atmosphere at the club is definitely very loving and very kind,” senior member Amaya Lewis said.

Be The Light is also participating in ALPHA, which is an event that begins on September 22 and lasts for eight weeks. It takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday nights in Room 49. It’s open to all who are interested and to those who are confident in their faith, and to those who are struggling with their faith.

“It’s honestly to help people who want to understand their faith and people who don’t know where to start,” Senior Secretary Meghan Velasquez said.

Another member of Be The Light shared what keeps them motivated to participate in the club.

“I really like learning and educating myself more about God and how I can move on with my life because I realized that I don’t have much guidance and I don’t have a light really,” senior member Harley Davidson said. “Going there and educating myself about God makes the light brighter and makes me focus on a more straight and focused path.” 

Members said Be the Light is accomplishing its goal of being a safe space and a light for those who wish to get closer to God. 

“I would describe the meetings in a word as supportive, but if I had to touch on other aspects, I would certainly mention the community there being supportive,” junior member Jeremiah Dos Santos said.

Anyone with questions about joining Be The Light can contact Mrs. Blude. 

By Aleah James – Staff Reporter

The Drama Club at Jonathan Law is more than a group of performers – it’s a creative community.

Members rehearse, design, build, and bond through shared work, laughter, and the spilled McDonald’s fries backstage. They attend professional productions, compete in award shows like the Halo Awards (last year’s team won for Best Costumes/Execution and received seven nominations for “The Lightning Thief”), and offer a place for students to grow.

Senior Drama Club President Christopher Serrano said he hopes to create a space, where every member feels valued and supported, whether they are on stage or behind the scenes.

“Drama is about collaboration, and the best experiences come when you commit fully and trust your fellow members,” Serrano said.

The group’s first meeting was Monday, September 23, where they did a full read-through of the show their strengths as a cast.. The production will run for three nights in the school auditorium, which the team is transforming into a magical setting.

The play picks up 19 years after the original Harry Potter series, focusing on Harry and his son Albus as they navigate identity, legacy, and the power of choice.

Senior Ross Dejusti was chosen as the lead role for Albus Potter.

“I didn’t choose the lead role,” Dejusti said. “I had initially auditioned for the role of Scorpius, Draco Malfoy’s son, but I was also open to any male roles. I do love Albus’s character, though, and definitely opened up to the idea of playing him during callbacks.”

Dejusti added that while last year he shared a co-lead role, this time he’s ready to step into the spotlight.

“I think the best part of leading roles is how much involvement you have in rehearsals and being able to really focus in on your character,” Dejusti said.

Though he’s not planning to pursue acting as a career, Dejusti said Drama Club has still left a huge impact on him.

“Drama Club and our productions give me a sense of purpose and belonging,” Dejusti said. “Nothing is more exciting than seeing everything come to fruition once the show is on.”

Janelle Dimya, a returning sophomore member, said that being in Drama gave her a strong sense of belonging.

“When I hit a high note or finally nail the choreography, I get the overwhelming feeling that this is where I’m supposed to be,” Dimya said. “Drama is a place where you can really let go and own your talent. Everyone is extremely kind and appreciative of each other’s talent. That encouraged me to try new things and take risks with my role.”

Dimya also reflected on the community she’s found.

“I’ve met some of my best friends through Drama,” Dimya said. “We bonded over McDonald’s trips before rehearsal in the rain, stolen backstage chatter, and inside jokes about questionable lyrics. I encourage anyone who’s interested to join because seeing us all grow our confidence and skills is such a reward, and of course our productions are always amazing. If you don’t join, you can support us by coming to see our performances.”

She said the club is always looking for new members to join.

“We’re always looking for new people, especially crew members and boys,” Dimya said. “We have a strong backbone of dedicated people, but having more guys and people in the crew would be so valuable for us.”

Carter Elliott, a three-year member of the club, agreed.

“Being in Drama is basically like being in one giant family,” Elliott said. “People get along with each other so well, I can always go to anyone in the club if I ever needed to.”

Elliott hopes more people will join the club this year — especially guys and backstage crew.

“Even if you don’t act, there’s something for you,” Elliott said. “Tech crew, lights, set building… it’s fun and chill, and you get to be part of the show in a different way.”

Tickets for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: High School Edition” will go on sale in early November.

By Joeliz Gonzalez – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Choir is ready to blow the roof off each performance this school year.

The Choir recently performed at Law’s first Pep Rally of the year, singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” They also practiced singing the National Anthem by going on a field trip to UConn and singing with the UConn choir the day before.

Choir Director Ms. Jones said she tries as hard as she does so that students can see the beauty she first saw in music during her middle school days. 

“I just put my flute down and thought to myself, this is what I am going to do for the rest of my life,” Jones said. “And I realized at that moment, the reason I hated it before was because the teacher didn’t love what she was doing.”

The Choir Board Leaders are striving to set goals for the entire Choir, hoping they can be accomplished with effort and dedication. 

“I think our biggest goal this year is to have a successful and strong community for singers,” Senior Manager and Board Member Lexi Velez said. “So we feel confident in the way we perform so we can be successful for our upcoming concerts and competitions.”

Students said what makes Choir so special is how strongly they connect as a community and how seriously they take competition. This dedication only makes the choir sound and perform better.

“The Jonathan Law Choir community is one big family,” Junior Advanced Vocal Ensemble member Analiyah Velez said. “We all work together to make everyone feel included. There are many different personalities and backgrounds that come together to create this community that everyone feels welcome and safe to be in.”

The Choir has several significant events coming up, including a Bottle and Can Drive, the Choir Breakfast Club, the Winter Concert, and CMEA Auditions. 

“I’m most excited about the Winter Concert because I want students in Law and their family members to see how great of a choir we really are,” junior Concert Choir member Leia Fidalgo said. 

First-year members already love what Choir brings to the table, and they are quickly adjusting to the community. They seem to grow stronger and stronger every performance.

“I’m excited for all the concerts and making connections with everyone,” junior Concert Choir first-year member Analiese Ponce said.

By Kaylanii Albert – Staff Reporter

Every Monday, the Jonathan Law Science Club meets after school to build, test, and prepare for their upcoming competitions. 

Science Club allows students to meet new people, make more friends, and compete in Science Olympiads.

“My favorite part of Science Club is how it combines teamwork, competition, and hands-on learning,” President Siya Patil said. “I enjoy diving into topics beyond the classroom, preparing for events with my teammates, and then putting our knowledge to the test at competitions.”

A Science Olympiad consists of 23 different events, and the first competition is usually in January or February at various universities.

The competitions can be very competitive and stressful, but very rewarding and worth it in the end. 

The Olympiads are always held at a different college or university, including UConn. The Science Club at Law has competed at Yale, Brown, MIT, and Harvard.

“The events are all at different times and locations on the college campus,” Science Club Advisor Ms. Turcotte said. “so they are all running around campus to the various locations to meet with their partners for each event.”

At a Science Olympiad, members from each 15-person team are assigned to multiple events. The events are focused on a variety of topics, including astronomy, anatomy, chemistry lab, forensics, robotics, and more.

“Many of our students over the years have placed in the top three for various events,” Science Club Advisor Mrs. Gagnon said.

This year the Science Club is hoping to compete at Princeton.

“It’s very competitive and other schools put a lot of effort into their projects,” senior Aryan Sikhinam said. “But the satisfaction of going up on stage and taking home a medal is unmatched and makes everything worth it.”

Science Club offers a supportive environment where students can explore their interests in science. It’s a place to learn, grow, and make lasting friendships.

“Since I was a freshman, I wasn’t feeling comfortable meeting new people at first,” sophomore Ziad Elsayed said. “But later on in the year, I made new friends in the science olympiad, and it was a great and memorable experience meeting new people.”

Science Club can give students the opportunity to try new things, challenge their learning, and step out of their comfort zone.

“Participating in the Science Club provides students with an opportunity to explore and learn STEM topics that may not be covered in their classes,” Turcotte said. “They also get to meet and work with other students who share their interests.”

By Robert Vercellone – Staff Reporter

Now in its fifth year, Law’s student-run Help Desk includes eight juniors and seniors who fix Chromebooks and offer the Law community technology assistance.

Students troubleshoot broken screens, system errors, and connectivity problems. They work independently or in pairs while managing live help tickets.

“The Help Desk gives students hands-on technical training while keeping the school’s tech running throughout the day,” Library Media Specialist and Help Desk Supervisor Ms. Mundy. “They manage hundreds of devices and are scheduled during class or study hall, covering nearly every period for on-demand tech support.”

The program started with three students and has grown steadily.

“With hundreds of Chromebooks and classroom devices in use every day, the school relies on the Help Desk to keep things running,” said Ms. Mundy. “Students solve real-time issues while building practical skills they can use beyond the classroom.”

This year, the Help Desk covers every period except seventh period. Students and staff can access tech help almost any time during the day. The Help Desk is housed in the TLC, making it very convenient for students to access.

Freshman Joey Amaro went to the Help Desk when his Chromebook wasn’t working and said the services were great.

“When my chrome book wasn’t turning on, the Help Desk made sure I got a new Chromebook that worked,” Amaro said. “The service was quick.”

Mundy recruits Help Desk students through AP Computer Science classes and interviews. Applicants also need teacher recommendations to qualify. Technology teacher Ms. Corriveau also helps evaluate applicants during the selection process.

“I accept juniors and seniors who have an interest in computer science careers,” Mundy said. 

Students leave the program with a competitive edge in tech. Many land campus IT jobs as freshmen or qualify early for tech internships.

Junior Rithvik Muthyapu made sure to prepare to work at the Help Desk in advance.

“I made sure to take at least one AP Computer Science class and made sure I had a study hall open,” Muthyapu said.

Junior Abdulla Faial enjoys hands-on learning at the Help Desk the most.

“My favorite part about working in the Help Desk is learning about the hardware of the Chromebook,” Faial said.

Junior Hailey Stephen first learned about the Help Desk in 10th grade.

“When I entered my junior year, I filled out a form and joined,” Stephen said.

Help Desk students also assist the BIDS department with more advanced problems. This gives them real insight into professional tech systems and operations.

“They learn skills with me and with the BIDS department,” Mundy said. “It also helps me by taking Chromebook swaps off my plate.”

Help Desk is more than student tech support – t’s a stepping stone into the IT world. Students graduate with real-world skills, confidence, and a strong head start in tech careers.

By Jackson King – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Senior Leaders put together the first Spirit Week of the year from September 15-19.

The Spirit Week consisted of five themed days: Dress Like The First Letter Of Your First Name, Anything But A Backpack Day, Sports Jersey vs. Jersey Shore Day, USA Day, and Law Gear Day.

“Spirit Week encourages students to work together because the more you are connected to our school, the better students do academically and socially,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “Spirit Week is meant to bring the entire school together.”

All week long, students and staff took part in themed dress-up days, and the celebrations wrapped up with a Pep Rally in the gym with all four grades.

“It’s fun because it’s different and it only happens every once in a while,” junior Tyler Stankevich said.

The participation across grade levels was another highlight. 

“I think it’s very fun and gives people a chance to be creative and show what they have,” junior Matthew Witteman said.

Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors all contributed in different ways, creating an environment where everyone felt involved.

“My favorite day this week was anything but a backpack because it’s creative and raises school spirit,” freshman Stash Kamykowski said.

For the Pep Rally on Friday at the end of Spirit Week, students participated in games such as musical chairs and other games and competitions. There was also a performance from the choir and band. 

The goal of Spirit Week is to bring the school together and increase pride, energy, and school spirit through fun activities. 

“Spirit week helps build school spirit and community by everyone getting together and participating together throughout the school,” junior Alex Konlian said. “We have a great community, and most of our school participates in Spirit Week.”

Teachers also noted the positive energy flowing through the building. Many said that the excitement carried over into the classroom, helping students feel more motivated.

Spirit Week reminded everyone at Jonathan Law that school pride is strongest when the whole community comes together.

By Calder Costantini – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law High School hosted its first Pep Rally of the year on September 19.

The Pep Rally was held in the new gym. It featured games such as musical chairs, rock-paper-scissors with beads, and more. The event also tied into Save Promise Week, a national campaign promoting kindness and inclusion in schools across the country.

“Our first pep rally of the year, especially paired with Save Promise Week, is really to create a fun and welcoming environment for all of our students,” Pep Rally Advisor Mrs. Francisco said. “We had some fun competitions and activities that some students may have seen in the past while they are new to others.”

The Pep Rally kick-started school spirit at Jonathan Law this year. 

“School spirit RUNS the pep rallies,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “The senior class leaders made sure to incorporate the whole school, the best they could.” 

Many dedicated senior student leaders work hard to keep spirits high and keep the whole school involved in fun upcoming events, sports, clubs, and more.

“I was looking forward to getting all the classes involved and all the games we have organized for the Pep Rally,” Senior Leader Yeiden Nieves said.

The event also built momentum for that evening’s varsity football game, where Jonathan Law clinched a narrow 28–27 victory at home against Xavier.

“My class enjoyed this whole event,” freshman Stanley Kamykowski said. “The games were very well put together, and it seemed everyone was looking forward to the rest of the year.”

This Pep Rally kicked off a year full of school spirit and fun activities for the whole school.

“Hopefully we can increase participation little by little,” Pep Rally Advisor Mrs. Jones said. “School spirit is an underrated aspect of a school community.”

As the Pep Rally began, student leaders united the school by leading a chant throughout the entire gymnasium, motivating students to cheer loudly and bring the energy.

“The Pep Rally was great,” Nieves said. “The classes really brought the energy, and the games were electric.”

By Sarah Hammad – Staff Reporter

Law’s Teaching and Learning Commons holds a variety of resources that are available to help both students and staff. 

Within the TLC, students can get help on schoolwork in the Support Center from teachers specializing in Math and English. There is also a tutor, Mr. August, to help students make an organized plan to help them study. 

“The TLC is a great place to access everything you need to be successful in school,” Library Media Specialist Ms. Mundy said. “From the Support Center, to tech support, to research support, to collaboration spaces, the TLC can help you out.”

Students can go to the TLC website to get resources to help with their research papers and more.

“Getting book recommendations from Ms. Mundy has been very helpful,” freshman Nadia Cepeda said. “I hope to utilize the TLC English and Math Support Centers, especially during Midterms and Finals.”

Students are allowed to go to the TLC during their study hall or advisory period, as long as they notify their teachers beforehand.

“The TLC offers students help in almost every academic area,” Journalism teacher Mr. Kulenych said. 

Both English and Math Support Centers are available for students during their free periods. 

“Between the Math Support Center, the English Support Center, the Student Help Desk for tech issues, and Media Specialist Ms. Mundy, there are teachers and staff available to help students every period of the day, and students should take advantage of these resources,” Kulenych said.

Students can also check out books with genres appealing to everyone.

“I got a book there, and I’m sure I’ll need the staff’s help in the future with things like tech issues or homework,” freshman Mihika Dabhade said. “I think it’s great that we have a support center that helps so many students.”

Overall, the TLC is a great way to get help with homework and upcoming projects.

“You can use the TLC to your benefit by utilizing the in-school tutors,” sophomore Dania Fermin said. “You can usually come by during your study hall to get help with subjects like math.” 

By Ryan Woods – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law Spanish teacher Mr. McPartland is not only making an impact in the classroom but on the court and on the diamond as well.

McPartland is the head basketball coach and assistant baseball coach at Law and the leader of the Spanish Honor Society.

“My top priority is to support my students to the very best of my ability and help them grow into the kind of people they and their families can be proud of, McPartland said. “I’m also deeply committed to supporting the goals of our World Language Department.”

This year, McPartland is starting his first year as the basketball head coach after a year as an assistant coach at North Haven, a year as assistant coach under Mr. Dooley, and eight years as assistant under Jamie Anderson.

McPartland can’t wait for the season to start.

“Our pre-season weight room and conditioning work begins this week, and that time is so important for us,” McPartland said. “I believe that when we take on tough challenges together, we grow stronger and grow to become better prepared for whatever comes our way.”

Law senior captain Ryan Nobles is excited to get going with McPartland.

“I believe that when we take on tough challenges together, we grow stronger and grow to become better prepared for whatever comes our way,” Nobles said. “He has helped me personally become better on and off the court”.

Besides McPartland’s commitment to basketball, he also makes an impact on the baseball team as an assistant coach.

“He makes practice fun, so we can get better and it’s not too serious. That’s how I think a JV coach should approach it,” sophomore Dylan O’Neil said. “He still helps us improve but interacts with us keeping it a fun sport to play while still helping us improve.” 

When McPartland isn’t making an impact as a coach, he’s doing so in the classroom. McPartland is the leader of the Spanish Honor Society where they promote and study the diverse Spanish language and culture.

Between all of his roles, McPartland has made a widespread impact on the Law community.

“I can honestly say that I love coming to work at Law every day,” McPartland said. “The students are the heart of what I do, and they make this job truly meaningful. On top of that, the support I receive from my colleagues and our administration is second to none.”