“5 Questions With…” is a new monthly column that will feature 5-question interviews with the students, faculty, and staff at Law that are making news in and out of the classroom.

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(Photo courtesy milfordmirror.com)

February 27, 2016

By Nicole Macchio – Entertainment Editor

Nicole Macchio: What was required for you to win Miss Emerald Isle?

Kelly Scianna: I sent in a photo of myself and an essay in regards to my Irish Heritage, school activities, and community service. I also included why I would like to be Miss Emerald Isle in 2016.

NM: What was the next step of the process?

KS: I was interviewed about what I wrote, and about how I would fulfill the duties of Miss Emerald Isle.

NM: What will you have to do now that you’ve won?

KS: Some duties I will be involved in are to help fundraise for the St. Patrick’s Day parade, and to make appearances at Milford festivals like the Oyster Festival, Woodmont Day, and the Irish Festival.

NM: What made you want to apply for this honor?

KS: Since I was 5, I always wanted to be Miss Emerald Isle. I saw her in the parade, and ever since then, I had worked towards coveting the crown. Even at my coronation, the Parade Chairman, Marty Hardiman, jokingly said, “She’s been saying she wanted to be Miss Emerald Isle since she was crawling.” Being a Miss Emerald Isle is not only a great opportunity, but it also involves a greater sense of community that lasts a lifetime.

NM: How did you learn about the contest? 

KS: Being Irish, I went to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade every year. When I was 5, I remember being mesmerized when I saw Miss Emerald Isle and I was determined to accomplish this honor ever since.

“5 Questions With…” is a new monthly column that will feature 5-question interviews with the students, faculty, and staff at Law that are making news in and out of the classroom.

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(Photo courtesy Officer Kiely)

February 26, 2016

By Valeria Araujo – News Editor

On February 18, all juniors at Jonathan Law attended an assembly in the new gym about the dangers of texting and driving, which was set up by Officer Kiely and other faculty members.

Valeria Araujo: Why do you think the driving simulator program is important?

Officer Kiely: It’s important because the students should  know the perspective of a person who texts and drives.

VA: How do you think it benefits the student?

OK: Because they have this perspective they can realize the dangers of it and they can learn why not to text and drive.

VA: How did you go about setting the program up at Jonathan Law?

OK: I found them online and it was actually free because the CT Department of Transportation (DOT) is sponsoring the program and they’re are going to be here for a month or so going from school to school in CT giving the program.

VA: What is the driving simulator? Did you try the simulator?

OK: Yes I did, and I failed miserably. The way the simulator works is that you’re seated in front of a screen, that is actually model from real streets in Colorado and Canada, and other places, and you drive like you normally would but they have a phone plugged into the system. The system will send texts to the phone and the person who is in the simulator will have to respond, but when they do start to respond the game will automatically create a situation in which texting and driving becomes very dangerous and they can get into accident that are either minor or severe. There was even a kid who while doing the simulation flipped their car over.

VA: Are you going to implement this program as an annual thing?

OK: We are going to go one year here and the next year at Foran, and so on, that way everyone can get the experience. Because all were welcome to come down and try the simulator during their free period, most got to try the simulation, so by doing it every other year new people can learn and participate in the simulator.

“5 Questions With…” is a new monthly column that will feature 5-question interviews with the students, faculty, and staff at Law that are making news in and out of the classroom.

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(Photo by Ian Hugo)

February 26, 2016

By Ian Hugo – Sports Editor

This past week, active members of different military branches have visited Law to provide information to students looking forward to go into the service after high school. Guidance head Mrs. Dunnuck spoke to The Advocate about this past week and its importance.

Ian Hugo: Which branches of the military have joined us this week?

Mrs. Dunnuck: The branches that have joined us are:  Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Army National Guard.

IH: How long has Law had Military week?

MD: Law has hosted a Military Week for the last 5 years.

IH: Why is it important for students looking to join the military to be able to speak directly to active members?

MD: It is important for students looking to join the military to be able to speak directly to active members because they will get a real understanding of what to expect and what life in the military is actually like.

IH: How much of the graduating classes in recent years have gone into the military?

MD: 2015- 2 [students]

2014- 5 [students]

2013- 7 [students]

2012- 6 [students]

IH: What other ways are there for students to get into contact with active military members if they’ve missed military week or if they want to get more information?

MD: If students did not have the opportunity to speak to a member of the military during Military Week, each branch of the military will be represented during our Career Fair on Wednesday, April 27 in the new gymnasium.  There are also recruiting offices locally for each branch of the military that can provide information and answer any questions.

“5 Questions With…” is a new monthly column that will feature 5-question interviews with the students, faculty, and staff at Law that are making news in and out of the classroom.

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February 26, 2016

(Photo courtesy norwichbulletin.com)

By Ian Hugo – Sports Editor

Erik Larka has recently been hired as the new head coach of the Jonathan Law football team after spending the last two years as the head coach of Bacon Academy. He is looking forward to getting started rebuilding Law’s football program.

Ian Hugo: Are you excited for this opportunity as head coach of Law?

Coach Larka: To say I am excited would be a huge understatement. I graduated from Law in 1995 and then came back to help coach in 2004 but to be able to be the head coach is a dream come true.

IH: What are your goals for the upcoming season?

CL: My goals are to infuse fun back into the program, compete in everything that we do and never give up on each other.  I also want each and every student athlete and coach to get better every single day.

IH: What will you do to help the team get ready in the off season?

CL: We will live by the motto – “Hard Work. Dedication.” I will make sure that we are outworking every single team that we play this season.  We will have an intensive training regimen that will consist of Olympic lifts, crossfit and speed training. We will enter passing leagues, attend team camps, and have many team bonding events.   

IH: Which challenges are you most looking forward to tackling as new head coach?

CL: I am looking forward to changing the mindset of the players, school, and community in regards to the football program. I am also excited to start the process of building the number of athletes that come out for football. Most importantly, I am looking forward to building relationships with the players and their families.

IH: How do you plan on creating a bond with the players, especially the players who will be seniors during the season, so that they see you as a coach and person who they can trust and has their best interests, on and off the field, in mind and not just another coach?

CL: We will do a lot of off season team bonding events. Ideas I have are bowling, movies, team trip to a local college game, team dinners…etc. I will also attend all team lifting sessions, passing league games and other sports games that the players may be involved in. I plan to be a steady fixture roaming the halls at Law and attending school events.

“5 Questions With…” is a new monthly column that will feature 5-question interviews with the students, faculty, and staff at Law that are making news in and out of the classroom.

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(Photo courtesy Nicole Macchio)

February 25, 2016

By Nicole Macchio – Entertainment Editor

The Natural Helpers have begun a diaper drive that will run through mid-March. Senior Kavita Rana is the president of the Natural Helpers and is working hard to make this a successful event.

Nicole Macchio: What is the goal for the diaper drive?

Kavita Rana: The goal of the diaper drive is to raise enough diapers for people in need. The drive is something that will be very helpful for families who can’t afford to buy diapers for their child. It’s meant to relieve some of the stress that those families feel.

NM: Is this the first time that the Natural Helpers have done this?

KR: Yes, this is the first time we are doing this drive and we hope it’s successful. As I said before, the diapers will be going to families who really need them.

NM: Where are the diapers going, and who will they help?

KR: The diaper drive is sponsored by the United Way and all diapers go to families in need. So, after we collect them, United Way will come and take our donations to distribution centers.

NM: Why did you choose a diaper drive as a fundraiser?

KR: The secretary of Natural Helpers, Jill Bendlak, volunteers with the United Way and they asked us if we would want to participate.

NM: Is there anything else that you want to add about the drive?

KR: Since this is our first year, we hope that it is successful so that we can continue it in future years.

“5 Questions With…” is a new monthly column that will feature 5-question interviews with the students, faculty, and staff at Law that are making news in and out of the classroom.

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(Photo by Nicole Macchio)

January 17, 2016

By Nicole Macchio – Entertainment Editor

Taylor Kandrach is a sophomore at Law. One of her photographs was selected to be on the cover of the new Milford Adult Education brochure.

Nicole Macchio: How did you hear about this opportunity?

Taylor Kandrach: I heard of it through my digital photography teacher, Mrs. Romanowski.

NM: What made you interested in it?

TK: I actually didn’t know about it until I heard that they had chosen my picture to be the cover by my teacher because I had been home sick that day she had found out my picture was chosen.

NM: Have you ever done anything else like this?

TK: I can’t remember doing anything else like this with my photos. The only type of art I have ever submitted into a contest is work from art class in middle school which was fairly common for everyone to do.

NM: What was required of you?

TK: I personally don’t know what was required of me to enter my photo except for that fact that I took it.

NM: Is there anything else you wanted to say?

TK: I was very surprised when I had heard that my picture had been chosen to be the cover of the brochure. I enjoy taking pictures so it was a great feeling to see one of my pictures being acknowledged, even though it wasn’t a huge “award.”

“5 Questions With…” is a new monthly column that will feature 5-question interviews with the students, faculty, and staff at Law that are making news in and out of the classroom.

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(Photo by Emily Carroll)

November 9, 2015

By Emily Carroll – News Editor

Jonathan Law’s former football coach, Mr. Robinson, is now coaching this year’s Powderpuff team. He takes over for Mr. Kulenych, who coached the team for the past eight years. With the game only weeks away, here is what he has to say about the team:

Emily Carroll: Who is this year’s strongest player and why?

Mr. Robinson: There’s not just one strongest player. Our returners are definitely our strongest players. Their leadership and the fact that they already know how to play is going to be a really big game-changer for us.

EC: How confident do you feel about the team, as a whole, working together?

MR: Very good. We’ve had (a week) of practice so far and they are already practicing like they have been doing it for weeks. They are doing a really good job. They concentrate very hard. They’re studying their playbooks. So, it’s going to be a good show.

EC: What is the team’s main goal?

MR: To beat Foran and keep the trophy here at Law. 

EC: What is your goal as head coach?

MR: My goal is to have fun and put the best experience we can out there for the girls. And to keep the trophy here at Law where it belongs.

EC: Who is managing and how are they helping the team?

MR: Elyse Velky and Kristine Frank are managing. They do the attendance every day, they hold onto papers and make sure to hand out all of the forms that I have to hand out. They are pretty important, too.

“5 Questions With…” is a new monthly column that will feature 5-question interviews with the students, faculty, and staff at Law that are making news in and out of the classroom.

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Senior Kayla Carollo (Photo by Nicole Macchio)

November 1, 2015

By Nicole Macchio – Entertainment Editor

Kayla Carollo is a senior at Law. She is an AP student and is currently working with principal Mr. Thompson and Board of Education members to put together a recycling project within the school district.

Nicole Macchio: What inspired you to begin this project?

Kayla Carollo: I took AP Environmental Science last year and we learned a lot about recycling and the damage that it caused to the Earth. I used the things that we learned and applied them to the school and realized we were not environmentally friendly and we should make some changes. I e-mailed Mr. Thompson and he said we should make it a district-wide recycling program. I also had a meeting with (Milford Chief Operations Officer) Mr. Richetelli and it’s in the works.

NM: When do you plan on implementing the project?

KC: The plan is to start as soon as possible. We’re waiting on supplies from Mr. Richetelli.

NM: Is there anything specific that you want to do?

KC: In school, the main thing I want to get rid of are styrofoam trays because styrofoam goes into landfills which are extremely detrimental to the environment.

NM: Besides the styrofoam trays, are there other ways you think we can improve the environment in school?

KC: I’m working with Mr. Thompson and Mr. Richetelli to come up with other ways we can make Law greener and potentially all of the Milford Public Schools greener. We’re planning to do an Advisory lesson on reducing the harmful things we do or use, and recycling more of the things that we do use, in addition to having students and their Advisory teachers brainstorm ways they think Jonathan Law can reduce its negative impact on the environment. The project is still in its rough draft (stage) and there’s a lot more work to be done but I have high hopes and I think we’ll have success by the end of this school year.

NM: Is there anything else you would like people to know about this project?

KC: I want people to know how important it is that we take action, in even the smallest possible ways, to help the environment. Also, recycling isn’t the only way to help out the Earth. Reducing your personal ecological footprint, the negative impact you have on the Earth, is much more effective than recycling. For example, shortening your showers by two minutes can save 10 gallons of water every time you shower.