By Molly Lynch – News Editor

The Jonathan Law Bible Club is holding a Stuffed Animal Drive to spread holiday cheer. Advocate News Editor Molly Lynch interviewed Senior Bible Club President Senior Max Akuffo about the drive.

Molly Lynch: Why did the Bible Club decide to run this drive? 

Max Akuffo: We want to spread love to the children who are dealing with unfortunate circumstances during the holiday season. We want them to have the best holiday ever and make the most of it for them. We love helping the less fortunate and bringing joy and light to those communities. 

ML: What are the goals of this drive?

MA: We want to donate at least 20 stuffed animals to these children. We hope many students and staff in the school will contribute to this stuffed animal drive in an effort with Bible Club by donating what they can to make these children’s holidays the best they can be. 

ML: How does this impact the Law community? 

MA: This drive strengthens our compassion as a community for less fortunate people and allows us to be more involved with the community serving them. 

ML: Where are the stuffed animals going? 

MA: The stuffed animals are going to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Connecticut.

ML: What is the deadline for the drive? 

MA: This Stuffed Animal Drive started at the beginning of November and will run until November 27th. We will deliver the stuffed animals in December.  

By Harshitha Kothapalli – Editor-In-Chief

Law’s upcoming Powderpuff game against Foran on November 26 has quickly become the talk of the town. Law is looking to defend its title after the exciting 35-7 win last year. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Harshitha Kothapalli interviewed head coach Mr. O’Reilly about the team’s preparation for the game. 

Harshitha Kothapalli: How have you been preparing for the Powderpuff game this year?

Mr. O’Reilly: We’ve been preparing since our celebration dinner at Archie Moore’s last year. My fellow coaches and I will send each other plays that we could use for the upcoming season and we discuss what we would have done differently from the previous year so we can continue to get better.

HK: What are your goals for the season and how do you plan to achieve them?

MO: The goal is to create positive memories for all the student-athletes involved in this game. However, the best way to do that is to just win. 

HK: How do you help the athletes deal with the pressure of the game?

MO: The best way to deal with pressure is to get used to it. We create many different scenarios in our practices so the players can get accustomed to the atmosphere of the game.

HK: What is so special about this game?

MO: This game is so special because it’s one of the few games like it in the entire state. Most Powderpuff games are just thrown-together games with juniors vs seniors at the same school. They have very little practice, if at all. Here it’s a tradition that the entire town rallies behind. 

HK: What is your favorite part of the Powderpuff season?

O’Reilly: My favorite part is being able to coach so many senior and junior student-athletes that I wouldn’t normally be able to.

By Yeiden Nieves – Sports Editor

Junior Captain Layla Alogna was recently named to the All-SCC soccer team. Advocate Sports Editor Yeiden Nieves interviewed Alogna about her fall season.

Yeiden Nieves: What were your goals for this season?

Layla Alogna: My goals for this season were to be a leader on and off the field, have a winning record, and be close with everyone on the team.

YN: What are your goals for next season?

LA: I have similar goals except I believe we can grow even more making it further into the SCC Tournament and State Tournament.

YN: How do you feel the team played this season?

LA: I feel we drastically improved since last season but theres still more room for growth and improvement.

YN: What steps will you take in the offseason to help you and your team achieve their goals?

LA: We’ll have to put in work in the offseason, constantly getting better and practicing how we play.

YN: What responsibilities does being a captain come with?

LA: Being a captain means trying your best to guide your teammates while not being overbearing, having balance and being kind and understanding to everyone on the team. As a captain you have to be focused yet personable and that’s what I tried to do and will continue to do.

By Courtney Russo – News Editor

Senior Captain Alexa Rosati is leading the Law cheerleading team in its preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving game where Law will perform at halftime with the Foran cheer team. Advocate News Editor Courtney Russo interviewed Rosati about the Thanksgiving game.

Courtney Russo: How are you preparing for the Thanksgiving game?

Alexa Rosati: We have been preparing for the Thanksgiving game by practicing weekly. We have had a few practices with the Foran cheer team to do our combined halftime routine that we did last year for halftime.

CR: Describe the Law cheer team in three words.

AR: If I had to describe my team in three words I would say we are determined, hard-working, and kind.

CR: What do your practice hours look like?

AR: Competition team has practice on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Game team has practices on Wednesday. Every practice is two hours.

CR: As a captain, how are you helping the new members of the team?

AR: As a captain, I help the new members by letting them know they can always come to me if they need anything. I want them to feel comfortable and supported so I spend time getting to know them and helping them with any questions or concerns.

CR: What is the team doing differently from last year?

AR: Most of what the team is doing this year is the same as last year. We are making our joint halftime routine with Foran a tradition. 

By Tim Firla – Entertainment Editor

The Jonathan Law football team is wrapping up their regular season with one final game against cross-town rival Foran on Thanksgiving. Advocate Entertainment Editor Tim Firla interviewed senior linebacker Cesar Mendez about the team’s season.

Tim Firla: What are you looking forward to in this Thanksgiving game?

Cesar Mendez: I’m most excited to have the whole city of Milford at this game watching this game. Being on the sideline of this game for the past three years, the atmosphere is one of one. I’m excited to see the intensity both teams bring to this game and i’m excited to hit Forans players. 

TF: What has been the best part of the season so far?

CM:  The best part of the season so far has to have been the gritty win against Amity. I played my best game. But at the end of the game, the way we won was electric. 

TF: How do you feel the team played this season

CM: This season was definitely my best year of my high school career. The defense overall was second to none this year. We all played our hearts out, rallying to the football, coming up with key stops when needed most. Defense truly locked in this year. 

TF: What are you most thankful for?

CM: Im thankful for my family and friends and to be able to play football with my teammates and coaches. 

TF: What are your predictions for the game?

CM: I’m hoping for a great team win for the lawmen and lots of takeaways for the defense. 

By Haley Stroffolino – Social Media Editor-In-Chief

Aryanna Maldonado is a senior captain of the Law cheerleading team. Advocate Social Media Editor-in-Chief Haley Stroffolino interviewed Maldonado about the team’s upcoming Thanksgiving Game halftime performance with the Foran High School cheer team.

Haley Stroffolino: How do you and the cheer team prepare for the Thanksgiving game against Foran? How have you been practicing? With Foran?

Aryanna Maldonado: To prepare for the Thanksgiving game against Foran, our full team practices for two hours, 1-3 days a week, to perfect our halftime routine. We practice with Foran once a week on Mondays. They come to Law one week and then we go to Foran the next.

HS: Is there a specific moment or part of the game that you look forward to the most?

AM: I looked forward to performing the halftime routine.

HS: Have there been any memorable moments from past Thanksgiving games that stand out to you?

AM: The most memorable part is before the game. Every year we all wake up really early and eat breakfast and get ready together at my house. 

HS: How do you and your teammates handle any rivalry spirit from the opposing side?

AM: We try to stay out of any rivalry especially because we combine with Foran when performing, so there really is no rivalry within the cheer community. 

HS: What does the cheer team do to build school spirit in the week leading up to the game?

AM: To build spirit within the school we do Powderpuff cheer with the boys. During the game the boys cheer for the Powderpuff team.

By Ella Franzman – Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Editor

Jonathan Law’s Athletic Director Tom Drew is getting excited for the upcoming annual Thanksgiving week games against Foran. There are three games that take place the week of Thanksgiving: the Froshmore football game Monday evening at Foran, the flag football Powderpuff game Tuesday night at Foran, and the highly-anticipated varsity football game on Thanksgiving morning, that game taking place at Jonathan Law. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Ella Franzman interviewed Drew to see how he’s getting ready for the big week.  

Ella Franzman: Why is the Foran vs. Law Thanksgiving week so special?

Tom Drew: Thanksgiving in Milford is a true community event. You have a large portion of the school community either playing in the games, in the band, or participating in cheer. It is a day to showcase just how special Milford truly is.  

EF: You have coached football at both Law and Foran. How is your role different now as the Athletic Director at Law?

TD: I have coached football at both Law and Foran and the preparation that goes into playing a game on any Friday is significant. As Athletic Director I still feel the pressure just in a different way. My goal is to make sure the event takes place as seamlessly as possible.  

EF: Can you share some history about the Thanksgiving football game and its significance to the community?

TD: There are not many two high school towns in the state of Connecticut. Thanksgiving in Milford is important because it is what makes us unique. I think the rivalry is as healthy as it has ever been. Coach Haley and Coach Walker have done a great job of keeping the rivalry positive. I am very proud to be a part of this game. 

EF: How do the teams prepare for such a high-stakes rivalry game?

TD: The goal every year is that this game is not the last, both teams this year are still in the hunt for the playoffs so preparation has to remain the same. From a coaching perspective this game is like any other, all practice routines and preparation routines remain the same. Once 10:30am hits on Thanksgiving morning, it’s hard to convince the kids that it is just “another game.”  

EF: Can you talk about the impact that the Powderpuff and Thanksgiving day football games have on school sport and community involvement? 

TD: This time of year is special because so many Milford students have a stake during the week of Thanksgiving. Our numbers in Powderpuff are staggering, our cheer and band are culminating another successful year, and our football team is hopeful to extend their season.  The halls of Jonathan Law feel a little more alert this time of year, and the school pride is at an all-time high. It’s what makes the end fall season so special.

By William Smith – Entertainment Editor

Jonathan Law’s Esports team is a brand new edition to the school’s sports teams this year. The coach of the Esports team is Latin teacher Ms. Furst. The team competes in games such as “Super Smash Brothers Ultimate,” “Mario Kart 8,” “Rocket League,” “League of Legends,” “Splatoon,” and “Street Fighter 6.” Advocate Entertainment Editor Will Smith interviewed Senior Captain Will Childs about the team.

Will Smith: What games does the Esports team compete in?

Will Childs: I compete in “Super Smash Brothers” and “Splatoon 3.”

WS: What is your favorite part about being on the Esports team?

WC: We all have very similar interest, so it makes talking to each other very easy.

WS: What does an average Esports practice look like?

WC: We play the games and review how we did during practice. Practices usually last for about an hour and a half.

WS: What are your biggest accomplishments this year?

WC: My biggest accomplishment was seeing something that was adopted into colleges being adopted at a high school level.

WS: What do competitions look like for the Esports team?

WC: The team is competing, preparing their system, and facing off in the team’s room.

By Kayla Markowitz – Editor-in-Chief 

Jonathan Law’s Powderpuff team is getting ready to kick-off their game against Foran on November 26 at Foran High School. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Kayla Markowitz interviewed senior Ella Franzman for a play-by-play on how the Lawmen are preparing for the big night.  

Kayla Markowitz: How is the team preparing for the upcoming Powderpuff game?

Ella Franzman: Defensively, we are preparing for Powderpuff by first working in drills and position skill workouts and then putting it all together to then go and scrimmage with offense. We have been working very hard every day and constantly finding and using different strategies to figure out what works best for the team.Offensively we are working hard at getting the plays down and trying to get as many reps with each play that we can. We want to make sure that everyone is comfortable so that for the game everything just feels natural.

KM: What are some successes the team is having ?

EF: Some success that the team has been having is consistency. We have been all showing up with a positive attitude willing to work and to perform at a high level so that in a week or so we can go into Foran and have the positive outcome we want. 

KM: What are some challenges the team is facing? 

EF: Some challenges that we are facing is figuring out who is right and wrong for positions. We are trying to figure out exactly how we want to attack on defense and what we think will work the best. 

KM: What is your favorite part about the team? 

EF: My favorite part of the team is being out there with everyone and just having fun. We are serious at some points in practice but we are also able to have fun and play a sport that we wouldn’t ever think to play. It’s also so cool to see all these juniors and seniors come out for Powderpuff work hard for two weeks and then go to play a game. Learning all these different positions can be so difficult so it’s really cool to see everyone pick up a position and learn it in such a short time. 

KM: What are some team goals you hope to achieve?

EF: Some team goals we hope to achieve is to continue to work hard at practice and listen to the coaches’ feedback, and then ultimately get the win at Foran. 

By Ava Grippo – Entertainment Editor

The Creative Arts Club is a new club at Jonathan Law. It was founded by sophomore Chris Volikas and the Advisor of the club is Mrs. Roumeles. Meetings are held every Monday after school in Room 233. Advocate Entertainment Editor Ava Grippo interviewed Volikas about the club.

Ava Grippo: What is the Creative Arts Club? 

Chris Volikas: The Creative Arts Club is a multi-activity club where people can get to know each other more. 

AG: What do members do in the Creative Arts Club? 

CV: You can draw, write, play board games, catch up on homework, and socialize while eating snacks. 

AG: What influenced you to start the club?

CV: I wanted to join a club that was interesting to me, but I didn’t really find anything that seemed to be a fit for me, so I made my own. 

AG: Why should people join?

CV: If you want to join a club where there’s no stress to always show up, or if you’re shy to join a club with a lot of active involvement and you want a place to relax after school, then this is the place to go.

AG: What are the goals of the Creative Arts Club?

CV: My goals are for people to be able to make new friends and have fun. 

By Tim Firla – Entertainment Editor

Zach Croce is a senior on the Jonathan Law varsity soccer team, which finished the regular season with a record of 8-6-2. Croce tried out for the team as a freshman and quickly excelled. Advocate Entertainment Editor Tim Firla interviewed Croce about the team’s season.

Tim Firla: When did you start playing soccer?

Zach Croce: I started playing when I was three years old, so I have been playing since fourteen years now. My parents signed me up and I enjoyed it from day one.

TF: How did your regular season go?

ZC: I would say it was a success. I think we all have improved a lot and built some good chemistry going into States.

TF: What are you looking forward to in the remainder of your season?

ZC: I am looking forward to States because I am confident in our team and we know that we have what it takes to make a run in the tournament. For me and all the other seniors, this is our last ride so we have to make it count.

TF: What position do you play?

ZC: I mostly play winger and attacking midfielder. I have experience in many positions over my years of soccer and am willing to play anywhere I am asked to go.

TF: What is your biggest accomplishment this season?

ZC: My biggest accomplishment this year is being able to show that I can play meaningful minutes for our team. Soccer is a team sport which means everyone on the field needs to know their jobs and play hard in order to win games.

By Courtney Russo – News Editor

Jonathan Law Class of 2024 graduate Hailey Russo is currently attending Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, but soon plans to transfer to Eastern Connecticut State University.

When choosing colleges, Russo had to choose between Salve Regina and Eastern Connecticut. Although she is transferring, she is still enjoying her last moments at Salve.

“College is going good,” Russo said. “I’ve made some friends but I realized that Salve wasn’t for me and I think Eastern will be a better fit.”

Russo, who spent much of her time at Law taking part in Drama Club, said she misses her friends and family back in Milford.

“Some struggles I have in college are just missing my friends and family back at home,” Russo said. “ Home-sickness is for real.”

Russo hopes to help others that are graduating to choose the right college for them.

“A piece of advice I have for the upcoming graduates is to follow your heart,” Russo said. “Just get to know everyone you can.”

By Sebastian Beltran – Staff Reporter

Michael Smith is a senior on Jonathan Law’s football team, which is off to a 3-1 start this season. As a junior, Smith was First Team All-Conference, First Team All-State, and led the state in interceptions. Advocate Staff Reporter Sebastian Beltran interviewed Smith about the football season.  

Sebastian Beltran: What are your goals for the rest of the football season?

Michael Smith: My goals for the season are to try and help my team get into the playoffs.

SB: What are the steps that you and the rest of the team have been taking to work towards your goals? 

MS: We’ve been partaking in very physical practices and have been checking in on one another making sure we know what we’re doing.

SB: How is the loss of this year’s seniors going to affect the team this season? 

MS: There are definitely spots that are going to need to be filled but the people in the position now are doing very well for their ages. 

SB: What did you learn from last year that you took into this season?

MS: Individually, I felt as I did alright could’ve been better, but as a team we were young and needed time to grow together.

SB: Do you have personal goals for this rest of the season?

MS: I would like to win a championship because I feel like it is something I will be able to remember forever. 

By Chloe Edmonds – News Editor

Law’s French Club is up and running after their first meeting on September 17. Advocate News Editor Chloe Edmonds interviewed Advisor Dr. Evans about the club’s plans for the year.

Chloe Edmonds: Who is able to join French Club?

Dr. Evans: Everyone, regardless of the language they’re taking (or even if they’re not taking a language!)

CE: What days does the French Club meet?

DE: Right now, we meet once a month, but that may change as the year progresses.

CE: What do you at the French Club meetings?

DE: We listen to French language music, we do crafts, we eat French-themed foods, and we plan fundraisers to bring more of what’s great about learning French to all Jonathan Law students.

CE: How long has the French Club at Law been active?

DE: I started the French Club when I started here last year, so this is the second year.

CE: How have you seen the club grow since it started?

DE: Yes! I was amazed when 25 students showed up to our first meeting. Learning about the French language and the cultures of different French-speaking countries is something many students are interested in!

By Ava Grippo – Entertainment Editor 

The Black Student Union is back for another year at Jonathan Law. The advisor for the BSU is English teacher Ms. Kelly and the President is junior Abigail Jenkins. Advocate Entertainment Editor Ava Grippo interviewed Jenkins about the club’s plans for the year. 

Ava Grippo: What inspired you to be a part of the Black Student Union? 

Abigail Jenkins: I was inspired to be a part of the Black Student Union in my freshman year of high school. I wanted to be in BSU for the community mostly as Black students at Law and in Milford Public Schools are few. I also joined BSU so that I could be a part of a group that could implement beneficial change in our school and community. 

AG: What is the main purpose of the BSU? 

AJ: The main purpose of the Black Student Union is to have a safe, unified space for Black students that we may not find in other White-dominated spaces. Our purpose is to also have a positive impact on our entire school and Milford community and to improve the experience of Black students in our school. 

AG: What are you looking forward to doing this year in the BSU?

AJ: This year, I am looking forward to our upcoming mentorship event for Black students at Law. At this event, Black admissions officers and professionals will be coming to our school for conversation and question-answering from our Black student population here at Law. I am also looking forward to doing community service events as well. 

AG: What are your goals for the BSU?

AJ: My goal for the BSU this year is to increase our number of members, especially underclassmen, and new freshmen at the school this year. 

AG: Why should someone join the BSU? What are the benefits?

AJ: Black students here at Law should join BSU for a safe space and unified community. For many Black students, being a minority in a predominately White school environment may be difficult as students may feel isolated, pressured to “fit in”, and feel imposter-like in a class full of their White counterparts. BSU is a great way for Black students to be united in school and to create a better school environment for everyone. At BSU, we take part in fun and interactive games, community service projects, and school-wide Black History engagement projects. 

By Logan Mullarkey – Sports Editor

Senior Kacey Pagaduan is a Co-President, along with senior Ivan Galicinao, of the Law Badminton Club. Advocate Sports Editor Logan Mullarkey interviewed Pagaduan about the club so far this year.

Logan Mullarkey: How often are the Badminton Club meetings?

Kacey Pagaduan: Badminton Club meetings are twice a month – every other Tuesday. They run from 2 p.m. until 3:15 p.m.

LM: Why should students join Badminton Club?

CP: Students, especially freshmen, should join because it’s a great way to meet new people and relax after a long day of school.

LM: What is your favorite part about Badminton Club?

CP: My favorite part about Badminton Club is that I got to spend time with my friends playing badminton.

LM: How does it feel to be Co-President of the club?

CP: It’s been good. With Ivan as my Co-President, it’s been a lot easier because we both handle the responsibilities, as well as our officers. This year, we were able to get Badminton Club running smoothly as well as having support from (Advisor) Mr. Giangregorio.

LM: What should students be looking forward to?

CP: Students should be looking forward to our tournaments later at the end of the year. We hold tournaments between our teachers and students where they can each win prizes.

By Molly Lynch – News Editor

The National Math Honor Society held its first meeting of the year after school on September 24. Advocate News Editor Molly Lynch interviewed Senior President of Deepika Chitirala about why students should get involved in NMHS. 

Molly Lynch: Why should people join NMHS?

Deepika Chitirala: People should join because it’s a great way to be recognized for your mathematic achievements and get involved with math in a fun way by engaging in interesting math activities and also giving back to the school through tutoring. 

ML: What sparked your interest to join?

DC: I was interested to join because I’ve always loved math and I wanted to be involved in something that promoted and encouraged that love. 

ML: What does this club offer for students?

DC: The club offers students an opportunity to enjoy math outside of the setting of a classroom with grades and tests. It allows members to truly find a love for math itself.

ML: What events or activities do you provide?

DC: We host a Pi-day activity for the school that involves Pi-related games. We’re also planning activities to engage students for April math month! 

ML: Is there anything that people should know about?

DC: Applications for the club are now open and due on October 22. E-mail (Advisor) Mr. Ruzbarsky to learn more about the application process.

By Harshitha Kothapalli – Editor-in-Chief 

Key Club is an international student-led organization encouraging leadership through service. Jonathan Law’s Key Club has kicked off the year strong with their first meetings and projects already underway. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Harshitha Kothapalli interviewed Key Club President Addy Barber about the club and it’s upcoming events. 

Harshitha Kothapalli: What does Key Club do?

Addy Barber: Key Club volunteers around our school and community.

HK: What are upcoming events Key Club plans to hold?

AB: We hold weekly meetings and are looking forward to things like our annual Cupcake Wars and cookie decorating meetings to celebrate our members. 

HK: Why do you think it’s important for students to join Key Club?

AB: It’s definitely important to try everything you can in high school, and by joining Key Club you can rack up volunteer hours for graduation with distinction while also discovering a passion for volunteerism. 

HK: As president, what are your goals for the year?

AB: My main goal is just to maintain membership by keeping meetings fun.

HK: What service does Key Club have planned?

AB: We are looking forward to our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive for families in our building in need. 

By Madi Black – Social Media Editor

The Jonathan Law student fan program, Law Nation, is back and in full swing this year. Law Nation allows students to enter any sporting event for free after a one-time payment of $25. Advocate Social Media Editor Madi Black interviewed Jonathan Law Sports Booster Club President Sherri Franzman about the program.

Madi Black: What is Law Nation? 

Sherri Franzmen: Law Nation is a program which allows students to pay one low price and enter all home sporting events without having to pay at the gate.  This year, the price is $25 and if you signed up in time, you also get a shirt. When students enter the game, their name is a list and then at the end of each season, the Booster Club pays the ticket price to the Athletic Department for all students who came into games under Law Nation.  We also have sponsors who help support the program and help us to cover those ticket prices and the cost of the shirts.  

MB: What are some benefits of Law Nation?

SF: The biggest benefit is that students don’t need to worry about buying tickets anytime they want to go to a game.  If they decide to pop into a game even for a few minutes, they just give their name at the entrance and get in for free.  And with the $25 cost of Law Nation and student tickets costing $5 this year, it only takes 5 games before a student will break even on paying for Law Nation – AND they get a shirt if they signed up on time.

MB: How long has Law Nation been around?

SF: Law Nation began in 2017 for the 2017-2018 school year.  That year 1,435 students entered games under the program.  During COVID, when no spectators were allowed, we put the program on hold but since then it really has taken off.  This past school year we had 2,731 students enter games under Law Nation – almost double our first year.

MB: Who runs Law Nation? 

SF: Law Nation is run by the JLHS Sports Booster Club but we work very closely with the athletic director to ensure students’ names are on the lists at the games and (Law Secretary) Christine Heenan in the main office is a huge help to us as well.

MB: How can you get Law Nation? Is it ever too late?

SF: You can get into Law Nation by signing up here:  https://forms.gle/brvByATWixz5VkSC9 Students can join Law Nation at any time, but in order to be guaranteed to get a T-shirt they needed to sign up by September 20.

By Yeiden Nieves – Sports Editor

The Hispanic and Latino Student Union is a club where students can go explore and celebrate Hispanic and Latino culture. Sports Editor Yeiden Nieves interviewed President Aryanna Maldonado about the club’s plans for the 2024-2025 school year.

Yeiden Nieves: What inspired you to start the Hispanic and Latino Student Union?

Aryanna Maldonado: I wanted to create a space where Hispanic and Latino kids in the school would have a space with other people they could relate too.

YN: What is the main goal of the club?

AM: The main goal is for Hispanic and Latino students to have a safe space and to explore their culture.

YN: What are some of the benefits of joining?

AM: Benefits of joining our club is building a safe space within our school and being able to support the Hispanic and Latino community around us.

YN: What are some activities that the club plans on doing?

AM: Some activities that the club has planned are to hopefully do a dancing class to people who want to take them and use the money to support a charity.

YN: What is your favorite part of the club?

AM: My favorite part about the club is being able to meet people who care about the community as much as I do and being able to find people I can really connect with.

By Will Smith – Entertainment Editor

The Debate Club at Jonathan Law is getting ready for another year and will have its first meeting on October 1. Entertainment editor Will Smith interviewed the Advisor Mr. Evanko about the club.

Will Smith: What does the Debate cCub do?

Mr.Evanko: In Debate Club, students discuss issues affecting their lives, from the local level to international relations. Students are often assigned a point of view and have to research their position and back it up with data and evidence.

WS: How often does the Debate Club hold meetings?

ME: We meet weekly.

WS: What are some of the goals for the Debate Club this year?

ME: My goal for the club is to build out our membership and teach students different forms of debate.

WS: Why should students join the Debate Club?

ME: Students should join the club to explore perspectives about current issues.

WS: What is your favorite part about the Debate Club?

ME: My favorite part of Debate Club is seeing students learn how to have discourse in a a respectful way. 

By Aislyn McKernan – Social Media Editor 

Lily Baird is the President of the new Pickleball Club at Jonathan Law. Advocate Social Media Editor Aislyn Mckernan interviewed Baird about the club so far.

Aislyn McKernan: Why did you start the Pickleball Club?

Lily Baird: I wanted to start the club because I really enjoy playing outside of school and I knew a lot of people who also love the sport so I thought it would be a fun opportunity to play with new people.

AM: Where would you like this club to go?

LB: I’d love for the club to continue to grow in numbers. We are brand new this year but I can see a bright future. We also definitely plan on participating in tournaments. We are currently signed up for a winter tournament at The Pickle Spot in Orange which we are very excited about. 

AM: How does it feel to be president of the club?

LB: It feels great to have the opportunity to lead everyone in the fun of playing. I am actually Co-President with Taylor Coretti. We both love the game and are excited to see how the year plays out.

AM: What is your favorite thing about the club?

LB: My favorite thing is seeing everyone’s competitive side while we are playing. 

AM:  How do you promote your club? When is your next meeting and what days do you meet?

LB:  We promote the club mostly through Instagram but we also have flyers. We meet every Thursday 2:30-3:30 down at the tennis courts.

By Cesar Mendez – Sports Editor

Spanish Club is a club where members come together and learn about Spanish cultures through food or fun activities. Sports Editor Cesar Mendez questioned Advisor Mr. McPartland about the club’s plans for the 2024-2025 school  year. 

Cesar Mendez: How did the Spanish Club start?

Mr. McPartland: Spanish Club started when a few students came to both me and Mrs. Trombetta and expressed their interest in starting one. We both thought it was a great idea and an excellent opportunity to have our students help make Spanish more visible here at Jonathan Law High School.

CM: What are some of the benefits of joining the Spanish Club?

MM: Spanish is fun! Here at Law, it is our opinion as a whole, that it is extremely important to be involved in extracurricular activities. As a Spanish Club, we’re all about giving back and making Spanish a larger part of our Jonathan Law community. The Spanish Club offers students a number of opportunities to give back to both their local and their not-so-local community – it feels good to do so. Students will also walk away (hopefully) feeling a bit more confident in their ability to communicate and help others using the Spanish language.

CM: What were some of the activities you did last year?

MM: Last year, we enjoyed some Hispanic cuisine, we had a station set up at FBLA’s Winter Wonderland, we hosted a movie night for the elementary students where we watched Encanto, and we helped raise money for Central American artisans by selling their hand-made pulseras (bracelets). It’s all about giving back to the community.

CM: What are some things new members should be looking forward to?

MM: Food and fun! This year, we are planning a few different events. We will be “spotlighting” local Hispanic-owned businesses/restaurants on The Morning Briefing, we are planning another movie night for our members, we will be participating in the “Pulsera Project” once again, and we’re looking at a few options we could partake in to have a larger impact on the nearby, and not so nearby, Hispanic community.

CM: What is the main goal of the club?

MM: Our goals as a club are to make Spanish more “visible” at Jonathan Law, to positively impact both our local and not-so-local Hispanic communities, and to have students walk away feeling a bit more confident using the Spanish language to communicate.

By Haley Stroffolino – Social Media Editor-in-Chief

Senior Brayden Dollar is a member of Jonathan Law’s Choir program. Advocate Social Media Editor-in-Chief Haley Stroffolino interviewed Dollar about the year so far in Choir. 

Haley Stroffolino: When did you start Choir?

Brayden Dollar: I started Choir during my sophomore year here at Jonathan law. 

HS: What is your favorite part of Choir?

BD: My favorite part of Choir is how close everyone is to each other. Everyone puts aside any problems we have and we all come together and create music. 

HS: Why did you decide to start Choir?

BD: I decided to join Choir because I’ve always had a fondness for singing and when I first joined Jonathan Law I heard only good things about the Choir program.

HS: What are your goals for this year?

BD: Some goals I have for Choir is to be a good leader in my class as a senior member.

HS: What are some accomplishments you’ve made in Choir?

BD: Some accomplishments I have made in Choir are really coming out of my shell, and becoming more of a social person in general. Not just in Choir but I feel like meeting new people has made me have less anxiety and have more of a need to meet new people.

By Tim Firla – Entertainment Editor

Harry Fisher is a senior captain of the Jonathan Law boys cross country team. Advocate Entertainment Editor Tim Firla interviewed Fisher about his season so far.

Tim Firla: When did you start cross country?

Harry Fisher: I started cross country my freshman year here at Law, so I’ve been running for four years now and I’m hoping to have a good senior season.

TF: What’s your favorite part of the team?

HF: My favorite part is that the sport is something bigger than yourself and you and all of your teammates are in it together.

TF: Why did you decide to start cross country?

HF: I started the sport because I wanted to exercise and get into shape and I also thought it was fun being a part of the team.

TF: What are your expectations for this season?

HF: My expectations are to lead this team the best way I can and to make sure we are all motivated.

TF: What is your favorite part about being a captain?

HF: My favorite part is that I get to run with some of the best teammates in the world.

By Courtney Russo – News Editor

Junior Dulce-Paz Gomez is a member of the Law girls cross country team. She also participates in indoor and outdoor track as well as the Hispanic and Latino Student Union and the Spanish Club at Law. Advocate News Editor Courtney Russo interviewed Gomez about the season so far.

Courtney Russo: How is the cross country season going so far?

Dulce-Paz Gomez: The season is going great All of the girls have been working hard and continue to work hard. As the weeks go by, the team has grown a bunch and it’s looking really good for the future.

CR: What are your goals for the season?

DG: Beating the clock. It’s been really hard for me to get where I want, but I’m hoping that by the end of the season I will get the time that I want. For me it’s never been about getting a good place, it’s been about getting a good time so I will continue to work hard and achieve my goal.

CR: What are some accomplishments you’ve made this year?

DG: Working on my leadership, I’m really proud of the respect I’ve gained from my teammates. I worked hard to not be overlooked and earn my place, I finally feel like I got it this year. I’m heard and seen.

CR: What are ways you prepare and stay in shape for cross country during the off-season?

DG: Staying in shape for the off season is really hard, especially trying to find motivation but some key ways I like to prepare are alternating with long runs and speed workouts. These are very important because it builds your stamina and endurance. I would wake up around 6 a.m. for a long run and go to Law around 3 p.m. for a speed workout and I would consistently do that 2-3 times a week.

CR: What is your favorite part of being a member of the Law girls cross country team?

DG: The environment. Everyone on the team is great and we all get along even with the boys. It is really good to have a team with great friendships and personal bonds. Being on the cross country team feels like being in a big family where everybody gets along.

By Ella Franzman – Editor-In-Chief & Editorial Editor

The Jonathan Law girls soccer team has had a very successful start to the season, shutting down Foran, Branford and West Haven. The team has outscored their opponents 12-2, with half of their goals coming from Sophomore Emily Vella. Vella has had two hat tricks, one, coming from their season opener against Foran and the other from their most recent win, West Haven. Advocate Editor-In-Chief and Editorial Editor Ella Franzman interviewed Vella about the team’s accomplishments so far. 

Ella Franzman: How has the team adjusted with the addition of new members and loss of last year’s seniors?

Emily Vella: I feel that the addition of our new teammates has been very impactful because we have had 2 clean sheets out of our first three games with freshman goalkeeper Gabby Rodriguez.  

EF: What is your favorite part of being a part of the Law girls soccer team?

EV: My favorite part of being a part of the Law girls soccer team is becoming friends with people outside of my grade.

EF: How did you prepare in the offseason? 

EV: In the offseason I was away a lot, but I tried to stay active by going to the field and playing soccer with friends.

EF:What are your goals and aspirations for the season? 

EV: My goals for the season are to help my team making it to the quarterfinals of states and my personsl goal is to beat the goal record of our school and also have a decent amount of assists.

EF: How do your teammates impact you?

EV: My teammates impact me by always helping me stay out of my own head and being encouraging no matter what. 

By Chloe Edmonds – Staff Reporter

This year, the Natural Helpers Club held a “De-stress Fest” to help students de-stress for final exams. Advocate Staff Reporter Chloe Edmonds interviewed Advisor Ms. Smuniewski about the event.

Chloe Edmonds: What was the role of the Natural Helpers in planning and running De-stress Fest? 

Mary Smuniewski: The Natural Helpers Club was in charge of running the event. Club members are scattered throughout the various rooms and activities to help whatever is happening in that room or area run smoothly. 

CE: What is the goal of the De-stress Fest?

MS: The De-Stress Fest is after-school event where students can engage in a variety of activities designed to help them unwind before final exams.

CE: What types of activities were available to students to help them de-stresss?

MS: This year, we had therapy bunnies join us in the TLC during the school day. After school, we had a “cozy room” with movies, snacks, and arts and crafts, we had a karaoke room where students could belt out in song, an open gym for students who wanted to shoot hoops, and an ice cream truck where anyone could grab a sweet treat! 

CE: Will there be a De-stress Fest next year?

MS: Yes there will be. 

CE: Will there be any changes to next year’s event?

MS: Overall, we were pleased with how the event ran this year! If we could do it over, we might have made a promotional video or something to help advertise the event.

By Michael Merchant – Staff Reporter 

Senior internships are in full swing and Brian Goglia has landed his internship at Ultra Clean Air, a company that specializes in keeping the air in homes clean and free from contaminants. Goglia learned more than just how to clean dryer vents and air ducts, he learned perseverance. Advocate Staff Reporter Michael Merchant interviewed Goglia about his senior internship. 

Michael Merchant: What did you do during your internship? 

Brian Goglia: I am interning at Ultra Clean Air which is an Air Duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, air quality testing and mold remediation business. Since I was new to the whole business I was just helping them by bringing supplies in but over time they taught me what to do. 

MM: Was there anything difficult about your internship?

BG: Some things that were difficult were knowing the names of all the supplies like the drill bits, and machines.

MM: Based off of this internship, if you could have another internship would you do it again?

BG: I would do another internship because it taught me more than just how to clean air ducts and dryer vents. It taught me how to communicate to customers, time management and if you fail then you have to figure out a way.

MM: What was the best part about your internship?

BG: The best part about this internship is going to all the different houses of clients. It shows me all of the different ways of living. I’ve been to a couple huge homes and it’s crazy to think that people grow up in these houses.

MM: What was the schedule like? Did it work out well? 

BG: The times and dates of this internship worked out really well because it usually ends around two hours before my baseball practices. Love never once had a conflict with the times of my internship and baseball. I also got this internship done in three weeks which is pretty fast. 

By Alex Rodriguez – Staff Reporter

Captain Jack Bretthauer is currently wrapping up his senior spring track season. Bretthauer qualified for SCCs and States this season and will be continuing his track career next year at Iona University. Advocate Staff Reporter Alex Rodriguez interviewed Bretthauer about the season.

Alex Rodriguez: What were your goals this season for the team?

Jack Brethauer: My goal for this season for the team was for us to have a lot of qualifiers for States and for team to overall just have a really good record we were able to accomplish.

AR: What were your own personal goals this season?

JB: Coming off an injury, my own personal goals. We’re just to get back to the place that I was in the shape I was in all while still being able to compete at a very high-level at states.

AR: What has been your favorite part about this season?

JB: My favorite part about the season has been the team itself. This is the closest team I’ve ever been on in my whole track career and I think we were all able to have a lot of fun with each other. 

AR: What are you going to do to prepare for your first college season?

JB: Some of the things I’m going to do to prepare for this college season is overall just work really hard during the summer. We have a rigorous training program and I’m just working on my conditioning so I’m able to be in a great position going into my first year of competition.

AR: What are your goals for next season?

JB: My goals for the next season, which would be my first season at the Division I level, is to make all conference and hopefully make the conference podium along with making my team relays and overall having a ton of time drops.

By Sophie Kalagher – Staff Reporter

Mrs. Evans is a freshman English Teacher at Jonathan Law. This is her first year teaching Law after coming from the Oxford School District. She is very well liked among her students and participates in the school community by being the Staff Advisor for Courage Club and the Multicultural Club. Advocate Staff Reporter Sophie Kalagher interviewed Evans about her experience at Jonathan Law this year. 

Sophie Kalagher: What has been your favorite memory so far at Jonathan Law?

Mrs. Evans: Oh, gosh. So many. We’ve laughed a lot in my freshman classes. I think the times when I say something ridiculous and I get called on it – those have been classic. I really enjoy discussions with my students. I’m hopeful that they learn as much as I do in those moments. One class, in particular, when some no-named boys in my class(es) were making light of situations they shouldn’t have. That is a memory I will never forget. (Apologies for the vagueness, but I’d rather not get anyone in trouble.)

SK: What unit or topic have you had the best experience teaching this year?

ME: I enjoy teaching argument with students because anything argument-related creates space for students to agree or disagree. I think all students appreciate having their voices heard and it’s really fun to listen to students argue their side. Often, they have substantive and cool things to say. Students had fun with poetry and I liked teaching the one-hundred word narrative and open letter. It was especially lovely when someone asked if I knew Edgar Allan Poe. 

SK: How would you describe your experience at Jonathan Law so far?

ME: Jonathan Law is rife with super fun(ny) students. I enjoyed getting to know all of my students – and even ones I don’t have in class. My colleagues have been warm and welcoming. Year one has been fabulous. 

SK: What are your plans for the upcoming school year, are you hoping to continue teaching freshmen?

ME: Frankly, I hadn’t taught freshmen in years and that was purposeful on my part. This year’s freshman class has totally changed my view on teaching freshmen. I loved them. The coolest part about teaching freshmen is the tangible change you can see in them – both academically and personally. There is visceral growth and I really appreciated watching that happen. So, yes, I hope to teach freshmen again. 

SK: What is the biggest takeaway you have from your first year here at Law, how does it compare to last experiences at other schools?

ME: Students are great to be around no matter what district you teach in. My Oxford crew of students were a special lot, but I already feel the same about students here. 

By Alexa Rosati – Staff Reporter 

Senior internships have come to an end and it’s time to reflect on the important experiences of the interns – specifically Abby Liscinsky, who had the opportunity to complete her senior internship at Orange Avenue Elementary School. During her time therem Liscinsky gained knowledge about the education system and developed essential skills while working with and helping the students. Advocate Staff Reporter Alexa Rosati interviewed Liscinsky about her internship.

Alexa Rosati: What were your roles and responsibilities as an intern at Orange Ave Elementary School? 

Abby Liscinsky: Some of my roles and responsibilities at Orange Ave included, making sure students stayed on task and were respectful, reading with students during reading time, and supporting students in their academics. 

AR: What motivated you to do an internship at an elementary school?

AL: What motivated me is that I love working with kids and thought it would be the most fun to work with them in a classroom rather than a camp like I’ve done previously.

AR: How has this internship impacted your understanding of the education system?

AL: This internship experience impacted my understanding of the education system because it showed me everything that goes on behind the scenes in order to give students the best education possible.

AR: Have you come across any challenges during your internship?

AL: Some challenges I encountered were when my class teacher wasn’t there. I would have to move to another class and usually another grade with students I didn’t know so it was an adjustment especially because I didn’t know specific students’ learning needs. 

AR: What was one memorable moment while interning at Orange Ave? 

AL: My most memorable moment when interning at Orange Ave was definitely when I finally got to play the around the world adding and subtracting game and I was the first to make it around the world and all of the kids were super happy and excited. 

By Layla Alogna – Staff Reporter

Mr. Pelaggi is the Band and Orchestra Director at Law. This year, the program has gone on multiple trips and performed in many concerts. Although faced with a couple of challenges and obstacles, the band and orchestra has performed about 20 times over the course of this past year. Advocate Staff Reporter Layla Alogna interviewed Pelaggi about the the school year.

Layla Alogna: What are the highlights of the band and orchestra program this year?

Mr. Pelaggi: The biggest highlight from this year was our trip to New Orleans. This culturally immersive experience was something our students will never forget. Some other highlights were our winter and spring concert performances, our parades, Friday night football games, and our collaborations with our middle school students.

LA: In what ways do you think the band and orchestra have improved over the year?

MP: It is always amazing to see the growth of our students. Our most growth always comes from our freshmen. This freshmen class has surprised me with their passion, engagement, and willingness to improve on their own. They are very committed to our music program.

LA: What are your plans and goals for next year?

MP: Our goal in every one of my ensembles is to take it day by day. Get a little better every day and you will get a lot better over an extended period of time. We have not decided on many goals for next year besides our constant commitment to improvement.

LA: Were there any challenges the band and orchestra faced?

MP: Of course! We flew as a group for the first time this year. From an airline losing one of our tubas to students forgetting music for performances, we’ve encountered all types of challenges. There are always challenges in live music, which is one of the things that makes it so beautiful and fun. Our kids do a great job preparing themselves for the performance so when they get there, they can deal with unforeseen challenges organically.

LA: How were all your concerts and performances?

MP: Everything has gone well! We have performed about 20 times throughout this year between all our events. Our spring concert is always our biggest concert of the year with the most challenging music. I feel our students rose to the occasion very well this year. I appreciate all their hard work and dedication. I can’t wait to see how they grow next year.

By Gabriella Coffin- Staff Reporter

Christina Ayala is a current senior at Jonathan Law High School who is doing her internship at Selleck’s Woods Assisted Living in Darien. Ayala’s main jobs include taking patients’ blood pressure, going over medication concerns, and taking action on further health concerns. Advocate Staff Reporter Gabriella Coffin interviewed Ayala about her experience.

Gabriella Coffin: Why did you decide to do an internship? 

Christina Ayala: I thought it would be a good opportunity to see what it’s like in the medical field first hand. I also think it’s going to be a nice thing to add to my resume. 

GC:  How is your internship going? 

CA: My internship is going really well, it’s fun but I also never know what to expect.

GC: How does an internship benefit what you want to do in the future?

CA: My internship has a little bit of everything I’d be interested in doing like patient check ups and research. 

GC: Why do you think internships are important? 

CA: I think internships are important for experience and to solidify an opportunity for your future. 

GC: Any advice you would give people hoping to do an internship in the future? 

CA: I would 100% recommend doing an internship. I would advise reaching out to multiple people or companies rather than betting on one to agree to host you as an intern.

By Cindy Bone – Staff Reporter

Mr. Healy teaches English and Creative Writing classes to multiple grade levels at Law. Advocate Staff Reporter Cindy Bone interviewed Healy about his school year.

Cindy Bone: How was your school year and is there anything you would like to improve on for next school year?

Mr. Healy: This was a great year. It really comes down to the students. Each class is unique, but it only works if you all bring good energy, and all of my classes were positive, funny, and enjoyable. I would love to improve how I deal with phones, and with Chat-GPT/AI. 

CB: What classes are you teaching next year?

MH: I taught English 2 and Advanced Creative Writing this year. I just learned that there will be no Advanced Creative Writing next year but hopefully we can come back strong in 2025-26. As far as I know, I’ll still be teaching English 2.

CB: What was your highlight of the year?

MH: Definitely publishing our fifth book in Advanced Creative Writing and taking that class to New York City last week. That class and working with young authors will always be special to me. 

CB: Anything in particular you are looking forward to next year?

MH: I love being a teacher because we are the only profession I can think of that gets a huge reset every year. I can look at what I’m doing as a teacher with fresh eyes after a long break and try something new. So each year brings a lot of fun, new possibilities. Also, by the end of next year I’ll have my educational leadership degree, so that’s pretty cool. 

CB: What is one piece of advice you would give to all your students you have had in the past year?

MH: Just be positive. To yourself, to each other, to your family, your friends, etc. Be a good person. Being positive doesn’t mean being delusional or ignoring problems, it’s just a habit you can build. Remind yourself things are not too bad,  things often seem worse than what they are, and our brains are very good at focusing on the negative. So put in practices of positivity in your life. I don’t know, we’re all relatively lucky here at Law. We need to remind ourselves of that. 

By Ryan Nobles – Staff Reporter

Junior Faisal Karzoun is a member of the Law boys outdoor track team. Advocate staff reporter Ryan Nobles interviewed Karzoun about the season.

Ryan Nobles: Which one of your events is your favorite and why?

Faisal Karzoun: My favorite event has to be the 400 meter dash. It’s a fun event that is very entertaining to watch and fun to run. This is my first year running it and I love it so far.

RN: What is it like to be on one of the relay teams?

FK: I think all my relay teammates are great and make track a blast to run.

RN: How does your coach and teammates push you to be better?

FK: Coach Beler really motivates me to work my hardest at every single practice, it has made me a better runner and overall has significantly improved my times and motivation.

RN: How do you feel you did this season and why?

FK: I feel like I did really well and I made new friends and tried new events. It was a great overall season and I will always remember it thanks to the times I had individually and with my teammates and coaches.

RN: What are you hoping and looking forward to for yourself and the team for the next outdoor track season?

FK: I’m looking forward to helping the new people who decided to join the track team, just looking to help in any way. I’m also looking forward to getting better at my events and trying to get the best times that me and my relay teams possibly can.

By Chloe Edmonds – Staff Reporter

Freshman Emily Vella recently took third place in the 4x100M relay at the SCC Championships and made states for the Jonathan Law track team. Advocate Staff Reporter Chloe Edmonds interviewed Vella bout his firat track season.

Chloe Edmonds: What events do you run?

Emily Vella: I run the 4x400M, the 4x100M, the 100M, and the 200M.

CE: What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome this season?

EV: I think the biggest challenge I had was my arms. I worked really hard on fixing my form as a whole all season. 

CE: What have you improved upon the most?

EV: I improved on my form mostly. 

CE: What are you looking to improve on next season?

EV: I really want to work on my starts, especially in blocks since starts are extremely important to a race. 

CE: Whats your biggest accomplishment this season? 

EV: My first accomplishment was third place (in the 4x100M relay) at SCC Championships and my second would be being the top seed for states. 

By Quinn Willett – Social Media Editor 

Members of Law’s Class of 2024 have recently started their senior internships. Advocate Social Media Editor Quinn Willett interviewed Reinaldo DeCarvalho about his internship experience.

Quinn Willett: Where are you doing your internship?

Reinaldo Carvalho: My internship is at the West Haven Fire Department. 

QW: What are your goals to accomplish during your internship?

RC: My goal is to get a little experience on what it is like to actually be a fireman. 

QW: How will your internship help with your after high school plans?

RC: My internship will help with my future plans by giving me a look to see if I really want to become a firefighter or not.

QW: What are you doing during your internship?

RC: During my internship we are assigned to a truck and we go on any injury or fire that the truck I’m assigned to gets. They also teach us some of the basic things on being a firefighter like suiting up and shows us everything in the truck. 

QW: Why did you pick this as your internship?

RC: I chose this as my internship because I hope to be a fireman in the future and a internship at the firehouse will give me some early experience and will be good for me on my resume.

By Alexis Kirby – Staff Reporter

Mr. Sweeney, a Health teacher at Jonathan Law, is preparing for the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year. Advocate Staff Reporter Alexis Kirby interviewed Sweeney about his year.

Alexis Kirby: What was your favorite lesson of this school year?

Mr. Sweeney: My favorite lesson to teach this year was the growth mindset unit because it’s a huge part of everyone’s live to be positive and develop as a person and it’s used outside of school and in our daily lives.

AK: What was your biggest challenge while navigating through this school year? 

MS: My biggest challenge of the year was trying to navigate the ePass system. Overcoming it was a process but I became more efficient with the system as the year went by. 

AK: How do you make your students feel welcomed into your class?

MS: I listen to concerns, help out when I can, and make sure everyone in heard. When they are slacking I give them a push, every individual in this school is deserving of guidance and support. 

AK: What is your favorite thing about teaching?

MS:  My favorite thing about teaching is the student interaction that come with it. I enjoy conversations and getting to know everyone in between lessons.

AK: What was the most rewarding thing that you received this year?

MS: The most rewarding thing I received this year was the staff shout-outs. It made me happy to be recognized and I appreciate how well our community is here at Law.

By Courtney Russo – Staff Reporter

Like most members of the Class of 2024, senior Hailey Russo is currently doing an internship. Advocate Staff Reporter Courtney Russo interviewed Hailey Russo about her experience so far.

Courtney Russo: Where are you doing your internship? 

Hailey Russo: I’m at West Shore Middle School.

CR: What made you choose this internship? 

HR: I want to be a teacher at a middle or high school when I grow up.

CR: How has it been working hands-on with the kids? 

HR: It’s been interesting. It’s weird looking back and seeing how much has changed from when I was in middle school to now.

CR: What has been the best part so far?

HR: The best part of working with the middle school choir class and getting them to really see their true potential.

CR: What do you hope to gain from this?

HR: I hope to gain teaching techniques and learn the things I would like and not like in my classroom.

By Molly Lynch – Staff Reporter

Sophomore Nadia Nuzzo is a player on Law’s girls lacrosse team. Advocate Staff Reporter Molly Lynch interviewed Nuzzo on her experience on being a part of the team.

Molly Lynch: What do you like most about being on the lacrosse team?

Nadia Nuzzo: My favorite thing about being on the lacrosse team is being able to have a group of people that are always there for me. I love all of our silly little jokes and fun times we have. Our coaches are also so great to have.

ML: What position do you play and how do you impact the team?

NN: I play defense and I think I make a good impact on the team. I’m always there when help is needed whenever, and can easily shake a bad play.

ML: How do your teammates impact you?

NN: My teammates impact me a lot by always being there to make me smile. We have a lot of fun all the time and they’re always supportive.

ML: What is a valuable lesson you learned from being on the team?

NN: The most valuable lesson I have learned from being on this team is to stick together. Like any sport, we need to become one so always having each others backs and being supportive helps us on and off the field.

ML: Why did you decide to join the lacrosse team?

NN: I decided to join the team because I wanted to try out lacrosse. It always looked like a fun sport and I wanted to give it a shot.

By Aislyn McKernan – Staff Reporter

Helen Chizmazia is a senior captain of the Law girls lacrosse team. The team improved its record by four games this season and qualified for States thanks to the leadership of Chizmazia. Advocate Staff Reporter Aislyn McKernan interviewed Chizmazia about the season.

Aislyn McKernan: What was your biggest accomplishment this season?

Helen Chizmazia: Our biggest accomplishment was definitely making states. We weren’t necessarily expecting to make it this year but our grit definitely paid off throughout the season. 

AM: How was it being captain?

HC: My favorite part about playing a sport at Law has always been being a part of a team. Leading the team mostly came from my attitude and willingness to support others.

AM: How do you think Law’s team did this year?

HC:  Overall, we had an excellent season. We beat our last year’s record by four wins so that was definitely a super rewarding feeling. 

AM:  What is your favorite memory of the season?

HC:  We all became super close throughout the season so even practices were something we enjoyed going to every day. 

AM: What is your favorite part about playing lacrosse?

HC: Building new friendships and getting to know my teammates is my favorite part about lacrosse. Luckily, I also love playing the sport because of the intensity and there are always new things to learn about it.

By Isla Concepcion – Staff Reporter

Junior Avery Granger recently finished her CNA class Law, which included completing 60 hours of clinicals. Advocate Staff Reporter Isla Concepcion interviewed Avery Granger about her CNA class. 

Isla Concepcion: What do you think is the most difficult part about clinicals? Why?

Avery Granger: The most difficult part of CNA is seeing people pass away and seeing residents being alone.

IC: Do you plan on pursuing a career CNA in your future?

AG: Yes, I am taking my test in June for me to be a CNA. Once I pass, I plan on working as a CNA while I study nursing in college.

IC: How much have you grown between now and the beginning of the year?

AG: I’ve grown a lot, I’ve learned how to use time management especially for being out every Tuesday for clinicals during a three month span.”

IC: Where do you do your clinicals?

AG: I do my clinicals at Civita at West River. They have long term, short term care, a rehabilitation center, and they do hospice.

IC: What are clinicals like?

AG: In the beginning of clinical, I give out meal trays for breakfast, and I assist any residents that need help eating. After that I’ll give out water and change any unoccupied beds. After that, I’ll wash residents and get them out of bed if they aren’t already. Then around that time it’s lunchtime and I give out meal trays and assist them with eating and then I leave.”

By Charlotte Rascoll – Staff Reporter

This year, a new club was introduced to Law with the goal of raising awareness for teen dating violence – the Courage Club. Junior Lily Baird is President of the club and put lots of her time and effort throughout the school year into making it successful. Staff reporter Charlotte Rascoll interviewed Baird about the year with the club.

Charlotte Rascoll:  In your opinion, how did the first year of Courage Club go?

Lily Baird: It was a great first year for the club and I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish.

CR: What is the main goal of the Courage Club?

LB: The teens for Courage Club aims to raise awareness in the Law community surrounding relationship violence and emphasize warning signs to look for. Our motto is “stop the violence before it begins.”

CR: What events or activities did the club plan this year?

LB: This year we held a week of awareness in honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month during February. We also collaborated with the SAVE Promise Club to raise awareness for National Youth Violence Prevention last month. The club also organized a sock and underwear drive during winter time and all donations were made to the local foster care center.

CR: Were you successful in achieving the goals you had for the club this year?

LB: I believe it was a very successful year as we have just over 30 members, all who actively participate in activities and events, and continue to spread our message.

CR: What are you looking forward to next year for the club?

LB: The club is very excited for next school year, as we are currently planning an informative school assembly. We also hope to eventually interact with other Courage Clubs as well as grow the club as a whole.

By Ella Franzman – Editor-In-Chief

Mady Bull, a junior on the Law softball team, recently recorded her 100th career hit at Law in just three seasons. The following game, Bull also recorded her 500th career strikeout at Law, another huge achievement in just three seasons. Advocate Editor-In-Chief Ella Franzman interviewed Bull about her accomplishments.

Ella Franzman: What was the feeling of getting your 100th hit like? 

Mady Bull: I want to get a hit every time I am up, so I really don’t think about the number; but I am very excited to have accomplished this in my junior year. 

EF: How did it feel to get your 500th career strikeout?

MB: It was super exciting to be able to hit this milestone especially in three years. It’s also exciting because I was able to hit two big goals in back to back games. 

EF: How did your teammates, family and friends help you achieve this goal?

MB: I think having support from everyone is very important in this game. This game is set up for failure.  So knowing that people have your back is vital in anyone’s success. 

EF: What is your favorite part about playing softball?

MB: My favorite part of playing softball is even when you are not at 100%, through hard work mentally and physically, you can get right back into it.

EF: What are your future hopes for playing softball after high school? 

MB: I plan on playing softball in college and making a definite impact wherever I go. I still have my senior year of high school which I want to focus on, because I feel there are a lot of things I still want to accomplish. 

By Madi Black – Staff Reporter

The 2024 Senior Prom and Post Prom took place on Saturday, May 11. Law parent Julie DeProfio was on the Post Prom Committee which helped organize fundraisers and set up beautiful decorations for Post Prom. Advocate Staff Reporter Madi Black interviewed DeProfio about the event.

Madi Black: What were some of the events that you had set up at the Shelton Sports Center for Post Prom? What was your favorite?

Julie DeProfio: We had so many events for the kids – ice skating, arcade games, laser tag, mini golf, driving range and bowling. My favorite was mini golf. I loved watching the kids compete against each other and having fun.

MB: What were some of the raffle items? How did you fundraise money for them?

JD: We had a multitude of raffle prizes including TVs, laptop computers, iPad, Apple watches, a Segway scooter and so much more. We held many fundraisers for the event – Back to School Social, Comedy Night, Yankee Ticket Raffle, Mixed Bags sale and the Sip & Social.  All were great events for the parents and members of the community to come out and help raise money for a safe event for our students.  We also received many generous donations from businesses in the Milford community.

MB:  How was it to see all of the kids having fun? Did the adults join in by playing any games?

JD: It was so awesome to see the kids having so much fun. All the hard work of the Post Prom Committee paid off.  It gave us all great satisfaction that we had worked so hard to make a fun safe event for our kids and that they enjoyed it so much. So many kids on the way out were thanking us for our hard work and telling us how much fun they had. That made it all worth it.

MD: How many people showed up to help?

JD: We had a committee of eight moms that planned all the fundraisers.  We had a great time working together. We also had a bunch of families volunteer for the fundraising events and come out to help. 

MB: What were some of your favorite decorations that were set up?

JD: Our decorations committee was amazing!  They printed all the senior photos and hung them in the lobby of the Sports Center. It was a great way for the kids to come in and see themselves represented as members of the senior class. That was a huge hit and my favorite decoration.

By Ava Grippo – Staff Reporter

Mrs. Scarpa has been a school counselor at Jonathan Law for 16 years. Advocate Staff Reporter Ava Grippo interviewed Scarpa about her career and the past school year. 

Ava Grippo: What made you want to become a school counselor? 

Mrs. Scarpa: After I graduated from college, I was working for the Yale Child Study Center as a research assistant.  It was during that time that I decided that I wanted to go into school counseling so I could be an advocate for students.

AG: What is your favorite part about being a school counselor? 

MS: After I graduated from college, I was working for the Yale Child Study Center as a Research Assistant.  It was during that time that I decided that I wanted to go into school counseling so I could be an advocate for students.

AG:  What do you think you did best this year when it came to helping students?

MS: I think this is hard to answer but I try to create a welcoming space for all students.

AG: Do you think school counseling has improved over the years?

MS: The mindset around school counseling has changed drastically since I was in school or your parents were in school.  Many years ago, people felt like their “guidance counselor” would not be supportive of their long term goals and “guidance counselors” really focused on just post high school planning.  Since then, school counseling has changed to have a focus on mental health in addition to academics and post high school planning. 

AG: What are you most looking forward to as the school year comes to an end? 

MS: I love the end-of-year activities every school year.  After a year of everyone working hard, it is so nice to be able to celebrate students through activities like the honors breakfast, awards night, dances and senior class activities.

By Fiorella Gargiulo – Staff Reporter

Mrs. Francisco teaches math to various grades at Law along with being the girls soccer head coach. This is her sixth year teaching at Law and she has made a big impact on the school’s community, including leading the girls soccer team to SCCs and States in the fall. Advocate Staff Reporter Fiorella Gargiulo interviewed Francisco about the school year at Law.

Fiorella Gargiulo: How do you think this school year went?

Mrs. Francisco: This school year flew by. Looking back, soccer season felt like forever ago but strangely also just yesterday. 

FG: How was this year as a math teacher and soccer coach?

MF: Being a math teacher and soccer coach is busy but FUN! I love being able to start the school year with my soccer players, they always put me in a good mood at the end of the day. My math classes this year challenged me in good ways. They kept me on my toes to try to keep them engaged and have interesting lessons. Most classes were super friendly and I loved getting to know them as humans as well as math students. 

FG: How was the Senior Prom?

MF: The senior prom was a success! The seniors were on the dance floor all night, took a bunch of photos in the photo booth, looked FABULOUS, and seemed to have a great night. 

FG: What makes the Class of 2024 special?

MF: The Class of 2024 has so much personality. There are standouts at every event – students getting into Ivy League schools, going to play their sport at the collegiate level, their creativity is evident in the hallways and at performances and we are excited to see their name in lights. There are also so many students who we have seen mature over the last four years, overcome trauma over the last four years, keep a smile on their face over the last four years, and just light up the hallways over the last four years. They are a special class and we will hate to see them go. 

FG: What are you looking forward to next year?

MF: I am definitely looking forward to next soccer season. I have high expectations that I know my team can meet. I am also excited to teach a few new classes next year and accept new challenges with my new students. 

By Cesar Mendez – Sports Editor 

Members of Law’s Class of 2024 have recently started their senior internships. Advocate Sports Editor Cesar Mendez interviewed JT Nelly about his internship experience. 

Cesar Mendez: Where are you doing your your internship?

JT Nelly: My internship is at Stonebridge Restaurant in downtown Milford.

CM: Who are the people you work with?

JN: I work with Phil Conine and Brandon and Jon who are all my managers.

CM: What are some of the things you do?

JN: I am interning as a manager so I am learning a lot of things that a manager does in a typical day.

CM: What do you hope to gain from this experience?

JN: I hope to learn leadership abilities as well as general knowledge of how to manage and lead others

CM: What has been the best part about interning so far?

JN: The best part of interning so far has been the double meals at Stonebridge.

By Avery Moulton – Staff Reporter

Sophia Scarpa is a sophomore and the starting catcher on the Jonathan Law softball team. The team is finishing up the regular season and looking forward to playing in SCCs and States. Advocate Staff Reporter Avery Moulton interviewed Scarpa about the season.

Avery Moulton: How is the regular season going for the softball team this year?

Sophia Scarpa: The regular season has been pretty well. We had a bit of a rough start but we have leveled off and we are playing our best game right now.

AM: What goals did you have?

SS: My goal is to beat Cheshire and Amity in SCCs and make it back to the State Championship again this year.

AM: How are you preparing for the upcoming States and SCC games?

SS: With States and SCCs coming up, it’s so exciting but we as a team have been working hard in preparing for the game. We have been working on really strengthening our bond within the program and I hope that the team reciprocates the trust I put in them. I myself have been working on my physical strength and strengthening myself not only physically, but mentally as well.

AM: How has the season been different from last year?

SS: This past year, we lost four starters on our field. They had a huge role on and off the field and so when they left, we had big shoes to fill. Our freshman Julia Scibek and Lily Stankevich did not disappoint on offense or defense. Junior Madison Bull has been pushing through a tough season and I am proud to see what she has achieved through her hard work. Even though we lost many, we have worked and are just as strong as last year. 

AM: What is your favorite part about playing for the Law softball team?

SS: My favorite part of Law softball is the competitiveness. Everyone works so hard and it shows when we have the opportunity to play good teams and challenge our ability. I love working with the mental pieces of the game and that’s how the competition gets so much better.