By Ava Korkmaz – Sports Editor

The Natural Helpers club recently hosted a “Kindness Rock Garden” contest. Advocate Sports Editor Ava Korkmaz interviewed Natural Helpers advisor Ms. Smuniewski about the contest.

Ava Korkmaz: How did this idea start?

Ms. Smuniewski: At one of our November meetings, we sat down to think of what we could do to spread kindness throughout Jonathan Law as the holidays approached. I had read about the idea of a “Kindness Rock Garden” in one of my Sandy Hook Promise pamphlets. I mentioned this to the club, and they suggested that we create one in the TLC and possibly even turn it into a competition (with Dunkin’ gift cards as prizes).

AK: Were you surprised at how successful the event was?

MS: I was actually pretty surprised, yes! Sometimes, we run campaigns that aren’t really popular, but each time I checked on how the Kindness Rock Garden was going in the TLC, there were always kids creating rocks, and we had to restock the rock supply every single day of the competition. We are thrilled that this was such a successful project.

AK: Did you think that something would go wrong with this idea?

MS: The only thing I thought may go “wrong” was that our acrylic paint markers would go missing, but with the help of Ms. Mundy, they were all still there at the end of the competition! Thanks, Ms. Mundy!

AK: Was everybody on board with idea for the “Rock Garden?”

MS: Yes, the entire club thought that this idea would work very well. 

AK: What do you think students enjoyed most about this activity?

MS: The competition aspect is always fun, but at the very least, it seems like this campaign brought a lot of joy to students right before the Thanksgiving holiday.

By Olivia Augustine – News Editor

Senior diver Makenna Sharpe earned All-State honors for diving for the third year in a row. Advocate News Editor Olivia Augustine interviewed Sharpe about her final diving season. 

Olivia Augustine: What did you do in order to earn this accomplishment?

Makenna Sharpe: I dive in the off season with my club team. I have noticed that from freshman year doing this has helped me improve tremendously which led to earning All-State three years in a row.

OA: How do you feel about breaking school records for diving throughout your high school career?

MK: When I came in freshman year I didn’t have very high expectations since I had very little diving experience. As I progressed through the years, I set goals for myself, and as I reached these goals I kept raising the bar which led to me breaking the school record and then my own records.

OA: Were you able to achieve all your goals this year? 

MK: I would say that I reached my goals this year. I wasn’t as stressed about harsh goals since I already knew I was set with college.

OA: What is your favorite memory from the swim season?

MK: It’s hard to pick one memory, but one thing that will always resonate with me is the iconic song choices such as “Temperature,” “Wup Num,” and anything by pitbull.

OA: Will you be continuing to dive in college?

MK: I am diving in college. I committed to San Jose State University.

By Sydney Simpson – Editor-in-Chief 

The annual Jonathan Law vs. Foran Powder Puff game took place on November 23. After not having a game last year due to COVID-19, the junior and senior girls of both schools were ready to play. Following a nail-biting double overtime, Law came out victorious 8-6 and took the trophy back from the defeated Lions. This victory can arguably be attributed to senior Shelby Green, who played four different positions throughout the duration of the game and was subsequently named the game’s MVP. Green was all over the field, playing right guard, linebacker, tight end, and right tackle. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Sydney Simpson interviewed Green about her well-deserved title. 

Sydney Simpson: What were your expectations going into the game?

Shelby Green: My expectation going into the game was that it was going to be a hard fought battle and the tougher team was going to win. I knew we were ready and were prepared for anything thrown at us but all we had to do was come to play and we would be able to win. 

SS: How did you feel about the outcome of the game?

SG: I was so excited when we won the game. There are no words that can describe how good it felt to win the game and even better I was on the field with all my friends and we were able to celebrate together and we represented Jonathan Law well. 

SS: How did you adjust to playing as many different positions as you did throughout the game?

SG: Going into the game I knew one position, that was linebacker. But in every sport you play you have to know multiple positions and whatever it took to win that game I was willing to do so when the coaches asked me to play on the offensive line I was eager to get out there and help the offense to the best of my ability. Nicolina Salanto helped me by telling me what I was supposed to do and we worked together as a team to help the other players. 

SS: What is something you did well and are proud of?

SG: Something I did well and that I’m proud of is how hard I worked and how motivated I was to help everyone on the field to perform their best. (Coach) Ruz had told the defense we bend we do not break and that stuck with me and I felt I was able to help motivate everyone and understand the meaning of that motto. 

SS: How did you feel about being named the game’s MVP? 

SG: Being named MVP was really amazing. There are so many girls on the team that could have also won it like Lucia Pino or Elly Van Waveren who had amazing plays in overtime. But to be a team and to win we all have to work together so we wouldn’t have been able to win without everyone there, all the coaches and players included. So being named MVP I was really honored and it was even better to see the support of my friends and teammates who cheered me on and the amazing feeling when everyone stormed the field and we all celebrated together. 

By Gabe Garnett – Sports Editor 

Law junior football player John Neider recently was named the SCC Tier 3 Player of the Year. He was also named Player of the Game in the Thanksgiving game against Foran. Advocate Sports Editor Gabe Garnett interviewed Neider about his season and his goals for next year.

Gabe Garnett: How was the football season for you? 

John Neider: It was a good season. We fell short of some of our goals but ended the season on a high note.

GG: What was your favorite game this year to play in?   

JN: To play against Foran – everyone was having fun and everyone on the team left it all out there. 

GG: What did it feel like to play in the Thanksgiving game this year? 

JN: I was nervous at first to play in front of such a big crowd, but once I got onto the field and moved around I was ready to play.

GG: How does it feel to be the SCC Tier 3 Player of the Year? 

JN: It feels awesome. It would have never happened without my teammates and my coaches and my QB Coach Mr. Pearson. 

GG: What are your goals for next season? 

JN: Our goals for next season is to go all the way and make it to the state finals. 

By Bobby Black – Sports Editor

Senior varsity soccer player Jaden Wywoda recently won the Tony DeNegri Award which is given to the Most Outstanding Male Soccer Player of the Year by the Greater New Haven Soccer Officials Association. Wywoda is a senior captain and goalie for Law and recently committed to play baseball at Holy Cross University. Advocate Sports Editor Bobby Black interviewed Wywoda about winning the award.

Bobby Black: What was the process of receiving the award? 

Jaden Wywoda: One referee nominates me for the award. A list of my achievements is submitted and then a council votes on the nominees.

BB: How do your personal goals help you achieve the award? 

JW: I had a goal this year to get as many shutouts as possible. This led me to getting 10 shutouts which helped me get recognized as a top player. 

BB: What does the award mean to you?

JW: This award means a lot. No one at Law has won this award and it helps cement myself in Law history, which was a goal of mine. 

BB What has helped you improve as an individual player? 

JW: My goalie coach has played a huge role in my development. Once a week he pushes the goalies very hard to be great. Without him, I am not the player I am today. 

BB: What are your plans for the future and do they include soccer? 

JW: I am continuing my baseball career at Holy Cross. This is my last season playing soccer.

By Bobby Black – Sports Editor

Ms. Jones is the Choir Director at Jonathan Law High School. She has been in the Milford Public Schools system for 11 years and loves to teach choir. Advocate Sports Editor Bobby Black interviewed Jones about the school year and the recent Welcome Back To Music Night.

Bobby Black: When did you start to become interested in singing and choir? 

Ms. Jones: I have always enjoyed singing since I was very young (which was a very long time ago, haha). I used to sing solos at school talent shows and for weddings and my first communion. However, I majored in Music education with a Flute concentration. It was in college when I started filling in for a director at a church for their choir that I was able to apply all of my learning directly to practice that I truly fell in love with choir. The way we engage and give something personally, our voices, to connect, unite and make beauty is something unique to choir. 

BB: What inspired you to become a choir teacher at Jonathan Law?

MJ : I started in the district 11 years ago and taught at East Shore and Harborside. I really enjoyed that experience but, as my children were starting to get older, I was excited for the opportunity to expand my teaching skills and challenge myself to help students perform on a different level. The opportunity to teach at Law was a wonderful moment to make that a reality!

BB: What were some of the highlights of the Welcome Back To Music Concert?

MJ : I was extremely impressed with the students’ focus and dedication to represent their learning and musicianship. Watching the choir walk across the field in one long line really solidified that after all of these years and the hard work put in by our alumni, we are still here, still strong and will continue to grow!

BB: Will there be more concerts, and if so, when and where will the concerts be held?

MJ: There will certainly be more concerts. With the guidelines continuing to change we are waiting to hear when our next performance will be depending on whether we can start to perform inside or continue to stay outside. We  have definitive plans for the spring and tentative plans in between! We cannot wait!

BB: What will you look to work on for the next concert?

MJ:We will definitely be working to improve our vocal techniques to become more solid and comfortable singing together. It has been a very long time since we have been able to perform as one large ensemble and some students haven’t been able to sing in person, in a group, for almost two years prior to this year as middle school didn’t have choir last year and many students were virtually learning. So, it is our goal to build our vocal techniques so we can perform to our highest potential! 

By Shane Cepalia – News Editor

Mr. Roumeles is a History and Advisory teacher at Law. Advocate Entertainment Editor Shane Cepalia interviewed Roumeles about his life in and out of school.

Shane Cepalia: How long have you been teaching at Law?

Mr. Roumeles: This is my ninth year at Law, and this is my tenth year overall

SC: What classes do you currently teach?

MR:  AP Human Geography, Modern World History, which is one of my favorites, and also for the first time I’m teaching Ancient History which is a lot of fun.

SC: What do you like to do in your spare time? Any hobbies?

MR: Yes, I like to fish. I actually enjoy yard work, as weird as that sounds. And I like to play music.

SC: What made you want to become a teacher?

MR: I just have always wanted to work with the two things that being a history teacher allows me to work with – kids and helping people achieve their academic goals and other life goals. In addition, to that I just love history so it’s a win-win.

SC: Did you have any other plans for your life before you became a teacher?

MR: I think I always just kind of saw myself as a teacher. So I’m kind of exactly where I want to be and that’s very fortunate for me.

By Gemard Guery – News & Editorial Editor

Mr. Darcy is the new principal of Jonathan Law High School. He recently announced a new morning procedure for students arriving at Law. Advocate News and Editorial Editor Gemard Guery interviewed Darcy about this new procedure.

Gemard Guery: What is the new morning procedure?

Mr. Darcy: The new morning procedure allows for students to have access to three areas of the building starting at 6:45 a.m. and ending at 7:10 a.m. These three areas of the building are the cafeteria, auditorium and the TLC. There is a 7:10 a.m. bell that rings to “release students” to their lockers and first period class. 

GG: What is the purpose of this new morning procedure?

MD: The purpose of this is to account for all students and staff at all times. It’s essentially allowing our building to be safer and will assist with students getting to first period class on time.

GG: What should students do if they have to do something such as talk to a teacher or get extra help before school starts?

MD: Students can arrange this with teachers and other staff members. The staff member then provides us with names and we will know which students are meeting with which teachers in the morning. It organizes this process for students and teachers alike. 

GG: How do you plan on enforcing social distancing?

MD: Social distancing is accomplished using all three areas of the building I mentioned above. The cafeteria, TLC, and auditorium can hold much more than our student body total with distancing included. There are also several seniors who come to school later due to senior privileges. 

GG: How did you come up with this idea?

MD: This idea was designed with input from security guards, our SRO, members of administrative staff and other building staff members like teachers and custodial staff members. It is also very common to have this type of procedure in most schools across the state and country. 

By Truman Martin – Entertainment Editor

Junior Caroline Doyle is the president of the Jonathan Law Key Club. Entertainment Editor Truman Martin interviewed her about Key Club Week and what things the club did to participate. 

Truman Martin: What is Key Club Week?

Caroline Doyle: Key Club Week is an international event where the first week of November is dedicated to Key Clubs around the world. Its main goal is to spread awareness about the club.

TM: What was your goal going into the week?

CD: My goal going into the week was to show the school what our club does and get them to see who our officers are and see how hard we work.

TM: How do you think Key Club Week went?

CD: I think it went very well. We had people on the news every day, and many people wore blue on Monday to show support.

TM: Will there be any more promotional weeks/events like this throughout the year?

CD: This is the only event of the year of this kind, but we have our district convention in April. Our next big event is a fundraiser we’re hosting at Seaside Nutrition. It is set for November 13, and we are raising money for the San Sa Ho #2 Project.

TM: What changes would you make for future Key Club Weeks?

CD: For future Key Club Weeks, I would like to get the whole school more involved. Maybe activities, or things around the school that stand out. 

By Kaitlyn Goldberg – News Editor

Sophomore Ashley Borecki is a member of the Law volleyball team. Advocate News Editor Kaitlyn Goldberg interviewed her about nearing the end of the season and how it’s been going.  

Kaitlyn Goldberg: How has the season been so far?

Ashley Borecki: I feel like the season has been very good so far.  I think the team came a long way from how we played in our first scrimmage to now.

KG: Have you achieved any of your goals?

AB: I did achieve my goals this year that I started out with, but as the season continued I kept making new ones and pushing myself to meet those ones as well.  I feel like we’ve come far but there is still a ton of room for improvement which I’m excited to achieve.  

KG: What were some of your favorite moments from the season? 

AB: I feel like there are certain moments where we really come together as a team each game.  Those are definitely my favorites.  The energy in the team can get so high and those are times I look forward to. 

KG: What’s your favorite thing about volleyball?

AB: Honestly, I really love the team that I get to play with.  They make it so much fun and I love the energy our team has. Still. I would say my favorite part is hitting and getting kills. 

KG: How did you train/practice throughout the season?

AB: This season we did a lot to train/practice. Our practices would be about 2.5-3 hours long and we would work on conditioning during that time.  

By Sydney Simpson – Editor-in-Chief 

The Jonathan Law Girls cross country team competed in the Class M State Championship meet this past Monday, November 1. Each year, the top seven runners on the team are taken to states. Never in Jonathan Law’s history, however, has the girls cross country team had a runner make All-State until this year. Sophomore Claire Moulton will be getting her name on a banner after placing 11th at the meet with a time of 21:31. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Sydney Simpson interviewed Moulton about her success this season. 

Sydney Simpson: How did you push yourself throughout the season to reach this accomplishment?

Claire Moulton: I kept thinking of the goal I wanted to achieve during the season and that’s what pushed me to accomplish it.

SS: How do you feel about becoming the first girls cross country runner to make All-State at Jonathan Law?

CM: To be the first girl in cross country to make All-State is truly a great accomplishment that I feel I have made throughout  the season. It makes me excited to see what I can do next year and I’m so thankful for my team and coach for pushing me during the season to achieve this. 

SS: How will you continue to improve for next season and what are your future goals?

CM:  To get ready for next season I will continue to train  the way I have been for the last three months and like my coach said I need to run over the summer to prepare for the season so that is what I’ll do to get ready. My goals for the future is to place well at the State Opens this Friday and to break 20 during the last two seasons I have left at Law.

SS:  What has been your favorite memory from this cross country season?

CM: My favorite memory from this season has to be the kickball games we would do the day before the meets to let our bodies rest and especially our last kickball game all together was truly one of the best ones we’ve had this year.

SS: What are you most proud of from this past season?

CM: I am most proud of making All-State but also of my first meet of the season where I broke my personal record by a minute and a half.

By Olivia Augustine – News Editor

Mr. Kulenych has been teaching at Law for 18 years. He teaches Journalism 1, 2 and 3, Humanities, and Broadcast Journalism. He coaches the girls tennis team and is a coach for this year’s Powder Puff game, which returns after being cancelled last year due to COVID-10. Advocate News Editor Olivia Augustine interviewed Kulenych about the Powder Puff game. 

Olivia Augustine: What is Powder Puff?

Mr. Kulenych: Powder Puff is a girls flag football game between juniors and seniors at Law and Foran that is played the week of Thanksgiving. Powder Puff has a rich history in Milford and is one of the really special Thanksgiving traditions that we have at Law.

OA: When and where is Powder Puff?

MK: This year’s game is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23rd at 6:00 at Law.

OA: How can you join Powder Puff?

MK: Permission slips are available in Ms. Russell’s room (Room 102). Girls have until Friday, November 5th to turn in their permission slips.

OA: How is Powder Puff running differently this year?

MK: Like everything, COVID has slightly changed the way Powder Puff is running this year. We are having 10 practices starting on November 10th and we will have the same social distancing and mask protocols as fall sports teams had.

OA: What is your favorite thing about Powder Puff?

MK:  I love everything about Power Puff. It’s an opportunity for junior and senior girls to play a sport they’ve never played before in front of thousands of people and compete against our crosstown rival. There’s nothing like the atmosphere of a Powder Puff game night. The girls work so hard at practice all for a one-game season and every game is a fun, intense battle. The camaraderie that the girls build in such a short period of time is incredible to see. After not having a game last year, we are all extra excited to get back on the field this year.

By Ben Rossi – Staff Reporter

Senior captain Lucas Pincus-Coyle is the running back for the 5-2 Lawmen football team. Advocate Staff Reporter Ben Rossi interviewed Pincus-Coyle about being a captain and about the current season.

Ben Rossi: As a captain, how do you lead the team and keep the team thriving?

Lucas Pincus-Coyle: As a captain, how I lead the team and keep the team thriving is getting good grades, being respectful, and treating teammates fairly. I also show them that hard work will pay off, and I tell them to keep improving everyday.

BR: What has changed in the program since the last time there was a season?

LP: We have a great new head coach and staff, our lifting program, Volt, and the culture of our program.  The culture of our program has changed with each class being involved, dressing the same during games to look like a real program, more and more of the team being invested into what we are doing and the future of the program. Also, we are learning every day to hold each other accountable by speaking the truth, and learning the importance of loving each rather than just liking one another.

BR: What are the team’s goals for the remainder of the season?

LP: One of my goals for the remainder of the season is to keep trying to develop more future leaders that will continue to grow the program after we’ve graduated. For example, Matt Hagerty has really emerged as a man who cares so much about the program and will do anything for it. Our goals for the remainder of the season is to win our Division and move onto play after Thanksgiving, so we can stay together another week.

BR: Without a season last year how have the captains and coaches prepared the younger players who didn’t get a season last year?

LP: The captains and coaches prepared the younger players who didn’t get a season last year by working out through our summer conditioning program and weight room, attending passing leagues, and “Grip It and Rip It” during the preseason, then moving onto August Camp.  Each week we continue to prepare for our next matchup in the regular season. The younger players have proven to be a big help, because they have taken command of important positions and have made tremendous impacts. Those players are proving they belong on the field every day. Those that are not starting varsity are having a great season of their own at the JV level.

BR: How has playing football and being a leader affected you off the field?

LP: Playing football has been the only sport I have truly loved in my life.  It is teaching me how to persevere and to never settle for good enough. Football revealed to me who my true friends are, and how it creates bonds that no other sport can come close to.

By Sydney Simpson – Editor-in-Chief 

Law senior boys soccer captain Lex Edwards recently won the title of SCC Athlete of the Month for the month of September. The team currently has a record of 12-0, which makes them the most accomplished boys soccer team in school history. So far this season, Edwards has scored 14 goals, had 12 assists, and has helped give the team one of the strongest offenses in the state. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Sydney Simpson interviewed Edwards about the soccer season and his new title. 

Sydney Simpson: How did you get nominated for the SCC Athlete of the Month award?

Lex Edwards: I got nominated for the award because of the amount of goals I scored and assists I had so quickly into the season, and for scoring winning goals against Branford, Shelton, Wilbur Cross, and Lyman Hall. 

SS: How do you feel about receiving this award?

LE:  I feel like I earned the award because I work very hard every practice, even when we don’t have practice I go to the field myself and work on my shooting. Which is one of the reasons why I’ve been scoring so many goals and performing well this season.

SS: What are your goals for the rest of the season?

LE: My goals for the rest of the season is to keep scoring goals every game, be undefeated in the regular season, and win a state championship.

SS: What do you want to say to your peers who nominated you for this award? 

LE: I want to thank everyone for nominating me for the award, especially my coaches and athletic director because they are the ones that pushed my name out there. It’s really crazy to me that out of every male athlete in the SCCs, I was chosen. It just goes to show that if you put your mind to something and work hard, it will pay off. 

SS: How do you feel that your season is going personally?

LE: Personally, I feel like I’ve performed very well so far. I got more yellow cards than I should have this season, but I’m trying my best to not get anymore. 

By Lily Forster – Entertainment Editor

Junior Caroline Doyle is the President of the Jonathan Law Key Club. Advocate Entertainment Editor Lily Forster interviewed Doyle about the start of the year and the club’s plans.

Lily Forster: What is the Key Club looking most forward to this year?

Caroline Doyle: This year I am most looking forward to getting back to some of our normal activities that we couldn’t do due to covid, like Salvation Army, Kiwanis visits, and other volunteer events that haven’t occurred since covid started like festivals and volunteering in the middle and elementary schools. 

LF: How are the freshmen and other new members doing?

CD: The freshmen are doing really well. They are all so enthusiastic about volunteering and I never have to worry about a shift not being filled when it comes to them. When I raise the sheet in the air, I have to decide who wants it first because of how eager they are to sign up to volunteer. I’m excited to see how far some of them go. 

LF: What has the Key Club done already this year?

CD: So far we have volunteered at the Scarecrow event, Touch a Truck, Walk For Water, The Get In Touch Foundation, Trick or Treat for UNICEF, and collected donations for 9/11 lanyards.

LF: What does the Key Club have planned for the rest of this month?

CD: For the month we have planned to volunteer at the Pumpkins on the Green event downtown, continue to collect money for Trick or Treat for UNICEF, and our officers will be attending an Officer Training Conference held by the District.

LF: How has it been serving as Key Club President this year?

CD: This year being Key Club President has been amazing. We have so many active members that are so eager to volunteer and help out, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of officers to help me along the way. I spend the majority of my time doing Key Club things, whether it’s for our Club or my District position, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

By Shane Cepalia – News Editor

Mr. Beale is one of Jonathan Law’s technology teachers. Some of his courses include Wood Tech, Power Tech, Auto Tech, Computer Assisted Design (CAD), and Robotics. Advocate News Editor Shane Cepalia interviewed Beale about his life and career. 

Shane Cepalia: How long have you been teaching at Law?

Mr. Beale: If I count backwards I think this is my fourth year here.

SC: If you went to college, where did you go?

MB: I went to Central Connecticut State University, CCSU.

SC: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

MB: I tend to do a lot of volunteer work – some that is construction related, some that is not, and when I’m not doing that I enjoy taking hikes outside.

SC: What is your favorite subject to teach?

MB: Probably Wood Shop.

SC: Why did you decide to become a teacher?

MB: I didn’t know what else to do, and I was told I had to give college the good old try. And after giving it a try and teaching a class to what were like fourth graders, I really enjoyed the experience, and I thought I could do this and I never looked back.

By Kaitlyn Goldberg – News Editor

Sophomore Claire Moulton is a member of the Law girls cross country team. Advocate News Editor Kaitlyn Goldberg interviewed her about how the season is going.  

Kaitlyn Goldberg: How did it feel to do so well at the Nuebauer Invitational?

Claire Moulton: It felt really good to do well at the Nuebauer Invitational.  I felt very accomplished and proud of myself. 

KG: What is your favorite thing about cross country?

CM: My favorite thing about cross country has to be the team and how many friendships I have made. We are all so close and that’s one of the things I love. 

KG: How do you train for meets?

CM: To train for meets we normally run about 5-7 miles and then once a week we will do either one of three things: either train hills, do a track workout or focus a lot of speed. The day before we meet we play kickball together which is a really fun team bonding experience and gives our body a chance to rest. 

KG: What are some goals you have for the remaining season?

CM: My goal for the remaining season is to place in the Top 10 for my division in the SCC meet and to beat my personal time of 21:03. I hope that not only me but the team places well in states. 

KG: What are some things you have worked on to improve your running time? 

CM: I think doing more speed workouts and long runs to keep up my endurance really helped.  

By Bobby Black – Sports Editor

Mr. McPartland is a Spanish teacher at Law and coaches Law JV basketball as well as freshman baseball. Advocate News and Sports Editor Bobby Black interviewed McPartland about his classes and his career. 

Bobby Black: What are your goals for the year?

Mr McPartland: This year, much like every year, in the classroom my main goal is to get students as excited as possible to learn about the different cultures in Spanish – speaking countries and to get them excited to learn and ultimately use the Spanish language. 

BB: What do you enjoy doing outside of school? 

MM: In my free time I enjoy going to the gym, eating, and working with the basketball and baseball guys. I have also recently picked up the game of golf and I love getting out and playing when I can – it’s a mental workout for sure. 

BB: What do you enjoy about being a teacher? 

MM: I enjoy spending time with my students and coworkers. Really why I do what I do is because of the relationships that my students and I develop throughout the year. It’s awesome to see how we grow together from September to June. 

BB: Do you facilitate extracurricular activities or sports at Law?

MM: In the winter, I coach JV boys basketball and this past fall I started coaching freshman baseball. Two totally different sports but both have a special place in my heart. 

BB: Why did you want to become a teacher?

MM: I love getting to know my students and I believe those connections are really what keep me coming back year after year. 

By Gabe Garnett – Sports Editor

Mr. Kulenych has taught at Law for 18 years. He teaches Journalism 1, Journalism 2, Journalism 3, Humanities, and Broadcast Journalism and coaches the girls tennis team at Jonathan Law. Advocate Sports Editor Gabe Garnett interviewed Kulenych about the school year.

Gabe Garnett: How is the school year treating you so far? 

Christopher Kulenych: First and foremost, it’s just awesome to have the entire Law family back together again. The students have all been enthusiastic about being back and for the first time in a couple of years, that sense of community that makes Law such a special place is all the way back. It’s great to see everyone in class, at sporting events, to have clubs back up and running, to have traffic in the TLC, and the energy around school has been incredible. Everyone is excited to be together and it shows.

GG: With Eagle Eye News back up and running, how has it been going so far? 

CK: This year’s Broadcast class is filled with really outgoing, talented, hard-working kids and they have done an amazing job producing, directing, and hosting Eagle Eye News so far. It’s a fun group that has worked well together from day one. They have some great ideas for the show this year and I can’t wait to see what they come up with. We can’t wait to bring the Law community the announcements every day and showcase all of Law’s clubs, teams, and individual students that are doing great things in and out of the classroom.

GG: As the advisor of The Advocate, how is it going with writing articles this year? 

CK: This year’s Advocate staff is an impressive group. We have 10 amazing editors and a packed Journalism 1 class that has already shown a lot of promise in their writing. The Journalism 1 class is a nice mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors and they have been hard at work over the first few weeks learning how to write news stories. The editors have already written over 30 articles this year and the Journalism 1 kids will have their first articles published next week. We are all excited as a staff to keep the students and faculty informed and entertained all year.

GG: With the next tennis season coming up, what are your goals as the coach? 

CK: Our goal as a team this year is to continue the momentum from last year and keep grinding, working hard, and getting better every day. We have a really talented roster returning but we are also going to have a target on our backs after the success we had last year. We have to rise to the challenge and I’m confident the girls will be able to do that. Our motto this year is going to be the same as last year: Run from being good and chase being great.

GG: What are some activities you like to do outside of school?

CK: Outside of school, I spend most of my time on dad duty with my son Ryan and my daughter Katie. Ryan is a golfer and swimmer and Katie does gymnastics and soccer, so I love doing those sports with them. I play golf and tennis, I still (for some reason) watch every Mets and Giants game, and with Ruz’s help, I’m learning fifth grade math.

By Gemard Guery – News and Editorial Editor

Ms. Smuniewski is an English teacher at Jonathan Law High School. She is the advisor for the Natural Helpers, a club that aims to help spread inclusiveness and help those in the Law community. Advocate News and Editorial Editor Gemard Guery interviewed Smuniewski about her classes and her career.

Gemard Guery: Why did you want to become a teacher?

Ms. Smuniewski: Long story short, growing up, I loved high school, and I loved English. I wanted to do for my students what my own teachers did for me: provide them a safe, caring environment in which to find their own voice and passions in life.  

GG:What is your favorite part about being the Natural Helpers advisor?

MS: I love being able to work with such a dedicated group of students who are committed to making a difference in our school community. I can count on them for anything – showing up extra early in the morning to greet their peers, sharing their lunch with students who might otherwise eat alone, and generally spreading kindness and warmth throughout our school. 

GG: What do you enjoy about teaching English?

MS: What DON’T I enjoy about teaching English? I love giving students the opportunity to look at life through the lens of different characters they might not otherwise encounter on their own. I’ll always love how whether it’s a Shakespearian play from the 1600s or a short story written just yesterday, students are able to connect to some aspect of what we read in some way. We don’t just read a book, write an essay, and move on; we study these characters and themes to learn more about ourselves and our own lives, and as a result, are hopefully happier people. 

GG: What are some of the things you love to do outside of school?

MS:I enjoy the beach, photography, reading, being out in nature, and spending time with my dog.  

GG: What are some of your goals for the school year?

MS: I hope to create meaningful relationships with each of my students this year to make sure that when they leave me in June, they are better readers, writers, thinkers, and people.

By Shane Cepalia – News Editor

Mr. Sarullo is Jonathan Law’s Athletic Director. Advocate News Editor Shane Cepalia interviewed Sarullo about Law’s fall season.

Shane Cepalia: What are your expectations for the fall season?

Mr. Sarullo: The expectation is that, first, health and safety wise, that we’re going to have everybody following the protocols so that way we can be successful and get through the full season. Assuming that we’re able to do that, on the field, to continue to work hard and to have all of our teams continue to build on success and be better at the end of the season than they were at the beginning.

SC: What are your thoughts on the first few football games of the season?

MS: The first football game at Guilford was awesome. It was 34-7, the team played great, and then followed it up with a home win here. And the atmosphere was great. It was great having football back and having fans back, and we’re looking to build on that as we go forward.

SC: How are you and the coaches collaborating to be successful this season?

MS: So there’s a couple of different things that we’re doing: First, with health and safety, just making sure that everybody is staying on top of all the different things we have to do as far as locker rooms, wearing masks on the busses, stuff like that. And then as far as success on the field goes, staying in communication with them and making sure they have everything that they need.

SC: Do you expect to see a rise in spectatorship this fall?

VS: Yeah, so far we’ve had home games for about a week and a half and I think our spectator attendance has been about what it’s been before the pandemic started a couple years ago. So, we’re just making sure everybody is safe and we have the proper procedures in place and we’re looking forward to having everybody back.

SC: How do you think this season will differ from the last?

MS: So it’s much different from last year because of all the protocols we had in place and our schedules were totally different, we weren’t allowed to travel far distances on busses. So we’re kind of back to a normal schedule, and a normal procedure, and  having fans back. There are still some protocols in place because we’re still dealing with COVID, but I think everybody’s doing a great job with it.

By Truman Martin – Entertainment Editor

Mrs. Almonte is the French teacher at Jonathan Law. She has been teaching for 15 years. Advocate Entertainment editor Truman Martin interviewed Almonte about the school year.

Truman Martin: How has the start of the year been going?

Mrs. Almonte: The start of the school year has been crazy busy but in such a good way- Students are back in their seats and ready to learn, enthusiasm abounds.

TM: What are you most excited about for this year?

MA: Giving out paper! Worksheets, quizzes, etc.

TM: What’s your favorite thing about teaching at Jonathan Law?

MA: Our sense of community and commitment to our students- our “family.”

TM: What’s your opinion on the changes compared to last year (the TLC, teachers having their own rooms again, etc.)?  

MA: Love the changes! Things are almost getting back to the way they used to be.

TM: What advice would you give the freshmen this year?

MA: Get a good start to your next four years by staying organized and up to date on all your work and assignments and don’t be afraid to ask for help. We are here for you.

By Lily Forster – Entertainment Editor

Mrs. Trombetta is a new Spanish teacher at Jonathan Law High School. Advocate Entertainment Editor Lily Forster interviewed Trombetta about the start to the school year.

Lily Forster: How are you liking teaching at Law so far? 

Mrs. Trombetta: I love it! It’s a great place to work. I’m happy to be part of this community! 

LF: What is your favorite part about teaching high school students? 

MT: My favorite part about teaching high school students is getting to know each of my students and their different personalities, the ability to teach more advanced topics, and to have meaningful conversations with students about life in general.  

LF: Has COVID-19 affected the way you teach?

MT: I would say the biggest challenge has been the ability to move around more and have students participate in larger group activities (not just with people next to them or behind them) – and the masks also make the expressive part of the language a bit more difficult. 

LF: How long have you been teaching Spanish, and do you use it on a daily basis or in your everyday life? 

MT: I have been teaching Spanish since 2005, for 16 years. I am not a native speaker, so I don’t speak it at home with my family, but I listen to a lot of Latin music, watch Spanish-language shows/movies/series, and I follow many Spanish-language social media accounts. 

LF: What goals do you have for yourself this school year? Especially as a new teacher at Law!

MT: My goals are to inspire students to continue studying Spanish, to promote cultural awareness and for students to understand the benefits of being multilingual. 

By Olivia Augustine – News Editor

Mr. Lui has been teaching at Law for five years. He teaches AP U.S. History, Civics, Economics, and U.S. History. Advocate News Editor Olivia Augustine interviewed Lui about the school year.

Olivia Augustine: What are your goals for the year?

Mr. Lui: My goal is to make this year as successful for my students, my colleagues, and myself as possible. I want to continue to foster positive relationships with my students.

OA: What do you enjoy about teaching?

ML: I enjoy being in the classroom and listening to students’ different ideas and perspectives. It’s interesting to hear their opinions and how they formulate their arguments. I love to teach, but I also love to learn. Teaching offers lots of opportunities for learning and growth.

OA:Why did you decide to become a teacher?

ML: I lifeguarded frequently in high school and taught swim lessons at my local pool. I think that’s when I knew I wanted to help others and loved working with kids. Teaching is the perfect profession for doing just that! 

OA: What do you enjoy doing outside of school?

ML: I enjoy being active. On the weekends I’ll go hiking with my dog or go to the gym to lift weights. Also, during quarantine I started to cook a lot more and began experimenting with healthy recipes.

OA: What is your favorite class to teach and why?

ML: My favorite class to teach is U.S. History. It teaches us who we are as a nation and the important principles our country is founded upon.

By Bobby Black – Sports Editor

Senior Lauren Davis is a member of the Law girls cross country team. Advocate Sports Editor Bobby Black interviewed Davis about the cross country season.

Bobby Black: What are your goals for the season?

Lauren Davis: As a team, we are looking to place well in our Divisional Meet, as well as at States.

BB: How do you look to improve individually in the future?

LD: I am looking to improve individually this season by PR’ing and running well at Invitationals.

BB: How often do you run and for how long do you run?

LD: We have practice every day after school, and on a typical day, we will run around five miles.

BB: How do you train for the meets other than practice? 

LD: Outside of practice, I like going to the gym. Also, on meet days, I try to eat healthy.

BB: What are your plans for running in the future?

LD: In the future, I plan on running and continuing a healthy lifestyle.

By Gemard Guery – News and Editorial Editor

Aislinn Burns is a junior at Jonathan Law High School. Over the summer, she was a part of the Sandy Hook Promise’s National Youth Advisory Board which helps children and adults recognize, intervene, and help individuals who may be socially isolated or at risk of hurting themselves or others.  Advocate News and Editorial Editor Gemard Guery interviewed her about Jonathan Law’s SAVE Promise Club (The Natural Helpers) and her experience as part of the board.

Gemard Guery: How did you come across this opportunity?

Aislinn Burns: The opportunity to be a part of the National Youth Advisory Board was presented to me through the Natural Helpers club here at Law. Our advisor, Ms. Smuniewski talked to some of the members about the position, what it entitled, and how to apply for it.

GG: Why do you enjoy being a part of the Natural Helpers?

AB:  I like Natural Helpers because it is a great club that spreads a positive message throughout the school community. It is a great way to make connections with other people, and it stresses the importance of being there for others. It also incorporates programs through Sandy Hook Promise which is a great organization with a goal of preventing violence in schools.

GG: Why did you decide to apply for the National Youth Advisory Board?

AB: I decided to apply for the National Youth Advisory Board because it seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I want to be able to have an impact on students in schools across the country. I am also very passionate about preventing violence and educating others about subjects like mental health, inclusion, and suicide prevention. 

GG: What did you learn from your experience on the board?

AB: Throughout this experience I have been able to meet so many new people and have learned so much; seeing problems/events through others’ perspectives has taught me to be more understanding and listen with more of an open mind. I have also learned to be more mindful of the things I say and do, because you never really know everything people have gone through. 

GG: Why do you think it is important that this board exists?

AB: I think it is so important that this board exists, because when dealing with/preventing issues surrounding school violence, it is so much more powerful to hear from actual high school students; those who may be personally witnessing/living through events. I also think it is important, because as current students we are able to share new perspectives/ideas/thoughts that may not always be heard by adults.

By Ava Korkmaz – Sports Editor

Band director Mr. Pelaggi and the Jonathan Law High School Band are ready to get back to playing at football games and entertaining the fans. This year, the band will be in the stands for football games instead of being on the field. Sports Editor Ava Korkmaz interviewed Pelaggi about the upcoming year.

Ava Korkmaz: Do you think that it will be different for the band to be playing on the stands during the halftime show instead of on the field?

Mr. Pelaggi: It will be different, but doing something is way better than doing nothing. I am excited for our members to get back out there and play again.

AK: What kind of show tunes are you going to play this year?

MP: We’re doing some pop tunes by The Weekend, Panic at the Disco, and if we have time to add another song, Lizzo.

AK: What are your expectations for the new band members this year?

MP: My expectations for our new band members are that they show up ready to learn. As long as we have them in rehearsals we will get better. Our goal as a band this year is to improve every time we meet, take it day by day and improve every time we pick up our instruments. With all of the rehearsal time lost during the pandemic, our students are excited to get back together and play. 

AK: Are you excited to play at the football games this season?

MP: Absolutely! I love when the band plays at the games. We are hoping to start some new traditions this year by playing the same music in between quarter one and two each game. I am also excited for our students to wear their new uniforms for the first time.

AK: Are you able to play in the town parades this year?

MP: Unfortunately ,right now we are unable to do parades due to COVID restrictions. We are excited to play in our community whenever we can, but the safety of our students is always the priority.

By Ava Korkmaz – Staff Reporter

Advanced Creative Writing student Samiksha Mehta takes readers on wild fantasy adventures with her stories in the upcoming book “The Fine Art of Messing Up.” She is proud of her stories – “It All Makes Sense” and “Prophecies” – that she has created. Advocate Staff Reporter Ava Korkmaz interviewed Mehta about her stories and her future writing plans.

Ava Korkmaz: How did you feel after the stories were finished?

Samiksha Mehta: I felt kind of sad and excited at the same time. It was sad because I wouldn’t be able to continue and create those worlds anymore but excited because it would be my first venture into actually getting people to see my stories and it’s exhilarating.

AK: How do you hope people react to your stories?

SM: I feel like everyone thinks that people will like their stories only because the writers took so much time to actually think of the worlds and create them, but in reality, that hardly happens. Some stories receive so much criticism and hate just because some flaws are presented that couldn’t be edited out but in all realness, I really hope at least some people like my stories. I wrote them for a reason, hopefully that reason will be realized.

AK: As an aspiring writer, how would you feel if someone criticized your stories?

SM: Obviously I’d feel a little hurt, considering how much time I took to create the characters and the world just for some person to begin to tear it all down. But, it’s all in reminding yourself that it’s just one person and the fact that they hate the story doesn’t change the fact that more people like it. It’s all about perspective and how you look at things.

AK: Will you be creating more stories like these when you are in college?

SM: Yes! I’m going to college to major in English with a Creative Writing lean, so I 100% will be writing more stories – and possibly even expanding the ones I’ve already written. You can look forward to seeing more of my works, hopefully. 

AK: What will be your next career move?

SM: Hopefully, my next career move will be to actually publish a book when I’m out of college and fully experienced in the art of grammar and writing and all that jazz. I’s been my dream for so long and getting to see it finally happen would be a literal dream come true. But you never know, so I’m just keeping my hopes up.

By Olivia Augustine – Staff Reporter

Rachel McKay is a senior at Jonathan Law and a member of Law’s Advanced Creative Writing class. Advocate staff reporter Olivia Augustine interviewed McKay the story she wrote in Advanced Creative Writing that was published in the class’ book “The Fine Art Of Messing Up.” 

Olivia Augustine: What gave you the idea for your story?

Rachel McKay: The idea for my story came from one of my characters from a novel I had outlined a while back. She was my favorite character I came up with, but since I don’t plan to write the full story I came up with I decided to write a short story.

OA: Why did you choose to end your story the way you did?

RM: I chose to end my story the way I did because I thought it would be an interesting conclusion. I wanted to include a more open and unclear ending, and I figured that ending it on a note that contrasted with the rest of the story would be a cool way to do that.

OA: What is your favorite part of your story?

RM: My favorite part of the story is the opening. I think it adds a lot of tension and interest, as well as acting as a running start to the story.

OA: Why did you choose to enter this story into the book?

RM: I chose to enter this story into the book because it was my favorite I had written this year. I enjoyed the word choice I used, and overall I think it is the most well written out of all my other stories.

OA: What was your favorite part of your story to write?

RM: My favorite part of the story to write was the funeral scene. I had a lot of fun experimenting with my writing in that part, more so than some other parts.

By Gabe Garnett and Shane Cepalia – Staff Reporters 

Senior Ruby Garnett wrote two short stories for her Advanced Creative Writing class taught by Mr. Healy. Five students took on the challenge of writing a poem or a short story. Ruby wrote two stories called “Shotgun Rider” and “Between the Couch Cushions.” Staff Reporters Gabe Garnett and Shane Cepalia interviewed Ruby Garnett on her stories.  

Gabe Garnett/Shane Cepalia: Which story was more fun to write and why? 

Ruby Garnett: I loved writing “Between The Couch Cushions” because it was more creative when it came to writing for me and it makes the reader think more while reading.

GG/SC: If you could turn one of your stories into a full book/movie, which one would you pick and why? 

RG: If I could turn one into a movie/book I would do “Between The Couch Cushions” because it would be much longer and I could write off of it more.

GG/SC: Were either of these stories based on a real event that happened to you? 

RG: Yes, “Shotgun Rider” was. I wrote half of it off of a real event then some of the story is made up. 

GG/SC:  How long did it take you to write both of these stories? 

RG: It took a long time to write between drafting, conferencing, peer reviews, and revising, but I had a lot of fun writing these stories.

GG/SC: Would you recommend the class to others if they wanna get into writing stories? 

RG: I would 100% recommend the class to others especially if you like to write and read.

By Truman Martin and Robert Black – Staff Reporters

Jayden Chetlen is a student in Mr. Healy’s Advanced Creative Writing class. The class was tasked to write a series of short stories that is being turned into a book called “The Fine Art of Messing Up.” Chelten had three stories published in the book – “Timeline,” “Storytime,” and “Compass.” Advocate reporters Bobby Black and Truman Martin interviewed Jayden about the creative process of writing short stories.

Truman Martin and Bobby Black: Is there a common theme throughout your stories?

Jayden Chetlen: I don’t believe there’s really a common theme between them, unless you count the fact that the main characters in each of them are part of the LGBT+ community. Though I suppose in all of them, the main characters are finding something (not as much in “Timeline,” but definitely in “Storytime” and “Compass”).

TM/BB: What made you want to do take Advanced Creative Writing?

JC: I’ve loved writing stories ever since elementary school when they’d make us write quick stories based off of prompts for these annual state tests (that was the one part of testing I have ever liked). All throughout high school I was trying to get into the creative writing class but it never fit into my schedule until this year. I wanted to take the class so that I could get some work of mine out into the world.

TM/BB: What are your favorite types of stories to read or write?

JC: I love to read and write stories centered on LGBT+ characters. I especially like to read LGBT+ romance books, but I don’t like to write them as much. 

TM/BB:  What is the process like for brainstorming ideas?

JC: My process is basically to just scroll through Instagram or something until something pops in my head. Or just go about my life and when an idea eventually comes to me, write it down and think about it more when I get the chance. Sometimes the idea will take off and blossom into a full blown story; sometimes the idea won’t. 

TM/BB: What inspired you to write your stories?

JC: I wanted to put more LGBT+ media into the world, and not like the way that it often is, meaning that I wanted my characters to have more positive backstories and positive coming outs rather than the “cliche” negative ones. I’m reluctant to say cliches since those are very much real, but so often in the media we only see the negative backstories and such, but there are positive stories out there, and I wanted to bring that more into light.

By Giuliana Aguilar – Staff Reporter

Jordyn Konlian is a senior and a captain of the girls lacrosse team. The girls lacrosse team was excited to be back on the field after missing last season due to COVID-19. Konlian’s final season of lacrosse has come to a close. Advocate Staff Reporter Giuliana Aguilar interviewed Konlian about the season. 

Giuliana Aguilar: What were some successes this season?

Jordyn Konlian: This season we had many successes, but the biggest one was beating Foran twice. We have always played a hard game against them and this year was like other years. We were very happy since the second win against them qualified us for the state tournament which we have been in every year since girls lacrosse started at Law.

GA: What motivates you to succeed on the field? 

JK: On the field, I am always looking to compete to the best of my ability. My team always motivates me, whether it is during the draw or even taking a shooting space shot I know they have my back and I always have there’s. 

GA: What was the team’s goal? Was it achieved?

JK: The team’s goal this year was to qualify for the state tournament. This year we ended up qualifying in our last game, but we were very excited to continue to play! 

GA: Do you have any advice for future lacrosse players?

JK: My advice for future lacrosse players is to always practice like you are going to play. Hard work does pay off in the end and it will make you a better player. 

GA: What was a personal goal you accomplished?

JK: A personal goal that I accomplished this year was winning more than 50 percent of my draw controls. This is very important to me and the team so we are able to get control of the ball which in the end hopefully leads us to score goals. I am very happy with how the season went, but I’m sad that I won’t be able to play next year. 

By Rachel McKay – Staff Reporter

Mrs. Murphy is an art teacher at Jonathan Law. She teaches a variety of classes, including painting, pottery, ceramics, and several AP art classes. Advocate reporter Rachel McKay interviewed Murphy about her experience as a teacher, and how COVID-19 has affected her classes.

Rachel McKay: What is your favorite thing about teaching art? 

Mrs. Murphy: My favorite thing about teaching art is sharing my love of art and culture with my students. I also enjoy mentoring my students and helping them achieve their goals.

RM: Why did you decide to teach art?

MM: As a young girl, I took Saturday morning art classes and then went to an art magnet high school. I have always enjoyed painting, sculpture and learning history through art. From a young age, my parents exposed me to many forms of art and culture including visual art, theater, and music. I knew that I had to make the arts a part of my future. I majored in Visual Art and minored in Art History at Fairfield University. I had so many wonderful teachers and professors over the years who influenced and mentored me that I decided to learn how to do the same for others.I went on to graduate school at Boston University and earned my Master of Arts in Art Education &  Studio Teaching and began teaching in 1993.

RM: Do you have a favorite subject you teach? If so, what is it?

MM: I enjoy teaching painting, ceramics, and sculpture. I also love teaching students about art, culture and their future in the arts.

RM: How has COVID-19 impacted your teaching style?

MM: This year has had quite an impact on my teaching style. Seeing my classes for less time than in past years has been tough. I have focused on teaching the essential concepts and skills for every course while building relationships with my students.

RM: What is something you’ve learned from teaching remote art students?

MM: I have learned many ways to teach virtually and I modified assignments so that all of my students could have an authentic experience in art both in person and from home.

By Ben Rossi – Staff Reporter

With this school year coming to an end, Jonathan Law is saying goodbye to several faculty members including English teacher Mrs. Clark. Clark teaches a variety of English classes and this year primarily teaches juniors. Clark has been a beloved member of the faculty for 30 years. Staff Reporter Ben Rossi interviewed Clark on her time at Law.

Ben Rossi: What made you decide to retire?

Mrs. Clark: My daughters and grandsons live on the west coast, and I would like to spend time with them. I lost family time due to the pandemic. 

BR: What is something you will miss about working at Law?

MC: I will miss the friendly staff and working with the students. Every day was a different challenge.

BR: What are some things you have learned in your years teaching?

MC: I have learned to be more patient, more understanding, and more introspective. All of these things helped me grow as a teacher.

BR: What will you miss most about teaching?

MC: I will miss the challenges of teaching and the comical interactions with the students

BR: What are you looking forward to during retirement?

MC: I am looking forward to traveling, spending time in different places, reading more and continuing writing my children’s stories. 

By Gabe Garnett – Staff Reporter 

Senior Naheim Washington is competing in his final Class M Championships on June 2. Washington has been a star on the track throughout his Law career, going All-State three times and All-SCC twice. In the fall, Washington will attend Tufts University to further his education and run track. Advocate Staff Reporter Gabe Garnett interviewed Washington about his final season and about his future plans. 

Gabe Garnett: How is your last season at Law going? 

Naheim Washington: It’s the season of COVID, so this season has had its ups and downs. I have lost teammates for two weeks due to quarantine. We lost some meets we should have won, but overall my season as an individual has been good. I started doing an event I picked up two summers ago, triple jump, and I’ve been performing well in meets. I’m three inches from the school record.

GG: What made you decide to attend Tufts University? 

NH: I wanted to use track for education purposes but also wanted to compete on a team that wants to win a championship and Tufts provides me both. It’s a baby Ivy League university that speaks for itself and a track team that has been so close to winning a championship every year. They’re just missing one piece – a sprinter – so hopefully I’m that missing piece that helps them win a championship.”

GG:If you had to relive one high school track moment what would that be? 

NH: If I could get back a moment it would be my junior year of outdoor track season. I would have had a lot of success but COVID took that away from me. But if I could relive one high school moment it would be my 100M leg on my Nationals relay sophomore year. I never felt so in the moment before and felt so fast.”

GG: What are your goals for this upcoming Class M State Championship? 

NH: My goals for the Class M championship is to get my team 30 points which is three first places in my three events – the 4×100, 100, and the triple jump. My coach and I goal is to win State Opens in 2 of those 3 events so to win all 3 would be big for state opens. It would also be a big boost for me running in college next year.”

GG: Do you have any tips for students looking to run track for Law?

NH: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t be scared of the bald man. And if you have an offseason to join the family you’re just going to become a better athlete and more importantly a better person.”

By Jessica Owens – Entertainment Editor

With the school year coming to an end, Jonathan Law is saying goodbye to several faculty members including Mrs. Ferron, who will be retiring this year. Ferron was a Culinary Arts teacher and has been a part of the Law community for years now. Even though Ferron is leaving Law, she plans on coming back to substitute teach 2-3 days a week. News editor Jessica Owens interviewed Ferron about her time at Law.

Jessica Owens: What are you going to miss the most about teaching at Law?

Mrs. Ferron: Of course, the Law family – students and faculty.

JO: How has working at Law changed your life?

MF: It’s a happy place to work. I looked forward to coming to school everyday.

JO: What are your plans for retirement?

MF: I love to travel, so more travel is in my plans. We have already booked a trip to Croatia for next year. I also plan on coming back to substitute here at Law 2-3 days a week.

JO: What’s your favorite memory at Law? 

MF: My classroom is so large, so when I teach, my students – even in 2020 when we had six-foot distance – with electrical appliances I could set up extra work stations.

By Jess Owens – Entertainment Editor

Junior Lucia Pino is the #1 singles player and co-captain of the Law girls tennis team. She made All-State as a freshman and was named the SCC Division II Player of the Year. The girls tennis team is back on the court after missing last season due to COVID-19. Advocate Entertainment Editor Jess Owens interviewed Pino 

Jess Owens: How are you feeling about the season so far?

Lucia Pino: I am feeling pretty good about the season. We are currently 9-0 and have been going very strong. I am hoping for more wins in the future.

JO: What’s the goal you want to achieve by the end of the season?

LP: I am hoping to go far in states as a team and individually.

JO: Who or what motivates you to work harder to accomplish these goals?

LP: All of my coaches are a huge motivator as well as my dad who helps me work towards getting better and better everyday.

JO: How long have you been playing tennis?

LP: I have been playing tennis for 12 years now.

JO: What are you most looking forward to the rest of this season?

LP: I am looking forward to a good season and winning a lot as a team. We are pretty strong this year and I have faith that we’ll make it far into states.

By Gillian Rees – News Editor

Being named All-State is a big deal for any high school student-athlete, but being the first to get All-State on your team in 10 years is an even bigger deal. Senior girls basketball player Katie Konareski was recently named All-State, becoming the first Jonathan Law girls basketball player to go All-State in 10 years. Advocate News Editor Gillian Rees interviewed Konareski about her accomplishment.

Gillian Rees: When you found out you were named All-State, what was your initial reaction?

Katie Konareski: As soon as I found out I got All-State I started crying because I was so happy and proud of all the work I put in. Personally, I thought I had it in me to be able to accomplish this but it has been one of the highest goals I’ve set for myself that I really wanted to accomplish.

GR: How long have you played basketball?

KK: I started playing basketball in first grade and haven’t stopped playing since then. 

GR: How much work did it take for you to make this accomplishment?

KK: I’ve put in countless hours of work every week since sophomore year to get to be where I’m at now as a player and person. Eventually I fell in love with the sport to a point where I would come back from a two-hour practice and still want to shoot around or play pick up afterwards. I spent my whole summer going into junior year playing against girls better than me on the court and working with a trainer in the gym as well. Summer going into senior year I spent my whole summer doing the same thing, as well as playing on an AAU team traveling around New England playing against some of the best players on the east coast. 

GR: Who/what motivates you to work harder and to be able to make such accomplishments? 

KK: What motivates me most is knowing my potential, but I’m nearly as close to it as I could be. The accomplishments that I’ve gotten along the journey have also pushed me to keep working and I’m excited to see how I perform at the next level.

GR: What are your post-high school goals for basketball? 

KK:  For the next 4 years I will be playing basketball at Endicott College. I want to accomplish a lot at that school academically and also as an athlete I feel I can really excel if I keep working with the mentality I have now.  

By Tyanna Xavier – Social Media Editor

Senior Gillian Rees is one of the captains of the Jonathan Law girls track team. After not having a track season last year due to COVID-19, the track team is excited to be back participating this spring. Advocate Social Media Editor Tyanna Xavier interviewed Rees about the season.

Tyanna Xavier: What events do you participate in for track? 

Gillian Rees: Right now, my events are long jump, javelin, and discus.

TX: What training phase is the track team on? 

GR: For training, we all tend to work on our own events every day to prepare for meets. Sprinters do running workouts, jumpers do jumping warm-ups, etc. 

TX: Is it a lot of pressure being a team captain?

GR: Personally I don’t feel like there is too much pressure since there are five captains and we tend to do all of the captain stuff together, the only time I feel the pressure is when I’m making sure everyone (including myself) is prepared to compete.

TX: How do you stay motivated during the season? 

GR: Focusing on breaking my personal records is one thing that keeps me working hard and striving to get better. Another thing is that at practice we tend to cheer each other on and motivate each other to get better at our events. 

TX: What is your biggest goal for you and your team this season?

GR- A big goal is just to enjoy my last season and break my personal records. I want to be able to be at my best for my last track season at Law. I also want to qualify for states in at least one of my events. 

By News Editor – Gillian Rees

After playing soccer all throughout her childhood and all four years of high school, Jonathan Law senior Ashley Shaw has committed to further her soccer and academic career at Albertus Magnus College. After being a full varsity player on the Jonathan Law girls soccer team since her freshman year and playing CFC club soccer during the off-season, Shaw was determined to play soccer in college. Advocate News Editor Gillian Rees interviewed Shaw about her commitment. 

Gillian Rees: How much work did it take for you to be able to commit to college soccer?

Ashley Shaw: I’ve been playing soccer pretty much my whole life, starting from rec teams and travel to premier. It’s been a lot of work to become the player i am today over the past 14 years.

GR: What motivates you to work hard?

AS: Honestly a lot of things motivates me to work harder, my parents, coaches, teammates, friends, and just trying to better myself as a player.

GR: What made you choose to commit to this school?

AS: It’s close to home and the campus is beautiful, I met the coaching staff and some of the girls on a tour and loved it.

GR: Are there any goals you wish to achieve from this school?

AS: I just hope to be able to better myself as a player even more in this big step and end my soccer career knowing I did something to impact this team.

GR: Is there any advice you have for anyone else trying to play sports at the collegiate level? 

AS: If you have the opportunity do it, I was on the fence for awhile because I wanted to focus on just school, but when it came time for me actually being able to do this when I’ve wanted to my whole life I knew I needed to. It’s also a good thing to be involved in something other than just being a student at the school, you will be going into college with a bunch of new friends before the school year even starts.

 

By Jess Owens – News Editor 

Senior Jordyn Konlian, a captain of the girls lacrosse team, has reached her last season at Law. The girls are very excited for the season and are grateful that they can even play the sport they love. News editor Jess Owens had the chance to ask Jordyn Konlian about their upcoming season.

Jess Owens: What are you most looking forward to this season?

Jordyn Konlian: I’m happy that we are able to start playing again, after not having a season last year. We are excited to have a full schedule planned for the upcoming weeks.

JO: As a captain, What kind of team plans are you gonna come up with this season?

JK: This year we are trying to come together as a team. It’s harder to have team bonding because we can’t have pasta parties or team gatherings but we are trying to bond as much as we can on the field.

JO: What are your plans for the season?

JK: This year I hope to have a high number of draw control along with many assists and goals. I hope to lead my team to many wins.

JO: What’s one thing that has changed this season because of COVID that you’re going to miss?

JK: This year I am definitely going to miss the after practice  get-togethers. We usually would have pasta parties or all go get ice cream after practice. We are more limited to doing things this year.

JO: This being your last season, what is the main goal you’re trying to achieve this season?

JK: For my finally season my main goal is to stay healthy so I can help my team win as many games as possible. I hope to lead our team deep into the SCC and state games.

By Jess Owens – Entertainment Editor

Senior Katie Konareski has officially committed to Endicott College to pursue her career in basketball. She has been playing basketball for 12 years and says she will never stop loving the sport. It has taught her so much about herself and has been the one thing she’s always worked hard for. Advocate Entertainment Editor Jess Owens interviewed Konareski about her acceptance to Endicott College.

Jess Owens: What made you choose to commit to this school?

Katie Konareski: There was so much that went into deciding on which school was best for me and I think what really drew my attention to Endicott was there was really nothing I disliked about it. As I started narrowing down my decisions I made a pro and con list for each school I thought about attending. All around Endicott had a beautiful campus, not too far from home, very sports-based, and advanced labs for my major!

JO: What is the main goal you want to achieve from this school?

KK: The main goal I want to achieve from this school is not only to graduate after 4 years but to be happy and successful! College is obviously a once in a lifetime experience and I definitely want to make the most of it.

JO: What kind of lessons has Law basketball taught you that you can carry with you for the rest of your journey?

KK: Law basketball really showed me my potential. Throughout the four years I’ve played at Law I’ve had a dramatic improvement each season. I’m going to be honest as a freshman, playing in college wasn’t even a thought in the back of my head, but each year I played I realized how successful I was into building myself mentally and physically.

JO: What makes you most excited about going to this school?

KK: I’m most excited to play for another team and to meet new people. I like meeting people with similar goals and motives as me and I believe playing at the next level I will definitely meet lots of people like that.

JO: With all the hard work you put into getting here, what advice can you give others that want to take the same journey as you?

KK: I think the biggest piece of advice I can give is one day you’ll realize that things are starting to come to an end and how you handle that is most important. That goes for everything in life.

By Ethan Harrigan – Sports Editor

Angel Santiago is a senior and the President of the Jonathan Law Key Club. Advocate Sports Editor Ethan Harrigan interviewed Santiago about what the club is doing now. 

Ethan Harrigan: What has the club been doing recently?

Angel Santiago: We have been preparing for an upcoming virtual district convention that will be taking place on April 10th and 11th.

EH: What have you done as Key Club president this year?

AS: I have scheduled weekly meetings, as well as running said meetings. I also made sure that we had all of our projects ready for our upcoming district conference as well as competing in the oratory contest

EH: How are you keeping everyone involved?

AS: We keep everyone involved by volunteering. That ranges from making candy bags for kids at the Beth El shelter or making posters promoting Key Club.

EH: What important changes have been made since last year?

AS: Our biggest change is not having meetings just be 10 minutes where we ask people to sign up for things. We have now made meetings more interactive for everyone.

EH: How are you preparing everyone for next year after you and the other seniors are gone?

AS: The current officers are training who will be the new officers on how to do their position and teach them the small things we have learned over the two years of being officers.

By Alexis Broderick- Social Media Editor-in-Chief

The Jonathan Law Class of 2021 is having a prom! Prom will be held at Quassy Amusement Park on May 12 from 4:30 p.m. to midnight. Alexis Broderick interviewed Senior Class President Angel Santiago to discuss this upcoming event. 

Alexis Broderick: How did the plan to have Prom at an amusement park come about?

Angel Santiago: It came about because we wanted to give the full experience of prom. That includes prom and post prom. Lake Quassy was perfect in between because we will be able to have normal prom under a tent in the park and then post prom will be all of us riding the rides.

AB: What are some rules and regulations that will be at prom?

AS: Some of the rules around prom is that everyone does have to wear masks and the only people allowed at prom are Jonathan Law seniors. 

AB: What is the attire and how did you come up with that decision?

AS: The attire is formal. We came to this decision because we want prom to feel like prom. That means everyone goes all out with their attire. We also wanted to make sure those people who already bought dresses were able to wear them at prom.

AB: What is some of the feedback you heard from fellow seniors?

AS: I have heard a lot of good things coming from seniors. I think everyone is just happy that prom will be as normal as it can during a global pandemic.

AB:What is your ultimate goal for the night?

AS: My ultimate goal for the night is to make it an event that no one will forget.

By Gillian Rees – News Editor

Every Jonathan Law athlete strives to break a school record, and for senior boys swim and dive captain Luke Morris, that dream recently became a reality. On March 4, Morris broke the six-dive record that had stood since 1986. Advocate New Editor Gillian Rees interviews Morris about his accomplishment.

GR: How did it feel when you beat the record?

LM: I was honestly very surprised when I beat the record. After I finished my dives, I was recapping how I did with Coach Lui, and when he went over to check my score he immediately looked at the record board and then ran back to me. So it was very exciting.

GR: How much work and practice did it take to get to where you are now?

LM: It took a lot of work to be where I am now. I only started diving after sophomore year, and I have been practicing a lot with my club team during the off-season. I learn a lot of my dives with my club team, but then I work on them a lot during the season so that they are consistent. Last season I competed very basic dives, but I was able to learn harder dives this season which helped.

GR: Were you trying to beat this specific record?

LM: For diving, there are two records, one for six dives and one for 11 dives. During the regular season, only six dives are performed at meets, so I have been working toward that record for a while. Now that the regular season is over, I am working to get the 11 dive record at SCCs, since 11 dives are only performed at championship meets.

GR: Do you plan to go further with swim/dive after high school?

LM: I have been thinking about walking on as a diver in college, and I think I will try to because I enjoy it a lot and I want to continue to improve.

GR: What do you use as motivation to work hard at practice or on your own?

LM: I am always working to improve my diving, because there are always things that you can fix or build on. Every day before practice I decide what I want to focus on based on how I performed at a previous meet or how good I am at the dive. Sometimes, when I get comfortable enough with a dive, I decide to build off of it and learn a harder dive, that way I can get more points at meets and improve my scores.

By Stephanie Caron – Editor-in-Chief 

Ms. Russell has been teaching math at Law for three years. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Caron interviewed Russell about her career.

Stephanie Caron: What is your favorite thing about teaching math?

Ms Russell: I like that there are multiple ways to think about and solve different problems. It’s interesting to see every student’s process and how they approach different problems. And to see them have that “AHH HAA!” moment is exciting for me! 

SC: What goals do you have for yourself and your students for the rest of the school year?

MR: I just hope that we can all finish the year healthy and safe. We worked so hard to get through this year, and there are so many great things planned for the end of the year, I want us to be able to enjoy it all! 

SC: How has COVID affected how you teach your classes?

MR: Teaching math online has definitely been a struggle, I am very much a pencil and paper girl. I know for me it is so much easier to really understand something when I am writing out the steps myself. I know that this can help my students as well, but not being able to see what they are doing on the other side of the Chromebook makes that very difficult. I try to use platforms like Desmos so that I can see the work that students are doing in real time, whether they are home or at school and be able to correct their mistakes. But I can’t wait for next year to (hopefully) be back to pencil and paper. 

SC: What do you enjoy doing outside of school? 

MR: I love going to the beach and walking the boardwalk at Walnut. Hopefully I will be able to go to some Yankee games this year. I missed the train ride to the stadium so much last year. 

SC: What do you hope your students take outside of your classroom? 

MR: I hope that students gain some confidence in my classroom. I know that not everyone is a math person, but when you have confidence in yourself and your thought process, you will learn so much (about math and yourself!) 

By Shane Cepalia – News Editor

Mrs. Almonte has been teaching for over 30 years. Advocate Staff Reporter Shane Cepalia interviewed Almonte about her career.

Shane Cepalia: How long have you been teaching French?

Mrs. Almonte: This year is my 36th teaching French. For 24 years, I split my time between French and History. I taught French and Russian History, French and Modern social issues, and French and Global Studies. For the past 12 years, I have been teaching only French due to increased enrollment.

SC: Why did you decide to be a teacher?

MA: I wanted to share my love and excitement for History and French with students.

SC: How has COVID-19 affected your classes?

MA: I have become much more proficient using technology! I have had to accept that I cannot do as many hands-on activities as I did before. I had to get creative to try to do digital activities that were engaging and fun. I learned that students learn better and stay on task more, when we complete a worksheet or practice together in class. 

SC: What has your experience at Law been like?

MA: I LOVE Law. I taught at Foran for 22 years in a room with no windows! We have windows here. It is wonderful. I tell everyone – Law is like a family. Kindness abounds and we really look out for one another.

SC: Is French or English your first language?

MA: Being born in France, my parents had a housekeeper who was French watch me, so she would read me stories in French, so I think my first words were in french. I know my brother’s was pickle “cornichon”. But once we moved back to the states when I was three I was brought up to speak English.

By Gillian Rees – News Editor

Teacher and coach Mr. Beler has been a big part of the Jonathan Law family for many years. He is either teaching his Business and Finance classes, coaching track, or organizing the annual Lip Sync Battle. Students may know him as the teacher who is always blasting 90s hits from his classroom. Other teachers know him as the loudest teacher down the hall, but the Jonathan Law family see him as a big part of the community. Advocate News Editor Gillian Rees interviewed Beler about teaching at Law. 

Gillian Rees: How did COVID change your classes the last two years?

Mr. Beler: It allowed me to update my lesson plans using the latest technology to get my students ready for this new business culture.

GR: What is your favorite thing about teaching at Law?

MB: The community, sense of family. Everyone worked together to get through this.

GR: What do you hope students will take from your class into the real world?

MB: The ability to express themselves in a written and oral way as well as providing rationale to why their ideas will make money or be successful.

GR: What’s a class activity that you haven’t been able to do because of COVID?

MB:The annual trip to Webster Arena Sound Tigers Sports Media Day.

GR: What is your favorite class to teach? Why?

MB: Personal Finance. This is an issue we all will face and I would have benefited from a class like this when I was in school.

By Alaina McCarvill – Staff Reporter

Mr. Marko is a vice principal at Jonathan Law. Advocate Staff Reporter Alaina McCarvill interviewed Marko about his career and about how his job has changed over the past year due to COVID-19.

Alaina McCarvill: What is your role at Law as a vice principal?

Mr. Marko: My first role and most difficult is to always keep Mr. Thompson in check.  The rest of my work consists of meeting with teachers and helping them reflect on their own teaching to better their practice, working with Mr. Ragaini on any student issues and working with students to make sure that they are working to their full potential.

AM: Did you always want to teach or be a vice principal?

MM: Not at all.  When I graduated high school, my plan was to go into the business field with a concentration in Accounting.  After taking my first couple of Math classes and shadowing an accountant for the day, I realized that it probably was not the best job for me. My next plan was to become a History teacher, make some money and then go to law school.  That plan changed when I started teaching and fell in love with it.  Ever since those first weeks of teaching, I have known that I chose the correct profession for me.

AM: What do you like and dislike most about the job?

MM: My favorite part of the job is seeing people succeed.  We all take different paths to get to where we eventually want to go. Seeing the joy of students when they reach their goal will always put a smile on my face.There is not much that I dislike about the job but if I have to answer, I would say that it is the paperwork.  It’s probably not my strongest asset and the thing that I usually put off until the end of the day.

AM: Has Law been different from other schools you have worked at?

MM: Law has absolutely been different.  It has been much better.  In reflecting on what makes it so great, I think that it is the people and the sense of community.  No other place can match the spirit or the feeling of the students and the faculty at Law.  It’s hard to describe that feeling to others but when you are here, you can definitely feel it!

AM: How has COVID-19 changed things for you?

MM: COVID has made me less rigid.  During this past year, I have really started to weigh what are the most important things and what kinds of things I can let go.  I think it has made me a better parent (although my children may not agree) and allowed me to remove some of the unneeded stress in my life.