By Lucas Greifzu – Sports Editor

The coronavirus has severely impacted nearly every aspect of the Jonathan Law community. However, the band program at Jonathan Law is one of the programs that has been impacted the most. Advocate Sports Editor Lucas Greifzu interviewed Jonathan Law Director of Bands and Orchestra Mr. Pelaggi about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the band program that he directs.

Lucas Greifzu: How has the band been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic this year?

Mr. Pelaggi: Band has been impacted by the COVID pandemic in a lot of different ways. Since band students are blowing air into their instruments, we have to take a few extra precautions in the classroom. We currently keep 12×12 foot spacing between students indoors and outdoors while we play. We also can only rehearse for 30 minutes at a time in a given space and then it must be cleared to air out. We haven’t had any formal in person performances this year as well. Through it all we have still been able to make some great music and keep our community as strong as ever.

LG: What events are you hoping to do next year that you weren’t able to do this year?

MP: The event I want to have the most is a successful band camp. During band camp, students are really able to form some great relationships with each other and learn so much about their instruments. Obviously, performances are great and fun, but the real learning takes place in our rehearsal time together. COVID really cut our rehearsal time down. The more we are together next year, the better, as long as we are safe.

LG: How has COVID-19 impacted membership in band, both this year, and recruiting for next year?

MP: It is a little too early to tell still, but I am optimistic that we will sustain our membership. We had an excellent recruiting event last week with West Shore and Harborside. I think a lot of our student body, especially our band members, are excited to be able to do more things with each other. Our best recruiters are our current members, so I have to have faith that they will spread the word about how awesome our community is and what a joy it is to be a member of the band.

LG: Has this year taught you anything in regards to teaching, if so, what did it teach you?

MP: Definitely. First and foremost, I have found that I need to be okay, mentally and physically, to be there for my students. I enjoy life more when I am less anxious, and anxiety has always been an issue for me. I communicate with my students better when I am less anxious and that leads to more learning for them. Some things I’ve taken up to ease my anxiety are daily exercise, a healthier diet, limiting my cell phone use, and picking up a couple new hobbies like golf and wood working. I have really overworked the last couple years and I think having a better work life balance has made me a more effective teacher.  As far as in class teaching, every day is a new adventure. We have had to try new techniques every day in the classroom to ensure our students are learning. A big piece of my teaching philosophy I have tried to change over the last couple months is focusing on learning rather than “work.” I have been trying to say the word work less because I think personally that school should be a place where students learn and learn how to learn. Ensuring learning vs. completing work has been more effective for my students this year.

LG: How do you think that this year has still been a success despite the limitations that COVID-19 has presented?

MP: I believe that times like this are necessary to the human experience. For all the good times we have, there are also challenging times. It sounds cliche, but it is the yin and yang of life. During challenging times it helps to be thankful for them. We don’t have sunny days without rainy ones. It may not seem like it right now, but there will be better days. Some of my best teaching has happened during this year because I have had the time and space to try something outside the box. I have focused on student well-being and relationships more than I have ever had the opportunity to in the past. I have also tried things and they have failed miserably. If you don’t fail every once and a while, are you really learning? A phrase I use in my ensembles that sums this up is “sometimes you have to sit in your own suck.” You have to push through the bad sounds to achieve the good ones. You have to sit in the space where something sucks for a while to see improvement. I think this past year has sucked, and that is okay. I don’t want to lie and say it has all been excellent. As a school, a band community, a music community, and as individuals, we will all grow from this experience and be better. Brighter days are ahead and that is where we will find our success.

By Gemard Guery – Staff Reporter

Ms. Corriveau is a computer science teacher at Jonathan Law High School. She is the advisor for Jonathan Law High School’s SheCodes Club which empowers women to pursue careers in STEM.  Advocate Staff Reporter Gemard Guery interviewed Corriveau about her classes and her career.

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

Ms. Corriveau: Growing up, I had many teachers who left a lasting impact on me–not necessarily because of the content they taught to me, but rather because of the relationships that they formed with me. Those relationships served to provide me with confidence in my ability to achieve and succeed later on in life. I simply wanted to provide that same confidence to others. Even if I only ever reach one student, it will have been entirely worth it.

GG: Why do you feel having an understanding of computer science is so important?

MC: We are living in an increasingly digital world and it only makes sense for students to understand not only how computers work, but how their use of and interaction with computers can impact their lives.

GG: What do you love the most about the SheCodes club?

MC: I love that it was co-founded by some of the hardest working students at this school. All of the students in this club are dedicated, driven, and committed to furthering their education as well as educating others about computer science–especially females. Only about 20% of computer science majors are female and clubs such as SheCodes play an important role in reaching out to females and helping them to learn and engage more with STEM fields.

GG: Why is International Women’s Month so important to you?

MC: International Women’s Month is important to me because it serves to highlight the contributions of women throughout history–as well as the contributions of women today. As a mom, I think it’s important for my daughters to know and see that when it comes to making contributions to society, science, the economy and politics, women are equally as capable as men.

GG: What do you enjoy most about teaching computer science?

MC: I love helping students obtain a deeper understanding of a tool that is ubiquitous, yet in so many ways is equally esoteric. Every single one of us uses a computer, but do we really understand how it works? I also love watching students have “a-ha!” moments–I get really excited for them to fully understand concepts and use them in ways that will help them succeed.

By Ben Rossi – Staff Reporter

Mr. Kulenych has taught at Law for 17 years. He teaches Journalism 1, Journalism 2, Journalism 3, Humanities, and Broadcast Journalism and coaches the girls tennis team at Jonathan Law. Advocate Staff Reporter Ben Rossi interviewed Mr. K about the school year and the upcoming tennis season.

Ben Rossi: Out of all of the classes you teach, which has been the hardest to adjust to COVID?

Mr. K.: Every class has had its own unique challenges this year, but Journalism and Broadcast Journalism have definitely been the most challenging. With such a lack of traditional events and activities this year, we have to get creative when coming up with story ideas for Journalism, and in Broadcast, a lack of daily news and announcements has made us come up with different ways to keep everyone informed and entertained. It’s been different, obviously, but the kids in both classes have been amazing and have risen to the challenge.

BR: How do you feel about freshmen being allowed to take Journalism 1?

MK: Our goal every year with The Advocate is to keep the journalism family growing, so getting kids into Journalism 1 as soon as they get into high school is great. The sooner kids take Journalism 1, the sooner they can take Journalism 2 and Journalism 3 and become editors. Having a mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the program helps us cover the issues and news stories affecting all grades as well. We can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2025 to the journalism family next year!

BR: As the advisor of The Advocate how are you helping students to get content out?

MK: COVID has definitely affected what content we can create and how we can get that information out to our readers. We have relied heavily on social media and we have really ramped up our use of Instagram to inform and entertain people. We have used Instagram to post series commemorating Black History Month, supporting local businesses, highlighting Law’s teachers and seniors, and more. We have also created more video content ever before that we have shared on social media and on Eagle Eye News. 

BR: What are your goals as a coach for the tennis season?

MK: We’ve waited almost two years to play tennis again, so our main goal is just to have fun, stay safe, and take advantage of the opportunity we have. Missing out on last year was tough for everyone, but it has made us even hungrier and more determined to be our best this year. We are going to have a lot of new faces on the team this year, so it’s our job to welcome them and get them up to speed, and then do everything we can to have a successful season on and off the court. If we work hard and have fun, our record will take care of itself.

BR: As the coach for the girls tennis team how are you preparing for the upcoming season?

MK: We recently started virtual conditioning and begin in-person conditioning soon. Most of the girls have been playing indoors through the winter, taking lessons, and playing in off-season tournaments. I’m really proud of the way that the returning players have continued to play year-round and I can’t wait to see how much they have improved. I’m excited to see all of the new players as well. March 27th can’t get here fast enough.

By Sydney Simpson – News Editor 

Mrs. Diprimio is the head of the Mathematics department at Jonathan Law High School, and she teaches Pre-Calculus, SAT Math, and Algebra I. She has been teaching at Jonathan Law for 13 years. Advocate News Editor Sydney Simpson interviewed Diprimio about her year of teaching. 

Sydney Simpson: How has COVID affected your lessons this year?

Mrs. Diprimio: COVID has forced me to think outside the box with planning lessons. For a teacher who plans for students working in pairs daily, it has been a huge mindset change. It has forced me to use new technology platforms to plan, which has its benefits and drawbacks.  

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

MD: Pre-Calc is definitely my favorite class (shout out period 2). It connects all the concepts you learn from your Algebra and Geometry classes and is actually the class that made me want to be a teacher in high school.

SS: What are your goals as a teacher for the rest of this year?

MD: My goal for the rest of the year is to make sure my students continue to feel supported. This has been a year unlike any other and will definitely be one that all students will remember. Regardless of what they are learning, I want them to look back and feel they were supported through such an unusual time.

SS: How is this school year going so far for you? Is it easier to teach online or more difficult?

MD: Definitely more difficult. It’s been a huge learning curve for all teachers.

SS: What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of school?

MD: Outside of school, I enjoy being with my boys and my dog. We go hiking, play outside, build and just have fun. It’s really fun watching them grow and be able to do kids things as an adult.

By Tyanna Xavier – Social Media Editor

When Ms. Rodriguez came into Jonathan Law, she was welcomed with open arms. She was an intern and is now a student teacher for English. Advocate Social Media Editor Tyanna Xavier interviewed Rodriguez about her time at Law.

Tyanna Xavier: Why did you want to be a teacher?

Ms. Rodriguez: I wanted to be a teacher because I love English and I love the students. Interning and student teaching have really shown me how much I love it.

TX: How much do you want to know about your students in order to be most helpful to them?

MR: I think it’s very important to build relationships with students. These relationships should consist of trust, respect, and honesty. I want my students to feel respected in my classroom. It’s not so much about how much I want to know, but what I should know. So if there is anything bothering my students or any issues they have I would like them to feel comfortable enough to talk with me. 

TX: What is your teaching philosophy?

MR: My teaching philosophy thus far has been to create meaningful and respectful relationships with my students first. Without these relationships, I won’t be able to teach them my content area.  

TX: What attracted to the Milford Public Schools and Jonathan Law?

MR: I love Jonathan Law High School. When I first became an intern last January, I was instantly welcomed. So many of the teachers, administration, and faculty, eased my anxieties and made me feel like I was a part of the team. I immediately noticed the community at Jonathan Law and in Milford, and how caring, friendly, and accepting they are. 

TX: How would you get your classroom ready for the first day of school?

MR: The first day of school is nerve-wracking for everyone, teachers and students. I would set up my first day with ice-breaker activities so that I can get to know the students and so that the students can get to know each other. Making a good impression with my students is important on the first day because it shows what kind of teacher they will have for the year.

By Truman Martin – Staff Reporter

Mr. Sweeney has been teaching health at Jonathan Law High School for 20 years and has taught his students how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Advocate Staff Reporter Truman Martin interviewed Sweeney about the school year.

Truman Martin: How are you feeling about the school year so far?

Mr. Sweeney: Best way to describe it is hit and miss. Some days have been great while others, not so good.

TM: Have you picked up any new hobbies during the pandemic?

MS: No new hobbies that I can think of. However, I am trying new things with my old hobbies like new recipes because I like to cook. 

TM: How have you adjusted to teaching students this year?

MS: Again, hit and miss. I think the students have been so patient with us teachers this year. There’s no guarantee on Technology, but we do what we can with what we got.   

TM: What is your opinion on the new health adjustments made this year where each class is 0.25 credits?

MS: I am starting to like it a lot more than I did. It feels more structured, more organized.

TM: What is one thing you would say to the incoming freshman next year?

MS: Learn about time management!

By Rachel McKay – Staff Reporter

Mr. Healy is an English teacher at Jonathan Law High School. He teaches the Advanced Creative Writing class and allows the students to publish their writing in an annual book. This year the book is titled “The Fine Art of Messing Up.” Advocate Staff Reporter Rachel McKay interviewed Healy about his experience as a teacher and how he feels about his classes, particularly the Advanced Creative Writing course.

Rachel McKay: Is there a particular class you enjoy teaching the most? If so, why?

Mr. Healy: It changes from day to day, class to class, but when the advanced Creative writing class is cooking, it’s really fun. It’s awesome to see the most creative ideas we have going here at the school, and to have conversations about how to enhance and bring those ideas to fruition, day in and day out. There’s just so much variety. Each story presents its own unique challenge, and since I’m not the writer, I don’t have all the answers, but that’s the beauty in it. I’m there as a coach and facilitator, and I get to watch some really high level problem solving going on.

RM: What is your favorite thing about teaching?

MH: It’s the kids. You all are so interesting and just like all the stories, so different from one to the next. I feel like teens have this intense paradoxical mix of confidence and insecurity that can spike wildly, and I feel like teaching is about helping kids find the places where their confident selves can shine through, and those insecurities can be minimized and worked on. Plus, I think it’s part of human nature to want to teach people things because it just feels good, and because I’m a great teacher, I get that feeling all the time.

RM: How excited are you about the Advanced Creative Writing book, “The Fine Art of Messing Up?”

MH: I’m pumped. Your class has been such a unique group and the stories this year have been so different, yet all so interesting. I never had a class choose a title so fast but I love the ethos behind it. It’s like we all mess up, how can we turn that into something that’s beautiful? How can we learn to embrace those mistakes?

RM:  What’s your favorite thing about the Advanced Creative Writing class?

MH: I think I covered this one in question 2, but another thing I love about it is that I get to have random but interesting conversations everyday. I’m the type of teacher that likes to go on long tangents anyway, and when I’m teaching English 1, I have to make sure I don’t just talk the classes away because we have a curriculum to get through, but with ACW, those random conversations are part of the creative process.

RM: Has COVID-19 impacted your classes and teaching? If so, how?

MH: Oh COVID-19. How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways. I mean being remote has been shown to not be good for the majority of students. Some kids thrive in it, but most kids really struggle with the lack of structure. As a teacher, it’s been near impossible to replicate the classroom experience, as hard as I try. Let me end on a positive note though. COVID has helped me reevaluate what’s important, and I’ve made more time for writing conferences and collaborative activities, even with this shortened year.

By Kaitlyn Goldberg – Staff Reporter 

Mr. Young is a history teacher at Jonathan Law. He teaches US History and AP Psychology and he also coaches girls basketball. Advocate Staff Reporter Kaitlyn Goldberg interviewed Young about the current school year.

Kaitlyn Goldberg: What are some goals you have for teaching for the rest of the year? 

Mr. Young: My goals for the rest year are to help students finish the year strong in both World History and AP Psychology.  I am looking forward to good class conversations and debate over a number of topics.

KG: How have you adjusted your lessons to the restrictions?

MY: Lessons have changed significantly from a normal school year.  The pacing and depth of concepts and material has had to be altered due to limited time.

KG: What are some hobbies and things you like to do outside of school?

MY: Outside of school I love to spend time with my family.  My sons are four and two years old and are very active.  I also really enjoy music and sports.

KG: How has coaching girls basketball been this year?

MY: I am very grateful to have the opportunity to coach this season.  It has been a lot of fun and the girls have worked very hard.

KG: What do you enjoy about teaching? 

MY: My favorite part of teaching is working with students. Class conversations and seeing student growth is the best part of teaching.

By Stephanie Caron – Editor-in-Chief 

Art classes have looked very different at Law ever since the pandemic started. Teachers and students have come up with unique ways to submit, and make their art from home. Advocate’s Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Caron interviewed art teacher Mrs Murphy on the changes and challenges of teaching art classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Stephanie Caron: How has COVID affected the art classes at Law? 

Mrs. Murphy: Per COVD-19 protocols, students have not been able to share space, supplies or sinks in the classroom. Students have been creating their Painting, Ceramics and Sculpture work at home, while students in Art for Seniors, Drawing, Cartooning, Graphic Design and Digital Photography are able to do most of their art-making in school.

SC: How are students managing to find new ways to submit/make their artwork?

MM: Students were given all art supplies needed for their art classes at the beginning of each semester in order to work at home. Since we cannot collect or store student work in our classrooms, students have been taking photos of their work in progress and final work and creating Google Slideshow presentations for their assignments, then submitting their work through Google Classroom.

SC: What is your favorite thing about teaching art at Law? 

MM: I have been teaching at Law for 24 years and my favorite part is that I am surrounded by such incredible students and supported by amazing colleagues!

SC: How have you had to change how you teach your classes since covid? 

MM: Though I have had to change the way that I am teaching art in many ways over the last year, I have enjoyed creating new projects that are interesting and manageable for students to complete at home.

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

MM: Overall, I hope that my students have learned an appreciation for art and culture and will continue thinking critically about their world in their daily lives. 

By Jess Owens – Entertainment Editor

Jonathan Law alum Nick Owens, a fixture on Eagle Eye News during his time at Law, has graduated with a film degree and moved on to the next stage of his life. During this interview, Owens shared how Law helped him get to where he is right now. Advocate Entertainment Editor Jess Owens interviewed Nick Owens about his life after graduating Jonathan Law.

JO: What was the biggest lesson Law has taught you since you’ve been out in the real world?

NO: I would say the biggest lesson Law has taught me is that you are the creator of your own path. I believe I spent so much time wondering how to fit into different crowds and trying to understand myself. Once you graduate you learn all the lessons you learned in high school especially socially and working with others helps prepare you for what to expect diving into the workforce. You also start to realize that the things you may have worried about throughout school, after you graduate you understand that this is who you are and you don’t need to apologize for being yourself because it’s a blessing.”

JO: What has life after Law been like for you? What have you been working on?

NO: I am working for two different companies. The first is a roofing company that just getting started here in CT by helping homeowners get a roof replacement covered by their insurance companies, and second, I film a grassroots soccer organization playing out of Newtown, CT. We are the Newtown Pride FC and we are also the 2019 National Amateur Cup Champions qualifying us to play in America’s oldest, and largest soccer tournament in the entire country, The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Tournament. The tournament will take place this April with more info to come! We also get involved by doing youth organizations and programs to help give back to Newtown. We might be setting up a special future game in Milford.

JO: What’s the one thing you miss about Law?

NO: One thing I miss about Law the most is the people you get to see everyday. While you’re in high school, you don’t acknowledge the impact the little everyday interactions you share with your teachers and other classmates. Once it’s over, it’s always nice to visit everyone even though as time goes by the school you once walked through changes as well as the people. It’s nice to look back at the great moments I had with some amazing teachers or just messing around with my peers during lunch. I’ll always be grateful for such amazing moments and people.

JO: What class benefited you the most at Law that has helped you get to where you are today?

NO: To the surprise of absolutely no one, Broadcast Journalism! Mr. Kulenych is a great person that I hope everyone in Law gets to share a moment with. All the teachers at Law are amazing and deserve a ton of credit, but creating content that would help the school news and bring more students together, starting from the sports highlights, to the TV shows we produced, all the way to our final Senior Video saying our final goodbye. Mr. K. has always given me the creative freedom to take whatever I cooked up and turned it into reality with access to all the camera equipment one could only imagine to have. He lets you have free reign to create projects that will encourage you to work your hardest on them. I already knew so much before attending a film and video trade school in Orlando, Florida, after graduating all because of him, so Broadcast Journalism definitely helped shape where I am today.

JO: What advice can you give to the graduating Class of 2021?

NO: To never give up hope. I’m sure you all have visions of what you would like your future to look like, and I want to tell you that your dreams are not just dreams – they can become reality. The human mind is endless and you can teach yourself anything if you put your mind and soul into it. Learn as much as you can even after graduating, take as much knowledge with you, and always believe that you can be directed on your path to success. Don’t always believe everything on social media. Your struggles help you grow into the best version of yourself. Self-care is also extremely important. Treat yourself how you wish others would treat you. We all create our own paths and never feel as if you’re not as far ahead as someone else because life is not a race, it’s a journey. Congratulations and the world is waiting for you!

By Bobby Black – Staff Reporter

Mr. McPartland has been teaching Spanish for six years at Jonathan Law and has inspired many students to continue taking Spanish throughout their high school years. Advocate Staff Reporter Bobby Black interviewed Mr. McPartland about the school year. 

Bobby Black: How have COVID restrictions changed the way you teach your classes?

Mr. McPartland: The restrictions have undoubtedly changed the way I teach mainly because of the limitations that are put on the types of activities. This year, I haven’t done nearly the number of hands-on, group and partner types of activities that I would normally do. Not being able to share materials is tough, but my students have been incredibly flexible with their learning – I’m super lucky.

BB: How do you feel about the school year so far?

MM:  No doubt it’s been different, but I truly love coming to work everyday. This school year has taught me the importance of being adaptable and flexible both in and out of the classroom.

BB:  Throughout the rest of the school year, how are you going to prepare your students for the next Spanish class they take?

MM: We will continue to do what we have been doing all year. A big focus on vocabulary and conjunctions, which will allow my students to push their communication, especially through writing, to the next level.

BB: What do you enjoy most about coaching the JV basketball team?

MM: Coaching the JV basketball team is so much fun and is one of the highlights of my day, aside from coming into work every morning. Although we may not be where we want to be record-wise, it’s been awesome to see the progression our guys have made since day one. We look forward to continuing to get after it everyday!

BB: How do half-day schedules affect the way that you teach and how much you teach in the year?

MM: I wouldn’t say they affect the WAY in which I teach, however the amount of material that we are expected to get through has had to have been modified a bit. As we get closer to the end of the school year, we’ll see where each class is in terms of the curriculum and will adjust going into next year.

By Olivia Augustine – Staff Reporter

Ms. Loch has been a math teacher for 16 years. She is also a proud Law alum, Law’s head volleyball coach, and teaches Algebra 2 L1 and L2, and AP Statistics. Advocate Staff Reporter Olivia Augustine interviewed Loch about the current school year. 

Olivia Augustine: How has COVID impacted the way you teach this year?

Ms. Loch: It has definitely been a challenge this year.  It’s tough having students online and in person at the same time, so I had to make sure that all files were digital (most were) and posted before class so students at home who wanted to print them could.  I had to change my review since most of my review sessions were group work or a scavenger hunt where students roamed the class or sat in groups to complete assignments.  For my AP class I really had to change things a lot.  Losing half the class time and starting later in the year was tough.  I still needed to complete the curriculum for the AP exam and make sure students were getting the curriculum completed with enough time to review and practice timed tests for the AP exam.   

OA: What are your goals from now to the end of the school year?

ML: I want to try to somehow incorporate some fun activities I did last year but need to figure out how to individualize it instead of group work.  I also want to make sure I have great preparation for AP students who take the exam in May.  I want them to feel confident going into the exam.  

OA: What do you enjoy about teaching?

ML: I like student interaction and seeing students get excited when they figure out how to do an example or when they get an answer right for an example where they might have struggled.  I struggled with math concepts in high school and remember that feeling, so I want to be that support for students and help them overcome those challenges.  It’s also great to receive a note/email from a student who graduated and in college with updates of how they are doing and how they were able to remember the stat class we had and helped them in college classes.  I also like to see the career path students take after high school and the amazing things they accomplish.     

OA: How have you adapted to teaching online on Wednesdays? 

ML: The Wednesdays changed a bit now from the beginning of the year. In the beginning, I utilized time to review a concept, do check-ins to check student understanding, and do SAT practice problems. Now that we are on a rotating schedule, it’s a little easier and I can just continue forward with my lessons to keep consistency.  

OA: Why did you decide to become a teacher? 

ML: Since I was little I wanted to be a teacher, mainly elementary. I got to college and decided to change to a Secondary education math teacher. I liked Math, but struggled with it at times. I wanted to teach students that math can be interesting and fun and I also wanted help and support students like me who struggle with it.   

By Giuliana Aguilar – Staff Reporter

Ms. Reed has been an English teacher at Jonathan Law for two years. She teaches English 1 and Composition. Advocate Staff Reporter Giuliana Aguilar interviewed Reed about the current school year.

Giuliana Aguilar: Why did you decide to become a teacher?

Miss.Reed: I actually didn’t know I wanted to be a teacher. I started working at Rocky Hill High School and and was the in-school suspension person and I also tutored. As soon as I started tutoring kids, I realized I really liked being in the school environment and working with kids so I decided then and there that I wanted to teach. 

GA: How has COVID-19 changed the way you teach?

MR: It’s pretty much changed everything, but it also hasn’t. Obviously, the classroom isn’t as fun as it could be. We don’t do as many group activities, interactive things, materials, and using the space of the classroom. A lot of the fun ways to teach have had to change unfortunately. We’re still getting the same skills and content, just a little more boring though. 

GA: What do you enjoy doing outside of school?

MR: I play volleyball for an adult league but I haven’t in a while because of COVID. I also love to go out to dinner. I got a dog and love to play with her and go on walks.

GA: What were your expectations for the year and how have they changed?

MR: I thought the school would be less safe. I’m pleased to see how contained everything has been, for the most part. I’m not as nervous to go to work as I was in the beginning of the year and now I’m not at all anymore. I’m really happy about the cooperation everyone’s put into this. 

GA: What is your favorite class or topic to teach and why?

MR: I love teaching English 1, freshmen. I don’t really know why I just love the freshman age group because there’s an excitement and a spark for being in high school that sometimes gets diluted as you move through your other years. In terms of topics to teach, I really like anything that sparks real world discussion and anything socially or societally relevant. 

By Mia Cerrato – Entertainment Editor

As this school year comes to a close, the yearbook is a big topic of discussion. Advocate Entertainment Editor Mia Cerrato interviewed yearbook advisor Ms. Jessell on the challenges of designing a yearbook during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mia Cerrato: How was the process of creating the yearbook despite the current circumstances?

Ms. Jessell: The process is a lot different this year! We’re up for the challenge. #ChallengeAccepted.

MC: How did the process alter because of the pandemic?

MJ: A lot has altered. Starting with the traditional order of our yearbook. We have taken more of a seasonal approach instead of organizing it by faculty, then students, and all sports and activities. Our 2021 cover has a different flare from past years. Definitely something to look forward to! It was a unanimous choice this time around and possibly one of the best yet! School underclassmen and faculty photos will be taken outside this year in April. Usually they take place in early October so families can have their photo packages for the holidays. Typically these pages are also completed by now and submitted for print. As many know, team photos were a challenge this year due to safety protocols with social distancing and mask wearing. Some photographs were borrowed from last year’s book to compensate. The late start to winter sports will place these pages farther into the book. We are still working out faculty department photos with social distancing, and a few other items on the list. Much work will now have to be completed into the second half of the school-year, and yes, we cannot forget parent messages! We’ve got this! We just ask for the continued support and patience with our student-staff run publication. Sales are up this year. Our yearbook team, just like all of us are doing what we can. Aside from all of the changes, I am very proud of our yearbook staff. They have been doing incredibly well throughout the year’s challenges. We have a few new featured pages and more to come as well. Some throwbacks from the last four years and a few new “Pandemic Changes Pages” such as altered classrooms including the old gym and cafe, lunch kiosk, as well as remote learning, and one-way hallways.

MC: Are there limited pictures of school activities to include in the yearbook?

MJ:  So far, we are doing OK with photographs, but within the upcoming weeks we plan on reaching out for more! A “Spring Photo Submission” flyer will be coming out – something to be on the lookout for.

MC: What is your favorite part of the process?

MJ: Seeing our staffers take on leadership roles and collaborating. Taking initiative, being flexible, and persevering through it all as a team effort.

MC: What do you think will be the students favorite part of the yearbook?

MJ: The cover. The memories. And knowing that this yearbook is like no other. Both a keepsake and document for a unique time in our history.

By Alexis Broderick – Social Media Editor-in-Chief

Mrs. Lucia has been an English teacher at Jonathan Law for 14 years. She teaches English 1, English 3, and AP Language. Social Media Editor-in-Chief Alexis Broderick interviewed Lucia about the current school year. 

Alexis Broderick: What is your favorite part about being a teacher?

Mrs. Lucia: My favorite part about teaching are the relationships that develop with individual students.  I love what I teach because I get to learn so much about what makes my students “tick” based on their thoughts and opinions about what we read and discuss in class. And the relationship that each class develops is also so fun for me.  Each class is so unique, and I love watching the class personality develop. Like, which Spotify playlist does Period 1 like?  It is different from the one Period 5 likes. And Period 4 doesn’t like any of my music, they just want to talk.  That kind of thing,  I also just love watching students get fired up about things in class; I will never get over 9th graders being shocked by that (Spoiler Alert!) Boo saves the day in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” or AP Lang students eating up the scandalous details of the relationship that developed between Perry Smith and Truman Capote behind the scenes in “In Cold Blood.”

AB: What are your goals for the rest of the year?

ML: My goals for this year are to continue to try to find ways to motivate and engage my students.  This year has just been really hard, and I hope all our students here know we understand and will do whatever we can to support you all as we try to get back to a more normal school experience.  I feel like we are through the worst of it, so my goals are to help my students feel as connected and competent as possible so they can have a successful end of the year!

AB: What’s your favorite class to teach and why?

ML: That is like asking a mom to pick her favorite child! I love them all for different reasons!

AB: What are some things you enjoy doing outside of school?

ML: Outside of school, I am a homebody.  I like to spend time at home with my children, snuggling/smothering them. When they’re sick of me, I like to read, cook and bake, and workout (because of all the cooking and baking).  

AB: How has COVID affected the way you teach?

ML: COVID has obviously made teaching so different.  I keep saying to my colleagues, “I feel like we aren’t ever doing anything fun!”  Not being able to do a lot of group work or move around the room, combined with less class time, has made things feel very repetitive.  I am looking forward to what I hope will be a more “typical” year next year!

By Gillian Rees – News Editor

The winter sports season is underway at Jonathan Law and the student-athletes on the indoor track team are preparing for their upcoming meets. One of those student-athletes is senior indoor track captain Hannah Rascoll. After a record-setting season last year, where Rascoll was among the 4×800 relay team that broke the school record by over 25 seconds, the girls track team is preparing for meets, to break personal records, and to break more school records. Advocate News Editor Gillian Rees interviewed Rascoll about the track season.

Gillian Rees: How did you feel when you found out you’d be able to get a season?

Hannah Rascoll: I was really happy when I found out we got a season because outdoor was cancelled last year so it had been almost a year since I’ve ran in meets and I’m just glad they gave us something.

GR: What are the COVID restrictions in place at practice?

HR: We have to wear masks when we run and run in cohorts so we’re distanced from each other.

GR: How are meets planned to work?

HR: The meets are going to be dual. Most of them are going to be outside, we have one indoor one right now but we have to split it up because it can only go for an hour at a time. There are also no relays for indoor meets and we have to wear masks. There are no actual scores, either, just times. 

GR: What are you most excited about for the season?

HR: I’m most excited to actually compete and get some times down because it’s been a year. I want to see my progress from training all year but the mask also might make it harder.

GR: What are your personal and team goals for the season?

HR: My personal goal would be to PR in all of my events and break the 1000M record. A team goal would be to have everyone feel normal and compete at least once and PR.

By Ethan Harrigan – Sports Editor

Katie Konareski is a senior and a captain of the Jonathan Law girls basketball team. The team is currently 4-3 after an overtime win against Career on February 26. They have now won three games in a row, including a comeback win against Shelton on Law’s Senior Night. Advoacte Sports Editor Ethan Harrigan interviewed Konareski about this year’s team and the season so far.

Ethan Harrigan: What is your role on the team?

Katie Konareski: I am the captain and point guard for the Law girls basketball team. This makes me responsible for the players in many ways. On the court making sure everyone knows plays and is always working to their greatest ability and off the court doing good in school and staying healthy.

EH: How has COVID impacted the basketball season?

KK: COVID has impacted our season in a couple ways. To start, we have to wear masks the whole time. This makes it a little more difficult for the players to breathe, and for me as a point guard, to communicate loud across the court over loud noise. One positive side to this is that there are masks breaks every quarter to help with this issue. Another way COVID has impacted our season is that we do not have a state tournament and only have 12 games this season. Compared to the last couple years this did disappoint me but at the end of the day I’m very thankful we have a season at all.

EH: What did you do to prepare for the season?

KK: As a junior last year who decided they wanted to play in college, I made the decision to play on a travel basketball team for about five months in 2020. Following all safety protocols, my coach and teammates did everything we could to have this and it helped me a lot. Along with this I also worked out 3+ times a week and had personal training sessions when I could fit it in. As we got closer to the season, the law girls basketball team had virtual conditionings that also helped a lot. Though COVID did affect our season last year and this year, without the free time it caused I wouldn’t be the player I am today.

EH: How do you feel about the team’s performance after the first few games and is there anything you can do to improve?

KK: In the first few games, we were all still starting to get back into things. Everything was new to us and last year we lost two starters who helped us dramatically. We are a small team and one of the things we struggled with most were transition points and using our speed and size to an advantage. This has helped us improve so much over the past couple games and also has helped us finish the last half strong. One thing I think we can work on is our patience on offense and finding the openings after swinging the ball quick.

EH: What are your personal goals and your goals for the team?

KK: My personal goal is to get First Team All-SCC this year. Last year was my first year starting varsity and I got All-SCC Second Team. Since I put in so much more work in the off season this year, I’m hoping I can make this happen. As a team, I know we have the ability to win the SCC tournament and want to achieve that the most.

By Lucas Greifzu – Sports Editor

The winter sports season has officially kicked off at Jonathan Law High School. However, there are some things that are much different from previous years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Sports that take place inside, such as indoor track, have been particularly affected. Advocate Sports Editor Lucas Greifzu interviews Senior Captain Ethan Harrigan about how the indoor track team is approaching the 2020-2021 season.

Lucas Greifzu: How has the indoor track season changed as a result of COVID-19?

Ethan Harrigan: There were many changes in our season regarding the way we will have meets and practices. For example, at practices and meets we are required to wear masks. Practices are currently taking place outside but we have been given approval to use the gym if needed starting March 1st. Also we usually have a good number of indoor meets including the SCC and States meets. However, this season was shortened and we now only have two dual meets taking place outdoors.

LG: How do you think that the team looks so far going into the rest of the season?

EH: The team is looking very strong in my opinion. We have a lot of depth in most of our events except on the distance side of the team because we do not have as many runners willing to run those events. Even so we have many great runners and without a doubt I think we will win our two meets.

LG: What are your goals for the season?

EH: My main goal for the season is to run times good enough to at least have the option of running track at college if I felt like I wanted to. I would also like to win the two dual meets we are participating in and get ready for outdoor in the process.

LG: What makes you want to run track?

EH: I like the feeling of pushing myself to my limits and the feeling of being fast is one that always makes me feel happy. I think the only way to explain it is the phrase “Runner’s High” because I feel good running as fast as I can on the track.

LG: What do you do as a captain for the indoor track team?

EH: As a captain of the indoor track team I lead during the practices and relay information from Beler to the team. I think I speak for the other captains as well when I say our focus is on trying to develop the young talent on our team while bringing up the team’s speed and fitness to be as competitive as possible.

By Sydney Simpson – News Editor  

The Jonathan Law gymnastics team has had two virtual meets so far this year, both of which they have come out victorious. Junior Emma Nelly, who competes in every event, has been a critical part of the team for three years and has aided in their current undefeated season. Nelly went All-State both her freshman and sophomore years, and the team won the SCC championship meet last year. Advocate News Editor Sydney Simpson interviewed Nelly about this season. 

Sydney Simpson: What are your goals for this season? What are the team goals?

Emma Nelly:  My personal goal for this season is to go All-State. I made it freshman year and sophomore year and it would be really awesome if I could do it again. In terms of how all state is decided, it has changed tremendously this year due to COVID, so I am extremely nervous for the season since there is little to no wiggle room. However, a season is a season and I am just very happy to be able to compete with the team and share one last year with our seniors. Our team goal I feel is to maintain our high spirits throughout the season. It really is super hard to get through an entire meet with only virtual external support, but we are grateful to at least have our meets broadcasted. We also have a decent sized team this year which is good in terms of cheering and we have so many new talented freshmen. We beat our team personal record from last year in the first meet this year. This team has really great potential and I cannot wait to see where the season takes us. 

SS: How are things different this year in terms of COVID restrictions? What does the team do during practice in terms of precautions?

EN: Everything is so much different due to COVID. We have to wear masks (obviously) which is different, and we can only take them off while performing on an event. We also need to be extra cautious of always keeping six feet between ourselves and our teammates during set up, clean up, practice, and meets. We are not allowed to have any spectators so our meets are unusually quiet, and our access to necessities such as chalk, bandaids, spray bottles, tape, etc. are all in individual portions instead of being out for everyone to use. In terms of team spirit, the team is no different. If anything, it is stronger because we are now the only source of physical support during meets, we need to cheer louder than every in order to give everyone the same meet feel that we have always had.

SS: What did you do to prepare for this unusual season?

EN: To prepare for this unusual season, Mr. Simon and Coach K. held virtual conditioning three times a week for a number of weeks. I feel this definitely helped our team get into the headspace and physically ready for the season. When we were finally allowed in person practices, we did our usual ice breakers, but in different formats so it was all COVID-friendly. This season may be unusual but that doesn’t mean it will be any less important. 

SS: What is your favorite part of being on the Law gymnastics team?

EN: My favorite part of being on the Law gymnastics team is the atmosphere it provides. Everyone is friends and we have hard working practices, but are also able to goof around a little bit and have some fun. Mr. Simon and Coach K. are great at making sure everyone is prepared for the upcoming meets and changing routines accordingly so everyone can score the highest they possibly can. I love the support we all give each other, and the rush that we all feel at the meets. Being a part of Law Gym is such a nice experience and if you have any gymnastics experience I urge you to try out for the team next year!

SS: What skills have you gained since last season that you think will help you and the team win more?

EN: Some skills that I have gained for the upcoming season are some new jump connections on beam which bumped up my score by over five tenths from the year before, a new vault from the year before, a new vault that has a higher start value from the one I competed last year, and some more consistent tumbling passes with higher difficulty. Everyone else has also come in with new skills this year as well, and it amazes me how much our team continues to improve from year to year. 

By Alexis Broderick – Social Media Editor-in-Chief

The Milford Lightning girls ice hockey team recently started its inaugural season and has positive vibes even with the current COVID regulation and precautions. The Lightning is comprised of players from Law, Foran, Norte Dame-Fairfield, Weston, and Pomperaug. Social Media Editor-in-Chief Alexis Broderick interviewed assistant captain Mckenzie Broderick about the new season.  

Alexis Broderick: How has the start of the girls ice hockey season been?

Mckenzie Broderick: With COVID and everything that is happening, the start of the season was very slow; however, the whole team is just grateful that we are able to have a season with everything that has happened. 

AB: What are you goals for the season?

MB: For me personally, one of my goals is to stay in shape considering that I will be playing in college next year. In regards to the team our main goal is to have fun and make the most of the season that we are given, especially the seniors.

AB: How has COVID changed the way you play ice hockey?

MB: COVID has changed a few things about hockey. For one, obviously ,no spectators are allowed which can be challenging to keep that energy up during a game. We also need to wear masks at all times which is a new challenge but we do get mask breaks throughout the games which are helpful. 

AB: What sparked your interest in hockey?

MB: I grew up with uncles playing hockey so I was constantly at the rink and traveling to see them play. Watching them sparked my interest in the sport and I’ve been playing ever since.

AB: What is your role as assistant captain?

MB: As assistant captain, my role is to keep the team positive through not only the switch of a whole new team but also not let the covid regulations bring the team down. The main thing that me and the other captains try to do is just keep the team positive throughout every practice and game. 

By Tyanna Xavier – Social Media Editor

Jonathan Law senior Olivia Franzman is a class officer and a member of a group of students and staff who are looking into the possibility of having a prom in the spring and what the prom with look like with COVID-19 protocols. Advocate Social Media Editor Tyanna Xavier interviewed Franzman about the prospects of prom.

Tyanna Xavier: Have there been any conversation about seniors having prom?

Olivia Franzman: The class officers have meetings about every other week to discuss the possibilities for the 2021 prom. We have been discussing possible options and what could be able to happen with any COVID restrictions. 

TX: Who is in charge of the way prom would be set up? 

OF: From my understanding Mrs. Francisco, our class advisor, administration, and the class officers will be all working together to plan a prom and maybe asking other seniors to help us with any of the restrictions that we have to follow, but we will work together to plan the best night possible.

TX: How would you feel as a senior if prom were not to happen? 

OF: I think I would be really upset if prom were to be officially cancelled because I think prom is a very significant thing that every high schooler gets to experience. It would be pretty upsetting if we never got to experience that.

TX: If prom were to happen, what would be the most important thing for students to know? 

OF: If prom was to happen, which I am very confident it will, I think every student needs to make sure they know when it’s happening and what the COVID restrictions will be so that we can make sure it can happen safely.

TX: Are there any teachers that have helped encourage the idea of prom in the student council? 

OF: Mrs. Francisco and Ms. Russell have done an amazing job helping the class office think of possible ideas for a safe prom that we could have. They continue to help us gather ideas and brainstorm what we could do at the end of the year.

By Lucas Greifzu – Sports Editor

The Jonathan Law Key Club is well known for its service around not only Milford, but around New England as well. On Thursday, January 28, the Jonathan Law Key Club restarted its service around the community after having to suspend activities because of the coronavirus. Noah Golden and the rest of Law’s Key Club officers are making plans about what to do now. Advocate Sports Editor Lucas Greifzu interviewed Golden about what the Key Club is going to do now.

Lucas Greifzu: Now that Key Club has been allowed to meet again, what are some of the things you want to volunteer at?

Noah Golden: I’m excited to do anything that may come up, especially with how limited everything is right now.

LG: Is there still any plan for the district convention?

NG: We’re gonna do all our projects to the best of our ability, showing off what we accomplished despite the pandemic.

LG: How has Jonathan Law adapted its club to operate with the pandemic happening?

NG: Our meetings happen on Thursdays rather than Wednesday’s, which isn’t a big difference, but a difference regardless. All meetings are socially distanced.

LG: What, if any, are some things that Key Club has wanted to do, that it hasn’t been able to do because of the virus?

NG: The biggest one is probably salvation army. Standing out there with friends, ringing the bell, getting into the holiday spirit was a yearly tradition that was always looked forward to, but unfortunately couldn’t happen.

LG: What is the plan to transition the club into next year, when hopefully the virus is less impactful?

NG: We will have a pretty new and young team running the club, we’re setting them up with leftover funds for projects to do in the future when this year’s seniors are gone, hopefully they can have a normal school year, but even if they can’t, they will have money to do stuff.

By Gillian Rees – News Editor

Recently across Connecticut, the winter sports season has begun. Student-athletes have been eager to get back to their sports for about a month now, not knowing whether they would have a season this year or not. With approval from the CIAC and the Milford Public Schools, Jonathan Law began winter sports practices on January 25. The uncertainty of which sports will happen and which high school events will happen has such a big impact on the seniors, for this will be the last time they’d be able to experience these moments. Advocate Editor Gillian Rees interviewed boys swim and dive captain Luke Morris about the start to the season.

Gillian Rees: How did you feel when you found out you’d be able to have a season?

Luke Morris: When I found out we were getting a season, I was very excited. I have been training a lot and I really wanted to get back and compete the new dives I learned. I have been looking forward to spending time with my teammates who I don’t get to see often. I lifeguard for the girls swim team, and watching them have their season made me hopeful of having my own. 

GR: What are the COVID restrictions in place at practice?

LM: For the first week, we have to practice in cohorts, so we only get to practice for an hour with our cohort. We have to wear our masks unless we are in the water, stay spaced out in our lanes and can not use the locker rooms. 

GR: How are meets planned to work?

LM: Our meets are “virtual” which means we do not go to other teams’ pools and they do not come to our pool. When we compete, we will only use three lanes and the energy is going to be a lot different since we won’t be racing alongside someone from the other team and because there will be no crowd. 

GR: What are you most excited about for the season?

LM: I am most excited to beat my times and my scores, and hopefully learn a few more dives. I am also hoping that we will continue winning more meets, since last year we ended 7-4 which was one of our best records in a while. We have a lot of new people this year and we are hoping that will be useful for getting more points and more wins.

GR: As a captain, what are your personal and team goals for the season?

LM: As a captain, I am trying to make sure that we still have a close-knit team even with all the restrictions. We used to have a lot of pasta parties and that was a great time to bond, but we cant do that anymore. I want to make sure that everyone can have a strong season by keeping the morale high and having a good time.

By Stephanie Caron – Editor-in-Chief 

To welcome back Jonathan Law students from Tier 3 learning, the senior class recently held its second Spirit Week of the school year. At the end of each day, the judges came together to reward selected participants. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Caron sat down with one of the judges, Senior Class Advisor Mrs. Francisco, about the action-packed week. 

Stephanie Caron: What is your favorite part of Spirit Week?

Mrs. Francisco: My favorite part of Spirit Week is getting to wear crazy outfits to school. It’s fun to do something different. I say it all the time, but school is more than just academics. The memories that are made being silly with your friends is a big part of high school. I can still remember some of the fun things I did with my friends in high school (and that was a long time ago!) With all the craziness going on in the world today, it’s nice to just “be a kid” for a week – even for me!

SC: What was your favorite day and why?

MF: My favorite day is Class Clash since the students tend to participate in that one the most. Any day that has high participation is a good day. 

SC: Do you think we will have another Spirit Week that’ll encourage even more participation?

MF: Ms. Russell, the judges, and I are struggling to get high participation. We try to brainstorm “different” themes that we haven’t seen before to increase participation, but it seems to do the opposite. We love having Spirit Weeks and hope that we can get more participation in each one.

SC: How did you and the seniors come up with the themes?

MF: The judges each come up with a few different ideas either by asking other seniors or researching what other schools have done. Then, we vote on which themes we think all students would have fun with. 

SC: What is one thing you hope for future Spirit Weeks?

MF: I hope for more participation! I want to walk down the hall and see everyone dressed up, laughing, and smiling. I also hope that we can end a Spirit Week with a pep rally once the COVID restrictions allow for it. 

By Tyanna Xavier – Social Media Editor

Alexis Agyemeng, a senior at Jonathan Law, recently creates a multicultural Instagram account called “cultureknown.” On this account, she shows pictures from different cultures along with interesting facts about that culture. Advocate Social Media Editor Tyanna Xavier interviewed Agyemang about the Instagram acoount.

Tyanna Xavier:  Why did you choose the name “cultureknown” for your multicultural Instagram account?

Alexis Agyemang: I named my Instagram account “cultureknown” because before I had this account I had a lot of people telling me that they have never gone on vacation before and they’ve just never seen other people’s ways of life before. Therefore, I’ve created an Instagram account called “cultureknown” so everybody can learn something about other’s traditions and ways of life.

TX: Who inspired you to make this multicultural Instagram account?

AA: After seeing everything happened in 2020 with the Black Lives Matter movement and all that was happening around the world it just seems like no one was truly understanding each other and no one was accepting each other. Therefore, I made this account so that it shows that it’s for everybody and you can learn more about one another.

TX: Have you received any feedback since you have created this account?

AA:I have received feedback from a lot of my friends and family saying that this was a really smart idea to help others stay informed about cultures they didn’t even know existed. When making this account I truly learned a lot about other cultures as well.

TX: What is your favorite post that you have made on “cultureknown?”

AA: One of my most favorite posts that I have made on “cultureknown” was about Egypt culture. This was my favorite because I learned that Egypt is one of the earliest civilizations and that its culture has been affected by many other cultures and ethnic groups.  

TX: Do you feel like what you’re doing is a form of activism? 

AA: Yes, I do feel like what I’m doing is a form of activism because I am bringing awareness to people who don’t know that much about other people’s cultures and traditions. It’s good for everyone to know a bit of knowledge about other people’s ways of life and where they come from so we can accept one another. 

By Alexis Broderick – Social Media Editor-in-Chief

Jonathan Law’s seniors are continuing the college process and are now hearing back from some colleges. Some seniors have already committed to college. Social Media Editor-in-Chief Alexis Broderick interviewed Ms. Sylvia, the College and Career Center Coordinator, about this process. 

AB: Where should seniors be in the college process right now? 

MS: Every senior has a different path. Some students will have completed the college application process and are now awaiting acceptances. There are later application deadlines (into the month of February) which means some seniors may be finalizing their last few applications. Some other seniors may be composing their community college applications now. Still others may be preparing for the world of work through creating their resume or connecting with a military recruiter. There is no “one- size- fits- all” post-high school planning process.

AB: How do seniors get to apply for scholarships and what is your advice for the scholarship process? 

MS: The scholarship search process can start in Naviance. Simply log-in, select the “Colleges” tab, choose “Scholarships and Money” from the drop down menu, and finally select “Scholarship List”. You will want to look at the local listings, which I have uploaded to the system and update on a daily basis. Make a plan to check this list at least once per week to see the latest items. Students should also review college financial aid office websites, and websites like scholarships.com and fastweb.com. Outside websites will have you create a free profile and then pair your information with internet-based scholarship opportunities. My advice: pay close attention to the eligibility requirements and deadline dates for each scholarship. Keep track of scholarships that interest you and those that you end up applying for. Don’t discount smaller monetary scholarship awards – several small awards can add up! And finally, even if a scholarship requires a writing component don’t let it discourage you from applying – you may have to do a little extra work, but you won’t have to pay that money back. Need more information? Come see me in the College and Career Center, or schedule a virtual appointment!

AB: Where are some schools seniors are getting accepted to?

MS: It’s impressive to see the wide variety of acceptances: from our state universities (Southern CT State University, Central CT State University) to private colleges in state (Quinnipiac University, University of New Haven); many New England colleges and universities (Brown University, University of Rhode Island, Salve Regina University, Providence College, University of Maine, University of Massachusetts, University of Vermont, and so many more); and schools across the country (University of Alabama, University of Arizona, and University of Hawaii).

AB: What has been different this year from hearing back from colleges compared to other years?

MS: We have witnessed colleges and universities being slightly more flexible with deadline dates. Some extended deadlines to allow students more time to complete the application and to meet with college representatives to help make informed decisions. Therefore, this has pushed out the response turnaround time from those colleges. Despite some colleges making deadline adjustments, many have stuck by their typical timelines and students should be hearing back within the next few months.

AB: Are kids going farther or closer to home this year?

MS: That’s hard to say for sure! As you saw in the list of colleges students were accepted to, we have many students considering staying in-state, but also these students may have applied or been accepted to a school of their dreams out of state. This will certainly be a challenge for students to decide because many are concerned about financial cost, COVID-19 obstacles, and the uncertainty of family circumstances if they leave the state. By the end of the semester we will have stronger data to answer this question based on where students commit to.

By Ethan Harrigan – Sports Editor

Kyle Kosh is a senior at Jonathan Law and captain of the Milford Mariners. Last year, the team qualified for the SCC and State tournament for the first time since 2015 with a record of 8-12. This year, winter sports seasons were postponed to January 19 due to COVID-19, and many changes have been made. Sports Editor Ethan Harrigan interviewed Kosh about the team and his role.

Ethan Harrigan: How does it feel to be captain for your senior season?

Kyle Kosh: It’s definitely rewarding to have been named captain for this upcoming season. The decision was made through a voting process done by each member of the team, so it is nice to know that I have earned respect from my teammates.

EH: How is this year different from past years?

KK: Usually our team gets dressed and can leave our gear in our own locker room at the Milford Ice Pavilion. However, this year we will not start the season using that locker room. The greatest difference, though, is players must compete with masks on. We will be given mask breaks and will not come off the ice to our locker room between periods. Creating bonds off the ice will also be minimized as there are limits to how much we can see one another.

EH: What has the team been doing to get ready for the season?

KK: We began captain’s practices and conditioning in September. These were cut short after we were notified that sports were to be put on hold until January 19th. Since then, we have not done anything official, but most of us have been in the gym and have gotten some ice time.

EH: How do you plan to lead the team this year and what are your personal goals?

KK: I plan to make sure everyone will be following the guidelines in order to compete this season. Hopefully I can provide motivation and push our team in the right direction. My personal goal is to get All-State.

EH: What is the team hoping to accomplish this season?

KK: We are hoping to, of course, have a winning record. I’m not too familiar with what the SCC is doing for the tournament but whatever they are holding, we want to win.

By Sydney Simpson – News Editor 

Brooke Dillman is a senior captain and member of Jonathan Law’s 2021 indoor track team. Spending her four years at Law as a sprinter, Dillman competes in the 55 meter race and the 4×200 meter relay during the indoor track season. Last year, with Dillman as second leg, the girls 4×200 meter relay nearly beat the school record, making it to states but narrowly missing the cut for state opens. Dillman also participates in outdoor track during the spring season, where she runs the 100 meter, the open 200 meter, and the 4 by 100 meter relay. She is the anchor of the 4×100. Advocate News Editor Sydney Simpson interviewed Dillman about the upcoming 2021 indoor season. 

Sydney Simpson: What is your role as a captain this year? How is it different from just being a member of the team?

Brooke Dillman: My role as a captain is to keep the team informed on information about the season and keep everyone motivated. I also lead the girls sprinters through our workouts at practice. 

SS: How is the season going to look this year as compared to previous years? 

BD: This season is definitely very different from previous seasons. We are not sure yet about how meets will go and whether we can have them indoors or with other teams. But we will still be practicing so those will look relatively like past years. 

SS: How is conditioning running right now? Do you know when the team will be able to start official practices?

BD: Conditioning is going well right now with just the captains running it. Hopefully we will get more people coming when actual practices start. I believe actual practices will be starting next week. 

SS: What are the team’s goals for the season? What are your goals as an individual?

BD: The team goals this season are to excel in each event and break records from last year. We would also like to stay motivated to run and keep trying through the unusual season. As an individual I would like to get new personal records in all of my events.

SS: What are you and the rest of the team doing to prepare for the season?

BD: The captains have been running conditioning the last few weeks in order to make sure the team stays in shape and ready for the season. The captains have also had online meetings with Beler and relayed any information we get back to the team so everyone can stay updated on how the season will look.

By Mia Cerrato – Entertainment Editor 

Alexis Rios, a senior at Jonathan Law, is one of the captains on the gymnastics team. As the gymnastics season approaches, members of the team are trying to find ways to keep everyone’s spirits up despite the circumstances. Entertainment Editor Mia Cerrato interviewed Rios about the team’s upcoming events and plans.

Mia Cerrato: How are you guys going to have practices this year?

Alexis Rios: We are still having practices and meets this year except some meets will be virtual and there will be more restrictions due to COVID-19. 

MC: What are you most excited for this year?

AR: I’m excited to see everyone and play the sport that I love. 

MC: Any specific goals?

AR: My only goals are to get more skills and grow as a team!

MC: How will you work towards these goals despite the circumstances?

AR: I will try my best during our virtual meets to work hard and stay focused. Most meets will be virtual and can’t have a lot of in-person time.

MC: Any message for your teammates or other sports that have their seasons cancelled?

AR: I can’t wait to see everyone. Even though it’s a weird and difficult time, we have to keep a positive mindset and get through this. We got this!

By Ethan Harrigan – Sports Editor

Edward Platonov is a senior captain of the Law boys swim team. He has already broken many individual and school relay records. Platonov qualified for states went All-State his sophomore year, has been All-SCC three times, and has been All-Area twice. He was set to go to the states meet last year before the pandemic emerged. Sports Editor Ethan Harrigan interviewed Platonov about the upcoming season.

Ethan Harrigan: How do you feel going into your senior season as a captain?

Edward Platonov: I’m really excited to have the opportunity to lead and want to make most of what we have available to us this year.

EH: How is this season going to be different?

EP: Well, we are taking advantage of our current free time at home to begin virtual conditioning before we come back to school. While there will be plenty of obstacles to overcome in order to stay safe, everyone on the team is ready to take back the goals and accomplishments we were prepared to achieve last year.

EH: How are you getting ready for the season?

EP: While the season has been postponed until January, we are scheduling to begin virtual conditioning so that once we do get back to school, we are ready to go.

EH: How do you plan to lead the team?

EP: A big part of being a leader this year will be making sure everyone is motivated and has the right mindset in performing just as well under these different conditions. This means trying to keep up spirits as they usually are and have everyone just as hyped and ready to compete.

EH: What are your goals for this season and the goals you have for the team?

EP: With everything that has obscured a normal season, my main goal is to go out with a bang. Make the most of what we have to finish off the last year and make my records strong. Overall, I just want the team to have the same kind of energy we did last year and use that to win the few meets we’re able to compete at.

By Alexis Broderick – Social Media Editor-in-Chief

On November 10, Milford Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anna Cutaia announced that high school students will be moving to Tier 3 full distance learning schedule through January 9, 2021. Advocate Social Media Editor-in-Chief Alexis Broderick interviewed Law senior Allyson Hyatt about how she is dealing with the switch.

Alexis Broderick: How was the switch from in-person to distance learning for you?

Allyson Hyatt: It was hard to adapt to the beginning. I just got into the flow of waking up early and it was a struggle to now be home and just being in my room.

AB: How do you strive to still succeed academically even if at home?

AH: I usually try to stay out of my bed and room. I prefer to sit in my kitchen or another room in my house so I can stay focused and so far it has really helped me.

AB: Was this distance learning transition better for you than in March?

AH: This transition was a lot more smoother and easier for me. It wasn’t the best transition for my senior year. But, I’m glad I will be back with all of my fellow classmates and teacher on January 11, 2021.

AB: What is your biggest struggle during distance learning?

AH: My biggest struggle with distance learning is trying to stay focused. I have younger siblings that I sometimes also have to help while they are learning distance. But, I always find a way to find a balance and get through this short period of time.

AB: What is some advice you have for your fellow classmates and other students at law?

AH:  Some advice I would give is to try to stay focused. I know there are many distractions at home, but just keep your head up. This is temporary, so work as hard as you can now and get through this tough time. Lastly, never be too scared to ask for help, if you’re struggling in a subject and or class. Take the time to email your teacher, or set up a google meet and get the extra help you need. All of the teachers are there to help and support you even in your home.

By Gillian Rees – News Editor

As fall sports have come to an end, it is time to look back and see what went well throughout the season and what teams can improve on for next season. Law girls soccer coach Mrs. Francisco just finished up her second season as coach. The girls soccer team may not have had the season they hoped for by ending with a record of 1-9-1, but throughout the season they stuck together as a team and never gave up. Advocate staff editor Gillian Rees interviewed Francisco about her views on the past season and what is planned for next year. 

Gillian Rees: How did the team handle having to navigate the season during the COVID-19 pandemic? 

Mrs. Francisco: The team really rose to the occasion. I was very proud of their dedication to the season. The girls did what they had to do to without complaints: wore their masks, brought in forms, stayed in cohorts, didn’t share equipment, etc. and because of their willingness, we were able to get through the season healthy.   

GR: What was the most difficult part of this season?

MF: I think the biggest struggle was staying motivated all season. When the games don’t seem to go your way, it’s hard to bring that fight every game. Though, the girls did a great job. 

GR: What do you want to carry over from this season to the next? What worked well?

MF: Our positive team communication is something I’d like to keep for next season. I think being able to give the girls a voice is important, even if the answer is sometimes “no.”

GR: How did the team stay motivated throughout the season?

MF: Even though it was a challenge, the team did a good job playing every game like it was their last. Especially dealing with other teams, and even some of our players, going into quarantine, I think that helped the girls play hard and stay motivated. 

GR: What is something that you want to work on for next season?

MF: I’m really hoping that the COVID restrictions are lifted before next season so we can have some fun – pasta parties, high fives, secret handshakes, secret someone surprises, and more – those were the little things that bring us together to make our team stronger. I really look forward to that next season. 

By Lucas Greifzu – Sports Editor

Senior Angel Santiago has been the President of the Jonathan Law Key Club since the start of his junior year. Unfortunately, his club has been hindered because of COVID-19. However, there is still some hope left to salvage the year once Law returns to in person school in January. Advocate Sports Editor Lucas Greifzu interviewed Santiago about how the Jonathan Law Key Club has been impacted by the coronavirus.

Lucas Greifzu: How has the Key Club been affected by the change to distance learning?

Angel Santiago: Key Club has been majorly affected because now we can’t meet in person.

LG: How is the Key Club still participating in the Jonathan Law and Milford community during this time?

AS: Yes we’re currently helping with the Kiwanis poinsettia fundraiser.

LG: As President, what are your plans to bolster involvement once we return to school in January?

AS: My plan is to go full steam ahead and try and pin point the needs in our community.

LG: Have there been events that the Key Club wanted to help with that they weren’t allowed to due to COVID, if so please elaborate?

AS: No, a lot of events have just been cancelled because of COVID-19.

LG: Is there still a plan for the district convention to happen in person this year, if not how do they plan on doing it?

AS: Right now it’s all in the air, but the hope is with the vaccine coming out that we will be able to have our district convention.

By Stephanie Caron-Editor-in-Chief 

The struggles of not being at school in person and not having social interaction is extremely hard. To help with these difficult times, the Natural Helpers are having their first “Helper Hangout” program Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. for anyone who needs support or for anyone who just wants to talk to someone. Advocate’s Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Caron interviewed Natural Helpers President Makenna Sharpe about the upcoming event. 

Stephanie Caron: What do you and the natural helpers hope to achieve with the new “Helper Hangout?”

Makenna Sharpe: We want to provide a place where students can go to to find support from their fellow peers, or just have a place to go to make new friends. 

SC: What can students expect from the “Helper Hangout?” 

MS: During the Hangout, students can expect to just have a fun time and be able to talk freely about whatever they need.

SC: During the hour of the Hangout what will those who attend do? 

MS: We have some ice breakers set up just to get the conversation started, but we also have some fun games we can play if the students wish to do so. 

SC: Do you guys plan on continuing to do this even when we go back to school? 

MS: Yes, we do plan on continuing this once we go back to school, and if possible we want to find a way to do it in person instead of over Zoom. 

SC: How do you think this can benefit students while we are doing Tier 3 learning? 

MS: We want this to help reduce loneliness during online learning this time around, and we want the students to feel like they have a safe place to go to and talk. 

By Gillian Rees – News Editor 

Being a goalkeeper during a soccer game can be difficult. When someone on the opposite team manages to pass through the defense and is running head on with only the keeper in front of them, the keeper can feel immense pressure. During her first year on varsity this fall, sophomore goalkeeper Sabrina Lawless made a name for herself. Lawless was named All-SCC award and the top goalkeeper in Division C. Advocate News Editor Gillian Rees interviewed Lawless about the season. 

Gillian Rees: What are your thoughts on the past season?

Sabrina Lawless: Looking at our record we had a rough season this year, but as a team we were all definitely getting better as the season went on. I believe we will do better next season considering we have some great younger players.

GR: How does it feel to make All-SCC and be named the top goalkeeper in your division?

SL: It feels pretty crazy considering the fact that I am only a sophomore. I did work hard this season though and I always put my best out on the field. 

GR: What do you think you want to improve on for next season? 

SL: I want to improve on my strength mostly, even though that’s something I should always be working on. I want to work on being a leader as well.

GR: Do you think you want to play soccer in college? 

SL: Academics comes first for me, so if I could find a school that I could get a great education at and play soccer, with maybe some money off if they’d give it to me, sure!

GR: What pushes/motivates you the most to work hard?

SL: What pushes me the hardest is myself. I always wanna be the  best I can be and I’m always striving to get better.

By Lucas Greifzu – Sports Editor

Recently the Milford City Board of Education finalized a plan to improve the athletic facilities at both of the high schools in Milford. At Jonathan Law, this means that the old grass baseball and softball fields, as well as the surrounding structures are receiving an upgrade. Advocate Sports Editor Lucas Greifzu interviewed Law’s athletic director Mr. Sarullo about how the project is going so far.

Lucas Greifzu: What is the project that is happening over at the baseball and softball field right now?

Mr. Sarullo: Our baseball and softball field are going through a multi-million dollar upgrade as we transition to an all turf complex. In addition to baseball and softball, the outfields will have lines to allow for lacrosse, soccer and football to practice and play sub-varsity games.

LG: What are some recent updates that have happened in the project?

MS: Most recently, the base structures for our batting cages, bullpens and protective netting have been installed. The drainage stone is now being spread through the entire area in preparation for the turf to be delivered over the next few weeks.

LG: Why was this project undertaken in the first place?

MS: The City and Board of Education worked together to develop an Athletic Facility Improvement Plan at both high schools. Through this, both high schools are installing new turf fields to ensure that our student-athletes have the best facilities to play on. Special thanks goes to Mayor Blake, Dr. Cutaia, the Board of Education and Dr. Thompson for their support on these projects.

LG: Are there any upgrades that will be happening to the surrounding structures (dugouts, batting cages, etc)?

MS: Basically, the entire facility will be brand new except for the softball dugouts, and that is because they are relatively new and still in tremendous condition. Other than that, every item in that complex will be brand new.

LG: When is the project scheduled to be finished?

MS: Ideally, the entire project will be finished by the end of November, but accounting for some bad weather days as we move later in the fall, the goal is to have it completed by the end of 2020.

By Ethan Harrigan – Sports Editor

The Jonathan Law boys soccer team is now 6-2 on the season after a 2-0 win against Foran on October 27. They currently hold a top seed for the regional postseason tournament with three games left in the season. The team’s next game will be Senior Night on October 30 at home against Shelton. Sports Editor Ethan Harrigan interviewed senior captain Jacob Nastasia about this year’s season and Senior Night.

Ethan Harrigan: Reflecting on all four years, how does it feel to now be a senior and a captain on the team?

Jacob Nastasia: It feels extremely rewarding. To come as a freshman and see players I respected in this position, then achieve it myself, was surreal.

EH: What are your feelings on the team’s performance this year?

JN: Proud. The team is bouncing back from a no-win season into one of the best we have seen, taking down big names like Shelton and Amity.

EH: What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?

JN: Easily the 2-0 win over Foran. It was the culmination of all our efforts to beat the team we lost to game one and shows how far we have come.

EH: How is senior night going to be different than previous years?

JN: Senior Night won’t look the same. Plenty of activities had to be reduced or scrapped, like the party after, and we will have limited attendance, but the team us there and that’s what matters.

EH: How do you think the team will do in the postseason?

JN: We are on track for a very successful postseason, already having beat every top team in our bracket and securing a #2 seeding for the playoffs.

By Alexis Broderick – Social Media Editor-in-Chief

Jonathan Law High School is participating in the Milford Public Schools College and Career Exploration Event for all grades. This virtual event will be held on November 4 from 6-8 p.m. Advocate Social Media Editor-in-Chief interviewed College and Career Center Coordinator Ms. Sylvia about this upcoming event. 

Alexis Broderick: Since this year’s College and Career Expo is virtual, how should students sign up?

Ms. Sylvia: We encourage all students to register IN ADVANCE by going to milford.educationconnectlive.com. Registration will close three hours before the event begins, so you will want to register now, then review the list of colleges and career professionals attending so you can make a plan about who you want to speak to at the live event on Wednesday evening.

AB: How will this College and Career Expo help students?

MS: This opportunity is open to ALL students, no matter your post-high school plan. During the same time as the college reps will be live, there will be Google Meet sessions happening with career professionals from The Paul Mitchell School, the CT Apprenticeship Training Program, Universal Technical Institute, Porter and Chester Institute, and Yale New Haven Hospital Pharmacy Technician Training Program. This is a chance to do some research to help plan for your future goals, make contacts with people who can make that plan come to life

AB: Where can students sign up for this virtual event? 

MS: As mentioned, students will want to register to speak with college reps through milford.educationconnectlive.com. For students/families interested in connecting with the career professionals via Google Meet, you will see the links posted via the School Counseling Google Classroom pages, School Counseling Twitter, and the weekly communication that comes from the College and Career Center.

AB: Will there be more opportunities to interact with colleges after this College and Career Expo? 

MS: Definitely! Virtual college visits are still happening and students sign up for those via Naviance. Plus, many colleges and other professionals are hosting and participating in tons of online events this semester and will continue to do so in the spring. Those opportunities to connect will always be advertised in the weekly communication!

AB: If someone cannot make it to the College and Career Expo, how can they still get information from the colleges they may be interested in?

MS: Any rep or professional that students meet the night of the event will provide contact information should a student want to follow up and ask additional questions. And, as always, if someone can’t participate, students should come down to the College and Career Center with any questions. We can talk about the resources and tools, like Naviance, that will support your exploration process!

By Sydney Simpson – News Editor 

Laura Ellison is a senior captain on the Jonathan Law volleyball team and she plays back row as the team’s libero. Ellison has helped secure many wins this year with her energy, skills, and drive, and she has successfully been a part of leading the team to their postseason. There are only two weeks and three games left in the regular season, and Senior Night is scheduled for November 7.  Going to states is not unfamiliar for the volleyball team, but this year due to COVID-19 regulations, it will look much different. Advocate News Editor Sydney Simpson interviewed Ellison about Senior Night and the upcoming postseason. 

Sydney Simpson: What are the requirements this year to get to postseason? Are they different from the requirements of previous years?

Laura Ellison: The requirements for this postseason are to only play the teams we have already played. We aren’t allowed to play teams out of our conference this year and we are still waiting to see if we will have states. 

SS: How is Senior Night going to look different this year with COVID regulations? Are spectators allowed for the seniors?

LE: Senior Night is going to look very different. Unfortunately, there will be no student section to cheer us on. We are limited to two spectators per senior. 

SS: What is the team’s record so far this season? What are the strengths of the team this year in your opinion?

LE: Our record so far is 7-2. In my opinion, our strength is perseverance. Everything that has been thrown at us this year, we have been able to overcome. From practices outdoors to finally being able to play inside we have been able to get through it. Unfortunately, there are many aspects that are not the same. However, we got through and continue to succeed. 

SS: How long is the postseason going to be this year?

LE: The postseason should be the same if we do have a states in terms of longevity. However, if there is no states then it could be very short. 

SS: How are you and your team preparing for the postseason?

LE: For the postseason, we are practicing very hard even on Saturdays. We are pushed hard and work together which has helped us tremendously. Overall, this season has been filled with obstacles but we continue to overcome them.

By Mia Cerrato – Entertainment Editor

Senior Alexis Rios is the Secretary of the National Art Honor Society. This year, the club had to make a few adjustments due to COVID-19, but they still have exciting plans for this upcoming year. Advocate Entertainment Editor Mia Cerrato interviewed Rios about these future projects.

Mia Cerrato: What are some of the plans this year for National Art Honor Society? 

Alexis Rios: As of right now, we are meeting after school for murals. There is a stairways I am super excited, we may be 

MC: How are you holding meetings this year? 

AR: We will be meeting through Zoom and after school. We will be doing both in-person and online. 

MC: How are new students able to join NAHS this year?

AR: Everyone is eligible to join if they have one Art credit. 

MC: Are you doing more murals this year and how will that work?

AR: We will be meeting after school for murals.

MC: What are you most excited for this year?

AR: I am most excited to do projects around the school that makes this hard time a little bit brighter.

By Stephanie Caron – Editor-in-Chief 

Junior Makenna Sharpe started the 2020 diving season off with a bang, breaking the school record for six dives not once but twice. Sharpe started her third season on the swimming and diving team off with a score of 242.7 against Guilford, then set a new record of 245.48 in the next meet. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Caron sat down with Sharpe to discuss this accomplishment. 

Stephanie Caron: How do you feel breaking the record for six dives two times in a row? 

Makenna Sharpe: I am very excited that I have broken the record this year. All of last year it was my goal so being able to break it on the first meet this year was a great feeling.

SC: How does diving coach Mr. Simon push you to meet your goals? 

MS: Mr. Simon has very high goals for me, so just having those goals to try and reach really motivates me. 

SC: How do you and your teammates encourage each other to do better? 

MS: The girls on the team are all very supportive and give me that extra reassurance that I need. Also, they make it so the practices a lot of fun and a better practice environment.

SC: What goals do you have for yourself this season? 

MS: My goal for myself is to keep breaking my own record. But my big goal is to break the Foran girl’s six-dive record. 

SC: How has the team adjusted to having virtual meets?

MS: It has definitely been weird adjusting to the virtual meets but we are working with what we have. Everyone is still following all the rules and we are all still giving 100% effort.

By Jess Owens – News Editor 

Jose Cardoso is one of the two security guards at Jonathan Law. Like all members of the Law community, Cardoso’s days are a lot different now due to Law’s COVID-19 protocols. Advocate Entertainment Editor Jess Owens interviewed Cardoso about the changes established at Law for this school year.

Jess Owens: How has COVID-19 changed your job?

Jose Cardoso: It’s changed in that there’s we are trying to keep everyone following the one-way patterns that have been established. A majority of it is trying to make sure the students are following the social distancing policy and wearing their masks.

JO: Do you like this change better than what you normally do?

JC: I think the change is working. Do I like it? No, because Law is a community that’s always social where we all like to talk to each other and see how each other’s days going, and now it seems like everybody is distancing themselves a little bit. It’s hard to get to know some of the new students with everybody wearing masks, so I would rather go back to what we were.

JO: What are some new things you had to start doing this year?

JC: Some of the new rules we had to make were shutting down the bathrooms during passing time, obviously the one-way directionals in the hallway during passing time, and students are required to wear masks at all times. Everybody usually complies but there are some issues here and there.

JO: With the new protocols, do you see less hallway traffic?

JC: Yes, there is definitely less hallway traffic, which I guess is good in a way because we’re following the rules. We’re probably going to end up beating this thing if we just follow the rules.

JO: What’s your general message you would like to share with the Law community?

JC: Wear your mask, follow the social distancing policy, and if we do everything correctly, hopefully we’ll be back to normal sooner than later.

By Ethan Harrigan – Sports Editor

Amir Elhelw is a senior at Jonathan Law and a captain of the cross country team. He has been a varsity runner for all three of his years with the team. Sports Editor Ethan Harrigan interviewed Elhelw about the team’s fall season.

Ethan Harrigan: How has the season been so far?

Amir Elhelw: The season has been going really well so far, we’ve had a lot of really competitive meets and I’ve gotten to meet a lot of new freshmen who have made a great addition to the team and we have faced plenty of competitive teams that have really helped us push ourselves. 

EH: How does it feel being a captain and what have you done for the team?

AE: Being captain gives me, along with the rest of my co-captains, a special opportunity and responsibility to be able to interact with the team and help make the guys on the team feel like family on and off the course. It’s great to be able to represent law on the field with the rest of my friends and teammates.

EH: How did the team prepare for the season?

AE: Because of covid, we started group summer practices in early July and did mostly distance runs to help build endurance, some sprint work, and we threw a few fun team workouts into the mix whenever we could.  

EH: How is this season different from last year?

AE: Because of COVID, we had to practice in cohorts rather than with the whole team until mid-end of September so I was really only running with about a quarter of the whole team for the first few weeks of practice, which really helped me get to really know some great guys on the team, especially because my group consisted of mostly freshmen. We have a lot shortened meet list this year which only means that we have less opportunities to improve in a race setting, but that just means we have to work that much harder for each meet that we do have.

EH: Do you have any goals for yourself and for the team?

AE: As a personal goal I really want to be able to run a sub 18 minute time this season which means a lot of hardwork in the amount of time we have left in the season. As a team goal, I really want us to be able to have a strong showing at the SCC divisional championship meet, which is really exciting because it has a lot of really competitive teams this year.  

By Sydney Simpson – News Editor 

Grace Kantor is one of the two junior starters on the Jonathan Law volleyball team and helped to secure the team’s win against Foran High School on October 3. Kantor is a setter, meaning she gets the second ball and makes it possible for the front row hitters like seniors Alexis Neider and Maddie Lula to hit the ball down onto the other side of the net. She plays all around, meaning that when she’s not in the front row setting, Kantor can be found passing in the back row. Last year on Junior Varsity, she served 25 in a row against Gilbert High School, winning the set for the team. “You can’t spell ‘Grace’ without ‘ace’!” Advocate News Editor Sydney Simpson interviewed Kantor about the 2020-2021 season. 

Sydney Simpson: How is playing on Varsity different from JV?

Grace Kantor: Playing on Varsity is a lot different than JV because the stakes are higher, and you are definitely pushed more. I also think that the game moves a lot faster at the Varsity level compared to JV. 

SS: What are your goals for this season?

GK: My goals for this season are really just to have fun with the team. We were so lucky to get a season, and I want to make the most of it. 

SS: How is this season different from previous seasons?

GK: This season is different from previous seasons because we have a lot more rules to follow like wearing masks and having shorter practices. It makes it a little harder than previous seasons, but it is still really fun. 

SS: What is your favorite part of being on the Law volleyball team?

GK: My favorite part about being on the volleyball team is the family that we create. It makes the season and the games so much better. 

SS: How have you improved since last season? What did you do on the off season to continue improving to where you are today?

GK: Since last season I think that my setting has improved because during quarantine and the off season I played a little and practiced at home to work on my skills. 

By Sydney Simpson – News Editor

Makenna Sharpe is a junior at Jonathan Law High School who is an important and involved part of the school community. A record-breaking diver and varsity gymnast, Sharpe is a three-sport athlete at Law on top of being President of the Natural Helpers Club. Headed by English teacher Ms. Smuniewski, the club had their first meeting of the year virtually on October 6. They are always doing something to help the school community, and are always looking for new members. Advocate News Editor Sydney Simpson interviewed Sharpe about the Natural Helpers Club. 

Sydney Simpson: What does being a part of the Natural Helpers Club mean for you?

Makenna Sharpe: Being a part of Natural Helpers means being someone that people can go to to talk to. Being able to help any of my peers at Law definitely has been one of the benefits of the club, and knowing that I’m a part of a group that is improving the environment here is a great feeling.

SS: Can you describe the club’s first project on the Sandy Hook Promise? 

MS: The Sandy Hook promise is a promise to spread inclusion. This is why we have the Start With Hello week. Its steps are to notice someone alone, reach out, and start with hello. We do this every year to spread inclusion around Law. 

SS: What are the main goals of the club this year?

MS: The club’s main goal is to be able to help any peers if they need us. This could mean just being able to have fellow students to turn to when you’re stressed, or any issue you might want to talk about. 

SS: Are there any other projects in the works right now? What should we expect from the Natural Helpers this year?

MS: Right now we are mainly focusing on our Start With Hello week, but we are also going to work on kindness cards again this year. We sent out cards to the healthcare workers at the hospitals at the end of last year, and we are planning on doing it again this year. 

SS: What would you say to students who want to join Natural Helpers?

MS: Anyone who wants to join should. It’s a very chill club but it makes a big impact on our community at Law, and it can teach you important skills you can use throughout your life. 

By Lucas Greifzu – Sports Editor

Mr. Ruzbarsky is the advisor for the National Math Honor Society. He helps the members learn more about math as well as bring them to competitions where they can show off their new mathematical abilities. He is trying to do as much as possible for the members given the COVID-19 pandemic that is happening right now. Advocate Sports Editor Lucas Greifzu interviewed Ruzbarsky about what the National Math Honor Society has planned for this year.

Lucas Greifzu: What is the National Math Honor Society?  

Mr. Ruzbarsky: The Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society organization was formed in our school for the purposes of fostering interest, developing strong scholarship, and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics. The society is officially a National High School and a Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society that was formed in 1957 and thus we will follow the general guidelines already set.   

LG: What does someone have to do in order to get into the National Math Honor Society?

MR: Students must go through an application process. Students must be eligible to apply to the society.  The requirements are as follows:

• Student must have completed Algebra 2
• Student must have an overall GPA of 3.8 and an overall math grade of 87 or higher.
• Provide above average references from at least two teachers who have taught the student within the last year. One of these references must be from a mathematics teacher.

If accepted there is a one time $10 fee.

LG: When is the deadline to apply to be in the National Math Honor Society?

MR: For this year our deadline has passed, it was October 1st. However if you are interested in joining you can still attend meetings to see what it’s like even though you are not a member.

LG: What do students do once they are accepted into the National Math Honor Society?

MR: A quick answer is Math. We participate in competitions, help others with math, create and do math activities to foster learning math in our school, but mainly we learn more about math. This is all what we did before COVID-19 hit and we are currently looking at our goals this year.

LG: What would you say to people who are questioning whether or not they should apply to the National Math Honor Society?

MR: If you like math and want to enjoy it with others that like math as well then you should make it a goal to join our society. We learn more about math and have fun with it and our competitions as much as possible.

By Gillian Rees – News Editor

Freshman year of high school has always been a huge and unfamiliar transition, but this year it’s even crazier due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining sports teams is a great way for incoming students to be a part of the school community right away and to make friends that will be there to help them in their first year of high school and throughout their high school careers. Anika Gurjar is the only full varsity and starting freshmen on the girls soccer team. Gurjar plays center defense, she puts in her all, and is a great asset to the defensive line. Advocate News Editor Gillian Rees interviewed Gurjar about the start of her freshman year and soccer season.

GR: So far, how has your experience in high school been?

AG: So far my experience in high school has been really good. It has definitely been a bit different than I expected because of the virus, but all of the students and staff are so welcoming which made it easier to adjust.

GR: Do you think being on a sports team has made this transition into high school easier and less stressful?

AG: I definitely think that being on the soccer team has made the transition into high school easier. I was able to meet a lot of new people, and since we had conditioning over the summer I was able to get a feel of the school before school started.

GR: How do you feel being the only full varsity freshmen, what was your initial reaction when you found out you were full varsity?

AG: I am so thrilled to be playing varsity this year. When I found out I was happy and excited for the upcoming season.

GR: What is your overall personal goal for the season?

AG: My personal goal for this season is to work on my first touch and headers. 

GR: What is your favorite thing about being on the soccer team?

AG: My favorite thing about being on the soccer team is getting to play with more experienced players. 

By Tyanna Xavier – Social Media Editor

Jonathan Law’s choir has seen many dramatic changes in 2020, but they have tackled all of these challenges head on. Advocate Social Media Editor Tyanna Xavier interviewed Choir Director Ms. Jones about how the choir is adjusting to performing during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Tyanna Xavier: What has been different when it comes to teaching choir this year? 

Ms. Jones: The fact that we don’t have those bonding opportunities that we normally would have. At this point, we already would have had a summer party, been at the Oyster Festival, performed at a Pep Rally and football game, been getting ready for performance for the 8th grade open house, and had an ice cream social. It’s difficult to feel disconnected in that way but it is still incredible how we are still making connections in any way we possibly can.

TX: What has been the biggest challenge teaching the choir students this year? 

MJ: It is very challenging, as with so many things these days, to perform with masks. The obvious difficulty is being able to breathe properly for vocal production and make sure we do not over project and harm our voices. So, this year we are being very mindful of vocal health and being thankful for what we do have. And, that is the amazing opportunity to still make music together.

TX: Do you think this will strengthen the students into better performers? 

MJ: The most difficult part is being so far apart. Twelve feet is quite the distance and a lot of times it makes us feel as if we are singing in isolation and that is not what the Law choir is about. Luckily, the students are getting used to this “new normal” and the music they are creating is still impressive and on some levels, even more, impressive due to the obstacles! That is what makes them so amazing.

TX: Will there be any concerts for the choir? If so how will the choir perform? 

MJ: As of right now, there will be no winter concert this year. We still plan and hope to perform in some format but it will not be with an audience and will most likely be small groups that will be possibly pre-recorded. Very strange to imagine this is how it is this year, but if anyone can persevere and overcome it is our amazing Law choir family.

TX: How are the students handling choir despite all these changes? 

MJ: It has been remarkable to watch the students adapt and overcome during this process. We perform outside whenever the weather permits, we must sing 12 feet apart and with masks on for a total of 30 minutes. This is so different from how we typically perform but the students continue to amaze me and make miracles happen together.