By Amilio Venditti –  Staff Reporter 

Jonathan Law’s Jewish Student Union has returned for its second year and held its first meeting on September 20.

Their first meeting took place in the TLC after school, where members learned about the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and celebrated by making candy apples. Senior President Quinn Willet and Junior Vice President Kayla Markowitz are excited to start the club back up this year.

“The meeting was super successful,” Markowitz said. “We had a lot of new faces there which was nice to see and had a lot of fun eating snacks, getting to know each other, and learning.”

Last year, Markowitz and Willett started the JSU with hopes that it would be a safe place and source of community for anyone in the school. 

They created JSU as a club for anyone and everyone, no matter their religious background. It is a place for people at Jonathan Law to come together and have fun. 

“My favorite part of JSU is the fact that I know I have a community at Jonathan Law who supports me,” Willett said. ” JSU brings me a sense of hope that we can stick together and be united even with all of the hate in the world.”

JSU meets every other week on Friday, and each week they have a new activity. Each activity relates to a topic of the meeting whether it’s a holiday, Jewish customs, or Jewish history. 

The advisor of the Jewish Student Union is English teacher Ms. Kelly, who also is the Advisor for The Morning Briefing, Black Student Union, Keyettes Club, and the Freshman Class.

“I do not have a family background in Jewish culture, but I love to support students as they advocate for their communities,” Kelly said. “People should join just to enjoy Friday afternoons with some snacks, learn a little bit about JSU, meet new people, and have a calm entry into the weekend.”

Kelly has been Advisor for the JSU since the club’s inception in 2023. 

The JSU will be bringing back its popular event from last year, “Latte N’ Learn.” This bi-monthly event was held after school where students would get together to talk about different topics of Judaism and get free Starbucks for attending. 

“We are planning on bringing back our Latte n’ Learns that we hosted last year,” Markowitz said. “It was super well-liked last year especially if you like free Starbucks.”

By Aiden Ramos – Staff Reporter 

The Jonathan Law Band, led by Director Mr. Pelaggi, is back and ready for the new 2024-2025 school year. 

The band has been working tirelessly to prepare for halftime shows at the football games and for their upcoming concerts. They have their Winter Concert scheduled for December 18 and their Spring Concert set for May 6.

The band has many events planned, but Pelaggi has one that he is looking forward to the most.

“I would say it would have to be the night that we have the 8th graders with us at the football game on October 10,”  Pelaggi said. “Both sets of 8th graders from West Shore and Harborside come in to work with us and perform in the football game, it is always a really fun performance for those kids and good for the older kids to be able to reach out and help some of the younger kids and start to shepherd them into the program.”

 Band members spent the last week of the summer training for its fall performances.

“During the last week of summer, the band had band camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday,” senior trumpet player Peter Gill said.  “It was a real commitment but it helped us prepare for football games, learn our music, learn our marching techniques and just come together and build our friendships as a community.” `

With many returning members and highly anticipated concert music, band members have a lot to look forward to. 

Sophomore tuba player Henry Conroy is excited to play with the band again this year but with a different role. Conroy recently switched from tenor sax to tuba.

“I wanted to switch to tuba because our other tuba player graduated last year, it took a lot of hard work but it was worth it,” Conroy said. ”the band didn’t sound as complete without him and I wanted to make the baseline sound more full.”  

The Jonathan Law band offers a concert band, marching band, and jazz band which is a 9th-period class after school.

“I like concert band the most; it is the most simple,” sophomore drummer Ethan Panella said. “There is a much wider variety of songs that we play.”

The band has a new lineup of spectacular songs that they will be performing this year.

“My favorite song that we are playing has to be ´Havana,’” sophomore clarinet player Chris Rivera said. “it is catchy, popular, and easy to play for the clarinet section.”

By Madison Krauss – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Fishing Club, advised by Science teacher Mr. Morazzini, is looking for new members this fall. 

The Fishing Club is a club focused on gaining an appreciation and understanding for the sport of fishing along with the outdoors. Members will gain experience through participation in off-campus fishing excursions as well as on-campus meetings covering a wide range of techniques and topics.

“Some of our activities may include: knot tying, tackle maintenance, casting, rig making, catching bait, species identification and conservation,” Morazzini said.

The club hopes to be able to fish at Walnut Beach this fall as one of their off-campus fishing trips.

The club’s first meeting of the year took place on September 17. In this meeting they welcomed all new and returning members. 

Many members in the club are looking forward to the trips this year due to being unable to go on many trips last year.

“I am most looking forward to getting out there and fishing,” Senior Brady Funk said. “Last year we were only able to go on one trip because there weren’t enough people to go, but this year we will hopefully go on a lot more trips because of the large number of new students joining.”

Junior Aryan Sikhinam agrees with Funk about what they are most looking forward to this year in the Fishing Club.

“I’m most excited to go on trips and get some fish this season,” Sikhinam said. 

While many members are looking forward to the trips the club will go on throughout the year, sophomore Owen Greggis is looking forward to learning about fishing techniques.

“I am most looking forward to learning how to fish in many different ways and learning how to tie fishing knots and just being able to have fun with friends while learning a new hobby,” Greggis said.  

First year club member Dylan O’Neil explains he is looking forward to learning more about the fish aspect of the club. 

“I am most looking forward to catching fish and learning more about the fish I catch,” O’Neil said.

All members interested in joining the Fishing Club are welcome. The club is able to provide equipment if students do not yet have their own. 

By Morgan Cappock – Staff Reporter 

The National English Honor Society is starting up for the first time in Law history. 

Applications will open for all juniors and seniors interested on the last week of September. Beginning on October 15, NEHS will meet after school every Tuesday in Advisor Mrs. Lucia’s room (234). 

”The NEHS is an honor society for students who love everything related to English language and literature,” Lucia said. “The society not only promotes discussion about reading and writing, but it also supports charity efforts and provides scholarship opportunities for students.“ 

There will be snacks provided for club members on the first day.

“I am hoping to have a holiday book drive and possibly a writing collection, but ultimately we will figure that out at our first meeting with members,”  Senior President Addison Barber said. “I am looking forward to having a club that everyone can enjoy how hard they’ve worked in English!”

Even though the first meeting hasn’t occurred yet, students can look forward to many activities in this club. These may include a book drive, reaching out to the community to provide literary support, entering essay contests, and publishing pieces written by club members.

“I am most looking forward to getting other english students involved with one another based off of there previous/current english classes,” Senior Vice President Julia Ryan said. “I hope that we are able to get together some creative writing and small book clubs where new members could share what they are interested in within the realm of English.”

Students are excited to be involved in this new club for many different reasons.

“I look forward to getting involved with other students who are also interested in English,” Senior Treasurer Alexandra Fino said. “I hope that we can do book clubs and activities surrounding books we are interested in reading.”

By Abigail Merenda – Staff Reporter 

The Jonathan Law Choir is excited for the busy year ahead of them. 

This year, the Choir is excited to participate in several upcoming events. Choir Director Ms. Jones hopes to build a sense of community between all members.

“My goal this year is truly about fun,” Jones said. “I want us to make sure that at the root of everything we are remembering why we come together and how we enjoy each other’s company – that only makes us stronger performers.”  

So far this year, the Choir has traveled to UConn for the Young Conductors Symposium Day. At the symposium, they engaged in workshops, lessons, conducting, and singing, and got to listen to UConn’s Chamber Choir sing.  

The Choir has also had weekly breakfasts and has started weekly CMEA rehearsals for auditions that are coming up in November. They also attended a Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Music Booster Club where they performed for the guests. 

Members of the Choir have enjoyed the year so far. Senior Manager Sara Gutierrez said she has loved her time being in Choir. 

“Choir class is one of the classes I like to come into during the day,” Gutierrez said. “It’s very chill and I really like the environment that we set for every single student because even though it can be really competitive. It is a stress-free environment as we all get together so well and act like a really big family.” 

Junior Lexi Velez is excited for her new role as the Choir’s Assistant Manager.

“My job as Assistant Manager is that I’m Ms. Jones’ little helper or right hand man,” Velez said. “We make sure everything is aligned and to be two steps ahead of any changes that need to be made and corrected. If members aren’t able to get a hold of Ms. Jones they will come to me. I pretty much make sure everything is the way it needs to be.” 

In October, the Choir will host its annual get-together where they have a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. In December, they will perform at the annual concert with Choir, Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band. 

These activities help create the bonds and friendships between the members of the Choir. 

“I have made a lot of friendships throughout the way,”  sophomore Analiyah Velez said. “We are definitely a big community even though we are not all the same, we come from different backgrounds and join together to make music.”   

Members of Choir describe their group as a large community.

“I enjoy being in Choir because I get to meet a lot of new people that have become really good friends of mine,” senior Laila DiRienzo said. “I really enjoy singing and performing with all of the members and Ms. Jones makes it pretty fun. The trips are also really fun and enjoyable and a great experience overall.”

By Cora Aitkenhead – Staff Reporter

Law and Foran came together on September 3 at their annual girls and boys soccer doubleheader to fundraise for the Avery’s Little Army Foundation.  

Avery Marie Lafferty, a dedicated soccer player and inspiration of Avery’s Little Army. Avery was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer in December of 2021. After a two-year fight, Avery passed away at age 12 on July 12, 2024. 

“On and off the field she was a great teammate,” Avery’s older sister, Lexi Lafferty said. “Avery was the bravest girl I knew.”

The mission of Avery’s Little Army is to help support those in similar situations to Avery, and to raise money in order to advance pediatric cancer research. 

“I hope that with this event people realize the impact pediatric cancer has on children,” Lexi Lafferty said. “We also want them to realize that one person can make an impact in our community.”

This event also marked the beginning of Lexi Lafferty’s Foran soccer career as a freshman on varsity, where she got to spread her and her sister’s passion for soccer. 

This game kicked off Law’s season with a 4-0 win for the girls varsity team and 3-1 win for the boys varsity team.

While the wins meant a lot to Law, what meant more was how this event united the two town rivalry schools, and raised awareness for pediatric cancer.

“We are honored to have been part of the Avery’s Little Army game to raise money and awareness for pediatric brain cancer,” Law girls soccer coach Mrs. Francisco said. “When it comes to helping one another, we really are ‘One Milford’.”

Law boys soccer coach Mr. Gruber also found the event impactful, displaying a valuable lesson to him and his team.

“We will always remember Avery and help that family whenever they are in need and no matter what a game is only a game but life and doing the right things on and off the field is most important for student athletes at Law and in the Milford Community,” Gruber said.

By the end of the event, it became clear that Avery’s legacy not only had the power to support those in situations like her’s, but it had the power to influence a once divided community to unite and share their passion for the beautiful game. 

“I loved to see how two separate schools could come together to support Avery,” Lexi Lafftery said. “This helps us honor her and improve awareness around pediatric cancer.”

This game was also senior Taylor Coretti’s first game as a Law girls soccer captain.

Coretti felt it was important to put aside town rivalry, and to unite as one team for this important event. 

“Even though we are very competitive when it comes to Foran, we put that behind us to honor Avery because this is a very important cause to bring awareness to,” Coretti said. “It was really great to know that both schools were able to come together to raise money and support this cause.”

To get involved with and/or donate to the Avery’s Little Army Foundation, go to the Avery’s Little Army website at www.averyslittlearmy.org/.

By Taylor Coretti – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law’s SAVE Promise Club is excited to return for the upcoming school year.

The SAVE Promise Club is a club at Jonathan Law that brings awareness to violence in schools and mental health. An event that has started off the school year was “Start with Hello” week. 

“We just had a really successful “Start with Hello” week here at Law where the club had a bunch of great activities going on all week,” SAVE Promise Club Advisor Ms. Healy said. “We had name tags passed out on Monday to encourage people to say hi to someone new, flyers were put around school for people to pull tabs from to take what they needed (peace, confidence, joy, etc.), and we had a visit from Milford PD’s therapy dog Winston, and hot cocoa in the morning for students just to name a few.” 

Senior President Natalia Gagliardi has many goals for the club this year including the attendance and participation throughout the club meetings and events.

“A main goal for SAVE Promise Club this year is to get our meeting attendance higher,” Gagliardi said. “This is a goal of ours because the more people we have in our club, the more people that are helping to make an impact on our community.” 

The officers have many plans for the future of the club to get people involved and to spread awareness throughout the school and community. 

“We all work together with Ms. Healy to come up with Start with Hello Week, National Safe Schools Week, Say Something Week, and other important events we promote for SAVE,” Senior Vice President of Operations Ella Franzman said. 

Sophomore Vice President of Operations Sarah McCann was selected to join the National Youth Advisory Board with SAVE Promise, one of nine in the country.

“I originally heard about the National Youth Advisory Board from a friend in the club who told me I should apply,” McCann said. “I decided I would because I am super passionate about gun violence prevention and mental health.”

Sophomore Club member Melissa Servas is looking forward to being in the club this year.

“This year I am most looking forward to planning new events to get people in school involved,” Servas said. “I am excited to help educate people on how to identify warning signs so that our schools can be filled with more people who know the importance of mental health.”

By Kishal Shah – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Science Club had its first meeting on September 16 to discuss plans regarding an upcoming Invitational and the State Olympiad competitions this year. 

Science Club focuses on advancing students’ understanding and applications of science in nationwide competitions every year.

Co-Advisors Ms. Turcotte and Mr. Stanton helped oversee the first meeting as the officers welcomed new and returning members and discussed events the club will participate in this year. 

“Mr. Stanton and I are Co-Advisors and our responsibilities are to generate interest, hold meetings, work with officers to assign events and build teams, to plan the trips, and assist with fundraising,” Turcotte said. 

Turcotte said the club has several goals for the year.

“I think our goals are the same every year, which are to build teams of students who are serious about science, to help them learn and watch them have fun competing in Science Olympiads at various universities,” Turcotte said. “We hope that our teams take the feedback given at the first competition and use it to improve for the second competition.”

Stanton is excited to watch students compete and to see their love of science grow.

“The shirts say ‘Going for the Gold,’ so that’s definitely on my mind at the end of the day,” Stanton said. “Beyond that, though, my goal is to help make this year a good experience for the teams. They work really hard and they grow in a lot of ways beyond just what they learn from the events they enter. “

Part of what makes the Olympiads a memorable experience is the exploration of each town prior to competition day. 

“Going to an event at Brown in Providence, at MIT or at Harvard in Boston, even at Yale here in New Haven always excites me,” Stanton said. “To see the things that [the students] discover, the people they make friends with, and the opportunities they find at these places. That’s really important.”

Senior President Deepika Chitirala aims for the team to be well prepared for their events, and have a fun experience this year.

“I’m hoping that both of Law’s teams can place at the state competition, but also I hope everyone just has fun with all their events,” Chitirala said. 

Senior Treasurer Madelyn Baranowsky has been an active member of Science Club over the past two years, where she has placed in several events.

“My favorite events to participate in are Forensics and Write It, Do It, which I have been doing since sophomore year,” Baranowsky said. “I hope to get them again this year.”

Junior returning member Aryan Sikhinam also anticipates a successful year after learning from previous competitions.

“I’m hoping to use previous experience from last year’s competitions and improve on my events to try and win some medals this year,” Sikhinam said. 

By Logan Mullarkey – Sports Editor

The Morning Briefing, Law’s daily live morning new show, is back on the air for the 2024-2025 school year.

By delivering timely and relevant updates, the Morning Briefing continues to serve as a vital tool for building the Law community. The news crew’s first episode for the new year aired on Monday, September 9.

“The Morning Briefing is very important because it lets students know when events are occurring around the school, like sporting events, club meetings, and more,” senior Michael Smith said.

The goal is to offer more engaging and informative content that helps students stay up-to-date with school news and events.

“The Morning Briefing gives something for the people to look forward to,” senior Cesar Mendez said. “It gives people a good insight on what’s going on in our Law community.

Each day, the Morning Briefing shares essential information on upcoming events, important announcements, and reminders that help everyone stay connected. From club meetings and sports schedules to special achievements, the news covers it all.

“The most valuable thing about the morning briefing is that it keeps students and staff aware of what’s going on around the school,” senior Matt Fehmel said.

The news crew has a goal of continue to innovate this year, including adding new elements to the show each morning.

“We might add more student input and quick interactive parts, like polls or highlights,” senior Jack Distassio said.

Broadcast Journalism teacher and Morning Briefing Advisor Ms. Kelly said the news crew will also be recording more podcast this year with newly-purchased podcast studio equipment.

“We hope to make more podcasts and more content we can share with the school this year,” Kelly said. 

By Kayla Markowitz – Editor-in-Chief

Vice Principals Mrs. Farotti and Mrs. Sulzycki are ready to take on their second year at Law and continue the work they started last school year. 

This year, Farotti will overlook grades 9 and 11 while Sulzycki will be in charge of grades 10 and 12. They are excited to be back to welcome new students and work with the Law staff to have another great year. 

“I am still in awe at how welcoming everyone was to me and how quickly I felt like I was part of the Law Family,” Farotti said. “We are truly a team here and everyone is here to support students.”

Sulzycki enjoyed getting to know students, teams, and clubs around Law and is excited for another year with familiar faces.

“I enjoyed spending time with students and really getting to know the ins and outs of Jonathan Law and I can’t wait to see more this year,” Sulzycki said. “It was exciting to come back this year and see familiar faces instead of having to learn all new names.”

One goal Farotti has is to visit teachers and students more during class hours and take a look at the learning environments here at Law.

“The teaching that occurs at Jonathan Law is exceptional,” Farotti said. “I love watching the students discover new content through carefully planned lessons that are engaging and foster growth.”

Law Principal Mr. Darcy enjoyed his first year working with Farotti and Sulzycki. 

“Both Mrs. Farotti and Mrs. Sulzycki has been building positive relationships with students, staff and families,” Darcy said. “They have done a nice job becoming part of our school community.”

The vice principals are both looking forward to making more appearances on the news and plan to record more student podcasts.

“One thing I would do differently is do more podcasts,” Farotti said.  

By Molly Lynch – News Editor

Ms. Cristante joins the Jonathan Law community this year as the new Interior Design and Human/Child Growth teacher.

Cristante has been working with kids ever since she got out of high school. 

“Before Law, I worked in the early childhood field, teaching little ones ages 1-5 for the past 11 years,” Cristante said.

Cristante’s transition to Law has been smooth after attending the New Teacher Academy, which she feels was a great opportunity to familiarize herself with the Milford community early on. 

“The transition to Law has been smooth and exciting,” Cristante said. “Attending New Teacher Academy was an opportunity to feel like part of the Milford community before I even began working.”

Cristante is adapting to the Law environment with ease. 

“Ms. Cristante is someone who fits in at Law because of her understanding of our culture and climate,”  Principal Mr. Darcy said. “We are a ‘Law Family’ where everyone is heard, valued, and respected and she has those same beliefs.”

Cristante feels the sense of community in both students and staff. 

“I love that Law prioritizes that sense of community,” Cristante said. “I feel it amongst both the staff and the students, and with the way the staff seems to truly know and value the students.”

Darcy said that Cristante’s passion and enthusiasm is what makes her so special. 

“I’ve only known Ms. Cristante for a short period of time, but I have witnessed her passion and enthusiasm in the interview process and in the classroom,” Darcy said. 

By Tim Firla – Entertainment Editor

Students and teachers are back at Law for another exciting school year. 

Sports and clubs have resumed and Law’s students have been encouraged to try new activities and meet new people.

Senior Tucker Donegan is excited for classes starting back up with friends. 

“It is always hard going back to school from summer,” Donegan said. “But I am happy to be back with friends and people I haven’t been able to see in awhile.” 

Principal Mr. Darcy in his fourth year at Law is very happy to see everything running smoothly and people getting back into the swing of things.

‘“We are off to a great start this year because of our awesome students and staff,” Darcy said. “I know everyone loves the summer but I am so happy to have students back in our halls.” 

Spanish teacher Mr. Rodriguez is one of many teachers that are thrilled to be back in classes as well. 

“I’d been looking forward to the first day of school for the past couple of weeks,” Rodriguez said. “I am super thrilled to be back. It’s nice having some familiar faces back in my class as well as some new ones.”  

School being back in session also means fall sports are in full swing. Yeiden Nieves is a junior on the football team at Law who is excited for the season – and excited to be back in school in general.

“I enjoy the fall feeling of classes being back and everything going on outside of the classroom as well,” Nieves said.

Junior Kayla Markowitz said she is ready for Law’s many clubs to start back up.

“I am really excited to jump right back into extracurricular activities and all the out of school activities Law has to offer,” Markowitz said. “One of my favorite parts about school is seeing all of my friends at clubs or sports and having a way to give my brain a break from classes.”

By Madi Black – Social Media Editor 

Jonathan Law welcomes new math teacher Ms. Mushinski.

Mushinski just finished student teaching at Sheehan High School in Wallingford and is loving the change to Law. She is enjoying her first couple weeks at Law and can’t wait for the rest of the school year.  

“I am adjusting extremely well,” Mushinski said. “When they say that Jonathan Law is a family, they truly mean it. All of my students are amazing and the staff is so supportive and welcoming.”  

Mushinski teaches four classes throughout the day – two Algebra 1 Level 2 classes and two Geometry Level 3 classes.

Jonathan Law Principal Mr. Darcy is excited to have Mushinski on staff. 

“During the interview process it became clear that Ms. Mushinski is an intelligent and passionate educator,” Darcy said. “I’m looking forward to seeing her career take off here at JLHS.” 

The Jonathan Law staff is excited to have Mushinski as a new coworker and can’t wait to get to know her even more. Mushinski wants her kids to like math and learn more about it. 

“My goals for this year are to be positive, have gratitude, get my students to love math, and have fun,” Mushinski said. 

Ms. Russell and the other Law math teachers are so excited to have her in the department this year. 

“Ms. Mushinski came from student teaching at Sheehan High School and there are some instructional practices that she learned during her time there that she has brought to our department that have been very helpful,” Russell said. “She is a young professional that is willing to learn and has many fresh ideas to bring to not only math, but the entire Law community.” 

By Ava Grippo – Entertainment Editor

A new wave of freshmen have recently started their first year at Jonathan Law.

The members of the Class of 2028 are learning their way around and getting to know the school. Law Principal Mr. Darcy had some advice for the the freshmen as they navigate their first year of high school.

“My advice for freshmen is get involved in as many clubs and activities as possible during their time at Jonathan Law High School,” Darcy said. “We have so much to offer students. The research shows that when students are involved in school activities, they do better academically as well.” 

Science teacher Mrs. Mercaldi agreed with Darcy that joining extracurricular activities is important.

“My advice for the new ninth graders is to get involved,” Mercaldi said. “Extracurriculars, clubs, sports- whatever that looks like for them. We have a wonderful community that grows stronger when our new community members join in.”

Many freshmen are definitely taking that advice, as they are quite excited about the clubs and activities offered. 

“I’m most excited for the different activities at high school that I didn’t have in middle school like more clubs, sports, and sports games,” freshman Anwita Puttam said. 

Freshman Jolyne Saludas said she has enjoyed meeting her teachers and learning about the Law community.

“I’m mostly excited for the community and challenges I’ll face in the high school community,” Saludas said. “Since watching high schoolers as a middle schooler, they were so much nicer and each other compared to middle school. That always intrigued me. Law is great. Classes are easy to settle into and the teachers have great personalities.”

Freshman Tenzin Gakhang is excited to start high school as well. 

“The school is pretty good,” Gakhang said. “I look forward to getting good grades and enjoying the school year.”

By Haley Stroffolino – Social Media Editor-In-Chief 

Jonathan Law is happy to welcome Mrs. Spicer to the science department. 

Spicer said her first two weeks at Law have been great.

“My favorite part is the fantastic students,” Spicer said. “It’s also clear that all the adults here at Law care a lot about students’ success.” 

Spicer has been impressed by the welcoming community and how much everyone – students and staff alike – cares about learning and growth. As the year begins, she is most excited about challenging her students and watching them grow.

“I am looking forward to my students finding fulfillment in being challenged,” she said. 

Spicer wants her classroom to be a place where students feel good about taking on tough subjects and pushing themselves further. She chose to teach physics, astronomy, and meteorology because of her lifelong passion for science.

“I have always loved science,” Spicer said. “I enjoy being challenged and guiding others through learning difficult ideas. Science is our way of trying to understand the world, and I love that it is based on facts and stays true over time.” 

Principal Mr. Darcy is also excited to have Spicer join the Jonathan Law community.

“Mrs. Spicer has taught for several years,” Darcy said. “She has high standards and expectations for all of her students. I’m excited about her joining our staff. She showed a lot of positivity and passion for science during the interview process, and I know she will share that with her students.”

Spicer’s involvement doesn’t stop in the classroom; she is also eager to be part of school life beyond teaching. She is planning to attend many school sports events like soccer games, gymnastics meets, swimming competitions, and football games.

“I will absolutely make a football game to see both the game and the cheerleaders,” Spicer said.

Outside of teaching, Spicer is a busy mom of two daughters, ages six and three.

“They are awesome,” Spicer said.

Spicer loves spending time with her kids, and loves cooking, baking, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors.

Senior Brayden Dollar is in Spicer’s Astronomy class. 

“I’m really excited for this year and for her teaching,” Dollar said. “I can’t wait to learn more about Astronomy.” 

By Aislyn McKernan – Social Media Editor 

Jonathan Law has a new addition to the Main Office this year – secretary Mrs. Jackson.

Jackson is the secretary to Assistant Principal Mrs. Sulzycki. She has enjoyed her first few weeks at Law and is excited to get to know the community more.

“I’m very excited to get to know the students and to learn more about Law,” Jackson said. “The people here at Law are so welcoming and I love meeting everyone.”

Jackson said she loves interacting with her new co-workers. Secretaries Mrs. Heenan and Mrs. Silver are excited to work with Jackson and to have a new member in the office.

“Mrs. Jackson is so positive, a hard worker, and very easy to teach,” Heenan said.

Silver agreed.

“She is a very hard worker and a team player,” Silver said. “She is very friendly and willing to help students.”

Law Principal Mr. Darcy said that Jackson is definitely the right fit for the Law community.

“It has been great to get to know Mrs. Jackson,” Darcy said. “Early in the interviewing process, I could see that she was the best candidate for the job. She has fit in great and it feels like she’s worked here for years.” 

By Addy Barber – Social Media Editor in Chief

Jonathan Law Principal Mr. Darcy is excited about his third year at Law. Social Media Editor-in-Chief Addy Barber interviewed Darcy about the 2024-2025 school year.

Addy Barber: What are you looking forward to most about this school year?

Mr. Darcy: I’m looking forward to supporting every student who attends JLHS to the best of my abilities. 

AB:  What are your thoughts on the new teachers this school year?

MD: We had some great educators retire last year after serving Milford Public Schools, but I’m really excited about our new staff as well. They are wonderful educators and people.

AB: Any advice for the incoming freshmen this year?

MD: My advice to the 9th graders is to get involved in all the clubs, activities and events we have to offer our students. Don’t wait until Junior or Senior year, get involved now. 

AB: Any advice for this year’s seniors?

MD: My advice to the senior class is to take time throughout the year to connect with each other and staff who’ve had a positive impact on your life during your time here at Law because sadly, it’s only months away from ending. 

AB: What does it mean to you to be a Lawman?

MD: Being a Lawman means that you are here to support each and every person who you come across. You are kind and supportive to all.

AB: Are there any changes you are hoping to see this year?

MD: I wouldn’t necessarily say changes, but I’m just looking for every student to feel valued, heard and respected each day.

AB: What are some special events you are excited about this year?

MD: All of them! I love seeing our students at athletic events, musicals, plays, dances….. you name it, I love it!

AB: How did your first couple years as principal go and are you looking to change anything personally this year?

MD: I believe they went very well and we are in a good place. Our school is well run and our staff is second to none. I’d like to continue to make positive connections with students and the Milford Community so we can increase our internship programs and other community-based groups/events. 

AB: What is your favorite part of the beginning of the school year?

MD: Honestly, my favorite part has been catching up with students. I love just sitting with students and talking about their summers, their hopes for the year and their futures. 

AB: How was your summer?

MD: My summer was great. I was able to go to our house in Narragansett for two weeks. We spend every summer there. I also went to Jamaica with my wife and a few friends. 

By Quinn Willett – Social Media Editor

The Milford Public School District held its annual Art Show the week of May 7 at the Parsons Complex.

Many students from across all schools in Milford put lots of hard work and dedication into this art show. Jonathan Law Art teacher Mrs. Murphy and her class have been planning for the show all year. 

“It was a great success with so many students and their work represented and a major variety of media was shown,” Murphy said. 

Works of art including oil paintings, drawings, pottery, paintings, and photography were showcased. 

Junior Sofia Brienza said she was excited to get the opportunity to show off her artwork.

“We’ve been working all year for this show and I’m really glad I got to have my work be put on display,”  Brienza said.

Several Jonathan Law students showcased perspective pieces and work that has never been seen before. 

“There was a lot of unique pieces that were shown,” junior Erin Jones said. “I had a 2D drawing that mainly focused on perspective and it was something I’ve never drawn before.”

Students were able to show their work throughout the year and show how much they have improved.

“I’m proud of my progress throughout the year and how I’ve grown as an artist,” junior Sage Sonsini said. 

Sonsini said she will continue to add to her art portfolio next year,

“Next year, I hope that I can use the skills I learned this year to create a strong portfolio that I can be proud of,” Sonsini said. 

By Quinn Willett – Social Media Editor

The Class of 2024 Senior Prom and Post Prom took place on Saturday, May 11.

The Prom was held at Amarante’s Sea Cliff in New Haven and Post Prom was held at The Sports Center in Shelton. 

“My favorite part of Prom was the environment and music,” senior Lana Hanania said. “The beach venue was gorgeous and we got great photos.”

Students at Prom danced, sang, and enjoyed the food choices.

“I had a really good time at Prom but my favorite part was Post Prom,” senior Max Campbell said. “My friends and I spent most of our time at the arcade and played a “Walking Dead” game for over 45 minutes.”

According to Senior Class Advisor Ms. Russell, this was one of the biggest Proms that Law has had in a long time.

“Not just Law students came – we had 262 students attend Prom,” Russell said. “Our senior class is so great that everyone wanted to join.”

Russell and Co-Senior Class Advisor Mrs. Francisco, along with many students and teachers, put months of planning and hard work into having a successful Prom. 

“I cannot wait for Prom next year, especially if it was as successful as previous years,” Russell said. 

By Ella Franzman and Kayla Markowitz – Advocate Editors  

Ms. McCoy is retiring after 12 years at Jonathan Law.

McCoy, who teaches Child Development, Interior Design, along with other classes, has been a staple of the Law community and will definitely be missed. She has helped many students with not only their college process, but with life.

“She has a great sense of humor that you only see when you get to know her a bit,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “I’ve learned a lot from her and have enjoyed getting to know her over the past few years.”

McCoy taught at four different school districts but is glad she is ending her career with what she called the “best district.”

“I am so glad to be ending my time teaching at Law,” McCoy said. “I think I saved the best for last between the support, camaraderie and students. I feel I am ending on a great note.”

During retirement, McCoy plans to travel, improve her golf game, and visit her friends and family who live across the country. 

“I will miss her presence, her presence makes a difference in my day, she always has a smile on her face and is always willing to help out in any way with my assignments for her class,” junior Avery Granger said.

In her time at Law, McCoy says she has learned to appreciate everyone and to take time for yourself. She also learned to keep humor in everything she does. 

“I will miss the amazing supportive faculty and all the amazing students,” McCoy said.

McCoy has dedicated their professional lives to working with kids at Law and left such a huge impact on other educators in the building and in the district. 

“Some of my favorite things I like about teaching at Law are how I am able to try new things with the students, being creative in how to approach different subjects and topics and the support I get when doing them,” McCoy said. 

By Haley Stroffolino – Social Media Editor 

The Unified Prom was held at Jonathan Law High School on May 8 with students from Law, Foran, Stratford, Amity, and Aspire coming together for an afternoon of fun. 

Special Education teacher Mrs. Williams is in charge of the Milford Unified program and spearheaded the United Prom.  

“The Prom was a wonderful experience for everyone,” Williams said. “It is really a time to celebrate all the athletes’ hard work all year long and just have some fun dancing.”

Senior Chris Pinto said he had a great time at the Prom.

“The best part of prom was dancing,” he said, “I also really liked the pizza.”

Junior Zach McWatters also had a great time, especially with the food and dancing.

“I loved dancing and the cotton candy,” McWatters said. “The pizza was great too. I danced with Marcus and Alina and Bella. It was fun.”

Jonathan Law Paraprofessional Ms. Michels said the Prom was enjoyed by all.

“The Unified Prom is one of those events everyone looks forward to,” Michels said. “It’s such a magical night for our students. They get dressed up, dance, and have the best time.” 

Everyone involved worked hard to make the evening a success. There was a DJ, a cotton candy machine, an ice machine, and pizza, making sure there was something for everyone to enjoy.

“The Unified Prom is a wonderful event that shows the dedication and community spirit of the students and teachers,” Williams said.

By Addy Barber – Staff Reporter 

With the end of the school year approaching, Advocate Staff Reporter Addy Barber interviewed Law Principal Mr. Darcy to reflect on the 2023-2024 school year. 

Addy Barber: What are some of your favorite memories from this year?

Mr. Darcy: Some of my favorite memories are all the events we had including; athletic events, Powder Puff, games, musical performances and of course prom and post prom that was just held. 

AB: What are your goals for next year?

MD: My goals have never changed. Each year my goal is to work with all stakeholders groups so that ultimately every student in our school feels valued, heard and respected at all times. They know that we are here for them and will challenge them to be the best version of themselves every day. 

AB: How was this school year compared to last year?

MD:  In my opinion, this year has run pretty smoothly (knock on wood). We were able to provide a high quality education, social/emotional support, and fun activities for all students. 

AB: What is your advice to the incoming Class of 2028?

MD: My advice to the incoming class is to get involved in something! We have so many clubs, sports, and other activities here at JLHS. Students who are more connected to their school community have higher levels of success during and after their high school years. 

AB: What is your advice to the graduating Class of 2024?

MD: My advice is to continue to be kind to others and give your time to others that deserve it. The class of 2024 is an incredibly kind class who comes to school each day with a smile and helps each other when needed. Continue those efforts when you leave us on June 11th. 

AB: What was your biggest victory and/or challenge this year?

MD: I think the biggest challenge was implementation of the e-hall pass system. There were several students (and staff) who had a lot of questions about how the system would work. We now have data that shows the system has worked and it has become a norm here at Law that everyone uses. When you make a change like that in November of a school year, it can be challenging, but it was totally worth it and has helped our school get better. 

AB: Any last messages to the Class of 2024?

MD: As I get older, I’ve been focusing on the concept of time. Time is something that you have to give to people and yourself. It’s something that is not renewable, so you shouldn’t waste it on people or things that don’t have a positive impact on your life or the lives of others. We also never know when our time is up. So, use your time wisely and share it with the people you love. 

AB: What changes are you looking forward to implementing next year?

MD: This will depend on a lot of what students and staff want for next year. One thing we’ve been discussing is how to expand and improve the support center and a concept of credit recovery for students that fall behind. This is something I’m very passionate about and hope we can make some changes for next year and beyond. 

AB: What was your favorite part of this school year?

MD: This is tough to answer because there are so many. The one that I’m thinking about the most right now is the Post Prom because it just happened this past weekend. It was an evening when parents/guardians, students and staff all came together to celebrate each other as a community. The decorations were beautiful, kids had a lot of fun and there were some great raffle prizes as well!

AB: What are your summer plans?

MD: As a Principal, I do work for a few weeks over the summer prepping the building for the fall. When I’m not here, I’ll be spending two weeks in Narragansett with my family. We have gone there for the past 11 years and purchased a summer beach house two years ago. It’s something my family looks forward to each year. My girls love it there! My wife and I are going to Jamaica with two other couples on our street in late July. We are looking forward to that trip as well. We spent our Honeymoon at the same resort and we are looking forward to going back again this summer.

By Harshitha Kothapalli – News Editor

Jonathan Law’s Science Olympiad team returned from the recent UConn State Competition with medals and smiles. 

The two teams from Law placed second and third in the “Write it, Do it” event, third and fourth place for “Tower,” fourth place for “Chem Lab,” and second place for “Flight.”

“It was really great to see all our hard work pay off through medals,” senior Science Club President Srivarsh Gudlavalleti said. “All of us put in so many late nights and I’m proud of us for the accomplishments we’ve reached.”

The teams placed 11th and 14th overall. Second place winner and junior Sana Joshi said her Science Club experience was a rewarding one.

“My experience participating in Science Olympiad has been one of the best experiences in my high school career as it has taught me the value of being a part of something so big and unique,” Joshi said. “Winning a medal with my partner brought so much joy to our team and especially to our advisor, Ms. Turcotte.”

Senior Science Club Vice President Moulika Sivalenka explained the knowledge and fulfillment the competition brought to the teams. 

“As a participant, it was really informative and helpful as I was able to see where I stood while taking the test and what I prepared for it,” Sivalenka said. “Seeing our advisors being so proud was so nice and always motivates us to do better.”

The Science Club is always recruiting new team members in hopes of building the team for future years. 

“I recommend people join science club because it allows you to be a part of a team and teaches you the importance of enjoying extracurricular activities outside of school,” Joshi said. “A ton of hard work definitely has to be put in before the competition but as soon as we compete the adrenaline makes you soar through it because the competition makes it 100% worth the effort.”

Gudlavalleti said the Olympiad was a perfect ending to the senior class’ Science Club careers.

“It was a good way to wrap up the four years of hard work,” Gudlavalleti said. “This graduating class went through COVID with the club and so many other hardships and it’s cool to see us coming out with a bang.”

By Gemard Guery – Editor-In-Chief and Editorial Editor

Jonathan Law senior Moulika Sivalenka has officially been named Jonathan Law’s Class of 2024 Salutatorian.

Sivalenka will be attending Northeastern University and plans on majoring in Computer Science and Business Administration.

“It felt really good when I was announced Salutatorian because it felt like all the hard work paid off in the end and I was able to take a break for a minute,” Sivalenka said. “I’m really grateful for all the wishes and encouragement from my friends and family after it was announced. For a minute I felt like a campus celebrity and that was really cute.”

Sivalenka took 12 AP classes during her time at Jonathan Law while also juggling various other extracurricular activities.  

Some AP classes Sivalenka took were: United States Government and Politics, United States History, Computer Science Principles, Chemistry, English Language, and Calculus. She is currently taking English Literature, Statistics, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, and Psychology.

“Moulika is so deserving of this honor,” Computer Science teacher Ms. Corriveau said. “She is one of the most dedicated students I have ever had the honor of teaching – she’s not only dedicated to her studies, but she also always finds ways to build up her community, create lasting friendships, and live her life to the fullest. For the past four years she has been such a cheerleader for females in STEM courses and I’ve been so incredibly lucky to have her in my classes. To say that I’m going to miss her would be an understatement.”

Over the course of the past four years, Moulika has  served as President of NMHS, President of Keyettes, Co-President of Model UN, Vice President of Science Club, Treasurer of SNHS, Fall Stage Manager of the Drama Club, and Co-Captain of the girls tennis team at Law.

“Moulika is an incredible person who will have a positive impact on many lives when she leaves our school in June,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “I’m incredibly proud of her achievements and I look forward to her leadership when she goes out into the real world.”

In addition to being named Salutatorian, Sivalenka has earned many accolades while at Jonathan Law. She is a recipient of the Harvard Book Award, University of Rochester Award for Innovative and Information Technology, and was admitted to Northeastern’s honors college.

“I find it really admiring to see how she puts herself into everything she does from school to sports to her personal relationships,” junior Deepika Chitirala said. “She’s an incredibly reliable friend who you can always count on to support you.”

While Sivalenka has worked incredibly hard over the past few years in order to become Salutatorian, she still recognizes the importance of relaxation and taking care of yourself. Sivalenka encourages other students to remember to take a step back and prioritize sleep and mental health.

She is also so grateful to her loved ones for their support over the past few years. 

“I would like to thank my loved ones, especially my parents, who’ve been a constant motivation and continuously support me and push me to do my best! I couldn’t have done this without their love and support,” said Sivalenka.

By Kayla Markowitz – News Editor

The Class of 2024 Senior Prom will be held at Amarante’s Sea Cliff in New Haven on Saturday, May 11, with the theme of “Coastal Charm.”

All seniors are invited to spend the night with their classmates and peers while they look back on their memories from high school. 

“Every student should attend the Prom because it’s sort of a right of passage,” Principal Mr. Darcy said. “This is the one and only time that you’ll be able to have the experience of going to your high school Senior Prom, so you should make sure to attend.”

Students attending Prom will have opportunities to have fun with their friends, eat, and play games at Post Prom. 

“It’s going to be so much fun, especially if you’re a senior, this is your last ‘hurrah’ before you’re moving onto the next chapter in your life,” senior and Prom Committee member Ike Opayemi said. “You get to dress up, dance, eat amazing food, and have even more fun with FREE gifts and games at Post Prom.”

The committee has been working tirelessly to make sure everyone has an excellent Prom experience and an awesome way to celebrate their last senior moments. 

“The Prom committee has been meeting every Friday to pick a theme, centerpieces, and any other extras to really put everything together,” Senior Class Advisor Mrs. Francisco said. “They will also put together tables and count nominations before the big event.”

By Ella Franzman – Editor-In-Chief

Jonathan Law senior Natalie Morrell was recently named Valedictorian for the Class of 2024. 

Morrell will be attending Brown University and plans to major in Biochemistry with a focus in Molecular Biology. 

“I was overjoyed to find out I was valedictorian, as it was exciting to hear that my work over the past four years had paid off,” Morrell said. 

This marks the 10th consecutive year a female has been named Valedictorian at Jonathan Law.

“Natalie is a quiet, humble and an extremely hardworking student,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said.”She is a nationally recognized athlete, she has taken just about every AP course there is, and works extremely hard in everything that she does. Most importantly, Natalie is kind to all, she is a leader in our building and helps any student who needs it.”

Over Morrell’s time at Law she took 13 Advanced Placement (AP) classes: Government & Politics, Human Geography, Language & Composition, Statistics, Environmental Science, Biology, Calculus BC, US History, Computer Science Principles, Literature & Composition, Chemistry, 2-D Art and Design, and Psychology.

Morrell is also a four-year varsity and Academic National All-American member of the Law gymnastics team.

“My most memorable moment at Law was probably my first high school gymnastics season,” Morrell said. “I met so many of my friends through this and got to enjoy gymnastics in a different setting for the first time, all while pushing myself to improve in the sport and further enjoy it with friends.”

Over the past four years, Morrell has also been involved in numerous clubs, including Science Club, Crochet and Knit Club, Science National Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society. 

“Natalie is very easy to work with and coach. She has tremendous talent and knowledge of the sport,” head gymnastics coach Pat Simon said. “She is always ready to help other girls on the team with their routines. Natalie also set the school record for the balance beam with a 9.6, which will stand for many years.”

Outside of school Morrell works at a local bakery, Scratch Baking, and volunteers at the Milford Historical Society. 

“To balance school, sports, work, and social life, I maintained a consistent schedule and worked to keep as much free time as possible,” Morrell said. “I worked on getting my schoolwork done in an efficient and timely manner so that I could still spend a lot of time with friends, and I also enjoy all of the things I’m involved in, between work, school, and gymnastics, making it easier to devote so much time to these things.” 

In April of her junior year, Morrell was awarded the Yale-Seton Hall Book Award and was named a Rensselaer Medalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction. 

Mr. Koorejian, a science teacher at Law, had the pleasure of teaching Natalie her junior year for AP Biology and feels very fortunate to have educated one of Jonathan Law’s finest students. 

“In my 30 years of teaching I have never really known a student that has excelled/accomplished more both IN and OUTSIDE the classroom than Natalie. Her resume models excellence in academics, athletics, and community involvement,” Koorejian said. “ She has such a congenial personality, Natalie Morrell is the very rare student that goes clearly beyond that and exemplifies what a truly exceptional individual in our community has accomplished.” 

Morrell talked about how she’s learned a lot about managing her time and finding a balance, all while making new friends and trying to further her understanding of her interests of what she wants to pursue in college. 

“One of my most challenging moments was just sophomore year in general, which was the year after we stopped doing hybrid for COVID and we had to transition back to coming into school in person full time,” Morrell said. 

Morrell had taken on more responsibilities which included a more intense course load and a busier high school gymnastics season, she learned how to manage her time and balance her social, school and work life. 

By Gabriella Coffin – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law hosted the  annual Junior Cotillion on April 19 at Grassy Hill Country Club in Orange. 

This night was filled with dancing, singing, and delicious food. This event was prepared by the junior class officers and brought an exciting night with lots of fun. 

“Cotillion went extremely well,” Junior Class President Sarah Ahmed said. “Many people attended and the atmosphere and energy was great.”

In preparation for the Cotillion, the Class of 2025 officers first decided on a venue. Then the process of picking a theme, getting decorations, and selling tickets took place. 

“For preparation, our advisors booked the venue long before the school year started, picked out the food choices,” Ahmed said. “Juniors voted on a theme for the dance, chose decorations, and then sold the tickets.”

Over130 students attended the Cotillion this year.

“My favorite part of the night was dancing with all my friends, and seeing everyone else have a good time,” Ahmed said. “I honestly think it went amazing for what it was. I wouldn’t change a thing.” 

Junior Reilly Hungerford explained why Cotillon was so important to her. 

“I think it’s because it’s a night of fun and dancing,” Hungerford said.

By Cindy Bone – Staff Reporter

Culinary teacher Mrs. Ryan recently won a fellowship to visit Europe to educate herself on advanced baking techniques.

Ryan is excited to travel and to pass on her newfound knowledge to her students. 

“All my learning will be incorporated into the Bake Shop course taught here at Law,” Ryan said.

Ryan is excited for the many activities she will experience during her trip.

“I am so excited,” Ryan said. “There are other activities planned along the trip, such as learning about sourdough starters, seeing a geothermal bakery, where rye bread is baked underground using the steam from underground water heated by nearby volcanoes. I’ll also participate in discussions on the future of food at the Zurich Food Festival.” 

Ryan will be traveling to Switzerland, Denmark, and Iceland to improve her education on pastries. 

“The focus of my trip is to expand my knowledge of advanced baking, especially the creation of baked items where I lack experience,” Ryan said.

Not only will this be her first time traveling to explore baking topics to expand her knowledge, but it is also her first time winning a grant that will be able to pay for most of the expenses. 

“I applied for a grant through the Fund for Teachers organization, a philanthropic organization that supports teacher learning goals,” Ryan said.

Law’s Bake Shop class is a brand new course this year that many students have enjoyed. It was the first course at Law that specializes in pastries and baked goods.

By Brian Goglia and Alex Rodriguez – Staff Reporters

The Jonathan Law Key Club recently attended the New England District Conference in Springfield, Massachusetts.

At the convention there were workshops, awards, and a service project, which was food packaging for EndHungerNE. EndHungerNE’s mission is to provide safe water, food, medical care, and education to those in need, at home and abroad.

Junior Addy Barber, who was recently elected President of the Jonathan Law Key Club for the 2024-2025 school year, was a big part of this year’s convention.

“At this convention my role was a little more than usual,” Barber said. “I had to give workshops and present awards, so I learned a lot about speaking to a crowd and also about leadership in workshops I attended. The Keynote Speaker, Hoan Do, also gave a great speech and advice about perseverance.” 

The Key Club received several awards at the conference: Senior Attaina Tandon was named an Outstanding Vice President in the District, Law received a 3rd place award for monthly activity over the past year, a 1st place award for overall Yearly Achievement, and they were recognized with the Early Bird Award for turning  club dues in prior to the deadline.

They also maintained their Diamond Level Status in the New England District – the only club to receive this award.

“DECON is the big end of year celebration that has workshops, awards, and a different service project every year, which was food packaging for EndHungerNE,” Barber said.

Barber was excited to share the club’s work at the district level.

“This year, our club didn’t bring as many people as last year, but a lot of our officers were able to go and celebrate our hard work,” Barber said.

The Key Club is planning on doing many more fundraisers in the future and Barber is excited to be a part of them all.

“Although DECON is over, Key Club still meets weekly and has many fun service projects planned for next year,” Barber said. “Our main goal next year will be retaining membership through fun events like cupcake wars, pizza nights, donuts at meetings, and Key Clubber of the Month.”

By Sophie Kalagher – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law’s SAVE Promise Club organized activities this week for National Youth Violence Prevention Week.

National Youth Violence prevention week takes place from Monday, April 22, until Friday, April 26. SAVE Promise has teamed up with Law’s Courage Club to set up different activities and experiences for  Law students during this week of awareness.

“This week is youth violence prevention week so a big part of it is bringing awareness to what it is,” SAVE Promise Club Advisor Ms. Healy said.

The activities for the week were Mindful Monday, Statistic Tuesday, Panera Fundraiser Wednesday, Therapy Dog Thursday, and Law Family Friday. 

“The activities include the Milford Police department’s therapy dog Winston, bracelet making, statistics around the school and more,” sophomore club member Sarah McCann said.

For Statistics Tuesday, the club members tied ribbons to lockers to represent one in five teens who will experience gun violence and one in three teens who will be in abusive relationships before graduating high school. 

“Hanging up the ribbons was a very fun and eye opening experience,” freshman club member Emily Vella said. “I really loved how the statistic came to life.”

This week of events is also intended to really advertise the club and get the Jonathan Law community to understand the club and its mission. 

“We are hoping to bring awareness to the topic of youth violence and allow people to realize how many people it actually affects,” senior club officer Gianna Gagliardi said. “In addition, we would love for more people to join our club.” 

On Friday, both SAFE and the Courage Club wore shirts that support the Violence Prevention mission. 

“The shirts are very cute this year, and do a great job at capturing the idea of this week,” freshman club member Sadie Timmeny said.

Healy said she was excited to see the school community participate in the week’s activities.

“I’m excited to see everyone in pink and to see the visuals of the people who support,” said Healy.

By Charlotte Rascoll – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law’s annual Brain Bowl competition and fundraiser took place on April 12 and had the whole school participating.

The Brain Bowl is a trivia competition planned by members of the National Honor Society. Teams of four students from each grade compete in rounds, and whoever has the most points at the end of each round wins.

This year the club’s advisor is Mrs. Goldbeck. It is her first year as the advisor of the National Honors Society. 

“I cannot thank the NHS enough for making my first year as Advisor amazing,” Goldbeck said. “The officers shouldered much of the work to make this event and The Giving Tree so successful.”

Two of NHS’s officers are seniors Sara Moshirzadeh and Grace Hess. They were a big part in the preparations that led up to the Brain Bowl.

“I definitely think all the work that went into the Brain Bowl was worth it,” Moshirzadeh said. “As a school and community we were able to raise over $1,000 for The Cure Starts Now and at the end of the day it’s about the impact we can make on other people.”

Moshirdzadeh and senior Ike Opayemi were the hosts for the competition. 

“I really enjoyed hosting,” Moshirdzadeh said. “When I looked out into the audience I could see people whispering and guessing the answer with their friends, and it was nice to see everyone involved even if they had to keep their guess a secret.”

Behind the scenes of the Brain Bowl, club members needed to set up everything that was seen. This included the team tables, the buzzers, the decorations, and even the merch.

“Being involved in the Brain Bowl was a little bit stressful,” Hess said. “Between the questions itself and getting sponsors and everything that gets put into the Brain Bowl.”

The entire school has a lot of fun, even those who are just watching everything on stage unfold. 

“It was really exciting to be a part of the Brain Bowl this year,” junior member Lily Baird said. “Everyone working together is what made it such a success.”

Senior Helen Chizmazia was a part of the victorious senior Brain Bowl team. The seniors beat the juniors in the semifinals and then beat the faculty in the final round.

“I loved participating in the Brain Bowl,” Chizmazia said. “It was a lot of fun competing with my peers and supporting a good cause.”

During the final round of the Brain Bowl, the last standing grade competes against the faculty. The points are set back to how they were originally, and whoever ends with the most wins the entire competition.

“The Brain Bowl had positive results for the seniors,” Chizmazia said. “We had a strong start with 24 points which also means we raised $240 as a grade so that was pretty epic.”

By Fiorella Gargiulo – Staff Reporter 

Eight teams competed in a charity kickball tournament at Law’s softball field on April 10.

The annual kickball tournament was created last year by Key Club to raise money for Camp Sunshine a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

“The Kickball Tournament is great because the proceeds go towards Camp Sunshine, which allows children with terminal illnesses to go to a camp that provides relief for both them and their families, free of charge,” Key Club President Maya Markowitz said. 

The event raised $400 this year and Key Club continued to raise awareness about Camp Sunshine.

“It is such a great fundraiser because, at the end of the day, it’s all about kids helping kids and how we here at Law realize the importance of this,” Key Club Advisor Mr. Boynton said. 

Other Key Club officers assisted with the scoreboard, collecting donations, taking pictures, and overall making the fundraiser run smoothly. 

“Attending the fundraiser and being able to experience such an entertaining and adrenaline-filled environment was so great, and being able to capture that feeling through taking pictures was even better,” Bulletin Editor Harhsitha Kothapalli said. 

The tournament consisted of a single-elimination bracket, and many staff members helped umpire, pitch, and even play. 

“The primary reason that this tournament runs so smoothly is because of Mr. Boynton and the Key Club officers taking control of the event,” Dean of Students Mr. Ragiani said. “Also, our Law teachers and custodians are always willing to do whatever it takes to assist our students.”

Teams had to include at least one Law student or staff member, so the fundraiser expanded past Law and had many new players join. 

“Something that makes this fundraiser enjoyable is being able to play and compete with my friends,” kickball participant and Law junior Natalia Michnik said.

Participants and teams played at least one game, and ultimately, the Grazers got the win for the second year and remain undefeated.

“The most enjoyable part of the fundraiser is winning every time and having a great time with my friends,” kickball participant and Law junior Cameron Upchurch said.

By Addy Barber – Staff Reporter 

Members of Jonathan Law’s Class of 2024 are eagerly awaiting the start of their senior internships.

Students are offered a unique internship experience in the last few weeks of their senior year, which allows them to get real work experience as an intern in their chosen field of interest instead of attending school and taking finals.

Senior Maddy Gaillard plans to major in Psychology at Endicott College, and is doing her internship at the Milford Prevention Council.

“In my internship I will be working mainly in the psychology field,” Gaillard said. “I expect to be learning about mental health in young adults and information about brain development.”

Having an internship will help prepare students for life beyond high school, and having to make their own schedules.

“I think that this is going to be a huge opportunity for seniors doing internships,” senior Tanner Matchett said. “It gives us a peek at what post college life will look like and what to expect as far as time management and a job of interest.”

College and Career Coordinator Ms. Sylvia has been assisting students in finding internships all year.

“(History teacher) Ms. Burns and I meet with each interested student one-on-one to discuss the details of the program, and talk about areas of interest,” Sylvia said. “We will brainstorm with the students, but the students take on the process of researching and reaching out to potential internship sites on their own.”

Senior Ashley Borecki has taken the virtual route for her internship.

“I’m doing my internship remotely with Coretta Martin through her startup IEP&ME,” Borecki said. “For my internship, I will be facilitating a panel discussion on a topic of my choosing in regards to some aspect of her startup.”

Senior Caden Simpson wanted to learn more about an office setting and what her day-to-day might look like, so she is doing her internship with the CIA.

“I expect to be working with cases and doing paperwork,” Simpson said. “I am hoping to learn how an office operates and how to prepare for a real job in the future.”

Matchett is doing his internship with the Chief of Staff at Milford City Hall.

“I got into this internship because I am close with the City Attorney in Milford and he was able to set this up for me which I am so grateful for,” Matchett said.

Senior Gianna Gagliardi is pursuing a nursing degree at Nova Southeastern University and is doing her internship with a general medicine doctors office in Branford. Gagliardi has also taken CNA this past year, which gave her a glimpse of what she might be doing before her internship even starts.

“I think that this internship will prepare me immensely for post grad life, it will give me more experience before I start my clinicals and internships at university for my nursing degree,” Gagliardi said.

Law seniors are excited to gain some real world experience before they wrap up their highschool careers.

“I’m super excited,” Borecki said.

By Taylor Batterton- Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law’s Choir class traveled to the Big Apple on April 10 to see the Broadway smash “Hamilton.” 

The Choir worked hard all year long in order to earn the privilege of attending the annual trip to New York City. Every year they cooperate with a company who specializes in organizing these opportunities. 

“In comparison to previous trips, this year’s visit left a lasting impression due to increased engagement and overall enjoyment,” senior Emily Avila Castro said. 

“Hamilton” is best known for its innovative use of rap to address moments in history with an emphasis on dance technique. There are several eye opening and stunning moments that the audience can enjoy throughout the show. 

“My favorite part of ‘Hamilton’ was when the Schuyler sisters were introduced,” junior Brayden Dollar said. “I think their voices blend so amazingly and the outfits were just so perfect.”

This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the Choir members. It was also a good way for freshman to get involved in Choir. 

“I’ve barely experienced anything like that and it was one of the most eye opening experiences I’ve ever had,” freshman Lexi Localzo said.

On top of watching the performance of “Hamilton,” students attended a workshop with members of the “Hamilton” cast and crew.

“These always include a workshop that is held at Sony Music Hall where students from many high schools combine and perform a piece, are led in a rehearsal and guidance to improve by music directors of the Broadway show and then engage in either choreography or some other performance task by members of different Broadway shows,” Choir Director Ms. Jones said.

Many of the students used this opportunity to get a feel for Broadway, including the dancing, singing, choreography, and acting. 

“We did a Broadway workshop with the composer of ‘Hamilton and a professional beatboxer, we performed a medley of Hamilton songs and learned a bunch of tricks on how to improve our singing,” senior Faith Santiago said. “Then a few of the current cast of ‘Hamilton’ came out and performed some songs, then there was a Q&A with everyone in the workshop.”

In previous years, the choir has gone to see “Waitress,” “Wicked,” and unfortunately due to COVID they weren’t able to see “Dear Evan Hansen.” Plans for next year is already circulating. 

“There is a possibility that we may see ‘Lion King’ next year which would be really incredible,” Jones said. 

By Haley Stroffolino – Social Media Editor

The Class of 2025 Junior Cotillion will be held on Friday, April 19.

Cotillion will be held at Grassy Hill Country Club from 6:30-10:30 p.m. The tickets are priced at $73 each and this this year’s theme is the Mid-Summer Solstice. 

Junior Class Advisors Ms. Loch and Ms. Burns, along with the junior class officers, have been working hard to plan this event.

Law Principal Mr. Darcy said that months of planning went into making this night amazing.

“The Junior Cotillion is something we do every year,” Darcy said. “Students should expect good food, dancing, laughing and just an overall good time to have with your classmates. It’s a fun event each year that everyone enjoys.”

Junior Ella Franzman, one of the three class Senators, helped in the planning of Cotillion.

“I hope a lot of students will attend Cotillion because it’s a great time to connect with each other and have a great time together,” Franzman said. “I’m really excited to see all of our hard work that we put into planning pay off.”

Junior Class President Sarah Ahmed hope that students attending Cotillion make lasting memories.

“I’m most excited to see everyone in the grade come together for a fun time,” Ahmed said. “It’s an opportunity to hang out with friends and make some high school memories.”

One of the main attractions at Cotillion will be the photo booth.

“We are having the same motion camera booth from Homecoming which will be very exciting for students to use,” Junior Class Treasurer Julia Ryan said. 

By Gemard Guery – Editor-In-Chief and Editorial Editor

Jonathan Law’s Bake Shop class recently participated in a Cake Wars competition. 

Students in the class were able to bake cakes for a panel of teachers to judge and vote on which cake won. 

The competition, run by Mrs. Ryan, came after Bake Shop  students wanted a more competitive aspect to their class.

“In the Advanced Culinary classes, we have one or two competitions each semester,” Ryan said. “Students in the Bake Shop classes wanted this component added to their class as well.”

The competition serves as a fun way for students to better apply concepts learned in the class. At the same time, students are given complete creative control over what cakes they want to bake and how it can look. It was a challenge that allows students to take their baking talents to the next level.

“I love to bake as a side hobby,” senior Bake Shop student Kayla Nastasia said. “So, the Bake Shop class was a fun class for me to experiment and learn more about baking.”

Students could testify that the competition served as a phenomenal learning experience. They were forced to plan out their cakes and manage their time efficiently in order to ensure cakes were ready for the judges.

“Being able to learn how to put the pieces together and how it all comes together was cool and a good learning experience,” senior Kaitlyn Goldberg said.

The students were also joined by special guests during the semester who could share their expertise with the students. The class then utilized these skills in the creation of their cakes.

“My decorating skills could use some improving, so I have asked others to give demos on decorating before the competition,” Ryan said. “A former Law student who is now at the Culinary Institute of America, and Stanley Hair, a MPS employee with a successful side hustle in baking have accommodated us each semester. I become the student when I watch their demos.”

While the competition was fierce, the winners were Nastasia and Goldberg who made a vanilla cake with raspberry filling and pink frosting. The judges loved their cake as well as some lucky students who were given the opportunity to try it.

“After the cakes were judged, we were able to take them home so I split it with my partner and shared the cake around with my friends at lunch,” Nastasia said. “I personally love to share I made with people to try and they really liked the cake.”

By Kayla Markowitz and Addy Barber – Advocate Editors

The Jonathan Law music department packed its bags and flew to New Orleans, Louisiana, from March 22-26.

Students participating in Choir, Band, Orchestra, had the once in a lifetime opportunity to visit New Orleans, a city best known for their live music, historic landmarks, and exciting atmosphere, with their musically inclined peers. 

“The trip impacted my life in the way that it was a very new experience for me as I’ve never been to New Orleans before,” senior Oliver Harrigan said. “New Orleans was different from anywhere else that I’ve been and the culture was so unique and powerful.”

Not only was this trip a fun break from the daily rehearsals, it was also a chance to learn outside of the classroom. Choir Director Ms. Jones and Band Director Mr. Pelaggi were excited to immerse students into new cultures, new sights, and most importantly, great musicians. 

“It has been researched that individuals learn better through hands-on experiences and being immersed in their learning,” Jones said. “This is an opportunity for that all while having fun with their friends.”

Students in Orchestra and Band were also given the opportunity to improve their talents, and learn about rich history and experience invaluable lessons about the history of music. 

“Some of my favorite experiences from the trip was the master class at Loyola University, where a professor helped the Orchestra and Band improve our combined pieces for our upcoming Spring Concert on April 23rd,” senior Isabelle Maselli said. “Also learning about the history of Preservation Hall, a historic music venue in the French Quarter, and they preserve the music through these concerts.”

Students couldn’t choose just one part of the trip they loved most. They truly enjoyed the whole experience. 

“My favorite part was the whole trip to be honest,” senior Hailey Russo said. “Seeing all the live music and the soul they put into their performance is just amazing, and being able to hear the history behind New Orleans and learn so much about one place was such a great experience.”

Although students couldn’t choose just one part of the trip they loved most, Jones had no problem highlighting her favorite part of the trip.

“My favorite part was watching the students be fully engaged, interactive, positive and respectful in so many new experiences,” Jones said. “To know that so many have never traveled, flown on a plane or been in another state before and now we’re surrounded by incredible musicians everywhere and steeped in the culture of New Orleans was something I will never forget or take for granted.”

The trip was designed to help students experience music in new environments and is highly recommended for underclassmen because it brings them out of their comfort zone and helps them experience new adventures. 

“I would recommend students traveling to New Orleans in the future to appreciate how different and beautiful their culture is,” Pelaggi said. “Our students were able to experience music, food, and culture that they cannot get in our part of the country.”

By Ava Vercellone – Staff Reporter 

The Natural Helpers Club recently held its annual cookie decorating event.

The main goal for this event each year is to decorate cookies and for students to have fun and to interact with their peers.

“This event was a success because it brought a bunch of people together to have fun and decorate cookies,” sophomore Molly Lynch said. “It was great to see kids engage with each other who don’t normally talk to each other daily.” 

The Natural Helpers welcomed students to the event and held a small cookie decorating competition.

“We decided to do the cookie decorating as a fun way to get everyone together,” sophomore Charlotte Baldieri said.

The event was held in the senior cafeteria and the winners of the competition each got a gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts. 

“Although we had a little smaller crowd than we did last year, it was still fun,” sophomore Gabby Coffin said. “We had a great time.” 

By Gemard Guery – Editor-In-Chief and Editorial Editor

Two Jonathan Law students recently earned a prestigious award.

Senior JT Nelly and junior Matthew Berendt were named Eagle Scouts for their achievements within Boy Scouts.

In order to become an Eagle Scout, which is the highest distinction in scouting, students must earn at least 21 total merit badges, and serve at least six months in a youth troop leadership position. They must also be active in a troop for six months, complete a board review, participate in a Scoutmaster’s Conference, and demonstrate scout spirit.

The scouts also had to complete a service project in order to receive the distinction. 

Nelly’s project was landscaping the Plymouth building affiliated with the First United Church of Christ. He re-mulched the area, dug out and planted new bushes and flowers, sanded and repainted the railings, and trimmed the hedges. 

Berendt’s project was reroofing and painting the baseball dugouts at Wasson Field. He fundraised, got materials donated, and organized volunteers to execute the project. 

Both students have set their eyes on becoming an Eagle scout for years. They both have been a part of Boys Scouts for years with anticipation of someday becoming an Eagle Scout.

“It took me five years – I started when I was 12 when I finished Cub Scouts,” Nelly said. “I continued to work towards my Eagle Scout because I believe the knowledge I learned and retained on the way will be helpful for serving and helping others throughout the rest of my lifetime.”

As part of receiving the honor, scouts must earn badges through exhibiting proficiency in specific life and outdoor skills. The scouts are all led by their scoutmaster who guides them through their scouting journeys.

Scoutmasters are able to watch and aid in helping the boys succeed in scouting. Scoutmaster Mark Krom serves as scoutmaster for both Nelly and Berendt. 

Krom is a former Eagle Scout who’s served as a scoutmaster for over 40 years. He leads Troop 1 which has over 50 Boy Scouts.

“My favorite part is watching a shy young boy come into our troop as a new scout and watch him grow over the 8-19 years to become a fine young man,” said Krom. “I am very proud of all my scouts.”

While Eagle Scouts is an amazing accomplishment, both Nelly and Berendt can agree that being a scout comes with so many additional benefits.

“I became involved in a Robotics Club and was introduced to cross country by fellow scouts in my troop,” Berendt said. “The friendships I have made in scouting have exposed me to hobbies and interests that I never would have discovered otherwise.”

By Gabriella Coffin – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Social Studies Honor Society, also known as Rho Kappa, held its first ever induction ceremony on February 26.

There were over 35 inductees that attended the ceremony which was held in the evening in the senior cafe. 

“The event was very exciting,” History teacher and Rho Kappa Advisor Mr. Zuraw said. “It was the first time we have ever had a Social Studies Honor Society so I was very happy to see that we had so many students interested and able to meet the requirements to be admitted into Rho Kappa.”

The induction ceremony was conducted according to guidelines that were put forth by Rho Kappa.

“The induction was well-organized and smoothly executed,” Rho Kappa president Raymond Dong said. “Each new member received a certificate and was warmly welcomed into the Rho Kappa Honor Society.”

History teacher Ms. Healy gave the keynote speech and several Rho Kappa officers also made remarks

“We had a guest speaker, ceremonial candle-lighting, and speeches given by our officers,” Zuraw said. “It was a very nice event that went very smoothly.”

Meetings for Rho Kappa are normally held twice a month and are organized by the club officers.

“We are trying to meet once or twice a month and usually our president puts together an agenda of what we are discussing, such as what fundraisers we want to do or what events we want to hold,” Zuraw said.

To apply for Rho Kappa, students needed to have completed two core social studies courses, have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0, and have participated in activities that demonstrate civic engagement in their school or community.

Some upcoming events for Rho Kappa may include volunteering and other fundraising opportunities around school.

“Some upcoming events would be volunteering opportunities and opportunities for our members to get involved in civic engagement,” Dong said. 

By Cindy Bone – Staff Reporter

The Spanish Club had a major success with their recent service project – the Pulsera Project. 

The Pulsera Project was a bracelet sale held by the Spanish club from January 29 to February 12 to help support the nonprofit organization. The Pulsera Project is a nonprofit organization that educates, empowers, and connects Central American artists with students in more than 3,600 U.S. schools through the sale of colorful hand woven bracelets, or “pulseras,” in Spanish.

“Overall, the Pulsera Project was a massive success,” senior President Raymond Dong said. “The Spanish Club has fundraised a total of over $300 to support the nonprofit organization.” 

The Spanish Club had many eager members participate in the bracelet sale. There were many volunteers taking shifts to sell bracelets during lunch and promote the bracelet sale around the school.

“It was great to volunteer,” sophomore Gleidson De Souza said. “Getting to work alongside people and doing something good for the club just felt great.” 

The Pulsera Project was also a way to promote the Spanish Club throughout the school and help a good cause in the end.

“I loved being part of The Pulsera Project,” Spanish Club Advisor Mrs. Trombetta said. “My favorite part was seeing students work together to promote sales and educate their peers about the purpose of the project. It made our club more visible in the school.” 

Not only did the Pulsera Project help the organization, but it also helped some of the students get volunteers to do something they liked with their friends.

“I really liked volunteering with my friends cause we enjoyed our time while being able to get volunteer hours doing something good,” sophomore Aarush Katyal said.

The club wanted to do a service project to help show their club around the school and to help communities as well. 

“(Co-Advisor) Mr. McPartland had mentioned doing a service project as a club, and I suggested the idea of The Pulsera Project because I remember doing the same project at Harborside Middle School many years ago,” Trombetta said. 

Many people in school bought bracelets for their friends and family to help show their support for the cause. Each bracelet sold cost $5 and bags of bracelets cost $15. 

There were a variety of colors and bracelets and each item sold would help benefit the artists that created the hand woven bracelets. 

“The club decided to do this project to help support artisans in Central America,” Dong said.

By Ella Franzman – Editor-In-Chief

Freshman Selena Batres and Amilio Venditti were named February Athletes of the month by the Jonathan Law Athletics Department. 

Both placed at states with Batres winning her weight class. She is the first ever female wrestler from Law to win states and make it to New Englands. 

“I feel good about being Athlete of the Month,” Batres said. “I think someone who puts in the work, sees the outcome and also always has good sportsmanship, is worthy of athlete of the month.”

Batres said that she decided to join the team because she loves the sport and has been doin it her whole life. 

“Selena is a freshman that is a very determined competitor and works very hard in wrestling,” Assistant Coach Mr. Ruzbarsky said. “She is the first ever girl wrestler to go all state in the girls state tournament in our schools history as well as first ever girl to place in the Girls New England Championships and has amassed over 30 wins this season.”

Venditti also placed at states, coming in fourth at the Class M tournament. 

“Besides wrestling, at Law, I play soccer year-round for a team called Beachside of Connecticut, which we are in one of the hardest leagues in the country,” Venditti said. 

Venditti said he decided to join wrestling because he wanted to stay in shape and leave a lasting impact at Jonathan Law. 

“I feel happy and honored to be recognized for my achievements because I put so much effort throughout the season that I am glad to see it was recognized,” Venditti said. 

“Amilio is a very hardworking and determined athlete,” Ruzbarsky said. “He is only a freshman that never wrestled before and placed in the class M tournament at a difficult weight class and had over 20 wins individually this season.”

The wrestling team looks to have a bright future for a few seasons to come and is looking forward to getting back on the mats next year. 

By Quinn Willett – Social Media Editor 

Jonathan Law would not be the same without its group of dedicated, hard-working paraeducators. 

Law’s paraeducators take on many different roles and responsibilities on an daily basis. The group includes Mr. Boynton, Mr. Belade, Mr. Greenbaum, Ms. Leonard, Ms. Bourque, Mrs. Powers, Ms. Bartolomeo, Ms. Bencivengo, Mrs. Carolla, Mrs. Brennan, Ms. Brown, Ms. Fuentes, Mrs. Garnett, Mrs. Knoth, Mrs. Michels, Mr. Murphy, Mr. O’Reilly, Mrs. Pastick, and Mrs. White – all of whom lend a hand to Law’s special education students.

Powers is one of Law’s one-on-one paraeducators.

“I am a one-to-one paraeducator with one student under my care,” Powers said. “My day begins by driving to her home and riding the bus to school with her. She begins her day in a classroom with other students and she loves interacting with and learning with them. On most days we leave this classroom to go out into the community with a different set of students.”

Powers is not just a paraeducator at Law. She is also a friend and role model to so many of her students. 

This is Powers’ sixth year at Jonathan Law. She is one of the many paras at Law that contribute to making the community a more positive place.

“I am always so happy to see the kindness and respect that each group shows to the other,” Powers said. “In a perfect world we would all get along but here at Law I feel we do.” 

Michels, has also worked at Law for six years. She starts her day by greeting all the students she works with in the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Life Skills Program. 

“Law is a special place to work,” Michels said. “You feel like family when you’re here. The special education teachers and paraeducators all work together to make our students successful. We celebrate all accomplishments big and small. It’s simply the best.”

Leonard has been a paraeducator at Law for four years and said she loves the teachers and students she works with everyday.

“I enjoy working at Law very much,” Leonard said. “The best thing about working at Law is being supported 100% by the special education teachers. These wonderful teachers run classrooms with many levels of learning abilities and needs yet still find time to let us know how much they appreciate the work the paraeducators in their programs do. It’s a great feeling when your work is appreciated.”

By Maya Markowitz – Social Media Editor

Members of Law’s Future Business Leaders of America Club got the opportunity to visit the New York Federal Reserve on February 22. 

Students spent the entire day in New York City, accompanied by Business teachers and FBLA Club advisors Mr. Beler and Mrs. Israelite. They got the opportunity to take a tour of the Federal Reserve and learn about how it works.

“The goal of the trip was to see one of the federal government’s institutions and see how it operates and see billions in gold,” Beler said. “The students received a tour of the vaults and participated in a scavenger hunt.”

The Federal Reserve is home to 507,000 gold bars, equating to billions of dollars in value. These are stored in the basement of the Federal Reserve, which are only seen on a request-only basis, usually limited to only those in certain counties of the United States. 

“I love to give students the opportunity to learn more about business and the economy in an interactive way,” Israelite said. “We were able to see billions of dollars worth of gold in the vaults. In addition, students were able to see the Statue of Liberty, the New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street Bull, and more.“

Students were able to ask questions and engage with global economies which is relevant to the work that they do in FBLA. 

“I learned about how the Federal Reserve was very important to the United States but also very important to other countries,” sophomore Alani Velez said. 

At the end of the trip, students were able to take part in different activities in the city including sightseeing and other leisurely activities. 

“My favorite part of the trip was renting and riding bikes around the city with friends while we waited for the train home,” junior Christian Galligan said. 

One of the highlights of the trip for some was seeing the Statue of Liberty. 

“I was really excited to see the Statue of Liberty because I’ve never seen it before,” senior Hailey Russo said. “The trip was such a good experience.”

By Charlotte Rascoll – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law’s annual Brain Bowl is rapidly approaching and members of the National Honor Society are working hard to make it perfect.

Preparing for the Brain Bowl includes more work than people are able to see. Members of NHS meet after school every Thursday, and for the past month and a half, have been working hard to prepare for the event.

NHS Advisor Mrs. Goldbeck said there are many steps that must be taken for a successful Brain Bowl to occur.

“All of the members are working on committees to bring the Brain Bowl to fruition,” Goldbeck said. “The committees include advertising, question creation, video creation, and logo design.”

Certain steps are taken in order to have a successful Brain Bowl this year, including establishing a timeline for certain tasks to be finished.

“I am sure as the date closes in, we will all be feeling the pressure,” Goldbeck said.

The members have been doing their best this year keeping up with preparations and getting them done.

“I think that we’re doing really well in terms of preparation,” senior Sara Moshirzadeh said. “ I think the group of kids who stepped up this year have also been really important, we got the questions done pretty quickly, and the video was done wonderfully.”

This year the theme of the Brain Bowl is “The Hunger Games.”

“A lot of people are liking the theme this year and I think it’s what’s getting people to work more behind the scenes or even take the preliminary test,” Moshirzadeh said.

Donations made for the Brain Bowl go to brain cancer Research. Students are encouraged to donate in order to help their team gain points.

 “What I enjoy about preparing for the Brain Bowl is that we are making a fun event for the school community and raising money for a good cause in brain cancer research,” senior member Chris Deprofio said. “Overall, this is a great event that everyone in the school enjoys, and it also helps us contribute to helping find a cure for brain cancer.”

Members of NHS are challenged to come up with ideas and get creative while prepping. 

“I enjoy all the advertisement things,” junior member Olivia Pisacane said. “Making the posters and creating ideas is so fun.”

By Layla Alogna & Avery Moulton – Staff Reporters

Jonathan Law’s SAVE Promise Club celebrated Say Something Week with a series of activities from March 4-8.

Say Something Week aims to teach the warning signs of when someone might be struggling or need help and encourages people to be upstanders instead of bystanders. The club organized different activities and spirit days to raise awareness.

“Say Something Week is hosted by SAVE Promise to teach people the signs of someone in danger of harming themselves or others and being an upstander by telling a trusted adult,” SAVE Promise Club Advisor Ms. Healy said. “Our club is participating in this week in a few different ways with all the activities we’ve been hosting this week.”

Healy and the officers put in weeks of work to organize Say Something Week. They advertised on The Morning Briefing every day and posted information about it on their social media accounts.

“For Say Something Week, the other officers and I helped develop the week’s activities,” senior Officer Natalia Gagliardi said. “We try to come up with fun activities to invoke learning about how to speak up and take care of yourself.”

Each day this week was either a spirit day or an engaging activity to capture people’s attention and spread awareness.

“For Say Something Week, we planned activities every day with the purpose of spreading awareness,” senior Co-President Maya Markowitz said. “Some of the days that we had this week were Self-care Monday, where students wore pajamas to kick off the week, and Trusted Adult/Therapy Dog Thursday, where we handed out ‘trusted adult certificates’ and had Therapy Dog Winston visit our school.”

The steps of the Say Something program are recognizing the warning signs, saying something to a trusted adult, and building up a community of upstanders to look out for each other. PJ Day encouraged comfort in the Law community and Trusted Adult Thursday made students aware of the authoritative figures in the building they could talk to if they ever needed it.

“Staff and students were encouraged to wear their PJs because self-care should be comfortable,” Healy said. “On Tuesday we had a friendship bracelet station in the TLC to encourage people to get together and talk to each other.”

Members of the club appreciate Say Something Week because it makes students feel more comfortable and welcomed by the community around them.

“Say Something Week to me is really important because it allows students to realize and understand that there is a whole community of people and trusted adults that are ready and available to listen to you,” sophomore Harshitha Kothapalli said. “It teaches skills to students and faculty about being able to speak up in a judgment-free zone. This week brings up so much awareness to such a sensitive topic, so it’s really important that it’s talked about.”

By Fiorella Gargiulo – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Class of 2026 held its Sophomore Ring Banquet at Race Brook Country Club on March 1.

The Ring Banquet was held from 6-9 p.m. and was catered by the country club. A total of 95 students and additional guests attended the event. 

“A class ring is something you will have for the rest of your life,” Law Principal Bryan Darcy said. “It is something that you can look at as you get older and remember your times in high school with the students you experienced those events with.”

The Class of 2026 Student Council – President Layla Alogna, Vice President Aryan Sikinham, Treasurer Ben White, Secretary Nadia Nuzzo, and Senators Harshitha Kothapalli and Yeiden Nieves – had many council meetings and smaller fundraisers to make sure the Sophomore Ring Banquet was a hit.  

“The Student Council had to make sure everything was booked and that word got out to the sophomores about the dance and all of the details,” Alogna said. “What is most important is the Student Council’s passion and motivation to get the dance going.”

Having a Sophomore Ring Banquet allows the class to fundraise for future events, like the Junior Cotillion and Senior Prom. It is also en event for sophomores to look forward to in the spring.  

“Ring is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for sophomores because many people go to it, so it was a big deal to make sure that we fundraise as much as we could,” Sikinham said. 

Besides the work behind the banquet, the three hours were filled with dancing, eating, and taking many pictures with friends. Law Spanish teacher Mr. Rodriguez was the DJ for the night and helped the students unwind.  

“Throughout the duration of the event, the dance floor was always full,” Kothapalli said. “The food and venue upheld a certain level of excellence while also being able to cater to high schoolers.”

Some teachers and faculty from Law also attended the event. Many were there not only to chaperone but also to support their students.

“I really enjoyed chaperoning the beginning of the dance,” Health and Safety teacher Mr. Maurutis said. “It was great to see my students outside of our normal school day, dressing up, dancing, and having a great time.”

By Sophie Kalagher – Staff Reporter

A group of Jonathan Law student-athletes took a trip to Mathewson Elementary on March 1 where they helped with the school’s Read Across America Day celebration. 

Thirty-five Law athletes, along with a group of students from Foran High School, spent their morning reading to young learners in different grades. They got to travel around the school to different classrooms and build connections with young readers. 

“The Law student athletes who went did an amazing job interacting with the students, engaging in reciprocal conversations, and motivating the young learners to do their best in school,” Special Education teacher Mrs. Drew said.

The event was organized with Mrs. Jaggers, a first grade teacher at Mathewson. The goal was to give the young students role models and people to look up to. 

“I remember when I was in elementary I was so excited for the ‘big kids to come and read to me,” said freshman Nikhil Misra, a former Mathewson student. “It felt nice to be able to give them the same feeling.” 

Many of the Law students in attendance were Mathewson graduates. On the trip, they were also able to connect with their old teachers and feel like an elementary student again. 

“Revisiting all the teachers, it was awesome seeing all of their reactions and sharing past memories,” said freshman Anthony Scappatura, a Mathewson graduate.

Everyone enjoyed themselves – both students and teachers. It was an experience that the Law and Mathewson students won’t forget. 

“You could tell everyone enjoyed it and it was special for the teachers to see their old students,” junior Chloe Konereski said.

In the future, Drew is hoping to keep this event an annual trip and potentially take more students. Many students plan on attending again because of how successful the trip was this year. 

“I would like to attend next year and see more students and teachers,” freshman Madi Black said. 

By Addy Barber and Julia Ryan – Staff Reporters

The Jonathan Law Key Club is hard at work preparing for this years District Conference (DECON) where they hope to win multiple awards to match their winning record from last year’s convention.

The officers of Key Club used what they learned at last year’s convention workshops to lead the club through another successful service year.

“Last year we took home a lot of awards as a club, including 1st place in the Non-Digital Poster, Annual Achievement, and Monthly Reports, and 3rd place in Traditional Scrapbook and the Oratory Contest,” senior Key Club President Maya Markowitz said. “We have been working hard again this year so I am hoping to bring home even more.”

To ensure all of these contests are done before convention, the club has divided into committees during their weekly meetings.

“The club has been constantly preparing for DECON by working on committee projects such as scrapbook, oratory, and digital/non digital posters,” sophomore Bulletin Editor Harshitha Kothapalli said.

Club members are excited to attend the convention and to see how well the club places in each contest. 

“I’m looking forward to DECON because it’s a really good opportunity to get involved with other Key Club members from other schools and also a chance to have fun with club members from Law,” sophomore Kayla Markowitz said.

Key Club Advisor Mr. Boynton has attended DECON many times and loves seeing what other clubs are up to.

“I love opening ceremonies and seeing all the great things the Key Clubbers in New England have accomplished throughout the year,” Boynton said.

The club is looking forward to showcasing all of the hard work and service to their community they’ve done throughout the year.

“Every week in meetings we continue working on our year-long service projects,” Maya Markowitz said. “Members are constantly volunteering and gaining more experience in preparation for the conference.”

This year’s board of officers not only includes traditional club officer positions but also has the 2023-2024 Lieutenant Governor. The club’s Bulletin Editor will be taking on this position next year and is excited to meet the rest of the 2024-2025 District Board at DECON.

“Something I’m looking forward to the most is being sworn in and trained to be the new Lieutenant Governor of Division 20,” Kothapalli said. “It’s a chance for me to meet the rest of the new LTGs and to build the future of our division.”