By Maya Markowitz- Social Media Editor

The Jonathan Law Spanish Club had its first meeting on Tuesday, October 25. 

The club plans to make Spanish more visible at Jonathan Law by fundraising and planning activities for everyone to participate in. Meetings will be held on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in Room 210. 

Spanish teachers Mr. McPartland and Mrs. Trombetta advise the club and are welcoming new members in the upcoming meetings. 

“One of my big goals I have for the club is to help us all practice empathy,” McPartland said. “Reaching out to organizations that support groups of people in Spanish speaking countries who may not be as fortunate as us and fundraising for them is my first idea to shed light on this.”

Aside from fundraising, the club aims to have an open space for students of Spanish speaking countries to have a community integrated at Law. 

“In this school we have many students who come here from Spanish speaking communities,” Trombetta said. “I want to have a way to give those students a space to be apart of the community instead of staying isolated” 

The club will be primarily student run and all activities will be open to all students at Law, not just those in Spanish classes. 

“This year, I am most excited to eat foods from different cultures and go on field trips with the club,” junior Addy Barber said. 

Students in the club are looking forward to a variety of activites as they prepare for the year. 

“I decided to join the Spanish club because I wanted to learn more about Hispanic culture,” junior Alex Fino said. “I wanted to be involved in a club that was a welcoming space where I can spend time with my friends, while also learning.” 

Officer positions are still being filled as a way to offer some leadership as well as education to the group. 

“Learning Spanish in a classroom and being exposed to Spanish and its culture in the real world are two separate and very different experiences,” senior Raymond Dong said. “In the Spanish Club, members are encouraged to participate in interactive cultural events such as the upcoming Dia de Los Muertos event we will have on Thursday, November 2.”

Students and staff at Law are excited to see this new club build over the next year within the school community. 

By Michael Merchant – Staff Reporter 

Jonathan Law’s Science Club seems is preparing to compete in several events this school year.

This year, the club will be competing at UConn and Brown to showcase their hard work. The team placed well in many events last year and are hoping to improve and earn even more medals. 

“About 10 or so years ago a few students approached Mr Stanton and I about starting a Science Club with the purpose of competing in Science Olympiad competitions,” science teacher and Science Club advisor Ms. Turcotte said. “We agreed and have been doing it since.”

Members said that Science Club is a perfect opportunity to broaden your knowledge about science and make new friends.

“Other students should join Science Club because it’s a really fun way to interact with other peers and see how science can be applied in so many different ways,” senior Moulika Sivalenka said. “Other benefits from participating in competitions are that it prepares students in fast thinking and improves their quick decision making.”

The students in Science Club are passionate about the subject matter and about the competition aspect.

“I joined Science Club my freshman year because I was really interested to see what the club was about because so many upperclassmen and freshman I knew were doing it,” Sivalenka said. “I also wanted to explore different avenues of science and broaden my perspectives about science.”

Senior Jack Bretthauer enjoys the collaboration shown by the club.

“I wanted to be surrounded by people who care about science and collaborate together and compete against other schools around the country,” senior Jack Bretthauer said. 

Science Club was created for students who have a passion for science and engineering and are interested about competing Announcements about upcoming meetings will be made on Eagle Eye News and if students have any questions, they can ask a club member, Ms. Turcotte, or Mr. Stanton.

By Isla Concepcion – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Marching Band is back and better than ever. 

The Band returns for the 2023-2024 school year with a variety of new songs for their halftime performances. They have performed at halftime of every home football game this year and are planning to add to their routine. 

“The last tune we are doing is called ‘As It Was,'” Band Director Mr. Pelaggi said. “It is a Harry Styles tune that we are hopefully going to be adding in the next football game. We only did two in the last one, and the next one we are hoping to finish out our show and finish out our third.”

This will be the first time the Band will be performing “As It Was.” 

With many new freshmen and the highly anticipated halftime music, band members said they have a lot to look forward to.

Freshman Ethan Pannella is excited to perform with the Band. 

“I’m looking forward to growing as a musician and meeting new people, and just overall learning new things,” Pannella said. “It’s amazing to perform at halftime, just the feeling of being on the field, everyone looking the same in the uniforms, it gives a real sense of community.”

One future highlight for the Band is a trip to New Orleans that will take place in March.

“Our trip in March, for sure in New Orleans that’s the big event this year,” Pelaggi said. “We’re doing a ton of fundraising for it. We are doing a ton of prep for it.” 

In New Orleans, they will be playing a jazz song called “Hurricane Season” by Trombone Shorty. 

This winter, the Band will have a Winter Concert that junior Assistant Drum Major Eli Gill is excited for. 

“The Jazz Band also had been expanding so much and I know the Winter Concert for us is going to be great,” Gill said. 

With the Band expanding comes more relationships and members relying and helping each other. 

“I also get to perfect my craft as a percussionist and have the support of the whole Band if I ever need it,” senior Jasper Chu said. 

New member Jaden Life Mondejar said the Band makes him feel welcome. 

“I would say it’s pretty good,” Mondejar said. “I get to talk with nice people and I get to just have fun.” 

Freshman Josef Kremer said the Band is working hard to get better every day and he is excited for what is to come.

“I am looking forward to doing more complex pieces and working on areas that need improving,” Kremer. said. “Also, the New Orleans trip.”

By Shafia Virk – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Orchestra is fundraising for a trip to New Orleans in March.

The Orchestra has been practicing hard for the past month to prepare for the trip and they started fundraising for it as well. They have raised over $5,000 so far through their cookie and butter braids MCM fundraiser.

The groups also host a can and bottle fundraiser on the third Saturday of every month. The Choir, Band, Jazz Band, and Orchestra are fundraising together. 

Music Director Mr. Pelaggi said that he is excited to work with the Orchestra this year.

“This year the Orchestra group is very young,” Pelaggi said. “But they have been adjusting very well.” 

This year, the Orchestra will perform at two concerts – the Winter Concert on December 14 and the trip to New Orleans in March. They have never done something like this before and they’re very excited for it. 

“I am so excited for the concert,” freshman Jocelyn Dimes said.

Dimes is one of many new Orchestra members this year. She said that Pelaggi is one of the biggest reasons she enjoys her time in Orchestra.

“I think he is very nice,” Dimes said.

Freshman Evelyn Kim has also enjoyed her first month as a member of the Orchestra.

“My experience with strings orchestra has been fun,” Kim said. “I get to learn new pieces and practice playing with the whole orchestra.” 

Freshman Ava Hayden said she is excited about Orchestra this year despite some nerves early in the year.

“I was nervous and thought the other students would be older and better than me,” Hayden said.

By Madi Black – Staff Reporter 

The Jonathan Law Badminton Club is back in the gym for the new school year.

The club is advised by English teacher Mr. Giangregorio and led by seniors Srivarsh Gudlavalleti, Saharsh Bhatia, Jasper Chu, Jonathan Uruchida, Raagav Kuraganti, Vincent Vocal, and Alastaire Balin.

Members said that the Badminton Club is a great way to meet new people and get some exercise. 

“We plan on meeting each Tuesday until about Thanksgiving when winter sports start up and gym time becomes more difficult to schedule,” Giangregoio said. “After the winter sports season, we’ll get back to regular weekly meetings in the spring.” 

The first meeting is Tuesday, October 3 from 2 p.m. to 3:15 pm. Students don’t have to go to every meeting or stay the entire time.

“Interested students should look out for updates on Eagle Eye News and our Google Classroom, using the code zoy3l2b,” Giangregoio said.

Two years ago, three students asked Giangregorio if they could start up a weekly Badminton Club. Aside from their love of badminton, they wanted to create an environment where students could play the sport in either a relaxed or competitive way.

“I chose to to make a Badminton Club because there was a lot of people that had a passion for the sport and wanted to play including myself,” Bhatia said. “Badminton is a really fun sport and we only get to play it in gym class so we decided to further expand the time students get to play and give them the opportunity to play recreationally or competitively.” 

The Badminton Club wants to have one to two singles and or doubles tournaments this year. 

“We don’t have a set number of members other than the five officers,” Chu said. “Whoever attends or wants to attend is welcome. Last year, the number of members fluctuated from 12 to 30 members. We had our highest attendance during the first few meetings, and it would usually get to a point where we would run out of rackets for people to use.”

The Badminton Club broke its record for members last year and hope to break it again this year. Anyone interested in joining should see Giangregorio or one of the club officers.

By Courtney Russo – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law’s Future Business Leaders of America Club is recruiting new members join for the 2023-2024 school year.

The club meets in Room 127 on F days during Advisory with Mr. Beler and Mrs. Israelite. Members are looking to improve and grow this year.

“Our first step is getting more members and more people involved,” senior President Jack Bretthauer said. “We want to have a lot more freshman in the club this year, so that next year they can take over as a lot of our upperclassman will be leaving.”

Senior member Hailey Russo said she has already seen the club growing.

“The first year I was in the club, it was the beginning of the club, but now there are a lot more field trips, a lot more opportunities for volunteer hours and competitions,” Russo said.

The club is hoping to fundraise to reduce the prices of field trips and competitions. Some fundraisers are already in the planning process.

“We of course are going to do the Winter Wonderland again which was a lot of fun,” Russo said. “Coming up we have a trip to the PEZ factory. We are trying to have a different field trip every month but we don’t know what is in store for the rest of the year.”

Members of the club are also already preparing to compete at the State Leadership Conference.

“I know its not going to be easy at competitions and I’m expecting to have to work very hard but i’m willing to put in the work,” freshman member Amilio Venditti said.

Students can join the club by talking to Bretthauer for more information.

“Get involved in the club as much as you can because it can really help you with scholarships and applications” sophomore member Alani Velez said. “It is a good club to be a part of, and I’m really happy I joined. I feel more involved in Law and the student body after becoming a member.”

The club is hoping to set a record for memberships this year and take home wins at competitions.

“A goal I have for the club is to grow more and more over the year and set a positive look for our Law community,” Russo said. I’ve tried to encourage a lot of freshman to join the club, and so far we have many new members.”

By Cindy Bone – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Choir is off to a strong start at the beginning of the school year, with many big things to come.

This year the Choir will be taking their first big trip to New Orleans this March. Many students in the Choir are very excited as this will be a new experience for all members.

“We are very much looking forward to continuing to build the well established community but also our first big trip with the music department to New Orleans,” Choir Director Ms. Jones said.

Not only are students excited for their big trip, but also they are excited to create a safe space and a community amongst themselves as a group.

“Choir has been the class I look most forward to,” junior Lasya Pydipati said. “It’s such a friendly community and everyone is just family.”

Choir has 73 members and one goal they have is to improve on their skills and help each member grow and learn to love the experience even more. 

“My goal for the Choir this year is to hopefully help every member refine their skills when it comes to music and teamwork,” senior Choir Manager Jasper Chu said. “I aim to help every single Choir member succeed in whatever personal goals they may have, music-related or not. I want us to be able to take pride in the music we make and perform to our best ability.”

Choir has been an exciting experience for many old members and new members and will continue to be for many more years to come. Members of all grades encourage people to join as the Choir is great for social skills and so on.

“I recommend just trying out Chorus even if you’re a beginner,” freshman Mia Close said. “It’s very welcoming and you learn a lot.”

Choir is important to so many students and many view it as a family and as a community. 

“I think of Choir as a whole, a big family, and I’m pretty sure people in it do too,” sophomore Jaylen Rogers said. 

Choir has many different levels including AVE (Advance Vocal Ensemble) which is off to a great start with their auditions.

“We always participate in the CMEA region and All-State honors festivals and this is mostly with our Advanced Vocal Ensemble, but this year we have already had a meeting where the AVE students encouraged and explained the process to our Concert Choir and Chorus class,” Jones said.

By Logan Mullarkey – Staff Reporter

Students in the Jonathan Law Book Club are getting prepared to start a new book by the beginning of October.

The Book Club was created for the students of Jonathan Law to enable to read books and be able to talk about them freely within a group of people who have the same interest in reading. Library Media Specialist and Book Club Advisor Ms. Mundy said she is excited for this year’s Book Club to begin.

“We pick one book a month to talk about and eat treats,” Mundy said. “It’s overall a great time.”

The first genre of book they are reading this year is fantasy, which is different from the mystery genre that they typically read. 

“(Advisor) Ms. Mundy usually picks the first genre but lets us vote on the genre and the book after that, but first we are reading a fantasy book which is different, but exciting,” Senior Abby DeJohnghe said. 

Book Club meets once a month to decide on the new book they are going to be reading. During these meetings, the club also has a discussion about the book they last read and sometimes they are even given treats made by Mundy. 

Book Club typically meets once a month during common time on F days.

“I love Book Club,” senior Giuliana Agria said. “It’s a great way to meet new people and come together and talk about anything, especially books. It’s definitely a smaller club, about 12 students.” 

Their first book, which they will begin to read in early October, is called “The House In The Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune. This book was chosen for the group by Mundy. 

At the next meeting, the students in the club will have a vote on the next genre and the actual book that they will be reading for the next month.

“I’m relatively new to the club because my friends told me to join last year, despite me being a senior,” senior Serina Woosley said. ”Even though I don’t read often, I’m in adoration of some of the novels that Ms. Mundy picks out. She gives me Oreos because I am not allowed to have the snacks the other kids get.”

By Jordyn Torres – Staff Reporter

Mrs. Griswold is Law’s academic tutor and is located in the TLC during all periods.

If students ever need help with their work, Griswold has a small, quiet room to learn and focus. Griswold is kind, welcoming, and is ready to help students with their school work.

“I love helping students with skills such as time management, organization, and work completion,” Griswold said. “I also enjoy when students come to see me to work independently in a quiet, relaxed study environment.”

Prior to being an academic tutor at Law, Griswold was an ELA teacher at a middle school. She realized she was ready for a change and was curious to see what it would be like to work with high schoolers.

“When students work conscientiously with Mrs. Griswold, their grades increase and their study habits improve,” school counselor Ms. Raymo said. “Mrs. Griswold creates a positive and comforting environment.”

Students enjoy being in a quiet place to do work.

“I started working in Mrs. Griswold’s room because I wanted a quiet place to study and the more and more I went, the more I got done,” junior Lila Hoxie said. “She was so sweet and always offered to help us with whatever we needed. She gave me new books and movie recommendations that were always really good.”

Students at Law who have consistently worked with Griswold have seen academic improvements.

“She sat down with me and we made a list from the hardest assignments to the easiest ones,” sophomore Brady O’Neil said. “Doing that helped a lot because I learned how to manage my time better.” 

Students said that Griswold has a lot of patience and is a great support system. 

“Mrs. Griswold is helpful because she really takes the time to support you while you’re doing your work,” junior Quinn Willett said. “Having someone in the room with you while completing assignments who will give guidance is very helpful. Working with her is different from working in other classes because she has a quiet, calming environment to get your work done well.”

By Alex Rodriguez – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law student fan program, Law Nation, is back and in full swing this year.

Law Nation allows students to enter any sporting event for free after a one-time payment of $20.  

“Some of the benefits of Law Nation is that I am able to get into the games quicker and I do not have to pay each time I get to a game,” junior Dalton Evans said.  “I would definitely recommend Law Nation to a new student because it lets them experience all of our sports teams and feel more connected.”

After they sign up for Law Nation, all students need to do to get into any home game, with the exception of the Thanksgiving or state games, is give their first and last name when they arrive at the door. 

This allows all Jonathan Law students to attend any home game throughout any of the athletic seasons. 

“I absolutely love it,” math teacher and girls soccer coach Ms. Francisco Said.  “It gives students an easy way to pop into a game even for a little bit.”

Law Nation makes attending sporting events more accessible to all students. 

“I come to almost every sporting event because I do not have to pay for games I am attending,” junior Cameron Upchurch said.  “I absolutely would recommend Law Nation to all students.”

Students can join Law Nation at any time and students who joined before September 22 receive a free T-shirt.  

“Sports events are a lot better and easier because I can enjoy being with close friends,” freshman Kevin Cepitelli said.

Law Nation allows students to be better connected within their school community and to meet new people at these events. 

“One downside of not buying Law Nation is I am not always able to go to all the athletic events I want to because I do not have money with me,” senior Cooper Fitzgerald said. “If there’s a game going on after practice, I do not usually have money to pay for a ticket, but if I had a Law Nation I’d be able to attend.” 

Students who do not buy Law Nation usually find themselves in situations thinking that they wish they had bought it.

“I regret not buying Law Nation because if I had it I’d easily be able to make back the $20 it costs and then some,” Fitzgerald said. “I would go to many more Law sporting events if I had it.” 

By Ava Vercellone – Staff Reporter 

The Student Help Desk is back at Jonathan Law for its third year.

The Student Help Desk is a program where students can get technology support such as repairing and swapping out their Chromebooks. The Student Help Desk is located in the center of the TLC under the skylights. 

“I’m so proud of this program,” Library Media Specialist Ms. Mundy said. “It’s grown so much since I started it in the fall of 2021.” 

This year, 10 students are working at the help desk which is the most the program has ever had.  

“What made me decide to work at the student help desk was because I heard from years previous that it was fun,” senior Jayson Champ said. “And that it was a good opportunity to test your skills.“ 

There is always at least one student available working at the desk with the exception of Period 2. 

One of the more essential skills is problem-solving,” senior Jasper Chu said. “There could be many things wrong with the technology we’re working on, so being able to break down the problem and finding a proper solution is critical to being able to do this job properly.” 

At the end of each school year, Mundy asks Computer Science students who are interested to apply to join the help desk.

“The prerequisite skills were fairly simple,” senior Bradley Swift said. “Just having a positive attitude, and willingness to learn as the year passes.” 

So far this year, Help Desk students have helped fix desktops, fix internet in classrooms, set up sound systems, and install software at Jonathan Law High School 

“I would say the most common problems with Chromebooks are usually screen issues,” senior Shaun Johnson said. “I would say they are an easy fix, either looking at the cable for the screen or the actual screen itself, and then fixing whichever part is wrong.” 

Mundy and the IT department teach the students how to use some of the skills they need to know to work at the desk.

“I’m grateful to the staff, administration, and IT department,” Mundy said. “They have been so supportive and allowed the program to expand.”

By Alexa Rosati – Staff Reporter 

Jonathan Law’s “Love from Law” Club is starting back up this year.

The club is run by senior Helen Chizmazia and advisor Mrs. Lucia and meets during common time.

“Love From Law” was started last year and with the goal of writing letters to send to people in need of motivation. 

“My hopes for the club this year are to donate to as many places as possible as well as continue running the successful meetings,” Chizmazia said.

Many students in the Law community love giving back and love finding ways to brighten people’s days. This club give students opportunities make others smile and feel appreciated. 

“I joined ‘Love from Law’ because it makes me feel good writing letters to groups who are less fortunate or who might get cheered up by receiving positive letters,” junior Quinn Willett said. “I hope we write more letters this year to animal related groups, like shelters and vets.” 

Students from all grade levels are encouraged to join “Love From Law.” The members this year are hoping for even more students to participate than last year. 

“Anyone who is interested in receiving community service hours and making new friends while writing cards should definitely consider joining ‘Love from Law,'” Chizmazia said. 

Chizmazia found her inspiration for “Love from Law” because of her love for writing and receiving handmade cards.

“To have a club especially for that here at Law seemed fitting for the school community, having this club where we can all write together sounded good,” said Chizmazia. 

If students want to make other peoples’ day and earn community service hours, details on this year’s meeting times will be announced soon.

By Charlotte Rascoll – Staff Reporter

SAVE Promise Club’s 2023 season is beginning and all the officers and members are excited.

This year the club’s goals are centered around engagement. Club advisor Ms. Healy is focusing on getting new members of the Law community involved in SAVE’s actions.

“We really want to involve as many members of our Law family as possible in what we’re doing, especially as we jump into Start with Hello week this week,” Healy said. 

She is also looking forward to working with this year’s officers including President Helen Chizmazia, Secretary Gianna Gagliardi, and Social Media Editor Ava Ambrusco.

“I would have to say I am really excited to work with our officers this year because they have such great ideas that they want to implement,” Healy said. “They are all such a great group of student leaders that I am sure they’ll accomplish whatever they set out to do.”

The officers, who meet at least once a month to discuss upcoming plans, shared their excitement and plans for the 2023-2024 season.

“Our main goal in the SAVE promise club is to make not only our school feel like a safe space but finding ways for schools in general to feel like a safe place,” Chizmazia said. “We are so excited to see so many new members this year, we encourage everyone who is interested in creating a comfortable community in our school to join.”

Chizmazia is hoping to spread the word about SAVE, so students know why it can be a good place for them.

“SAVE Promise Club is not only a great way to get involved with providing a safe environment for yourself and others but to make new friends along the way,“ Chizmazia said. “Everyone is super welcoming and friendly so we love seeing new faces at the meetings.” 

Gagliardi shares her excitement about the upcoming season and Start With Hello week which took place this past week. The week encourages students to be more inclusive with events planned throughout the week including a new theme everyday.

“We are actually working on a lot of fun stuff,” Gagliardi said. “Start with Hello is one of our favorite activities because we know it can be challenging starting school so it ensures that people feel more welcome and talk to new people in school.”

Ambrusco became the social media editor of SAVE Promise Club as just a sophomore.

“As a freshman I saw and heard that I should be more involved in clubs so I put that offer on and I joined SAVE Promise Club,” Ambrusco said. “Something I’m really excited about is getting more people involved in the club and making them feel included and welcomed for this season.”

All members of SAVE expressed their excitement about this year and the hope of getting some new members added to the club.

“I think people should be aware of SAVE Promise Club because it’s a good community and it’s filled with people who can help you,” junior member Paige Kantor said. “I’m excited to fundraise and do projects to spread awareness for the club.”

By Taylor Batterton – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Drama Club will be spooking audiences for their fall performance. 

The dates for this showcase are Friday, October 20, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 21, at 2 p.m. This performance will showcase the talents of the members of the Drama Club while also encompassing the spooky theme. 

“Having a spooky themed showcase was the perfect way to get in the Halloween spirit while displaying everyone’s Lawmazing talents,” Drama Club Director Brianna Lenotti said.

One of the numbers will showcase Micheal Jackson’s “Thriller,” with classic vocals and dance moves. 

“‘Thriller’ is going to be so much fun, everyone is going to be in it,” junior Costume Designer Josh Valentine said. “It’s going to be so fun to do costumes with, and we might have a really fun set for that.” 

This performance will truly feature students’ creativity, adding the positions of choreographers, costume and set designers, and emcees. 

“Being emcee with (junior) Sarah Ahmed is one of the biggest responsibilities I have felt so far in the club because we are tasked with writing all the commentary in between performances and keeping the crowd alive as the show goes on,” senior President and Emcee Toni Cepalia said. 

The creative aspect of the show will be run by students. However, the directors are always there to help and move an acting scene forward or assist with vocals. 

“Giving students the opportunity to take charge of what they’re putting on stage is a really empowering and exciting experience that provides the opportunity to truly work as a team to create something they’re proud of,” Lenotti said. 

Remembering pieces of choreography or reciting lines can be the most difficult part of performing, however the members work off of each other to overcome those obstacles.

“The biggest obstacle for me is learning the choreography and just memorizing a lot of stuff, but like otherwise there isn’t really an issue,” sophomore Keira Askintowicz said. “It’s all good people, it’s really fun, and I recommend it.” 

Drama Club is always encouraging new members to join. All are welcome and many members describe Drama Club as a family. 

“Even if you have never stepped foot on the stage before. Have experience acting, dancing, anything, but you have the slightest interest,” Cepalia said. “Show up. Audition. The worst thing that could happen is you’re in the ensemble which is one of the biggest parts of the show. Really just put in your all and doing what you can do.”

By Aislyn McKernan – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law hosted its first pep rally of the year on September 22 to show support for the fall sports teams.

The students in the stands wore their colors for color wars and they cheered on the fall sports team as they ran out into the rally. The pep rally also featured the national anthem led by the Choir, a Law Band performance, and a routine put on by the Law cheerleaders. 

“I think the first pep rally was good overall,” math teacher and Senior Class Advisor Mrs. Francisco said. “I think we could always be a little more spirited but it was a good way to start the year off.” 

After the fall sports teams ran out, the Law Choir performed the National Anthem. This is the first time this year the Choir has performed together. 

“I think the Choir performed very well, especially for it being their first performing together,” Choir Director Ms. Jones said. 

Russell said there will be more pep rallies coming soon.

“We will have one for the Thanksgiving game and Powder Puff,” Russell said. “We will also have one for winter sports and spring sports.”

This year’s first pep rallied was planned, organized, and emceed by the senior class officers. A group of seniors, including the class officers, usually plan the pep rallies along with Francisco and Russell.

“I hope to help with future rallies, and as class President, I know our Student Council will definitely be planning some more for the future,” Senior Class President Ike Opayemi said.

During the pep rally, a group of Law students played musical chairs as a fun way to get everyone hyped for the football game that night.

“We (the Student Council members) came up with the activities and games,” senior Isabella Gecaj said.

The pep rally also included a routine performed by Law’s cheer team.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the cheer team’s performance,” Law cheer coach Morgan Colombo said. “It has been a long time since they’ve done an actual routine in front of their entire school and they went out and nailed their halftime routine.” 

After the performance, Law’s cheerleaders also helped out with cheers for the game later that night.

“We haven’t had a performance from the cheerleaders in a for the past couple pep rallies and I think that really helped to get the crowd involved and excited,” Russell said. 

By Julia Ryan – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law’s Key Club started up again on September 21 for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Advised by Mr. Boynton, Key Club aims to help out around the community while giving students a chance to earn volunteer hours. 

“We lost a lot of our officers this year so we are starting fresh,” Boynton said. 

New officers were elected at the end of school last year. 

“For the past couple years, Law’s Key Club has been extremely successful under the leadership of Caroline Doyle, the NEBD’s (New England Bermuda District), former District Governor,” Vice President Atiana Tandon said. 

Key Club aims to get a lot of new members this year and around 30 new members attended the first meeting. 

“The first meeting was very exciting,” President Maya Markowitz said. “We got good attendance and set the tone for the rest of the year.”

There are many returning members this year who are excited to become involved and a part of the Key Club community. 

“I’m definitely more excited to become more involved in the club and get volunteer hour opportunities,” returning member Kayla Markowitz said.

Throughout the school year, Key Club focuses on volunteering and helping others. 

“I hope that everyone can find volunteer opportunities throughout the year and become more involved especially as we prepare for DECON,” Maya Markowitz said. 

The club officers have many goals for the new year and are excited to prepare for DECON in the spring. 

“This year the main goal of me and our Club President, Maya Markowitz, is to rebuild the club and continue its streak of success, so we can showcase all of our club’s hard work at the District Educational conference in the Spring,” Tandon said. 

Key Club is a great opportunity to get involved in the school community. 

“Our main goal is to be busy and work well within the community and school,” Boynton said. 

By Yeiden Nieves – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Class of 2027 learned what it means to be a Lawman at a “Freshman Welcome Day” on September 22. 

The Freshman Academy started the event off with trivia and fun games to help the freshmen learn their advisory classmates. They followed that with a cookout, held fun field games, and rotated students around the building learning about the characteristics of a Lawman. 

“My favorite part of the event was the scavenger hunt,” freshman Matthew Witteman said. “It was a really fun way to learn the school more.”

Being a freshman can be a challenge, so many upperclassmen stepped up to help encourage the freshmen to get involved with the community. They hosted presentations around the building that showed the freshmen what it means to be a Lawman. 

“I encouraged the freshmen to get involved in the Law community by sharing with them how I got involved and my experience with extracurriculars,” sophomore Kayla Markowitz said. “I hope that by me sharing with them all the great things Law has to offer and my positive experiences that they become more inclined to become a part of the community themselves.”

This day was a great opportunity to show the freshman how to be involved with their community and what it means to be a Lawman. Building relationships between the freshmen, the community, and their upperclassmen was a key goal in this event.

“The overall goal of this experience is for ninth grade students to receive important information about our school, activities, and programs from upperclassmen who have experienced them,” Principal Mr. Darcy said. “It also helps continue to build on our positive school climate and family atmosphere.”

One of the most important factors in the event were the upperclassmen. They were tasked with the biggest job of supporting the freshmen.

“The upperclassmen helped show the freshmen what it means to be a Lawman,” junior Ella Franzman said, “We prioritized showing them on how to be better leaders and how they can get involved in their community.”

As a freshman, having support from upperclassmen can help a student feel welcomed – and that’s certainly how the freshman felt. 

“The upperclassmen encouraging us to be active in their activities and our community helped create a positive environment among us,” freshman Sophie Kalagher said. “They truly helped me feel welcomed into the Law community.”

The freshmen ended their day off with a BBQ and playing fun games with their peers and upperclassmen. The activity was far followed by a school-wide pep rally.

By Molly Lynch – Staff Reporter

The Natural Helpers Club is holding its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, October 3, after school in Room 206. 

This club’s main goal is to focus on students’ mental health and well-being while also bringing the school community together through many activities/events. These events are a great way to get involved with the school community and make new friends.

This club is also great for students who want to be more involved in their schools community and with the peers around them.

“We plan to repeat some of our favorite events from last year, including after-school Halloween Bingo (with prizes!), collaborative team-building competitions (like our cookie decorating event), and little activities along the way designed to bring a smile to people’s faces,” Natural Helpers Club Advisor Ms. Smuniewski said. “Whatever we do, our goals are to try to bring students together in a way that ensures all students feel safe and connected in our school.”

These events are a great way for students to come together and feel safe and connected with their school.

“Our annual De-Stress fest I would say is the most impactful event on the Law community,” junior club president Sarah Ahmed said. “It’s an opportunity for us students (and staff too!) to relax and have fun with the options of many activities before finals.”

The De-Stress Fest and other activities that the club holds are great sources for stress and anxiety relief and easily accessible safe spaces to relax. 

“Our club helps to give kids a space to make new friends and step out of their comfort zone,” sophomore club member Charlotte Baldieri said. 

This club gives students a safe space to feel comfortable enough to leave their comfort zone and make friends.

“Kids should join this club because it is an opportunity for leadership in the school,” club member junior Sana Joshi said. “It is a fun way to get involved in extracurriculars in the school and meet new people as well as create friendships and bonds,” 

This club provides leadership opportunities, involvement in extracurriculars, and the creation of new friendships and bonds.

“I love that Natural Helpers assists with bringing everyone together to support students who might be struggling socially or emotionally,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said.

This club is a great outlet for people who may be struggling socially or emotionally and gives them a safe and secure place to go to.

By Ava Grippo – News Editor 

Model U.N’s first meeting of the year took place Friday, September 28, after school. 

The meeting was held in Ms. Burns’ room, Room 185. The club’s goal for this year is to carry on with building their memberships and raise money for their conference in New York in March. 

“I am most excited to help students practice their parliamentary debate and research skills as they prepare for the conference,” Model U.N. Co-Adviser Mr. Evanko said. 

Model U.N. is all about simulating international relations and members learn about debate and research skills. 

“My favorite part of Model U.N is learning about the different world issues that are occurring right now and to effectively debate and solve them,” senior Club Officer Moulika Sivalenka said

During the New York conference, members of Model U.N. take the role of delegates from countries around the world and solve a number of issues such as wars, food insecurity and climate change. Members have the chance to meet people from nations across the globe. 

“I am most looking forward to the conference and getting the chance to meet new people”, senior Club Officer Gemard Guery said. “The conference was really so much fun and I was able to make new relationships and strengthen relationships as well.”

With a new wave of freshmen, the Model U.N. Club should be expecting new members. 

“It seems like a lot of fun,” freshman Jackie Rivera said. “I heard about a trip to New York that seemed fun and meeting new people, doing new things, being helpful.” 

The conference in New York is the most important event that the members of Model U.N do. The club works hard all year to prepare for the conference. 

Co-advisor Ms. Burns said that last year’s conference was successful and fun for everyone who attended.

“It went really well,” Burns said. “It was our first year back after COVID and it was a lot of kids’ first time to come. I think the kids did really well in their committees. We raised a lot of money and it was a really good time.”

By Sophie Kalagher – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law High School is excited about the arrival of a new club, the Nation Social Studies Honors Society. 

The admissions were due on Tuesday, September 26, and were available only to juniors and seniors. History teacher and advisor Mr. Zuraw is excited for the start of this new club. 

“I expect members to be engaged and active in the club’s activities because it is really important for a brand new club to start off strongly and keep interest high,” Zuraw said. 

The club has many new applicants and is still working on plans for upcoming events. 

“Honestly, the plans aren’t set yet because we are focusing on getting the club up and running,” Zuraw said. “Once that happens, and we will have a couple of meetings and elect officers, then the students can begin to decide exactly how they want this club to work and what the plan is for the rest of the year.”

The application process included meeting the GPA and course criteria that are set by the National Chapter of the Honor Society, and there was a Google Form application and a letter of recommendation needed from a teacher. Many were a part of this application process. 

“I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects and engage with like-minded individuals who share my enthusiasm for the past and its impact on the present,” senior applicant Raymond Dong said. 

Many of the applicants are well-rounded students who are participating in other extracurriculars. But many have come to the consensus that the NSSHS will be one of their top priorities. 

“I am planning on balancing this with my extracurriculars by putting this in priority to other clubs,” junior applicant Maddy Baranowsky said. 

The members of the NSSHS are expected to stay engaged and active with the club and activities. Zuraw encourages this in order to help keep the interest high. 

“I’m hoping to showcase my skills and things I’ve learned from the history department,” junior applicant Addison Barber said. 

Most of the applicants are very excited and passionate about the start up of the NSSHS. Applicants are looking to grow their abilities and learn from new experiences. 

“I am hoping to gain more appreciation and knowledge when it comes to Social Studies,” junior applicant Sarah Ahmed said.

By Fiorella Gargiulo – Staff Reporter

The National Math Honor Society is starting back up for its fifth year at Law.

 Math teacher Mr. Ruzbarsky is the advisor for NMHS. On the board of NMHS are President Moulika Sivalenka, Vice President Srivarsh Gudlavalleti, Treasurer Sara Moshirzadeh, and Secretary Max Lula. 

Ruzbarsky founded the NMHS at Law and has been leading the society since the fall of 2019.

“A few years ago, some students came to me with the idea of starting a math honor society,” Ruzbarsky said. “We looked into it and decided it would be a great idea to start and promote mathematics in our building and community.” 

Sivalenka was elected in May 2023 and is excited to have the privilege of leading her fellow inductees.

“I would say a huge part of my job is making sure all the members are participating in activities and that our honor society is making sure math is an important part of the Law community,” Sivalenka said.

To join the NMHS, students must complete Algebra 2, have an overall GPA of at least 3.8, and an overall math grade of at least an 87. The society aims to involve as many people from the community as possible to enjoy math-related activities. 

“The NMHS definitely helped develop my leadership, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving skills,” former NMHS President and Law Class of 2022 Valedictorian Aislinn Burns said. “These are skills I use every day when adjusting to college, especially college mathematics.”

Last year, the NMHS hosted events like the Pi-lympics and April Math Month. Along with these events, they provided peer math assistance after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“I would say that joining NMHS has taught me to learn how to help others with their math through the extended learning program in the TLC on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” Gudlavalleti said. “I like being involved in the process of helping our members and our society be the best that they can be.”

With the NMHS, Law also has the National Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, and the Social Studies National Honor Society. Each honor society accepts applications with different requirements.

“I think being in an honors society means being recognized and celebrated for your advanced academic and math skills and being able to collaborate with other math students in the school,” junior member Deepika Chitirala said. “If someone was considering joining, I would definitely encourage them to apply, even if they don’t know if they’ll get in or not.”

By Gabriella Coffin – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Cooking Club is starting up once again for the 2023-2024 school year. 

The Cooking Club meets on two Thursdays per month. The October meeting dates are October 12 and October 26. 

“Each year the club builds momentum, so I’m excited to see how students will lead its direction,” Cooking Club Advisor Ms. Ryan said. “The club’s mission centers on building individual cooking skills and community service.”

Many new members are excited to learn about cooking and eat unique foods.

“I am looking forward to eating and making my own food instead of someone else making it for me,” sophomore Kiara Tavarez said. “I want to learn good techniques for cooking.” 

The club has two student leaders this year – seniors Juan Pineda and Mia Arias – that are excited to immerse into the world of cooking.

“We are looking forward to pursuing our favorite hobby which is cooking, and having fun in the cooking club,” Arias said. “We are excited for the cooking club to start, especially since we get to have more meetings this year.”

The Cooking Club allows students to gain volunteer hours while also helping the community. 

“We bake and cook for the Beth-El Shelter, and we get volunteer hours in return,” Pineda said. “We plan beforehand what we are going to cook and use the ingredients that the beth-el shelter donates to us.”

Last year, the club made many delicious foods such as soup and falafel as well as many different cookies. The Cooking Club also works closely with the Beth-El Shelter and other honor societies within Law. 

“We previously  teamed up with the National Art Honor Society to sell homemade soups with hand crafted soup bowls,” Ryan said.

This is Cooking Club’s fourth year running and club members cannot wait for the starting date on October 12.

“I am looking forward to do more recipes and volunteer while also having fun,” sophomore Jud-Arah Guilluame said. 

Many new members are interested in joining to learn more about the world of cooking.

“I am excited to broaden my cooking skills,” sophomore Hailey Stephen said. “I am hoping to learn better knife cutting skills.” 

The Cooking Club is a great way for students who couldn’t fit culinary into their schedule this year to still learn about cooking techniques and its lifestyle. 

“Many students are members because they couldn’t fit culinary classes in their schedules, but still wanted that creative culinary outlet,” Ryan said.  “I think our students feel a sense of pride in having a mission of service to others.”

By Maya Markowitz – Social Media Editor

Eagle Eye News returned to the airwaves on September 19 for its first episode of the 2023-2024 school year.

Now in its 18th season, Eagle Eye News is Law’s live daily morning news show. The show runs everyday and informs students about everything going on at Law.

The program runs every second block on A-D Days and Common Time on E and F Cays. 

“I am super excited to learn how to host the news and learn more about Broadcast Journalism,” senior Broadcast Journalism student Helen Chizmazia said. 

Every semester, the show chooses a new “intro” that is usually based on a popular show or movie. This year, they have taken their own spin on the theme song for the hit show “Law and Order.”

The first Eagle Eye News episode of the year featured a special welcome message from Principal Mr. Darcy.

“We have all been preparing for Eagle Eye News to air since the start of school,” senior Olivia Hudak said. “People never realize how important the behind-the-scenes are.” 

Broadcast students have also started to put together creative projects to air on the news that relay important information to the school.

“It’s important for the community to know about new things going on and it is important spreading school spirit,” senior Maddy Gaillard said.  

A new feature on Eagle Eye News this year will be an ongoing reminder about when each club meets during the week. 

“I like that we can remind people weekly of their clubs because it adds consistency to the news and helps clubs be full,” Broadcast Journalism teacher Ms. Kelly said.

All episodes of Eagle Eye News can be found on the Eagle Eye News YouTube channel at youtube.com/JLHSEagleEyeNews.

By Kayla Markowitz – News Editor 

Dr. Evans joins the Jonathan Law community this year as a new French teacher.

Dr. Evans teaches five classes this year, French 1, 2, 3, 4, and AP French Language and Culture. She is excited to be a part of Law and already feels very welcomed.

“I love everything about it here at Law – the great students, the wonderful and supportive administration, my warm and friendly colleagues, the helpful staff,” Evans said. “I already feel very much at home here.”

Evans attended the University of New York at Albany where she got her bachelor’s degree in French and received her Master’s degree in French at the University of Colorado Boulder. She also earned her Ph.D. in Foreign Language Education from the University of Iowa.

Before coming to Jonathan Law, she taught French classes at Foran for one year.  Before working at Foran last year, she was a Professor of Teacher Education and French at Southern Connecticut State University and directed an American school in France. Prior to that, she was a Professor of Teacher Education and French at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC.

Law principal Mr. Darcy said that Evans stands out because of her positive attitude and enthusiasm about the French language and culture. 

“I believe she will be a great addition to the Law community,” Darcy said. “She’s a master of her content and wants to educate students about the language and fully immerse them into the French culture.”

This year, Evans hopes to share her love for French cultures with her students and is excited to educate young minds.

“I love sharing my passion for the French language and Francophone cultures around the world,” Evans said. “I love the creativity of being in the classroom and I love helping Law’s community of French learners to reach new linguistic heights and to embrace new and different perspectives on the world around us”

Students are excited to learn from her and participate in her class.

“She’s always really enthusiastic and interactive with the students,” sophomore Harshitha Kothapalli said. “So far her class and teaching style is really enjoyable.” 

So far, Evans is adjusting well to life at Law and is excited to see where the year takes her.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way the year has started,” Evans said. “I would like to thank my students and colleagues for welcoming me into the Law family.”

During her free time, Evans likes to bike, cook, and watch movies with her family.

By Will Smith – Entertainment Editor

Mrs. Jorge is Law’s new Physics teacher.

Jorge is from Trumbull and graduated from Fairfield University. She was studying Physics there until she decided that she wanted to pursue teaching.

She then transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where she graduated with a Physics degree and a certification in Physics 7-12.

Jorge said she’s excited to be a member of Law’s faculty.

“I like that all our staff members are really kind, the students are really nice, and it’s like a family,” Jorge said

Outside of school, Jorge is a soccer coach. She runs 2 and 3-year-old classes with the recreational program in Trumbull. Jorge coaches an 8-and-under girls team with Trumbull United and is currently the Bunnell girls varsity soccer coach. 

When she isn’t working, Jorge and her husband like to hang out with their friends and go out to dinner.

By Bobby Black – Sports Editor

Mr. Schacht is a new Special Education teacher this year at Jonathan Law.

Schacht came to Law after previously teaching at Naugatuck High School. 

“The staff and students at JLHS have been super friendly and helpful,” Schacht said. ”During the first week there was excited energy and good vibes in the building with everyone excited for a new year.”

Schacht is excited to teach the Behavioral Support Program at Law. 

“The most promising trait that we see is that Mr. Schacht will never give up on any student, no matter the circumstances,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. ”He’s willing to work closely with students to ensure their individual success.”

Schacht chose to apply for the job after talking to a friend in the building who recommended the Milford Public Schools, and Law specifically.

“I met Mr. Schacht through our Special Education Supervisor, Mr. Paradis,” Darcy said. “He recommended him for the position due to his prior experiences.”

Darcy and others believe that Schacht fits in perfectly with the community at Law. 

“Mr. Schacht fits in perfectly with our Law community because he has the same views we share,” Darcy said. “We believe that all students can learn and we treat each other like a large family.”

By Quinn Willett – Social Media Editor 

New English teacher Mrs. Evans made the move to Jonathan Law High this year. 

Evans worked at two other high schools – Masuk High School in Monroe and Oxford High School – is loving the change to Jonathan Law. She is enjoying her time with her freshman classes and is also excited to teach Creative Writing. 

“I like it a lot,” Evans said. “The kids are fun and engaged in school, easy to work with, and the teachers are nice and supportive.”

Evans said she also loves the supportive administration at Law. 

“Here at Law the administration is in it with us,” Evans said. “Teachers and administrators are in it together and they all work together as one.”

Evans’ students said that she is a super-understanding teacher who goes out of her way to help students. 

“Mrs. Evans is a great teacher,” freshman Cole Alogna said. “She’s kind and understanding and always offers to help us.”

Besides teaching English, Evans has 13-year-old twins and a dog named Milo. She enjoys exercising and spending time with her children and husband. 

By Harshitha Kothapalli – News Editor

As the new school year begins, Law’s freshmen are becoming well-adjusted to their new classes and environment.

After a great start to the year, freshmen at Jonathan Law are now familiar with the school and faculty members.

“High school’s been great,” freshman Nik Misra said. “I know where all my classes are now.”

The Freshmen Academy teachers are always trying to get freshmen well-adapted to the new school and year. 

“We are a group of teachers (The Freshmen Academy) who meet with freshman students throughout the year to check on their progress,” science teacher Mr. Morazzini said. “We also design experiences with the help of the upperclassmen (such as Freshman Welcome Day) to introduce our students into the law community.”

This year’s freshmen seem to have had a smooth transition from middle school to high school with the help of their teachers.

“It was pretty seamless because we were taught everything we needed to know and the orientation definitely helped,” freshman Carson Ferguson said.

Assistant Principal Mrs. Sulzycki stressed the need for freshmen to join Law’s extracurricular activities. 

“I think it is so important for freshmen to get involved,” Sulzycki said. “It’s the best way to meet people and feel comfortable in their environment.”

Freshmen have also learned the importance of high school and the differences between middle school and high school.

“You have a lot more freedom,” Misra said. “Teachers let you do your own thing but also make sure you’re on the right path.”

Teachers are excited to work with the new freshmen to make sure they are ready to take on the year.

“The freshman class seems great this year, and as part of the Freshman Team we look forward to developing different experiences for the freshmen to get them acclimated to the law family,” Morazzini said.

Upperclassmen are also always willing to help freshmen out and make sure they know where they are going.

“Everyone’s really nice,” freshman Matt Whitteman said. “Going to my classes has been very easy. I just ask people and they show me the way.”

By Zachary Sulkis – Social Media Editor-in-Chief

Jonathan Law principal Mr. Darcy is looking forward to his second year leading the Lawmen. Social Media Editor-In-Chief Zack Sulkis interviewed Darcy about the 2023-2024 school year

Zack Sulkis: What are you looking forward to most about this school year?

Mr. Darcy: I’m looking forward to seeing students grow academically while working with our great staff members. I’m also looking forward to getting to know more students and understanding how I can support their needs. 

ZS: What are some events at law this school year you are looking forward to?

MD: All of the special events like Prom, but also seeing our talented students in musical acts, art and athletics. 

ZS: What is one important thing that the staff and students should know about your third year as principal?

MD: In year three we are really working to organize and structure our supports we have in place for students when they are struggling. I want students and staff to know that we will do our best to make sure every student is supported to be successful. 

ZS: How do you feel your first two years went as principal at Law?

MD: I feel my first two years went well, but for completely different reasons. In year one, I came in October so I had to learn as much as possible about the school, staff and students. I didn’t get to really dig into details, but only really learned traditions and organizational items. In year two, we were able to adjust some supports we had in place for students and provide more activities for students than in prior years. I was finally really able to get to know more students and staff on a personal level. 

ZS: What are your thoughts on the new vice principals?

MD: Mrs. Sulzycki and Mrs. Farotti have already started to build positive relationships with staff. I know they are the right choices to help lead us based on what I learned about them in the interview process and I’m excited to work with them for many years to come. 

ZS: What are your thoughts on our new athletic director? 

MD: Mr. Drew was definitely the right person to become our new AD. He was the football coach at Foran, but his teaching and coaching roots started here at Law. He’s a Lawman and this is sort of a homecoming for him. I have no doubt he will lead us to the next level with our already successful athletic program. 

ZS: What are your thoughts on all of the new teachers this school year?

MD: Our new teachers have one very common trait. They all love having an impact on students and I’m excited to see what they are able to do this year. 

ZS: Any advice for the incoming freshmen this year?

MD: My advice is to get involved with something. Play an instrument, play a sport, join a club or even start a new club. The more involved you are, the better your high school experience will be. 

ZS: Any advice for this year’s seniors?

MD: This year is going to fly by. Take the time to recognize special moments throughout the year because once you have them, they are gone. 

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

MD: Being a Lawman comes down to treating everyone as a family member. We aren’t always going to agree with our family members, but we support them and respect them. Law is a special place because of the family we’ve created together.

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

This past summer, two new assistant principals joined Jonathan Law’s faculty.  

Mrs. Sulzycki is one of those assistant principals for the freshman and junior classes. While she only recently started her new job, she is already loving her time at Law.

“I am having a great year so far – enjoying getting to know students and staff here,” Sulzycki said. “My favorite part of working here is the true sense of community that I feel. All the adults in the building seem like they truly want what is best for students. Staff and students seem like they genuinely enjoy being here every day.”

Sulzycki graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut and has a Masters in school psychology from Southern Connecticut State University.  Prior to Jonathan Law, Sulzycki worked as the Director of Pupil Services in Plymouth and an assistant principal at Ox Ridge in Darien. 

“Through the interview process, I could tell she would be good for the school and knew she would be good for students as well,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “She also has a background in psychology and special education which is a great addition for our students and school environment.”

The Law community convinced Sulzycki to apply.

“I applied for a job at Law because I love the Milford community,” Sulzycki said. “I have strong ties to the town (my husband is a Lawman, Class of ’99) and I know that Milford is a progressive school district that has the best interest of students at heart.”

At her past school, Sulzycki developed bullying prevention plans and used restorative practice to implement new discipline procedures.  She was actively involved in professional development that prioritized SEL (Social Emotional Learning)

This school year, Sulzycki is looking forward to getting to know the students better.

“I plan to go to club meetings as they get up and running and attend sporting events so I can see students outside the classroom,” Sulzycki said.

Outside of school, Mrs. Sulzycki loves to read and spend time with her husband and 11-month-old son, Alex.

By Haley Stroffolino – Social Media Editor

Mrs. Spose is a new math teacher who recently made the move from Joseph A. Foran High School to Jonathan Law High School.

“I am absolutely loving the new and exciting environment at Law,” Spose said. “The students, people, and administration at Law makes me feel right at home. The family-like atmosphere and the strong sense of teamwork and collaboration are what really stands out.”

Although Law is a smaller school than what Spose is used to, it just adds to the super calming atmosphere, sweetness, and helpfulness of everyone here. 

Spose is most excited to teach Pre-Calculus and make math exciting for her students.

“Mrs. Spose is incredibly helpful and nice,” junior Jack Distassio said. “Whether it’s explaining a tough concept or accepting corrections to get a better grade, she is always there to help.”

Outside of school, Spose is a dedicated coach for Foran’s volleyball and outdoor track and field teams. She also has a set of four-year-old twins (a boy and a girl) to keep her on her toes.

By Maya Markowitz – Social Media Editor

Over the summer, Jonathan Law welcomed two new assistant principals into the school community. 

One of the new administrators, Mrs. Farrotti, is assigned to the sophomore and the senior classes. Although school only started on August 30, she already feels welcomed into the Law community. 

“It has been a very smooth transition here,” Farotti said. “I feel very welcomed by students and staff as they are genuinely interested in getting to know me.”

Farotti completed her undergraduate degree at Sacred Heart University and earned her Masters in Education from the University of New Haven. 

Before joining Law, Farotti worked as an assistant principal in East Haven. She also previously worked in Milford as a science teacher at Foran High School where she was involved in many student activities, including the Key Club.

“I believe that through her relatability to students and other staff members, she has really made a great adjustment to the school,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. 

As the year continues, Farotti hopes to become more involved with the student body and to get to know students and families.

“Developing strong relationships is very important to me so that when someone needs something they know that they can come to me,” Farotti said.

Outside of school, Farotti enjoys reading and hanging out with her husband and two children. 

By Zachary Santarcangelo – Staff Reporter 

The Natural Helpers Club will be holding a De-Stress Fest on June 1 at Jonathan Law to help students relax before final exams with a variety of activities.

The club will have many activities for students to participate in along with opportunities to relax. The activities will be available in Rooms 185, 187, and 193 in the freshmen wing. There is also basketball in the new gym along with the petting zoo in the student parking lot.

The festivities will start at 2:15 p.m. and will end at 3:30 p.m.

“There will be many different ‘rooms’ that students can check out,” advisor Ms. Smuniewski said. “Including the ‘cozy room’ with movies, games, and snacks, the “arts and crafts room” with friendship bracelet making and rock painting.”

This is just the start, though. There are even more activities for students to enjoy. These activities include an ice cream truck, a petting zoo, a karaoke room, and basketball in the gym. 

“There will be a ‘karaoke room’ where students can sing their favorite songs,” Smuniewski said. “There will also be basketball and other games in the new gym, and an ice cream truck and petting zoo in the student parking lot.”

The De-Stress Fest was started as a way to help students come together and make new friends. The De-Stress Fest also gives students the opportunity to calm down before final exams. 

“We thought that having a big event with a variety of fun activities would be something students would appreciate to help them ‘de-stress’ before final exams,” Smuniewski said.

The De-Stress Fest was also started to give students many different methods of relaxation that can fit their own personal preferences. The event will have an activity for everyone to do in order to relieve their stress.

“The variety of activities we have planned allows students to pick whichever method of relaxation best suits them,” Smuniewski said. “Whether it’s games, crafts, ice cream, animals, or all of the above, there’s something to help everyone unwind a bit as they begin to prepare for exams.” 

By Hannah Engel – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law sophomore Addy Barber is the new Key Club Lieutenant Governor for District 20. Advocate Staff Reporter Hannah Engel interviewed Barber about her new role.

Hannah Engel: What is your role as Lieutenant Governor?

Addy Barber: As LTG, I communicate between 10 different clubs in our division and I make sure they are doing everything they need to do and communicate with the district board. I also send out monthly newsletters, attend board training, and send in monthly reports on all the clubs.

HE: What are your goals as LTG?

AB: My two main goals are to open a new Kiwanis Family Club and to hold a Division-wide service project. 

HE: Where are the trainings? What do you do at the trainings? 

AB: This weekend I was at a board training in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and the next ones are in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We did board bonding activities and a lot of information on goal setting, service projects, and how a board meeting runs.

HE: How did you become LTG?

AB: To run for LTG I had to write a speech and give it over Google Meet with the Area Advisor, past LTG, and (Law senior) Caroline Doyle, who is Immediate Past District Governor. Then at DECON me and the other LTGs had a two hour training session on what we have to do.

HE: What service projects do you have planned so far?

AB: This weekend me and three other LTGs started working on a fundraiser for the Thirst Project, which is a non-profit organization that aims to bring safe drinking water to communities around the world where it is not immediately available. 

By Jack Bretthauer – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law hosted the annual Senior Sports Awards banquet on May 17 at Great River Country Club.

The ceremony, which was hosted by Interim Athletic Director Mr. Ragaini, featured many awards including: the Ironman Award (four years of all varsity sports), the Lawman Award (12-season athletes), Male Athlete of the Senior Class, Female Athlete of the Senior Class, the Sportsmanship Award, and the Jonathan Law Booster Club scholarships.

Senior Paige Jolley was the recipient of the Female Athlete of the Senior Class Award.

“I was surprised because I decided not to play basketball my senior year so winning that award didn’t even cross my mind,” Jolley said.

Senior John Neider won the Male Athlete of the Senior Class Award.

“I was very excited to win the award,” Neider said. “It was a big honor and I was very happy that I was selected to win it.”

The Sportsmanship Award went to senior Macie Rascoll.

“I was filled with overwhelming joy and excitement after hearing my name to win such an amazing award,” Rascoll said. “It was so awesome to hear such nice things being said about me. It really meant a lot.”

Some of the biggest awards of the night were the $750 Jonathan Law Booster Slub scholarships which were won by Rishabh Nair, Liam Fedigan, Rascoll, Nicolina Salanto, and Demi Carrapico.

“It was a true honor to receive one of the five JLHS Booster Club scholarships,” Nair said. “It was a surreal moment, and I’m incredibly grateful to Coach Maxwell for writing my recommendation, as well as to the Booster Club for taking the time to read my essay and selecting me.”

The five scholarships were the most ever handed out by the Booster Club.

“I want to extend my gratitude to the Booster Club and all that they do to make scholarships possible,” Fedigan said. “I was thrilled when I heard my name announced as a recipient of this wonderful award. I am so deeply honored and appreciative of the Booster Clubs support on my behalf.”

By Bobby Black – Sports Editor

The Jonathan Law Drama Club thrilled audiences with its performances of “High School Musical” on May 5-6.

The play was a musical and included many songs, characters, and scenes from the original movie.

“My favorite moments throughout the play were the scenes called ‘We’re All In This Together’ as well as ‘Get Your Head In The Game’ and ‘Status Quo,” sophomore Max Akuffo said.

Some key characters in the play were Troy Bolton, Chad Demforth, Zeke Bailor, and Gabrielle Montez.

“I played Jason Cross who was the best friend of the main character, Troy Bolton, which was a fun and good character to play,” Akuffo said.

There were some challenges in planning and rehearsing for the play but the Drama Club overcame these challenges and performed well.

Several Drama Club members were even for High School Halo Awards for their performances, including Hailey Russo for her role as Sharpay Evans, Faith Santiago as Ryan Evans, Sofia Mazzella as Ms. Darbus, Finn Sclafani as Troy Bolton, and Tim Girandola as Zeke Baylor.

Freshman Eliot Carter said the play’s choreography was the biggest obstacle.

“Some of the biggest challenges were remembering choreography and lines as well as getting to meet the new people in the play,” freshman Eliot Carter said.

Senior Sofia Mazzella said that despite the large crowds in attendance, she was not nervous on stage.

“I tell myself that rather than letting the crowd intimidate me, to let them excite me,” Mazella said. “I let myself feel all the emotions that may be in my mind at the time, including the nerves, because believe it or not, nerves motivate me to do my best. I also seek support from my cast and crew members in which they help calm me down, and basically hype me up, and share the same excitement that I obtain. I make sure I feel confident within my physical appearance to increase my overall confidence about my performance.”

Remembering lines can be the most difficult part of performing a musical, but the cast said they came up with different methods of memorization.

“I usually easily adapt to my lines, and they naturally get implanted into my mind, and when we rehearse every week, my mind is continuing to be trained to memorize them,” Mazzella said. “In my free time, I sometimes rehearse lines with friends, as well as read over them millions of times until I am comfortable. As for techniques, I sometimes focus on the few last words of the line that the other actor may say before my lines. I sorta use that as my cue to remember which line comes when. If it comes to memorizing a monologue, which I had to do multiple times, I really focused on dividing it into pieces, memorizing those pieces, and then allowing it to all flow together.”

Akuffo said the close-knit nature of Drama Club helped the play go smoothly.

“On both days that we performed there were a lot of people in the crowd and the play went smoothly because of our chemistry and we all got along and worked really hard,” Akuffo said. 

By Ella Franzman – Sports Editor

With the end of the year approaching, Advocate Sports Editor Ella Franzman interviewed Law Principal Mr. Darcy to reflect on the 2022-2023 school year. 

Ella Franzman: What are your goals for next year?

Bryan Darcy: My goal is always the same. I want every student to feel heard, supported and valued during their time here at Law. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure a successful school year for all students. 

EF: What was your favorite memory this year?

BD: My favorite memory of the year was our first pep rally in the fall. It was nice to see the school come together to celebrate and acknowledge each other. Coming off of covid years, it was great to do this in a “normal” way as well. 

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

BD: It felt like a fresh start on a personal level. It was somewhat difficult to start here in October last year. I had to learn about a school, balance covid restrictions, try to modify some things quickly, and get to know students while starting at a new school and district. This year was about coming back to “normal” and learning/navigating the school year together (both staff and students). I’m happy I made the move and truly love it here at Law. 

EF: What big initiatives are you gonna start?

BD: I think our next step is getting more student voices into the equation. I want to meet with students next year and get their feedback on what works for them (or doesnt). This will allow our school to be even better moving forward. So, I wouldn’t just say an initiative, it’s more of a mindshift. 

EF: What is your advice to the incoming Class of 2027?

BD: Get involved. We have a sport, club or activity for everyone here at Law. Incoming freshmen need to be involved in something other than just clocking in and clocking out of school each day. The more involved you are, the better experience you will have over your four years here. 

EF: What is your advice to the leaving Class of 2023?

BD: Give time. Give your time to others. There is only one thing you can’t get back, time… Give your time to your loved ones because you’ll never get it back. 

EF: What is your favorite part about school? 

BD: My favorite part about our school is the love and support I see from students to each other everyday. We are an inclusive family where everyone is supported. You feel and see that everyday in our hallways. 

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

BD: Our biggest victory was providing more experiences for students this year. We had more dances, activities, clubs, and field trips than ever. This wasn’t just because we came off of covid. It was a concentration on having students experience life outside of our hallways. 

EF: Any summer plans?

BD: I’ll be heading to Narragansett Rhode Island. We’ve been going there since I was a kid and now own a home there. We will spend two weeks there with family and friends. Then, we are taking our girls to Ocean City, Maryland at the beginning of August. I also work during the summer so I’ll be at Law throughout the summer weeks as well. 

EF: Any last messages to the Class of 2023?

BD: My last message is to always know that no matter where you go in life, you all have a home here at Law. You are always a member of the Law community and family. All of you can always reach out to me if you need anything. I’ll do what I can to help. 

By Helen Chizmazia, Maddy Gaillard, Olivia Hudak and Caden Simpson – Advocate Editors

The Class of 2023 Senior Prom was held on May 12 at Amarante’s Sea Cliff.

Seniors were able to celebrate their past four years at Jonathan Law by participating in the prom activities. 

Prom was a great experience for students and gave them the ability to have a fun night. The Prom itself was held at Amarante’s and the Post Prom was held at the Sports Center in Shelton. 

“I enjoyed dancing within the crowd of people and taking pictures with the props,” senior Miranda Meyer said. “I also loved seeing the sunset and sitting down on the grass. The food was also very good.”

The question of where prom should be held was a debate; however, the location that was ultimately picked seemed to be a great success. 

“Usually we let the class officers help pick the venue, but since elections were held in the fall (and we needed to book a venue earlier than that) Ms. Russell and I called various locations to book a venue,” Senior Class Advisor Mrs. Francisco said. “Over the summer, we chose Amarante’s and then had the officers help us with the details.” 

During Prom, there were multiple options for students on what they preferred to do. 

“I think it was a very organized event and I think that everyone had such a great time,” Meyer said. “I also loved the option of being inside or sitting outside because it gave people a chance to get away from the music and crowd of people.”

Additionally, there were tons of fun equipment to use to take photos as well as props. 

“My favorite part of the night was the camera that circled around you,” senior Aidan Ryan said. “It was cool seeing the edited video of you and your date after you stood there awkwardly not knowing what pose to do.”

With planning prom and post prom, there were many factors to consider. 

“We wanted to make sure there was something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you wanted to spend your time dancing or simply sitting out in the gazebo, everyone found some fun,” Francisco said. “We also tried to focus on the small details. Our theme was ‘red carpet’ so we wanted to have paparazzi, an actual red (sparkly) carpet, sunglasses for kids to take home, and silver/gold centerpieces.” 

Ultimately, one of the main goals for holding a Senior prom is to let the students enjoy each other’s company considering the school year is coming to a close. 

“My favorite part was post prom because it was a way for everyone to get comfy and play games,” Meyer said. “I think it is important, now that our senior year is ending, to spend time with each other and have as much fun as possible.”

By Gemard Guery and Zack Sulkis – Advocate Editors

Angus Cheng has officially been named Jonathan Law’s Class of 2023 Salutatorian.

Cheng will be attending Princeton University and plans to major in computer science.

“I felt good and accomplished with myself when I found out that I was Salutatorian,” Cheng said. “I felt like I solidified my presence at Law and fulfilled my greatest goals.”

Cheng took 12 AP classes during his time at Jonathan Law while also juggling other extracurriculars and activities.  

Some AP courses that Cheng took include has taken are United States Government and Politics, United States History, Computer Science Principles, Human Geography, English Language, and Statistics. He’s currently taking English Literature, Calculus BC, Spanish, CSA, Environmental Science, and Psychology.

“Angus is so conscientious about his work,” Spanish teacher Mr. McPartland said. “What separates him from most students is that he works proactively and doesn’t allow things to fall through the cracks. He’s helpful and always wondering what’s next. He cares about learning and wants to get better. Angus is what you wish every student would be.”

Over the course of the past four years, Cheng served as President of the Model UN, Co-President of Math Club, Vice President of the Class of 2023, Secretary of the National Math Honor Society, Secretary of Science Club, and was part of the Student Help Desk for students who need help with their Chromebooks. Cheng was also a soccer captain and camp counselor at the Boys and Girls Club of Milford.  

“Angus is a one of kind friend and student,” senior Rishabh Nair said. “He is always there to help someone if they need. He is dedicated to whatever he puts his mind to and always strives to improve himself everyday.  Everybody would be lucky to have such a good friend as Angus.”

In addition to being named Salutatorian, Cheng has won many awards during his time at Jonathan Law. Cheng is graduating with distinction and he is a recipient of the Harvard Book Award and the Volunteer Award from the Boys and Girls Club of Milford.  Angus is also an AP Scholar and participant in the NSLI-Y program.

“Angus is an intelligent kid, quiet, humble,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “I honestly didn’t know he was going to go to Princeton until about a week prior to him being announced Salutatorian. He’s truly a role model student.”

While Cheng worked so incredibly hard to achieve this accomplishment, he is incredibly thankful for his family that supported him over the years.

“My parents have been my biggest supporters since the beginning, providing me with immeasurable love, offering unwavering guidance, and selflessly making countless sacrifices for me throughout my entire life,” Cheng said. “Their actions and influence have been and will continue to be invaluable to me. I am forever grateful for them.”

By Ella Franzman – Sports Editor

Seniors Aislinn Burns and Cole Pleimann recently won the 2022-2023 CAS-CIAC Scholar Athlete Award for Jonathan Law. 

Burns and Pleimann were selected by building staff and administration in a meeting a few months ago while reviewing the attributes they felt were most important to represent Jonathan Law and CIAC values. 

“I feel Cole and Aislinn are prime examples of what being a student-athlete is all about,” Principal Mr. Darcy said. “They compete on the playing field, in the classroom and they are kind to others. They were great choices to represent JLHS.”

Burns is a 12-season athlete in swimming and indoor and outdoor track & field. 

“I am so honored to be chosen as the female CAS-CIAC scholar athlete for Law,” Burns said. “I have worked extremely hard my 4 years of high school to balance academics and athletics, and I’m so happy that I get to serve as a role model for younger athletes and encourage them to be the best student athletes they can be.”

Burns was also a captain of the swim team and both indoor and outdoor track teams. 

“I consider Aislinn to be one of the most exceptional student-athletes I have ever coached, she is a leader in the pool and will not settle for anything but her best,” assistamt swim coach and history teacher Mr. Lui said. “After swimming her event, she would always be the first to ask for feedback on how she could improve, regardless if she swam a best time.” 

Pleimann is a four-year member of the Jonathan Law baseball team, and is a captain of the team this year. 

“It was an honor being selected for such a prestigious award, it felt amazing knowing that others saw not only the character that I posses, but also the athletic ability as well,” Pleimann said.

Pleimann has committed to St. Olaf College to continue his baseball career. 

“I was exhilarated when I received the letter from VJ (Sarullo) in the mail,” Pleimann said. “All the hard work I had put in during my years here at Law finally was being recognized. It felt terrific, and I am very proud of Aislinn and I.”

Pleimann sets the tone for the younger players and is constantly working hard to get better and better every day. 

“Cole is the epitome of what a coach looks for in their players and represents Jonathan Law to the highest degree,” assistant coach and Spanish teacher McPartland said. “He hits the books hard in the classroom and gets after it on the baseball diamond.”

By Kaitlyn Goldberg – News Editor 

French teacher Mrs. Almonte is saying goodbye to Law after 38 years of teaching. 

Almonte is ready for this new chapter of her life and to be able to spend more time with her family. 

“I first plan on going to Virginia to help my oldest who is going to have her second baby in June,” Almonte said. “Then home to Connecticut where my youngest is due with her first child in September. So I will be trading in my ‘teacher hat’ for ‘Nana hat.'”

Almonte has been a staple of the Law community and she will be greatly missed. She has taught so many students the importance of French culture in a fun, engaging way. 

“I will miss the fun activities she has most classes, like Kahoots and Blookets,” sophomore Reilly Hungerford said. “She’s a really chill teacher too and I will miss having a chill teacher like her.” 

Almonte’s experience teaching and her impact on the Law community will not be forgotten.

“During Mrs. Almonte’s 30-plus years of education, she’s had a positive impact on literally thousands of students,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “She has creative lesson plans, has written curriculum, and has built positive relationships with countless students and staff.”

Students recall her fun and family-like class environment as something they will greatly miss. 

“My favorite part about her class was the family dynamic she had in the class,” junior Kailina Scalice said.  

Almonte has made her impression on the staff with her kind and welcoming attitude to all. 

“My first impression of her last year was that she was someone who I could count on to provide me with information that was necessary to make positive changes to our school and I count on her daily in that capacity,” Darcy said. “The thing I’ll miss the most is her smile. She is such a positive person to be around and her smile and her personality is just so infectious.” 

Almonte is going to be missed tremendously by students and staff, and the feeling is likewise. 

“The students made teaching a joy with their enthusiasm to learn,” Almonte said. “They made me much more flexible over the years, they taught me that they don’t put the wrong answer in the blank on purpose, so stop asking why, they kept me up to date with the latest technology and learning games, and they proved that perseverance really does pay off, and that self-discipline and self-motivation are the keys to success.”

By Ella Franzman – Sports Editor

Aislinn Burns has been named the Valedictorian for the Class of 2023. 

Burns will be attending Rice University and plans to major in Bioengineering, with a concentration in Biomolecular Engineering. 

“When I found out I had officially won Valedictorian I was so excited and proud of myself because all of my hard work paid off,” Burns said. “It has been my goal since the start of freshman year and I worked extremely hard to get there so I was beyond excited.”

This marks the ninth consecutive year a female has been named Jonathan Law Valedictorian. 

“My first impression of Aislinn Burns last year was that she is a passionate and driven person, she is someone who has been able to balance academics, athletics and supporting causes that impact the lives of others like the Sandy Hook Promise,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “I don’t know if I have ever met someone so ‘wise beyond their years’ than Aislinn.”

Burns took 11 AP classes during her time at Jonathan Law, including AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB, AP Literature, AP United States History and many others. Burns was also very involved with many events inside and outside of school.

“One of the most challenging moments I encountered was junior year because I doubled the number of APs I was taking from the year before and was starting to take on leadership positions,” Burns said. “This was a very important moment because I learned that I can’t do everything, so I started to learn to prioritize what I was passionate about and step down/not take on a leadership role in other activities.”

Burns will be graduating with distinction and with 342.5 community service hours. While Aislinn was at Law, she was a three-sport varsity captain as a member on the swim and dive team, indoor track team, and outdoor track team.

“She does everything the coaches ask of her and goes above and beyond to help her team succeed,” head girls swim coach Rob Rosner said. “She embodies everything Jonathan Law athletics stands for and is exactly the kind of captain you want setting an example for the younger athletes.”

Burns is the president and the founder of SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Promise Club, served as treasurer of Keyettes Club, and was a part of Natural Helpers Club, Lifting Club, and Ski Club. She is also president of the National Math Honor Society and is a member of the Science National Honor Society as well as the National Honor Society.

“Even at 7:20 in the morning she would always come in with a positive attitude and ready to learn,” math teacher Mrs. Diprimio said. “She asked insightful questions and was a real leader in the classroom. She offered help and different insights to any of her classmates in need.”

While Burns was at Law, she also won the Mayor’s Youth Award, the Yale Book Award, AP Scholar With Distinction, and was named CAS-CIAC Female Scholar Athlete of The Year for Law.

“Aislinn balanced her student-athlete life by always making sure that she had her priorities straight,” senior Macie Rascoll said. “She would always make sure that academics came first and then athletics, then time for what ever else she had to do, whether it was extracurriculars or her social life.”

Burns is also treasurer of her class and served as a Board of Education Liaison. She has also been a member of the Sandy Hook Promise National Youth Advisory Board as one of 13 students nationwide for the past two years. Through this she has traveled to Colorado, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio to attend leadership conventions and help run the National SAVE Summit.

“Aislinn is one of the best leaders of the school, on the track she is a hard worker always looking to improve,” head outdoor track coach Joe Beler said. “She is the ultimate leader by example. Every day she comes to work with a purpose but still always provides support for our younger athletes.”

While Burns worked incredibly hard to achieve this, she is incredibly grateful for the supportive community around her.

“Aislinn is an intelligent, motivated and driven student,” science teacher Ms. Turcotte said. “She puts a lot of thought and effort into her work, is genuinely interested in science and doesn’t hesitate to challenge or question concepts covered in class or data obtained in the laboratory.”

By Gemard Guery and Katie Servas – Editors-in-Chief

For the first time in history, six Jonathan Law students attended the All-Eastern Music Festival in Rochester, New York.

Emma Vaccino, Ike Opayemi, Eric Relucio, Jasper Chu, Chris Rickard, and Oliver Harrigan were all selected to participate in the festival that brought the top musicians together from 13 states throughout the eastern states.  

The festival took place from April 13-16. In order to be selected for the All-Eastern Music Festival, students had to submit their scores and score sheets from previous All-State and Regional competitions. They also had to write a paragraph about some of their accomplishments as musicians.

“For All-Eastern, we simply applied online rather than an in-person audition with two judges with scales, a solo, and sight reading,” junior Ike Opayemi said. “It was based on our previous All-State score and other choral experiences. The process was much easier.”

The festival consisted of rehearsals, speaker events, dance, socials, and the final performance. These students had the opportunity to perform in the Eastman Theatre with a diverse group of musicians. 

“Everyone has had different experiences and teachings being from other states,” junior Band Section Leader Oliver Harrigan said. “Being able to meet people from other states is a very refreshing and much newer experience than having an all-state every year.”

These individuals all participated in the All-State Musical Festival this year, granting them the chance to participate in the All-Eastern Music Festival.

“Performing with people from all over the East Coast was definitely different from just singing in the All-State choir with people from CT,” senior Emma Vaccino said. “We all came from different conducting styles, voices, and music we’re just used to singing, which took a little getting used to but ultimately made us all better musicians.”

The new experience allowed each student to take something away and instill it in their own lives. 

“My biggest takeaway was to make sure you do everything with the most you can give it,” junior Jasper Chu said. “Whether it be singing, playing your instrument, or even relaxing, give any activity your most, we learned this from a very inspirational keynote speaker when we visited the convention hall and exhibits.”

Many concluded that they were grateful for their opportunity to participate in the festival and enjoyed their week with empowering and dedicated musicians.

“It was very humbling, although I believe that our school has one of the best music departments, in terms of people, and educators in the state, it was very humbling to see students from states like Pennsylvania who put a lot of hard work into their craft,” Chu said. “They were all amazing singers and performers, being able to sing with such a wide variety of people and so many talented performers was a blessing in itself.”

By Cesar Mendez and Aryan Sikhinam – Staff Reporters

Jonathan Law’s National Honor Society hosted the annual Brain Bowl on April 27 in order to raise money for brain cancer research.

Every year, the Brain Bowl has a theme. Last year it was “Avengers” theme; this year, the theme was “The Office.”

Students and faculty took a preliminary test on March 27 to qualify for the Brain Bowl. The top four scores from each grade were selected to be on their grade’s Brain Bowl team.

“I took the test during common time and got one of the top four highest scores out of the freshmen,” freshman Yeiden Nieves said. “It was a good feeling knowing I would be on the team.”

Students and faculty had a lot of fun, and between all four grades and the faculty, NHS raised over $1,500 for “The Cure Starts Now.” 

“It was a very good experience and I had a lot of fun participating,” sophomore Ryan Chay said. “We did the best we could but unfortunately lost to the upperclassmen donating more than us.”

Junior Arshaq Ahmed enjoyed the challenge of competing. The juniors advanced to the semifinal round before falling to the seniors, who defeated the faculty in the final to win the Brain Bowl title.

“I think our team did very well on the fundraising aspect by really taking advantage of people’s competitive nature but we did not do that good on pressing the button on time and lost a lot of points because of it,” Ahmed said. 

Students and faculty had no fear in front of the big crowd of Law students in the auditorium.

“When I was on stage I didn’t really think about who was watching me, but I was just thinking about the questions and if I was ready or not,” senior Jake Ackley said. 

For every $10 donated towards Brain Cancer, one point was awarded to each team. The freshmen started out with 17 points, sophomores started with 28, juniors started with 35 points, and seniors started out with 37 points.

Seniors Kyle Chy and Lylah Eckert hosted the Brain Bowl and asked the questions, while NHS advisor Ms. Turcotte and a group of students and faculty checked and verified the answers given by the teams. 

“Competing in the Brain Bowl was a fun experience,” English teacher Mr. Kulenych said. “Even though we only answered a handful of questions correctly and knew nothing about ‘The Office, we tried our best and most importantly raised a lot of money for a great cause.”

Overall, Brain Bowl was a great experience and students and faculty are very excited to see what next year’s event will bring.

By Maya Markowitz and Quinn Willett – Staff Reporters

All Jonathan Law juniors and seniors were called to an assembly on April 28 called “Choices Matter” where they learned about the consequences of driving under the influence. 

“Choices Matter” is ed by Chris Sandy and the Connecticut Highway Safety Office. Sandy is a motivational speaker from Atlanta, Georgia, who has travelled to over 40 states to speak to students about his life after he killed two people in a tragic car accident.

Sandy was originally sentenced to 13 years in prison and 17 years in probation. He first lived in Jackson State Maximum Security Prison, but he was transferred throughout the 8.5 years spent in jail. 

While in prison, Sandy was able to volunteer with different organizations which shortened his 13-year sentence. Immediately after prison, he started working with “Choices Matter.” 

“I started this program because my mentor told me to try to turn a bad situation into a good one,” Sandy said. “I was told I could really turn my life story in a good way no matter what it was.” 

Sandy expressed that he was able to stay motivated because of his family and best friend, Eric Krug. 

Krug suffered traumatic brain injuries causing him to lose his ability to speak and walk. 

“I wanted the program, the speaker’s personal stories, and the interactive materials, to inspire our Law students to make the right choices in life and when they are behind the wheel,” Dean of Students Mr. Ragaini said.

One of the biggest takeaways for students from this assembly was how decisions can lead to major consequences. 

“I learned how making a poor decision at a young age can affect your life for years to come,” junior Liam Valvo said. 

Students were able to put on a VR headset after the assembly and experience a drunk driving simulator. 

“The simulator allowed us to experience what it’s like to navigate while under the influence,” junior Olivia Hudak said. “It was difficult because I felt dizzy and couldn’t really see anything in front of me”

This was a great opportunity for new drivers to learn from Sandy’s real life experience with driving under the influence.

By Harshitha Kothapalli & Kayla Markowitz – Staff Reporters

Jonathan Law seniors celebrated their plans after graduation with a “Life After Law Day.”

On Friday, April 28, all seniors celebrated “Life after Law Day” with fun activities at the Jonathan Law football field. Seniors played corn hole, Spikeball, soccer, and ate free pizza and ice cream. 

“Our goal with Life After Law Day was to celebrate every single student and their choice for life after Law,” Director of School Counseling Mrs. Dunnuck said. “It’s an opportunity for them to show off whatever they decided to do and get together to acknowledge every student’s success.”

The event was very successful and gave a way for seniors to come together and get excited for college.

“It made me feel more comfortable to see everyone with their college merch on and see where everyone’s going next year and see that we’re all on the same boat going to different places,” senior Sabrina Lawless said. 

It was a good opportunity for seniors to have fun together before they graduate and spend one last day as a class.

“We got free food and played a lot of exciting games,” Lawless said. “We played really great games of Spikeball”

Seniors were able to celebrate with each other and talk about which college they are attending. It was a great way for everyone to feel more comfortable about going to college.

“We got to see where everyone’s going with their sweatshirts and merch and it was just an overall cool experience, to top it all off we get pizza and ice cream,” senior Jake Ackley said.

Before the event, teachers also wrote messages for the seniors to help them with the future. The messages were displayed outside each teacher’s door. 

“From all the signs outside the teacher’s doors, I learned that you have to take advantage of the future and the new opportunities you’re getting,” senior Aislinn Burns said. “A lot of the teachers said to travel a lot and make sure you’re saving your money and exploring.” 

Seniors recommend all juniors attend the event next year because it was a great opportunity for everyone to have fun and acknowledge all of their hard work.

“I think juniors should definitely go next year because it’s a great day to just get excited about college, have a lot of fun, and just let go of all the burdens for a little bit,” Lawless said. 

By Olivia Augustine and Kaitlyn Goldberg – News Editors

The Jonathan Law Choir recently attended and performed at All-State.

The All-State festival took place at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford and hosted by CMEA. In total, nine Law Choir students qualified for All-State.

“The performance was probably one of the most memorable choir moments in my career and I can only hope the students felt the pride and gravity of their achievement,” Choir Director Ms. Jones said. “They performed with so much care, skill and precision and yet, one of the best aspects of their performance was their attention to their stylistic approach to each genre they performed.”

Choirs students had fun at All-State – and also put in a lot of hard work.

“Our days consisted of about seven hours of rehearsal split up by meals, so while it can be physically taxing, it’s also such an honor to be chosen to sing amongst the best performers in the state,” senior Kalli Kinsman said. “It also was very fun to be able to share the experience with other members of the Law Choir, and use our time there to bond.”

Junior Jasper Chu enjoyed all of the work he put in during his time at All-State as well.

“To help us, they provided the scores and gave us practice tracks of our individual parts so we can be fully prepared upon arrival,” Chu said. “I looked through the pieces multiple times and listened to other choirs performing them to get a feel for how the piece flows and its energy.”

The Jonathan Law Advanced Vocal Ensemble also got selected to perform as the Showcase Ensemble. They were blindly selected by CMEA to be a showcase ensemble for the festival.

“I enjoyed being in the performance ensemble because of all the music we made together,” sophomore Reilly Hungerford said. “Admittedly, it was very tiring preparing over five songs in a little under two months, but the process was very exciting.” 

Junior Kiley Sherman hopes to qualify for All-State again next year.

“It was an amazing experience and I would totally love to do it again,” Sherman said. “Singing with your choir is quite rewarding.”

By Helen Chizmazia and Madison Gaillard – Advocate Editors

Jonathan Law seniors Caroline Doyle and John Neider recently received the 2022-2023 SCC Scholar Athlete Award.

Both were nominated by staff and honored at a banquet at Anthony’s in New Haven. 

Doyle is a four-year member of the girls tennis team and Neider is a 12-season athlete in football, basketball, and baseball.

“I felt so happy after receiving the award,” Doyle said. “I was honored that the administration thought of me when selecting a student for the award.”

Doyle is one of the captains of the tennis team this season.

“I am very proud of the accomplishment,” Doyle said. “The award encapsulated everything I had done throughout high school.”

On top of her athletic responsibilities, Doyle maintained the role of Key Club District Governor, managing events and activities while giving back to the community. She is also the Vice President of the National Honor Society and Social Media Manager for the SAVE Promise Club. 

“I think there were several things that led to me receiving this award, including Key Club, tennis, and the other clubs I have been involved with here at Law,” Doyle said. “They have all taught me how to be a leader and to do great things.”

Doyle is attending George Washington University in the fall with the intention of majoring in Political Science. 

Neider, who was this year’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year and Walter Camp Player of the Year, was excited to win the Scholar Leader Award. 

“Winning the Scholar Leader Award means a lot,” Neider said. “It is really cool being recognized for the hard work I have put into the classroom.” 

At the ceremony, Doyle was also awarded a $500 Bill O’Brien Scholarship for an essay she wrote about the importance of being a leader at Law.

“I took away from the experience that very opportunity is only what I make of it, and that I can succeed at anything if I apply myself,” Doyle said.