By Maddy Gaillard – Entertainment Editor 

The Jonathan Law Badminton Club is back for another season. 

Badminton Club is a weekly event for students to attend and practice their badminton skills. Students are welcome to have competitive or laid back matches and stay for any amount of time they like. 

“Early last year, Sri Gudlavalleti, Jingyu Dong, and Saharsh Bhatia approached me about hosting weekly badminton sessions in the gym. We started out with a small group of players and expanded slowly as word spread,” English Teacher and Badminton Club advisor Mr. Giangregorio said. “We had our first meeting of the school year last Friday with a record number of students. Most stayed to play the whole time, while others dropped in for a few minutes after school. We had several matches going on at once -some competitive, some relaxed.” 

The club is a great opportunity to find new friends and be able to participate in sports without being on a team. 

“I would encourage others to join to just have fun, meet new people, hangout with their friends. You will be around the people with the same interest,” Co-President Jingyu Dong said. “Since badminton is a two-player sport it enables you to learn good values such as fair play and sportsmanship. It is also a great stress reduction.” 

The schedule for the Badminton Club is very flexible and allows new people to join easily. 

“We plan on meeting once a week until about Thanksgiving, when winter sports start up and gym time becomes more difficult to schedule. After the winter sports season, we’ll get back to regular weekly meetings in the spring. For now, we usually meet on Fridays, but a few scheduling issues are going to move our meeting days around,” Giangregorio said. “Interested students should look out for updates on Eagle Eye News and our Google Classroom, using this code: zoy3l2b.” 

One aspect about Badminton Club that many members love is the laid back attendance. 

“I think what specifically makes the Badminton Club standout is our very relaxed policy on attendance of the club,” Badminton Co-President Sri Gudlavalleti said. “Badminton Club is a very chill club and it’s for all people, those that only have a couple minutes after school and want to spend time with their friends and for those people more committed to the sport and want to challenge themselves.”

By Kaitlyn Goldberg – News Editor 

The Keyettes Club is up and running again and is looking forward to bettering the community with fundraising and volunteering. 

The Keyettes Club is similar to the Key Club, but is female-led and focuses primarily on the Law community.  They run fundraisers in the school, and also give students a chance for volunteer opportunities. 

“During the school year, the Keyettes will coordinate fundraisers for various causes,” Keyettes Club advisor Ms. Sylvia said. “For example, last year the Keyettes collected donations for Homes for the Brave to assist veterans, and beCause 4 Paws Animal Rescue.”

The Keyettes Club is always looking for new members and is a great way to get involved in the school community and get volunteer hours. 

“You should join the Keyettes Club because it’s a great opportunity to make new friends within our community at Law and is also a great chance to volunteer for community service opportunities that are offered our way to not just benefit our school community but our community all throughout Milford as well,” Keyettes Club Vice President Alyssa Greggis said. “Joining Keyettes can help put yourself one step closer to earning Graduation With Distinction and show colleges that you are an active member of your community both in and out of school.”

The club has many goals they want to achieve this year, considering some of the activities they would normally do were not possible to do because of COVID last year. 

“Our goals for this year is to raise money for club funds, gain more support for the drives we have, and to increase the amount of members we have in the club,” junior Moulika Sivalenka said. 

Many club members enjoy the club because of the relationships they make and because they can get involved in the Law community. 

“My favorite part about the Keyettes Club is the relationships that we all build with each other as the year goes on and how passionate we all are about wanting to help our community,” Greggis said. “We all work together to be successful as a club and have fun in the process.”

By KruthiNimilya Nandam – Staff Reporter

Law’s Multicultural Club is back for the news school year. 

Last year, the Multicultural Club raised $500 for Ukrainian refugees and they also worked with IRIS which integrates refugees here in Connecticut. This year, the club is trying to help victims of recent natural disasters, specifically Hurricane Ian. 

The Multicultural Club is also a place where students can learn about different cultures and share their own.

“They get to spend time with global-minded peers and learn a vast amount about countries and cultures all around the world,” Multicultural Club advisor Mr. Healy said.

Meetings of the Multicultural Club include cultural food, guest speakers, and games, and overall it is a relaxed atmosphere. 

Sophomore Sarah Ahmed said her job as secretary is to take attendance, record what is discussed in the meetings, and include any ideas for new events and activities for the club.

She also had advice for students interested in joining the Multicultural Club – or any club – at Law.

“Make sure to take advantage of all of the extracurricular activities that we have here at Law,” Ahmed said. “You can make new friends, find a new hobby, and find something to help distress from your school work. And remember to have fun.”

Ahmed said she is looking forward to pot lucks, new people joining the club, and the presentations club members do about their culture. She joined the club her freshman year.

The president of the Multicultural Club is junior Anna Sutram. Sutram helps to run the club and arranges meetings. She is hoping to expand the Multicultural Club membership this year. 

“We are a diverse group that has multiple perspectives and opinions but when we come together we can do a lot for our community,” Sutram said. 

Sutram said she was inspired to join the club because she has immigrant parents and staying in touch with their heritage is important for them. Culture played a big role in her life growing up.

It fascinated her to see how other people celebrate and represent their culture.

Sutram mentioned how she loves learning about other cultures and sharing hers. Since most COVID restrictions have been lifted, she has plans for a pot luck event, a Multicultural Day, and more. 

“It can be hectic but it is part of the experience,” Sutram said. 

By Katie Servas – Editor-in-Chief

Broadcast Journalism and Journalism two and three students are ‘amped’ up about the new podcast studio.

Jonathan Law has introduced a new professional-level podcast studio for Broadcast Journalism and Journalism classes to produce podcasts.

The podcast studio includes multiple headsets and microphones connected to a soundboard with audio controls and sound effects. The room also features a television screen to display logos and other visuals for each episode. 

“We are always trying to add new elements to Broadcast to give students real-world experiences, and we thought an upgrade to a professional-level podcast studio would be an exciting addition to the Newsroom,” said Broadcast Journalism teacher Mr. Kulenych. “Students have already produced some amazing podcasts and I can’t wait to see their creativity continue to come out.

Many Broadcast Journalism and Journalism students have had the opportunity to create in the space and have used it as a creative outlet to discuss topics about the school community as well as other interests.

“Having a podcast studio has been such an amazing opportunity,” said sophomore Sports Editor Ella Franzman. “The ability to create content for the school through different media has piqued an interest for me.”

The soundproof room has allowed students to express themselves and expand their knowledge by learning audio and visual editing and the behind-the-scenes of video production. 

“I think it’s great that we are able to use the podcast studio now because it really expands the range of content we can make in both broadcast and regular journalism,” said senior Broadcast Journalism student and Editor-in-Chief Maya Rosado. “It’s something I’ve already been interested in because I love to speak my mind and the podcast studio has given me that ability.”

In addition to the studio, many students have been incorporating their peers and teachers into their podcasts, interviewing and conversing with them about upcoming school events and their individual accomplishments. 

“I enjoy using the studio,” said junior Sports Editor Zack Sulkis. “I listen to lots of podcasts in my free time from guys like Joe Rogan and Theo Von so getting the chance to talk about sports is the highlight of eighth period.”

There’s a process to podcast preparation that requires writing scripts and reaching out to guests. This opportunity teaches students what it’s like to create and advertise content from a realistic perspective.

“I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to make a podcast and I loved it!,” said junior Editor-in-Cheif and Editorial Editor Gemard Guery. “I enjoyed the planning aspect a lot as well.”

Starting within the next few weeks the National Art Honor Society will be painting the podcast studio walls. The idea is to include a podcast-themed mural on one of the walls with the incorporation of a few older podcasts that have been created and passed to younger students as they’ve graduated.

By Harshitha Kothapalli – Staff Reporter

The English and Math Support Centers are now open in the TLC for all students in need of help.

The English Support Center can help with homework, college and supplemental essays, college applications, essay writing, reading comprehension, and much more. The Math Support Center can help students with completing assignments, revising topics, or learning topics they might have missed. 

“For English/Humanities-related content, we can work through those skills and concepts with you on a pretty thorough level,” English teacher Ms. Reed said. “For subjects outside of the humanities field, we can often walk you through directions and provide clarity on the assignment itself, even if we can’t help you with the skills and concepts directly.”

There is a teacher in the Support Center every period of the day. Students are able to visit during study hall or lunch.

The teachers working at the Math Support Center are Mr. Frank, Mr. Ruzbarsky, Mrs. DiPrimio, Mrs. Francisco, and Mrs. Rich. 

The teachers working at the English Support Center are Mrs. Anderson, Mr. Giangregorio, Mr. Healy, Mrs. Lucia, Mrs. Goldbeck, Ms. Smuniewski, and Ms. Reed.

“It’s not just for students that have a D or F in a class — anyone can go get help,” math teacher Mr. Walsh said. 

Students benefit from the support center in many ways.

“I was able to complete all of my work with someone by my side every step of the way if I needed help,” freshman Emily Bassett said. “They were able to help me with anything I needed.”

The Support Center provides every student with personalized help and allows students to work more efficiently. 

“It’s a chance to receive one-on-one attention that might not always be available to you in a whole-class setting,” Reed said. “It’s also a great way to get to know other staff members in the building — the more resources you have throughout your academic journey, the better!

The Support Center can be used for many different areas of school as well.  

“If you need some organizational support (setting up your Google Drive, organizing folders, backpacks, etc.), we’re here for that, too,” Reed said.

Teachers are always ready and available to help students. 

“The support center helps students by providing a safe space to ask questions, complete assignments, and get a better understanding of material given in their math class,” math teacher Mrs. Rich said.

By Ella Franzman – Sports Editor 

Plans are already in the works for this year’s Post Prom. 

​​Post Prom is an event at the Sports Center in Shelton where the senior class can have a fun time together after Prom. Students have free range of the entire Sports Center to play games, golf, play laser tag, ice skate, and more. 

“Some of the biggest hits there are definitely the driving range and laser tag but overall it’s a fun and awesome experience,” said senior Jack Alberti, who attended Post Prom last year as a junior.

Food is provided at the event which goes until about 1:30 a.m. It’s a great way to have fun with your friends and create memories from Prom. 

“I would say the best part of Post Prom was the raffle,” said senior Hailey Oliver, who attended Post Prom last year as a junior. “At the raffle there were a lot of cool prizes.”

Some prizes that were included at the raffle were TVs, speakers, gift cards, a printer, laptops, and more.

“The planning is still in the early stages and it is entirely run by parent volunteers,” senior parent Bridget Lawless said. “For the next several months we will be fundraising to pay for the venue, food and raffle prizes; then the night of the event parents will run the logistics of getting the students to and from the Sports Center and be on site as chaperones and run the raffles and food.”

This year’s Prom date is May 12, 2023, at Amarante’s in New Haven. Students will get to Post Prom on a bus directly from Prom.

“The committee has buses at Prom that will take them directly to the Sports Center or they go by limo or parent drop off,” past senior parent Susan Reed said. “No student can drive to Post Prom. They change at the Sports Center and then all students take the buses back to Law to get picked up or have cars there.”

The facilities are all provided by the Post Prom committee through donations from the Milford community. 

“My favorite thing that I did was probably walk around the whole place with my friends and hit every spot,” said senior Demi Carrapico, who attended Post Prom last year as a junior. “Personally, I absolutely loved laser tag because of how intense it was and how much fun everyone else around me was having.”

Lawless said the Post Prom committee is looking for volunteers to help plan the event. Anyone who would like to volunteer can email her at olaw2@optonline.net. 

By Hannah Engel – Staff Reporter 

The Student Help Desk is back to replace and repair devices for the 2022-2023 school year. 

The Student Help Desk is located in the TLC and is available to help out anyone having technology issues. Students working at the help desk can fix or replace Chromebooks, Smartboards and other devices.

Law’s Library Media Specialist Ms. Mundy is the Student Help Desk advisor. 

“If someone were to break their Chromebook it’s my responsibility to diagnose the problem,” senior Matthew McKlosky said. “The main purpose for the students is for them not to worry about their Chromebooks being broken.” 

The Student Help Desk is available for everyone who needs it.

“The main purpose of the student help desk is to give students first hand experience with the IT system,” senior Jacob Swenning said. “It also allows for students to meet people in the IT department and have experience with them.”

The Student Help Desk gives students opportunities to learn about the IT field. This experience can help for future jobs or can be just for fun. 

Students from the help desk suggest taking computer science courses to gain a better understanding at first. Then, if students are interested in working at the help desk, they should speak with Mundy. 

“The Student Help Desk gives the students’ job skill training and gives Law technology needs,” Mundy said. “I assign tasks for them, but it’s very independent.” 

Working at the Student Help Desk can be helpful if students are interested in IT jobs. Students can also learn to work with the IT department for summer and college jobs. 

By Quinn Willett – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Spirit Committee organized a Spirit Week for the first time of the 2022-2023 school year during the week of September 19.

The Spirit Week consisted of Pajama Day, Jersey Day, Anything But A Backpack Day, Red, White, and Blue Day, and Color Wars.

Throughout the entire week, students dressed up according to the days and the week concluded with a pep rally on Friday. Due to COVID, Jonathan Law had not hosted an in-school pep rally in three years.

The senior class and the senior class advisors, Mrs. Francisco and Ms. Russell, organized the Spirit Week and pep rally.

“Spirit Week is always a fun and exciting week,” Francisco said. “I saw more participation this year than in recent years and that speaks volumes to our school spirit. This group of Law high school kids are ready for some fun.”

This Spirit Week was different from others because it was the first in-school Jonathan Law pep rally in years.

“It was great to be back in the gym for our pep rally,” Francisco said. “The decorations, noise level, and closeness really is a whole vibe (did I use that right?). We are hoping this is the start of something great and going forward we can only continue to show our school spirit through pep rallies and spirit days.”

Senior Class President Macie Rascoll, along with other members of the senior class, planned the themes and pep rally.

“I think Spirit Week went great,” Rascoll said. “It was super successful and we had so many students and staff participate which made it more fun.”

Jonathan Law is looking forward to having more spirit weeks coming in the 2022-2023 school year.

“This Spirit Week was different from other spirit weeks because it was the first one of the year and kind of like a welcome back to school,” Rascoll said. “It really made the transition from summer into school more fun knowing we had something to look forward to.”

The goal of Spirit Week is to bring the Jonathan Law community together and have everyone participate in something.

“With the different rules involving COVID, people were very hesitant to get involved in school spirit, activities and events, so it was just a lot more participation that was the biggest difference from last year,” Principal Mr. Darcy siad.

On the Friday night of Spirit Week, Law played its first home football game of the season.

“According to (Athletic Director) Mr. Sarullo,” Darcy said. “It was he largest crowd for a home opener in the history of the school.” 

Everyone involved in the planning of the first Spirit Week said it was a success and they hope there are many more to come.

By Chloe Konareski – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law’s Class of 2026 learned what it means to be a Lawman at a “Freshman Welcome Day” on September 23.

The Freshman Academy hosted a cookout, put together fun field games, escorted students room to room learning about what it means to be a Lawman, and so much more. 

“My favorite part of the Freshman Welcome day was learning about Law spirit and learning how to be a Lawman,“ freshman Cassie Rodriguez said. “From the tables outside, being able to see all the clubs and sports teams together and having upperclassmen there to help explain really helped me feel welcome.“ 

Being a freshman can be a challenge, so many upperclassmen stepped up at “Freshman Welcome Day” and encouraged the freshmen to get involved in the school community. They hosted a handful of community-building events to welcome and show support for the freshman class.

“When helping out the freshmen during the ‘How to be a Lawmen’ station, I saw the kids start to open up a bit when we were teaching them the chants for sports games,” senior Sabrina Lawless said. ”They started off quiet but once they heard us upperclassmen screaming them they didn’t feel as shy doing it themselves.”

This day was a great opportunity for the ninth graders to learn their way around the school and be transitioned into Law’s supportive community. 

“As a freshman, I feel as if it would have been an easier experience for me if the school clubs and different extracurriculars would come up to me rather than me walking to them,” senior Demi Carrapico said. “I felt very intimidated and hesitant to walk over and ask questions. It got very overwhelming.”

Starting in the cafe, freshmen played a Kahoot about Law with Munchkins as a prize. They also did icebreaker activities and built towers out of spaghetti and marshmallows.

After those events, the freshmen went broken into groups and went around to classrooms to hear presentations from upperclassmen about all things Law. Everyone then went outside to play sports on the football field, enjoy a BBQ, and walk around an Activity Fair to learn more about Law’s clubs and sports teams.

The Activity Far was followed by a school-wide pep rally.

By Alana Pires – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law hosted its first pep rally of the year on September 23, as students got ready to cheer on the football team in their home opener that night. 

Students decorated the class sections with the class colors that were worn that day for Spirit Week. The pep rally was especially exciting, since it was the first pep rally to take place inside the new gym since before COVID. 

“I think it went great,” math teacher Ms. Russell said. “It was amazing to have all of our students together in one place for the first time since 2020. The energy was awesome.”

Students of all grades got involved in the activities and in the school spirit that day. This was an especially important event for the freshmen, as they experienced some of the fun events Law has to offer.  

“I think that the pep rally was very exciting,” freshman Avery Moulton said. “I enjoyed watching the tug-a-war and the choir singing. The cheers went well and it got me up on my feet.”

Many freshmen were excited to be a part of their first pep rally at Law, and surprised many with their enthusiasm and excitement for the activities planned.

“The students had a lot of energy for the pep rally this year,” senior Elly Van Waveren said. “We had just taught the freshmen the chants and they were louder than I expected.”

Senior members of The Jury and faculty organizers agreed that the pep rally went especially well, since it was one of the first indoor pep rally in years. The Law band, choir, and cheerleaders performed at the event.

“I do think it went pretty well considering it’s the first time we’ve done it in a while,” senior Sabrina Lawless said. “We got everything done that we wanted to get done and everyone did great with the chanting and the tug-o-war.” 

Russell said she is working on a plan to help get more students involved in activities to make an overall better atmosphere for everyone.

“This year we are going to have the Captain’s Council for each season to help with the planning of the pep rallies,” Russell said. “I think this will help involve more students and get them excited.”

This pep rally may be the first, but it is certainly not the last, and students can look forward to more pep rallies as the year goes on.

By Zach Santarcangelo – Staff Reporter

The SAVE Promise Club is a new club at Jonathan Law which is advised by history teacher Ms. Healy founded by senior Aislinn Burns.

The club is built around mental health awareness, inclusion, and preventing violence within schools. The goal of the club is to make sure students feel both safe and welcome at Law throughout the year.

“The main goal is to de-stigmatize mental health,” Healy said. “We wanted a club specific to mental health.”

The president of the club is Burns, who started the club to increase the message of the Sandy Hook Promise inside of Law. SAVE is a part of a national organization called SAVE National. SAVE stands for Students Against Violence Everywhere and is an initiative of the Sandy Hook Promise.

“In previous years, some of the Sandy Hook Promise events were run through Natural Helpers,” Burns said. “However, I wanted to create SAVE Promise Club to increase the impact/message of the club at our school as well as have the opportunity to run events year-round.”

The club had its first meeting on September 16 where they discussed preparations for Start With Hello Week. 

“We discussed different activities or themes,” Healy said. “A lot of students are in it so far.”

The club meets on F days in room 187 during common time but plans to move into the auditorium due to the strong attraction the club has gained.

Over 50 students came to the meeting on the September 16 and signed up for the club’s Google Classroom. People who joined the club have had many reasons to join. 

“I wanted students to feel safe at school,” said sophomore club member Alexandra Fino. “With everything that has happened in the past few years, I wanted to help make a change.”

At the meeting, club members introduced themselves and learned about the club. The members also discussed ways they could help make an impact on students at Law for Start With Hello Week. 

Members of SAVE Promise appeared on Eagle Eye News the week of September 26 where they explained that day’s activities.

“For example, some people might have needed to go to school early to write motivational messages in chalk by the entrances,” sophomore member Natalia Gagliardi said. “Some may have written on name tags, and some may write messages on sticky notes and placed them around the school.”

The week was to promote positivity throughout the school and welcome those new to the Law community.

By Cesar Mendez – Staff Reporter

At the start of 2022-2023 school year, Jonathan Law’s freshmen have adapted very well to high school life.

The freshmen have adapted to changes like a different schedule, new classes, and different events that go on during school.

“One month into high school and I feel like I’ve been here for a while now,” freshman Brian Gonzalez said. “Everything is going very well.”

This year, Law has lots of athletic freshmen participating in sports ranging from football to soccer.

“This year I’m definitely looking forward to getting better at my position in football,” freshman Walat Balu said.

Balu is just one of the new freshman football players for Jonathan Law. This year, 19 incoming freshmen have joined this year’s football team.

“I started the football season off strong but I’m starting to slow down a bit,” freshman Yeiden Nieves said. “Hopefully I can pick myself back up and have a good rest of the season.”

This year has been a good test for the freshmen to keep up on schoolwork.

“The hardest part of the year so far has been getting things in on time,” freshman Ryan Nobles said.

Another positive experience for the freshmen has been getting to know everyone and introducing themselves.

“The easiest part of high school was getting to know everyone and try to become friends with them,” freshman Nick Cosmas said.

Law’s teachers have also spent time adjusting to the freshmen and getting to know them. They might have been working at this school for a long time but they have to adjust just as much as the freshmen.

“I love this time of year as we head into October,” freshman English teacher Mrs. Branco said. “The students are starting to feel comfortable and at home at Jonathan Law and we have entered into a routine within classes.”

Freshman teachers also have lots of advice to give to the new students coming in.

“My advice academically is to stay on top of your work,” Branco said. “It is much more difficult once you get behind in a class to try to make up assignments, stay organized and ask for help when needed.” 

This year, Law opened up the year with a Freshman Welcome Day. Law’s freshman team teachers hosted a bunch of activities for all the freshmen so they could figure out how Law works.

“The Freshman Welcome Day felt very welcoming,” freshman Jeremy Clark said. “ It gave me a good idea of where everything is in the school and felt like a great way to get the freshmen ready for the school year.”

By Jack Bretthauer – Staff Reporter

The National Math Honor Society is making its return to Law.

Math teacher Mr. Ruzbarsky is the advisor for the National Math Honor Society. He is returning with President Aislinn Burns, Vice President Rishabh Nair, Secretary Angus Cheng, and Treasurer Elizabeth Ryan.

“We are excited to start this school year and to have new members join our society,” Ruzbarsky said. “We are looking forward to our induction of our new members, learning more math, helping with math, and sponsoring our school wide April Math Month challenge and Pi Day activities.” 

The NMHS is currently looking for new members to apply. 

Current members said they are looking forward to Pi Day activities and some April Math Month activities. 

Although NMHS has hosted Pi Day in the past, they have not narrowed down exactly what activities they will do yet.  

“We might do some of the same activities again but those decisions will start to be made at our first official meeting on October 25th,” Ruzbarsky said.

In past years for Pi Day, NMHS has hosted a school0wide math event in the TLC where students complete different activities such as Draw The Best Circle and Pin The Radius On The Circle.

For April Math Month, the NMHS has done a scavenger hunt and a Math Problem of the Day. They might do some of these again but those decisions will start to be made at the first official meeting on October 25.

Burns joined the club as a junior and is now the president. She is hoping for lots of new members this year.

“We have 12 members so far with inductions going on,” Burns said.

There are normally around 20 members but they hope to grow bigger this year after inductions.

Nair is excited for the NMHS to hold regular meetings.

“The meetings are quick, very relaxed, not super math-involved,” Nair said

Many members joined the club to discuss math, which is a common interest among them. 

“I joined this society to further pursue my passion for math,” Cheng said. “As a member of this society, I’ve been able to improve my math skills and help others as well.”

Ryan said she joined the club to help others who are struggling with math.

“I joined NMHS because it’s nice to be able to help out anyone who may need some math help”, said Ryan. 

By Maya Markowitz – Staff Reporter

A group of Jonathan Law students came together to start a Black Student Union for all students in the Milford Public Schools.

This club met for the first time on Tuesday, October 4 in the TLC. The club’s goal is to create a place where students can feel a part of a community. 

“During the first meeting we will Introduce ourselves and the purpose of the club and of course have fun,” junior Black Student Union co-founder Ike Opayemi said. “We hope to provide a nice space for the community and a safe space for other students with the addition of the BSU.”

The club will be run by Mr. McNeill, the principal of Pumpkin Delight Elementary School and Dr. Williams, the principal from The Academy. The club was founded by three juniors at Law: Gemard Guery, Opeyemi, and Faith Mayo. 

“In terms of having a Black Student Union in Milford and the idea behind it is that voices who are often not heard in society need a voice,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “I’m excited to be able to support them in finding their voice.”

Meetings will be scheduled around events run by the club. 

“I am most excited for the events that will attract students from the entire school through fundraising and service projects,” Guery said. 

One of their biggest projects this year is the celebration of Black History Month in February. They plan to fundraise for this project in the months leading up to this. 

“The students are hoping to establish a community of students who are looking to support causes and issues that impact our Black students in MPS,” Williams said. “My role as one of the advisors is to support the students in their work.  This can be a challenging first step but it’s necessary to support all of our minority communities within our schools.”

The club will be seen on social media platforms such as The Advocate, Eagle Eye News, and Twitter to attract new members. 

“It’s important to empower all students and all groups of students,” Darcy said. 

The club will be a great way for students to meet and share their support for the club. 

“I am excited to meet all the different people who will come to support and celebrate the club.” Mayo said. 

The club is an exciting addition to the list of clubs at Jonathan Law High School that will encourage all students to get involved. 

By Aryan Sikhinam – Staff Reporter 

Election Day is Thursday, October 6 at Jonathan Law. 

There are six positions available per class: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Senators. Students need 25 signatures from their classmates and four signatures from their teachers to be on the voting ballot.

Students will also have to prepare a speech to run and present it in front of their class. 

“Each class, freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior elect students to represent them on matters pertaining to their class,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “They organize events, fundraising, or if there are some issues or concerns that they want to bring to the school’s attention, then that would be a way to filter that information.”

Speeches and signatures are due on October 3 and should be turned in to Mr. Boynton in the ISS room. 

Students need to maintain a GPA above 2.0 to keep their position in the Student Council.

“Any student can apply for student government,” Boynton said. “There’s a procedure. We have elections each year and we break it down by class. Students will be required to get a petition, and get 25 signatures from people in their class.”  

Presidents have to attend and conduct all meetings, delegate responsibilities, and be committed to the Student Council. 

Vice Presidents are second in command and are to assist the President in all of their activities and endeavors. Treasurers keep track of income and expenses on a spreadsheet and lead fundraising events.

Class Secretaries keep track of meetings and type proposals and letters for the Class Council. They also creates announcements and flyers. 

The two Senators attend meetings and help in voicing their class’ concerns. 

“I think it’s an amazing way for students to get involved with school and for students to take on tasks that can set them up in the future,” senior Hamza Bhutta said. “It’s also a good way of preparing students to vote once they are 18.”

Law science teacher Mr. Morazzini feels that all students can benefit from running for class office.

“I feel that student elections are a good introduction to students starting to take on leadership roles,” Morazzini said. 

Many students are running for office because they want to see a change in the school and in their class. They want to have a fun and exciting school year. 

“I’m running because I want to actually do something for me and my peers,” freshman President candidate Walat Balu said. “I’ll make sure that we don’t have a boring freshman year and have fun events for the Class of 2026.”  

 

By Will Smith – Entertainment Editor

Mr. Wood is Law’s newest addition to the Spanish department.

Wood said that he is very excited to be a teacher at Law.

“I hope to get to know the students and culture of the school,” Wood said.

Wood has degrees from UConn and Loyola University in Maryland. Before coming to Law, Wood worked at Westminister Middle School in Simsbury.

Outside of school, Mr.Wood enjoys playing racquetball games like pickleball and tennis.

By Will Smith – Entertainment Editor

Mr. Beardsley joined Law’s staff this year as a history teacher.

In the classroom, Beardsley is excited to share his passion for history with his students.

“I want to provide my students with as many authentic learning experiences as possible,” Beardsley said.

Beardsley is a member of the Law Class of 2016. After graduating from Law, he went to the University of New Haven and graduated with a Bachelors degree in History in 2020. He then went to Sacred Heart University and graduated in May of 2022 with a Masters in Education.

Outside of school, Beardsley plays basketball as often as he can. He also loves to watch his favorite sports teams – the Mets, Jets, and the Knicks – whenever he gets the chance.

By Gemard Guery – Editor-in-Chief

Jonathan Law’s Natural Helpers Club is starting back up for the 2022-2023 school year.

This club aims to help the Jonathan Law community through various activities and community service projects. The club is run by Ms. Smuniewski, an English teacher at Jonathan Law.

“Natural Helpers is a club that helps to build the Law community and facilitate different events throughout the year with the purpose of bonding and stress relief,” Natural Helpers President Skylar Johnson said. “We offer many opportunities for volunteerism and leadership.”

The club has a focus on mental health and student well-being. It aims to be a support for students at Jonathan Law.

“One of the best things about advising this club is that I get to work with students who are dedicated to the well-being and mental health of their peers,” Smuniewski said. “I love the new activities that club members bring to the table since our needs as a school change from year to year. They are always thinking of the ‘next best thing’ when it comes to making sure all students feel supported and welcomed.”

The club runs Law’s annual De-Stress Fest which aims to help students relax during finals week. Last year, there was an ice cream truck, petting zoo, and various games and activities for students to partake in.

“I think the De-Stress Fest is important because it makes students feel like their community cares about them,” Vice President Giuliana Aguilar. “It’s also important because helps everyone’s mental health by creating fun activities to destress after exams.”

This year, the Natural Helpers has a lot of fun activities planned for Jonathan Law students. In addition to the De-Stress Fest, there will be many other activities and projects run by the club.

“In the past, we’ve hosted a variety of different programs and campaigns such as Lunch Bunch, a kindness rock competition before Thanksgiving, and a De-Stress Fest before final exams. We intend on making last year’s rock competition an annual event with prizes for the top three rocks, as well as building on the success from last year’s De-Stress Fest,” Smuniewski said. “We also plan to incorporate new mindfulness activities throughout the school year and think of new ways to ensure that all students feel safe and connected in our school.”

This year, joining the club will be a different experience. To join, students must pick up an application from room 206 to become a part of the club.

“Right now, we are going off of an application based process,” Johnson said. “Our first meeting is on Tuesday, September 20th, after school in Room 206. Everyone is welcome to come and get a feel for the club and grab an application from Ms. Smuniewski afterwards if they’re interested.”

By Katie Servas – Editor-in-Chief

The Jonathan Law choir is starting to look sharp – and is ready for a new year.

The choir has been up and running for a few weeks now and have welcomed its newest members into the ensemble. There were many new freshmen who found choir as a community where they feel comfortable and welcomed which helped their adjustment to high school.

“The start of my freshman year was a huge change and an adjustment, I never really realized how many friends I made,” freshman Lexi Velez said. “Right when I entered school everyone was so welcoming to me, helping me and supporting me.”

Many of the upperclassmen have been stepping up and sharing their experiences with newer members, encouraging them to break out of their shells. They have had a handful of community-building events to welcome and show support for younger members.

“I am so happy and proud to say that I am a part of the choir community,” Velez said. “I think choir has helped me in high school and is going to help me more in high school, to not be afraid of doing things, to shine, never give up, always think of positive things and ways, and get out of my comfort zone and I believe that Mrs. Jones and the choir will be the one place I feel comfortable and the most welcomed.”

Many seniors have reflected on how much the group has affected them and their high school experience. 

“Choir impacted my high school experience because music provided me a place to communicate with friends and to connect with others interested in music,” senior Choir Community member Deven Rivera said. “Advice I would give to underclassmen is to find a group and stick with it so you have something you can go to in rough times and a community to look back on that accepted you.”

Many have noticed how the ensemble has encouraged their personal growth and their ability to adapt and adjust to new experiences. 

“Joining choir was one of the best decisions I have ever made, I have had so much fun singing and making memories, and have met some of my best friends through the choir,” senior Choir Committee member Marisa Laviano said. “Everyone at law and especially the music department is so welcoming and will accept you for who you are and be there when you need anything.”

One member of the choir, recently joined the marching and concert band to pursue his interest in percussion and mallet based instruments.

“Being part of both ensembles is extremely fun, it allows me to pursue my musical interests as a percussionist and a singer,” junior Section Leader Jasper Chu said. “However, time management isn’t going to be easy because I have to juggle homework, practice for both ensembles, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work but it’s most likely going to help me because my time management skills are going to improve.”

There are many performances to look forward to for the choir, such as, CMEA Regionals and All-State. The performances for Music In Our School’s Month is another exciting performance which will continue with participation from Foran’s high school choir.

Without having to worry about restrictions, the choir is looking forward to more field trips without having to worry about many cancellations or adjustments.

“It’s so refreshing to know we can plan for events and count on them happening,” Choir Director Kelly Jones said. “For instance, we have several upcoming events planned to perform, field trips to gain more musical expertise, and enjoy time together through consign experiences.”

These performances allow the group the ability to strengthen and growth their musical knowledge. Veteran members have learned so much, and have been providing as much advice as they can to ease the stress of high school.

“A piece of advice I would give to an underclassman is to not be afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone,” senior Choir Comity member Kalli Kinsman said. “It’s definitely easier said than done, but everyone in the choir has your back and is there to catch you when you fall.”

The choir is a welcoming family who has many exciting performances and trips in the works and many other performances to look forward to.

By Olivia Hudak – Entertainment Editor

Ms. Shagoury is Law’s newest history teacher.

Shagoury attended UConn for her undergraduate degree. While there, Shagoury majored in English and History and then later attended the University of Bridgeport where she received her Masters in English Secondary Education.

Outside of school, Shagoury loves dancing, reading, and working out. Shagoury also has a passion for makeup, and in college, she worked as a professional makeup artist. On the weekends and after she also teaches her own fitness classes.

Shagoury said she is excited to be a member of the Law faculty.

“Everyone is super friendly and helpful,” Shagoury said. “I love it. With the new year starting there’s lots to look forward to. I am looking forward to all of the school events that Law has as well as watching my students grow throughout the year.”

By Zack Sulkis – Social Media Editor

Jonathan Law principal Mr. Darcy is looking forward to his second year leading the Lawmen. Social Media Editor Zack Sulkis interviewed Darcy about the 2022-2023 school year

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

Mr. Darcy: I’m looking forward to experiencing a “more normal” school year where students and staff can communicate and collaborate more often. I want to see creative, engaging lessons and projects that allow students to learn from each other. 

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

MD:  I’m looking forward to all the events happening this year without any issues with covid. This includes homecoming, plays, athletic events, dances, etc.. 

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

MD: I’d like everyone to know that this is OUR school. Everyone shares the responsibility in making sure we do the best for each other. We work together to solve problems and anyone who has a great idea should speak up so we can move our school forward in a positive way. 

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

MD: I feel I achieved my personal goal of getting to know the students, staff and building as much as possible. I also feel the students did a great job of adapting to all the protocol changes that happened last year. It was a learning experience for everyone. 

ZS: What was your motivation for making so many new rules last year?

MD: There is never a real motivation for putting rules in place. Students, families and staff talked to me a lot about things that were getting in the way of the school running safely and properly. We worked together to apply strategies that helped everyone feel heard and supported. 

ZS: What’s your overall goal for the school in making new rules?

MD: Any rules or policies should always be updated and adapted. If something worked five years ago, it may not work today. A school community should always be reviewing what we do so we are able to make things better. This includes literally everything (rules, policies, procedures, grading practices, teaching, etc..). 

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

MD: We had a few staff members retire and one leave the teaching profession this summer. It’s never easy to see people move on, but I feel we made some terrific hires. During the interview process candidates had to show they would not only be the best teacher for our students, but also fit into our positive climate. I’m confident in all the hires we made this summer. 

ZS: Any advice for the incoming freshmen this year?

MD: My advice for the freshmen is to get involved. Join a club, play an instrument, sing, play a sport. Do something to be connected to our school community. The more students are involved, the better they do academically as well. 

ZS: Any advice for this year’s seniors?

MD: My advice to seniors is to enjoy the time while you are here. When you are a senior in high school, you’re always thinking “what’s next?” and you can miss the great things that happen in the present. Soak it all in because I guarantee you will miss our school when you leave us. 

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

MD: The staff and students have done their best to define this coming into this school year. At Law we are Leaders, Scholars, Advocates, and Family. Being a Lawman means doing your best for yourself, your family and your community. We should all be proud to be a Lawman everyday. I know I am.

(Photo courtesy Katie Servas)

By Katie Servas – Editor-in-Chief

The Jonathan Law Marching Band is bringing it back, ready to perform an explosive halftime show this year.

There are many exciting performances for the Marching Band. Their first performance this year will be in the Connecticut Day parade at the Big E on September 16. 

The band has also been preparing their halftime show for the first home football game in a few weeks.

“This year I’m looking forward to my first year actually marching in the halftime show,” said junior Isabelle Maselli. “I’m excited to see the places we get to go to share our music especially since COVID has mostly cleared up with restrictions.”

The Marching Band hasn’t been able to perform a full halftime show since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students are unfamiliar with the process of building a show and executing it by the first home football game.

Newer members of the band, such as the freshman, were welcomed into the process early on with the help of band camp. Throughout band camp, they were learning music and how to march while playing and starting to become comfortable with their new school environment.

“I felt anxious about coming to a new school and finding my classes but being a member of the band has eased my transition into high school,” said freshman Abigail Jenkins. “During summer band rehearsals and band camp, I was able to meet new people and explore different aspects of the school.”

Band camp was a great opportunity for new members to learn their way around the school and be welcomed into a community that will always be there to support them.

“The start of my freshman year has definitely been very stressful but the band is so welcoming and helpful especially when I need something,” said freshman Melissa Servas. “They continue to talk to me during the school day even if it’s just a simple ‘hi’ in the hallway.”

The ability to have a group of people who are familiar with one another before starting the academic year was proven to have eased the transition back to school. 

Many returning members of the band have been looking forward to the start-up of the concert season and Jazz Band.

“This year, I am really looking forward to the concert season,” said senior Jacob Swenning. “One performance, in particular, I am very excited about is performing for the Jazz Band because I had a great experience last year and believe I will have an even better experience this year.”

The Jazz Band has participated in a handful of festivals over the past year and plans to continue to throughout the year.

There are many performances that will allow tremendous growth within the band over the course of the school year and many members have set goals for themselves to achieve.

“My goal this year is to become a better trumpet player,” said junior Hayden Chetwynd. “I hope to have a successful transition from a brass instrument to percussion between the Jazz and Marching Band.” 

Chetwynd is one of the handful of members who participate in multiple music ensembles. Branching out into the Jazz Band has granted him the opportunity to learn new instruments and become a stronger and well-rounded musician.

“This year I think I have already gotten so much better as a musician, said Maselli. “I’ve had a great role model, Bridget Dywer, to watch and help me grow, and hope I can have that effect on the younger people in my section this year and next.”

The veteran members have clearly shown their dedication to the music ensemble by taking the lead within their sections and providing guidance to younger members.

“If I could give an underclassmen advice it would definitely be to ask for help,” said senior Chelsea Abbey. “I’d also advise practicing on your own time if you have it because you’ll be able to prepare yourself for events and you’ll be able to focus on what you need to improve on.”

Band Director Mr. Pelaggi plans to improve the performance of the band’s concerts, parades, and marching shows.

“I have been incorporating some new strategies in my ensemble classes by breaking down my scores in different ways,” Pelaggi said. “When I think about the theory behind our music more, I understand it and the music better, and I can teach it more efficiently.”

This year the band has welcomed a new member, Michael Barile, a student teacher who’s working toward a degree in music.

He will be starting by taking over two of the music technology classes and theory classes first, to then moving on to ensembles and running rehearsals on his own.

“It has been an interesting new experience and so far has been a really cool process for me,” said Pelaggi. “I’ve been much more critical of my teaching because I am being viewed as an example for a teacher every time I am in front of students.”

Barile has been a great addition to the band community and has shown much talent within the music department.

For the first time, a member of the Jonathan Law High School Band has been chosen to perform in The All-National Honor Ensemble Concert Band.

“Noah and I, (a member of the Foran band) are the first musicians from Milford to ever make it to Nationals,” said junior assistant drum major Christopher Rickard. “I want to represent Milford and Law well, I look forward to performing with such a talented group of musicians, and I look forward to meeting new people.

Rickard spent hours rehearsing the piece “Sonata” for Euphonium with the help of Dave Pelaggi and private instructor Art Hovey.

The band will be performing from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., on November 6 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, in Washington D.C.

This is an incredible opportunity for Rickard that will allow him to experience a new dynamic of musicians and perform in the country’s capital.

By Kaitlyn Goldberg – News Editor

The Jonathan Law Drama Club is up and running again and they are getting ready to show their production of “The Play That Goes Wrong.” 

The club is very excited to be back.  Their last play was an adaptation of “Freaky Friday,” a musical, and now “The Play That Goes Wrong” has a bit of a different twist to it. 

“The fall production that we will be holding this year is titled ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ and as for the plot of the show, it is indeed strange, but overall unique,” senior Drama Club President Sofia Mazzella said. “The play is about a group of actors who are putting on a murder mystery play for an audience, but what makes the show earn its title is that every single thing imaginable goes wrong….actors forget their lines, set pieces break, cues are off, and technical details are greatly flawed.”

Students in the Drama Club want more people to join, because it can be a great place to make new friends and act on stage. 

“My favorite part of being in Drama Club is how welcoming and kind the community is,” sophomore Sarah Ahmed said. “You can be yourself and have fun and make so many new friends, it’s amazing and I would say joining Drama is one of the best decisions I made going into high school.”

The club has many goals they want to achieve to make this play work and have people enjoy it. 

“My goal is to make this another great show with hopefully an even bigger turnout than past years,” senior Shruti Simhadri said. “Expect some promo coming your way soon.”

Club members also want to improve on their acting skills and have a chance to shine on stage. 

“I hope to be a part of the main cast and get to improve as an actor,” junior Faith Santiago said.

Everyone in the club wants to just have fun and enjoy their time making memories on the stage, but also making memories off the stage as well. 

“My main goal for being in the club is to just have fun and enjoy it because it is going to be funny and I am so excited,” junior Hailey Russo said.

By Reilly Hungerford – Entertainment Editor

Mrs. Florian is Law’s new science teacher.

Florian graduated from UConn with a Bachelor’s degree in Allied Human Sciences and a  minor in Psychology. She then studied abroad in Australia for six months at Macquarie University.

She got her first Master’s degree in the Art of Teaching at Tampa University and her second Masters’ in Building Leadership and Administration at Mercy College.

Florian’s teaching experience is extensive. She taught AP Biology in Tampa, Florida. Then, she moved to Rhode Island and taught Physics, Biology, and Chemistry at Immaculate Conception Academy, an all-girls Catholic boarding school.

After that, she came back to Connecticut and started teaching at Greenwich High School and their alternative school. She also coached soccer and lacrosse there. Afterward, she moved to Southington and started teaching at The Academy in Milford.

Florian then had three children in three years and came to Law after her maternity leave was over.

“I haven’t been in the classroom in two years because of the pandemic and having kids so I am ready to get back to interacting with peers and students,” Florian said.

Outside of school, Florian is also a very adventurous person. She has traveled a lot. She also enjoys scuba diving, skydiving, skydiving, bungee jumping, hiking, camping, and much more. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and creating art. She is also a very sporty person, having played soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball.

She is so excited to be teaching now that COVID-19 restrictions have lessened.

“The students so far seem like a great bunch too,” Florian said. “It is nice to see more socializing and normalcy after a pandemic.”

By Maddy Gaillard – Entertainment Editor 

The Jonathan Law Teaching and Learning Commons (TLC) and Support Center have some new additions and rules with the new school year. 

The TLC is an open spot for students to study or get academic help. In previous years, the Support Center has been located in the back of the TLC, but this year it has been separated into Math and English Support Centers in designated rooms in the TLC.

There are many new rules and guidelines about the TLC as well as changes with the Support Center. 

“This year the upperclassmen now have study hall in the TLC,” Library Media Specialist Ms. Munday said. “Instead of reporting to study hall and getting a pass to come to the TLC, students can come directly here.”

While the upperclassmen privilege is new, there most other rules stayed the same, such including the sign-in system. 

“We are keeping the Library Trac sign-in system,” Mundy said. “Students need to sign in when they come to the room for any reason. If they have a study they also need to check in with their study hall teacher. For new students they just need to know their five digit lunch code (or the last five numbers of their Google password) and log into Library Trac that way.” 

The Support Center has also had some new adjustments with the beginning of the new school year. 

“The Support Center is in two rooms in the TLC: Math is in one room and English in another. There’s nothing different other than the location,” Mundy said. “It gives more privacy to students who are working and frees up more space in the main room of the TLC.”

The Support Center also has teachers that are there to help students with a specific subject. 

“The Support Center is a place where all students can come down for Math, Science, English, Social Studies, group work, or a quiet place with a knowledgeable person nearby to answer possible questions,” math teacher Mr. Ruzbarsky said. “The Support Center helps all students achieve their academic goals by helping them in a non-traditional classroom way to explore the misconceptions they have to help them fully understand what they are working on.”

For students, the new TLC rules and Support Center opinions can vary. 

“I may be biased but I like the new upperclassmen rule in the TLC,” Junior Emily Lo said. “It regulates the amount of people in the room making it easier to study and work. I use the TLC and Support enter a lot and I believe it is a great way for students to work on their skills and improve academically.”

Many students and teachers value the Support Center and TLC,  no matter the changes.

“Our goal is to help all students with any academic, organizational, or study skill need,” English Teacher Mrs. Goldbeck said. “The teachers look for ways to improve the Center each year so that students can reach their highest level of achievement.” 

By Olivia Hudak- Entertainment Editor

Mr. Barcello is back at Law as the new Technology teacher.

Barcello had previously taught at Law for seven years. In 2022, he moved on to the Fairfield School District, but now he has returned to Milford.

Before teaching, he went to Boston University, and while there, he majored in Journalism. 

When not in school, Barcello loves to cook, listen to music, and play sports, specifically disc golf.

This year, Barcello is mostly looking forward to the Powder Puff game. It is one of his favorite events of the year.

“I love the Law community,” Barcello said. “When my job opened up, I jumped at the chance to come back because I missed the sense of community that we have here at Law.”

By Lana Hanania – News Editor 

The Jonathan Law Key Club is back up and running and will have its first meeting of the year on September 14 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. 

Law’s Key Club will be run by Lieutenant Governor and Co-President Caroline Doyle and Co-President Hanna Keating. They are looking forward to their upcoming projects and are ready to see some new faces.

Key Club is a great opportunity for students to participate as volunteers and to earn community service hours.

“This year we are hoping to get involved in our community, hold some service projects at meetings, and fundraise, especially for Camp Sunshine, which is my Governor’s Project focus this year,” Doyle said. 

Key Club hopes to successfully fund children with cancer to attend Camp Sunshine. For the kids, the camp is a great opportunity to have fun and do activities. 

“I am most excited for all the volunteer work we will be doing this year,” Keating said. “We are working on a district project for Camp Sunshine so most of our fundraising will go to them this year which is really exciting. I think Key Club helps me as a student because it surrounds me with others with similar mindsets and motivates me to do better.” 

Key Club is a great way for students to engage at school and meet others who share their interests. 

“This year we will have a lot of new activities and we will be focusing a lot on raising money for Camp Sunshine which is a great cause that provides a fun camp for kids with cancer,” senior Maya Rosado said. “I think it’s important for students to join the club because it is an easy way to get your volunteer hours.”

Members say that helping the community is the most rewarding part of joining Key Club. 

“Key Club has been very beneficial to me during my time at Law so far,” Secretary Skylar Johnson said. “I’ve met some really great friends, gotten closer with the Law community as a whole, and felt the joy that accompanies volunteerism.” 

Students can stay busy this year and grow closer to Law with the help of the volunteer opportunities and activities offered.

“We were able to go to a Decon trip last year, and I was able to learn about treasure training and take care of the key club finances,” Treasure Kyle Chy said. “It benefited me by giving me volunteer hours, leadership positions, and there is an officer for every freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior as well.” 

By Ella Franzman – Sports Editor

Eagle Eye News is back up and running at Jonathan Law for the new school year. 

Eagle Eye News will air at the start of second period on A-D days and then at the start of Common Time on E and F days. 

Each day on the news, there will be announcements about all of the different events that are happening around Law. Some days there will be guest appearances from Law’s clubs, teams, and other activities. There will also be on air news stories, interviews and other videos produced by the editors. 

“I am most excited to start getting a feel for being behind the camera and for creating new projects this year like highlight films and podcasts that can make the news longer,” senior Maya Rosado said. 

The first episode of the school year aired live on Friday, September 9. 

“We are constantly getting announcements and appearance requests emailed to us, and every day, we organize all of those announcements and schedule the guests for that day,” Broadcast Journalism teacher Mr. Kulenych said. 

Broadcast Journalism has a brand new staff this year and the students have already been brainstorming ideas for new segments for Eagle Eye News.

“Every year, I am most excited to see what ideas the new Broadcast students have for Eagle Eye News,” Kulenych said. “We have one of our biggest classes ever this year, including a lot of returning members from last year, and they are all ready to bring their creativity to life on the news every day.”

Senior Ben Rossi is excited to be back in Broadcast after taking the course as a junior last year.

“I’m super excited about working with a whole new group of people,” Rossi said. “The class doubled in size so it’s exciting to have more ideas to improve Eagle Eye News.”

This year, the class has 20 students, up from 12 last year. 

“I hope we will be able to do more news segments around the school live on air,” senior Dom DiFederico said. 

By Katie Servas – Staff Reporter

Competing was quite the emotional roller coaster, until the park opened and everyone got on the actual roller coasters.

Then the emotion came from those who were afraid of heights.

The concert band, orchestra, advanced vocal ensemble, and concert choir performed at Holy Oak High School, minutes away from Six Flags. 

This was the first time for many ensemble members to perform for live judges and receive professional feedback on their performance.

“I haven’t been to a music competition in three years so I definitely forgot how it felt to perform at a competition,” sophomore section leader Moulika Sivalenka said. “I was nervous, scared, and just wanted to get the performance over with, but I think the cool energy and calmness of (band and orchestra director) Mr. Pelaggi made me less nervous.”

Receiving the feedback after the performance allowed the ensembles to reflect on their performance and their improvements throughout the year. 

“The feedback was great and mostly constructive,” junior choir manager Kalli Kinsman said. “Every judge is different, so you have to take their feedback and recognize what you need to work on as a group to improve and be better the next time you perform.”

The concert band received an excellent score as well title as the overall high school concert band. The concert choir received the second place high school choir title as well as a superior score. The advanced vocal ensemble also received a superior score and first overall. Finally, the orchestra received a superior rating.

There was tremendous growth within the ensembles that shown through with their performances.

“Our students’ tone, sense of rhythm, sense of intonation, and balance and blend have improved immensely,” Pelaggi said. “At the beginning of the year, students were having some trouble coming out of COVID, but we have really overcome these challenges.”

After the competition the department spent the remainder of their afternoon at Six Flags amusement park with all the other schools attending. 

Many students spent their time with members from other Jonathan Law ensembles and were able to venture around the park together. 

“Being able to spend time with my friends that I don’t normally hang out with was one of my highlights of the trip,” senior percussion player Dimitri Barnes said. “It was a great experience, especially at the end of senior year.”

The trip was popular among students as it was near the end of the year and the first trip many have taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was just so wonderful to feel like we had a group of people who love and support each other walking around throughout the park,” choir director Ms. Jones said. “So, it made it so much more fun to have the people we enjoy being around to share the day with.”

By Marisa Laviano – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law’s National Honor Society held its annual Brain Bowl on April 27. 

Members from each grade compete against each other in trivia in front of an audience of the school in the auditorium and the winning team to compete against the faculty team.

“The purpose is to bring the entire school community together to have fun competing in trivia while raising money for brain cancer research,” National Honor Society Advisor Ms. Turcotte said.

In all, over $800 was raised for brain cancer research from this year’s Brain Bowl.

All students and teachers trying out for their team had to take the preliminary multiple choice trivia test. The four students in each grade with the highest scores were selected to represent their grade on their brain bowl team.

Representatives from each team were: freshmen Sarah Ahmed, Isabella Vancho, Sarah Gutierrez, and Carol Jiang; sophomores Arshaq Ahmed, Arman Punjabi, Eliot Melgar, Benjamin Giarandola; juniors: Matt McKlosky, Kyle Chy, Skylar Johnson and Devin Calvin; seniors: Elanor Clay, Anthony Fino, Travis Zeidler, and MaKenna Sharpe; and faculty: Mr. Evanko, Ms. Furst, Officer Goldfuss, and Ms. Mannion.

“The highlight of the event was when I got a ‘Freaky Friday’ question wrong when I was in the musical,” freshman Sarah Ahmed said. “All of the drama kids started yelling from the audience. It was so funny.”

The game consisted of four rounds and at the end of each round the team with the least amount of points got eliminated.

All four student teams competed for a chance to compete against the faculty team.

The first to be eliminated were the the sophomores, followed by the freshmen, then the juniors. The seniors went on to compete against the faculty.

“Our team did surprisingly well and made it to the final round against the staff, even though we lost in the end we put up a great fight,” senior Travis Zeidler said.

The final question of the brain bowl both teams wager their points to answer a question following the theme of the game, this years theme being “The Avengers.”

“The highlight of the event was probably watching the staff try to name each of the Infinity Stones,” junior Skylar Johnson said.

The staff ended up going home with the victory in the 2022 Brain Bowl.

By Madelyn Baranowsky – Staff Reporter

The Class of 2024 held a Spirit Week during the week of May 16-20 to raise money for the sophomore class. 

The spirit week consisted of Pajama Day, Crazy Sock Day, Law Gear Day, Adam Sandler Day, and Color Ward.

Throughout the entire spirit week, sophomores had jars out during lunch waves to help raise money for their class. The jars were labeled with a different pair of teachers and whichever pair raised the most money would be pied in the face on Eagle Eye News.

The teachers that raised the most money were history teachers Mr. Lui and Mr. Zuraw.  They were pied on the June 1 episode of Eagle Eye News.

“Although I’m genuinely glad we were able to help raise money for the sophomore class, I wish it didn’t have to of happened in the middle of the day on a Wednesday when I still had to teach and for the remainder of the day because I smelled like spoiled milk,” Zuraw said. “The pie did taste great, but whipped cream isn’t that much fun to have up your nose, in your hair, and in your ears.”

In total, the sophomore class raised over $100. This money goes to future events such as dances, funding, etc.

Sophomore class President Hailey Russo orchestrated the spirit week along with help from sophomore Jessica Brocksom.

“We planned the Spirit Week by first coming up with an idea and then getting it approved by Mr. Darcy,” Brocksom said.  “Once that was done we just made some posts to spread awareness and we spread the word to our friends as well, and lastly, we asked some teachers if they would be willing to get involved.”

Once everything was approved and organized, the result was a fun week for all students and teachers.

“My favorite Spirit Day was Adam Sandler Day and Color Wars,” Russo said.  “Color Wars is a classic and Adam Sandler Day was funny to see people in oversized clothes and sunglasses.”

The sophomore class plans to have many more events in the future. 

“We have many ideas planned for this year and next year,” Russo said.  “We were going to have them all together but since we have limited time we decided to split it up into different ideas.”

By Lana Hanania – Staff Reporter 

The Jonathan Law Natural Helpers club is creating a De-stress Fest before final exams.

This is an opportunity for students to relieve stress and to lend a helping hand.

Natural Helpers intends to host their annual De-stress Fest in the senior parking lot,  which allows students to put their feet up and enjoy themselves before finals and the end of the school year. It will be there to help manage stress with the many activities provided.

“There will be two days of activities with the natural helpers,” junior club member Giuliana Aguilar said. “One of the days we have rooms with specific activities such as a movie room and an arts and crafts room, and the next day is the petting zoo.”

The cozy room, game room, mindful art room, new gym, and ice cream will be Wednesday, June 8, and the petting zoo will be on Thursday, June 9 after school. It will be a fun day for students to take advantage of the provided activities.

Students will be able to unwind after their AP exams and prepare mentally for finals at the festival. This is an opportunity for students to participate in after-school activities and relax while also socializing. 

“I think the De-Stress Fest is a useful and fun stress management tool that every student should take advantage of,” junior club member Skylar Johnson said. “Everything, including the game room, cozy room, mindful room, new gym, ice cream truck, and petting zoo is free. Any student is welcome to stop by and relive any finals stress they may have.”

During this time it can be very draining for students, this can be a great opportunity to take a break from homework and studying. The Natural Helpers are thrilled to lend a helping hand and be of assistance. 

“Taking time before finals to participate in the De-stress Fest may help students by making them feel less overwhelmed and less stressed at the end of the year,” junior club member Aislinn Burns said. “It’s important to take care of yourself, especially around finals time which is why participating in some of the De-stress fest activities is so important.”

Members of the club suggested attending the event, emphasizing the importance of engaging yourself in the activities offered to you. Everything available will be free. 

“The Natural Helpers hope that students will come out and spend some time engaging in self-care before a week of final exams,” Natural Helpers advisor Ms. Smuniewski said. “It’s been a long year, so relax with some games, ice cream, and animals. We hope to see you there.” 

By Ella Franzman – Staff Reporter

Members of Law’s senior class and their guests had a blast at this year’s prom.

The event was held on May 26 at Villa Bianca in Seymour and was then followed by post-prom which was held at the Sports Center in Shelton. 

“I was so excited to finally get to have a prom,” Senior Lauren Davis said. “We have spent our whole high school careers looking at people going to prom and there was a lot of anticipation leading up to prom itself, seeing as ours had been postponed twice.”

All the students that attended prom were happy to have a “normal prom.”

“It became very clear that students and staff wanted everything to go ‘back to normal’,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “The prom was included in those discussions and we decided a few months ago that if our school district restrictions lightened up and we were as safe as possible, we could have a real prom.”

The prom is an experience that every principal and staff member wishes each kid goes to in their high school years. “It’s a moment you will always remember,” Darcy said. 

“My favorite part about prom was seeing everyone all dressed up and dancing together,” Davis said. “Everyone had so much fun on the dance floor and it was such a good time.”

Since prom was originally supposed to be held last year, it was postponed to October 1. As the date changed, so did the planning. 

“Luckily for us, time was on our side,” senior class advisor Mrs. Fransisco said. “By ‘waiting it out’ we were lucky enough to have no restrictions at prom.”

The Class of 2021’s prom was held at Quassy Amusement Park, and this year that option was still on the table. But the class officers optioned to have a more traditional prom.

“My favorite part of prom was going to Sports Center after,” senior Lucia Pino said.

This was the first real event that this class was able to attend this year and it was a great experience. 

“I was very excited to finally have prom, because not being able to have one junior year had me looking forward to it this year,”’ senior Lucas Pincus-Coyle said.

By Gemard Guery – News & Editorial Editor

Diya Daruka has officially been named Jonathan Law’s Class of 2022 valedictorian.

Daruka will be attending Duke University and plans on double majoring in Economics and Statistical Science with concentrations in Finance and Data Science.

“It definitely feels great and I’m extremely happy,” Daruka said. “I’ve worked very hard for this so it’s nice to see that I was able to accomplish it.”

Daruka took 14 AP classes during her time at Jonathan Law while being involved in many activities both inside and outside of school.  

“Some APs I’ve taken are United States Government and Politics, United States History, Statistics, Language and Composition, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Psychology, Human Geography, Computer Science Principles,” Daruka said.  I’m currently taking Macroeconomics, Literature and Composition, Seminar, Physics, and Computer Science A.”

“For me, Diya is one of those students that I will never forget.  I would even say that she is one of a kind,” math teacher Mr. Ruzbarsky said. “She is exactly what a teacher wants and wishes every student could be like.”

Diya is the President of the National Math Honor Society, treasurer of Key Club, Vice President of Science Club, Founder of FBLA, and a member of the National Honor Society.  She also started a nonprofit financial literacy course which she teaches to  students from third to twelfth grade.  Outside of school, Diya is the President of the Keystone Club at the Boys and Girls Club of Milford and also serves on the national Boys and Girls Clubs of America Teen Leadership Board.

“She has excellent time management and is able to maintain all of her extracurriculars, her schoolwork, and her social life, which I find admirable,”  senior Katherine Froelick said. “She is genuinely one of the brightest people that I know, and her ability to work so hard on everything that she does is truly something to be proud of.”

In addition to being valedictorian, Daruka has won a lot of her accolades during her time at Jonathan Law. In addition to numerous school awards and graduating with distinction, she is a Coca-Cola Scholar, Boys and Girls Clubs of Connecticut Youth of the Year, and National Merit Scholar Commended Student.  

“I have only known Diya for a few months during my time here at Law, but she is a kind, passionate and intelligent young lady who exemplifies exactly what we expect from all of our students,” Jonathan Law Principal Mr. Darcy said.

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

“I’d like to thank my family, especially my mom, the administration and teachers I’ve had at Jonathan Law, my neighbors, and my friends,” Daruka said. “I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without each and every one of them.”

By Sydney Simpson – Editor-in-Chief

Eva Carroll has officially been named Jonathan Law’s Class of 2022 salutatorian. 

Carroll will be attending the University of Miami in the fall and is planning to study chemical engineering. 

“I feel very proud of myself,” Carroll said. “I worked very hard throughout my four years at Jonathan Law, and I feel that I deserve this accomplishment.

Carroll challenged herself with eight advanced placement classes over the years, setting herself up for success and preparing her for her future in college. She has taken AP Government and Politics, AP Language and Composition, AP Chemistry, AP Macroeconomics, AP Human Geography, AP CSP, AP Psychology, and AP Calculus AB. 

Carroll’s academic drive is not only reflected in this outstanding achievement, but it is recognized by all those around her. 

“Eva is a hardworking young lady who possesses an inner drive to accumulate as much knowledge as possible,” Jonathan Law High School Principal Mr. Darcy said. “Her drive and passion for science in particular has focused her down a possible career path as well.”

Carroll’s friends are extremely supportive of her and remark that they can easily see how she has earned the prestigious title of salutatorian. 

“Eva is very smart, and she is really good at paying attention to detail,” senior Eliana Markowitz said. “One message that I have for Eva is to keep working hard, because I know that she will do great things!”  

Carroll is very thankful for the Jonathan Law community, and attributes her success to her peers and her teachers. 

“I’d like to thank Ms. Turcotte for this achievement; she always made me feel like I was capable of doing great things,” Carroll said. “If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know if I would  have pushed myself as hard as I did.”

Throughout her high school career, Carroll not only maintained outstanding grades, but she was also involved in many extracurricular activities and held numerous leadership positions in the Law community. 

“Eva works hard in the classroom and has shown her ability to work and lead teams throughout her high school career,” Darcy said. “Two examples of this are her leadership role as co-president of the senior class and her leadership role with the National Honor Society.” 

In addition to her role in class office and in the National Honor Society, Carroll is also a member of the National Math Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and she is on the senior prom committee. 

By Katie Servas – Staff Reporter

“Alright jazzy-jazzers, let’s get ready for our concert.” – Mr. Pelaggi

The Jonathan Law Jazz Band preformed at the Naugatuck Jazz Festival on April 29 at Naugatuck High School. This is the first time many members performed in the ensemble but returning members haven’t preformed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This opportunity gave the group the ability to share their music with other high school students as well as listen to many jazz bands preform.

“It was so great to hear other groups perform,” Band Director Mr. Pelaggi said. “For me, it was interesting to hear the differences between the groups that have jazz as a part of their curriculum and those that have it as an after school activity.”

The other bands allowed them to see what they could work towards and where they can push themselves to improvise with higher or lower notes than they are comfortable with, within each solo section. It was a strong learning experience for all of those that participated.

“It was very fun and exciting to hear all of the other musicians play different pieces,” freshman trumpet player Peter Gill said. “The trumpet solos in other bands were thrilling because of how good their skills are.”

There were around eight different bands that performed, each presenting different styles of jazz.

“It was good to get a mix of styles,” junior alto saxophone player Matt McKlosky said. “Listening to swing style music, more kinds of rock/jazz centered pieces, a couple of latin pieces, and one being like a jazzy sea shanty was interesting to see how each of the pieces played with their instruments, especially more brass centered songs, since we don’t have many brass players.”

After listening to all of the bands, many members reflected on their personal growth with their instruments and how much they’ve improved since receiving the music.

“I’ve personally grown with playing the slide trombone,” sophomore low brass player Chris Rickard said. ”I am an entirely self-taught trombone player, and through Mr. Pelaggi’s program have been able to accomplish more in that respect which has helped to diversify instrumentation and appreciation for other styles of music and has been one of my biggest growths, along with challenging my limits as not simply a euphonium or tuba player, but a low brass player in general.”

With each member finding improvement within themselves, there were many improvements with the entire ensemble overall.

“I think the whole band has grown so much in the time we got these pieces,” junior Drum Major Kayla Lembo said. “We have all gotten more comfortable with the music and playing it together.”

The ensemble was proud of their performance as well as their growth since the beginning of the year. For the few returning members, it was a new experience preforming with a new group of musicians whom never preformed jazz music before. 

“The purpose of music is to play and perform for others, without the performance, it’s just a whole lot of repetition,” McKloksy said. ”I’ve also definitely noticed that the group dynamic has shifted from a more balanced instrumentation to being more saxophone heavy, but that’s not a bad thing at all.”

The loss of many strong musicians and the growth of many strong musicians have brought different elements to the ensemble.

“As a director, the whole gig is just wearing a suit and talking into a microphone,” Pelaggi said. “Seeing our students be independent and work as a unit is always a treat to me. We hadn’t had a jazz gig in a while, so being able to do this concert was really fun.”

With this being the first preformed gig in two years, many thought it was a great way to showcase their growth as a group and individually.

“The dynamic of the group has changed a lot since we started together in 2019,” Pelaggi said. “Our students are more friendly with each other and are more collaborative because the relationships are stronger than ever.”

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By Maddy Baranowsky – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law history teacher Miss Mannion will be retiring this year after 40 years of teaching, with 20 of those years being at Law.

Mannion is a part of the Law history department and she has made an impact on all of her students, teachers, and faculty.

“In this building, Miss Mannion will always be remembered for the relationships that she built with people,” assistant principal Mr. Marko said.  “I have spoken to many students over the years that all said that they always knew that Miss Mannion cared and wanted what was best for them.”

Mannion started her teaching career in Missouri, and has also taught in New York and Massachusetts.  She came to Law in February of 2003 and has been teaching at Law ever since.

“Miss Mannion is basically the mother hen of our department,” History Department Chair Mr. Zuraw said, “She is the oldest, wisest, and most caring person.”

Surprisingly, teaching wasn’t exactly what Mannion had in mind when she was in high school but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“When I was in high school I thought I was going to be an attorney and possibly run for Congress one day,” Mannion said. “Thank God I got terrible scores on the LSAT test when I was in college. That ended my chance of being a lawyer. One of the best things that ever happened to me.”

In her 20 years of teaching at Law, Mannion has taught hundreds of students and she will miss all of them the most.

“The best thing about Johnny Law is the kids,” Mannion said.  “I love them even when they drive me nuts.”

Mannion’s students will also miss her.

“One thing Miss Mannion always ensured was that every student felt at home in her classroom,” junior Eric Relucio said.  “She is the nicest soul I’ve ever met and such a sweet person that would not only be a good role model as a teacher but a best friend.”

Since Mannion has had such a great, long, and impactful career, she is ready to enjoy the next phase of her life.

“I would like to volunteer some of my time next year at an animal shelter,” Mannion said.  “I would also like to READ and READ…..not because I have to…but because I want to.”

By Maya Rosado – Staff Reporter 

The Jonathan Law junior class had its Cotillion on Thursday, April 28.

Students were beyond excited to have their first normal dance experience since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The event started at 7 p.m. and was held at The Woodwinds in Branford, CT. The venue was beautiful and students and faculty loved it. 

“I think the venue was great,” Law Principal Mr. Darcy said. “The staff there was wonderful and it allowed both an inside and outside experience for students and staff.” 

Students were able to choose their own tables and request music before and during the event. 

Everyone was pleased with the setup and excited to be together with no masks.

“The dance was very fun and I thought the music was good,” junior Connor Chirico said. 

The food was well-received and many students liked the buffet style that was provided.

“I think the dance went well,” junior Olivia Coddington said. “The food was great and a lot of people had a good time.” 

Despite the fun, there was a lot of planning that went into the event. 

“The biggest challenge this year was having it on a Thursday,” Darcy said. “Due to COVID, a lot of dates were blocked off at venues because of weddings that were being scheduled from the past two years so we will look to schedule the event on a Friday for next year.” 

Some students are hoping that next year’s Cotillion adds a theme – similar to what the senior have now at prom.

“I feel like having a theme for a dance could have been something to do for dances in the future,” Coddington said. 

Students also really liked the idea of having Cotillion as a junior and prom for their senior year.

“Cotillion was fun and I like how it is, because prom would be a good send off as a senior,” Chirico said. 

Overall, the event was a success.

“You all had fun and were respectful to each other and the staff at the venue,” Darcy said. “It was a great experience to just “sit back” and see you have fun as kids.”

By Marisa Laviano – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Key Club attended its annual Decon Conference in Springfield, Massachusetts on April 9 and 10.

At this overnight field trip, students got to participate in workshops, listen to speakers, and educate others about key club along with other members from the New England and Bermuda district.

“Throughout the day, we attended workshops surrounding whatever we were interested in, all of them broadening our perspectives,” Key Club secretary Skylar Johnson said. “We attended various ceremonies and events to celebrate the accomplishments of our district’s clubs during the 2021-2022 Key Club year, we were even able to participate in some service projects while there.¨

Members also received many different awards for their excellence in their club over the past year. 

“The highlight of the trip was when our club was recognized as one of the Distinguished clubs in New England,” Key Club advisor Mr. Boynton said. “All our members hard work both in the school and community and the election of Caroline Doyle as Governor of New England made the weekend truly worthwhile.”

The club received first place in Non-Digital Poster, Monthly Report, and Yearly Achievement; along with 2nd place in the Talent Contest, 3rd place in Single Device and received the Early Bird Dues and Distinguished Key Club awards.

“The highlight of the trip was definitely our success as a club,” Doyle said. “The many awards and positions we attained served as a bonding moment for our club, and brought us all together.”

Students also got to listen to guest speaker Binh Rybacki, the founder of Children of Peace International, a humanitarian organization dedicated to helping the people of Vietnam. Students got to learn from her story and be inspired how they can do more in their community.

“Students benefited from this trip because we got to learn about what our fellow district Key Clubs were doing throughout the year, and got to take pride in what we accomplished as a district for COPI and individually,” public relations officer Kalli Kinsman said.

By Bobby Black – Sports Editor

AP exams are designed to measure students’ understanding of the content and skills taught to students throughout the AP course. 

All 38 AP exams taken in May are different, but there are many common things based on the structure of the exam. 

Most exams are two to three hours containing multiple parts. The first part is instructions, second is the first part of the exam, usually multiple-choice, and the third part is the writing portion. 

Many exams are also returning to pencil and paper this year. On the multiple-choice portion of the tests, points won’t be taken off if students incorrectly answer a question or do not answer it at all. 

Preparing for an AP test is very important. The College Board provides videos, multiple-choice questions and more to help them best prepare for the upcoming AP exam. 

“I used notes from those videos and used the AP Classroom questions to help me prepare for the exam,” sophomore Jaxson Smith said.

Students can earn college credit based on the results of their AP exams. Most colleges take scores of 4s and 5s but some take 3s as well. These credits mean students don’t have to take that class in college. 

Taking these AP classes can also help students figure out a profession they might want to pursue in the future. 

“Don’t just take an AP class just to take it; take an AP class because you are interested in it or you think it will benefit you in the future,” junior Brendan Buchner said. 

These AP exams will be taken place in the first two weeks of May, but students will not get their results until July. 

By Sydney Simpson – Editor-in-Chief 

The Jonathan Law Drama Club debuted its rendition of “Freaky Friday” on April 9, the first musical production to occur at Law since the pandemic began. 

“Freaky Friday” is a musical that follows the story of a mother, who is about to be wed, and her teenage daughter, who switch bodies with each other the day before the wedding and must find a way to switch back.

Senior Sophie Maselli and sophomore Kadence Kovacs played the two leading roles of the mother, Katherine, and the daughter, Ellie, respectively. 

“The most exciting part of performing in ‘Freaky Friday’ for me was the thrill of a live audience,” said Maselli. “It has been three years since I last performed in a musical, and I was over the moon that I got to perform in another before I graduated.”

The rest of the cast was just as ecstatic for the way that the three shows went, most agreeing that this was the club’s best production yet. 

“Overall, I truly do not think the musical could have gone better than it did,” said junior Sofia Mazzella, who played the part of Torrey. “All of the set changes, memorization of lines, memorization of songs and choreography was exactly the way it needed to be.”

The cast not only put on a jaw-dropping show for their audience, but they also made lots of memories along the way. 

“My favorite part of Freaky Friday was rehearsals, we would practice on stage day by day,” said junior Eric Relucio, who played the part of Adam. “Doing activities together, dancing in the wings, the tears after the last show, learning choreography together, it was all such a fun memory and the after parties were very emotional because of the bonds we have created in such a short time.”

The Drama Club is unique at Law because of how close knit the group is. This chemistry plays a large role on the stage and helps the actors put on the best performance possible. 

“One message I want to pass along to my fellow cast members is to cherish their time in the Drama Club, and to never take it for granted,” said Maselli. “Even though it sounds cliche, it could not be closer to the truth.”

“Freaky Friday” was the last show of the year for the Drama Club, which definitely made it a very bittersweet performance. While the cast members are proud of themselves and of each other, they are also going to miss the show and the memories they made working on it. 

“To my fellow cast members, I never really recall a time in my life where I have been surrounded by a group of people who match my energy, accept me for my true self, and help me feel comfortable in my own skin,” Mazzella said. “You guys are all brilliant, and astronomically talented, and I cannot wait to see where all of you guys go in life.”

By Caden Simpson- Staff Reporter

The National Math Honor Society (NMHS) is an academic club at Jonathan Law High School which specializes in math activities and events. 

NMHS meets on the last Tuesday of every month for about 15-30 minutes, and discusses things like monthly math activities. These activities allow students to work with their peers and receive a better understanding of math.

“In the NMHS we focus on the promotion of doing and learning math and we take time to promote math in multiple ways,” NMHS Advisor Mr. Ruzbarsky said. “We peer tutor after school and have school wide math completions every year. On top of all that we try to learn more math at our meetings”. 

NHMS also has competitions but has not held them since pre-COVID- 19. The clubs main focus is to engage themselves and other students in math topics and activities

“We explore various math topics and work on group math activities,” senior club member Sydney Simpson said. “The club allows for learning and spreading a better math understanding to students throughout the school”.

NHMS recently put together activities for national Pi Day on March 14, where students competed in various Pi-related games. They also recently held their 2021-2022 induction ceremony in person in the auditorium.

“We had lots of Pi Day games, including reciting 100 digits of Pi, guess how many beads in the jar, and more,” senior club member Lauren Davis said. “Everyone who participated had a really fun time with it, and winners of the Pi Day activities received a $5 gift card to either Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks.”

The NMHS senses that there will be more engaging activities in the future, now that COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

“With less COVID-19 restrictions, it is much easier and more lenient to host math activities,” senior club member Grace Kantor said. “There will definitely be more events like Pi Day in the future.”

The credentials for NHMS are fairly simple: whoever wants to join just needs to have passed Algebra II and have an average of 87 or higher for each class. 

“NHMS always encourages new members,” senior club member Shelby Green. “As long as the criteria is met, students are more than welcome to join the club.”

The club not only is a great opportunity to learn more about math, but also adds to your college resume and is recommended by members. 

“I would definitely recommend it to any underclassmen,” Ruzbarsky said. “It looks great on your college resume and you get to talk about math with people that enjoy it.”

By Marisa Laviano – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law High School held their annual Tri-M Music Honor Society and National Art Honor Society induction ceremonies.

The informal ceremony was held on March 26 during common time to recognize the new members of both organizations.

“Members were given a certificate, read the Tri-M Pledge, and enjoyed some refreshments with the other members,” Tri-M Chapter Advisor Mr. Pelaggi said.

To be inducted into Tri-M or National Arts Honor Society, students must have been in a music or art class for at least a year,  an A or higher in their art or music classes, and a B or higher average in their academic classes. Students must also serve as leaders and advocates for the arts.

By joining Tri-M or National Art Honors Society, members get to help out the community by sharing their  love of the arts with others. 

“To contribute to the National Art Honor Society we have painted bowls for the Empty Bowl Project, an international project to fight hunger one bowl at a time,” Tri M and National Art Honor Society member Isabelle Maselli said “We are also planning to paint many murals around the school. In Tri-M, I am planning to volunteer at the middle school music concerts.”

Members inducted at this meeting will now be able to participate in meetings for their organizations. At these meetings students will figure out ways to use the arts to better the community throughout Milford and beyond.

“I was incredibly honored to be officially inducted into the National Art Honor Society,” National Art Honor Society member Skylar Johnson said. “I’m so excited to further contribute to our community and spread positivity through art.”

Tri-M Chapter Advisor Ms. Jones was happy to induct new members.

“I am really excited to see and hear the new and innovative ways our students will help to build the program,” Jones said.

By Maddy Gaillard – Staff Reporter 

The Jonathan Law Student vs. Staff Basketball Game made a successful comeback this spring.

As the first Student vs. Staff game in years, there was a lot of excitement surrounding it. The event was a fundraiser for the senior class.

“It’s important to hold fun events to get back to seeing ‘kids being kids,'” Principal Mr. Darcy said. “Events like this also allow students and staff to gain more trust and strengthen our school spirit as a family.”

Many students were very excited to play in the game.

“It was way more exciting than I expected,” Freshman Zach Croce said. “I certainly didn’t expect people to cheer for me as much as they did.” 

There were many great moments that happened during the game that brought back the normal feel of school. 

“My favorite part of the game is when I hit a three and when Zach scored the layup,” sophomore Chris DeProfio said. 

Because of COVID, the process of setting up the game was different than previous years. 

“This was the first in-person school sponsored fundraiser that Law hosted since the beginning of COVID,” Vice Principal Mr. Hoggatt said. “It was really important to hold this event to try to get back to a ‘normal’ school year.”

The Student Section definitely added more excitement to the game and made it more fun for the viewers and players. 

“My favorite moment would have to be when I finally made a basket and the crowd went crazy because I had missed so many other shots in the game beforehand,” Croce said.

Hoggatt said the crowd affected the game. 

“I thought the best part of the game was the student section,” Hoggatt said. “The energy and excitement they showed for the players and faculty was awesome. We have the best student body around and it was great to be a part of that.  My own sons are still talking about the game and can’t wait until next year to come back.”

The game was a productive fundraiser for the senior class. 

“The senior class officers and advisors planned the event once we got the ‘green light’ to hold it from the district”, Darcy said. “This allowed us to have fun and move forward without the need for further covid restrictions.”

Overall, it was great to see students and teachers compete like how it was before the pandemic. 

“It was fun to play in front of all of the students and be able to finally do fun activities like that at school again,” DeProfio said. 

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By Madelyn Baranowsky – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law Class of 2024 had their Sophomore Ring Dance on March 18 at 6 p.m. at Racebrook Country Club.

The night was filled with dancing, eating, and socializing, which was refreshing for the students because it has been two years since the last Ring Dance was hosted.

“It’s been a long time since any of us had experienced a school dance,” Principal Mr. Darcy said. “It was great to see ‘kids being kids.'”

Students arrived to the event around 6 p.m. and the night consisted of dancing, buffet style food, and the distribution of ring to students who purchased them.

“My favorite part of ring dance was definitely seeing how everyone had a great time, and seeing it all come together,” sophomore class Vice President Caden Simpson said. “Also, the food was very good.”

Some considerations that went into planning the event was venue, food, seating, and attendance.

“We had to first make sure that we were allowed to hold the dance due to COVID,” Darcy said. “Once that was agreed upon, we found a location, sold tickets, ordered the food, etc. There is always a lot of planning for school events.”

All of the students in attendance had a fun time dancing, eating, and socializing with each other.

“My favorite part was just being with my friends and getting to enjoy their company,” sophomore Aliana Tepetel said.

Dancing was a definite favorite of a lot of students.

“My favorite part of the dance has to be when everyone was dancing,” sophomore Claire Moulton said. “It was a lot of fun being with everyone and having fun.” 

By Truman Martin – Entertainment Editor

The Milford Public Schools announced on March 12 that they would be removing most of the social distancing restrictions that were put in place at the start of the pandemic. 

“As logistically feasible, our school cafeterias will once again be used by students as they were prior to the pandemic,” Superintendent Dr. Cutaia said in a letter to parents. “Students will walk to the cafeteria, receive their lunch, and be able to sit with classmates, as had been common practice for years before the pandemic.”

March marks the two-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, and schools are trying to get back to as much of a “normal” as they can. 

“We need to have both short and long term plans to bring back tables to the cafeteria,” Law principal Mr. Darcy said. “I’ve submitted a plan on how to do this safely and I’m hopeful that we can make that move.”

The students at Jonathan Law are excited about the shift back to pre-pandemic life. 

“I think that it’s great that we are going back to how things were before the pandemic,” junior Rishabh Nair said. “The tables in the cafeteria will allow us to talk and socialize with each other without the extra distance.”

On March 13, 2020, Jonathan Law High School and schools across the country transitioned to distance learning as the COVID-19 pandemic began to sweep across the United States and the world. To mark the two-year anniversary of COVID-19, The Advocate staff interviewed students, faculty, administrators, and support staff about what it has been like to live – and learn – through a global pandemic.

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By Ella Franzman – Staff Reporter

Dr. Fran Thompson was the principal of Jonathan Law from 2011-2021. Advocate Staff Reporter Ella Franzman interviewed Thompson about his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ella Franzman: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Fran Thompson: I had to really think about this. Like so many of us, it has been an isolating time. I miss my friends and the freedom that comes with going out and spending time in places where there are a lot of people (concerts, restaurants, weekends at the Ragaini’s 🙂 All of that said, I think the pandemic has made me more grateful for my family and friends and has made me appreciate the goodness that we have around us.

EF: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

FT: As principal at Jonathan Law, the biggest challenge was figuring out how we could support each other and the needs of our students with some many unknowns and changing information coming at us. I am grateful for the incredible staff, parents, and most of all, our students. So we could have graduation (or five of them), prom and post-prom (at Quassy) and yearbook (with the teachers cheering on during the pick up time).  These are some of the many challenges but more importantly, like so many parts of Law Nation, it was figuring out how we can overcome the challenges in support of each other. I will be forever grateful to have been part of the staff and community that worked so hard to make it all happen.

EF: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

FT: I have seen so much good through the sadness, loss, and frustration.  The good in people supporting each other, the ability to adjust on the fly (remember how quickly we distributed the Chromebooks and every teacher became a Google Classroom Instructor – I can give you a behind the scenes take on that: Not one teacher hesitated to make that shift even though many were scared of the technology – the team at Jonathan Law learned from each other and would spend hours on the phone or a Google Meet working with each other to get up to speed. I don’t know if I will ever see something so impressive or inspirational again in my career.

EF: What have you learned over the past two years?

FT: I learned that when you are fortunate enough to work with and be friends with good people, anything is possible. I have learned that it is OK not to know what’s coming and that it’s OK to be OK with whatever is coming. And finally, I have learned that no matter what happens, with creativity, imagination, love and laughter you can handle anything!

EF: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

FT: Well that’s easy – for my friends at reading this, I wish the Class of 2022 the hope for the very best of health and happiness, wherever the road takes you. For Mr. Marko, Mr. Hoggatt, Mr. Sarullo and Rags, I hope their Honeyspot lunches always have enough bread and butter. For the ladies in the main office, I hope that every Thursday is a Peanut Butter Shake Day. For Mr. Darcy – I hope and wish him the joy and love of Jonthan Law that I found during my time there. For the faculty and staff, I hope for them all the goodness and happiness they deserve. And finally, for all the Jonathan Law community, I hope and wish everything Lawmazing comes your way, each and every day.

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By Katie Servas – Staff Reporter

After a long two years of a global pandemic, aspects of the Jonathan Law community have changed to accommodate for the different dynamic of today’s day and age. Law Principal Mr. Darcy was asked about the changes he endured over the last two years and how it affected his lifestyle. 

Katie Servas: As we approach the two-year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Mr. Darcy: The pandemic has impacted us all on a professional and personal level. On a positive note, it highlighted how important it is to care about a student’s mental health. We always talk about supporting students academically, but now we are looking at how to support students as people which has always been extremely important to me personally.

KS: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MD: The biggest challenge was adapting to different schedules. There have been points where we’ve been home, been in school for half days, been in school for 2-3 days per week and then finally back to school five days per week. These changes had a major impact on everyone in school and at home.

KS: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MD: We always talk about it, but the past two years have really allowed us to get to know students and figure out ways to support them on all levels, not just their educational pursuits. It’s allowed me to reflect on what is really important in my life which is my family at home and now here at Law.

KS: What have you learned over the past two years?

MD: I’ve learned to slow down and stay in the moment more. Life moves very quickly and if we don’t take the time to slow down, think and reflect, then we miss out on what is really important to us.

KS: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MD: My hope is that everyone remains healthy and we can have a “normal” end of the school year. I hope we can have the activities that students missed out on over the past two years including plays, prom, and graduation. 

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By Reilly Hungerford – Staff Reporter

Mr. Marko and Mr. Hoggatt are Jonathan Law’s Assistant Principals. Throughout the course of COVID-19 and its protocols, Law has undergone many changes to accommodate CDC COVID-19 mandates. Advocate Staff Reporter Reilly Hungerford interviewed Marko and Hoggatt about how COVID affected them.

Reilly Hungerford: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most? 

Mr. Marko: Fortunately my family was able to stay safe during the pandemic with only mild cases, so I would have to say that our mental health was affected the most.

Mr. Hoggatt: Over the past two years the hardest part of COVID has been watching my two sons having to deal with all of the quarantining and protocols put in place on them.  Neither of them have ever experienced a “normal” school year.  When the pandemic first hit it was almost impossible to work and have my children online schooling at the same time. 

RH: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MM: My biggest challenge in the last two years was planning to create a safe environment for our students to thrive at Jonathan Law.  

MH: Last year was very hard to get a good read of all of the students in the building. The hybrid model of students in class and online was very difficult for everyone.  It was hard to watch teachers and students struggling through the academic school year.

RH: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MM: The most positive thing that I can take away from the pandemic is how flexible our learning community is. The fact that our staff and students were able to make the transition to distance learning so quickly and to actually make it work still amazes me.

MH: I really believe that the pandemic has shown what a strong family feeling has been created here at Jonathan Law.  Everyone created positive relationships with each other and focused on social emotional health.  This just proves that the Jonathan Law community can accomplish a lot while working together.

RH: What have you learned over the past two years? 

MM:  I have learned to appreciate all of the things that give me joy at Jonathan Law.  I never realized how much I would miss attending the music performances, the athletic events, the dances, the ceremonies and all of the other various events. 

MH: I have learned not to sweat the same stuff.  Try not to bring work home and enjoy time with your family.  

RH: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MM: My hopes for the rest of the school year are that everyone remains safe and that we are able to hold all of the spring events that make this school such a special place. (ie. the Prom, the cotillion, the Ring Dance, Graduation ceremony, etc.)

MH: I hope that we are able to finish strong this school year and start fresh in September.  The students and faculty have been great over the past two years and our goal is to return to some sort of normalcy.   

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By Harrison Fisher – Staff Reporter

Mr. Ragaini is the Dean of Students at Jonathan Law High School. Advocate Staff Reporter Harrison Fisher interviewed Ragaini about how COVID affected him the past two years.

Harrison Fisher: As we approach the two-year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Mr. Ragaini: I think the pandemic somewhat affected my mental health.  In the very beginning, I was worried about family, friends, coworkers, and the Law community.  I was stressed out thinking about people close to me and their vulnerability to the virus.

HF: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

GR: The biggest challenge for me over the past two years was trying to meet the needs of our Law students. I tried to always be as flexible as I could and be attentive to what their needs were.

HF: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MR: Obviously, there were many struggles that we all faced that threatened our basic need for safety.  However, the pandemic gave me an opportunity to show my family how to make the best of even the worst situations. We were forced to get back to the basics and spend quality time together; something that we haven’t done in a while.

HF: What have you learned over the past two years.

MR: I learned the importance of resilience. We were all forced to adjust to things like our schooling, our work, our socializing, and even our gym routines. These were not small changes. However, we all made adjustments to deal with this crisis.

HF: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MR: I hope for proms, ring banquets, pep rallies and graduations. I hope all students can eat in our cafe as soon as possible.  We are already heading in that direction. I am confident we will continue to advance.

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By Gabe Garnett – Sports Editor 

Mr. Sarullo is the Athletic Director at Jonathan Law. Advocate Sports Editor Gabe Garnett interviewed him about how COVID has impacted Law athletics.

Gabe Garnett: What has been your biggest challenge the last couple of years dealing with COVID?

Mr. Sarullo: While sports are certainly a huge part of the high school experience, the biggest challenge has been to provide these experiences while ensuring we did everything in a way to keep everyone safe and healthy.  I am grateful to everyone involved for following the rules along the way to ensure that we were able to have all of our sports compete safely over the last few years.

GG: What will the COVID protocols be this spring? 

MS: We are excited that it appears that we will be able to have a fairly normal spring season.  While masks will not be required, we will still have some procedures in place to keep everyone safe.  We will continue to have our health checklists posted in the athletic areas of the building to ensure that everyone is safe and healthy before participating.  Also, we will continue to limit times in locker rooms to avoid any close contact situations.

GG: How will masks work with transportation? 

MS: We will be following Milford Public School rules that states that masks are optional on all school buses, including athletic transportation.

GG: What are your thoughts about how Law managed COVID during the winter season? 

MS: I cannot thank the student-athletes, coaches, and families enough for everything that allowed us to play complete seasons in all of our sports.  Like everyone else, we hit a little rocky patch around the holidays, but by following the rules and procedures we were able to come back strong and not have issues after that point.

GG:  What are you most looking forward to this spring season? 

MS:  I think the biggest and most exciting plan is to be able to watch our spring student-athletes return to full seasons this year for the first time since 2019.

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By Helen Chizmazia – Staff Reporter

Mrs. Dunnuck is the Director of School Counseling at Jonathan Law. Advocate Staff Reporter Helen Chizmazia interviewed Dunnuck about how COVID affected her the last two years.

Helen Chizmazia: As we approach the two-year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Mrs. Dunnuck: The pandemic has affected me most in my ability to connect more closely with my students. From masks, having to maintain distance, and avoiding extended in person contact, I believe I have not been able to establish as close bonds with my students as I have in the past.

HC: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MD: My biggest challenge was managing my responsibilities at work and at home. I have three small children and between quarantine and illness, it made it hard to balance work and home.

HC: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MD: These past two years have been filled with the unknown, loss, sadness, and fear. Yet, I have been blessed to watch my students, friends, and family find silver linings and attempt to establish some sense of “normalcy” to their lives that makes sense for them.

HF: What have you learned over the past two years?

MD: I have learned to have more grace for others (than I did before) because I have no idea what they are dealing with. I have learned to find a better ratio in my work/life balance and have strengthened my relationships with those that I count as family and friends.

HF: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MD: I hope everyone is better able to extend grace, compassion, and acceptance to each other after living through ALL the experiences (not just the pandemic) the past two years have brought us. I have started to see this change over the past few months though for which I am incredibly grateful.

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By Lily Forster – Entertainment Editor

Ms. Mannion is a history teacher and one of the longest tenured teachers at Jonathan Law. Advocate Entertainment Editor Lily Forster interviewed her about her experiences with COVID over the past two years.

LF: How has COVID affected you and your last two years of teaching?

MM: Teaching during COVID changed almost everything about the way I teach. I was thrown for a loop with what we had to teach from home, and the same is true when we taught in the classroom and at home at the same time. It was terrible for me. I was not that tech savvy (still need help here) and we had so much tech stuff to learn and then use. I cried a lot because I felt I was not doing my job well and it bothered me a great deal. Wearing masks was a pain, but I think most of us got used to it.  Now that I am mask-free I feel like my old self.

LF: Did COVID change any of your teaching methods?

MM: Yes, I had to learn to be cool with tech like the young teachers (ha ha). I also get frustrated way too easily and I used to feel so lousy. When I was teaching in the cafe, the kids were spread out all over the place. I almost had to  yell to be heard. No one wanted to talk and engage in a real conversation about a topic in history; it was too quiet. I had some miserable days, but I think everyone had some really tough patches over the course of the two years.I did learn a lot about myself too which is a good thing.

LF: What was the most difficult part of teaching during COVID?

MM: As I said above, I did feel kind of deflated at times. And I also felt like I did not get to know my students very well at all, especially when the whole learning style was virtual. I am sure that most of the teachers would say that that was a tough time to be a teacher.  It also made me tired!

LF: What was the biggest lesson you learned during the pandemic?

MM: Do not take anything for granted, especially your health and your ability to be the best person you can be. I also learned to be honest about my feelings and talk to folks who care about my mental health.  There definitely were some depressing days, moments. I am 90% of the time an upbeat and optimistic person, but I experienced some (too many) dark moments. That is not my style.

LF: Since masks are optional now, does anything feel more “normal” to you?

MM: Yes, I feel like a huge weight has been taken off my shoulders. Seeing my kids’ faces is the BEST.  It is easier to breathe, easier to hear, and easier to be heard. I feel it is a gift from heaven. And I feel that COVID has taught me a lesson..do not take anything for granted.  I love seeing and hearing the kids in the hallways again too.

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By Christian Andriolas – Staff Reporter

Mr. Beler is a business teacher and track coach at Law. Advocate Staff Reporter Christian Andriolas interviewed Beler about his experiences during the pandemic.

Christian Andriolas: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most? 

Mr. Beler: The biggest effect was as a parent. Sending my kid to school with a mask. I didn’t realize  the impact until he was actually allowed to see his friends and teachers last week.

CA: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MB: My biggest challenge was teaching virtually, I am and have always been a people person and thrive when I teach live. Teaching little dots on a screen was difficult.

CA: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MB: The biggest positive I was able to take from the pandemic was a deeper appreciation to friends and family.

CA: What have you learned over the past two years?

MB: The biggest thing I learned was I have  increased my knowledge and usage in technology making it easier to teach and connect with my students. 

CA: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year? 

MB: My hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year are to Have life get back to a greater level of normal as the past two years have been anything but that. 

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By Olivia Augustine – News Editor

Mrs. DiPrimio is the Math Department Head and teaches Precalculus at Law. Advocate News Editor Olivia Augustine interviewed her about her experiences with COVID over the past two years.

Olivia Augustine: How has COVID impacted your teaching this year? 

Mrs. DiPrimio: Luckily, the COVID restrictions this year have improved since last year. It still has impacted my classroom set up. I miss my students being in the math “lab partners,” which allows for more opportunities for student to student discourse, but I’m hopeful with the mask restrictions lifted, so will our classroom set up options.

OA: What have been your goals for this year? 

MD: My goals for this year are to get my students talking to one another again and creating that good struggle. I wanted to and have been embedding opportunities for new learning to be difficult, not because they are behind a screen, but because they are defending their answer over another student’s answer in class.

OA: How has your way of teaching changed during COVID?

MD: My teaching has greatly evolved over these past two years and not only from a technical standpoint. I definitely use more technology in the classroom, but my mindset behind course workload and the importance for student self-reflection has increased greatly.

OA: How have you been able to enjoy teaching during COVID?

MD: The most enjoyable part of teaching has and will always be the students. COVID or not, you all are the reasons I come to work. You make me laugh, you inspire me to learn and always give me an outlet to whatever else is going on in my own life. If it weren’t for my students, teaching would not be worth going through the past two years.

OA: How has this school year been going for you? 

MD: This school year has been another roller coaster of a year for many reasons. However, it’s great to be back in one classroom and my fellow math department riders have made the year much smoother. I can’t emphasize enough how much their support has gotten me through the COVID years. I don’t know what I would have done without them.

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By Madelyn Baranowsky – Staff Reporter

Science teacher Mrs. Mercaldi has been teaching at Jonathan Law for 16 years. Advocate Staff Reporter Madelyn Baranowsky interviewed her about two years of dealing with COVID.

Madelyn Baranowsky:  As we approach the two-year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Mrs. Mercaldi: The biggest impact that COVID had on me was to make me a better teacher – better at using digital tools and better at incorporating more social-emotional activities for my students.

MB: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MM: The biggest challenge for me had been the distancing (socially and mask wearing) from friends and family, especially during the holidays.

MB: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MM: The positive I’d take away is an appreciation for the amount of time I got to spend with my own young children during quarantine. The situation really made us slow down and work on our family unit.

MB: What have you learned over the past two years?

MM: I have learned to appreciate the little things in life and take time to reflect on all the things I am grateful for.

MB:  What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MM:  My hope for the rest of this year and next year is that our community is safe (thanks to vaccines and boosters) and that low transmission numbers mean that other social distancing restrictions are lifted so lunch and other activities can run as they should.

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By Isabella Gecaj – Staff Reporter

Mr. Ruzbarsky is a math teacher at Jonathan Law. Advocate Staff Reporter Isabella Gecaj interviewed Ruzbarsky about two years of teaching during the pandemic.

Isabella Gecaj: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Mr. Ruzbarsky: I would say that I have been monitoring not only my motivations but all of my students more than I have ever in the past. It has been tough to change the platform in which we teach and learn so much and still expect the same results. You have to change and adapt to everything as opposed to just changing and adapting to the students in a classroom only.

IG: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MR: My biggest challenge over the past two years was meeting my students emotional needs every day.  It was a big struggle to change everything everyday and still try to stay somewhat the same all at once.

IG: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MR: I would say that when you build lasting relationships with anyone that you can persist even through the toughest times. There were many ups and downs for us all over the past two years, but the family environment we have has helped us all through those times.

IG: What have you learned over the past two years?

MR: Like I always believed, the relationships we make are the most important to help us get through tough times.  We always need to lean on someone eventually and I think the past two years have really put that into perspective for all of us.

IG: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MR: My hopes are that we continue to grow as a family and get back on track to being better than we were before.

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By Zack Sulkis – Staff Reporter

Mr. McPartland is a Spanish teacher and basketball and baseball coach at Jonathan Law whose life was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocate Staff Reporter Zack Sulkis interviewed him about his experiences during the past two years. 

ZS: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

MM: The most difficult part of the last two years or so has been the fact that I have not had the opportunity to see the people I would normally see and be around the people I would normally be around. Granted, things seem to be turning the corner, however the toughest part has been not being physically able to be around my students, players, friends, and family. The people with whom I most cherish relationships.

ZS: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MM: Kind of piggy-backing off my first answer, the biggest challenge was figuring out how to stay in touch and maintain the professional relationships I have with my students and colleagues, and the relationships I have with my friends and family. I’m all about connections, so I would say trying to keep those connections alive while not being able to physically be with people was tough.

ZS: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MM: There are actually a number of positives that I have taken from the last two years or so. The importance of reaching out to people and checking in. The importance of maintaining positive, healthy relationships. The importance of getting outside and getting some physical activity. The importance of taking care of our mental health. Lastly, just how important technology can be when it comes to keeping us all together.

ZS: What have you learned over the past two years?

MM: Relationships are so important – maintaining these relationships is so important. 

ZS: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MM: My hopes for the rest of this school year (and into the next school year) are that everyone stays safe and healthy – both physically, mentally, and emotionally. I hope that everyone finds some time to make some time for those that matter to them and that everyone is able to find something to be happy about in their day-to-day lives. Stay positive, be great! Get after it!

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By Ava Korkmaz – Sports Editor

Mr. Kulenych teaches Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, and Humanities and coaches girls tennis at Jonathan Law. Advocate Entertainment Editor Ava Korkmaz interviewed Kulenych about his experiences the last two years living through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ava Korkmaz: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Mr. Kulenych: The pandemic affected me in many ways, but knowing that we were all missing out on so much being apart from one another, having so many events and activities canceled, really weighed on me. Life is about moments, and whether it was my own kids at home or all of the students at Law, I felt awful that everyone was being robbed of those moments. Out of all of that, though, came a real appreciation for how important my family and friends are and that we need to appreciate and cherish the time we spend together.

AK: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MK: Trying to keep my 4-year-old daughter from crashing every Google Meet we had in 2020. Seriously, though, my biggest challenge was trying to keep things “normal” even though they weren’t. At home, I was trying to make sure that my kids felt safe and supported and were able to still “be kids” and have fun despite everything that was going on. At school, my goal was to stay as positive as possible for all of my students, to help them emotionally, socially, and academically, and to make each class as fun and “normal” as it could be given the circumstances.

AK: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MK: I’ll always remember at the start of the pandemic when things were so uncertain (and a little scary), that everyone at Law was there for each other and supported each other. I remember meeting with the Broadcast class on a Google Meet on the Friday we left school and their immediate response was, “We are still doing the news, right?” They wanted to keep that sense of normalcy and community going and as a school I think we did an amazing job of that over the past two years.

AK: What have you learned over the past two years?

MK: I learned the importance of family and relationships. Even though we were apart from each other for so long, keeping those relationships going – even if it was over a Google Meet or a FaceTime call – made a difficult period a little bit more tolerable. I also learned – again – just how special our Law family is. We rise to the occasion in tough times and we showed it over and over the past two years.

AK: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MK: My hope is that every day feels a little more “normal.” I feel like we are really, really close to being back and I can’t wait to see that trend continue.

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By Maddy Gaillard – Staff Reporter 

History teacher Mr. Zuraw has been one of the many teachers who have faced change throughout the pandemic. For the two-year anniversary of COVID, Advocate Staff Reporter Maddy Gaillard interviewed Zuraw about some of the things he dealt with during the pandemic. 

Maddy Gaillard: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Mr. Zuraw: The biggest effect the pandemic has had on me has been here at school.  The virtual classes, hybrid classes, masks, desk spacing, not being able to share materials, etc. was a total shift from the norm. While I was home the effects were felt a little less because I wasn’t wearing a mask around my kids or keeping a distance from them, but anytime I was working, the realities of the pandemic were obvious.

MG:  What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MZ: I would say the biggest challenge was trying to maintain the rigor of the courses I teach, all while trying to be accommodating to students that were going through a variety of issues during the pandemic and adjusting my lessons to work in a hybrid/online setting.  

MG: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MZ: One positive is that I was lucky enough to not get any illness for the past two years.  All of the mask-wearing and social distancing has kept me and my kids very healthy as of late.  Another positive from the past two years is that it has made me appreciate face to face interaction with people and enjoy coming to school even more than I usually do.

MG: What have you learned over the past two years?

MZ: I learned to appreciate things more…family, friends, colleagues, etc.  (Also that I need to wash my hands way more often than I used to). 

MG: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year? 

MZ: I hope over the coming months/years we are able to continue to ease back into a “typical” school year and things will continue to get back to normal in our daily lives.

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By Amaya Vargas – Staff Reporter

Mr. Pelaggi is the Band Director and Ms. Jones is the Choir Director at Jonathan Law. Advocate Staff Reporter Amaya Vargas interviewed Pelaggi and Jones about how COVID affected the music program the past two years.

Amaya Vargas: How has the pandemic affected you most?

Mr. Pelaggi: So many things have happened during the pandemic to affect everyone’s lives. These past two years have made me a much more compassionate person. I have learned to listen to others much better. A lot has changed for me during these two years. I got married, I bought a house, completed most of my master’s degree, I’ve lost friends and family members. It’s been a very tough, stressful two years. But on the other side (hopefully), I’m a better person for sure.

Ms. Jones. As a music teacher the impact has been tremendous. We lost out on competition trips, banquets, senior traditions at spring concerts, singing together, performances, field trips and even just being in each other’s presence. We also lost our music space. To think of that last day together two years ago when we thought it would be TWO WEEKS before we saw each other again and that was not the reality is daunting. However, to see how far we have come in that time and all that we have persevered to be here today is tremendous and a true testament to the resilience and strength of each and every one of us.

AV: What was your biggest challenge over these two years?

MP: Teaching online in 2020 was so challenging. Trying to help students rebound from being home for so long was very difficult as well. Last year was the hardest year of my teaching career, and I’m very glad it is over!

MJ: Not being able to sing in the way we are used to OR, in some cases, at all. We obviously can always create music and learn about it but It has been such a huge loss to lose the ability to connect in that very personal way through music performance. Thank goodness we are on the upswing again!

AV: What positives have you been able to take from the pandemic? 

MP: I think as a community, we have learned to appreciate the good more. Before the pandemic, we were passively living amazing lives. Now that we are getting some of these luxuries back, we are able to totally appreciate them. I’ve been so happy to run ensemble classes again. During online learning, I was really missing being able to make music with my kids.

MJ: The resilience and strength of our program! We were on such an amazing trajectory prior to the pandemic and this could’ve completely derailed a young and  blossoming community. However, despite the obstacles, due to such incredible students in our program we continue to grow and I believe we are improving even more than we have in the past. Maybe because now we know how fragile it is.

AV: What have you learned over the past two years?

MP: So much. Between being in grad school and just living life I feel like I have gained so much knowledge. I’ve been reading more than ever as well. I’ve learned a lot about being compassionate. I’ve learned a lot about finding life outside of being a music teacher. I learned that I love to make stuff out of wood and play golf! I would’ve never tried those things if it wasn’t for the pandemic.

MJ: That we have to keep relying on each other. No matter how dark and bleak times can get, we will get to the other side of it and it is easier to do that when we work together and depend upon each other in times of need.

AV: What are your hopes for the rest of the school year and year ahead?

MP: I’m excited for the musical experiences and memories my students are going to have this year. Between our commissioned piece, concerts, parades, and just being able to make music together, we are going to have some excellent times.

MJ: That we continue to make music and create more opportunities for our choir family to strengthen their bond as a community but also as musicians. I am so lucky to work with such amazing students and I believe they recognize how special it is to be a part of this community. I hope we just continue.

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By Shane Cepalia – News Editor

Over the past two-years, COVID-19 has affected Jonathan Law and everyone in it dramatically. Advocate Editor Shane Cepalia interviewed Law French Teacher Mrs. Almonte on her experiences over the past two years.

Shane Cepalia: As we approach the two-year anniversary of COVID-19, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Mrs. Almonte: Probably the social distancing. It’s hard for me to help a student if I have to stay 3 feet or 6 feet away from them so now with the new protocol I can get up close to them and see what their work is and help them. I don’t have to put it up on the board for them to correct their mistakes.

SC: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MA: Probably having the students understand what I’m saying with my mask on. It’s really hard to teach another language, and it’s visually hard for someone to learn a language when they can’t see the face of the person who’s speaking.

SC: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MA: Students are always willing to try and do things on their own.

SC: What have you learned over the past two years?

MA: I’ve learned to be more tech-savvy. I’ve learned new games, I’ve learned Blooket, Peardeck, I’ve learned to use technology much more in my instruction.

SC: What are your hopes for the rest of the school year?

MA: To have group work, have more collaborative assignments, and next year I hope this thing will leave. I hope to really just get back to our normal way of teaching and learning.

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By Sophie Maselli – Staff Reporter

In March of 2020, Jonathan Law shut down in-person learning and a strange, unfamiliar, new life began. Now, two years later, Jonathan Law students and staff reflect on how life has changed these past two years, and how things are finally getting back to normal. Advocate Staff Reporter Sophie Maselli interviewed Mrs. Meyer-Farrell, Jonathan Law’s School Social Worker, about how her life has changed, both in-school and life in general, as we approach the two-year anniversary of COVID. 

Sophie Maselli: As we approach the two-year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Mrs. Meyer-Farrell: As a School Social Worker, I can’t believe how much I’ve learned about using technology to support students and their families. Helping students cope with the things they have felt like they “lost” during the last 2 years. Also, initially, it was helping to navigate a remote learning world. Recently it’s helping them re-adjust to being in school, in person.

SM: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MMF: To make sure that students were emotionally and academically OK with the ever-changing school climate. Also that every student had access to reliable Wifi. Providing support to students and families regarding all the things they missed out on dances, athletics, seeing friends.

SM: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic? 

MMF: That people are resilient and can adjust. We can always learn new things. Sometimes slowing down is beneficial.

SM: What have you learned over the past two years?

MMF: A lot about technology! And how nice it is to see faces again.

SM: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MMF: In-person learning and the return of all the fun parts of high school for students- athletics, dances, clubs, cafeteria tables!

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By Lana Hanania – Staff Reporter 

Many school nurses were already overworked by COVID, but when students and staff returned to school, they had a significant challenge in ensuring both student and staff safety. Jonathan Law school nurse Mrs. Malski was on the front lines of this work.  Advocate Staff Reporter Lana Hanania interviewed her about how COVID affected her.

Lana Hanania: As we approach the two-year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Mrs. Malski: I feel the pandemic has affected me mostly by a complete change of my job description. I am a Milford City employee, employed by the Health Dept, and I “wore” my public health nurse hat much more than my school nurse hat.

LH: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MM: My biggest challenge was keeping up with the almost daily updates, rule changes, and different symptoms that occurred in the Health office.

LH: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MM: The biggest positive is seeing the acceptance of our school family in following the rules/regulations/changes in our school life – and returning to in-school learning!

LH: What have you learned over the past two years?

MM: My biggest learning point is patience and kindness goes a long way.  You never know what students and families are going through.

LH: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MM: My hopes for the rest of this school year is that no other variants come our way, the number of positives and hospitalizations continue the decreasing trend we are currently seeing, and to finish out the year healthy and LawStrong!

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By Olivia Hudak – Staff Reporter

Ms. Mundy is the Library Media Specialist at Jonathan Law. Advocate Staff Reporter Olivia Hudak interviewed Mundy about her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Olivia Hudak: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Ms. Mundy: For me the pandemic was and is very isolating. I live alone and don’t have family nearby. With virtual school I didn’t have a lot of contact with any people, which can be tough. I also switched jobs to come here in the pandemic, which was a big change for me as well. It was really challenging to start a new job during a pandemic, and I feel like I didn’t really get to know many people that first year.  But it’s taught me to be more appreciative of things, as things could always be worse.

OH: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

MM: The isolation has been difficult for me. While I am an introvert, having zero human contact is still difficult. Then I got so used to being on my own all of the time that I find sometimes now it’s hard for me to readjust to going out in the world. I’ve always hated big crowds, but it’s even harder for me now than it was back then. It was also challenging to start a job in the pandemic. I felt isolated the first year of teaching here, so I’m very happy to be able to engage with all of the students and staff.

OH: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

MM: There are always positives, and I always try to find the best in any situation! I learned a lot more about technology, and my family started a text thread that we still continue today. We also send fun videos over Marco Polo that bring me joy. Additionally, I like that people are talking more openly about health and mental health. This time has been tough for so many people, and I think people realized they need to prioritize their physical and mental health.

OH: What have you learned over the past two years?

MM: I think I’ve learned to be even more flexible than before. As we all made a rapid switch to distance learning I had to make so many changes. At the time I was working with students with autism and a huge range of learning styles. Some students weren’t able to read or use a computer, so that posed a lot of challenges for me! But flexibility, adaptability, and being open about my struggles were areas of growth for me.

OH: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

MM: I hope that COVID numbers stay down and we are able to resume life as close to normal as possible. I know so many people have lost so much, and they can’t go back to “normal” ever again. But I would like to be able to see my friends and family without worrying about spreading COVID. I want to travel and see more of the world again. I hope that students can participate safely in all of the great things that make Jonathan Law the wonderful place it is.

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By Sydney Simpson – Editor-in-Chief

Michael Loschiavo is a graduate from the Jonathan Law Class of 2020. Loschiavo now attends Southern Connecticut State University and is an assistant cross country coach at Law. Advocate Editor-in-Chief Sydney Simpson interviewed Loschiavo about how his life was affected by COVID in high school and in college. 

Sydney Simpson: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Michael Loschiavo: I think mostly the pandemic affected my senior year of high school and the fun senior activities that come along with being a senior. I also think the pandemic affected my spring sports track season. 

SS: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

ML: I think the biggest challenge over the past two years would be getting used to the normalization, which was to wear a mask and practice social distance.

SS: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

ML: I think some positives that I would take away from the pandemic is it gave me quality time with my family, and on joking matter, I was a Chic-fil-a frequent customer because I went every day of the week.

SS: What have you learned over the past two years?

ML: What I’ve learned over the past two years would be to take every moment for granted, live everyday like it’s your last,  and be grateful for everyone and everything you have in your life.

SS: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

ML: My hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year is to not have to wear a mask anymore and to be able to get back to somewhat of normalcy to the way it was before the year 2020.

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By Lucia Pino – Staff Reporter

Katie Konareski is a graduate from the Jonathan Law Class of 2021. Konareski now attends Endicott College where she plays Division III basketball and studies exercise science. Advocate Staff Reporter Lucia Pino interviewed Konareski about how her life was affected by COVID in high school and in college. 

Lucia Pino: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Katie Konareski: The pandemic has affected me by taking both academics and athletics away from me. My junior year our basketball state tournament got cut short and we went virtual for the last 3 months of school. My senior year we didn’t get the opportunity to have a state tournament and academics were somewhat hybrid. This year in college, half of our team got hit with the virus, including many other teams who had to postpone games. 

LP: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

KK: My biggest challenges have been to choose what’s right and what isn’t. Should I go out with people or is it too risky to get sick?

LP: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

KK: One positive I took away from the pandemic was I got closer with my friends. We were all going through the same thing so it was easy to connect. 

LP: What have you learned over the past two years?

KK: I learned that sometimes you’ll get hit with the unexpected and it feels like it threw a wrench in your whole life, but you adjust and that’s the hardest part. 

LP: How did COVID affect your first year of college?

KK: During the winter we had a mask policy for a short period of time. Also during our season we had a couple games get canceled. Other than that everything has been pretty steady which I’m very thankful for.

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By Lucia Pino – Staff Reporter 

Hailey Boyle is a senior at Jonathan Law High School. Boyle is a lacrosse captain and volleyball player at Law as well as Senator of the senior class. Advocate Staff Reporter Lucia Pino interviewed Boyle about how COVID affected her life as an active member of the school community. 

Lucia Pino: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Hailey Boyle:  The way covid impacted me the most was taking away my sophomore lacrosse season. At that time I was still contemplating possibly playing in college but I knew without a whole year of practice or film there was no way of that happening. 

LP:  What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

HB: My biggest challenge over the past two years was being alone. The pandemic was an extremely lonely time for everyone and after a while, quarantining really did get to me, as I enjoy going out and being with my friends, and depending on them to make me happy. But with corona that was all restricted. 

LP: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

HB: A positive I took away from the pandemic was that fortunately no one close to me had their life taken from the coronavirus, and I felt very lucky in that sense. It also made me appreciate just being able to be with my friends. 

LP: What have you learned over the past two years?

HB: Over the past two years I learned to not take anything for granted because there is so much in the world we don’t know about and at any time on any random day, the whole world can change. I’ve just learned to be more grateful for the little things in life, like just being able to have fun with a group of people. 

LP: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

HB: My hopes for the rest of this school year and the next is that we only continue to move forward, and not have to go back to any corona restrictions. Obviously, I hope the masks stay off, and that the virus comes to an end all together.

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By Maya Rosado – Staff Reporter 

Junior Caroline Doyle is the president of the Jonathan Law Key Club. Advocate Staff Reporter Maya Rosado interviewed Doyle about her COVID experience as a student and club leader. 

Maya Rosado: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Caroline Doyle: The pandemic has affected me most in my ability to see family normally. I have lots of family members that are immunocompromised, which made it extremely hard to see family in the peak of COVID. The pandemic has affected me most in my ability to see family normally. I have lots of family members that are immunocompromised, which made it extremely hard to see family in the peak of COVID. 

MR: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

CD: My biggest challenge was time management. I have always taken AP and honors classes as well as balance extracurriculars, so finding time to do things when everything was at a stand still and felt optional was challenging.

MR: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

CD: A positive I have taken away is that I have learned to value my time with friends and family since it was not occurring for so long.

MR: What have you learned over the past two years?

CD: I have learned how to manage my responsibilities in a stressful situation, making me more capable of succeeding.

MR: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

CD: My hopes for the rest of the school year are to get back to normal life as much as possible. I’m looking forward to the tennis season, college tours, and a hopefully normal summer.

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By Marisa Laviano – Staff Reporter

Aislinn Burns is a junior at Jonathan Law and a member of the Natural Helpers. Advocate Staff Reporter Marisa Laviano interviewed Burns about her experiences the last two years during the COVID pandemic. 

Marisa Laviano: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Aislinn Burns: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, the pandemic has affected me in many ways. It has interrupted sports seasons, changed a lot of things at school, and taken away a lot of opportunities which have been extremely difficult.

ML: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

AB:  The biggest challenge over the past two years for me was definitely the shutdown/lockdown. Not being able to go to school was extremely difficult because personally, it is a lot harder for me to learn online. It was also challenging when the spring sports season got canceled, and there were lots of covid protocols to deal with during other sports seasons. Not being able to see friends and family for months was also a huge challenge. 

ML: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

AB: One of the biggest positives that I can take away from the pandemic is my mindset. This year in particular I have been a lot more grateful for what I have, I have stepped out of my comfort zone more for certain opportunities, and I have found new hobbies/interests that I may want to pursue after high school.  

ML: What have you learned over the past two years?

AB: I have learned a lot over the past two years. I have learned to be a lot more flexible with my schedule, I have improved my time management, and I have learned to be a lot more appreciative of my life and the people within it. 

ML: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

AB: My hopes for the rest of this school year are to continue to take steps in the right direction with covid protocols and to continue to have more of a “normal” sports season. For next year, I want to be able to have the most fun and successful senior year possible. 

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By Caden Simpson – Staff Reporter

Talia Salanto is the President of the sophomore class at Jonathan Law. Advocate Staff Reporter Caden Simpson interviewed Salanto about how COVID affected her the past two years.

Caden Simpson: As we approach the two year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most?

Talia Salanto: Over the two year pandemic, I think the hardest thing was knowing I was missing out on my first year of high school.  Adjusting to social distance, masks, virtual school and canceled sports was really damaging to mental health and sociability.

CS: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years?

TS: The biggest challenge for me was probably remembering to wear my mask in school. Along with social distancing and going online, adjusting to school was the hardest thing for me. 

CS: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic?

TS: During the pandemic and quarantine, I was able to give time to myself and focus on my mental health because of events being postponed or canceled.

CS: What have you learned over the past two years?

TS: I have learned to value the time we have with friends and family because you don’t know when it is the last time you will get to see them. I have also learned how important it is to stay in touch with people and socialize in order to stay connected and healthy.

CS: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year?

TS: My hopes for the rest of this school year is to be completely free of social distancing, and have our cafeteria back to normal. I hope that COVID-19 slows down and people are able to come to school without feeling unsafe.

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By Will Smith – Staff Reporter

Braydon Hancock is a freshman at Jonathan Law. Advocate Staff Reporter Will Smith interviewed Hancock to see how COVID-19 affected him.

Will Smith: As we approach the two-year anniversary of COVID, how has the pandemic affected you the most? 

Braydon Hancock: It affected my schooling and my ability to play sports

WS: What was your biggest challenge over the past two years? 

BH:  Acclimating to the changes brought on by COVID.

WS: What positives have you been able to take away from the pandemic? 

BH: It has made me more tolerant and resilient.

WS: What have you learned over the past two years? 

BH: That you have to be able to get hit by life and keep going.

WS: What are your hopes for the rest of this school year and next school year? 

BH: I want to get on varsity for football.

By Kaitlyn Goldberg- News Editor 

The Jonathan Law Choir is becoming one step closer to being back to normal again for the first time in almost two years.  

A handful of COVID restrictions that were put in place are now loosened such as masks now being optional for students and staff.  That means that for the choir, they are beginning to get back to their normal ways.  

“In the music ensembles, we are able to perform without masks, however we need to continue to maintain six feet spacing while singing,” Choir Director Ms. Jones said.  “I would say, overall it feels very close to “back to normal” this year in comparison to what we experienced the past two years, and  I am happy that we get to sing, perform and have opportunities to perform outside of school.” 

Choir members are also happy to be able to have more of a normal choir year.  

“Now that the mask mandate is lifted, it makes it so much easier for rehearsals and it makes everyone seem more connected as a choir family,”  sophomore Kiley Sherman said. 

There are still some questions on if there will be any competitions coming up, but the choir is still slowly starting to participate in some more events. 

“The district has not made decisions to move forward with field trips or competitions just yet; however, we do have eight students participating in the CMEA All-State festival at the end of this month in Hartford,” Jones said. 

The choir members are looking forward to being able to hopefully go on some trips and competitions as well. 

“As the pandemic is declining, competitions and trips are very possible, and I believe that the spring concert is going to be a huge success,” sophomore Kaden Kohler said. “Everyone in the choir is putting in 110% and we all sound wonderful.”

While it is easier for the choir now with an abundance of COVID restrictions being lifted, the choir is still practicing and getting ready for the spring concert and the all state festival.

“Right now I am super stoked about our MIOSM festival day we have coming up,”  Jones said. “Our students will be hosting Foran choir here at Law and we will be working together to make beautiful music with their peers and we will also be having a workshop with Dr. Jaime Spillane who is the Director of Choral Activities at UConn”

The choir is also really excited to be performing all together under more normal circumstances and using music to bring people together. 

“I am most excited for our competitions and performing all together,” Sherman said.

By Bobby Black – Sports Editor

The mask mandate has been lifted for Milford Public Schools and wearing masks is now optional.

But what about the buses? 

As of February 28, masks are now optional on school buses, which aligns with schools also being mask optional. Masks on buses are now optional but other mitigating strategies that were in effect previously are still in place. 

While the decision to make masks optional in school was determined by the Health Department and the city of Milford, the bus company’s decision was its own.

“The bus company is responsible for enforcing its own safety policies,” Law principal Mr. Darcy. “The federal government changed policy to make mask-wearing optional at the local level on buses. We will continue to follow all other safety strategies in school including spacing and good hygiene just to name a few.”

The requirements and rules on the bus are made by the private bus companies and the students and drivers must follow. 

“They align their practices like any other private company,” Darcy said. ”I couldn’t speak to their expectations for their drivers related to mask-wearing, vaccinations or any other strategy that has been shown to work.”

Students were excited to see buses move to mask optional.

“It is nice to get to see people’s faces I haven’t seen in a while,” sophomore Brian Goglia said.

Darcy said the move to mask optional in school has been a positive one.

“It has been positive so far,” Darcy said. “We have a lot of staff, students and families who feel apprehensive or are just used to wearing masks at this point. We have to all respect each other whether we are wearing masks or not. My hope is this is the first step to getting back to normal.”

By Sydney Simpson – Editor-in-Chief 

Masks in Milford Public Schools became optional on February 28, allowing both students and staff to enter school buildings without a facial covering for the first time since March 13, 2020. 

This highly debated decision came after additional CDC guidance and a Board of Education meeting that occurred the week of February 13. The news reached Milford residents via a letter from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anna Cutaia dated later that week on February 18. 

Law Principal Mr. Darcy said that the key to successfully implementing the optional mask policy is respect for each other’s choices.

“No matter the age, all students and staff feel some apprehension because of how the last two years have progressed,” Darcy. “The bottom line is our schools, families, and community need to stay united and respect each other’s health just like we respect each other for the differences we have as people each day.”

While some students still opt to wear masks, most are excited for this new policy. Everyone at Law has been respectful of each other’s decisions and have demonstrated high levels of maturity. 

“I am excited for things to go back to ‘normal’ at JLHS, especially since this is my senior year and I want to go out the way I came in,” senior Moira Staples said. “The next step towards normalcy would probably be regarding the level of comfort in the student body when it comes to these new challenges; students need to feel at ease when not social distancing or not wearing masks.”

The district also revealed that students will not have to wear masks on school buses as well, which was not part of the original announcement due to the federal mandate that was in place concerning public transportation. 

“I think that making the masks optional was a step in the right direction for Milford Public Schools, as it shows that the school listened to both the advice from medical professionals and the wishes of the student body,” Staples said. “I do not feel this was premature as the school observed the actions of districts around them and seemed to have taken the time to make the best decision for the safety of the students and staff.”

Many students and staff members agree with this point of view, noting that this is an important step for the district in getting things back to normal. The rate of infection for the virus has significantly decreased since winter break, but social distancing guidelines and quarantine rules still apply. 

“We are still waiting for normal to happen at Law,” science teacher Mr. Koorejian said. “I think students will be encouraged (not mandated) to be a little more empathetic about others in certain times of the year when the flu and COVID are happening, so maybe more health conscious behaviors and/or preventions might be a little more common in the future.”

This decision affects not only students at the high school level, but those in middle and elementary school as well. 

“I am very excited for my son, who is a first grader, to see his friend’s smiles at school,” business teacher Mr. Beler said.