62 percent of high school seniors choose to go to college. Is it the right decision for you?2/20/2026  Credit: CUSD Insider By Milena Brodowicz ‘26
Seniors must make a big decision right now about what they will do after high school. It might feel overwhelming, but there are people to help. With advice from counselors, teachers and friends, you can make the decision that is best for you. I want to start by talking about trade school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 16 percent of high school seniors enroll directly into trade school after high school. There are many benefits that come with going to trade school, including faster entry into the workforce, less debt, in-demand jobs and good job security. You should consider trade school if you like hands-on work. To apply to trade school, conduct research on what would be a good fit for your profession. A trade school application requires a high school transcript and a placement exam. Trade school can range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on which school you attend and how long you are there. Like college, it is important to look at different trade schools and figure out what you are looking for. Mr. Martin, an English teacher at WHS, spoke about his experience as a senior making his decision. “This is the first time the world asks you to make a decision on your own,” he said. “Think about what you're paying for,” he added. Martin touched on his unique experience, and how he put down his deposit for a school and ended up having to switch due to financial issues. When all was said and done, he said that he very much enjoyed his college experience, even though it wasn't what he first imagined. Some important factors he discussed when choosing a college included school spirit, finances and size. When it comes to choosing a college, price is one of the most important factors. You want to make sure you are making a smart financial decision that you won't regret. Most colleges are expensive, but there are other options to lower the cost. You can apply for financial aid and scholarships. Another option is community college, which is free of cost. A perk about community college is that you can transfer to a state school after two years. Mrs. Lindsay, a counselor at WHS, spoke about ways to reduce the cost of college. “The best bets are always local scholarships,” she said. She advised students to look on Naviance and Dollars for Scholars, but also to look a little deeper. “I encourage students to talk to their families because sometimes families are involved in civic organizations that offer scholarships,” Lindsay said. In addition to outside scholarships, Lindsay said to make sure you compare the merit money you receive from each college you applied to. Another major factor in making your decision is location. It's important to know what you want and why you want it. Some students prefer big-city schools due to their access to resources, while other students want a smaller town for the community feel. As a student who has already made a decision on where to go after high school, location was a big deal for me. Before starting my college search, I already knew I wanted to stay closer to home so I could see my family when I needed to. With May 1 coming up fast, it is important you consider all factors when choosing a path after high school.
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 By Emily Beaupre and Sara Beaupre
At Wethersfield High School, most students read “The Odyssey,” an ancient Greek epic poem most often attributed to Homer, in their English class. The math and science departments might be busy, but the English department is excited for this film to hit theaters. English teachers Kristen Mucinskas and Jennifer Dorn, who teach the poem to freshmen, shared their thoughts on the newest adaptation. From “Interstellar” to “Oppenheimer,” Christopher Nolan has directed many famous movies, and now he tackles something epic. Set to release July 17, 2026, with a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Tom Holland, Nolan’s newest movie chronicles Odysseus’ 10-year journey home. “It’s a safe movie to produce right now because it’s not really political,” Mucinskas said. “There’s nothing out there that’s going to push people out of their comfort zone... So I wonder if in the current political climate people either need escapism or they need something safe that’s ancient that needed to be redone anyway”. On the flip side, several critics say the film will be an epic fail. An article from The Indiependent comments upon the conflicting desires for such a beloved story on the big screen, saying its "convoluted narrative" and "10-year time span" make for daunting source material. The critic noted that Nolan’s task is "akin to adapting the entire Christian Bible". While this is good to think about, the film isn’t coming out until the summer. With only a teaser trailer having been released, it is too early to make any concrete arguments about the adaptation’s character. Dorn has a different opinion revolving around the accuracy of the film. “It’s a different medium,” Dorn said. “I think that film adaptations that try to be perfectly accurate to books often end up being not very good films”. The article “Who Cares if Matt Damon’s ‘Odyssey’ Helmet Is Historically Accurate?” from The New York Times says: “Hollywood is plenty capable of churning out insipid, numbing content. But a funereal reverence for source material can produce boring results, too”. No one really knows how the film will play out, but people are waiting with bated breath for it to enter theaters this July. The film will hopefully provide a good reprieve from all of the current issues that have taken over the media.  by Ashlynn Vernile and Janelle Trujillo '26 The Wethersfield High School Choralaires, an audition-only ensemble, are preparing for a busy second semester of performances both in and out of school. Members of the group often perform at the all-state or regional level and have been working to perfect their repertoire. The group meets during eighth period and holds additional rehearsals after school. Throughout the school year, the singers have maintained a high level of momentum that they plan to carry through the spring. The ensemble has performed across the community at events including Holidays on Main, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the 9/11 memorial at the Cove, Festival Choir and the Veterans Day ceremony. Upcoming performances include a visit to the senior housing at Executive Square, the Pops concert April 1 at 6:30 p.m., and the Spring concert May 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the school auditorium. The season will conclude with graduation June 12 at Cove Park. Senior and Choralaires member Lorelei Frazzinikendrick shared her excitement about the upcoming events and the leadership of new director Kathleen Morrisroe. “We’re going to Executive Square. That's going to be cool because I feel it's a nice way to connect and to get back to our community," Frazzinikendrick said. "It’s easy for us to do and I feel it would bring a lot of joy to them. The point of the Choralaires is bringing a higher level of music and performance to the community.”  Frazzinikendrick added that Morrisroe’s teaching style fosters a sense of mutual respect. “I feel we're focusing on things besides just getting the notes right, but how the performance is being delivered and perceived, which has helped the group's performance," she said.
Auditions for the 2026-27 school year will take place March 23 after school. All students are welcome to audition. The group is looking for students who show interest and "bring the fire" to the performance. Senior member Mai-lin Benejan offered advice for those planning to audition. “When you’re singing, be confident in what you know, practice your sight-reading, study your scales and definitely know your solo pieces by heart,” Benejan said. The Choralaires continue to work hard to demonstrate the talent of Wethersfield High School. For more information on upcoming events, follow @whs.choir_ on Instagram.  Photo Credit: The Great Elm By Gabriel Rivera and Jheyly Rojas '26
As temperatures drop to single digits following January’s cold front, students walking to school face increased risks of slips and frostbite. Bundle up. Wear a thick jacket and double-layer gloves. To avoid slipping, use shoes that have deep soles, like snow boots or ice cleats. Properly dressing for the weather is a three-layer system. Have a moisture-wicking base like a standard T-shirt, an insulating middle like a sweatshirt, and a proper winter jacket on the outside to combat the wind. Walk slowly. Running will cause slipping on ice. Even if running late, it’s important to watch the ground and be careful, because even if it doesn’t look like there’s anything there, ice can be tricky to spot. Black ice is super thin and slippery, and hard to spot. Keep a look out for shiny spots and avoid them if possible. “Be extra cautious while walking to school in the winter,” says Rocco Colon, a senior who walks to school. “Watch out for traffic, especially if there’s after-school activities like sports, because people tend to drive more recklessly during the winter. Get a ride to and from if possible, or walk with a friend for safety.” Stay safe out there. A tardy slip is better than an injury from slipping on ice. Check the weather app or look out the window and dress accordingly. Proper preparation is necessary to turn a dangerous, unpleasant way to school into a manageable one.  Source: BBC by Leo Najarro and Omer Turgett '26
The 2025-26 Champions League is the biggest tournament in football, and it is very hard to win. This year, 36 teams are competing in a new league format. Traditionally, the best teams from the top leagues in Europe qualify for this competition. Some clubs have a long history of winning. Real Madrid has the most titles with 15. Other top winners include AC Milan (7), Liverpool (6) and Bayern Munich (6). However, the current defending champions are Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who won their first title in 2025. This season has been full of surprises. Big teams like Manchester City and Real Madrid have lost games to smaller teams like Bodø/Glimt and Benfica. Because of these shocks, many fans believe Arsenal is the favorite to win this year. The final will be played on May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. This stadium holds 67,100 people. It hosted the Europa League final in 2023, but this is the first time it will host the massive Champions League final. While most teams have a chance to win, the standings show Arsenal is the favored team. Arsenal currently leads the pack with a 26 percent chance of lifting the trophy. The final will be hosted at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, on May 30, 2026. This stadium hosted the Europa League final in 2023. This marks the second time Hungary has hosted a major soccer tournament and the first time for this 67,100-capacity stadium. According to projections from AS, Arsenal is the clear favorite with a 21.5 percent chance of winning. They are followed by Bayern Munich at 14.4 percent and Barcelona at 13.7 percent. Manchester City (10 percent), Liverpool (8 percent), Chelsea (5.4 percent) and Tottenham Hotspur (0.7 percent) all remain alive. The new 36-team format has invited chaos. We have moved past the era where the "big" teams were guaranteed safe passage. This season has already delivered results that have left fans and bettors in disbelief. Manchester City, despite their pedigree, suffered a stunning 3-1 defeat to Bodø/Glimt. "I think Man City might win again," said Mr. Carr, a Chelsea fan from Wethersfield High School. "Just because they’re not winning the Premier League, they still have a chip on their shoulder." Benfica also won against Real Madrid 4-2, which is something we do not see every day. The Benfica goalkeeper even scored a goal in the last minute. The most shocking development of the current campaign is the list of teams that failed to make the top 24. Teams known as "big" clubs, like Napoli, Ajax, PSV and Athletic Club, did not make the cut. Meanwhile, teams like Galatasaray, Benfica, Tottenham, Qarabag FK and Bodø/Glimt have moved on. This year has been full of surprises. Smaller teams are beating giants, and even goalkeepers are scoring. At the Puskás Aréna, anything can happen.  by Dylan Cyr '26
As we hit the final stretch for some of our winter sports teams, the pressure is on for our athletes to finish strong. We’ve collected the current rankings, recent scores and upcoming must-see matchups to keep you in the loop as we get closer to playoffs. Boys Basketball The boys' basketball team is currently ranked No. 24 in Division IV with a 7-10 record. In its 20-game season, the team continues with three games left. After beating Comp Sci (Division V), the boys look to get another win in the books against Maloney (Division II) on Friday, Feb. 13. Girls Basketball At No. 26 in Division III, the girls' basketball team has a 7-9 record. They just played Maloney (Division IV) on Thursday, Feb. 12, with a big win for their senior night and look to get another when they play East Granby (Division V) on Friday, Feb. 13. Boys Ice Hockey Sitting proudly at No. 4 in Division II, the boys' ice hockey team continues its successful run. With an 8-4-1 record, the team recently qualified for states with a 1-0 victory over Northwest Catholic (Division I), but the battle isn’t over. With its next matchup against Simsbury (Division I) on Saturday, Feb. 14, the boys look to take the No. 3 spot with another big win. Girls Ice Hockey Ranked No. 10 in Class 1, the girls' ice hockey team has a successful 9-5-1 record. After a good win against Simsbury (Class 1), the girls look for another when they play Darien (Class 1) on Saturday, Feb. 14. We’d also like to congratulate our very own Maya Fanelli for being selected as GameTimeCT’s athlete of the week! Good luck and keep up the good work! Gymnastics We’d like to congratulate our athletes who competed at the CCC Championships last weekend and finished third overall. A massive recognition goes out to senior Gabrielle Gerardi, who displayed exceptional consistency by placing in every individual event. |
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