 By: Rophie Centurpen (Rosie Thigpen and Sophie Centurelli) '26 The seniors win it all! The Class of 2026 pulled through and beat both the teacher’s team and the grades 9-11 team. There was a large variety of players on the senior team, allowing for much more talent that was clearly displayed on Friday evening. At this event, we had a great student turnout. It was amazing to see students, parents, and faculty members come together to support the teams. Although the seniors winning was the highlight of the evening, watching the male teachers perform their halftime show was a close second. Mr. Chatfield, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Zappola, and a few others, took the role of our amazing WHS cheerleaders to cheer on our players. Overall, due to the success of this event, teachers and students advocated for this to be an annual event. So we will be bringing the Turkey Bowl back next school year.
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 Our WHS Theater Department performed their annual fall production, this time performing Qui Nguyen's play "She Kills Monsters." Eagle Eye asked WHS students what they thought watching and working in our fall production, their thoughts are below!
Elliot Nash, ‘27 The show was very entertaining, and I liked how it incorporated some modern elements. I enjoyed watching a person's journey through high school, and the jokes kept me entertained throughout the performance. The opening scene with Agnes finding Tilly’s module set the tone. Brianne Davis showed apparent frustration and curiosity in that moment, which pulled me in right away. I liked how we got to see real-life Dungeons and Dragons while Chuck sat at the desk. Whoever wrote this play was very creative, as it was very unique to have this setup and style. I left with a clear sense of their connection and the story's message. All in all, the show stayed straightforward, fast, and fun to watch, and the actors were well-prepared, and their work clearly paid off. Neila Isakovic, ‘27 I had a very nice time and really enjoyed the production. I had some friends who were a part of the light and sound crew, and they did a great job preparing and emphasizing the performance. The actors did a great job too. Avery Almada, ‘27 The production of She Kills Monsters was amazing! You can tell that all of the cast members and the crew put a lot of hard work into the show. I loved seeing the entire show play out. Jessica Ofori-Agyemang, ‘27 and Stage Crew I was a part of the stage crew for the play, She Kills Monsters. I helped with set painting and building, and moving props on and off stage. Working as a stage crew member was a really fun experience. I met new people, enjoyed helping the cast and show, and I am glad I was able to be part of a group that feels like a welcoming family. Haily Nguyen, ‘27 The WHS drama production of She Kills Monsters was very entertaining. I especially enjoyed the dance battle scene, it had great choreography and music. The cast and crew did an incredible job of bringing this show to life. Griffen Kelly, ‘27 With very little to almost no experience in play attendance, I did not expect too much from this event. But, it ultimately turned out to be a play of great adventure and humor, constantly engaging the audience to keep coming back after every intermission had passed.  Source: KBA Architects by Rophie Centurpen (Rosie Thigpen and Sophie Centurelli) '26
Today, November 21, at 6 pm, our high school will be hosting its first Turkey Bowl since 2019. Turkey Bowl, formerly known as Powder Puff, is an all women’s flag football competition and a Wethersfield High School tradition. The event consists of 3 teams: a teacher team, a senior team, and grades 9-11 team. The game will follow a Round Robin tournament style. Anticipation rises as we approach the event, many students, teachers, and faculty are already invested in the competition. Some of the participating teams on the teachers team were dressed up in the official teachers Turkey Bowl shirt, while also drawing under their eyes with eye-black to really hype up their play! The senior team is showing their readiness for the game by all wearing their official shirt to school. Playing first are the Seniors vs. grades 9-11, following that are grades 9-11 vs. teachers and then for the final game it’s seniors vs. teachers. Eagle Eye will cover the event in its entirety, but make sure to check it out on Cottone Field at 6 PM!  By Kennedi White, '26 Looking for something to do? An easy answer is to attend the BSU, Brothers and Sisters United first meeting of the school year on November 19th in the Wethersfield High School Media Center immediately after school. Brothers and Sisters United, BSU, of Wethersfield High School is committed to intellectual, cultural, social, and ethnic diversity. The BSU’s focus is to build awareness, education, and a new level of consciousness about being a person of color in today's society. This club was developed to promote acceptance and tolerance across all cultures and to help them build up their self esteem so they can lead by example. According to former WHS History Teacher Mrs. Duggins, one of the advisors, she said, “The group is meant to help people learn about African American Culture and history.” This club is designed to support Wethersfield High School’s desire to be more inclusive.  Source: W. Hartford Public Schools The mission of this year's club is to create a scholarship for seniors that are part of the Choice program. In Wethersfield, students can apply for the Dollars for Scholars program which gives money to Wethersfield students to help them pay for their college.
Unfairly, students from Hartford who go to WHS and are a part of the Choice program are not allowed to apply for the scholarship. In addition, they are also not given the scholarship that is given to students in Hartford because they are not part of the Hartford Public Schools. They are unfairly treated and left out of an opportunity. The club decided to raise money through fundraising so students from the Choice Program can apply for this scholarship and be given money they can put towards college. The club will be meeting on November 19th to discuss ways they can raise money. The more people that show interest the better it will be for all the students at Wethersfield High School. Regardless of your race, ethnicity or religion, please show up and support Wethersfield High School to make it a more inclusive environment.  by: Olivia Kablik
She Kills Monsters, the Wethersfield High School fall play, is happening on November 14, 15, and 16. She Kills Monsters is about a mixture of the fantasy with the real world, along with the acceptance of grief and being unique. The students of the Drama Club are preparing this week for the fall play. I interviewed my fellow cast members about what they are doing to prepare for the play. I asked senior Brie Davis, who plays the lead role of Agnes, how she is preparing. “This week I am really planning out my days. Getting work done in school to have little stress when I get home. I’m also going to sleep early and drinking soooo much water to not get sick before the show,” Davis said. The cast and crew has been working hard to present this unique play to Wethersfield. Admission is fourteen dollars for adults and twelve dollars for students and seniors. Come and see it! Tickets are available at this link, and prices are $14 for adults and $12 for students/seniors. Showtimes are November 14 and 15 at 7:30 PM, with a matinee showing on November 16 at 3:30 PM. Eagles on the Trail: Wethersfield High School’s Hiking Club Finds Adventure and Community11/11/2025  Photo Credit: Quarry Park Website By Elizabeth Mann
Have a passion for nature and the outdoors? Well, Wethersfield High School is reintroducing its Hiking Club, which was founded during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020 to encourage students to appreciate how hiking and nature can calm nerves. The Hiking Club is more than just a group of students that take walks; it has a sense of community built on laughter and adventures. Now the WHS Hiking Club is dedicated to exploring new trails and making memories. The WHS Hiking Club has already gone to Quarry Park in Rocky Hill, and really enjoyed their time there. The co-presidents Sophie Centurelli and Rosie Thigpen plan on hiking Castle Craig in Meriden. They meet the first Tuesday of every month at 2:20 after school in room 304. It welcomes grades 9 - 12. While there, they talk about actual hike dates, times, and locations that vary depending on the weather and seasons. If you want to join the club contact Mrs. Cristina Russo, Sophie Centurelli, or Rosa Thigpen. But, due to its recent popularity, you may occasionally need to wait for an opening to join the club. Sophie Centurelli and Rosa Thigpen, WHS seniors and the club's co-presidents, share some of their thoughts on the club. After spending previous years hiking and exploring, Thigpen started developing a passion for the outdoors and nature, which led her to join the school’s hiking club. Centurelli then shares that she loves the challenge that comes along with hiking; she lives for it. Over the years, the WHS Hiking Club has shown a commitment to not just to Wethersfield High School, but also the community. They have had a positive impact on the Connecticut Children’s Hospital, by raising over $600 in 2021. They demonstrated that they aren’t just focused on hikes, but also providing support to our community.  By: Grace Cook Wethersfield High School is putting on a production of Our Town, a play by Thornton Wilder on November 10-13 in the WHS auditorium. Our Town takes place in 1910’s Grover’s Corner, New Hampshire and explores George Gibbs, Emily Webb, and their relationship together. Their relationship, which grows from friendship to romance and ultimately ends up in marriage, is meant to teach the lesson that we live life without appreciating what it really has to offer. This play won’t be the exact same as the original though. Senior Aidan Cook, who plays Constable Warren, had this to say about the changes made: “I think the audience will appreciate the changes that we added to the play so that it's more like our town, like Wethersfield”. Cook wasn't able to share the specific changes that were made, but he did give us a hint about what the play will look like. “All of the props are imaginary”, he said ominously. The drama department is looking forward to drawing in large crowds. Liv Hammer, who is also a senior and plays Joe Crowl Jr. said, “This is a play about ordinary people and it shows an ordinary life so it can reach all audiences.” The students and teachers who are part of this production have been working tirelessly and they are excited to present the show. Tickets will be available to purchase soon. Our Town will be performed on November 10th to the 13th in the WHS auditorium. You can purchase your tickets here to enjoy the show!  by Lana Saccuzzo
The Literary Magazine art club gets together every Friday, where more than 30 students from all grade levels show up to showcase and talk about their creations. Why is this club so important to the school and its students? I talked to Yazmin Pereyra who has been a part of the club since freshman year in Wethersfield High School and she talks about her experience. Pereyra said, “This is my fourth year in the club. I originally heard about it from my sister's friend and I've been attending it since. The bonds and connections I have with people I've met there are very strong and special to me.” Not only is this a club solely for the purpose of showing your creations to your peers, but making new friends and connecting with people who have the same interests as you. May I add, I am also a member of Litmag and I have made very close bonds with so many people in the club. It's a very fun and bustling atmosphere with lots of socialization and very positive people. We have a new president this year as well as a vice president, secretary and officers. Yazmin is also an officer, or art consultant this year, and she says that being promoted to such a position is new but very fun and it's a good way to interact with people that might be shy to show their work. Every year, Litmag hosts a slam at either Barnes and Noble or the Wethersfield Public Library to showcase the best works members of the club decide to present. It brings our peers and group together because we're all doing something together. “It's a lot more than presenting to just your group and people you know, because you're showing your work to a bunch of unfamiliar faces. It's really helpful to have your friends there as a support system though, it eases the stress.” Presenting is always optional but recommended for being in the club. Mrs. George, the head of the club, always pushes the members to do their best and step out of their comfort zone to try something new. Of course, no one HAS to present but having members show their work helps other people get more comfortable and involved. We also have an art booklet that is made after every school year to show everyone's progress and pieces. Litmag is a great club and if you're interested in literature and arts/photography, you should definitely check it out!  The weekend of March 13, the WHS Drama Department put on their annual spring musical with their performance of “Cinderella.” Across the three performances, students wowed with their acting, theatrics, singing, dancing, and hard work. This is just a small account of the experiences of the audience and the cast and crew.
Katie Lombardo, Junior While watching the musical, I had a smile on my face throughout the entirety of it. It was funny, yet heart-warming at the same time. It was truly a beautiful experience, would love to see it again. Christian Bonvisuto, Junior A wonderful Cinderella story from start to finish. Great acting by each and every one of the actors. Beautifully choreographed, amazing music, costumes, and dances. Had a great time going with my family. Gabriella Cicero, Junior It was great to see this Cinderella musical. You can clearly see the hours of hard work and dedication that went in through the songs, dances, and music from the actors to the musicians and backstage crew. Abigail Montes, Junior As one of the pit members of the musical, it was the best experience I have had as a musician. To go through multiple practices and repeating songs to get the cues just right, it helped me grow a lot and learn more about the music world. Adriana Cruz, Senior WHS drama club has put on yet another amazing production. This year’s performance of Cinderella had beautiful singing, phenomenal costumes, and incredible actors/actresses. This musical was enjoyed by all ages and was a great way to spend the weekend! Erika Mayzenberg, Junior I went to the understudy show and I was extremely impressed with how the cast did. They really brought out the characters they were playing and even without a lot of practice for their parts, they were able to put on a funny, exciting, and absolutely spectacular show. Holden Escabi, Junior Watching Cinderella, it was clear just how much hard work and talent went into the show! The whole production had great energy and was a reminder of the amazing things that the WHS community is capable of achieving. Gabriella Szwed, Junior I was able to make the understudy portion of the play on Tuesday and all of the characters were so talented. I thought that it was very impressive how they were able to put on a full play before the final show with all of their lines memorized and dances learned. Megan Lipka, Junior The WHS Drama production of Cinderella was amazing! The acting and singing were amazing and the dance numbers were really cool too. The Prince is Giving a Ball and Ten Minutes ago were two very cool numbers in the show. Also, the pit and the backstage crew were pretty cool too! Sarah Wrona, Junior I enjoyed the show, especially seeing my friends on stage and hearing everyone sing. My favorite parts were watching the dress transformations and watching the remote control mouse hit a prop and then go back off stage. Vanessa Venditti, Junior I thought the musical itself was really good, I liked how they took the stage to our seats and I thought the slide behind them changing settings was cool and easier. Found myself laughing at some of the lines which were good. Only thing is, I was looking forward to seeing if Mr. Pfister is a good actor... wanted more from him. Kareena Khadar, Senior The school play was a wonderful production of the classic tale Cinderella. The cast was energetic and full of spirit. It was a great way to spend time with friends this weekend and I was especially blown away by Mia Sommer's and Olivia Krout's Voices Karima Hasan, Junior This show was super fun and I got so much closer with my friends and we became a little family. It was a lot of work and super hectic but it helped build a lot of skills from balancing school, work, and rehearsal. Charlotte Daigle, Junior Being in this show is such an important experience because we become such a tight group because we are with each other all the time. We are bonding over the inside jokes and hanging out just singing songs from the show. The people in the show became my closest friends, it made me feel like a family and I will miss it so much, I can't wait for next year. Angel Sotelo Sanchez, Senior This was the first play I attended and I really liked it great voices for singing. Samantha Coty, Junior This was my 5th production overall with WHS (I've been in two plays, this was my second musical, and a cabaret), and it was an amazing experience. Being Madame (although I felt was slightly typecasted, thanks Roets) was such a fun experience, because I got to be funny but at the same time let out some anger. I think the entire cast did an amazing job, and I couldn't be more grateful for the time that my castmates, crewmates and staff have spent putting on this production. I think we did an amazing job, and I'm so proud of all of us. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us!  by: Taylor Moran
WHS junior Erika Mayzenberg, vice principal Mrs. Tara Yusko, and delegates from the Wethersfield High School chapter of Amnesty International have teamed up to raise funds for medical supplies to send to Ukraine. Donations are being collected every day during lunch, beginning Wednesday, March 9th, at a designated table in the cafeteria. Individuals who donate will be given a blue and yellow pin, representing the Ukrainian flag. When asked how wearing pins can benefit the effort to support Ukrainians and Ukrainian students at WHS, Mrs. Yusko said, “I think it’s important to acknowledge the emotional toll, and sometimes physical toll, this is going to take on people, and just having a visual to say, ‘We know and we understand.’” WHS junior Erika Mayzenberg has special connections to the cause. “I was born in Ukraine, and I immigrated to America in 2010.” Erika went on to say that she has been keeping up with updates about the war and she is passionate about contributing to the effort of helping her home. Mayzenberg said, “I don’t have any political power, I don’t have anything, but the most we can do is just help organizations that are willing to help the cause to help Ukrainians.” Erika and her mother have researched and been helping the local organization Maidan United, which is where Wethersfield’s donations will be sent. Maidan United, which is based out of Hartford, Connecticut. Since being founded in 2014, their mission has been to support Ukrainian citizens impacted by Russian attacks. Today, the organization is using cash donations to contribute to the purchase of medical supplies, including but not limited to knee braces, antiviral drugs, first aid kits, and medical scissors. On top of donating cash gathered at WHS, Maidan United has an Amazon Wishlist accessible through their trending Facebook page. While donations are immensely appreciated, leaders of the effort understand that not everyone can afford to donate. “Just supporting the work, right, and helping us spread the word, especially if you can’t donate, would be wonderful,” says Mrs. Yusko. Wethersfield Athletics has also published information about volunteering at the Ukrainian National Home of Hartford to help move items. If interested, call (860)-256-5702. Moving forward, make sure to stop by the designated lunch table in our cafeteria to donate to Maidan United, and wear your Ukrainian flag pin with pride. See Maidan United’s Facebook page for more information. https://www.facebook.com/maidanunited/ Wethersfield High School’s National Art Honors Society is gearing up for a grandiose art exhibit.3/14/2022  Scholastic Art Award Winner and member Greta Dalton-kay shares a snippet of her work. By Sarah Gurskis and Tea Tola
To celebrate Youth Art Month, Wethersfield’s National Art Honors Society (NAHS) has its members (ranging from grades 9-12) creating and displaying their art for the annual art exhibit. From pencil-and-paper to digitally-created iPad creations, unique art mediums will be put on view for the school to view and appreciate. The creative-driven members have been working hard on their pieces, and are excited to show what they have made. The event will be located in the WHS art exhibit right outside of room 20, and the art will be hung between the dates of March 21-24. Vice President Andrea Moyano shares her ideal piece in the show: oil pastel. She is looking forward to seeing this medium skillfully used on a canvas due to her lack of knowledge of the medium. “It’s going to be a variety [of art pieces],” event planner and advisor Andrea Haas said. “It’s going to be a variety [eclectic] vision of the different, individual members.” Members of NAHS are eager to express themselves through their artwork, saying that there is more to their art rather than just a still display. Senior member Martina Carbone says, “Art is a language for some. It’s their outlet to how they communicate their views on the world.” Fellow member Alex Jara says, “Art shows what I’m thinking and it reflects on my personality.” Collectively, members agree that their artwork is meant to embrace the views of those who depend on their artwork, and to be heard is something to be celebrated. The artwork displayed will mainly be by the junior and senior class, with underclassman art sprinkled throughout the exhibit on March 21-24 outside of room 20 If you are interested in joining the National Art Honors Society, a fee of ten dollars is required and will promptly be donated to all NAHS future activities. See Mrs. Haas in room 20 for more details.  by: Lexie Rodrigues, Arianna Shink, and Evan Munger
Come see Wethersfield’s Drama Club production, a spinoff of the classic play Cinderella, on March 11, 12, and 13, 2022 in Wethersfield High School’s auditorium. On March 11 and 12, the play will go on at 7:30, however on the 13th the show will begin at 3:00. Tickets can be easily purchased online at https://www.showtix4u.com or can be purchased at the door with a slight increase in price. The picture above shows how the play is advertised, you will see these posters posted around the high school or even around the town of Wethersfield. Director/teacher- Mr. Roets explained how this version of Cinderella is not your typical Disney fairytale. There are four different versions of Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella, this play is the latest one to be released. He went into more detail about how this version is different, for example he states that only one of the step sisters are evil instead of both. In the play, you will see the actors sing and dance. A question we asked Mr. Roets was “What are you most excited about?” and his response was, “It depends on any given day, something else is different in a great moment, like lately it is the song ’A Lovely Night,’ which is about step sisters, step mothers, and Cinderella.” There are many different reasons why you should come see this play. Our actors will be performing dances which, according to Mr. Roets, “it is funny to watch men dance”. There are going to be amazing special effects but we do not have any specific details for the reason that it is supposed to be a surprise for the audience. Therefore, if you would like to see some cool effects please come and be a part of the audience! Our drama club is going to try to make this play very believable and give their audience real emotion. There are going to be three real kissing scenes throughout the play which Wethersfield High School has never done before, that will be exciting to see. Over this weekend if you are in the mood to watch something, come down to Wethersfield High School and watch this beautiful play. You can purchase tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday’s shows at www.showtix4u.com  By: Elena Rivas
The WHS Feminism Club was started by juniors Veronica McKenna and Mia Gugliotti and senior Ava Heimgartner, with the intention of talking about feminist issues and taking action in their community to make a difference, and providing those opportunities to young women. Last year, the Feminist Club held a charity drive for a shelter called My Sisters’ Place and they collected donations of over 1,000 pads, tampons, and diapers. This year, the Feminist Club has been putting feminine hygiene products in the bathrooms here at WHS for menstruators to use. The bathrooms at our school don’t have a pad and tampon dispenser, so the Feminist Club has been collecting donations of pads and tampons to have in the bathrooms. Having these items in bathrooms have been a big success and have been very helpful for many. Mrs. McKenna said, “I've had lots of students and teachers say that it's been very helpful having it there and comforting knowing it's there just in case there's an emergency.” Principal O’Connor is working with the town of Wethersfield now to get the pad and tampon dispenser installed into the bathrooms so that people who menstate can have access to these items. There's a group of Connecticut state legislators who want to create menstrual equity in Connecticut and part of that work would be to provide period products to public schools, state colleges and universities, jails, prisons and shelters. Mrs McKenna said, “Who knows if it would go through or not, but the fact that people are talking about it, and I think that what we did here brought awareness in our community that this is something that's needed. I think most women can relate but it's not something that people talk about and there's nothing to be ashamed of.” She continued to say, “I think that if we talk about it more and make it more of a common conversation it takes away that sort of stigma.” If you want to get involved with the Feminism Club, see Mrs. McKenna for any additional information in room 336 and feminine hygiene products can be donated in room 336. The legislation meeting March 9th- https://ctmirror.org/2022/02/18/we-can-end-period-poverty/ To learn more about My Sisters’ Place visit- https://sistersplacect.org/  Photo Credit: LBCC by: Connor Swanson, Brian Bianchi, and Shane Mazur
The United States is currently going through what is being considered a mental health crisis. Over the past 8-9 years, rates of depression and suicide have increased steadily, with little outreaching effort to stop it. A teacher from the Wethersfield High School social studies department, John Sand, has been vigorously at work, trying to implement a way to help young adults in Wethersfield Public Schools system. These past few years have been an increasingly scary time, with now 4.58% of adults considering suicide. This number has increased every year since 2011-2012 and does not seem to be slowing down. This starts out in the youth years, and as a country, we would hope that there are people treating this and helping people with these thoughts but in reality, it is the exact opposite. According to Mental Health America, over 60% of this nation's youth with severe depression do not receive any mental health treatment. This is where Mr. Sand comes into play, he has reached out to each of his classes, figuring out who would like to come together to help kids in the school get the help they need. When asked about this group, Mr. Sand described it as, “An informal gathering of students interested in helping the school address the rising mental health crisis that is gripping young people nationwide.” He has support from Assistant Principal of grades 10 and 12, Tyler Webb. Webb has communicated with students as well, discussing ideas on how to improve mental health throughout the building. The Mental Health Group would be a great addition to WHS because it provides help if they are struggling with their mental health or they have ideas that could help others in the school. Especially with our generation suffering through the COVID pandemic, a lot of people struggle with mental health concerns. Mental health will always be a factor in our world and Mr. Sand created a group to limit this struggle with the students of WHS. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Mr. Sand or Mr. Webb!  by: Roshini Gopaul and Maddy Wickens
Wethersfield High School’s Drama Club is producing Almost Maine this fall, which is running on Thursday, November 11 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, November 13 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, November 14 at 3:30 pm in the auditorium of Wethersfield High School. After talking with Jeffrey Roets, the director of Wethersfield High School’s drama department and Almost Maine, we learned some interesting facts. “There are 9 scenes, and each scene takes place at the same time, a Friday night in January. It is all moments of awkward love. Each scene deals with the possibility of new love, the complications of existing love, envy, it has little magical realism.” This show is produced by the WHS Drama Club, which is not just an ordinary club, it is a production for everyone to watch. They do auditions and get ready for showtime, which means they rehearse constantly. One of the challenges that they faced so far with getting ready for showtime is the lack of participation. Many, including the director, have expressed their concern with the lack of males in the production. With this, they had to adapt and have some females playing male roles and changed some of the scenes to have females together in romantic love. When asked about how the rehearsal is going, sophomore Thalia Black, who plays Shelly said, “The show is going great, even though we look serious on stage, we crack up all the time.” Another obstacle is there are kissing scenes with COVID and the regulation to wear a mask, which makes things difficult to do. So to convey that, they had to adjust and had the actors do shoulder and head blocking so the audience can assume there’s kissing when there is not. Senior Mia Sommers, who plays Sandrine and Rhonda said, “Wearing a mask has been a little struggle, glad to still do something like this even though it’s, fun process, I’m excited about the show.” They are also working on cool special effects. One of them includes the Northern Lights. Kade Lippitt, a senior and sound technician for the show, said, “The audience can look out for stars during the nighttime scene and a shoe falling onto stage.” Excited to watch the play? Get tickets on https://www.showtix4u.com as no tickets will be shown at the door. The production dates are Thursday, November 11 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, November 13 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, November 14 at 3:30 pm.  by: Jack Freitas
This weekend at Castle Craig, the Hiking Club at Wethersfield High School partnered with the University of Connecticut to raise money for the Connecticut Children's Hospital. The club raised money all week leading up to the hike, finishing with a total of $611, it was more than a successful weekend for the Hiking Club. Sean Dunn, a senior at Wethersfield High School and the president and founder of the Hiking club, had this to say on why this hike was so special and important to raise money for the children in the hospital, “It was very important for us as a club because we had been researching ways to positively ignite change in the community and give back. Being able to use hiking as a means to raise money for children who are less fortunate in our own state meant a lot for all of us and we were blown away at the outpouring support.” Sean was a big part in helping raise this money by promoting and getting people involved. This hike was not only important, but very fun and had a high number of people came out. Joe Bellas, a senior in high school and a member of the Hiking Club shared his thoughts on the hike this weekend. “I had an excellent experience alongside my friends. I think that Sean Dunn did an amazing job leading the group and I thought the hike was very fun.” This hike turned out to be on a beautiful Saturday afternoon and gave the hikers some astonishing views. They hiked up to the top of Castle Craig and were joined by other hikers doing it for the same cause. This club was one of the fastest growing clubs ever at WHS, already starting off with 68 students. You can join this club by talking with Mrs. Russo, Sean Dunn, or Sam Johnson. Although spots are rare and you might need to wait to be able to get in because of how many kids there are, it's an amazing club. The Hiking Club meets every other Tuesday in Mrs. Russo room to discuss the future of the club and hikes they may attempt later in the year. This is not the only fundraiser Sean and the club are planning. An exciting one that is upcoming is the dodgeball tournament they are hosting in winter. Since it is too cold to hike, Sean and Mrs. Russo still teamed up to find a way to raise money for the children in the hospital.  By: George Zack
One of the latest and greatest additions to the WHS extracurricular scene is none other than our very own Chess Club. This organization was officially added to the extracurricular roster in early 2021 by students Haley Day and Anne Hart. The faculty advisor of the club is Italian teacher Mrs. Becker. Forged out of the fire of the pandemic, the Chess Club initially held all meetings completely virtually. According to Google Classroom posts from March 12, 2021 and Oct. 4, 2021, all virtual meetings were held on Google Meet, with games and activities on the sites Chess.com and Lichess. Today, the club meets every other week, alternating between meetings in person in Mrs. Becker’s room (403) and virtually on the club’s Google Meet. According to Haley Day, this decision was made predominantly to reduce the risk of spreading COVID while still meeting on a regular basis. The schedule is also designed to be more accommodating for those taking part in other extracurricular activities that may conflict with one of the time slots. If members cannot attend the 2:30 meetings after school, there are always the remote 6 PM meetings and vice versa. For more insight on the club, we spoke with Day who shared that the club was founded largely with the intent of being a place where, “People who like chess can get together, hang out, play chess, share things they think are interesting, and have fun“. Since its conception, the club has grown to be 27 students strong. The Chess Club invites new members of all knowledge and skill. A large number of the group are students who originally had little to no knowledge about chess, but are eager to learn. Multiple posts can be found on the Google Classroom page directed specifically for these burgeoning chess players, ranging from a simple chess tutorial posted on Mar. 16, 2021, all the way to a slideshow on how to use the Fried Liver Attack and Traxler Counter Attack. According to Day, “[The club] is open to anyone. I was really worried that people would be intimidated to join because they thought ‘I don’t know anything about chess’“. She wants the club to be a learning opportunity for all members, regardless of knowledge and skill. The events of each meeting can widely vary. Aside from just playing games online or against each other, club members also work together to solve chess puzzles, beat up some AI opponents, and even talk strategy. If you are interested in joining, the club’s Google Classroom class code is BNQF64U. If you have any questions, reach out to Mrs. Becker, Haley Day, or Anne Hart.  By: Lena Uccello
In 2015, Wethersfield High School teacher, Susan Coco, introduced the blood drive. Held annually three times a year, the school continues to make a difference by collecting blood and saving lives. Before coming to Wethersfield, Coco taught at Cheshire High. It was here that she first got involved with the event and officially began helping out. “I really wanted to get involved with the school environment, so that was actually my first extracurricular activity I got involved in,” said Coco. Though the drive was a way for her to make a difference within the community itself, the real reason behind Coco’s involvement was much more personal. Her father, a life-long doner, would donate blood every 56 days. At a young age, Ms. Coco would accompany him to these drives and embrace the good deed he was committing. He set an example and gave her the motive to give back. “He’s probably one of the main reasons why I thought the blood drive was a worthy cause, a worthy reason to get involved,” she said. After her transfer to Wethersfield High, Coco realized the school did not host an annual blood drive, so she took a stand, got permission and made it happen. Wethersfield High School senior Anisa Zoto has been working alongside Coco, at the front line of this event, for the last three years. With her love of the medical field and the help of her science teacher Mr. Chatfield, Zoto knew she had to take part in this cause. “The blood drive isn’t necessarily me doing anything medically involved, but it’s still helping people which is all medicine is really,” said Zoto. It was after the pandemic hit in 2020 that this event became nearly impossible. Blood banks became super low on supply and with that, the lives of all those in need became at risk. “According to the New York Blood Center, which provides blood to hospitals in the greater New York City area, the gap between blood needed and what's being donated is now averaging around 8,000 donations per month.” But this news didn’t stop Coco or the other coordinators at WHS from making it happen. They found ways to hold the drive, no matter what it took. Instead of taking place during the school year, the team redirected to the elementary schools through summer break. It was important that they still be able to make a difference, even amidst the rising COVID-19. With her passion and determination, Coco has already scheduled this year’s drive. As of now, it is planned to be held on December 15, 2021 from 7:40am-2:00pm. If you are interested in donating or volunteering, students, or teachers can sign up during lunch waves or email Ms. Coco at [email protected]. “Until you try it, you shouldn’t say no. Little reasons like I’m afraid of needles is not a good reason because if you were on the receiving end of needing blood, then you’re hoping that people are going to give,” said Coco. As the saying goes, “you’ll ever know until you try,” so reach out and help. Don’t want to or cannot donate? Volunteer. There are always multiple ways to make a difference and you can be one of them. As Zoto said, “It’s easy, it only takes a couple hours, and those couple hours save hundreds of people.”  by: Grace DeMonte
The GSA, or Gay Straight Alliance Club is a place where students can discuss LGBTQ+ issues in our school and work to change them. The club is open to all students and is a place where LGBTQ+ students can feel safe and talk to others in the community. Mrs. Lindsay, the club advisor, said, “The GSA is a group that was formed to create a safe space for our LGBTQ+ students and allies, and to work toward creating a school environment that is respectful of all students and advocate for change to create an inclusive school environment.” The first meeting was held on September 23, but students are still welcome to join! At this time, club meetings are held every Thursday after school in room 110, but meeting times are susceptible to change. While the club discusses LGBTQ+ issues, you don’t have to be part of the community to join, all students are welcome. The club was formed in 2016 by two students who wanted to create a safe place for LGBTQ+ students to talk about issues they face regarding their sexuality or gender identity. Since then, the club has achieved many accomplishments, such as participating in the National Day of Silence and petitioning to have WHS graduation caps and gowns be one color, regardless of gender. The GSA also attends the True Color Conference, the largest LGBTQ+ conference in the Northeast, where students can attend workshops on LGBTQ+ issues. If any student is interested in joining the GSA Club, please reach out to Mrs. Lindsay and listen for the next meeting time in the school announcements or on Blue Eagle News. Mrs. Lindsay says, “The GSA is a wonderful, safe and inclusive environment. All students are welcome to attend. Our goal this year is to not only serve as a safe space but also to continue the work of making necessary changes so that all students feel welcome and safe.”  by: Tommy Aglieco and Dominic Butler
Wethersfield heroes Sean Dunn and Sam Johnson have started a Hiking Club so students can get outside and spend time with others during the Coronavirus pandemic. WHS juniors Sean Dunn and Sam Johnson had a vision for helping people get outside and enjoy nature during the pandemic and have brought it to life swiftly and elegantly. Back in March, they pitched the idea to some teachers and got them on board. Shortly after, they opened it up for students to join and were “pleasantly surprised” by the number of people on the list. According to Sean, there were around 70 applicants within the first two weeks. Their first hike in late March at Quarry Park in Rocky Hill was largely a success besides the fact that it was a little cold and the second hike is scheduled for May 2 and they are expecting the best. If participation continues at this rate, then who knows where this will go, Sean said that they have already designed and ordered the Hiking Club shirts and that they plan on continuing the club in Fall 2021. So sign up using the google classroom code, fz6gw2p. Get some exercise, have some fun, maybe even meet some new friends. |
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