 Editors: Elli Avdimetaj, Maddy Albright, and Jena Haggerty Need some ideas for winter break? Don’t fret, as we have compiled the top activities for you, as decided by us and Wethersfield High School students! Winterfest Hartford: Free Skating and Carousel in Bushnell Park Enjoy ice skating at Bushnell Park in Hartford for free with friends and family. With school break coming to a start, why not try something new if you haven’t ice skated before? This spot is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.. I can’t wait to go and try it out with my friends. Crazy how close we live to it!!! — Edita Becirovic ’26 Glow Hartford If you are looking for a memorable, family-friendly escape from the cold this Christmas season, Glow Hartford, located at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Conn., offers indoor entertainment featuring millions of Christmas lights, interactive light gardens, and illuminated structures. Scavenger hunts, a trackless train ride, a free photo with Santa, and live entertainment are also offered alongside festive markets stocked with refreshments and treats. The 2025 season dates are Nov. 21 through Dec. 23, open from 4-8 p.m. or 9 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 8 p.m. on the weekends. — Maddy Albright '26 Powder Ridge Mountain Skiing A great place to spend time over break is at Powder Ridge. Located in Middlefield, Powder Ridge is one of the most popular ski areas on Besek Mountain. This mountain features a 500-foot vertical drop, with 80 acres and 19 different trails. Powder Ridge is a place for new skiers and advanced skiers, with green, blue, and black trails. Can’t find time to ski during the day? Skiing on the illuminated slopes at night, with fewer crowds and a lower temperature, transforms the slopes you see during the day into a whole different experience. Powder Ridge is definitely a great place to visit over break to get outside and enjoy time with friends and family. — Kate Freitas ’26 Holiday Baking From holiday cutout cookies to gingerbread house-making competitions, holiday baking is an inexpensive, relaxing, and fun activity to do in the comfort of your home without having to bundle up for the cold. Many holiday recipes are delicious, easy to make, and leave your kitchen with a lingering holiday warmth. You can make Santa’s cookies, gingerbread men, Christmas morning cinnamon rolls, challah bread, absolutely anything you want! Some popular Christmas cookies include crinkle cookies, peanut butter blossoms, sugar cookies, and snickerdoodles. Try making one of these delicious recipes over break; I promise you (and your family) will not regret it! — Jena Haggerty '26 Check out the Holiday Lights ("Holiday Light Fantasia" at Goodwin Park/Lake Compounce Holiday Lights Festival) (ends Dec. 28) "Holiday Light Fantasia" and the Goodwin Park Lake Compounce Holiday Lights Festival are super fun and festive. The lights are bright, colorful, and honestly amazing to see in person. The 2-mile show at Goodwin Park contains 1 million lights!. It feels like walking into a holiday movie and is perfect to go with friends and/or family. — Rosie Thigpen ’26  Go to New York City! New York City has beautiful spots during the holidays where people all across the United States go to visit. There are so many iconic things to do there. There is ice skating at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park, dazzling holiday lights (like Dyker Heights), Broadway shows, museum visits (Met, AMNH), festive markets (Union Square), cozy hot chocolate spots, heated rooftop bars, and exploring winter wonderlands in Central Park or Brooklyn Heights. The main thing that people see is the newly lit annual tree that NYC has a special spot for, but keep in mind, it will be quite packed and busy. — Sophie Centurelli ’26 Windmill Hill Crazy Light House Whether you're driving around and want to make a stop, or need a fun activity for any age during the holiday break, Windmill Hill in Wethersfield is definitely the place to stop. Over the years, 122 Windmill Hill has displayed a light show more than any other house in Wethersfield. The attraction gathers 20-30 cars a night. The front yard is covered in different types of lights, from reindeer to snowmen to toy soldiers, and the driveway is lined with glowing archways. While looking at the lights, tune to the radio station 90.9 FM or 104.5 FM, which you can connect to get the full experience. The lights match up with the music from your car and truly make the light show that much more fun. If you happen to be driving home from holiday shopping or want to get out of the house, Windmill Hill is an easy, free place to stop and enjoy the scenery. — Kate Freitas ’26 Essex Steam Train (Polar Express) Christmas magic comes to life on this magical round-trip train ride at the Essex Station. This indoor escape from the cold weather provides immersive, festive fun for all ages! Children and families sing along to Christmas music and experience a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Costumed characters from the "Polar Express" movie offer hot chocolate and cookies to all the passengers. Each ride lasts approximately 90 minutes, with tickets being sold from mid-November to Dec. 23, 2025. Ticket prices vary from coach ($60-$70) and first class ($90-$100) depending on the day, and tickets are sold online only. — Maddy Albright '26  Shows at The Bushnell
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts is one of the largest venues in Hartford, Conn. This historic landmark opened in 1930 and hosts Broadway musicals, ballets, and operas. The venue is famously known for its holiday shows that fill the 2,800-seat theater. One must-see show is “The Nutcracker,” which features a live symphony. Catch “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, Dec. 20, or Sunday, Dec. 21! — Elijona Avdimetaj ’26 Holiday Movie Marathon Winter break doesn’t always need to be about going out; it is nice to stay inside, too! A holiday movie marathon is the perfect way to stay cozy during the coldest times of the year. Enjoy a collection of movies with family and friends while enjoying hot cocoa and snacks. Check out our “Top 15 Christmas Movies” article on the Eagle Eye website for ideas. — Elijona Avdimetaj ’26 Honorable Holiday Mentions By Elijona Avdimetaj ’26 Check out these family-owned restaurants from some of our Wethersfield students:
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 Editors: Kendra Graham and Kennedi White
Have you ever struggled to figure out which dress would be perfect for prom? This guide is here to help. With prom season approaching, we know the pressure is on to find the perfect look. In this article, we cover the top trending styles for 2026 and the best local boutiques to visit, including price ranges to help you plan your budget. Corset Top Corset top prom dresses have become increasingly popular in the past few years. Last year at the senior and junior proms, at least half of the students wore a corset-style dress. It is easy to see why they are a favorite: They are universally flattering on all body types and help create the hourglass silhouette that many people desire. — Ava [Last Name] ’26 Spaghetti Strap Spaghetti straps first appeared in the early 1970s and became a major fashion trend in the 1990s. These very thin fabric strips, named for their resemblance to the pasta, run over the shoulders to create a delicate and elegant look. They are most common on sundresses and slip dresses and are often paired with strapless bras. This style will likely remain a staple for its simplicity and grace. — Kendra Graham ’26 A-line Similar to the popular wedding dress silhouette, A-line dresses are a classic prom choice. The A-line style features a fitted top with a skirt starting at the waist that gradually flares out, representing the letter A. This dress creates a balanced look that flatters all shapes and sizes. It is often combined with other features like corset backs or strapless necklines and comes in various lengths. — Jena Haggerty ’26 Strapless Separate from a corset top, strapless dresses have been popular for decades. This timeless design uses a fitted bodice to hold up the top, creating a graceful look. Sometimes called the bandeau style because of how it fits snugly across the bust, this dress is prized for its versatility and elegance. It remains one of the most reliable styles for any formal event. — Jena Haggerty ’26 Lace-up Lace-up prom dresses offer an elegant, textured appearance that stands out from solid fabrics. The lace can be used as an all-over overlay for a seamless look or as a specific accent on the bodice or hem. This style is perfect for students looking for a sophisticated, detailed aesthetic that feels different from the standard satin or silk options. — Edita Becirovic ’26 Where to Shop for Your Prom Dress This Spring Westfarms Westfarms, located at 500 Westfarms Mall in Farmington, Conn., offers a variety of options. While it is a large mall, a primary destination for prom is Windsor. It is a popular spot for simple, trendy, and affordable dresses. Westfarms is a great starting point for those seeking a wide selection of styles in one location. — Cailynn Rodriguez ’26 Atiana’s Boutique Atiana’s Boutique is an excellent choice because of its vast range of designs and sizes. Located in Milford, Conn., the boutique is known for great service and even offers on-site tailoring. Prices typically range from $99 to $900, which is a solid investment for high-quality dresses that last. — Kennedi White ’26 Ma Joli Ma Joli is a great store located in the Buckland Hills Mall in Manchester, Conn., as well as the Brass Mill Center in Waterbury. Owned by Jmol Alamer, this shop is perfect if you prefer calm, elegant designs rather than overly busy patterns. The price range usually runs between $100 and $1,000, offering beautiful options that help students express their personalities. — Kennedi White ’26 Mariella Creations Located right here in Wethersfield, Conn., Mariella Creations is a local favorite for WHS students. This is a full-service boutique that emphasizes craftsmanship and a perfect fit. Keep in mind that this store is on the pricier side, so if your goal is to save money, you may want to steer clear. However, for those seeking a high-end experience close to home, the service and location are hard to beat. — Kendra Graham and Ava Ramsey’26 Bella Bridesmaids With 40 showrooms across the country, Bella Bridesmaids is a predominantly female-owned business that specializes in formal wear. While the name suggests bridesmaids, they focus on unique fabrics and styles that are perfect for prom. They even provide stylists to help with the full "look," including hair and makeup suggestions. You can find them in Avon, Conn. — Madina Faizi ’26  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.  By: Jenevieve Haggerty & Elli Avdimetaj '26
It’s that time of year, where colored leaves fall and winter is upcoming. Before the joy of Christmas, we are given Thanksgiving to celebrate a harvest that originated from a companionship between the Wampanoag people and English colonists in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Over the years, Thanksgiving has been seen as a holiday to be celebrated with family and friends while enjoying a prepared meal. Turkey is the main course for every Thanksgiving dinner, but what of the side dishes? With Thanksgiving just around the corner, making dinner for the family is a goal for all. We asked Wethersfield staff and students what their favorite side dish is for Thanksgiving, so we could share complementary recipes with you to make for this upcoming holiday! Stuffing Based on responses, stuffing is a fan-favorite amongst the people! Typically made with bread, vegetables, and a specific broth, people tend to enjoy its presence at the dinner table. It is often served with the main course, Turkey. Here’s what our teachers and students had to say: Mr. Hooper, the French teacher at WHS says, “My favorite Thanksgiving side dish is stuffing. Stuffing is adaptable to anything. I would eat it year round if it was normal, I do eat it year-round. Respect to gravy as well. Turkey, if you want my full opinion, turkey is the worst part of Thanksgiving. Tryptophan, I am not a fan. TryptoNOfan, matter of fact.” Coming from Track coach and Social Studies teacher, Stephen Carr, “I like sausage stuffing. It’s toasted white bread, celery, sausage, a little chicken stock, some spices, and you put it in the oven and bake it off. It’s good because it crisps up a little bit, like the bread.” Now that’s a good dish to have before running! One of the English teachers here at WHS, Mrs Mucinskas, makes a statement on “loving stuffing and gravy” and how it isn’t “even a discussion.” Along with Wethersfield High School Senior Madina Fazini agreeing by referring to “how good” the dish serves as a side. Click READ MORE to see the recipe plus some other favorites!  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 Rophie Centurpen (Rosie Thigpen and Sophie Centurelli)
Let’s talk about Capstone. If you are a junior, you know it’s a huge deal. You are required to present something that shows you are a WHS Vision of the Graduate as a communicator, collaborator, and problem solver. Once you prove that you are a Vision of the Graduate, you will be eligible to graduate. In the Capstone presentation, you can dive deep into your own interests, passions, and career aspirations, and make the project uniquely your own. Each year, juniors stress about Capstone relentlessly, as they worry if they don’t pass, they won’t graduate, but, good news, we are here to help you. By: Jenevieve Haggerty, Madelyn Albright & Elli Avdimetaj - Nov 11, 2025 Old Wethersfield, the initial town founded in 1634 of Wethersfield, CT has the most exciting traditions just for you! If you are interested in fun little events hosted by a traditional old town, the later months of the year may be a good idea to check this town out.  Cove Carnival
Around mid-October every year, Old Wethersfield annually holds the Cove Carnival, a festive fair for all to be a part of, located in Cove park. This carnival is hosted by the Keane Foundation, an organization that was established in 2001 after the tragic 9/11 incident following the deaths of three individuals living in Old Wethersfield. The organization was named after Richard M. Keane, one of the individuals that had passed. Since then, the Keane Foundation has hosted a multitude of programs for children and adults alike to benefit from. The Cove Carnival that was hosted this year has been a popular event throughout the October weekend, starting on Friday, Oct. 17. Prices change annually, often increasing. As of 2025, wristbands have increased $10 marking it a total of $30 for one. There had been some significant changes to rides earning many opinions. For instance, the famous ‘Air Force One’ attraction flipping across the air returned with the new name ‘Zeus’. To accompany it, an anti-gravity ride known as ‘Casino’ was introduced into the mix earning lots of attention. As many things blossom into the carnival itself, many of those attending found some modifications to be a downside of the event. Wethersfield High School senior Rosie Thigpen had a strong opinion regarding the resident favorite, ‘Rock n’ Roll’, being replaced with ‘Flying Bobs, saying, “The replacement for Rock ‘N Roll was a little slow and prices were a bit high this year. I didn’t really bring enough money that was needed, but it was fun to walk around with my friends.” Many were concerned about the assortment of attractions this year while others worried about the initial costs of it all. However, the fair still gained immense popularity proving itself as a validating spot for many to be with those they cherish. As the Cove lasts three days, it is recommended that families come around Sunday with their children. It is the shortest day of the carnival and remains during the day. Friday and Saturday are typically for the adolescents, where events are held through afternoon and night as school is out. All days are available to the public but this remains to be the typical pattern.  By Mariyah Gonzalez, '26
At WHS, there was a rule implemented where kids have to do a Smartpass for wherever they want to go using the website Smartpass. This rule was implemented for the 2024-2025 school year. As some students have noticed, the real issue is that kids aren't ending passes when they get back to class. I interviewed Olivia Kablik, a senior at WHS, and she was very frustrated with the Smartpass system. She said, “When I make a pass to go to the bathroom, I always have to wait in lines, it's probably because people don't end their passes.” With people either forgetting to end their pass or trying to see how long they can keep their pass on, it is wasting many student’s time. The teachers who are on hall duty spend time trying to find the “missing” students while students are waiting in line to go to the bathroom. This is where ending your passes comes in, when you don't end your pass it can end up causing a bathroom “pileup.” When people are waiting in the lines for the bathroom, it can get frustrating because in years prior we were able to just ask and go, but now we have to ask, make a pass and wait. There are many reasons for this, such as when you make a pass you have to wait for an opening spot for that area and if there isn't then you have to wait, and most of the time there is a long line for the bathrooms and when you get a pass it's only a certain amount of time. While we all understand why this rule was implemented, it was implemented to track the students in case of a fire drill or a lockdown or to just keep an eye on who is out at what times and how long they are missing classes, it can be very difficult to maneuver around. When people are waiting in the lines for the bathroom it can get frustrating because in years prior we were able to just ask and go, but now we have to ask, make a pass and wait for the pass to tell us we can go. So all in all, end your passes, WHS students!  By Mevlad Delic and Luca Ianucci
The final countdown for seniors this year is filled with navigating college application, trade school requirements, and memories. Sometimes, there are people that say senior year is easy and you do nothing. All past graduating classes have only talked about how fun senior year is and how fast the days go by, but in reality it’s been boring, stressful, and long for some seniors. For the Wethersfield High School Class of 2026, we personally have found senior year easy in the aspect of work that we are getting. There is definitely less homework and less classwork compared to junior year. At times though, it has been difficult and stressful. Doing college applications, college essays, scholarships, and getting everything ready for life after high school are all the difficult and stressful things we found these first few months. Also we found ourselves thinking about the memories made throughout high school. That is because knowing you will not be in high school next year is a crazy thought. Wethersfield High School senior Ajdin Huzejrovic, who is planning on going into a trade said,“ Senior year has been pretty easy and I have found it pretty good. I’m going to trade school for HVAC.” He went on to say, “ Senior year hasn’t been my easiest year, but has been easier than freshman and junior year. I found getting prepared for life after high school pretty difficult this year because of how much there is to do to get ready for trade school.” But not every student is having the same experience in their last year.For some seniors, college athletic recruiters make a big difference in their experience. Senior Ramo Ahmetovic, who plans to play soccer in college said, “Senior year is going great, soccer is also going great and I have a lot of colleges that are interested in me. The hardest part school wise about senior year is staying on task with all these exciting events coming up and am ready to graduate.” He went on to say this about the experience of being recruited, “What I found the hardest thing about being recruited is that I have so many options it is hard to find the best school that fits my desires.” Ahmetovic has a range of schools from high division 1 schools to high division 2 schools to attend, study, and play soccer. For those who are struggling and need some help with post planning after high school, the resources are here at Wethersfield High School. You can schedule an appointment with your counselor, who are our local post-high school planning experts. They even built a website that has helpful guides and resources to help you in your journey. Your counselor can help you and could give answers to any questions you may have about after graduation. They also give tips to make your senior year more fun and smoother. Utilize your tools and have a fun senior year.  Source: Homes.com By: Edita Becirovic, '26
Over the years, the Wethersfield High School community has had many changes. One of the changes is the addition of new rules. No matter how hard the teachers tried to talk with the students, they always had new problems that were occurring. The teachers and the administrators had enough and finally decided to make the rules stricter so that students learn their lesson in the long run after high school. On November 11, I interviewed the Wethersfield High School principal, Mrs. O’Connor, and she said,“School avoidance and the lack of wanting to be in class skyrocketed during Covid.” The board of education of Wetherfield had to find a way to get back to the usual expectations quickly and have students learn how to stay in classes. The administrators learned about using a new program called Smartpass, where it tracks where and when the students go throughout the day. The pass can be created with a few clicks. All you have to do is search up app.smartpass.app, log in through your school email, find your location and add the location you want to visit. At WHS, there are staff members monitoring any students in the hallway to know that they are safe and going where they need to be going. The goal for the site is to have students in their classrooms to learn and not have them walking around, missing their learning.  WHS Athletic Director Sterling Scanlon By Ava Ramsey, Cailynn Rodriguez and Kendra Graham
Over the past few years, Wethersfield High School has been attempting to diversify our school and make it more inclusive. We have added courses like Education in a Multicultural Society, and African American Studies, as well as clubs like BSU, that are meant to help students feel welcomed. We also have events like Culture Night, as a result of the student council, that are held annually. At WHS Culture Night, usually held during February, students, staff and their families get to walk around the cafeteria and express their culture through dance, music, food and clothing. It is apparent that our school is making an effort for everyone to feel seen, valued and heard. However, those efforts may be falling short. Although we are moving forward, the journey to belonging is not finished yet. Having diversity does not always mean having inclusion. In classes and clubs, it can sometimes feel like certain voices stand out more than others. BSU club president and WHS senior Kennedi White said, “I walked into my Afro-Latino Studies class and for the first time there were more people of color than non, at first I thought it was so cool, then I realized this is my only class like that. I soon came to the conclusion that POC were not the minority in the room because the majority, white people, do not care enough to educate themselves on important and real events that POC have faced.” Kennedi’s realization highlights a quantifiable gap, our total student body is 1,126 students. With a demographic breakdown of 733 White students (65.1%),245 Hispanic students (21.8%), 59 African American (5.2%) 43 Multiracial (3.8%), 39 Asian students (3.5%) and 5 Native Americans (4%). Although the difference in numbers is drastic, it does not need to feel that way. There is a way to make a change and that change comes from being more educated. Wethersfield High School's new Athletic Director Sterling Scanlon said, “A burden that I think, is people of color have is to try to do a lot of explaining about, your history, where you come from, why you dress the way you dress, why your hair is the way it is, all of these things But, if you surround yourself with people, like I'm thinking of one of my best friends right now, who is white, he loves discussion because he just wants to know more. He does it because he grew up in a place where he was completely sheltered and had no idea about the things that I went through… he's trying to gain as much information as possible about my life and kind of what things are like for people that don't look like him.” Scanlon stresses how marginalized students do not deserve to feel that burden, and talks about a solution, “So I think to just create those spaces where people feel comfortable and want to learn. I think when those spaces are created, a lot of learning happens, how you get there, kind of tough, right? And finding those people is kind of tough.“ Leadership roles and advanced sources don’t reflect the diversity of the student body. Representation among teachers and staff play a major role in how supported students feel, and having a more diverse faculty could help build stronger connections and even create more role models for students of color. Wethersfield has made many positive and essential steps. However, achieving true inclusion means making sure that every culture and voice is heard and represented consistently-in every classroom- not occasionally.  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 Gabriella Szwed and Vanessa Venditti
In sports teams, captain is a title given to a team member. The title is considered honorary, but in many cases, the team's captain holds significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork on and off the field. Leadership, positivity, and responsibility are just a few of the meanings behind wearing the armband; being selected to wear that armband is a whole meaning in itself. At WHS, each captain may have a different definition of why they wear this title proudly on their arm, but all passionately play their sport to win. When senior captain Bella Tomaino was asked what being captain means to her, she said, “Showing up on time every day, being someone to look up to but also putting all the setbacks in my own life aside for the good of the group.” WHS senior football captain Evan Christian talks about his ideas going forward with the football team and how he has contributed to the sport to make the varsity sport a comforting and safe environment for all of the athletes on the team. "Demolish, destroy, and demoralize" are the three words Evan says the team goes by. Being at least ten minutes early to practice every day is crucial to being captain. Additionally, Evan attends captains' meetings at least once a week after their hard-working practices. "My three captains and I talk with our coaches on how we can improve together. I then go and try to spread this energy around to my teammates," Christian said. Athletic Director Mr. Maltese has watched many athletes playing a varsity sport establish a name for themselves. He speaks of captains he has witnessed grow and what many continue to do for the athletic program here at WHS. "Usually, [captains are] seniors or upperclassmen that I can go to and use to help communicate things, help spread word within the program, as well as using them as contributors for things to run smoothly." Captain holds an honorary title at Wethersfield High School, meaning that these varsity student-athletes go above and beyond to ensure that their teams can be successful. At the end of each season, these captains will have made an extraordinary impact on all their teammates, changing them for the better.  by Maria Charry and Michael Glushko
The Wellness Center just opened and it’s here for students that need to recoup and recover during the school day. Whether you need to fidget or you just want someone to talk to, the WHS Wellness Center is for you. The Wellness Center is run by school counselor Mrs. Conoscenti and social worker Mrs. Kremer. “We wanted to create a space where students can come, work on something that’s going to actively calm them down, and get them ready to go back to class.” One of the great things that the Wellness Center provides is just a place to talk. Everybody needs someone to talk to at some point and many might not feel comfortable doing that in class, if your school counselor is unavailable, you have the option of talking to Ms. Conoscenti and Ms. Kremer or your fellow students. “We just wanted to make sure that kids weren’t being missed, so they weren’t hiding in the bathrooms, and that they weren’t going home unnecessarily. That they had a space where they could regroup and return to class,” explained Ms. Kremer. The Wellness Center provides students a community in which they can be open and comfortable around others. These fifteen minute breaks let you take a breather from school and it is a great alternative to going in the bathroom or just straight up leaving school. Also the Wellness Center provides you with great strategies to help your mental health, like coloring, journaling, socializing with others that might be feeling the same way, guided breathing, and making bracelets. Another great resource that is provided is the Wellness Group, which is hosted every Wednesday. You can sign up for these thirty minute sessions by either stopping by or scanning the QR code posted on the walls around the school right next to the posters which they have put up. The first Wellness Group is currently set up and running, but there will be other opportunities to join throughout this year. Groups are 6-8 weeks long and meet during rotating periods so that you don’t miss the same class twice. “We had 44 students come in on Monday and 55 students come in on Tuesday.” Answered Ms. Conoscenti to my question about how many students are accessing the Wellness Center. If that number turns you off, don’t worry because the Wellness Center has two side rooms which you could find more privacy, but if you’re someone with social anxiety, then definitely try practicing socializing with others while you stay there, it could definitely be place where you learn to control that anxiety and then take those practices to busier places. I definitely do recommend that you check out the Wellness Center at least once. It’s one of the most comfortable rooms in the school and is a great place to just sit down, maybe do one of the puzzles that they have or play around with their fidgets.  Mrs. McKenna's class in their Flannel Day attire. by David Nerenxa and Karlee Ellegard No one knows school spirit like the staff and students at WHS! This week, we had our annual fall spirit week where everyone dressed up in a specific theme for that day. The themes for each day were; Monday: Flannel Day, Tuesday: Neon Wars, Wednesday: Pink Out, Thursday: Anything but a Backpack, and lastly Friday: WHS Colors, which ended this great week with a pep rally! We interviewed Kelly Vallera, a senior at WHS, to see what she thought about spirit week, and she had a lot to say! “I loved spirit week, there was so much school spirit!” she said, “The themes for this spirit week were so much fun, however, I only participated in flannel day, pink day, and eagle colors day.” The reason for this being that she didn’t have the right attire.  Senior Dylan Romagnoli participated in the games that they had at lunch, saying “I liked it because you got prizes and they were fun.”
One of those games he played was, “What would you do for a Klondike Bar?” He answered a question and won a Klondike bar for answering. Another one he completed was where you have a fruit roll up race with a friend. We also interviewed LMC specialist Mrs. Harding and she said, “Spirit week was so amazing! Honestly, I was super surprised that students along with staff participated. Usually, no one ever does, so to see WHS actually have school spirit is just wonderful!” She also stated, “I loved pink day, it was definitely my favorite. I just wish I could’ve participated in more days. Overall, it was such a blast and I’m also glad we ended this week with a pep rally.” As you can tell, students and staff had such a great time participating in spirit week. Everyone, including us, loved spirit week and if you’re reading this and are contemplating whether or not you should participate in an upcoming spirit week, DEFINITELY DO!  by: Kevin Peling and Kian Huynh
Since the pandemic, streaming services have been on the rise. Hit streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and many more services have put cable tv on the back burner. Companies make more shows and make more money, thus being able to make better and more quality shows giving viewers more choices. Since there is a plethora of shows and entertainment these days, it raises the question: What are people watching? Due to COVID, there has been a significant increase in steaming sales at a record-breaking pace. Since 2019, there has been a 30% increase in sales for just Netflix. Other streaming platforms like Disney+ have grown to be making $19.2 billion in just 2 years. In an interview with senior Colin Shanley, he talked about a show called “Vikings” on Prime Video. It is about Vikings traveling around the world, conquering the land. Colin likes this show because, “It's a very interesting show with lots of action and little to no filler episodes.” He also said, “There is always something going on in the show.” He likes to watch shows with his family on the weekends. We also spoke with Owen Carey, a junior at Wethersfield High School. In our interview, we talked about his favorite show called “Rick and Morty.” He said he enjoyed the “explicit” and “hilarious” jokes. Owen uses Hulu exclusively saying, “Ads shouldn’t be on TV or streaming services” I took his word for it as he watched Hulu for 12 hours in one sitting with not a single ad in sight. In another interview, we interviewed Ms. Cerderia, a student teacher for Mr. Martin’s journalism class, we talked about what shows she watched recently, some of these consist of “Riverdale,” “Bridgerton,” and the most recent season of “Stranger Things.” She says she watches “Only two hours, in my bed with my laptop.” As a college student who is focusing on studies, this isn’t too surprising. Senior Kyle Smith is also an avid TV watcher. His favorite show is “The Office.” During the interview, he said that he enjoys watching the comedy because, “I enjoy the cast and the plot line of the show.”He also said “I watch TV when I’m doing homework or washing dishes.” He spends roughly 20 hours a week watching TV in his room. Overall, these students expressed how they enjoyed using streaming services. Is streaming services the way to go now? Write down in the comments if you prefer cable TV or streaming services and what you’re watching. With Teacher Appreciation Week, WHS journalism students wanted to take the time to write about some of the teachers that have made an immense impact on them across their years. I hope you enjoy reading their words just as much as I did. --Mr. Martin  First and foremost, every teacher in Wethersfield High School is great in their own way. There are a couple of teachers that stood out to me the most during my four years in this school and they are Mr. Galivian, Mr. Sikora, Mr. Martin, and Mrs. Fitzgerald. Mr. Gallivan, I want to thank you for putting up with my annoying behavior when you had me during my sophomore year. You are one of the most determined teachers I know that has the ability to put up with kids who slack and try their best to be annoying. Sadly, our time together was cut short due to covid but every day I spent in your class trying to be funny and not doing my work. I'm glad you pushed me to pass English class and I would go back in a heartbeat to have you as one of my teachers again. Mr. Martin, I’ve known you for a little while now and I’m taking your class right now as we speak but you have impacted the way I want to strive for the better. You’re one of the four teachers that is always putting up with my attitude and you have the best comebacks and sarcasm of all time. But I really want to say thank you for taking the time to not get frustrated at every assignment I turn in late or when I don’t try. Instead of getting frustrated, you channel your somewhat frustration into helping me turn in my assignments, helping boost my motivation to get your classwork and other teacher’s work done, and lastly helping me have great motivation to graduate. You are a blessing to the staff and students of WHS and I will never forget the things you have taught me when I am done with High School. Mr. Sikora Never in my four years of high school have I failed your class but you did inspire me for lots of things. We both know I’m a lazy kid and hate doing assignments but during your classes and assignments, I feel like I can have fun and be more like myself when I am in your classroom. I like how you aren’t judgy. I discovered my passion for construction when I took your construction class last year. Thanks to you I will be able to do what I love after high school without making a million decisions about what I want to do with my life. You showed me that even working hard and getting stuff done can be fun as long as you’re determined and passionate about what you want to do. Whoever has you next in the incoming years of high school will have fun with you. Stay cool. Lastly, I want to say thank you to Mrs. Fitzgerald for always keeping me well organized. Whenever I would say I can’t do something because it’s late or it’s too late to pass the class you gave me the motivation to try and push myself past my limits so I could pass my classes. I like how you checked in on me every day whether it was for school or how I just was mentally and physically. You have been a lot of help in my path to success in passing class and school and for that, I will forever be grateful and thankful. -Carlos Vazquez During my time at Wethersfield High, I have had at least one conversation with every teacher. I've built very close relationships with a bunch of these teachers too. So picking one and writing an article about them is impossible for me. I can't pick just one teacher. All of these teachers have shaped me. If you had told me at any time in my life before my sophomore year of high school, that I will be going to college as a physical education major to become a physical education teacher I would not believe you. Before high school, I hated school. I never did my work, I never knew what was going on, I never listened but most importantly I never cared. I had zero motivation for school or my life in general. I had no structure, no direction, no help. At Least that's what it felt like. During the beginning of my freshman year, I was failing the majority of my classes and was struggling both inside and outside of school. I wasn't the person I wanted to be and I didn't have the motivation or structure to be better/be that person. I can't pick favorites, I love and appreciate each one of the teachers, students, and staff members that go to this amazing school. Being that I want to be a teacher myself I have pulled pieces and philosophies from everyone I have talked to build my own. I am beyond thankful for everyone in our great community, the lessons I've learned from them, the memories I've shared with them, and most importantly the growth that I've gained from them. I really can't put into words how grateful I am but I attribute any and all of the success to the people around me. As I said, I'm beyond thankful to everyone here and I can't pick favorites. But one teacher I really want to say thanks to is Mrs. Blanzaco. Without Mrs. Blanzaco I never would have gained the motivation to succeed or find what makes me happy. Without her, I would still be failing and I have no idea where I would be. I just know it wouldn't be a very good place. For those who do not know Mrs. Blanzaco is a tutoring teacher at Wethersfield High. She goes above and beyond to help people. Not students… people. She builds genuine relationships with everyone she meets. You can tell she is not working here to get paid, she's here because she truly just wants to help people, and that is exactly what she does. Mrs. Blanzaco got me on the right path. There is no value in what I've gained from her. But thank you Mrs. Blanzaco. For turning a stubborn, immature, mess Into what I want to be, something greater than myself. -Aidan Budaj One of the most hard-working thoughtful teachers I have met here at WHS is Mr.Miller. I have just met Mr.Miller this year for Pre-Calc. He doesn't teach in any really crazy way, or he doesn't just crack jokes with students the whole class. He teaches the lessons, and makes some jokes here and there- but for the most part, it's pretty cut and dry. The reason I want to write this appreciative letter for Mr.Miller is because of his heart. And what I mean by this is I think Mr.Miller has a really big heart. My class for Pre-calc is wild, and it would probably be an understatement. My class can be really rude sometimes, sometimes we don't pay attention (myself included), a lot of the people just don't really care. Now a lot of teachers can probably claim this as well because as students we can be all of those things. But what really moves me about Mr.Miller is the fact that he continues to show up every single day with the same positive attitude and the same goal/drive to help us learn math. And yes, obviously, he has gotten mad at us a few times when we have pushed his limits- as any teacher should. But also the fact that on every single test, when those same students don't care about a single thing that Mr.Miller is teaching every other day with the same energy, he will always help them the best he can. This caught me by surprise the first couple times he did it. I would say to myself, "why is he helping these kids, they don't give him the time of day during regular classes." Now I wouldn't given it a second thought if he would just play it off and say something like "Well that's what we were learning about last class when you weren't paying attention." And I think that would have been completely fine because those kids didn't deserve it in my opinion. Why would Mr.Miller help them? Why? That's when I thought to myself, he does it because that's what teachers do. -Anduei Xhelaj The most inspiring person I’ve met while here at WHS has definitely been Mrs. Duggins. She has only been teaching me for a year but I have known her since my freshman year. She has taught me life lessons about our history because she wants us to learn about how we began and how many things have changed.Mrs.Duggins is one of those people that you see way more than a teacher, she is a mother figure and inspires me to want to do more in life. She isn't just there to tell her students about WWI or WWII or The Civil Rights Movement, but she also connects herself with each of her students to make sure they’re okay in school and outside of school. She is bright and strong and cares so much about her students like they are her own children, and she wants everyone to graduate and do big things in the future. Mrs. Duggins loves her history class even though it might be challenging at times. Even though we as students might be challenging to deal with, seeing Mrs. Duggins' energy and her bright smile always brightens everyone's day. My grades have always been great in her class because she makes it interesting and fun, even though it is in the morning. I saw Mrs. Duggins yesterday and she had a talk with me because I was in a messy situation with an old friend. And she told me that I'm not a bad student and to hear that I might get in trouble made her upset with me. So we had a sit-down talk and she made me realize that the situation was really not important and I shouldn’t be interested in it. She is a very strong black woman and mother and I aspire to have the same mindset as her. She is a great teacher and an awesome person. Thank you, Mrs.Duggins. -Shannon Menns To continue reading our Teacher Appreciation Week posts, click the "read more" button!  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! |
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