Sparta High Fall Sports Recap

 Sparta High Fall Sports Recap

by Alyssa Ciaburri

11/19//2025

Sparta High’s fall sports season was full of excitement, achievements, and memorable moments. Our student-athletes showed incredible skill, dedication, and school pride, making the season one to remember.

Football
The football team had an outstanding season, finishing second in the Patriot Red Division with a 4-1 league record. Their playoff run ended in a close 21-20 game against Wayne Hills, but the team’s effort and determination were inspiring. Brady Shagawat earned the Young Man of the Year award, Christian Brevig set a new school record with 959 receiving yards, and Shane Hoover threw for over 5,000 career passing yards—an incredible accomplishment.

Girls Soccer
The girls soccer team faced a competitive division all season, which prepared them perfectly for the HWS Tournament. They triumphed over Vernon 3-0 to win the championship! In the playoffs, they defeated Jefferson 4-0 and played a hard-fought 1-0 match against Pascack Valley. Riley Molbury set a school record with 598 saves, showcasing her talent and dedication.

Boys Soccer
Tim Connors celebrated his 100th career win on October 7—a remarkable milestone that reflects his skill and leadership on the field.

Girls Tennis
The girls tennis team capped off a successful season by winning the HWS Tournament, demonstrating teamwork, focus, and determination.

Volleyball
Coach J reached an impressive milestone with her 100th career win on October 9—a true testament to her leadership and commitment to Sparta High athletics.

From record-breaking performances to championship victories, Sparta High’s fall athletes and coaches showed what it means to work hard, support each other, and take pride in their accomplishments. Congratulations to everyone for a season filled with success, teamwork, and school spirit!

Sparta High School Drama Club Presents “Puffs”

 

Sparta High School Drama Club Presents “Puffs”

-Oracle Staff

11/19/2025

This week, the Sparta High School Drama Club invites students, families, and community members to step into a world of magic, laughter, and adventure with their production of Puffs. Featuring a glorious and mysterious cast of characters and wizards, this play promises fun for all ages and a behind-the-scenes look at the life of Hogwarts’ most underappreciated heroes.

Performances are scheduled for Friday, November 21, and Saturday, November 22, at 7:00 PM, with a matinee on Sunday, November 23, at 2:00 PM. The show is a perfect opportunity to enjoy incredible performances by our talented student actors, creative set designs, and enchanting costumes.

Don’t wait—tickets are selling fast! Secure your seats online here.

All aboard for an unforgettable and magical experience!

Auditions, Applications, and All the Last Firsts

 Auditions, Applications, and All the Last Firsts

By Jenna Flake

11/18/2025

(stock photo)

As a senior, this year so far has been filled with the bittersweet awareness of all their “last firsts”—the first day of school, pep rallies, homecoming, and Friday night football games with close friends. Each experience feels a little more meaningful as they savor time with classmates they have grown up with, all while wondering where life will take them after graduation.

Alongside these moments comes the whirlwind of college applications. The stress of the Common App, recommendation letters, and endless deadlines fills the air. While the pressure is expected, many students are surprised by how different the process can be depending on a chosen major.

For students pursuing acting and music programs, the journey looks very different from most. In addition to the Common App and essays, auditions are required for every program applied to. The process often begins with prescreen video auditions, which determine whether a student is invited for an in-person audition. Senior Caiden Loyer summed it up well: “The college application process is challenging for any student, but applying for performing arts adds a whole new layer of intensity.” Balancing prescreen deadlines alongside regular early action applications is demanding, but the process teaches more than patience—it reinforces organization, communication, and self-advocacy. And it is not unique to the arts: students pursuing sports in college face similar challenges. Senior Alyssa Ciaburri noted, “What surprised me was how many coaches I had to email and reach out to.”

Many students are also surprised by how expensive the process can be. Every application, prescreen submission, and audition comes with a fee, and applying widely quickly adds up. This reality underscores how the process can be inherently inaccessible to talented students from lower-income backgrounds—a barrier that many believe needs to change.

Despite the intensity, the college application journey teaches valuable lessons about perseverance. While the experience looks different for every student, at its core it is about finding the place where they can continue growing and become the best version of themselves.

UNIFIED LUNCH

Unified Lunch Resumes at Sparta High School

By Elsa Riley

11/14/2025

Unified Lunch is returning to Sparta High School this year, offering students a welcoming and inclusive space to connect. Below is an overview of the program and recent updates.

What Is a Unified Champion School?

As a Unified Champion School (UCS), Sparta High School promotes social inclusion among students of all abilities. UCS programs aim to support three key areas:

• Inclusive Sports: Students with and without disabilities train and compete together as teammates.
  
  

• Inclusive Youth Leadership: Students take on leadership roles through UCS activities.
  
  

Whole-School Engagement: The school community participates in events that foster inclusion for everyone.

How Did Unified Lunch Begin?

Unified Lunch was introduced in 2024 after student Nick Stoddard proposed the idea as a way to strengthen inclusion at Sparta High School. The program launched during the 2024–2025 school year under the supervision of Coach Jennifer Schock. Several students contributed to the planning committee, including Jamie Brylawski, Sarah Darmiento, Zach Frisnia, Rylan Papageneres, Elsa Riley, and Nick Stoddard.

While many students enjoy spending lunch in the cafeteria, others prefer a calmer environment. Additionally, scheduling conflicts or limited space can prevent some students from joining Unified Sports. Unified Lunch serves as an alternative—a place for students to eat, play games, talk, and relax in a safe, friendly setting.

Information About Unified Lunch

Unified Lunch is open to all students on any day it is held. There are no requirements or long-term commitments—only an expectation of positivity and a shared goal of having fun.

The program has a few updates for the 2025–2026 school year. It is now supervised by Mrs. Jeanna Walsh and meets on Day 1s in Room 215. Information and updates are posted on the Google Classroom page, which can be joined using the code 7fmm33h.

Due to school policy, students leaving the cafeteria during lunch must carry a pass. For convenience, passes are posted on Google Classroom for students who miss the bell.

Unified Lunch sessions often feature themed gatherings, and student ideas are always welcome.

The next themed event—the Thanksgiving celebration—will take place on Monday, November 17. The group looks forward to welcoming all who attend.

 

SHS Student Council and DECA Launch Food Drive to Support Local Families

 

SHS Student Council and DECA Launch Food Drive to Support Local Families

November 3, 2025
by - The SHS Student Council

The Sparta High School Student Council and DECA chapter are teaming up to sponsor a school-wide food drive to support the Sparta Food Pantry from November 10–24. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to take part in this community effort to help families in need during the holiday season.

To make donating both easy and fun, English teachers will receive collection boxes for each of their classrooms. The English teacher whose classes collect the most donations will win a special gift from the Student Council. Teachers simply need to notify Student Council representatives when their boxes are full.

For anyone who prefers to drop off donations outside of class, collection boxes will also be located in the Media Resource Center (MRC) and the School Store. Donors at these locations will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a “sweet” prize donated by the SHS School Store.

In addition to the food drive, faculty and staff across the district will participate in a Jeans Day Fundraiser on November 12, with proceeds benefiting the Sparta Food Pantry.

“This is a great way for our school to come together and make a real difference right here in our community,” said Mrs. Tafuri- Class of 2029 Advisor.

The food drive will run through November 24, and all donations will go directly to supporting local families through the Sparta Food Pantry.

Marching Spartans Take on MetLife!

Marching Spartans Take on Met Life!

-by Jack Lopez/ Oracle Staff

10/22/2025

For months, the Sparta High School Marching Band has been working nonstop on their London Calling show, a musical journey inspired by the sights and sounds of London. Under the direction of Mr. Lopez, the band spent early mornings, late nights, and countless rehearsals perfecting every note, step, and formation. Their dedication, energy, and teamwork have defined this season from the very beginning.

The band’s hard work culminated in an unforgettable experience at MetLife Stadium. After a short drive to the stadium, the students were struck by the sheer size of the venue. Warming up in the spacious parking lot gave the band room to prepare in a way they were not used to, and the wide-open space added an extra thrill to the day. As they moved to the area just before the players’ entrance, the band took in the stadium’s enormity and anticipation built for the upcoming performance.

Once on the field, the Marching Spartans delivered a performance full of precision, spirit, and pride. Playing in such a professional venue offered the band a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase months of hard work to an enthusiastic audience of supporters and fellow musicians. Following their performance, the band returned to the stadium for awards and earned an impressive second place out of eight bands, capping off an extraordinary day.

The experience at MetLife Stadium was more than just a competition—it highlighted how far the Marching Spartans have come since the first day of band camp. Their performance demonstrated the values of perseverance, collaboration, and school pride. As the season continues, the lessons learned on that huge field will stay with the ensemble, proving that with dedication and heart, the Spartans can perform anywhere.

(photos by Mr. Andrew Lopez)

Reading with Jeter: A Pawsitive New Chapter in the Library

 Reading with Jeter: A Pawsitive New Chapter in the Library

10/21/2025

- The Oracle Staff

There’s a new reading buddy at Sparta High School-and he has four legs and a wagging tail! This fall, Mrs. Kithcart and Mrs. Walsh’s classes have launched a heartwarming reading initiative in the school library: Reading with Jeter , one of our School Counseling dogs.

Twice a week, students gather in the library to share a novel together, building both literacy skills and a love for reading in a supportive, community-focused setting. Their first book of the school year is The Adventures of Jelly Bean by Amy Meislin Pollack—a story full of warmth, imagination, and heart. To make the experience even more special, the author herself sent a personally autographed copy of the book to the students of Sparta High School.

As the classes read and listen to the story, they’ll also have the opportunity to read to Jeter when he’s able to join them. His visits add a special “bark” to the experience—students love reading aloud to him, practicing fluency and expression in a calm, friendly environment.

With the occasional encouragement of their canine companion,  reading time has transformed into something students look forward to each week. The laughter, discussion, and wagging tail remind everyone that reading can be both educational and deeply enjoyable.

With The Adventures of Jelly Bean setting the tone for the year, Reading with Jeter is already proving that sometimes the best reading partners come with fur and a friendly smile.