The Oracle's Guide to a Great Winter Break (and a break from computers)

By: Liv Canova, Emma McNamara, and Noelle Hanek

We're nearing the end of a crazy year, and what better way to close out 2020 than with a fun and relaxing winter break? After spending hours on computers, you might have a hard time finding festive things to do, but The Oracle has you covered! Here are some ideas that will get you in the holiday spirit, and ready for 2021! 

Make Holiday Treats

Make them with your family, friends, or even by yourself. Christmas treats are twice as fun because once you make them, you can eat them!

 Some of our favorites recipes are:

Gingerbread Cookies: https://www.food.com/recipe/the-most-wonderful-gingerbread-cookies-80156

Sugar Cookies: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/sugar-cookies-recipe-1914697

Christmas Cracker Candy: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/christmas_cracker_candy/

Yule Log: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17345/buche-de-noel/

from: dinneratthezoo.com

Or make hot chocolate bombs! Join the Christmas masses and make your very own chocolate surprises that explode in your mug when hot milk or water is added!

Watch Christmas Movies

Christmas movies are the best, so here are a few fan favorites:

- The Santa Clause

- The Grinch (Jim Carrey version)

- Jingle Jangle (new on Netflix!)

- Elf

- Home Alone

- A Christmas Story

- It's a Wonderful Life

from: insider.com

Listen to Holiday Music

Nothing gets you in the mood for Christmas quite like music! Did you know that the best selling Christmas song of all time is White Christmas by Bing Crosby?

A spotify playlist for the best Christmas songs: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5OP7itTh52BMfZS1DJrdlv

Work on New Year's Resolutions

Even though no one ever seems to keep with them, New Year's resolutions are a great opportunity for self improvement!

A great and easy new years resolution:

- Decorate a mason jar and write 2021 memories on the top

- Write down at least 1 good memory a week for all of 2021

- Open on New Year's Eve 2021 and relive all your best memories from that year

Go Outside

There's snow on the ground! Go make a snowman, have a snowball fight, go sledding. Or go ice skating! (not on Lake Mohawk though because it's not frozen). There's a myriad of fun to be had in the great out-of-doors.

from: abc11.com

Relax, Have Fun, and Enjoy a Much Needed Break

This year has been pretty crazy, so use your time to finally relax!

Happy Holidays Spartans!

Sparta Township Public Schools Celebrate Diversity!

 By Kavya Kamath & Ms Angela DeLuccia 12/22/20

Sparta Township Public Schools offers its community many opportunities. Staying true to form, a passionate committee, led by Mr. Scott Kercher, Supervisor of Social Studies and World Language, came to be. This group consists of students, faculty, and community members. Inspired by Kean University’s Diversity Council, the STPS group is working toward bringing inclusivity, acceptance, and accessibility to all facets of the learning community. 

The mission of the Council is:

To coordinate the District’s current curricular and co-curricular initiatives that promote diversity, acceptance and tolerance within our community. These initiatives include: professional development, instructional assemblies and student leadership opportunities.  The Council will also access and disseminate bias prevention resources through its continued affiliation with Kean University's Diversity Council on Global Education and Citizenship (STPS).

The Council promotes acceptance of all races, genders, sexualities, religions, and disabilities. There are related subcommittees for each of these areas. Groups are currently curating a library of resources for all community members, creating action plans to promote a positive culture, and addressing the curricular and social and emotional needs of students. 

In conjunction with other organizations in the district, including C3 and We are the Dreamers, the Diversity Council aims to complete an inclusive project and event that demonstrates the unity of the Sparta Township Public Schools community. 

The STPS Diversity Council meets monthly- next meeting is January 13 at 4 pm; new members are always welcome. Please email Mr. Kercher with any questions. scott.kercher@sparta.org or visit the Sparta Diversity Council Website for more information. 

Student Perspective:

Wednesday, December 9th, I, Kavya Kamath, attended the Sparta High School Diversity Council’s December meeting. Having never attended one prior, I was excited, nervous, and intrigued by what exactly the meeting would cover and how exactly I would be able to participate as just a student. The meeting opened with a few introductions, an overview of plans by Mr. Kercher, and a review of what exactly SHS’ Diversity Council is, presumably for students like myself and parents who were attending their first meeting. Once settled, teachers, supervisors, students, and parents alike were all divided into breakout rooms to discuss this month’s meeting’s overarching theme: tolerance versus acceptance. I was personally in a group with a supervisor, a teacher, and a parent, which allowed us all to draw from our different experiences and come to collective agreement about, in the words of Ms. Hassenplug, “burn the word tolerance.” Throughout history, tolerance has been used as an excuse to quietly hate and dislike, but with current means of communicating, connecting with, and understanding people, acceptance is easier than ever, and acceptance, not tolerance, should be our goal. And this is the goal of the Sparta High School DIversity Council: to endorse respect and understanding for everyone in our community, to convey that just because some is not like "you" does not make them less than, to both encourage and celebrate difference, and, finally, to not only promote diversity, but support programs that foster diversity in Sparta.

For those interested in joining, it is important to note that this diversity refers to five main areas of interest—race and racial relations, LGBTQ+, gender equity, disability, religious diversity. Lastly, the council is always accepting new members. Students and teachers can join by signing up through our website, which contains a wealth of materials and resources to support the council’s mission. 

from: RetailTouchpoints.com

SHS Food Drive for the Sparta Ecumenical Food Pantry

 By Hayley Lane

With a dangerously low stock of food, the Sparta Ecumenical Food Pantry is in need of food donations. SHS Pass it Along is organizing a Food Drive, with drop off locations at SHS, SMS, HMS, MAS, and AES. The drive is going on from now until December 21st! From big to small, all donations are appreciated to help those in need during this season of giving! 

Applying to College in a Pandemic

 By: Liv Canova

from: insidehighered.com

Applying to college is hard. Writing so many essays, trying to recall every single thing of value you've done during your 3 years of high school, and making yourself vulnerable to rejection definitely take a toll on a 17 year old. But Covid-19 has thrown a new wrench into the mix of college confusion that the class of '21 is currently sifting through.

Everyone is at a different place with their applications, some students have been finished since October, some are putting finishing touches on their resumes, and some are just submitting to their first college. 

"The process has been a lot" says senior Kaela Burke, "I've had to rewrite my essay a few times and my supplemental essays have been a nightmare". Burke has applied to 12 colleges within the past few months (with only 1 more to go), including two Ivy Leagues, and she's just "glad to have it almost done with". 

Kyle Neuwirth and Tessa Gori also agree that the admissions process has been a little crazy. "It's been really tedious and at times frustrating. I wish I had prepared better over the summer" disclosed Neuwirth, "The hardest part is definitely the questions that each college requires individually" added Gori. Both students have finished their applications and are patiently awaiting decisions. 

But Scott Riley has had a different experience. "The whole process has been fairly simple for me... all of the schools I'm applying to have pretty similar requirements". Riley, who is applying mainly to in-state schools says that his work on the application has been pretty easy due to the culmination of his efforts over the past 3 years.

No matter how easy or hard these students have had it with applications, Covid-19 has definitely made an impact on the process. It was the SATs (or lack thereof) that were the issue for Riley, Gori, and Neuwirth. Both Neuwirth and Gori have had multiple SAT testing sessions cancelled, and Riley found it difficult to focus while wearing his mask for 5 hours. Burke, however, was more concerned about the cancellation of a lot of her extracurricular activities. Both of these concerns could cause major issues for applicants, but the bright side, according to Burke, is that "the common app gives you a space to explain all that".

As for what the future of college applications will look like, we have no idea, but maybe this year will set in place some new precedents to make the application process easier for overloaded students. The seniors this year have put in a lot of hard work, on much more than just applications, and while it may seem like nothing right now, in the wise words of Scott Riley, "it'll all be worth it in the end".

Key Club Members Wrap Gifts for Wish Upon a Child

 By. Noelle Hanek

On Saturday, December 5th, Sparta High School’s Key Club participated in the Wish Upon a Child gift wrapping event. Numerous gifts were purchased by the organization for foster children. The children composed lists of gifts they hoped for, and Key Club members happily helped this become a reality. Members picked up the gifts, wrapped them with friends or family, and dropped them back off the following day, all ready to be delivered to the children. 

This is one example of Spartans contributing positively to their community. The effort and teamwork each member contributed to this project made it a success and also spread great holiday cheer! Key Club continually finds ways to contribute to the community, and anyone can become a part of it. If you are interested in getting involved, or want to learn more about Key Club’s current projects, the classroom code is y2nivvb and their instagram, @spartakeyclub. Hope to see you there!

SHS Shoe Drive!

 By Hayley Lane

Sparta High School wants your shoes! Help raise funds for the Class of 2022 by donating new, lightly used, and used shoes. Shoes are being accepted at the Sparta Public Library in drop-off bins. All sizes and styles are accepted! Contact Mrs. Scott to schedule a pick up if needed! 

Quarantine Diaries

By: Liv Canova

Last Saturday I went to my dad’s house and on Monday, I found out that someone in his office had Covid-19. I got the call on my way to work, so for the second time in 2 weeks I had to call out, drive home, and enter quarantine in my room.

The rest of my family at my moms house doesn’t spend time with my dad, so I was the only person in my house confined to my room and forced to wear a mask anywhere else in the house. 

Day 1-- Monday 11/16:

Just 3 days ago I received news that my Covid-19 test was negative, meaning I could be freed from my 4 day quarantine after being exposed to someone at school. But now here I am, stuck back in my room and I am not very happy. I had to call out of work, which I feel really bad about because that means I’m leaving my coworkers (who are generally new) to their own devices. There is a chance that my dad will test negative, which means that I could be out of here by tomorrow, so fingers crossed.

Day 2 -- Tuesday 11/17:

Afternoon: I’m not allowed into the kitchen, so my mom has to leave a tray of food outside of my door to tide me over until dinner, which is around 7 pm each night. Today was pretty normal school-wise because I only got a day and a half of in-person school before being moved to fully virtual learning. At least I have a little bit more time to do homework and apply to colleges.

I’m missing my last marching band rehearsal ever today, so that's a bit sad.

Night: My fears have been confirmed -- my dad has tested positive. That means that both my younger brother (now at his mom’s house) and I have been in direct contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 without masks on. Really no bueno for me. And, I can’t even get tested right away because it takes around 5 days after exposure for the virus to present itself in your body. I watch 2 movies back to back to distract myself from worrying about getting tested.

Day 3 -- Wednesday 11/18: 

Afternoon- Today has not been great. I missed my first 3 classes of the day, only going to music theory. I am extremely bored, I’ve refreshed my Instagram and TikTok feeds probably at least 10 times each.

Night: The only thing to get me out of my slump today are after school choirs. Each time we meet virtually for Shacappella (the school's a cappella group), we have a theme. Today was hat day, and seeing everyones funny hats lifted my mood.

Day 4 -- Thursday 11/19:

Afternoon- In order to try and schedule a Covid-19 test, I had to call a testing center as soon as they opened, as many times as it would take for them to answer my call. It took 27 calls to get a next day appointment. I was really hoping that I would be able to get a rapid test, but I don’t think that it’s going to happen.

Night- The upside to having all this free time is that I have been able to finish all of my college applications. By November 19! Come on that’s pretty good.

Day 5 -- Friday 11/20:

Morning- Fridays have the whole 30 mins per class schedule, which means that I am going to miss even more classes for my 10 am coronavirus test. I don’t have any symptoms, so the center lets me sit in the waiting room and I listen to them tell at least 20 people on the phone that they will have to call back in the morning for a Covid test because they have such a booked schedule for the next 2 days.

I was not a fan of the test the first time I got it, and I was not a fan of it the second time, but at least the man doing it was nice and asked me about college.

Night- to my dismay, the test was not a rapid one, and the results will take even longer than last time to get back to me-- 3 days. I have to miss my last marching band performance and watch it on the livestream instead. I make my friend pull me up on facetime for the 4th quarter so I can at least say hi to all of the friends I haven’t seen for 2 weeks. 

I have decided to watch the entirety of the Waco documentary in one night, consuming almost 6 hours of ~cult~ and screwing up my sleep schedule so bad that I get only 2 hours of sleep.

from: IMDb

Day 6 -- Saturday 11/21:

I have done absolutely nothing today

Day 7 -- Sunday 11/22:

Again, nothing. As it turns out, I was supposed to enter my information into the testing result portal as soon as I got tested. I did not, and now it will take them 48 hours to process my request, meaning that I will possibly have to wait another day and a half for my results to come back

Day 8 -- Monday 11/23:

Morning: I was reaaallllyy hoping that my results come back today before the end of school so I don’t have to call out to work again. But alas, 1:10 comes and goes and I am forced to call out for the 3rd Monday in a row.

3:30 pm: I just got the call that I was negative! 

The Oracle Christmas List!

 By Hayley Lane

As the holiday season approaches, I always have a hard time coming up with ideas to put on my Christmas list. As a solution for those who may be struggling with the same problem, I compiled a list of some of our member’s own ideas! Here is The Oracle’s Christmas List!

• Emma McNamara is asking for anything car related! Possibly some stickers or decals, seat or steering wheel covers, cool keychains, and other decor! This is a perfect idea for anyone who wants to personalize their vehicle! 
• Noelle Hanek is hoping to get some more room decor for her bedroom. Maybe some house plants, posters and shelves! 
• Kavya Kamath is asking for long fuzzy socks! Luckily, there are so many options. Some come in Christmas patterns, some have cute animals, and others have stripes and fun colors! 
• Liv Canova is asking for crocs! These also come in so many different colors and sizes, and even allow for small charms to be pinned into the holes of the shoes! 
• Both Charlotte Rogoff and Noelle Hanek are asking for lenses for their iPhones. Some examples of these lenses are fisheye, wide-angle, macro, or colors! These are great ways to spice up your photography. 
• Most of my own list was clothing. I spent Black Friday finding the best deals on clothing items from stores like PacSun and Forever 21!
• Finally, along with a nice fire pit for her backyard, Mrs. Deluccia is hoping for good health for herself and her loved ones! 

Girls Who Code: First Meeting a Success!

 By Kavya Kamath

On November 18th, the Girls Who Code club launched its first official meeting of the school year! Priding itself on being a low-stress, casual environment for all girls to code, this organization is open to beginners who’ve never looked at code before, to those in AP Computer Science. The club’s mission stresses the importance of coding in the real world and fixing the gender gap in tech fields. As it currently stands, only about a quarter of all computing jobs are held by women.

For those interested in joining, the club exists to promote learning about coding simply for the sake of learning, and is nothing like a classroom. In fact, at the introductory meeting (which was just about as lecture-filled as the club is going to get) club founders Sarah Bargefrede and Laurel Ferguson made a point to make time for breakout rooms, setting up accounts with Repl.it (the IDE to be used for all coding projects through the club), and having beginners like myself, who have never even looked at code before, run their first program!

Sarah and Laurel created the club because while in middle school, neither saw themselves pursuing a career in computer science. With television shows, movies, books, and other forms of media rarely portraying women in computer science roles, it’s hard for young girls to imagine themselves in computer science careers . In fact, Sarah herself said that her current inclination towards computer science all stems back to one fateful day in 8th grade, when she checked off a box on an exam indicting her ‘interest’ in computer science, which was really just lack of interest in the other options (biomedical science and architecture/engineering). 

Now, both girls are powerhouses in the computer science track of SHS’ STEM academy, and love to code. “I was lucky enough to get that opportunity,” Sarah said after the first Girls Who Code Meeting, and she wanted to extend that opportunity to other girls, in all grade levels, in a purposeful way. Female inclusion in STEM shouldn’t come from chance, but, rather, through intentional efforts on behalf of those who have influence over young girls to push them to pursue these rewarding and lucrative careers.

In future meetings, the club is currently looking forward to Hackathons, members creating their own programs, and much more! For anyone interested in coding, or even just curious about the world of coding, the classroom code is nysj2ll and club meetings are every Wednesday at 1:45.  The next meeting is this Wednesday, December 2nd. We can’t wait to see you there!

HMS Begins Virtual Instrument Lessons

 By: Hayley Lane

Over the past few weeks, Helen Morgan School students who have chosen to play an instrument have begun their virtual lessons. New strings students have weekly lessons with Mrs. Yang, and band students have lessons with Mrs. Curtis. During lessons, students practice basic posture skills, and learning simple songs like Hot Cross Buns. This year has certainly not been simple, but HMS is excited to continue the tradition of orchestra and band beginners no matter what! 

My brother (Wesley Lane) on a virtual lesson with Mrs. Yang!

Gratitude

Spartan Gratitude

By Ms Angela DeLuccia

Oftentimes we are so caught up in the moment that we forget to stop and realize where we are. Covid-19 has thrown many wrenches in so many wheels; but if we reflect on the last few months, what do we see?

Most students were in the building (albeit for a short period of time); the fall athletic season happened! Our athletes were able to participate in a sport they love, and our coaches were able to spend quality time with their teams. Ms Anderson was able to do what she does best, help students become healthier and stronger. 

Google stopped being cranky and virtual/hybrid classrooms began to thrive. Teachers were able to accomplish unbelievable things and build relationships with their students, despite all the obstacles. Cooperative education students were able to work in the building and learn a little bit more about the Athletics Department, Guidance Department, and the Media Resource Center. 

Ms Lucas earned the well deserved honor of Educational Support Professional of the Year. She continues to create videos and prepare for the Sparta Education Foundation’s virtual Turkey Trot (sign up if you haven’t already). While the current state of the world did not allow for the in-person Veterans Day celebration that we traditionally host, Student Council, SHS Choirs, and our local heroes all contributed to a beautiful project that we can look back upon with pride (with the expert video editing skills of Ms Lucas).

Students and staff took advantage of the MRC resources. Pass it Along was able to “adopt” several families; and those families will enjoy a generous Thanksgiving feast. Student Council continues to give back as well, both with the Sparta VFW and the Sparta Rec Department. 

The SHS ORACLE staff has met weekly and shared the great news and accomplishments of our community. Their dedication to and love for SHS is truly admirable. 

The circumstances are not ideal; we all want to be in our building and continue to achieve, accomplish, and embrace all that SHS has to offer. And we will, hopefully, soon. Until then, we can take care of ourselves and those we love, stay healthy and strong, and continue to find the things for which we are grateful. For me, that includes my family, both at home and at SHS.

Happy Thanksgiving, Sparta High School!

Sparta Coronavirus Update

 By Kavya Kamath

At the time of writing this article, Sparta school district has, only a few hours prior, released the news that Sparta Schools will be operating with a “primarily remote instructional model” from November 23rd to January 15th. This decision is a “preventative and proactive measure” regarding the upcoming Holiday season and the resulting increase in covid cases expected, as well as the the NJ Department Health’s reclassification of the Northwest region of New Jersey (Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren County) from a “yellow” zone, where there is “moderate risk “of covid contraction, to an “orange” zone, where there is “high risk” of covid contraction. 

Zoning risk assessment is performed by the NJ Department of Health (NJDH) weekly, and is determined by “number of cases in the past week, percent positivity past week and syndromic surveillance in the past week.” 

Recently the Northwest has been reclassified as orange, and this is before the holiday season really kicks in. Family gatherings, colder weather, and increased travel are all expected to contribute to another wave of covid, and the region is highly likely to progress back into the “red” zone, where risk is described by the NJDH as “very high” and it is highly “recommended that [school districts] implement fully remote learning.”  

And, while this is disappointing most especially for the SHS Class of ‘21, if not every single one of us who want to go back to school, this measure to close schools physically is the smart one, as it will prevent spread of covid-19 and unnecessary upheaval of the Sparta community. Still, it’s sad to see that school as we know it still won’t be returning to ‘normal’ anytime in the near future.

Sources:

NJDH: https://www.nj.gov/health/news/2020/approved/20200813a.shtml

November 19, 2020, Covid-19 Health Recommendations: https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/RecommendationsForLocalHealthDepts_K12Schools.pdf

Ecology Club: Up and Running for 2020-21!

 By: Kavya Kamath

Since March 13, 2020, when school officially closed due to state quarantine orders, Ecology Club has been on an informal hiatus due to logistical issues with social distancing, stay-at-home orders, and graduating leadership. However, Mr. Scognamiglio and Mr. DiNunzio are currently working with a few students behind the scenes to bring back Eco Club with full force for the 2020-21 school year, despite any challenges Covid-19 may present.

As for what has already been started, in October 2020, a new club instagram was created, symbolizing a fresh beginning for the club, as well as increased initiative to encourage club involvement. Additionally, the first club instagram post was put up. The instagram, @shs.ecoclub, puts up weekly posts on news highlights of environmental issues both close to home and on a planetary scale, and is a great informal news source to keep you updated on environmental issues around us. Furthermore, on October 27th, all club members were invited to a national discussion held by Ted Ed on the climate crisis and ways to combat it. The webinar connected people from all corners of the globe, from New York City to Pakistan to Germany to Armenia to India, and proved that the climate crisis has no political affiliation and no borders, but instead is something we as a club and we as humanity should do our part to help solve.

Finally, students Paige Sumowski, Kaleigh West, Jake Ryan, Natalie Blaszak, and Kavya Kamath are working as a team to organize cleanups around Sparta in the near future to both help the community become a cleaner, safer space, and to give people a way to give back to their communities even during this time of uncertainty. Join the google classroom (the code is “74fbwzo”) for updates on opportunities that anyone can participate in to help the environment, and updates on how Eco Club is ensuring its prosperity in the upcoming school year!

Key Club and Pass it Along Volunteer Opportunites

 By: Hayley Lane

Sparta High School’s Key Club and Pass it Along have special volunteer opportunities planned for this Thanksgiving. Key Club is partnering with a local group in Sparta donating 1,300 personal Thanksgiving meals! Participants write notes and cards to go into these meals as an extra surprise for the families. Additionally, Key Club is hosting a fundraiser with Color Street nails until December 11 . All the proceeds will be used to run other fundraising events and will be donated to groups in need.

Pass it Along is hosting its annual Family Volunteer Season, where members in grade levels adopt families and donate Thanksgiving food items and cleaning supplies to them. People interested in volunteerism are encouraged to join these clubs, as different opportunities are posted weekly!

Contact Mrs. Kopp for Key Club, and Mrs. Deluccia and/or Ms. Lucas for Pass it Along.

SHS Junior Takes Spartan Logo to a New Level

 By: Emma McNamara

Last year, Sparta High School developed a new logo. Inspired by this, SHS junior Charlotte Rogoff has taken the logo to a new level, personalizing our Spartan for many SHS clubs. 

When Sparta Music Boosters hosted a Logo contest, Charlotte began to brainstorm. Mixing a treble clef, a keyboard, and the new Spartan logo, she created the winning submission for the contest!

Since then, Charlotte has come up with ways to personalize logos for other activities, like GSA and The Oracle.

“My inspiration for these logos were my personal experiences throughout high school since I have been [here]. These are all things that I have become immensely devoted to.” When asked about her creative process, Rogoff shares that a logo can take her “a couple hours to come up with”, but “then takes a couple days to put it on paper and finalize details.”

Charlotte has taken her love for this school and it’s programs, along with her artistic talent, to keep our school looking fun and new!

Humans of Sparta: Ms. Bach

 By Hayley Lane

If you’ve taken orchestra, or have been to an orchestra or even choir concert, you’ve definitely seen Ms. Bach! Ms. Bach is the subject of today’s Humans of Sparta! She is Sparta High School’s orchestra teacher, and has been teaching for 29 years! She has a daughter who also plays violin and sings, and has three cats named Midnight, Star, and Cupcake. One of her most exciting teaching experiences was when the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra visited our orchestra. Students sat side by side with a member of the orchestra and watched them play. Besides teaching, another dream job of hers is playing cello for the broadway show Dear Evan Hansen. “It has a beautiful cello part!”, she says. Her favorite part of hybrid learning is seeing the students play together. Her most difficult part of hybrid learning is not seeing all of her students at once, having to miss out on last year’s senior pin ceremony, and not being able to perform. She looks forward to the day when her orchestra can finally perform together in a concert! 

Ms. Bach conducts students at SafeStock 2019 (photo by Mikayla Bivona)

We Love Ms. Lucas!

By: Liv Canova and Emma McNamara

 If you've taken part in any Sparta High School event, or any Sparta event really, you've probably met Paige Lucas. She is not only involved in everything she can be in this town, but she gives so much to the community behind the scenes. Ms. Lucas can be found fixing chromebooks in the MRC, choreographing the Spring Musical, running events with the Sparta Education Foundation, taking part in Pass it Along, teaching at Elisa Girlando Studios, Co-directing the middle school's show, and so much more. This Sparta Alumna has shown her love for this school and this town by giving back every day. 

“Paige cares more about you than you care about yourself, She will devote hours and hours to the happiness of other people. The smartest thing I ever did was to get her working at the studio”. - Elisa Girlando (owner of Elisa Girlando Studios)

“Since I met her and started performing, [she] has been my number one supporter” - Jenna Halkyard (junior)

“She gives the best advice and she’s really easy to talk to” - Natalie Demuth (freshman)

“Whether it’s pushing me with singing or talking about Broadway with me, or even just hanging out at the studio together, I enjoy every minute” - Megan Armstrong (freshman)

“Without her I would never be able to get up on a stage and do all these crazy silly things” - Tessa Gori (senior)

“I don’t know what I’d do without Ms. Lucas. She’s one of the most hard-working, kind, inventive and inspirational people I know. Whether it’s the school musical or the annual Turkey Trot, [she] is always happy to help people all over Sparta.” - Scott Riley (senior)

“Ms. Lucas has always been an incredibly kind and helpful person. Her devotion to selflessness is clear through her consistent support of the SHS Pass It Along club and the Sparta Education Foundation.” - Kyle Neuwirth (senior)

“Every time I see her she’s working on a project. She deserves way more recognition for the extra hours she spends making something perfect. You can definitely tell when something was put together by Ms. Lucas” - Emma McNamara (senior)

"Ms. Lucas is one of the most fun-loving, caring and inspirational people I have ever met” - Charlotte Rogoff (junior)

 "Her presence just makes everything better. She's so fun and great- honestly, I would've loved my time in the musicals a whole lot less if she wasn't there" - Alex Fontes (senior)

"I love Ms. Lucas because she pushes us to work harder while still making things fun for us. She always makes our time enjoyable and she just does so much for the Sparta community. Ms. Lucas has changed so many lives and we all love her so much!" - Suvaani Ranasinghe (senior)

“Ms. Lucas is the best. She is always there to offer encouragement, to have a laugh, or to help you with anything” - Liv Canova (senior)

Thank you so much Ms. Lucas for everything you do for the school and the Sparta community. We love you!

SHS Seniors Decorate Parking Spots

 By: Liv Canova

This week, Sparta High School began their first two days of hybrid in-person schooling and the senior class of 2021 was able to show off their Spartan Pride by decorating their parking spots! Students in cohort A (last names A-K) were allowed to decorate their spots on Monday and cohort B (last names L-Z) decorated theirs on Wednesday. 

Take a look at some of the coolest designs!

Girls Varsity Tennis Takes Home a Regional Championship!

By: Liv Canova

 

This Monday the SHS girls Varsity tennis team beat out Hanover Park for a Northwest B Regional Championship win! The team is comprised of Alexa Matkiwsky (first singles), Reagan Rech (second singles), Jenna Bargfrede (third singles), Jordan Bucenec and Gabby Canzoniero (first doubles), and Sarah Bargfrede and Isabella Sportelli (second doubles). For their win, the team won third singles, and both doubles matches. Congrats varsity girls tennis!

Sparta Choirs Dedicate Songs to Veterans for Veterans Day

 By Hayley Lane 

As Veterans Day approaches, Sparta High School choirs are coming together to celebrate by creating a video commemorating our veterans. The video will include all students across many different choirs singing “Homeland,” along with pictures displayed of veterans from Sparta, or family and friend veterans from around the world! Those in and out of choir are welcomed to email photos of veterans they know for a chance to be a part of this project! Photos can be emailed to Mrs. Lopez. As part of a different video, Blue Night’s choir will be recording “A Tribute to the Armed Services." Sparta choirs are so excited to share these projects with the rest of town!

Fun and Safe Activities for a Spooky Halloween

 By Noelle Hanek

Halloween season is here again! Even though the coronavirus may limit some traditional Halloween activities, there are still numerous ways to have fun. Below are a few safe activities to do for the spooky season! 

• Watch scary movies 

There is no better time of the year than now to watch a classic scary movie.  The unusual change of circumstances makes it an even more perfect time to get comfortable, grab some snacks, and enjoy a thrilling film.  Even if separated from others, you can still watch movies with your friends through extensions such as Netflix party. 

• Carve Pumpkins and do crafts

  Crafts are always fun, and luckily there is a multitude of fall and Halloween crafts to choose from. A classic favorite is carving pumpkins, or designing unique faces and turning them into jack o lanterns. Try challenging your family in a carving contest, or maybe even on who can make the best Halloween costume. The creativity is endless!

In addition to making creations, another great idea is to decorate your house! Some decorations include lights, skeletons, and pumpkins. Placing decorations on your porch is another option that is sure to bring Halloween spirit to the neighborhood! 

• Listen to Halloween Themed Music

Another great way to get into the Halloween spirit is to play some spooky songs whether it be in your house or while you work. There are many playlists available that may include songs from your favorite Halloween movie, or even general Halloween songs you have likely heard at Halloween events. 

• Make your own Halloween Treats!

Nothing is better than eating Halloween candy. Even if you are receiving getting candy door to door, we can still all enjoy our own sweets for Halloween. There are a variety of fall related recipes available on the internet to choose from, ranging from Halloween shaped cookies to pumpkin cake! The options are limitless. 

This Halloween is quite unusual, however it has not stopped us from making the most out of it. If you have not done so yet, find fun ways to celebrate,  since Halloween only comes once a year! 

from: clipart-library.com

Learn More About the Align Wellness Center!

 By: Liv Canova

This year has been tough for everyone, and high school students are no exception. We now have to deal with online classes, Covid-19 stress, and for seniors, applying to college. And that's on top of dealing with possible mental health issues and regular stress from school. But did you know that Sparta High School has its own counseling and therapy center? 

The Align Wellness Center was created to help students deal with mental health issues through the school with a variety of different programs. Dr. Esposito, the center’s coordinator told us “We wanted to be able to create resources right here in our own building”, and last year when they got the opportunity to open a center in the high school, they did just that!

In the beginning, Align was mainly focused on dealing with more severe cases, but lately the center has been able to extend to any student who needs help or just wants to get educated in how to be healthy! They are able to offer services in individual and group therapy, pet therapy (with Hank the rabbit!), wellness activities (yoga, community outreach projects), and education on substance use and effects. Additionally, the center offers the “Alternative to Suspension Program” which allows students to participate in therapy and counseling instead of getting suspended from school.

Covid-19 has been proven to lead to more stress with high schoolers, whether it be directly, or indirectly with online school. For many students, in-person school was their main form of social interaction. Additionally, online classes have made it harder for students to focus and maintain good grades. Align can help.

Even with online limitations, Align has still managed to find ways to help students and the community!  Recently, they were able to schedule a yoga session with TrueYoga and according to Dr.Esposito, “because it’s virtual, it’s so great because we can offer it to anyone”

The entire staff are licensed clinical social workers or therapists and each session is individualized to maximize the help provided. Even if you’re just interested in learning how to gain healthy mental wellness techniques, Align can provide you with the information you need.

For more information, email jane.espoito@sparta.org, email align@sparta.org , reach out to your guidance counselor, come to see Dr. Esposito directly when in-person school resumes.  “Our goal is to end the stigma with mental health. It could be anyone!”

from: Align Wellness Center/googlesites

from: Align Wellness Center/googlesites

Looking For a Job? Check out Mathnasium!

 By Kavya Kamath

Summer of 2020, I got a job at the Sparta Mathnasium. To be completely honest, I wasn’t looking anywhere specifically, I just felt the need to do something with my summer; quarantine had left me restless and not wanting to stay stuck inside my house for another couple months. So, I sent out emails to bookstores, theatres, certain wellness institutions, and, through recommendation of a friend, the Sparta Mathnasium. My boss, Mrs. Mary Muller, was one of maybe three people to respond—I was, after all, an unqualified high schooler with no previous work experience—but I can’t tell you how thankful I am that she took that chance on me.

Don’t get me wrong, interviewing wasn’t easy, training for four hours a day wasn’t easy, working with coworkers triple my age wasn’t easy, learning how to connect with kids from kindergarten to 12th grade wasn’t easy, but working at Mathnasium has by far been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done with my life. Yes, I work on evenings and yes that sometimes means I have to stay up until midnight to finish my homework. Yes, I work on Saturdays and yes that always means waking up bright and early on a day I’m ‘supposed’ to be sleeping in. However, working has given me a purpose, something to do outside of and unrelated to Sparta High School. It’s popped a bubble of self-involvement, complacency, and routine that tends to surround us when we make school the center of our lives.

More personally, working at Mathnasium has strengthened both my love of math and kindled in me a love of teaching. Earning real wages, paying the bills of certain ‘extras’ that I want, being responsible to a boss and customers for quality work for the sake of the work (not for a grade)—it’s all changed my perspective on what I want to do once I get out of high school.

Since high school will be over in a mere four years, learning about yourself now, so you know what you want to do in college, is one of the best personal investments you can make.

And that’s part of the beauty of the job; I see it as a personal investment, something where there’s as much meaning and involvement as I want there to be.

I really really like my job. But to another highschooler, this might be so they can afford car insurance, maybe to another it’s to support their family, maybe to another it’s something their parents made them do, maybe to another it’s something to do with their free time, maybe to another it’s for work experience, and maybe to yet one more it’s for their college résumé. As teenagers, we have the freedom to choose how much our work experiences affect us, and we can choose how much they mean to us. Working at Mathnasium, and even working in general, is exactly what you choose to make of it.

So, I implore you, if you’re any one of the above students I just described, work at Sparta’s Mathnasium. At the most it’ll change your perspective on life (which admittedly doesn’t take much at 14-18 years old), and at the least it’s a source of income on the side. You can contact me, Kavya Kamath, at kamathk@students.sparta.org if you want more information, or go to the Mathnasium website: https://www.mathnasium.com/sparta. And please feel free to reach out.

Like Thomas Edison said, “Most people miss opportunity because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” I’m looking forward to us being coworkers, and I’m looking forward to you experiencing what it’s like to see a 4th grader’s eyes light up with mathematical understanding. It’s profound, I promise.

Service Corps Starts Up

By: Sarah Riley 

As more and more activities are starting up again at Sparta High School, out of school activities are being permitted as well. One of Pass It Along’s leadership groups, Service Corps, had their first meeting of the year on Monday, October 19. Everyone gathered on Zoom and caught up with one another again, bringing a sense of normalcy back to many of the members. The group also began to brainstorm their service projects for (hopefully) later in the year. Overall, the meeting was a success and presents the exciting possibility for future Pass It Along events later in the year!

from the Pass It Along Facebook page

Marching Band Comes Back!

 By: Emma McNamara

It seems impossible to create a show from just a few rehearsals, but the SHS Marching Band was able to pull off just that! During sports cancellations, the Marching Band met on Google meets to rehearse music with their sections. They then spent a couple rehearsals together before performing at the first football game on October 10th. 

While the Marching Spartans are still adding on to their show, “Beetlejuice”, they are happy with their opportunity to march on the field, regardless of how much practice they’ve had. Keep an eye out for this impressive pre-game performance!

You can keep up with the band’s endeavors by following @sparta.marchingband on Instagram!

The drumline plays in the stands (photo by Lohit Ranasinghe)

Wind Ensemble warms up for the show with director Scott Tomlin (photo by Lohit Ranasinghe)

Color Guard members practice their tosses (photo by Charlotte Rogoff)

The wind ensemble warms up for practice (photo by Charlotte Rogoff) 

Art Club Encourages Students to Create at Home!

 By: Paige Mongon

The 24th of September marked the beginning of Art Club, an after-school activity which meets weekly on Thursdays. From 2:30 to 3:30, the club’s members create art and chat freely whilst music plays softly in the background. Any and all are welcome to join, and only a few basic materials are required. Currently, each member is working on creating painted rocks, as such a project requires materials which are easily accessible to many (rocks, toothpicks, paints, paintbrushes, paper towels, water) . While students have only begun one piece thus far, the club’s advisor, Mrs. KucherCsatlos, has plans for many more art projects to come- projects which will incorporate basic materials found in one’s home, as well as a potential clay project (the clay would be provided). If you are interested in creating art and wish to join Art Club, please contact Mrs. KucherCsatlos (jennifer.kuchercsatlos@sparta.org). 

from: ModPodgeRocksBlog.com

Sparta Sports Host Successful Car Washes

 By. Noelle Hanek

Throughout the months of September and October, Sparta fall sports teams have hosted many fundraisers to raise money. Due to the unpredictable Covid-19, many of these fundraisers have been postponed numerous times, a great frustration for many student athletes. However, once the two week shut down of school activities came to an end, and fall sports resumed, a multitude of fundraisers were underway. 

For instance, last weekend was a huge success for fundraising. On Saturday, the girl’s tennis team ran a car wash from 10am- 2pm in front of the Mohawk Ave School. At first, business started off slow, but by the time noon came around, long lines of cars had formed! In the end, the hard work of both the players and parent volunteers paid off; the team managed to raise $769 dollars, which is intended to be put towards scholarship money for the seniors. The girls soccer team hosted another successful car wash the following day. 

Regardless of the unexpected setbacks, many teams have managed to successfully raise revenue. The car washes were originally intended for the summer, yet teams took advantage of the nice weather to get outside, wash plenty of cars, and benefit their team all at once! Keep an eye out for upcoming Sparta School fundraisers to support teams, programs, and more!

Sparta Choir Extracurriculars

By: Hayley Lane

Sparta High School Choirs are very excited to announce the virtual co-curricular choirs held this year! Blue Nights, Nightingales, Freshman Select, and Shacapella are after school and those who are interested in singing are encouraged to join! Blue Nights, the men’s choir, meets every Tuesday after school at 2:30 pm with nightingales, the women’s choir, right after at 3:00 pm. Anyone is welcome to join and sing! Freshman Select, the 7th-9th grade choir, meets every Wednesday at 5:30, so if you know any freshman or middle schoolers who would be interested, let them know! Shacappella auditions were October 14th, and the results will be posted soon! The classroom codes and meet links can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C-oH_tw5OkMxx0xklHgYHjjxHl9DWqYdngOdY-_xdR8/edit  For any additional information, reach out to Mrs. Lopez or any member of the choir council! There are many music videos and fun ideas planned for the future! 

source: Twitter

We Are the Dream: Embracing Diversity in Sparta

By: Kavya Kamath

Thursday of last week, We Are the Dream had its first meeting of the school year. The club, created by now sophomore Maia Albuquerque, is a safe space for all students to feel welcome and accepted, no matter their race, sexual orientation, religion, or anything else about them that society has labeled as ‘other.’ This past meeting, the club and its leaders reaffirmed the club’s mission of inclusion, diversity, and awareness through a few prepared speeches and by listening to the reasons its members decided to join the club. The next meeting, October 22nd, will be devoted to Black History Month and how we can genuinely celebrate it here in Sparta.

The club, deriving its name from Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous saying “I Have a Dream,” started only a year ago, already has 117 members, and is actively looking for more. The sheer size of the club and amount of people who joined in such a short time are evidence that the club is addressing a real issue in the Sparta community and that there is a sizable population of people that want to make Sparta a more aware, inclusive, and welcoming place. To join the club and make a difference, the class code is cm346wf and the club holds meetings every other Thursday during lunch, with the next meeting being Thursday the 22nd. And, lastly, please remember that no matter how ostracized you may feel, you are loved and accepted and wanted—especially by We Are the Dream.

thesource.com

Join the Yearbook Club!

  By: Sarah Riley

 Hello Spartans! Hopefully everyone has had a good first few weeks back to school and adjusting to the transition of online school. Now that we’re well into the school year, it’s the perfect time to get involved in school activities. If anyone is interested in art, graphic design, photography, or promoting school spirit, consider joining Sparta High’s Yearbook Team! Despite the difficulty of capturing school memories this year, we are looking for more members to add the team to make the book happen! You can reach out to Mr. Lowery (the advisor) if you have any questions!