Culinary Club - Spreads Holiday Cheer

Culinary Cuisine Club Spreads Holiday Cheer Through Community Service

by Elizel Albuquerque

12/17/2025

This past weekend, the Sparta High School Culinary Cuisine Club put their baking skills to meaningful use by participating in a charitable collaboration with Morris County 4-H to support Nana’s Gift (NanasGiftNJ), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing holiday gifts to underserved children throughout Northern New Jersey.

Club members worked together to bake dozens of cookies, which were donated to help support Nana’s Gift and its mission of spreading joy and hope during the holiday season. The project not only showcased the students’ culinary talents, but also highlighted their commitment to service and community involvement.

The collaboration was organized by Culinary Cuisine Club members Victoria Cruz and Elizel Albuquerque, with guidance and support from advisor Jenevieve D’Amico. Their leadership helped bring together students and community partners for a cause that makes a real difference for local families.

Projects like this reflect the heart of the Culinary Cuisine Club, using food as a way to connect with others and give back. By partnering with organizations such as Morris County 4-H and Nana’s Gift, students gain valuable real-world experience while learning the importance of generosity and civic responsibility

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TRADITIONS - BEFORE THE TRADITION

 TRADITIONS BEFORE THE TRADITION

by SHS Student Council

As the holiday season approaches, Sparta High School’s Student Council is showing that leadership goes beyond the classroom. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, students joined community members at the local VFW to help with the annual holiday tree sale.

Together, volunteers unloaded hundreds of heavy, beautiful trees and created price tags to prepare for the sale. By Sunday, December 7, every tree had been sold, reflecting the hard work of the volunteers and the community’s support. After the work was done, students and community members enjoyed hot cocoa and conversation, celebrating their efforts.

In addition, Student Council members were joined by many other SHS students in supporting the Sparta Education Foundation’s Turkey Trot. Alongside the school mascot, Sparty, students helped with a variety of tasks: stuffing participant bags, assisting with the pasta dinner and providing course support. Their combined efforts demonstrate that building community relationships and serving others are essential parts of leadership.

Through these volunteer efforts, SHS students foster unity, joy, and holiday spirit that benefits the entire Sparta community.

SHS GIVES BACK

 SHS GIVES BACK

- SHS Student Council

12/8/2025

Sparta High School recently wrapped up a food drive that ran from November 10 through November 24, with donations collected in English classrooms, the MRC, and the School Store. A district-wide Jeans Day on November 12 helped raise awareness and encouraged even more participation, as students and staff united to support families in the community. Teachers promoted the effort throughout the building, and the school responded with generosity across the two-week drive.

The impact of the collection was significant: multiple carloads of food, hygiene products, and household essentials were delivered to the Sparta Food Pantry, helping to restock shelves during a time of increased need. This year, Dr. Galipeau’s classes stood out by contributing the largest number of donations overall. Their enthusiasm, along with the shared efforts of the entire student body and staff, made this year’s Food Drive an especially meaningful success.