SHS HONORS VETERANS

 Veterans Day Ceremony at Sparta High

By Kylie O’Neil 

Veterans day is about honoring everything our military personnel have done for our country. It is important to appreciate veterans and current members of the military, and thank them for their service. 

On Thursday, November 11th, Sparta High School held its own Veterans Day ceremony! Students had the chance to hear veteran’s stories of service from our school and the community. It was a great experience learning about the military and the veterans who attended. 

It was also wonderful to hear the band and choir perform during the ceremony. Additionally, Charlotte Rogoff, a senior at Sparta High School, spoke about her father’s service and her future plans to join the military at this event. This event served as a reminder that it is never too late to thank our nation's veterans! 

Image from picjumbo.com 

SHS FALL DRAMA OPENS THIS FRIDAY!

 Come See Middletown, the SHS Fall Drama 2021!

By Kavya Kamath

Are you looking for philosophical yet funny insight in the very nature of life? Maybe characters you pity yet root for, whose internal monologues and musings may reflect your own? If so, Middletown, the Sparta High’s 2021 Fall Drama is for you. Premiering on November 19th at 7pm, Middletown straddles the line between thought-provoking and laugh-inducing, exploring the universe of a small American town (and the universe at large) via a motley bunch of characters consciously and subconsciously looking for the meaning behind their humble existences. As they pursue this heavy task, the audience will watch their lives intersect in strange and poignant ways, reminding us how much we truly mean to each other.

The show will run thrice: first on Friday, November 19th, at 7pm, next on Saturday, November 20th, at 7pm, and finally on Sunday, November 21st, at 2pm. All showings will be at the SHS Auditorium, with doors opening half an hour before each show starts, and tickets available at the door ($12 for general admission, $10 for students or senior citizens).

The Drama Club has been working on this show for about a month and a half now, and despite the short timeline, inside sources say the production has come together beautifully.

Put together an evening with friends and come support the show! Drama Club can’t wait to see you.

Link to Flyer

SEASON OF GIVING

 SEASON OF GIVING- BLANKET FUNDRAISER INFO

By Olivia Flanz 

With Halloween over, the holiday seasons are around the corner. During this time it’s important to give back to the community so if you are interested donation opportunities are available already around the school.

A great example is that the Key Club is running a blanket drive for Wish Upon a Child! Wish Upon a Child is an organization that collects holiday gifts and then distributes them to children in the foster care system. We are already more than halfway to our goal of 40 blankets with 21 blankets so far! If you wish to donate brand new fleece or thicker blankets, they can be dropped off in room 415. This donation opportunity will be available until Thanksgiving break. 

Welcome Mr. Bushey!

 WELCOME TO SPARTA MR. BUSHEY!

By Noelle Hanek

Mr. Bushey is a new teacher here at Sparta. Learn more about him in the brief interview below!

Q: What subject(s) do you teach here at Sparta? 

A: “ I teach physical education and health.”

Q: Have you ever taught anywhere else before? 

A: “Yes, I started my teaching career at Sussex County Technical School for one year before getting a job at Sparta.”

Q: How are you liking the environment at Sparta so far? 

A: “I love the environment of Sparta. I grew up in Sparta and was a Sparta High School graduate. It has always been a dream of mine to come back and teach here, so I am very fortunate to have this opportunity.”

Q: What is your favorite part about being a teacher? 

A: “I think the best thing about being a teacher is meeting all different kinds of students. You learn a lot about different people’s views, hobbies, and other interests, and no two kids are exactly the same.”

Q: Is there anything else you would like the Spartan Community to know about you?

A: “I coach freshman football and varsity lacrosse, and Mrs. Chiappini is my inspiration.”

Thank you Mr. Bushey for your time and responses. It was great learning more about you, and we look forward to having you at our school! 

College and Career Fair

 COLLEGE & CAREER FAIR VISITS SPARTA

By Kylie O’Neil 

This past Wednesday, October 27th, Sparta High School held a college fair from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. There were over 75 college representatives present at tables throughout the gym and cafeteria. Some specific colleges included Penn State, University of Delaware, Monmouth University, Virginia Tech and Princeton University.  

Students had the opportunity to ask the representatives about their schools, allowing them to learn more about each one. Most colleges also provided packets and magazines to the students that held specific information about their school. They contained information such as SAT/ACT requirements, average class size, student-teacher ratios, majors and minors, and more. Certain colleges additionally provided upcoming tours dates for students to have the opportunity to experience the campus first hand. 

Most of the representatives were helpful in answering questions and providing information to help students make decisions, and plan for the future. Overall, the college fair was a fun and informative experience!

Image from: https://hs.brrsd.org/about/news-events/news-detail/~board/hs-school-counseling/post/coming-soon-brhs-on-campus-college-fair 

TROT IT OUT

 

TURKEY TROT 2021

Who is ready to TROT!!!

This year’s Krogh’s Turkey Trot will be held both in person and virtually on Thanksgiving morning, November 25. The Sparta Education Foundation sponsored this event for the past 15 years. What a great way to celebrate community and gratitude! Let’s run, walk, or trot to raise money for the grants that support our schools!

Register here to participate-

https://kroghsturkeytrot.com/race-info/

If you are interested in volunteering before or on race day-

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScp5InFmfWY6U2goOWDL-w9fLtaDi3YTMNMYBzOKOmx1e-QNw/viewform?usp=pp_url

Rain Delay of Homecoming

 Homecoming is Postponed!

By The Oracle Staff 

On Saturday evening at 3:55 pm, the SHS Administration sent an email to all students stating that the Homecoming dance, taking place 2½ hours later that day, was cancelled. Unfortunately many students who had gotten their nails done, hair done, and went out to buy a dress were left with their money wasted. 

“‘I had gone out early that morning to get a dress,’” one student says. “‘I was about to get my hair done too, thank goodness I didn’t.’”

“They let us know so late and because of work I didn’t have time to get a dress. Luckily, a friend lent me one last minute but all that effort is to waste now,” said another student.

The delayed nature of the postponement was frustratin for the student body. Besides the inconvenience of getting ready to go to no dance, the homecoming dance represented a return of normalcy, especially for the juniors and seniors. It represented the fact that even though the last two years of high school—rife with cancellations and virtual everything else—were rail-roaded by covid*, we would still have some of those quintessential high-school rites of passage.

However, due to rain, the dance was postponed. Understandably, having a dance in the rain is not possible. While it is disappointing, and students and advisors were hopeful for a different outcome, Student Council is working to plan a future event for the students that will resemble the “normal” high school experience everyone is craving.

*The Oracle Staff stands in support of all covid-related safety measures the school has taken and advocates for compliance with state and federal covid guidelines.