With the state of global affairs in disarray, many wonder what will bring the end of humanity. Nuclear war? The Hantavirus? Aliens? Though these issues are pressing, one threat to humanity that is becoming hard to ignore is global warming. Due to its recognition by world governments, despite many deniers, global warming is one of the most talked about topics today. Defined as the increase in Earth’s average air and ocean temperatures over the last couple hundred years, it is at the forefront of international discussion.
Activists have most commonly cited the significant changes in Earth’s climate as the biggest cause for alarm. The greenhouse effect is a natural process where atmospheric gases (CO2, methane, water vapor) trap heat radiating from Earth. This phenomenon keeps the planet warm enough to sustain life. But human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have intensified this process, leading to an increase in the Earth’s average temperature. The year 2024 was the warmest recorded by a wide margin, according to scientists. This has led to the melting of large polar ice sheets as well as the thermal expansion of water, which is the increase in volume and decrease in density that occurs when water temperature rises. Taken together, these have directly caused a rise in sea levels across the globe.
The consequences of global warming can be detrimental to our environment as a whole. Global warming doesn’t just affect animals and plants; it can have devastating effects on human life as well. Rising sea levels and an increase in extreme weather lead to more frequent natural disasters including storms, droughts and wildfires. Rising sea levels can cause flooding and erosion which threatens many coastal areas. Damage to buildings and businesses force the people affected to rebuild their homes and buildings with their own money, which can be costly. Additionally, local animals lose habitats, making them more vulnerable to predation, competition and possibly extinction.
To satisfy needs for monetary gain and convenience, humans have ignored the environmental impacts of industrialization and expansion, and thus have created the current problem we call global warming. Many advocacy groups and political leaders, fearful of Earth’s uncertain future, actively seek strategies to prevent or delay this threat They recommend reducing our carbon footprint — and the greenhouse gas emissions that fuel it — by switching to renewable energy like wind and solar, shifting toward the use of electric vehicles over gas-powered cars, and reducing waste sent to landfills.
Of course, these changes can’t be made in a day, and one person choosing to ride a bike rather than drive a car to work may not seem to make much of a difference. But if the human race can collectively adopt more climate-friendly lifestyle changes, we can preserve the wonderful planet that we all know. Global warming is one of the most important issues of the modern era. Our willingness to act now — or our failure to act — will determine life on Earth for generations to come. By taking steps to combat global warming, we can at least delay the impact of the problem that our ancestors created and many of us continue to ignore.
What makes people want to get good grades? What makes people not care about their grades? These two questions are ones that teachers and students ask themselves all the time. Why do students put so much importance on some random letters? Of course it’s natural to want to succeed, but is it really healthy to let these letters have so much influence on our happiness? I, like many of my peers, believe that all students who wish to keep their peace of mind during their high school journey need to have a balance between school life and social life. Students who fail to find this balance often find themselves feeling “burnt out” and unable to match the productivity they were able to achieve before. Even more troubling is that without this balance, students often tend to prioritize academics over friendships. As a result, their social life often suffers, which causes them to become isolated from their friends.
The idea of a grading system has been around for about three or four centuries, originating from groupings based on oral exams in ancient times. Now, educators utilize a mix of written exams, oral exams, and homework to help determine numerical and letter grades. As time has passed and the world has progressed, the grading system has evolved with it. The origin of the grading system we use today came from Ezera Stiles, an educator and president of Yale from 1778-1797. For exams at the prestigious university beginning in 1785, he split people up into four different groups ranging from best to worst: Optimi, meaning best; Second Optimi; Inferiores, and finally Pejores, being the worst. In 1792 this system was later adapted to a numerical grading system by William Farish, a professor at Cambridge University. The idea of using letters to represent grades didn’t come into practice until 1897, with letters ranging from A-E. Later, near the 20th century, the E was removed because it was continually confused with the meaning “excellent” instead of its true meaning, which was failure. That’s when the F came in to take its place.
Mental health issues have a big impact on the young and old alike and can carry a lot of weight when making decisions. Mental health is the emotional state that influences a person’s thinking, behavior, and emotions. Your psyche and social well-being are also factors that help people determine their mental health. Lots of students suffer declines in their mental state because of stress that originates in academic settings. Whether through the stress of preparing for AP exams, finals, unit tests, or projects, students dealing with that kind of constant pressure are bound to find themselves mentally unhealthy.
Why do students become stressed with their school work? Why do students want to produce a “good score”? What are the guidelines and qualifications of a “good score”? Is it above average? Highest in the class? These so-called qualifications for achievement are set by your peers, teachers, parents, but most importantly yourself. Many students forget that they have the ability to determine what they deem as excellent. As a result, they continue to needlessly stack on the pressure from others. Students should not feel pressured to produce scores that are above their capacity and should, instead, set reasonable goals for themselves. These days, it often feels like society expects everyone to have straight As, disregarding the fact that many students show real learning and hard work when earning Bs or even Cs. In some cases, an extra push to success is beneficial, but more often it can lead students to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Parents are one of the main reasons that children feel pressured to produce good grades. Some parents view their children as a reflection of themselves and want only the best from them, when in fact children are not copies of their parents and the scores that they receive have no correlation to the parents at all. Creating a good learning environment is crucial to the success of students. Overbearing parents most often create an atmosphere that is not only intolerant of failure, but unaccepting of anything below perfection. This attitude toward achievement, along with the constant pressure to achieve, causes students’ mental health to decline.
Getting good grades is not all that matters when getting into college. Of course, it is something that they consider important, but there are always other deciding factors to get that letter of acceptance. Admissions officers don’t want working machines at their colleges; they want students who will become well-rounded people, and who will better the school’s reputation. Having a social life, extracurriculars, jobs, and hobbies are important to colleges too. Balancing your school work and social life shows that you have good time management and varied interests as well as an understanding of your classes. Ultimately, what colleges are looking for is a well-rounded student. Lots of students can get “good grades,” but what sets your application apart from others is your extracurriculars, interests, and personality.
Life is a competition. This popular mantra is repeated again and again by teachers, principals, parents, and relatives. Most of us tend to scoff at this message, but, in truth, the statement does carry some weight. In life, there are only a few people that you are not in competition with, even if only subconsciously. All of your peers are competing against you to see who can get the best grades, who can get the better test score, or who can just do better in life. And that competition doesn’t just stop after college. Even adults, however outlandish this may seem, compete with each other over trivial matters like what private school their kids might be attending or how neat their yard is compared to their neighbors. These are all ways that people compare themselves to others. Making comparisons is a natural part of life, and it happens in every setting; however, excessive competition can become unhealthy. The main cause of comparison is the need for validation from oneself and others. High schoolers are at the age where image matters; sometimes, that drives people to be better than others, but it also makes people act as if they don’t care. An obsession with being better than others often does more harm than good. It might make you a more determined person who puts time and effort into their education, but it can also lead to over confidence, unbridled egotism, and an unhealthy focus on grades.
While getting good grades can be a sign of success, focusing solely on the points you earn can cause immense stress. It is also not a true reflection of the whole person you are. People tend to forget that their grades do not define them. The most important thing in life is to be able to set reasonable goals and work hard to reach them. Having straight As is great, but not at the expense of your mental health.
“I cannot forget Carcosa where black stars hang in the heavens; where the shadows of men’s thoughts lengthen in the afternoon, when the twin suns sink into the lake of Hali; and my mind will bear for ever the memory of the Pallid Mask.”― Robert W. Chambers, The King in Yellow
Most people these days haven’t read about the King in Yellow, an eerie supernatural entity that, legend claims, can drive a person insane. Many authors have written versions of the character, some claim that you go insane just by looking at him or his face under his mask. But the one I have read was written by Robert W. Chambers, who included this story in a collection of supernatural horror tales published in 1895. Chambers’ book includes a play within the book and a series of stories that link together. Sometimes the stories within stories are confusing and mess with your brain, but that’s kind of the whole point of the book. It has inspired a lot of supernatural horror media, including the works of HP Lovecraft, comic books and video games.
Here are two of my favorite stories from Chambers’ book:
“The Repairer of Reputations” — This short story is about a character named Mr. Wilde who basically blackmails his rich and powerful clients to “fix” their damaged reputations. I found this mini story interesting because Mr. Wilde connects to another story called “Imperial Dynasty of America,” where he drove that story’s main character, Hildred Castaigne, insane by making him believe he is the King in Yellow’s heir.
“The Mask” — This mini story is way different from the last one. It is about two sculptors who are in a love-ish triangle with another girl. The group finds a cool liquid that turns living things into marble, but when they find The King in Yellow book, one of the characters is turned into marble. That drives one of the trio to suicide before the other learns that the transformation is only temporary. At least it’s a happy ending for two of them.
Across the United States, communities are coming together in 2026 to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. Known as the Semiquincentennial, the anniversary marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Cities, states, schools, museums, and organizations are hosting America250 events that honor the nation’s history while also looking toward the future.
One of the biggest celebrations will take place in Washington, D.C. on July 4. Organizers expect more than one million people to gather on the National Mall for concerts, historical presentations, military tributes, and a massive fireworks display. The celebration is part of the “Freedom 250” initiative, which has planned events for the Capitol throughout the entire year.
Another major event is “America’s Block Party,” a nationwide celebration happening on July 3 and 4. Communities across the country are encouraged to host neighborhood gatherings with live music, food, games, and local performances. The goal is to create the largest synchronized Fourth of July celebration in American history.
Several states are also organizing unique local events. In New Orleans, the “SAIL 250” festival will feature tall ships from around the world sailing along the Mississippi River. Visitors will be able to tour historic ships while enjoying concerts, cultural exhibits, and educational programs. Meanwhile, cities such as Midland, Texas, and Greenwich, Connecticut, are hosting history days, scavenger hunts, parades, and public art displays to involve local residents in the celebration.
The Hanover Historical Society will lead a series of walking tours of five areas in town on the second Saturday of each month, May through September. Each tour will focus on what a particular neighborhood was like in 1776, during the American Revolution.
The anniversary is not only about entertainment. America250 has also launched “America Gives,” a national volunteer program encouraging Americans to complete community service projects during 2026. Organizers hope to make this the largest year of volunteerism in U.S. history by inspiring people to help schools, charities, parks, and neighborhoods. In addition, special exhibits, concerts, and educational programs are taking place at national parks, museums, and historical sites across the country. Traveling “Freedom Trucks” will visit schools and communities in all 48 contiguous states with mobile museum exhibits about American history.
To celebrate America’s 250th birthday on July 4, the Times Square Ball will drop eight times on July 3, marking midnight across every U.S. time zone. This fun event will mark the first time the ball has been dropped outside of New Year’s.
As America reaches this historic milestone, the 250th anniversary celebrations are giving citizens a chance to reflect on the nation’s past, celebrate its achievements, and imagine what the next 250 years could look like.
After finishing last season with an above-average 89-73 record, the Red Sox successfully clinched a wildcard playoff spot. However, following a 2-1 series loss to the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card Series, the Sox hoped to make big moves in the offseason to be true contenders this year.
In the month since the regular season kicked off, the Sox have struggled to compete. During the offseason, the Red Sox built what they believed would be an elite starting rotation solid enough to keep the team competitive. Despite opening their season with an impressive 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on March 26, they went on to lose the next five games, leaving many fans disappointed. In their first 10 games, the offense scored just 36 runs, and the rotation posted MLB’s fourth-worst ERA (5.40). By April 25, the team was just 10-17, and manager Alex Cora and five coaches were fired. Chad Tracy, manager of the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, was named interim manager.
While there are still plenty of games to go, there is no doubt that the Sox have opened in a more disappointing fashion than fans expected. Hopefully, these leadership changes will allow this team to improve its performance as the season progresses. Despite the challenges so far, this team still has significant potential. They have been making moves in free agency, such as landing pitcher Ranger Suarez on a five-year, $130 million deal, and trading for veteran pitcher Sonny Gray in November of 2025.
While the season may look gloomy as of now, the Sox will continue to work toward a brighter future and a strong finish. Fans shouldn’t give up just yet.
Every year in March, everybody gets their hopes sky high, wishing against reason that they will make history. But it’s not through some outstanding talent; it’s sheer luck. In fact, your odds of making this kind of history are 1 in 9.2 quintillion (1 in 120.2 billion for knowledgeable fans).
If you guessed that I’m talking about the odds of making a perfect March Madness bracket, you are right. It has never been done. This year, an 8th-grader made it through the first two rounds of the women’s tournament, something that had only been done one other time in tournament history, men’s or women’s. The longest perfect streak ever is 50 games, which is only two games into the third round.
Now that Michigan has claimed their National Championship, here is a recap of the men’s tournament, round by round, in case you missed some.
First Round
Ah, the opening round of March Madness. Everyone’s heart is light with hope, because nobody has lost their bracket yet. Sadly, most people will be heartbroken within two days, or even hours of the start of the very first game. Without a doubt, the first round is the hardest to get through.
We Saw It Coming:
(1) Florida 114, (16) Prairie View A&M 55
A 16-seed has only beaten a 1-seed twice in tourney history, and this year came and went as expected. All 1-seeds made it to the second round very comfortably. Florida really handled business here, beating a First Four team by 59. The 2nd and 3rd seeds also took care of business, many of them blowing out their first-round opponents.
Bracket-Busters
(9) TCU 66, (8) Ohio State 64
The very first game of the tournament ruined almost half of people’s brackets. Games between the 8th and 9th seeds are always a toss-up; they have virtually a .500 record against each other. But losing your bracket on the first game is rough.
(11) VCU 82, (6) North Carolina 78
North Carolina had a great regular season, but late in the season lost their star freshman, Caleb Wilson, to injury. He was the driving force of this squad, a surefire All-American and lottery pick in the NBA draft, and without him they got a lower seed and had to play a VCU squad that felt slightly under-seeded.
(12) High Point 83, (5) Wisconsin 82
This rare 12-5 upset was up there with the TCU-Ohio State game as one of the biggest bracket busters. And it was also within the first 5 games played. It’s very exciting to see upsets like this, unless you’re like me and found it ruined your bracket.
(11) Texas 79, (6) BYU 71
This season, BYU had their biggest basketball recruit since Danny Ainge in the 1980s. And what did they do? Pack their bags after the very first round. AJ Dybantsa, the stud freshman out of Brockton who is a favorite to be the first pick in this year’s NBA draft, certainly played his part for the Cougars. The D-I scoring leader dropped a 35-point, 10-rebound double-double while playing every second of the game. The problem is, he didn’t get much help, like he hasn’t all season, evidenced by the fact that he scored half of his team’s points.
Other First Round Notes:
Alabama, after losing second-leading scorer Aden Holloway, who was arrested two days before the tournament on felony drug charges, showed they can still score with the best of them by dropping 90 on (13) Hofstra
Miami (OH), who lost their one game all season about a week before the tournament, suffered a first-round exit after facing questions on whether or not their schedule was too easy (apparently it was)
(1) Duke kept their matchup against 16-seeded Siena too close for comfort, and actually trailed by 11 at halftime, the largest halftime deficit for a 1-seed against a 16-seed ever
All-American guard Braden Smith broke Bobby Hurley’s all-time NCAA assists record in (2) Purdue’s win over (15) Queens (NC)
Second Round
The rare brackets that make it through the first round usually meet their doom in the second round. Only two recorded brackets have made it past. The upsets, while still quite shocking, usually don’t live up to the first round. There were, however, a few shockers this year.
(9) Iowa 73, (1) Florida 72
Merely two days after flexing their first-seeded muscles on Prairie View A&M with a 55-point victory, Florida was the first 1-seed to pack their bags with an upset loss to 9-seeded Iowa, thanks to a clutch 3 from Alvaro Folgueiras.
(11) Texas 74, (3) Gonzaga 68
Texas followed up their upset over one of the top players in the country by beating a high-seeded Gonzaga squad that is in the mix every year. They were well on their way to being 2026’s Cinderella team.
Other Second Round Notes:
(6) Tennessee beat a tough 3-seeded Virginia crew that gave Duke a run for their money in the ACC Championship Game
Speaking of the Blue Devils, they kept everybody on the edge of their seats again with a close game at halftime against (9) TCU, but pulled away for a big win
Sweet 16
The Sweet 16 is where each year’s Cinderella stories are made. Yeah, a first- or second- round upset is great, but winning in the Sweet 16 and going to the Elite 8 shows you are a legitimate threat that may have been under-seeded. Here are the top contenders for this year’s Sweet 16 Cinderellas:
(6) Tennessee: Tennessee had a played a few quality teams, taking down a Miami (OH) team that almost had an undefeated season, a 3-seeded Virginia team that almost won an ACC that had Duke in it, and then beat a top-notch defensive squad in (2) Iowa State.
(9) Iowa: The Hawkeyes won a close game against Clemson in the first round, not exactly a statement win. But their real signature game came in the second round by knocking Florida out and making them the first 1-seed to head home. They then beat a good Nebraska team to advance to the Elite 8.
Elite 8
The excitement for teams in the Elite 8 is tangible. Win, and you go to college basketball’s Garden of Eden: The Final Four. There still a good mix of favorites and underdogs, so that the upsets, if they happen, can be dramatic and very unprecedented.
Unfortunately, there were no massive upsets in this Elite 8. Our 6- and 9-seeds both lost. But there was still plenty of drama. Keaton Wagler, only a three-star recruit whose Illinois offer was one of his only two major conference offers, continued his fantastic season and led Illinois to their first Final Four since 2005. But the best drama came in a 1-2 game, again with Duke.
(2) UConn 73, (1) Duke 72
Throughout the years, there have been countless clutch moments etched in March Madness history. The first one I remember seeing is Jalen Suggs’ game-winning half court heave for Gonzaga in the 2021 Final Four. It was one of the best plays I have ever seen. But what happened in this Huskies-Blue Devils matchup will go down in history as well.
Duke inbounded the ball, up by two, with 10 seconds to play. The ball found its way to Cayden Boozer at midcourt with 7.5 seconds left. He could just dribble out, hold the ball, maybe get fouled and ice the game. But instead, with a double team coming, Boozer threw up a moronic pass to who-knows-where that was intercepted by UConn. The Huskies made a couple quick passes, eventually getting to Braylon Mullins, who hoisted up a desperation logo three. Nothing but net. UConn up by 1 with 0.3 seconds left. Goodbye, Duke.
This was one of those moments that I will remember where I was when it happened forever. I was at my end-of-season basketball banquet. Everybody was watching the game as we ate, but it took a backseat as the coaches started to talk to everyone. The varsity basketball head coach had just come up to speak with barely a minute or two left. He soon noticed everyone’s quick, furtive glances every couple of seconds at the game, and decided to wait until after the game to talk. I’m so glad he did. It was absolute pandemonium when Mullins hit that shot. An all-time March Madness classic.
The Final Four
Reaching the Final Four is one of the greatest achievements in basketball. Every great collegiate player, coach, and program is judged by their Final Four appearances. You can’t be a great if you’ve never made it; then you’re a choker. This year’s Final Four, however, was certainly great.
(1) Michigan 91, (1) Arizona 73
“The Game of the Year.” That’s what this was expected to be. Two of the select few truly elite teams in college basketball duking it out, the winner going to the national championship. Michigan lost only three games all year, Arizona two. The top two defenses in the country. But instead, Michigan laid it on them like they were playing an underdog nobody thought would be there. Michigan sprinted to a double-digit lead only 5 minutes into the game, and never looked back.
(2) UConn 71, (3) Illinois 62
Another year, another deep tournament run for Danny Hurley. This win sent him and the Huskies to his third national championship game in the last four years. But Illinois put up a fight, better than Arizona did. And this was certainly a great season for the Fighting Illini, Keaton Wagler especially. Wagler entered this year as an unheralded three-star recruit from Kansas, and left as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and NBA lottery lock.
National Championship
And now, we have made it. The final countdown. The last dance. Win or go home. The national championship on the line. A historic UConn team, looking for their third national championship in four years. A Michigan team that enjoyed success in the past, but hadn’t been able to reach their past heights in recent years.
The game was close, with Michigan taking a slim 4-point lead to intermission. The Wolverines pulled away at one point of the second half, but the Huskies weren’t quite done. Alex Karaban, their only remaining player from their 2024 championship team, showed the moment wasn’t too big for him and led UConn on a late rally. In the end, however, Elliot Cadeau and the Big Blue proved too much for UConn. With a 69-63 win, Michigan took home their second national championship in program history, the first since 1989.
So, despite the fact that over 40 million people had their brackets, and their hearts, broken by underdogs and upsets, we still believe March is by far the best month in college, and quite possibly the year. Nothing rivals the passion, intensity, and, well, madness of March.
In only five minutes – the same amount of time it takes to respond to a text message, make a to-do list, or brew a cup of coffee – 26 innocent lives were lost. In just a matter of minutes, dozens of families across Newtown, Connecticut, were forever fractured. In just five minutes, the nation as a whole was forced to face a grim new reality—one with 26 bright, innocent lights extinguished far too soon.
Because of the violence that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Olivia Engel, a girl who loved to laugh, never got to share another joke with her little brother.
Avielle Richman, an adventurous girl who rarely missed out on a chance to have fun, never got to embark on another adventure.
Jesse Lewis, a boy who loved spending time with his grandmother, never got to make the gingerbread house he had been looking forward to making with her for months.
Daniel Barden, who loved spending time at the beach with his family, would never ride another wave again.
And Rachel D’Avino, a beloved teacher at Sandy Hook, never got the chance to say yes to her best friend’s proposal.
Image showing some of the beautiful lives lost at the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in 2012.
All this happened in under five minutes. Yet, the warning signs were visible long before the first shots were fired. In the days leading up to this tragedy, something could have been done to prevent these 26 lives from being cut devastatingly short. In less than five minutes—the same fleeting amount of time it took for the shooting to occur—a warning sign could have been identified, an insight been reported to a trusted adult, or the National Crisis Center been notified. But this intervention did not occur, and the result was the loss of these innocent lives.
The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting took place on the morning of December 14th, 2012, and left the world to face a reality plagued by this brutal act of violence. However, instead of allowing this tragedy to define them, several family members whose loved ones were lost in the shooting united to turn “tragedy to transformation” in an effort to ensure such a catastrophe would never happen again.
Officially founded on January 14th, 2013, exactly one year and one month after the shooting, the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation was created. This nonprofit organization pledged to protect the children of America from gun violence in honor of the lives lost at Sandy Hook. With a staff of more than 100 people, including co-founder and CEO Nicole Hockley, as well co-founder Mark Barden, who both lost their children in the shooting, this foundation is dedicated to spreading its message to communities nationwide, starting at the student level.
This past March, our school was visited by Keeley Rogers, a presenter from Sandy Hook Promise, who shared the foundation’s powerful and inspiring message with students. One of Rogers’ most important points was how to prevent tragedies like the one that occurred at Sandy Hook before they even begin. In over 80 percent of school shootings, according to the organization, at least one other person had knowledge of the perpetrator’s plan but failed to report it. This highlights the importance of recognizing warning signs of violence and the true value of reporting these threats to a trusted individual.
One of the most common warning signs of violence includes isolation or sudden withdrawal from social interactions, including communication with friends and family, Rogers said. This is concerning as it shows that this person no longer finds the same comfort in engaging with the people they had once enjoyed spending time with, hinting that something greater is occurring internally. Another warning signal is extreme mood changes, such as excessive irritability, hostile behaviors, and bullying. This can also include the expression of thoughts of harming themselves or others, which suggests that the person is suffering severe psychological distress and needs immediate intervention. The last warning sign is an interest in school shootings, guns, and other forms of weaponry, as it demonstrates that this person may be truly considering committing an act of violence.
These warning signs can be witnessed in person, on social media, or through other online platforms, Rogers shared. According to Sandy Hook Promise, if you witness any of these signs, there are three important steps you can take, the first being to tell a trusted adult. A trusted adult is defined as a reliable and caring individual over the age of 18. This can be a teacher, a parent, a coach, a relative, or any other person whom you trust to make you feel safe, heard, and respected. The second step you can take, if you do not feel comfortable telling someone in person or wish to remain anonymous, is to use an online reporting system. On our Hanover Public School’s homepage, under the See/Say Something icon, you can report potential threats or dangerous activities that pose a risk to our school community. Once this form is filled out and submitted, it is sent to our School Resource Officer, Officer John Voelkel, as well as your school’s current principal. The third step you can take when witnessing a potential threat is contacting the Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center, which offers 24/7 access to a trusted adult. This can be done by filling out a message in the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System that can be reached by clicking this link.
As a nation, Rogers said, we can come together to honor the victims of gun violence by preventing further tragedies like the one that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School. If we all unite to protect innocent lives from being taken, we can effectively turn an instance of tragedy into a future of transformation.
To learn more about the Sandy Hook Promise or to get involved in the organization, click this link.
Over the past three years, DECA has had a profound impact within our community. The significant growth and achievement of the club, part of a global organization highlighting careers in business, is a direct reflection of the hard work of many students. Not only have these young leaders learned about business, but they have also developed valuable communication and critical thinking skills that apply to any profession.
In its first year as a club, 13 students signed up. Ready to register as one of about 4,500 chapters around the world, students discovered they had missed the deadline. Instead of feeling defeated, DECA members spent the year building a strong foundation through practice roleplays and fundraising.
“Starting a club as a sophomore can be very intimidating and scary at first, especially when people don’t know about it,” said Senior Katie Jones, who was part of those initial efforts and now serves as vice president. “It was challenging to grow awareness at first, but once we learned more and worked together, we became successful.”
In year two, the club grew to 24 members and officially registered as a chapter. The group took part in the District One competition, where students from the region who have studied a business topic are evaluated on their knowledge and professionalism with roleplays, case studies or presentations. Competitiors also must take a 100-question exam about business careers. In that first competition, six members placed and four students qualified for states. These awards were impressive considering the pool of highly qualified students competing; more experienced chapters such as Marshfield, Plymouth North, and Pembroke each have more than 100 members.
This year, DECA has seen its most significant growth due to the dedication of the executive board of seniors Jones, Hope Miller, Grace Gilligan, Dylan Poirier and Bella Ciccolo. The club grew to six times its previous size and now has more than 80 members. At an informational meeting in September, the crowd overflowed the room.
“It was so exciting to see the growth and I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished with this club,” Jones said.
“I loved being able to be a part of a community where I was with my close friends but also a place where everyone wants to thrive and work their hardest,” added Gilligan.
Club members pose before heading to the district competition.
The club participated in the District conference in January and the results were outstanding. Hanover earned 13 medals and 11 trophies! Ciccolo and Poirier took 1st place in Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making, seniors Brianna Adams and Sienna Lamond won 2nd place in Marketing Management Team Decision Making, seniors Marina Khalil and Anna Parker earned 3rd place in Hospitality Services Team Decision Making, junior Jolie Coviello won 3rd place in Principles of Entrepreneurship, seniors Bryan Collins and Leo Galvin earned 4th place in Travel and Tourism Marketing Team Decision Making, sophomores Luca Ciccolo and Grant Miller placed 5th in Financial Services Team Decision Making, junior Audrey Martin and sophomore Allie Waterman medaled in Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making, and sophomore Matt Farrell medaled in Principles of Hospitality and Tourism.
The students who earned trophies also earned seats at the state conference in March. DECA’s advisor, Mr. Ciccolo, an HHS business and computer science teacher, worked to secure sponsorships so students could attend the state conference for free rather than paying the $600 fee. “We have networked significantly, gaining sponsorships from local businesses and fundraising to reduce financial barriers in this year’s district, state, and national competitions,” said Poirier, the club’s treasurer.
Adams and Lamond after their win at states
At states, the team of Adams and Lamond earned 5th place in Marketing Management Team Decision Making and a trip to the international competition April 25-28 in Atlanta, Ga. This is an incredible accomplishment not just for these two students, but for a club in just its third year.
“For the past two years, we have been able to improve our presentation and communication skills as well as our general knowledge about marketing, economics, and the field of business as a whole,” Adams said. “These are skills we will truly carry with us forever, and we have DECA to thank for that.”
“DECA gave us the space to explore our business interests, and now we’re suddenly going to compete at internationals,” Lamond added. “We’re excited to compete with students from across the country who are also passionate about business, and have the opportunity to network and prepare ourselves for whatever future career we may seek.”
One of the goals set for – and met – this year was to involve as many underclassmen as possible so the club would last beyond the graduation of many of the original members. With such a strong showing at the district competition by sophomores and juniors, the executive board is confident that the club will continue to thrive in the future.
“Being a part of DECA these past three years has truly been one of my favorite aspects of high school,” said Poirier. “This success is attributed to the dedication of the many growing student leaders of DECA, and the organization’s expansion is something I am immensely proud to be a part of.”
Enjoying some of the fun events at districtsDistrict winners!Preparing for states
This year, The Hawk has profiled some of the truly special students in the Class of 2026. Each issue, we’ve asked several seniors about their Hanover High School experience to get to know a little bit more about them before they head off into the world. The chosen seniors showcase excellence, whether as a team captain, award winner, club leader, or academic achiever. Read our previous profiles at Senior Spotlight.
This is the final issue of Senior Spotlight! For this issue, you’re getting to meet the students who have been behind this series: Sienna Lamond and Bradlee Dowling. Additionally, two outstanding senior students, Class President Ava Khouri and likely Valedictorian Alana Cole, are featured as well. It has been a joy to write about these incredible seniors. It’s no surprise that these exceptional students are just a few of many outstanding academics, athletes, and performers. Every single one of the graduating seniors deserves admiration for their accomplishments throughout their distinguished high school careers. We at The Hawk are so proud of you and all your future endeavors. We know you have so much to offer this world, and we are excited to see you fly the nest.
Ava Khouri
Ava Khouri is no stranger to Hanover schools and has had years of experience in making an impression on the community. Whether it was cheerleading or student council, Ava has remained a part of the same activities she once loved to be a part of as a child. She joined student council in fifth grade and was class president starting in eighth grade.
“One of my favorite parts of student council has been planning our senior week events this year,” she said. “All of our hard work fundraising has finally paid off.”
Cheerleading has also played an enormous role in her life, starting from the third grade! A team captain, she said that her favorite memories have been made on Friday nights during football games when she ran with her flag along with her best friends, Natalie and Morgan.
Although she transferred a lot of childhood activities to high school, she also left her comfort zone to join Debate Team. This helped her in building confidence and communicating more effectively.
“It taught me to be a much better communicator and strengthened my public speaking skills exponentially,” she said.
Beyond the academic environment, another achievement that few seniors can claim is that she is an aspiring author. Her upcoming children’s book titled “The Apple of My Pie” will see the light of day in 2026. It draws on a writing project from elementary school that her father kept and her work promoting tolerance with the Playbook Initiative in Hanover. This program, which Ava counts as one of her greatest successes, promotes discussions on topics such as racism and discrimination among middle schoolers.
“This experience has been incredibly rewarding,” she said. “I’ve seen students feel more empowered to lead as upstanders and bridge builders for inclusion.”
She intends to enroll in the University of Notre Dame and major in Business Management at the Mendoza College of Business. She added that through leadership roles, community service, and internship programs, high school helped form her career objectives.
When she talked about her experience in high school, she mentioned how much she loved being a senior because of all the memories she made with her peers. There is only one thing she would carry with her beyond high school, which is the idea of taking chances by leaving her comfort zone.
Alana Cole
Alana has lived in Hanover her entire life. In elementary and middle school, Alana always used to dance . . . and she still does! “I started dancing when I was two and a half and have been ever since.” Out of all the styles of dance Alana does, her favorites are contemporary and hip-hop. In high school, Alana joined Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). Throughout elementary and middle school, she disliked science, often preferring English, Math, and Social Studies. “I was convinced I would become a lawyer,” she shares. Years later, however, she’s discovered a real passion not just for STEM but for helping others. Through HOSA, she has been able to explore her budding interest in STEM/Health careers. Her favorite elementary and middle school activity was the annual school musical. Since she was in 2nd grade, Alana has taken part in each school production, including Beauty and the Beast, The Jungle Book, and Frog and Toad. She loved performing onstage so much that over the summer, she would do shows with FACE, and even took the opportunity to sing in talent shows like Hanover’s Got Talent. “As I got older and busier, I stopped participating in theater,” she says, “and I definitely miss it so much!”
Alana’s favorite high school class was AP Chemistry with Mrs. Parry. “It was one of the first APs I took, and it was hard, but I loved learning about the subject so much, and Mrs. Parry quickly became one of my favorite teachers due to her kindness and helpful nature,” she explains. The course made her realize that she wanted to major in biochemistry. She says she formed great friendships through AP Chemistry that continued through her other AP science classes.
Her favorite high school activity has been being a Delegate on the Southeastern Massachusetts Association of Student Councils (SEMASC) executive board. “When I campaigned last year, I had no idea I would actually be elected into such an incredibly collaborative and encouraging group,” she says. She describes how working together with other board members from across southeastern Massachusetts has been a wonderful experience that she’s loved every second of. After high school, Alana plans on majoring in Course 5-7 (Biology and Chemistry) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After college, she hopes to go back to school to earn a PhD in Cell Biology and Genetics so she can work as a cancer researcher. “I realized I wanted to be a scientific researcher in 8th grade, but high school really solidified my career goals as I took classes like AP Biology and AP Chemistry,” she adds.
One accomplishment, beyond being accepted into the best university in the world, is winning the Southeastern Massachusetts Debate League finals. She has competed on the Debate Team for the past four years with her partner, Abbey Corbo, as an affirmative team. “During my freshman year, I lost every single debate,” she recalls. “Each year after, we kept improving until finally this year we won the entire competition! As the top varsity debaters in the whole league, I was so proud of how far we’d come since our very first season!” Something people may not know about Alana is that she is still a Girl Scout! Since kindergarten, she’s been in a Girl Scout troop, and now she is the oldest and last Girl Scout at her level in Hanover. “As I’ve gotten older, I don’t earn badges anymore. Instead, I spend my time volunteering with other troops when I can and keeping traditions like the Flag Ceremony alive.”
“Although it’s probably cliché, my favorite year of high school has been this year, my senior year,” she confesses. She explains how this year has been the best way to conclude her high school career. She finally joined Vox, made friends across the region through SEMASC, and worked hard on her schoolwork while also prioritizing hanging out with her friends. She admits that she is excited to move on from Hanover High School, but extremely happy that she’s had such a phenomenal final year. If Alana could go back and do anything differently, she would’ve joined a vocal ensemble as a freshman instead of as a senior. “Music has always played such an important role in my life, and while I took piano and guitar classes as an underclassman, it still took me three years to join Vox, and that’s probably what I regret the most.” Above getting the opportunity to sing in a choir, Alana loves how the HHS Music Department is the most kind, supportive, and welcoming community. She is so grateful to have spent this past year getting closer to and making new friends through music.
One lesson Alana has taken away from high school is to, “be uncomfortable” whether that means you take rigorous classes, have extremely overscheduled weeks, or find opportunities that push you outside your comfort zone. She has learned that sitting with feelings of discomfort is what has enabled her to grow into the best version of herself. And, “it enables you to be the best version of yourself.”
Sienna Lamond
Sienna Lamond has attended Hanover schools from the first grade and has centered her high school career on creativity, music, and performance. She has been involved in theater all her life, and maintained this passion during her time in high school.
She said some of her favorite classes were Vox, AP Music Theory, AP Environmental Science, and AP US History.
“Mr. Perry is the most enthusiastic teacher I have ever had,” she said. “His presence will be so missed when he retires at the end of this school year.”
Sienna has worked for The Hawk newspaper for several years and has been active in the business club, DECA. In fact, she will be competing in the international competition with her partner, Brianna Adams, later this month. Among all of these activities, her favorite has been Vox, which is the selective choir at Hanover. “Starting the morning off with a group of girls who love to sing and make music has made my senior year beyond enjoyable,” she said.
Aside from music and theatre, she also found new interests in her high school life, such as volleyball and rugby. She admits that she never thought she could play those two sports when she was young.
Outside of school, Sienna takes care of children. She also takes dance classes and acts with Onstage School of Performing Arts; performs backstage work for Anderson Anderdaughter Children’s Theater; and even participated in children’s theater rehearsals for her NHS senior service project. She is truly one of Hanover’s most community-centered individuals.
Combining both of her interests, her plans after graduating include both these aspects as she pursues her BFA in Musical Theater at Syracuse University!
“Do things for you,” she said. “Take classes separate from your friends. Do extracurriculars you care about. This is the time you need to discover who you want to be.”
She said one of the things she is most proud of is becoming President of Tri-M and Vox, along with all of her accomplishments in DECA.
Reflecting on past years, she believes her junior year was the best since she got to take classes she enjoyed and made lifelong friendships. She said she would only wish to tell herself that she didn’t have to be perfect at everything.
Bradlee Dowling
Bradlee came to Hanover Public Schools from Weymouth in the 6th grade. In elementary and middle school, Bradlee loved taking pictures of everything. “Documenting my life has been one of my favorite hobbies for as long as I can remember, and it’s something I’ve definitely carried with me into high school,” he shares. When Bradlee got to high school, he started writing for the school newspaper, The Hawk. This was a new experience for him, and he has enjoyed the time he’s spent as a writer and Editor in Chief. In middle school, Bradlee used to read much more than he does now. “I definitely miss it,” he confesses, “and I wish I had more time to get back into it.”
His favorite high school class has been AP English Language and Composition with Mrs. Abban. He explains that, “every day felt different and engaging, and the class environment was both fun and thought-provoking.” He enjoyed that Mrs. Abban pushed him to think deeply while still maintaining a light and enjoyable class environment. His favorite high school activity has been going to sporting events, “being a part of the class that won the hockey state championship made those experiences even more special.”
After graduating high school, Bradlee plans to attend college, though he’s still deciding where to go. He wants to study nursing, and eventually specialize in aesthetics. He believes high school has influenced these goals; “being surrounded by motivated, curious students has pushed me to work harder and aim higher in my own future.” One accomplishment Bradlee is proud of is co-founding the Career Club with fellow senior Isabella Reed in their sophomore year. He describes how, “we were both unsure about our future career paths, so we created a space where students could explore different options together.” In the end, the club was a successful place where students could explore different interests and support each other as they discovered their passions. Outside of school, Bradlee enjoys watching movies. “I kind of wish I could watch every movie ever made,” he adds.
His favorite year of high school was by far sophomore year. He explains how it was a perfect balance of academic pressure and free time, “not as overwhelming as freshman year, and without the pressure of SATs or college applications that come later with junior and senior year.” If he could do high school over again, he says he “would put [himself] out there more from the beginning.” He began opening up to people later on, and formed meaningful relationships that he wished he made earlier. To conclude, Bradlee’s high school takeaway is, “be mindful about what you share and who you share it with. Not everything needs to be said, and being more intentional with your words can save you from a lot of unnecessary drama.”
Every spring, the community comes together to celebrate the Hanover Schools Annual District Arts Festival. This year’s celebration, which took place on April 7 at Hanover High School, presented the artistic and musical talents of students across grades K-12. Mr. Michael File, an HHS art teacher who helped coordinate the event, said, “The Arts Festival gave students of all ages the opportunity to showcase their talents and celebrate their unique artistic journey with their families, teachers, and peers.”
During the festival, students from the elementary to high school level shared the spotlight as they presented their artwork and musical performances to the community. On the main auditorium stage, large-ensemble performances included “Joy Revisited” by the HHS Symphonic Band, “900 Miles” by the HHS Chorus and Vox, several songs by the Cedar/Center Combined Choir, and a rousing set by the HMS Jazz Ensemble. The HHS rock band Altitude closed out the night with a cover of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin.” On a second stage in the HHS media room, small collections of student musicians came together to perform. Highlights included a performance by the cast of Shrek Jr. and the band To Be Determined’s rendition of “Champagne Supernova” by Oasis. Another unforgettable performance was presented by junior Finn McCabe, who played his own original piano piece, titled “The Least of These,” which was inspired by his Christian background and love for the B-flat major.
In the school gymnasium, student artwork was displayed for all to see in various styles. Among the exhibits were egg carton animals created by Cedar School kindergartners with Ms. Leanne Malfa, paper mache masks made by Mr. Aaron DiGaudio’s sixth grade art class, and the sophisticated ceramic pieces of the high school 3D art class. Featured as well were the expressive 2D and 3D art portfolios of the high school’s AP Art students, showcasing the artists’ dedication to creating meaningful thematic art.
One AP Art student, junior Jenna Clasby, devoted her work to the people who have a special value in her life. Made from a mix of colored pencils and oil pastels, Jenna’s self-portraits showcase her childhood journey and values. Junior Siena Oliver, another AP Art student, created a portfolio with a similar emphasis on childhood memories and nostalgia. One of her favorite pieces is a painting of the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown, featuring a frame she made with her grandfather using wood fragments taken from the monument’s old fence.
Siena Oliver’s painting inspired by the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown.Jenna Clasby’s colored pencil art piece, showing her and her cousin.
Many artists also explored existentialism and the human relationship with nature. Senior AP artist Elizabeth Winnie used acrylic paints to express how the ocean can evoke varying emotions in people based on their individual perspectives. Senior Bella Telepak depicted the duality of death and the absence of consideration for nature’s creatures using her expressive mixed media artwork.
Bella Telepak’s AP Art display that explored the duality of life.Elizabeth Winnie’s AP Art portfolio inspired by the emotions of the ocean.
Another impressive display was presented by Owen Cleary, a junior in AP Art. Owen captivated viewers with his hyperrealistic depictions of supernatural creatures, having spent days perfecting each piece to the most minute detail. These pieces were inspired by some of his favorite video games and horror films.
A piece of Owen Cleary’s artwork displayed in his AP Art portfolio.Owen Cleary’s detailed pencil sketch of a supernatural creature won a Scholastic Art Award earlier this year.
The artwork and musical creativity of the students of Hanover were the highlights of the night; however, what made it truly unforgettable was seeing the meaningful connections the students formed with one another through their shared love for art and music. Caroline Heaney, a junior in the high school’s Vox chorus, described the group as being a “close community of friends who bonded over their shared love for singing.” A similar sentiment was expressed by junior drum major Sophie Bunar, who said that being a part of the high school band is not only about performing on stage, but about meeting new people and forming authentic friendships that will last a lifetime.
Click on a photo to enlarge. Photos by Gabriella DeLuca and Luca Ciccolo
One of Owen Cleary’s 3-D sculptures.Finn McCabe’s digital art creation.Danny Campbell’s artwork inspired by the Sonic video games.Bella Telepak’s art piece created using gel and acrylic pens.Live artwork being created by the HHS art students.Black and white drawings in the art show.Avery Bridson’s AP display influenced by cultural legends.Billy Hersey’s 3D clay sculpture.Jenna Clasby’s mixed media artwork, exploring the pressure to be perfect.Finn McCabe’s watercolor painting of a snowy mountain.JJ Molina-Parri fronts a band playing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana.Dan McAvay shows his live drawing.Jeremiah Gonzales-Aponte plays the drums with Altitude.James Mastrangelo plays with AltitudeRock group Altitude closes out the Arts Fest with Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin.”
The Hawk 