For the long awaited game, it was Homecoming weekend between the Pemberton Hornets and the Bordentown Scotties. It was a great weekend, as Bordentown Regional High School´s Homecoming was also happening this Saturday. Loud music, dance lines, and a full blown win. With the dedication and skills of the Bordentown football team, the Scotties won 35 to 0 in a sweeping win for Bordentown. The majority of the students could say they had a blast, at least from all the yelling to the songs blasted.

Themes during spirit week like Movie Monday— sporting a hilarious look from Reneesha and Rebecca, two sophomore girls dressed up as White Chicks with a great makeup sense, or Tacky Tourist where all you could see were loose button down Hawaiian shirts, sporty shades, and shorts to match the look. 

Wear Your Class Color Wednesday featured Freshman in dark brown shirts representing Philadelphia hallways, and appreciating many great things that come from the city of Philly. Sophomores wore light green with Paris as their city, displaying their rendition of the Louvre alongside a nice Parisian cafe to visit and stay at if you're hungry. Juniors with bright red shirts created a masterful hallway representing Vegas, spotlighting Elvis and showgirls throwing dice and poker cards. With their great sense of teamwork and style for the intricate details and lovely display of school pride, Juniors were able to win the hallway decorating competition. Lastly our class of 2026 Seniors sported blue, recreating the lively streets of New York City with their own Bordentown twist.  

Throwback Thursday brought home memories of quarantine; with various VSCO girls and their scrunchies strutting the halls or the 90s basketball jerseys seen among the students. Moreover, Scottie Friday showed an overwhelming display of support for the Bordentown Scotties with our students wearing school colors, and Seniors winning overall dress-up days participation. As the end of Friday approached, Seniors took over the pep rally and won overall for Homecoming week.

The long-awaited Homecoming dance was very enjoyable, from the many crowds of people you could see in the gym screaming out loud to either “24k Magic” by Bruno Mars or “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan. Songs heard were Beauty and Beat or maybe the all-time favorite Cha-Cha Slide. Either way, no matter the music the students from all grades at Bordentown High School were able to show great excitement at the dance even without the photobooth nor snacks. Next year, we hope to see even more excitement through Homecoming week, and the anticipated dance!

For the past four years, every time October has rolled around, I’ve asked the same question, “Am I too old to Trick-or-Treat”?  My head says “yes” but my heart screams “NO”. My selfish need for free candy overrides any voice of reasoning. The past couple of years I’ve gone out and I’ve watched as two-year-old children to thirteen-year-old children hoard the streets and ring doorbells beside me, but nowhere do I find my peers. When did everyone decide that trick-or-treating was too old for them? 

To get to the bottom of this question, I created a poll that asked “How old is too old to trick or treat?” The options for voters were freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. As the votes started rolling in I noticed the overwhelming majority picked “seniors”. The end results were, 5% for freshmen, 5% for sophomores, 5% for juniors, and a whopping 85% for seniors. People were also able to provide their own comments about it if they wished. Approximately 67% of entries said that there is no age limit to trick-or-treating. To quote one of the more passionate responses “THERES NO SUCH THING AS TOO OLD”. The rest of the comments agreed that people should only trick or treat until they’re in high school. 

I then turned to the internet for answers. I wanted to see how much the thoughts of BRHS students aligned with the individuals online. As I scoured article after article a common consensus reached was, that there’s no technical age when people have to stop trick or treating but they typically should after the age of seventeen. Well, that's unless you live in the town of Chesapeake, Virginia where officials have put laws into place that have made the age limit fourteen, or Deerfield, New Jersey where the suggested age limit is twelve. An unspoken rule for most towns is, no matter age you have to be dressed in a costume if you want to receive candy which is a fair trade. 

This year, as I go trick or treating I refuse to feel ashamed for wanting to enjoy the holiday by treating myself to some free candy. The opinion of the internet and my peers have sided with me and made it clear that it is my right as a teenager to go door-to-door and fill a pillowcase with some candy.

It's about that time! Unfortunately, the halls will no longer be enthralled with your favorite seniors, but rather, a sense of bittersweet anticipation will fill the air. After four long years of hard work, growth, and savored memories, our seniors prepare to bid farewell and move onto the next chapter. Whether they plan to attend trade school, college, the military, or any future aspirations, we are proud of what these seniors have accomplished, and proudly acknowledge whatever their next steps may be! 

There is no doubt that BRHS ensures that the seniors feel valued and appreciated before they embark on their graduation journey. Every year, the school dedicates a wall of windows to the seniors, where they display various colleges and other future career paths, as well as the names of the seniors headed down those chosen routes. There is no better way to parade the accomplishments of the future graduates than to visually display them, but this might also allow the underclassmen to gain inspiration after knowing what their peers are doing after graduation. Additionally, the school takes it upon themselves to deliver graduation signs to the seniors, in which the staff at BRHS is allowed to choose students to specifically drop signs off to. This act of kindness allows the seniors to feel acknowledged by a staff member that they have found comfort in- a friend. These gestures may seem simple, but they hold great sentimental value that will continue to inspire the seniors in their future aspirations. 

After speaking with some graduates, it is clear that although the road may seem far and scary, they are ready to embark on such a journey. Kate McWhirk, a graduating senior, explains that she will be attending Boston College in the fall. After asking what she is excited or scared for, she states, “I’m mostly hesitant about the moving situation, just being far from home in general.” McWhirk continues, stating “but I’m very excited to meet new people- especially in a new environment. Thinking about being somewhere so far just gives me an adrenaline rush- it’s like I can’t wait to explore around campus and meet all the people in my program.” McWhirk definitely encapsulates the most common feelings about post-grad, where it is simultaneously daunting and thrilling. 

There are many events approaching that are held in order to honor the graduating class. Just around the corner is this year’s class night, where the students are gathered for a scholarship ceremony and they receive their yearbooks along with a prepared dinner. This formal event acknowledges the academic achievements of the senior class, but also, allows them to gather as a class, offering a communal and inclusive atmosphere where the students can create final memories together. On June 20th, the school will hold its graduation ceremony for the graduating class. This ceremony is the perfect event to recognize and celebrate the seniors as their name is called on the speakers, and they walk on stage in front of their family, friends, and community. Graduation ceremonies are often the most insightful, as they include speeches given by staff and students, allowing space for reflection and motivation. Finally, the school concludes the night of graduation with another collaborative event - project graduation. This event allows the students to spend one last night together, where they can reminisce and plan for the future. 

Despite how challenging it may be to say goodbye to the place and the people you’ve always known, it's important to remember that this is just the end of a chapter, not the book. The overwhelming extent of emotions you may be feeling at this point in your life are expected - whether it is fear, sadness, excitement, joy, or hesitancy, it all means one thing: that you are onto bigger things, and there are countless doors of opportunity awaiting you. To all seniors graduating this year, you have surely left your mark on the walls of BRHS, and your experiences here are just the beginning. 

Memorial day weekend is fast approaching, and because no inclement weather days were used, it's set up to be a long one. While most students rejoice when it’s time for another break from school (whether it be winter break, spring break, or simply a long weekend), some could find them a bit boring. Many students tend to go on vacations with their families during this time and so others who are not could feel a bit bored as their friends have left.

However, just because you have to stay home doesn’t mean you have to be bored. New Jersey is home to loads of beautiful state parks that give you the opportunity to explore and appreciate nature.

Many of the current state park systems in New Jersey were built in the 1930s as a way to provide more jobs to American citizens during the Great Depression. Federal job-creation programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration assisted in the creation of over 800 state parks (and several national ones). As of right now, New Jersey is home to 27 state parks, 11 state forests, 5 national wildlife refuges, and 1 national park. Our state park system encompasses over 430,000 acres of land. While here I will only be focusing on the state parks, I encourage all of our BRHS Highlander readers to look into the other options New Jersey has to offer.

Because of the multitude of state parks in New Jersey, there is something for everybody! If you do not want to have to drive too far to see some beautiful views, then Rancocas State Park, Washington Crossing State Park, or the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, might be good fits for you. The Rancocas State Park has over 14 trails totaling 13 miles in the park. The trails are split into two sections in the park: within the forest and near the meadows. However, if you are interested in learning more about the wildlife in the area, you do have the option of taking a guided nature walk. Additionally, if you take an interest in fishing, then Rancocas might be the choice for you as they permit fishing along the banks of Rancocas Creek. It will be important to know that there are no staffed facilities on site at the state park. Lastly, the park is open from sunrise to sunset and has no entrance fee.

Moreover, the Washington Crossing State Park (as the name suggests) is the site of the historic crossing of the Delaware River by George Washington. The crossing resulted in a victory for the Continental Army and a huge morale boost for the Revolutionaries. There are 13 miles of moderate trails within this state park (not ADA accessible) as well as 5 miles of trails for mountain biking, 13 miles of hiking trails, and 2 ½ miles of trails for horseback riding. In addition, at this state park you have the option to camp as long as you make online reservations at www.camping.nj.gov. The park also offers hunting (seasonally), fishing, and picnic tables. There is no entrance fee as of right now.

Furthermore, if you are willing to venture a little farther in the state, there are even more options. Some of my favorite parks that I have found after researching are: Cheesequake State Park, High Point State Park, Cape May Point State Park, and Washington Rock State Park. All of these range between a 45 minute drive to 2 hours. In this section I will go from closest to farthest away.

Firstly, there is Cheesequake State Park which is on the smaller side but offers a wide range of activities. You can swim, kayak, picnic, hunt, camp, mountain biking, and more! Cheesequake is the only state park where the northern hardwood forest meets a southern pine barrens ecosystem at sea level, which means that any hikers, bikers, or bird-watchers will get to experience an extremely diverse flora and fauna in a natural environment. There are five designated trails at this state park that range from easy to moderate difficulty. Four of them are dedicated to walking and hiking while the fifth is for hiking and mountain biking. Trail lengths range from 1.5 to 3.5 miles. If you are interested in camping here, you must visit the aforementioned website to make a reservation. This park includes four sites that accommodate 25 campers each. If you would like to boat, kayak, or canoe, you are welcome to as long as you have one U.S Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device per person. Once again, entry is free.

Next on the list is Washington Rock State Park -- another park with historical significance. An outcropping in the area gave George Washington a 30-mile panoramic view of the surrounding area and helped to instruct the Continental Army in cutting off British General William Howe’s retreat. This is one of the oldest parks in New Jersey and encompasses about 52 acres. Even though this park is not as robust with its trail as some of the others, there are some walking trails and it is a beautiful place to have a picnic. To add on, across the street at the entrance to the trails, you will get to see a view of the New York City skyline!

About two hours away, Cape May Point State Park is a great place not only for its trails and activities, but also to learn more about the history and nature in the area (if you’re into that kind of thing). This state park is best known for its bird-watching, lighthouse, WWII gun battery, monarch butterflies, and Cape May diamonds. It houses over 244 acres of freshwater meadows, ponds, forests, dunes, and beach. Almost anything you can think of, you can do here. They have a 0.5-mile wheelchair accessible trail, a 1.5-mile long trail that shows off numerous habitats, and lastly a 2-mile long trail that also shows you diverse flora and fauna and provides a longer walk along the beach and dunes. Furthermore, you could also take your bikes with you and visit historic Cape May. The park is only open until 8pm though so if you are planning to visit make sure you leave at a reasonable time.

Last but not least, we have High Point State Park, known for its 1,803 foot tall monument on top of Kittatinny Ridge. Unfortunately, the interior of the monument is closed for the season, but that does not mean it is not worth visiting. Thanks to Anthony and Susan Dryden Kuser, this park has over 16,000 acres of land for anyone and everyone to enjoy at no cost to you. Considering how large the park is, I won’t bore you with all of the information regarding the trails, however, I will say that there are over 50 miles of trails for hiking, walking, biking, etc. Trail lengths range from 0.5 miles to 4.4 miles. While it is too early to swim yet, if you are considering visiting in the summer, High Point State Park provides you with the opportunity to swim in Lake Marcia (as long as lifeguards are present). The park has both changing rooms and a snack stand near the beach. Camping, fishing, and hunting is all permitted at the park as well as boating (as long as you have personal flotation devices for everyone on the boat). 

These are only a few of the hundreds of state parks in New Jersey. While I have tried to pick out the ones that would appeal to the most people, these may not be a perfect fit for you, and that’s alright. I encourage you to visit New Jersey’s official website where you can find a list of every single state park, state forest, etc. and any information that you may need regarding said park. 

Any other information you need can be found on the official website for New Jersey state parks and forests services: https://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/  

The Bordentown Regional High School Theater Club kicked off 2023 with a spectacular performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on February 24 and 25 in the Performing Arts Center. Many students, alumni, parents, and local Bordentown residents attended the show and were astounded by the performance. The musical was lead by four incredibly talented students: Joseph, the “dreamer”, was played by Jake Sfraga (Senior), and the role of the narrator was split between three students: Candace Farrell (Senior), Anna Madden (Senior), and Atlas Planas-Borgstrom (Freshman). 

Other significant roles included Jacob and the Pharaoh, both played by Ryan Kauffman (Senior). A second notable pair was Mr. and Mrs. Potiphar who were portrayed by Raymond Hollopeter (Senior) and Olivia McGlone (Senior). In addition, the lead actors and actresses had a large ensemble to support them. 

The students’ effort on-stage matched the stamina and work ethic of the students participating off-stage. Multiple students were in charge of building and moving props, controlling sound and lighting, as well as other special effects that enhanced the performance. Several students also took part in the Pit Orchestra, led by Director of Bands, Michael Montalto. 

Rehearsals began at the beginning of January and the cast spent hours singing, dancing, and perfecting every aspect of the musical. Lead actor Jake Sfraga admitted he originally “expected a rough show” during the early stages of development, however, he and multiple other students agreed that everything came together the final week of rehearsals. Sfraga elaborated on tech week, stating, “Everyone pulled it together so greatly… it was one of my favorite shows.” 

Many members of the cast recalled their favorite memories of the show from trying on costumes for the first time to the musical’s closing night. A mutual feeling shared by several performers was the strong sense of community between everyone. One of the narrators, Candace Farrell, was ecstatic to be part of the production. “The best part of putting the show together was seeing how close everyone was,” said Farrell, “It was an unexpected group of people to become best friends and we all became close so quickly.”

Students who took part in stage crew, pit orchestra, or other roles to help also thoroughly enjoyed their time. Clarinetist Rachel Schiariti (Junior) shared how just being in the pit was very exciting. Sophomore Jayde Rios helped out building sets for the show and was in charge of several tasks throughout the live performances. Rios described the experience as stressful at times but it proved to be super fun. 

Unsurprisingly, the Bordentown Regional High School Theater Club definitely delivered during the performances of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! All of the students who participated worked extremely hard to put the show together; they were rewarded with great feedback from audience members as well as amazing reviews from the Cappies, a program that trains high school theater and journalism students. The Theater Club’s next production will be the annual One Act Play Festival which will be held April 28 in the Performing Arts Center!

Check out some photos from the production in the Photo Gallery tab!

With the new year having just started and the semester coming to a close, the BRHS Highlander asked the students of BRHS what they are doing to improve in the 2023 school year. We posted a poll on instagram to ask what people have already decided upon doing to improve their year and what their hardest class is going to be in the new semester.

What are some of your new year’s resolutions?

• Run more

• Go to the gym consistently/workout more

• Create healthier habits

• Less overthinking

• Delete unwanted emails

• Go to a good college

• Manage my time better

• Procrastinate less

• Find a better studying method

It seems like this year the BRHS student body is going to start exercising more! If you have not decided upon one yet, this list could give you some inspiration or you could look at some more ideas for new year’s resolutions not from our poll:

• Clean your room more often

• Save more money

• Eat in more 

• Learn a new skill or try out a new hobby

• Pay more compliments/be nicer

When making a new year’s resolution, you should try to make it measurable and as specific as possible in order to ensure you actually stick with it throughout the year. For example, one of the resolutions mentioned was to “delete unwanted emails”. To make this easier to stick to, the person might make it a point to delete their emails once a week. That way you can measure how successful you are in your resolutions and they will seem less daunting. 

We also ask what different students’ hardest classes would be next semester and this is what we got:

• Chemistry (lots of AP Chem specifically)

• Yoga 

• AP Biology

• Gym

• Statistics

• Calculus

Some of the best ways to tackle hard classes are:

Make sure to ask questions! This one seems simple, but a lot of people are afraid of looking stupid and decide not to ask about concepts confusing to them. If you are able to, go during your study hall, after school, or even during class, just ask your teacher about what you’re unsure of and it will make the class just a little bit easier. Or if you feel uncomfortable asking the teacher, you could talk with your classmates and together you can figure out the hard concepts.

Another seemingly obvious one, but if you have a big test coming up, do not procrastinate studying. Also keep in mind that studying methods involving active learning (like practice problems, teaching the material to someone else, or “blurting”) are better than passive learning methods like rereading notes.

Sometimes, changing the way you take notes for a class can also help you grasp the material better. It’s important to know what type of learning style works best for you (visual, auditory, reading/writing) and try to incorporate that into your note-taking. Everyone learns differently!

On January 13, BRHS held the most prized tradition of the year: Mr. Bordentown. Pitting seven senior boys against each other, MCs Ajay Donthula and Jeremiah Paul led an intense competition, having the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the entirety of the event. This years contestants were Sean McWhirk as Mr. President, Brendan Swanson as Mr. Well-Rounded, Ryan Kaufman as Mr. Announcer, Jake Sfraga as Mr. Piano Whisperer, Christian Montalvo as Mr. Triple Threat, Denny Morolda as Mr. Bald, and Noah Bergen as Mr. Flow. Their respective escorts being Melinda Lee, Taylor Bassion, Olivia McGlone, Gianna Harris, Carleigh Johnson, Sofia Klama, and Anna Madden. 

        After an exhilarating opening number by the participants, they presented their talented acts including: playing the sweet ukulele, beautiful singing, a hilarious acting scene, an intense Elvis song, One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful,” and an array of stunning yoga ball tricks performed in pink tights… yes, you read that right! After the incredible performances, the audience became witness to the most chic and stylish runway show ever seen. We ended the night with some “serious” and “silly” questions, ranging from “Who is your biggest inspiration?” to “What is your favorite cheese and why?” After a morsel of sentimental thoughts combined with a touch of humor, the time had come for what we’ve all been waiting for: the announcement of the winners. 

       The 2023 Mr. Legs award was presented to Mr. Triple Threat, Christian Montalvo, who raised over $289 for the state charity, Imagine. Last but certainly not least, the 2023 Mr. Bordentown was presented to... Mr. Bald or Denny Morolda!

Whether you’re a college student, a freshman in highschool, or a kindergarten teacher, the last two years have raised unforeseen circumstances in any school environment all around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic not only caused tragedy and pain, but also forced us to adjust to seemingly impossible changes. Safety protocols were put in place in an attempt to control the spread of the illness, limitations were put on the amount of people allowed in a room, learning methods became virtual, mask policies were established, etc. These changes heavily affected many students’ ability to properly learn and retain information, and required teachers to change their usual system of educating in a classroom setting. Despite the general unfamiliarity, the vast majority of schools are attempting to lean back into a normal school setting once again, including here at Bordentown Regional High School, in which the 2022-2023 school year will be the first normal year since the pandemic. Students and staff have noticed the developments to the school system, and some of these developments do not even pertain to the pandemic, but instead are just technological advances. 

Even though the pandemic is still evident, majorly in states such as Florida and Texas, the numbers are low enough for everyone to be in the building again. In New Jersey, the weekly average for cases is approximately 1,631. As a result of this fortunate drop in numbers, students and staff were finally able to begin the school year without face masks and social distancing, and many students and staff members at BRHS have expressed their gratitude for this. One teacher at BRHS explains that the abandonment of the COVID-19 policies allows for a more personal student-teacher connection. They elaborated on the loss of the mask policy, stating that it's similar to a “sigh of relief, like I don’t have to hold my breath.” Another teacher even stated that last year during the peak of the pandemic in schools, the idea of social distancing in a classroom was “physically and mentally detrimental” because the physical gap created the academic inability for students to work together to retain information, explaining that “even the fact that their desks were far apart made it seem so formal and introverted.” 

Contrastingly, some other teachers felt as if the lack of policy is definitely a step towards a normal environment, but that they were not necessarily as detrimental for their classroom. One teacher stated that they “felt its absence, but were not really burdened by its presence.” It is also crucial to consider the opinions of the students, and how they personally feel the fresh school year has impacted their academics and social life at BRHS. Virtually most of the upperclassmen believe that this school year has satisfied their hopes for a normal year again, especially since the iconic homecoming rituals were successfully celebrated without the burden of covid, where they didn’t have to think about a 6-feet-apart pep rally or mask-required HOCO dance. After speaking to several freshmen, they expressed that they were grateful for entering their highschool career without having to worry about safety policies, and that it would’ve been “even more stressful”.

In an effort to keep up with advances in technology, BRHS has administered chromebooks to all students for academic purposes, and even an app, “SmartPass”, has been implemented into the school’s mandate. Chromebooks were handed out before the start of the new year, and they came with styluses, a protective case, and the SmartPass app already accessible with just a couple clicks. On the app, you can create your own pass that clarifies where you are coming from and what location you intend to go to, and you can even schedule passes ahead of time. 

 The BRHS students and staff had a lot to say about SmartPass, in which many stated that it was a “good way to keep track of time”, particularly when people become more familiar with it. They also add that the app’s feature that notifies staff if someone has created too many passes is especially beneficial; students who constantly abuse passes makes it harder for other students to leave the room since there is a limited amount of people allowed outside at once.

On the other hand, many claim that SmartPass is not as helpful, and rather creates issues. One student states that SmartPass is “more of a hassle than a benefit” in the academic environment. They explained that issues still arise with it in the sense that sometimes the wi-fi goes down and takes up time, the process disrupts the flow of class because people aren’t used to it yet, and that it’s a struggle to take out your chromebook anytime you need to use the bathroom. Additionally, they explained that the administration imposed SmartPass as a way to prevent the inappropriate behavior from students that occurs when they are outside of the classroom, and that SmartPass would help them in staying on top of this; time will tell how effective the app is in doing just that. 

In regards to the new chromebooks, most students and staff had a positive general outlook on the matter. One student even claimed that the distribution of chromebooks to students was “genius.” They explained that the chromebooks allowed students access to any academic sources they would need, such as their school email or the internet, but didn’t allow social media at the same time. Another staff member explained how the utilization of chromebooks actually justifies the phone policies that have been enforced, which is another new change in policy at BRHS. 

The phone policy states that students are not permitted to have their phones during class; this means they should not use them or have them out on their desks during academic periods. Of course, the chromebooks given to students allow them any kind of internet access, which eliminates the academic need for devices. Although, when speaking with BRHS students and staff, both groups highlighted potential benefits as well as drawbacks. Many students explain that since they are able to use their phones during study hall and lunches, it isn’t as strict of a rule as they anticipated it to be. In fact, within the United States, 77% of schools actually have a phone policy of some sort. One teacher at BRHS explains that “kids are in a generation where their phones are a crutch, and this makes a student more vulnerable”. However, one student claimed that administrators have to understand that they will not singlehandedly break the habit of teen dependence on phones. Researchers at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, stated that “when students are allowed to use phones, tablets or other devices for non-academic purposes during classroom lectures, they perform worse in end-of-term exams”. Despite the fact that these devices can be a distraction, a staff member explained how we all have the “gratification” of using a device, and this sudden abandonment could also be detrimental for a student. This forces them to fixate on the inability to use their phones, therefore causing them to perform poorly during class. A student also claimed that this rule “makes people want to use their phones even more”, which is understandable because students might feel as if they are being controlled or that freedom is being taken away from them. Another teacher argued that if this rule is “cut and dry”, it could cause negative damage because it's too restrictive. Other teachers welcomed this change and felt this policy would “vastly improve student academic performance and social skills.”

Upon speaking with the valuable minds here at BRHS, it would’ve been thoughtless not to ask students and staff what they thought the most drastic change was this new year, or what they think affected them most, besides the lack of COVID-19 policies or the addition of chromebooks and smartpass. One student explained that the further usage of “Go Guardian” (a technological application that allows teachers to see exactly what their students are doing on their chromebooks) may be problematic. While some recognize it may keep students on task, many felt that there should be a “sense of trust” between teacher and student and that the fact that teachers can see your screen feels as if they are peering over your shoulder as you type. Another student mentioned the fact that school lunches are not free anymore like they were last year due to the federal program instituting the free meals coming to an end. Like many in the public, they argued that this might be the only time a student has to eat lunch all day, and that it might be hard for them to pay every day for a meal. Despite the general opinions on these new changes, there is no doubt that the BRHS staff is doing their best to ease students back into the new year. 

Sometimes asking questions about your school can be tough and you may be too scared to ask but the people of the highlander have got you covered: 

Q: How do I get involved?/What is key club?

A: Key club is a service-based organization that focuses on helping the local community and builds character/leadership skills. It meets every other Tuesday in the library, helps to acquire volunteer hours, and looks awesome on college applications. 

There are many other clubs that BRHS has to offer including Student Council, run by Ms. Lynch, which takes place every Wednesday morning at 7:15 in room 222. There is also Model Congress, run by Mr. Tobias, where students play the roles of Congress members, write bills, and debate issues happening within our country. See the BRHS website for even more clubs and activities. 

Q: How do we get information about colleges?

A: College information meetings with guidance counselors are typically for juniors and tend to take place in February and March where you can discuss colleges and courses you might need to take during senior year. More specific questions  should be discussed directly with your guidance counselor, which you may contact via email and request to have a meeting. 

Q: What is NHS/NAHS?

A: NHS, which stands for National Honor Society, is a program that picks students with high GPAs and the most activity points. If you have questions, talk to Mrs. Fecher and Mr. LaRubbio. NAHS is the National Arts Honors Society. The requirements include having credits for at least 3 art classes and being a member of the Art Club. See Mrs. Sexton with any questions. 

Q: Is there a pool on the roof?

A: Unfortunately, I cannot give you this information and would suggest you seek it out yourself. 

It's about that time! Unfortunately, the halls will no longer be enthralled with your favorite seniors, but rather, a sense of bittersweet anticipation will fill the air. After four long years of hard work, growth, and savored memories, our seniors prepare to bid farewell and move onto the next chapter. Whether they plan to attend trade school, college, the military, or any future aspirations, we are proud of what these seniors have accomplished, and proudly acknowledge whatever their next steps may be! 

There is no doubt that BRHS ensures that the seniors feel valued and appreciated before they embark on their graduation journey. Every year, the school dedicates a wall of windows to the seniors, where they display various colleges and other future career paths, as well as the names of the seniors headed down those chosen routes. There is no better way to parade the accomplishments of the future graduates than to visually display them, but this might also allow the underclassmen to gain inspiration after knowing what their peers are doing after graduation. Additionally, the school takes it upon themselves to deliver graduation signs to the seniors, in which the staff at BRHS is allowed to choose students to specifically drop signs off to. This act of kindness allows the seniors to feel acknowledged by a staff member that they have found comfort in- a friend. These gestures may seem simple, but they hold great sentimental value that will continue to inspire the seniors in their future aspirations. 

After speaking with some graduates, it is clear that although the road may seem far and scary, they are ready to embark on such a journey. Kate McWhirk, a graduating senior, explains that she will be attending Boston College in the fall. After asking what she is excited or scared for, she states, “I’m mostly hesitant about the moving situation, just being far from home in general.” McWhirk continues, stating “but I’m very excited to meet new people- especially in a new environment. Thinking about being somewhere so far just gives me an adrenaline rush- it’s like I can’t wait to explore around campus and meet all the people in my program.” McWhirk definitely encapsulates the most common feelings about post-grad, where it is simultaneously daunting and thrilling. 

There are many events approaching that are held in order to honor the graduating class. Just around the corner is this year’s class night, where the students are gathered for a scholarship ceremony and they receive their yearbooks along with a prepared dinner. This formal event acknowledges the academic achievements of the senior class, but also, allows them to gather as a class, offering a communal and inclusive atmosphere where the students can create final memories together. On June 20th, the school will hold its graduation ceremony for the graduating class. This ceremony is the perfect event to recognize and celebrate the seniors as their name is called on the speakers, and they walk on stage in front of their family, friends, and community. Graduation ceremonies are often the most insightful, as they include speeches given by staff and students, allowing space for reflection and motivation. Finally, the school concludes the night of graduation with another collaborative event - project graduation. This event allows the students to spend one last night together, where they can reminisce and plan for the future. 

Despite how challenging it may be to say goodbye to the place and the people you’ve always known, it's important to remember that this is just the end of a chapter, not the book. The overwhelming extent of emotions you may be feeling at this point in your life are expected - whether it is fear, sadness, excitement, joy, or hesitancy, it all means one thing: that you are onto bigger things, and there are countless doors of opportunity awaiting you. To all seniors graduating this year, you have surely left your mark on the walls of BRHS, and your experiences here are just the beginning. 

It's about that time! Unfortunately, the halls will no longer be enthralled with your favorite seniors, but rather, a sense of bittersweet anticipation will fill the air. After four long years of hard work, growth, and savored memories, our seniors prepare to bid farewell and move onto the next chapter. Whether they plan to attend trade school, college, the military, or any future aspirations, we are proud of what these seniors have accomplished, and proudly acknowledge whatever their next steps may be! 

There is no doubt that BRHS ensures that the seniors feel valued and appreciated before they embark on their graduation journey. Every year, the school dedicates a wall of windows to the seniors, where they display various colleges and other future career paths, as well as the names of the seniors headed down those chosen routes. There is no better way to parade the accomplishments of the future graduates than to visually display them, but this might also allow the underclassmen to gain inspiration after knowing what their peers are doing after graduation. Additionally, the school takes it upon themselves to deliver graduation signs to the seniors, in which the staff at BRHS is allowed to choose students to specifically drop signs off to. This act of kindness allows the seniors to feel acknowledged by a staff member that they have found comfort in- a friend. These gestures may seem simple, but they hold great sentimental value that will continue to inspire the seniors in their future aspirations. 

After speaking with some graduates, it is clear that although the road may seem far and scary, they are ready to embark on such a journey. Kate McWhirk, a graduating senior, explains that she will be attending Boston College in the fall. After asking what she is excited or scared for, she states, “I’m mostly hesitant about the moving situation, just being far from home in general.” McWhirk continues, stating “but I’m very excited to meet new people- especially in a new environment. Thinking about being somewhere so far just gives me an adrenaline rush- it’s like I can’t wait to explore around campus and meet all the people in my program.” McWhirk definitely encapsulates the most common feelings about post-grad, where it is simultaneously daunting and thrilling. 

There are many events approaching that are held in order to honor the graduating class. Just around the corner is this year’s class night, where the students are gathered for a scholarship ceremony and they receive their yearbooks along with a prepared dinner. This formal event acknowledges the academic achievements of the senior class, but also, allows them to gather as a class, offering a communal and inclusive atmosphere where the students can create final memories together. On June 20th, the school will hold its graduation ceremony for the graduating class. This ceremony is the perfect event to recognize and celebrate the seniors as their name is called on the speakers, and they walk on stage in front of their family, friends, and community. Graduation ceremonies are often the most insightful, as they include speeches given by staff and students, allowing space for reflection and motivation. Finally, the school concludes the night of graduation with another collaborative event - project graduation. This event allows the students to spend one last night together, where they can reminisce and plan for the future. 

Despite how challenging it may be to say goodbye to the place and the people you’ve always known, it's important to remember that this is just the end of a chapter, not the book. The overwhelming extent of emotions you may be feeling at this point in your life are expected - whether it is fear, sadness, excitement, joy, or hesitancy, it all means one thing: that you are onto bigger things, and there are countless doors of opportunity awaiting you. To all seniors graduating this year, you have surely left your mark on the walls of BRHS, and your experiences here are just the beginning.