(Video produced by Kimberlyn Gutierrez)
(Photos property of Comsewogue High School)
By: Kimberlyn Gutierrez
To share and honor culture as a community, Comsewogue High School hosted a Hispanic Heritage Night on December 6th. The celebration was held in the cafeteria with different types of music, dances, and food. People from the community tried different types of food from Latin American countries. In addition, we had a lot of guest speakers talk about their heritage and background.
The event started at 6:00 and we were able to see dances like merengue, cumbia, punta, bachata, etc. These are all different types of dances in different countries. The audience, as well as the students who participated in the dances, enjoyed it.
In an interview, Lirianny Tineo, a student who participated in multiple dances said, “I like the dances that we all did. I found them to be a very good representation of our cultures.”
The students, who are a part of the Hispanic community, were glad with how they showed different cultures. Student Rina Mena said, “El baile folklorico is a unique dance to my culture and my people.”
With the dances, students at Comsewogue were able to express themselves through their culture. Also, the community was provided with various kinds of Hispanic food. It was very enjoyable, especially for people who have never tried a certain type of food from different cultures.
For example, in an interview, Naomi Diaz said, 'It was my first time trying pupusas and they were made by my friend and were really good.’ With this event being held at the school, Naomi got to taste Salvadoran culture through pupusas and it was an enjoyable experience.
Altogether, Hispanic Night was a success! Many people witnessed a representation of different cultures through dances and food. It was a wonderful experience and the community got to learn more about Hispanic culture.
(Video produced by Sam Bruno)
(Photos property of Comsewogue High School)
The Journey Forward: Chasing A Career
By: Nicholas Callahan
The elective fair is a time for students to take a step back and talk to their guidance counselors to create a roadmap for their future. It is also a time for students to figure out their interests, but for those who missed out on the elective fair, students can still talk to their guidance counselors for help.
The elective fair has been around for a couple of years now and has been a stepping stone for students to help themselves and guidance counselors to see what classes students should take to help them when looking at the future.
"It gets students thinking about what my future looks like, what my future can look like". said Ms. Klein when asked about the elective fair.
Comsewogue staff all said similar things with Mr. Mosca expressing his opinion saying "The best part is hearing from students like yourself" said Mr. Mosca when asked about how the elective fair benefits students.
Students were also asked about their overall thoughts on the elective fair. One student said, "It helps me with my job," said Gustavo, a senior at Comsewogue when asked about how the elective fair has benefitted him.
Ms. Klein also added by talking about the elective fair on a deeper level. "The elective fair gives students the opportunity to really take a look on a deeper level about the courses that are offered here at the high school," Ms. Klein stated.
Finally, Mrs. Hirko talked about the opportunity that comes from the elective fair. She went on to say, "It really gives our students the opportunity to get a taste of all the different electives that we've been offering."
It seems that both students and staff believe the same thing that the elective fair is significant or as Mosca put it, special when he said, "Having something like this where you get to actually see all the great things that are offered I think is really special"
(Video produced by Will Swierupski; Photos Property of Comsewogue High school)
Comsewogue Quiz Bowl
By: William Swierupski
The Comsewogue High School Quiz Bowl team kicked off their season with an exhilarating victory over Hauppauge High School in their first meet, marking a milestone for the team as they continue to build momentum in the world of academic competition. The match was filled with intense back-and-forth moments, but Comsewogue's team ultimately prevailed with a score that reflected their depth of knowledge and quick thinking.
While Quiz Bowl may be known for its fast-paced questioning and competitive spirit, the impact of the club goes far beyond the buzzers and trivia. Participants find that the skills they develop through the competition help them not only in the classroom but also in everyday life. From honing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to improving their test-taking strategies, the benefits are wide-ranging.
Maya Swierupski, one of the team members, emphasizes how participating in Quiz Bowl has enhanced her skills in ways she didn’t anticipate. “Quiz Bowl is super influential with my problem-solving skills,” she said. “It’s not just about answering questions quickly; it teaches you how to think critically under pressure”.
This sentiment is echoed by the team’s advisor, Mr. Wessel, who has been instrumental in shaping the environment of the club. He sees Quiz Bowl as a space where students can challenge themselves academically while enjoying the camaraderie of their peers. “Quiz Bowl is a place for people to have fun and answer questions,” he said. “It’s not just about the competition; it’s about fostering a love for learning in a relaxed, enjoyable setting”.
For many team members, Quiz Bowl is more than just an intellectual pursuit; it’s a chance to connect with like-minded individuals and form lasting friendships. Maddie Dobias, another standout player on the team, spoke fondly of the close-knit community that the club fosters. “I love the people in Quiz Bowl and hanging out with them,” she shared. “The relationships we’ve built through this team are just as important as the competitions”.
As Comsewogue’s Quiz Bowl team continues its season, the players remain focused on their goals both in and out of the competition. With their impressive win against Hauppauge serving as a promising start, the team is poised for more victories ahead.
For now, they’ll continue sharpening their minds, deepening their bonds, and preparing for whatever challenges the next meet may bring.
(Video produced by Hannah Montoya and Jackson Mollick)
(Photos Property of Comsewogue High school)
By: Hannah Montoya
Once a year, at Comsewogue High School, the Powderpuff game takes place. In this friendly competition, senior and junior girls compete in an entertaining touch football game. It is a great way for people to come together, have some fun, and see which grade will win.. It is also an amazing fundraiser that will go toward senior scholarships for certain students. On November 14, 2024, the game took place. After about an hour and a half of competitive gameplay and a loud cheering section, the juniors took home a 14-0 victory.
While the purpose of this game is solely for enjoyment, many players take it very seriously. Each team held a number of practices leading up to the big game. These practices consisted of running plays for the game, choosing who would play each position, and getting familiarized with the concept of football.
When asked about how each player's spot on the team was decided, Senior Coach Lucas Shannon said, “Whoever wanted to play that position, whoever was the most athletic, the best players in that position.” By the end of the game, anyone who wished to play got a chance.
Planning for the Powderpuff game begins months in advance. With the help of Mrs. Amante and Ms. Bryant, all details that go into this event are made possible. When interviewed Mrs. Amante said, “We start planning Powderpuff about a month or a month and a half before the event. We have to make sure that we have the t-shirt order in place so we ask all the students for their sizes and collect their money. The money goes towards senior scholarships at the end of the year, so it’s a big fundraiser for us. We also have to make sure that we have our referees in place for the Powderpuff. We also have to make sure that our administration can attend the game, like Mr.Divenzenzo, because he runs the scoreboard. So, all of that stuff goes on behind the scenes before that event”. Clearly there is so much behind-the-scenes work that goes into the Powderpuff.
Overall the Powderpuff game is very beneficial for everyone who is involved. When asked about why it is a recurring event Ms. Bryant said, “I think the powderpuff game is something that the students look forward to every year. I think it gives them a great opportunity to play and show some teamwork with students that they wouldn’t normally either be on an athletic team with or be in the classroom with”.
It is clear that the Powderpuff is a great event that will be around in Comsewogue for years to come.