The Quadrangle, September-October 2022

The Homecoming Success

by Zayda Hernadez

After the disappointing cancellation of this year's Pep-Rally, Newfield High School had its annual Homecoming Parade where the community, teachers, and students came together to celebrate the welcoming back of the alumni or other dignitaries in a form of school spirit. The morning event was opened up by Mr. Graviano, where he welcomed the crowd and introduced Jules Mast, under the direction of Ms. Meichner, to sing the national anthem. After introducing the dignitaries, he welcomed to the stage the G.O cabinet and advisors to announce the parade participants while light music played in the background.

The Newfield Wolverine opened the parade as he defended the team from the Smithtown West Bulls, our homecoming rivals. As The Wolverine continued his hunt, the Newfield Band marched promptly afterward under the direction of Mrs. Bush and Dr. Goldstein where they performed the iconic Micheal Jackson’s Thriller. After the band took it away, our Grand Marshals, Mr. Fernandez, and Mrs. Renahan entered the parade being honored for all their hard work and dedication to Newfield. Mr. Fernandez retired last year after twenty years of service while Mrs. Renahan continues to dedicate her amazing work in the Newfield main office. As a community, we would like to say thank you to our Grand Marshals. Right behind them, we had the two nominated courts, Julissa Spooner and Aamir Sheikh, as well as Anthony Cresser and Pablo Rubio. As the Grand Marshals and the courts took their seats to enjoy the rest of the parade, our Homecoming Royalty, Rose Fernandez, and Anthony Alberti made their royal entrances to accompany the rest of the court.

Throughout the parade, the Newfield Varsity, JV, and Selden Middle School cheer teams performed their choreography as they would, later on, continue to astonish the crowd with their cheer. Later the Selden Middle School and Newfield Varsity Kickline performed their choreography with varsity seniors, Delaney Unger, Katie Chan, and Sophia Friedman who were later recognized for their hard work and dedication at halftime. The parade also welcomed the Thespian Honor Society with a short performance of “The Nicest Kids in Town” from the musical “Hairspray” choreographed by Kate Groshans. Some of the Middle Country Elementary Schools like Hawkins Path, Stagecoach, and North Coleman Road participated to show their school pride led by members of their school Coming to the end of the parade, each class performed a TV skit where they were scored by the dignitaries on different levels of creativity. The Freshmen Class of 2026 led by their advisor Ms. Maffia, performed the well known, Stranger Things. The Sophomore Class of 2025 led by advisor Ms. Serabia, decided to feud out the show, Family Feud, where they even took the attribute to impersonate some Newfield teachers. The Junior Class of 2024 led by advisors Ms. Montalto and Mr. Beretta, expressed their performance with mystery as they acted out Scooby Doo. Lastly, the Senior Class of 2023 led by advisor Ms. Zeigler, reenacted a scene from the iconic show, Friends, and ended the parade with the show's famous theme song playing. Unfortunately, the Selden Fire Department did not get to participate in the parade due to a call from the station but Mr. Graviano took the liberty of closing the ceremony with acknowledgments to the admin team, custodial staff, security team, and behind the scenes members that made the amazing homecoming parade a success.

Homecoming 2022

Photos by Maria DeAssis

A Newfield

Photo by Zayda Hernandez

TheCelts’ EvolvedCelebration: TheHistoryofHalloween

by Weronika Karpio

As you walk the streets filled with ghouls made of spools of unruled material and hear the laughter and chatting of monsters with buckets of chocolates, think back as to why you’re even dressed in a costume, walking house to house collecting candy Do you know how, why, and when Halloween started and how it evolved to what it is today?

Let's get some background on when Halloween began and how it was celebrated. For that, we have to go back 2,000 years to the Celts, an ancient group of people native to western European nations such as Ireland. Halloween was originally celebrated to ward off evil spirits by dressing in costume and dancing around bonfires It was celebrated as a new year at the end of the harvest season and welcomed the dark part of the year, winter So how did a festival celebrating the New Year turn into getting candy from strangers? Well, the Romans conquered the lands where the Celtics lived and for over 400 years their festival and 2 Roman festivals mixed, those being Feralia, the passing of the dead, when Romans also believed that ghosts would roam with them, and the celebration of the goddess Pomona, who is the goddess of fruits and trees. This is where apple bobbing came from because Pomona is represented by an apple. The blending of cultures doesn't stop there because eventually, Christianity came to Europe, if you are familiar with All Souls Day and All Saints Day, they were set to be celebrated November 1st and 2nd. All Souls Day was celebrated similarly to the Celtics with big bonfires, parades and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. The All Saints’ Day celebration was also called All hallows or All hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day) and the night before it, the traditional night of Samhain in the Celtic religion, began to be called All Hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.

When this holiday came to America it was primarily celebrated in Maryland with parties where people would share stories of the dead, tell each other’s fortunes, dance, and sing, however, this did not spread everywhere in America and was not very popular. The way Halloween is celebrated and known happened because of the Irish potato famine. Large floods of Irish immigrants came to America and with them their spirits and traditions. Halloween became popular in America in the second half of the 19th century.

So how did candy and trick or treating come to this? Well, Americans, copying the Europeans, started going to others' houses and asking for money and or food while in costume. There were some new traditions that developed, for example, young women thought they could foresee their future husbands' faces by doing tricks with yarn, apple parings, or mirrors. There was a shift in focus since the people wanted to avoid talks of witchcraft and ghosts; they instead wanted the holiday to be more about the community so in the 1800s children and their parents started to throw Halloween parties focused on games, foods of the season, and festive costumes. By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween became a secular but community-centered holiday the people celebrated with parades and large Halloween parties included. Between 1920 and 1950, trick-or-treating was also brought back as part of the Halloween festivities. Trick-or treating was a relatively inexpensive way for communities to share Halloween joy and entertain children so there would be no more issues of vandalism (That was a problem in the 1930s). In theory, families could also prevent tricks from being played on them by providing the neighborhood children with small treats to quell their anger the same way the Celtics dressed up and danced around a bonfire to chase away the angry and dark spirits.

TrickorTreatStreetisBack!

Article by Saitta Roy, Photos by Zayda Hernandez

I'm sure we all remember the disappointment we felt last year when it was announced that Trick or Treat Street was canceled Well, it’s back! With an admission fee of $8 for adults and $6 for children (both of which could be lowered by $2 if the participant brought in a canned good for the food drive), Newfield’s National Honor Society raised over $2,500 for senior scholarships!

This year's Trick or Treat Street was full of excitement The Haunted Hospital was put on by the National Honor Society in the library. With the help of cosmetology students, four students were able to creep out little kids by dressing up as zombie surgeons. Nearby in the cafeteria were fun Halloween themed games put on by Tri M and the Thespian Society The main attraction was the musical chairs in the center of the cafeteria They had plenty of candy for all of the little game participants. Next to the cafeteria, in the teacher's lounge was the National Art Honor Society and cosmetology students painting the faces of little kids. The Varsity Leaders Club had a fun time in the gym with plenty of games for the kids to play, like scooter tunnels and spider web obstacles. Our G.O Officers wore matching Toy Story costumes, their room had an art and crafts station where kids could make ghost lollipops and other crafts.

MoreTOTSPhotography

BY ZAYDA HERNANDEZ

PhotobySaraSaima

Freshman Interviews

by Diya John

As the Class of 2022 graduated, the Class of 2026 enter the halls of Newfield High School. I myself, being a freshman last year, remember how big of a transition high school was especially since I was fully virtual throughout 8th grade. I enjoyed my freshman year despite having to adjust to the new environment and workload that high school now offered. There are many new opportunities in high school as well, there is a wide variety of extracurricular activities and sports.

I had the privilege of interviewing a few freshmen, here is what they said:

1.Was coming to high school a big transition from middle school?

Isaiah Vidal “The transition from middle school to high school was tough as expected, but I adjusted quickly and love the environment created by fellow peers and teachers.”

Umber Sharma “Yes, it definitely was. Rules have changed a lot around the school, and students seem to have much more freedom, and also the classes function much differently. You meet a lot more people in high school as well.”

2. Are you involved in any extracurricular activities or sports? How has that impacted your high school experience so far?

Isaiah Vidal “I participated in JV Soccer and also am in the Environmental Club. They are great outlets for creativity and freedom ”

Umber Sharma “I am involved in soccer and Tri M. I look forward to robotics and G.O. Soccer has had me really busy the past 3 months, so it’s been very difficult to attend a club meeting, but I am really excited to be a part of these clubs.”

3 Overall, how has your high school experience been so far?

Isaiah Vidal “Overall, so far high school is great! The freedom I am experiencing is something I never expected, and it takes away a lot of stress I would normally have from school.”

Umber Sharma “My high school experience has been very busy - a little stressful. Since it’s a big jump from 8th grade, to taking honors classes in high school where everything is new, I’m still taking time to adapt. But I’m looking forward to several opportunities and meeting many people this year as well as keeping my grades up by putting in as much effort as I can.”

Clublicity: The Crochet Club

by Riley Firenze

The Crochet Club is an exciting new club that was created for Newfield students just last spring! It is a charity based club for all students looking to give back to the community. They are a popular club that has over 100 members. The Crochet Club makes everything from blankets to stuffed animals that are all donated to Stony Brook Hospital. Their main priority is to make baby hats for newborn babies in the maternity ward. They are advised by Mrs. Hassett and Mr. Rennard along with a cabinet consisting of Saitta Roy, Ashleigh Murray, Brianna Carlson, Riley Firenze, and Sara Saima. They even have a mascot, Baby James, to help accurately size the hats. In the few weeks they existed last year, the Crochet Club was able to make 77 baby hats!

You may be asking, who can join? Everyone! The president and founder, Saitta Roy says "The Crochet Club welcomes all students! Even if they cannot crochet, because we teach them." Crocheting is easy to learn, and anyone can do it!

The main reason The Crochet Club has been able to do what they do is because of generous donations from community members, and organizations. Last year they received donations from Wool and the Gang Ltd, The Selden Fire Department, as well as Middle Country's own Mrs. Grillo. Going into this new year, The Crochet Club has grown in size and is looking for any donations that the community is able to give They accept monetary donations, as well as yarn and hook donations.

For more information on how to donate or join the club please email them at newfieldcrochetclub@gmail.com or contact them through their Instagram @newfield.crochet.club

October Student of the Month: Julissa Spooner

by Bricen Peinado

It is with pleasure that we introduce to you Newfield High School’s student of the month for October, Miss Julissa Spooner. Though there are many options amongst our seniors this year, Julissa was an easy decision to start us off as Newfield’s first student of the month of the school year. You may remember her from last school year, particularly the night we honored Dr. Lessler, where Julissa did the fencing demo. Speaking of fencing, she’s been named an All Long Island fencer and plans on continuing at the collegiate level In addition to fencing, she’s a member of DECA, vice president of the class of 2023, and president of our G.O. She volunteers at Avalon Nature Preserve in Stony Brook, has worked as a camp counselor at Centereach Pool Camp, and currently is employed as a barista at Starbucks.

Julissa is full of positive energy and is always looking to make her world, and the world around her, a better place Mr Vecchio, Julissa’s college economics teacher, describes her as a brilliant young lady with a great sense of humor who lights up the room when she walks in. Ms. Montana, who had Julissa last year for AP Bio and is currently her advisor for G.O. stated, “Though it was 7:05 a.m., Julissa came in daily full of energy and enthusiasm. She was always quick to volunteer answers or engage in conversations about biology or just about life. And as G.O. president, she’s highly dependable with her daily check ins to ensure everything G.O. is being tended to. Lastly, Mr Martinez, her orchestra teacher, stated, “ Julissa is a fantastic bassist in our Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing passion, leadership, and personality to our rehearsals. She is the type of student who can appreciate progress on an individual and collective basis, and who is always striving for better regardless. Julissa always stands true to who she is. She is not only a wonderful asset to our ensemble, but to the building as a whole ” Though Julissa expressed that it was a little cliché, she’s inspired by her mom and dad as they’ve always been here supporting her

With the potential to graduate in June with 30 college credits, she’s got her eyes on a few schools. They include Oneonta and Binghamton, but her number one choice is SUNY Albany. Given her love for our planet, she’s looking at a major in Environmental Engineering There’s also the possibility of Julissa getting into environmental policy

When speaking to Julissa you can clearly see the positivity and energy everyone’s talking about. There is no doubt she going to do great things for herself, those around her, and our environment. Thank you for representing Newfield in the way you do every day Congratulations on being Newfield’s student of the month for October!

September Athlete of the Month: Delaney Unger

by Saitta Roy

The September Female Athlete of the Month is Co Captain of the Varsity Kickline Team, Delaney Unger! The last time a member of the Kickline Team was chosen as Student Athlete of the Month was an astounding 6 years ago. Delaney is a dedicated dancer who spent all four years of her high school career on the kickline team. Through her hard work, she was able to become co captain her senior year, along with her teammate Bella Miller

Delaney made many fun memories with the kickline team. Her favorite is competing at Nationals which was like nothing she’s ever experienced. She said that “The environment is stressful, we stay up really late and have practice at 1 in the morning, not to mention the countless hours we are dancing each day, but because of the amazing team I'm on we make it fun and always have support for one another. The whole weekend just brings us closer together and shows why we love what we're doing ”

The Kickline Team will be both sad and proud to see Delaney off to college next year to study child life with the goal of pursuing a career in pediatrics. She leaves them with this parting message, “As I perform with my team for the last few times, I just want to express how grateful I am for being a part of Newfield Varsity Kickline all four years of my high school career. I'd like to thank my teammates and coaches for giving me a second family. I have made friendships that will last a lifetime which would have never been possible without the support of my coach, who has always supported me and given me the opportunities most wouldn’t. And those memories have been made that I will never forget. Throughout the years I realized that I would not trade anything in the world for this team. From football games to being on the huge National Stage in Orlando, the experiences I've had on Kickline are one of a kind and I will be thankful forever.”

9/11

by Diya John and Leah Landron

September 11, 2001, is a day held in infamy by the nation, as a series of terrorist attacks were carried out by the terrorist group, al Queda, targeting the heart of our country. Four planes were targeted by the terrorists: Flight 11, Flight 175, Flight 77, and Flight 93. As the aircraft crashed, monumental damage was done to the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. There were nearly 3,000 deaths on this fateful day, thousands more were severely injured In the blink of an eye, the whole world shifted.

7:59 AM Flight 11 takes off with eleven crew members, seventy-six passengers, and five hijackers on board.

8:15 AM Flight 175 takes off with nine crew members, fifty-one passengers, and five hijackers on board.

8:20 AM Flight 77 takes off with six crew members, fifty-three passengers, and five hijackers on board.

8:42 AM Flight 93 takes off with seven crew members, thirty-three passengers, and four hijackers are on board.

8:46 AM Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower, killing seventy-six passengers and eleven crew members immediately; evacuation begins

9:03 AM Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower killing the fifty-one passengers and nine crew members.

9:37 AM Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon, killing fifty-three passengers, six crew members, and one hundred twenty five personnel.

9:59 AM The South Tower collapses, killing more than 800 civilians and first responders inside the building

10:03 AM Flight 93 crashes in a field in Pennsylvania, killing thirty-three passengers and seven crew members

10:15 AM Collapse of the Pentagon E ring

10:28 AM Collapse of the North Tower, killing more than 1,600 people

Every year we retell this story in our history classes. Our teachers relive old trauma so that we might understand how monumental such an incident was to our country. This rehashing is so important because the incident caused a strengthening of airport security, changing how we travel, and sparked a vicious era of racism and hate crimes toward Muslims It is vital that we know how fragile our history is, so we can do better. Every year we move up a grade, our new teachers share their stories: where they were, how they found out, the chaos that came. With each story, you can see the picture a little clearer. Years ago at our very school, a TV had to be wheeled down to the main lobby so people could watch the news. Everyone’s parents were picking them up. Everyone was trying to call someone. 9/11 hit home. Only 60 miles away. It’s part of us even if we weren’t born yet. We can only know the consequences if we know the history

Suicide Prevention Month

by Riya Batta

With school starting up again, and fall being just around the corner, many of us forget the seemingly small but significant time of year; Suicide Prevention Month. Many consider it an apprehensive subject, but bringing attention to the topic opens up a net of safety for everyone struggling with suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors. September was officially dedicated as Suicide Prevention Month back in 2008 when the CDC reported that more than 41,000 people die annually by suicide, making it the 10th leading cause of death amongst adults and the 2nd amongst young people between the ages of 10 24. Ever since, there has been an effort to shine a light on the topic and acknowledge those who have found themselves affected by suicide

It’s easy to believe you are alone in such a state, but as you become more aware of its prominence throughout society, you begin to realize that many people find themselves grappling with the effects of suicide. Actually, to put it into perspective, nearly 1 in 5 high school students report that they have struggled with suicidal thoughts/behaviors. As common as it is, this does not take away from anyone’s experiences. If you or a loved one are in a battle with suicide, just know you are seen and loved.

Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988

National Coming Out Day

by Bricen Peinado

National Coming Out Day is an annual event on October 11th to celebrate the pride movement as a whole. There are often a lot of people uneducated about National Coming Out Day, they might ask these following questions Where did it come from? What does it mean? What did Newfield High School do to celebrate it this year?

National Coming Out Day started in 1988. It is specifically celebrated on October 11th to commemorate the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This march took place during an era of prevalent homophobia due to the accusations of AIDS being a “gay disease.” Many members of the march were dying due to AIDS at the time, yet still went out of their way to participate in the act of civil disobedience. There were hundreds of thousands of people there hoping to get more funding for AIDS patients and to make Americans see their fellow citizens who were also gay, as people who have the same human rights as them. Two of the march’s leaders were actress Whoopi Goldberg and Latino civil rights activist Ceasar Chavez. Civil Rights activists across the country came together to fight for LQBTQIA+ rights that day.

National Coming Out Day is a day where members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and straight allies alike, can support and celebrate people who are closeted, are coming out, and have come out. It is meant to encourage people to embrace who they are and share their stories like so many people did that day in 1987.

When asked what National Coming Out Day meant to the community, the co-advisor of the LGBTQ+ Alliance club o be comf nd trans how support to the LGBTQ+ Allia

CREATIVE WRITING SECTION

EYES

BY: WERONIKA KAPRIO

You always had eyes tracking and watching you but have you just noticed those shiny sly eyes that stare back at you, those very familiar eyes, your eyes, because when was the last time you saw yourself outside your body?

2 SENTENCE HORROR STORIES

BY: JAMES KEENAN

As I was leaving for school this morning I discovered a dead body on my lawn. I found this unusual as I remember burying it last night.

I got really tired as I carried my backpack home from school today. I didn't know my teacher weighed this much.

My brother and I were busy in the backyard when we heard our mom call "Dinner's ready". We both looked at each other as we just finished burying her body

TEACUP

BY: RUBY TANISA

I've come to an understanding that things will never be the same when you try to reverse it. Just as when you break a porcelain teacup, you try your best to put it back together but there will always be a scar left behind. A scar deeper than you could ever imagine. However I am not capable of accepting this scar I have made, instead, all I can do is guilt myself for creating such a painful scar, not only for me but for others as well.

So please understand that “I am sorry” comes from not only my quivering lips, but my racing heart as you all pass by.

I say I'm sorry with every breath that comes out of my weak lungs, because every breath I take in and I take out, is meaningless to me, as I can't seem to live with knowing I've hurt you.

GENUINELY

BY: RUBY TANISA

Genuinely, I hope that you love yourself, love yourself more than you have ever loved me, because you have given me the type of love, a love so deep, that even I couldn't comprehend it

So please, when I leave… I hope you genuinely learn to love yourself, and with that love, I wish for you to do great things, things that not only make your family proud as you have always wanted, but things that make you proud. Because all that I have wanted for you is for you to be proud of yourself, and to smile, that precious smile that made me stare so aimlessly into what seemed like a neverending array of gleaming yet soft light.

A light so bright that it made me fear the possibility of the dark. The dark that I hope never pulls you in. So please, when I leave… I hope you genuinely have faith in yourself.

Just as I will endlessly have faith in you.

BY: GALE

It wasn't love, right?

LOVE? HOUSE FIRES

I mean we never kissed, We never touched, We never even dated, But. For some reason You felt like home. You were the safe place for my mind to rest.

After hours of mental exhaustion; You claimed to have cared But I'm not quite sure. How could someone who " cares so much" Cause this much pain?

I truly wonder if it meant anything If you meant any of it The things that you said to make me feel safe and cared for.

How about words of encouragement, Or when you would talk me out of bad habits or panic attacks? don't really know

If it was love, But I do know one thing For a fact: Whatever it was that I felt You only felt a fraction of it.

BY: GALE

When we ended you told me, "I'm tired of fighting." Is it not normal to fight that much?

Is that not how you show love? By yelling? By arguing? guess when you grow up in a house fire, You don't realize when someone puts on the stove.

LEAH LANDRON PRESIDENT

RILEY FIRENZE STAFF WRITER

MARIA DEASSIS PHOTOGRAPHER

RIYA BATTA STAFF WRITER

JAMES KEENAN EDITOR

THE QUADRANGLE STAFF

LOUIS STAFF WRITER ROSMALIN PAULINO STAFF WRITER

ABIGAYLE GANTER STAFF WRITER AYANNA WITTY STAFF WRITER

CAYLA

BRICEN PERNADO STAFF WRITER

LAURYN FRANCO STAFF WRITER ALLISON GONZALEZ STAFF WRITER

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