Around this time o year, it’s easy to et lostinthechaoso Christmas.However,beyond the twinklin li hts, catchy Christmas son s, and cliche Hallmark movies, there’s a thread thattiesitallto ether: enerosity.It’sthequiet acto ivin ,thesincereexchan eo kindness, and the collective spirit o community that definethistimeo year.
Generosity, thou h, is not just about the material i tswereceivedurin thisseason;it’s about the ivin o ourselves. A ter six Christmas seasons as a Villa community member, I believe no one embodies enerosity better than a Villa irl. Whether it's by ivin theirtalentsintheannualChristmasconcertor bysimply ivin akindsmiletosomeoneinthe hallway, Villa irls are the most enerous irls I’veevermet.
This spirit o enerosity isn’t just seen in bi estures but in the everyday actions that make our community so special. It’s in the way we li t each other up durin di ficult times, celebrate each other’s successes, and make space or everyone to belon . At Villa, enerosityisn’tjustanidea,butawayo li e.
In this winter edition o Towerette, our sta ers ocused on this spirit o enerosity we’veseeninVilla irlsthesepast ewmonths. By hi hli htin events like our annual Powderpu ameandtheexcitin starto both the sprin musical and robotics, we are reminded o the i ts Villa irls continuously sharewithourcommunity.
As we celebrate this Christmas season,Iencoura eyoutotakeamomentto reflect on what enerosity means to you. How can you share your talents, time, or piece o your heart with those around you? Thebeautyo thisseasonliesnotinthe i ts we ive,butthekindnesswespreadthatcan leavealastin impactonsomeone’sli e.
I am incredibly rate ul or the community at Villa: it has shown me time a ter time the importance o ivin and is somethin thatwillstickwithme oryears.
Our Towerette amily is pleased to share this Christmas issue with you as we strive to remind you o the importance o
Villa by Day, Paris by Ni ht
Isabella White ’26
At exactly 5pm on November 23, I wanderedintothebeauti ulhallso theHanover Marriott. Just a ew steps into the buildin and voilà!Istumbleduponeveryone's avoriteannual event: Villa’s Fashion Show! This year’s theme “Ooh La La Villa” provided uests with an immersive experience filled with poses, prizes, and all thin s Parisian. The walls were decked out in pink striped posters with French phrases, whiledi erentcornersdisplayed ashiondesi ns that were tres beau! A mime who entertained uests or hours added that extra touch o Parisian ma ic. I elt as thou h I had been transported to a scene strai ht rom Paris FashionWeek—nopassportneeded.
At the openin o the event, Villa’s talented roup o dancers per ormed a Parisian piecechoreo raphedbyourtalented ErinJacobs ’26 and Mrs.Lanni.This ma nifique per ormance inspired a un French eelin in the audience. The Villa irls-turned- ashionistas ollowed the stunnin dance per ormance and strutted down the runways. They e ortlessly executed their chic outfit themes, ran in rom Christmas to Parisian icon Coco Chanel. Every roup was aided by the cheers o their ellow students whilewatchin their riendsworktherunway.By the end o the show, the seniors, dressed in beauti ul prom owns, had their bittersweet moments with their loved ones as they brou ht heartwarmin memories. As expected, the ni ht was an absolute success thanks to Villa’s talented dancers, sta , coordinators, parent volunteers,andstudents.
Thou h the students shined on the runway,thera fleprizesweretheother starso theshow.Specifically,manyeyesweresetonthe iPad. For weeks, I heard chatter about why the iPad would be a rand prize. Students Adriana Rizk’28,KieraVowells’27, and
Isabella Orosz ’27 all noted that an iPad would make note-takin much moree ficient --they would no lon er have to worry about accidentally leavin binders and papers at home. Other students, such as Brid et Drew ’26 and Kayla Vaccaro ’26, stated that an iPad could improve their academic success andor anization.
Our beloved robotics leader, math teacher, and two-time olden ticket winner Mrs. Nu ent chose the iPad as her olden ticket prize! Althou h only one winner triumphed, the other ra flers ot a new addition to their Christmas list. By theendo theni ht,Icouldproudlysay: bonsoir Hanover Marriott,untilnextyear!
Photos by Mrs. Grabowski
Robotics Update:
The Advent o Robotics Kicko
Bhavishya Bo a ’25
Villa’s Robotics team is hustlin to train or the season and ive back to many communities. The team hosted the annual blood drive and bake sale on December 10th here at Villa. We loved seein many ive their time and blood to helpthoseinneed.
Parallel to blood drive work, the team ears up or the season’s kicko , scourin the internet or new parts or practicin technical skills o season. Additionally,theteamjusthostedateam bondin event. Member and Captain Olivia Chan ’25 commented that she “liked theopportunity to et toknow the youn er team members better”,and that activities such as decoratin cookie pies and doin ace masks helped her “bond witheveryone.”
I also have to say we are so proud o our new FLL (First Little Lea ue) or our middle schoolers. For one, theydon’t have to wait until hi h school to do robotics. Also, It enhances their en ineerin skillsthrou hLe os.
Hatso toourSisters1stRobotics team or preparin early on, acquaintin with new members, and sharin en ineerin to the youn er rades. I cannotwaittoseewhatcomesdurin the upcomin season!
The Ni ht Be ore Powderpu
Brid et Drew ‘26
November 14 marked Villa’s annual Powderpu ootball ame and, as always, it wasoneo thechilliestdayso theyear. But thatdidn’tstoptheVillaVikin s romcomin outtosupportthejuniorsandseniorsintheir yearly ace o . The Powderpu ame is sponsoredbyVilla’sOperationSmileclub,an or anization that helps children with cle t palettes. The match is dedicated in lovin memoryo Jim Holland, the school's beloved historyteacherwhopassedawayin2022.
Now, the ame is everyone's avorite part o November. But, i you ail to understand ootball as much as Ido—or you want a recount o Cloda h Bateson ’26’s commentary—don't ret. I have converted the ame’s timeline into the iconic holiday poem “The Ni ht Be ore Christmas” by ClementClarkeMoore:
Andawaytheyallranlikethedowno athistle. Buttheylau hedandexclaimedastheyskipped outo si ht
“HappyPowderpu toallandtoalla oodni ht!”
PicturesbyGi iLon o’26
Good Grie , What a Great Movie!
Katie Treacy ’27
“Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Despite its release nearly six decades a o, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a timeless classic. Charlie Brownandhis riends etintosomeholiday shenani ans while o erin commentary on the true meanin o Christmas and the increasin emphasis on holiday consumerism.
The movie starts with Charlie expressin his lack o Christmas spirit; He doesn't know why he’s so unhappy, even with Lucy’s best attempt at a dia nosis. However,Lucythinkssheknowsjustthefix! Charlie should be the director o the Christmasplay, eaturin classiccharacters likeLucy,Linus,Woodstock,andPeppermint Patty. As he finds purpose in his work mana in the play, Charlie has di ficulty keepin the cast ocused. He eels rustrated and when Lucy su ests he set out to et a “Great bi , shiny aluminum Christmas tree,” he leaps at the chance to leave.
Depressed by the apparent monetization o Christmas within his community, Charlie alon with Linus makes hiswayaroundtheChristmastree arm.The arm is ull o modern, metallic trees o varyin colors, but in their midst is a sin le, sparse Christmas tree. Charlie takes this tree home and is ridiculed or its mea er appearance by his classmates. A ter an eruption o chaos Charlie wonders with rustration about the true meanin o Christmas.
Linus answers by readin the nativity story rom the Gospel o Luke, a ter which thekids atherto ethertodecoratethelittle treeandcelebrateitwithChristmascarols.
A Charlie Brown Christmas is the per ect movie to et into the holiday spirit. Full o childhood nostal ia, optimism, and dozens o beauti ully picturesque scenes. Watchin this animated Peanuts film is like sippin hot cocoa by a cracklin fire. Its wholesome messa e about altruism and doin ood deeds, especially durin the holidays, is what makes it a reat movie to watchwithyour amilythisChristmas!
“When My Heart Finds Christmas”
Brid et Drew ’28
Everyone loves a ood ol’Christmas son filled with lots o ho ho ho’s and holiday cheer. In act, 75% o Americans look orward to hearin those holly jolly carols on the radio and at the rocery store. However, the other 25% o Americansfind Christmasmusictobeone o themostdreadedaspectso theholiday season. Well, i you’re a member o this 25%, I recommend listenin to Harry Connick, Jr.'s When My Heart Finds Christmas albumandyou’ll allinlovewith thenostal ic eelo hisyuletidecarols. Released on October 26th, 1993, WhenMyHeartFindsChristmas continues to be Connick's best-sellin album in the United States. But his love or music started lon be ore he released his first son . In his childhood home in New Orleans, Harry’s parents would o ten play jazz music by artists ran in rom Nat Kin ColetoFrankSinatra.Connick’scozy, sentimental vibe that exudes rom his son s is a direct result o his upbrin in thatwasfilledwithmusico asimilar eel. Althou h his covers o classic Christmas carols like “Ave Maria” and “O Holy Ni ht” ive theori inal sin ers a run or their money, the our son s that Harry Connick Jr. wrote himsel truly embody what Christmas is all about; “When My Heart Finds Christmas,” “(It Must've Been Ol’) Santa Claus,” “The Blessed Dawn o Christmas Day,”and “I Pray on Christmas” brin outtheYuletidecheerineverybody.
My personal avorite is “(It Must’ve Been Ol’) Santa Claus,” which recounts the story o a little boy whose doubt o Saint Nick’s existence is quickly ne ated when he endsup ettin pickedup oraslei hrideby KrisKrin lehimsel !
Connick recreates the ma ic o Christmas as a child with this upbeat, jazzy tune. Meanwhile, “The Blessed Dawn o ChristmasDay”providesanicecontrastwith a smooth, slow rhythm; an added bonus is that it reminds people that the holiday is really all about Jesus. Connick’sdisco raphy advances with “I Pray on Christmas,” a jazzy piano son where he repeats what he hopes will happen durin the holiday season. And Harry Connick, Jr. rounds out his ori inal Christmas soundtrack with his title son “When My Heart Finds Christmas” which, to me,encapsulatesthecozinesso theseason. When I think about Christmas, I think o this son .
So, i you’re eelin a bit rinchy this holiday season, do not ear. Take a listen to HarryConnick,Jr.andI’llpraythatyou’llstart eelin as cheer ul as I do. Because, just as thisiconicartistsin sinhistitletrack,“when my heart finds Christmas, I hope it finds you too.”
Hambur Gin erbread Castle
Isabella Propper Stuehr ’27
I you find yoursel travelin up Route 23 in Hambur , New Jersey, you may just stumble across somethin strai ht out o a BrothersGrimm airytale.
Anornate,li esized in erbreadhouse built in 1930 sits only a ew yards rom the road, makin it a very strikin landmark. It was desi ned by Joseph Urban, an Austrian set desi ner, to emulate the whimsy o popular airytales.F.H.Bennett,ownero the BennettBiscuitCompany,desiredittoentice customers. He had it constructed beside the Wheatsworth Mill as a way to lure in visitors and provide entertainment. He also added a restaurant across the street, and provided tours o the mill itsel . His business flourished until there was a shi t o ownership with the onset o the Great Depression.
The Great Depression, althou h detrimental to most, provided F.H. Bennet with a brilliant business opportunity. With a 5.5 million dollar o er, The National Biscuit Company purchased Bennett’s mill, and continued operation until it was leased and then sold to the Danenber s, in 1943. The Danenber s discontinued the production o edible oods, and instead turned their ocus to industrial rade equipment. They ormed the company known as Plastoid, and providedhi hqualitywire,calledSynkote,to electronics producers, military en ineers, and even NASA. Plastoid continued to succeed and employ many residents in the surroundin area until 1980, when the mill was a ain sold, this time apart rom the Gin erbreadCastle.
Thusbe anthedeclineo thebeloved landmark.Sincetheirabandonmentin1980, the mill and castle has continued to deteriorate, with intermittent revitalization projects occurrin throu hout the years. A statue o Humpty-Dumpty that adorns an oldstonewall,asisexpectedinaccordance with the nursery rhyme, looks almost brand new. Its ace has been repainted a number o times, ivin it an eerie reshness in contrast to the over rown, chipped structuresthatsurroundit.
Itisquiteasadstory, iven airytales have always been a unifier, and they have tau ht lessons and brou ht joy throu hout many cultures. They are some o the first thin s you are tau ht while rowin up. Seein an iconic, ma ical landmark deteriorate, as the Gin erbread Castle has, leads you to contemplate the fleetin essenceo youth.Wecanonlyhopethatthe restorationprojects ollowthrou h,andthat the Gin erbread Castle ets to open its doorstothepublica ainsomeday.
The Science o Generosity: Why
Givin Feels Good
Bryanna Liu ’26
The science o enerosity reveals that ivin to others can be as rewardin or the iver as it is or the recipient. Studies in psycholo y and neuroscience su est that acts o enerosity—such as ivin i ts, donatin to charity, or volunteerin —activaterewardcentersinthe brain, releasin " eel- ood" chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, which contribute to eelin s o happiness, connection, and well-bein . The tradition o i t- ivin at Christmas attests to this, as people find joy not only in receivin but also in the thou ht ulness and e ort i t- ivers putintoselectin i ts orthem.Thismutual exchan e not only stren thens relationships butalsoenhancestheholidayspirit.
Generosity also intensifies the values o ratitude and compassion, which are centraltomanyChristmastraditions.Theact o ivin ,especiallytothoseinneed,reflects the season’s ocus on kindness and community. For example, donatin to ood drives—like the ones Villa or anize—or donatin directly to important causes not only helps others, but also rein orces the iver’s sense o purpose and belon in . Research shows that this type o selflessness can reduce stress and increase li e satis action, which creates a virtuous cycle where ivin produces emotional rewards that motivate urther acts o kindness.
What makes Christmas particularly special is its emphasis on to etherness and shared joy. The season provides an
opportunity or people to connect throu h thou ht ul acts o kindness, whether it’s exchan in i ts, bakin treats or each other, or contributin to charitable causes. These estures, however small, can have a ripplee ect,spreadin holidayspirit.
Ultimately, the science o enerosity demonstrates that ivin at Christmas is more than just a tradition—it’s a practice thatnurturesbothindividualwell-bein and thewarmspirito theholidayseason.
Dive in! Villa Walsh’s New Swim Team
Annie Rionda
’27
Ima ine wakin up around 5-5:30am and then jumpin into a reezin cold pool or a 6:00am practice. This is what Villa Walsh Academy swimmers o throu h around 2-3 times a week. However, these early wake up calls are just part o the hard work that comes with Villa Walsh havin its own swim team. A ter a year o havin a co-op swim team with the Morristown Beard School, the Villa Walsh swim team is back andbetterthanever!Withtheadditiono the new coach, Brad Callahan, the swim team is suretomakeasplash!
Coach Callahan has been coachin athletics or more than 25 years, and first be an coachin hi h school swimmin at WhippanyParkbutdecidedtotakeabreakin ordertopursueamaster’sde ree.Ashestill wanted to be involved with swimmin , he became a personal coach or his dau hter, worked on club swimmin teams, and became a summer swim team coach. Upon returnin tocoachin hi hschoolswimmin , Coach Callahan noticed a job opportunity available at Villa Walsh Academy and decidedtoapply.WhatdrewhimtoVillawas the act that he had a Catholic upbrin in , o ten participatin in church by bein an altarboy,andwantedtobeableto iveback to the Catholic community. He hopes to be able to oster a positive, aith-filled environment where everyone eels like they areaparto theteam.
Coach Callahan says he knew what he was ettin intowhenhesi neduptocoach andthepreviouscharactero theteamdidn't
scare him. Callahan is happy to help in any way he can and has confidence in the Vwimmin team and their success this season.Heisexcitedtobeaparto thenew community and hopes to make a di erence by encoura in and supportin his swimmers.His oal ortheseasonistobuild the team, see everyone improve, and most importantly or everyone to become a team bothinandouto thepool.
A normal practice or the Villa Walsh Swim Team consists o a 100 ( our-laps) warmup to start then 10x50’s consistin o drills invarious strokes.Then theswimmers willbeassi nedtospecificlanesbasedona swimmer’s pre erred distance to ocus on that day. The end o practice will ocus on doin starts o the block and turns. The swimmers will alternate doin dryland and bein in the pool throu hout the week. The dryland will be a ter school rom 3:30-4:30 doin various exercises to help better the swimmers’per ormance.
Dive in! Villa Walsh’s New Swim Team (cont.)
Annie Rionda ’27
Thefirstswimmeet ortheVillaWalshswimteamisa ainsttheAcademyo Saint Elizabeth’sonDecember13thatFairlei hDickinsonUniversity!Thisseasonwillconsisto seveninseasonmeetsandtwochampionships,theMorrisCountyChampionship,andthe PrepsChampionship.
The team consists o six swimmers this year. Coach Callahan has nicknamed the irls the “Savin’ Six,” because six swimmers were needed or Villa to have its own team and that’s the exact amount the team has. The team consists o Kylie Mazzei ’25, Cameron Shull ’26, Sierra Warjanka ’26, Annie Rionda ’27, Lauren Petrie ’27, Lauren Doss ’28, and mana er Katelyn Hadzima ’27. Cameron Shull ’26 and Annie Rionda ’27 willserveascaptainsthisseason.
It’s not too late to join or si n up to be a mana er! Make sure to show our VWimmerssomesupportbycomin tothemeetsandcheerin themon!GoVwimmin !
Toastique: Chatham’s Hidden Gem or Foodies
Sabrina Pasko ’26
Chatham’sMainStreetrevolvesaround its numerous ood options. At every other door, there lies a restaurant or ca é that is worthy o tryin out. There are Mexican, French, Asian, and several other tasty ood spots. But within the past year, a new ca e opened: Toastique.It’shiddenawayononeo Main Street’s side roads. Immediately when you walk in, a modern white and wood-themed interior catches your eye. The reenery at each corner and table in the room pop with the color ul paintin s on the walls.
But, most importantly, the menu is what makes Toastique the best ca é in town. Whether you’re in the mood or somethin savory, like avocado toast with a variety o toppin s, or a sweet treat, such as almond butter and banana toast, there’s always somethin to try. One mi ht think that avocado toast is basic, but Toastique makes me eel ancywheneverIdi in.Iwouldnever have thou ht to add watermelon radish, marinated tomatoes, and chili oil to my avera e avocado toast but mmmmm, they makeit ood!
Toastique is a per ect spot to stop at a ter church or Sunday brunch. I you're in the mood or a quick, healthy snack or treat, Toastique o ers a satis yin and delicious experience every time. My own personal avorite, their avocado toast with either a latteorSuperFruitsmoothie,neverceasesto amazemytastebuds.So,next timeyou’rein Chatham, don’t miss out on the best toast youwilleverhave.
Villa’s Mother-Dau hter Tradition Continues!
Sarah Shalhoub ’28
Nothin is more special than the bond between a mother and their dau hter. In November, Villa held its annual MotherDau hterdinner:a ni ht toshow ratitude or our mothers and the Villa Walsh sisterhood. Our moms are our ultimate role models and uideposts orusineverychaptero ourlives. It’s their endless love and support that made Villa Walsh students all willin to come to etherandcelebratetheirmoms.
Alon with the delicious dinner shared, the evenin was filled with some un ames. The first ame was played by both the students and their moms. As “The Day in the Li eo aVillaGirl”wastold,candywaspassed around the tables every time Nora said le t or ri ht. The second ame proved our moms are prepared or anythin . The ame asked questions to see i our moms really do have everythin in their purses rom receipts to keysandevenmascara.
A ter all the estivities, a slideshow was displayed in the ront o the room. Each slide o the presentation contained a di erent senior. There were “Then” and “Now” photos, showin us how each Villa irl trans ormed rom a youn wide-eyed child to the amazin womansheisnow.
Finally, the ni ht ended with the much-anticipated senior skit. For many o us reshmen, we were excited we finally ot to see what all the upperclassmen were talkin about and it didn’t disappoint. The skits, done by the Class o ’25 moms, were so unny to watch,considerin howrealistictheywere.
Someo theskitsportrayedtheirdau hters waitin to be picked up a ter practice, chattin with riends durin a study, and even on a late ni ht acetime call tryin to do homework. As Natalie Brinkworth ’28 said, “The skits were hilarious because o how relatable and realistic they were to what oes here at Villa.” The skits showed how much love our moms have or us to do somethin so unnytobrin usjoy.
Attheendo alltheskits,theseniors’ moms lined up and walked out on sta e, all dressed up as jobs. Whether it was a construction worker, a doctor, or a che , it was a showcase o what our utures could possibly look like. Our moms never ave us any idea that we couldn’t do what we wanted to do or be whoever we wanted to be. These incredible women have our best interests at heart and never doubt the reatnesswecanachievewiththedi erent i ts we each have. This was a beauti ul representationo that.
As the ni ht ended and every senior floodedthesta etohu theirmoms,it ave us, those in the crowd, a time to reflect on not only our time here at Villa, but the time wehavewithourmomsbe oreweseto to colle e.Ourmomsshapeusintowhoweare andthiswasa reatni httoshow ratitude oreverythin theydo orus.
Photosby Mr.Busler
2024 Gon Show Photo Colla e
Tess Co ey ’26
AcherishedVillaevent,theGon Show, welcomed excitin acts and thrillin costumes. Here are just some o our avorite
On the Sixteen Days o Christmas
Kendall Kiraly ’28
Christmas break. The lon -awaited vacation that everyone looks orward to every year. This year, Villa has sixteen days o ! But, what do you plan to do durin those sixteen days?
Whether you are plannin to o on vacationorare“home ortheholidays,”wecan all a ree that Christmas movies are a must. Maybe you’ll o or a unny one and watch El , The Grinch, or the Home Alone trilo y. Or, instead, you mi ht want to bin e romantic movies like The Princess Switch or Holidate. Perhaps you’ll even o or a classic oldie like The Christmas Story or It’s a Wonder ul Li e. Whatever you choose, the eelin o bein snu led up on the couch under blankets with snow outside and hot chocolate in hand is one o thebest.
And, o course, you could always take a trip outside o New Jersey. A ter all, we do live ri ht next to one o the most amous cities in the world. Go spend the day in New York City andiceskateundertheRocke ellertree.Incase you can’t et a spot ice-skatin there, thou h, you could always o to Bryant Park where you can enjoy the same aesthetic and un ice-skatin experience and still be within walkin distance o the tree. There are even littleChristmasvendorswith oods,ornaments, co ee, and more surroundin the rink. You could definitely take advanta e o the “a ter-Christmassales”and oshoppin ,too.I you are willin to o a little urther, skiin , snowboardin ,oreventubin atoneo thelocal mountains is another un way to spend the sixteen-dayholidaybreak.Manymountains,like those in the Poconos, are just a little over an hourawayandcanalsobeavery unactivity or thiswinterbreak.
Whileitisimportanttohavealoto un,it is equally as important to make sure other people are able to enjoy the Christmas season too. Many o us are extremely lucky to have i ts overflowin under the tree on Christmas mornin , but there are also many people in the worldwhohavenever ottentoexperiencethe eelin o tiptoein downonChristmasmornin tofindpresentsunderatree.Makesuretofind awayto ivetotheneedyinameanin ulway. There ore,whateveryouaredoin durin these sixteen days–enjoy it! Sleep in, watch movies, o ice skatin , ski, shop, but most importantly,rememberto iveback!
Guide to Gi t Givin and Givin Back:
Our Top 6 Picks
Ava Sansano ‘27 & Isabella White ’26
Bombassocks
Durin thischillywinterseason,sometendtooverlook theimportanceo socks.Whatmayseemlikeamundane Christmas present can actually impact just more than the com ort o your own eet. Bombas brands is an opportunity to ive back; with each sock purchase, one pair is donated to homeless shelters. Their socks o er a wide variety o patterns, textures, and wei hts. The Bombas website’s i t uide can be an immense help when thou ht ully i tin socks that matchsomeone’sinterests,activities,andpersonalstyle!Thou hyoucanchan ethedesi n, the i to ivin ever oesouto style!
Flu andTu Do Toys
For pet owners lookin to surprise your companion, the opportunity to PAW it orward is available in your local Tar et,smallpetshopsorAmazon!Thedo toybrand Flu and Tu has donations or rescue animals and animal shelters; Additionally, they send 100% o their holiday charity toy profits to do adoption centers. Their philanthropic e orts extend beyond the purchasin o toy: by usin their # iveaflu campai n hashta under a post withyourdo ’snewFlu andTu toy,onetoyisdonatedto a shelter! This i t is per ect or urry riends near and ar thisholidayseason!
WorldCentralKitchenCookbook
Know any aspirin che s who are dyin to reach Guy Fieri-level cookin and love a ood story? NewYorkTimes bestseller and James Beard Award Winnin cookbook World Central Kitchen Cookbook is the ultimate i t or them. This book brin s more to the table: not only does it donatetothe WCK (WorldCentralKitchennonprofit),butit also raises awareness o real world issues. Embedded between the pa es o recipes are the inspirin stories o victims rom lobalwar,environmentaldisasters,andother experiences.Bothstomachsandmindswillbe edwithnew oodideasandknowled eabouttheworldaroundus!
Guide to Gi t Givin and Givin Back:
Our Top 6 Picks (Cont.)
Ava Sansano ‘27 & Isabella White ’26
PotterywithaPurpose
I youhaveacra tylovedoneonyourlistthisholidayseason,this DIYpotterykitcreatedby Pottery with a Purpose issuretobea hit! These kits, equipped with all the tools needed, uide you throu h the steps to create your very own masterpiece in the com ort o your home. Per ect or the chilly season ahead, their “Hot Coco and Clay Kit” includes the materials to desi n your own mu s and a hot chocolate mix to enjoy. In addition, purchasin one o these kits supports the company's e orts to advancementalhealthinitiativesaroundtheworld.Everyquarter, the company donates its profits to or anizations workin to supportmentalwellness.
NoKidHun ryWilliamSonomaSpatula
This holiday season, ive a i t that spreads joy beyondthekitcheno yourlovedoneswithWilliams Sonoma No Kid Hun ry Spatulas. Desi ned by celebrities, these stylish kitchen tools are per ect or anyone who loves to cook or bake. Even better, 30%o thesale romeachspatulasupportsNoKid Hun ry, a nonprofit dedicated to endin childhood hun er. With every purchase, you can help provide up to 60 meals or kids in need, makin it a meanin ul and impact ul way to celebrate the season.
ToryBurchambitionbracelet
Add a touch o sparkle to your holiday i tin with the Tory Burch Ambition Bracelet. Available in 13 vibrant colors,thischicaccessoryisn’tjuststylish—it’sasymbol o empowerment. At just $30, 100% o the proceeds o directlytotheToryBurchFoundation,supportin women entrepreneurs throu h rants, ellowships, and education. By i tin this bracelet, you’re not only spreadin holiday cheer but also helpin ambitious womenachievetheirdreams.
Music Pro ram Update
Tess Co ey ‘26
Ittrulyisthemostwonder ultimeo the year when Villa’s music pro ram ets in ull swin to prepare or all o theexcitin events at Villa. While Mr. Daher and his students are be innin their annual preparations or the Christmas Concert, much more is startin to buildbehindthescenes!
This year the musical will be able to finish what was started in 2020 when Villa’s production o The Wizard o Oz was interrupted by our “two week break.” This season's directors are burstin with excitement to enter into the wonder ul world o Oz with the cast! I attended an interest meetin ortheshow,filledwithmany amiliar aces, as well as several new ones. Excited chatter filled the room as we waited or the directortoarrive.
Mr. Smith is back or his second year directin at Villa and is ready to take on the challen eo ered by TheWizardo Oz, ondly known by thecast as WOZ. Cherished teacher and dance director Mrs. Lanni is excited to be inworkin with thecast tomaketheshow come to li e. And joinin our amazin team o directors this year is Mr. Daher, who will be providin his musical expertise to create a beauti ulsoundtrack ortheshowandhelpin studentslearntheirparts!
“It eels like we are finally finishin the showwestartedsixyearsa o,”saidseniorand li er CJ Ainsworth ’25. The cast could not be more prepared to enter the world o Oz this season, ully equipped with an expert team o directorsandbrandnewsoundsystemtokeep the cast soundin their best. With costumes andpropswaitin ortheirchancetoshine or an audience, this year's show is sure to be amazin !
News rom our Amazin Artists!
Kat Ziwot ’25
Thissemester,studentsinMrs.La ana’sclasseshavebeenbusycreatin ,reflectin ,and explorin art history. Grades 7-9 kicked o the second hal o this semester with summer-inspired 11x14 acrylic paintin s. Each piece hi hli hted personal summerexperiences, accompanied by an artist statement explainin their inspiration and artistic choices. Students also drew influence rom French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists like Monet, Matisse, andCezanne,inte ratin thesetechniquesintotheirwork.
Inspiredbytheintricatedetailso Gothiccathedrals,7-9isalsosculptin clayan els or the Christmas season. This project combines their rowin knowled e o historical styles with hands-on3Ddesi n.
In AP Art History, juniors and seniorsexplore the ancient world, includin E ypt, Greece, Persia, and Rome. The developin art historians also study works o art rom the European Renaissance,includin amousworksbyartistssuchasRembrandtandRobertCampin. Asthe semestercontinues,andunderMrs.La ana’s uidance,studentswilldiveintotheRenaissance, buildin ontheirskillsandunderstandin o art’srichhistory.
9th rade art class
Inside AP 2D Art: From Experiment to Execution
Kat Ziwot ’25
Mrs. Chei er’s art classes have balanced time between ocused studio days and experimentalsessions.Severaltimeseachweek,studentsinAP2Dartclasswere iven“studio days”totoexploreandrefinetheirprojectsthatwilleventuallybescoredbytheColle eBoard. To prepare or their projects, the class experimented with various materials, techniques, and artisticstyles.
“Wewoulduseaspecificmaterialorapproacheachdayandsearch ortutorialsto uide us,” explained Cece Maione ’25. “It helped us et com ortable with new techniques and materialsthatwecouldapplytoourfinalpieces.”
The process o creatin their final artwork be an with brainstormin ideas throu h thumbnailsketchesand,a terselectin thestron estconcept,studentsdecidedonthecolors and mediums theywanted touse.“I thinkoneo themost important stepswasexperimentin with di erent materials,” said A ustina Martinez Ferretti ’25. “It ave me the opportunity to fi ureoutwhatworkedandwhatdidn’tbe orecommittin tothefinalcomposition.”
