By: Juanjo Vazquez-Caballero
Students from the Spanish Honor Society have put their creativity and cultural pride on display by submitting digital and drawing posters for a prestigious national contest. The competition, themed “Celebrating Our Roots and Cultures in the Heart of the Universe,” challenges participants to artistically express their knowledge through visual art.
The students collaborated to design a vibrant and meaningful poster that highlights the diverse cultures of the Spanish/Portuguese -speaking world. Their artwork incorporates traditional symbols, historical influences, and personal connections to their knowledge, creating a powerful visual representation of unity and cultural appreciation.
Along with the poster, students were required to submit an artist statement explaining the inspiration behind their work. In their statement, they reflected on how their roots influence their identity and how different cultures intertwine to form a rich and dynamic global community.
This submission not only showcases their artistic talents but also reinforces the importance of cultural awareness and pride. The Spanish Honor Society students are eagerly awaiting the contest results, hopeful that their hard work and passion will make a lasting impact on the judges.

By: Antoinette Thuillier, Community Prevention Coordinator, LYSB
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​This week was National Drugs and Alcohol Facts Week, a national campaign to spread information about the harms of using drugs and alcohol during adolescence. The Responsible, Educated, Adolescents Can Help (REACH) Youth Coalition tested their peers' knowledge through Jeopardy! and Bingo, and also had them wear drunk/high simulator goggles while playing concentration and motor skills games to demonstrate the impact alcohol and marijuana have on reaction time and coordination. Students also participated in mock field sobriety tests while wearing the goggles, performed by Officer Hackett and Officer Sirigos! REACH meets Thursdays during lunch, and the Lyme Old Lyme Prevention Coalition (LOLPC) has a meeting coming up on Thursday April 3rd via Zoom (link here - anyone can join!).  If you are a youth or adult interested in preventing substance use in Lyme/Old Lyme, contact the LYSB Prevention Coordinator Antoinette Thuillier at [email protected] or Mary Seidner at [email protected] for more information. On Wednesday March 26th at 7pm, there will be a FREE Narcan Training open to all community members (register here). The Director of Health at Ledge Light Health District (LLHD), Jennifer Muggeo, will provide the most up to date information about overdoses in Lyme/Old Lyme during the Narcan training and will also present at the next LOLPC meeting. 
 
When youth use drugs and alcohol, they are affected physically and mentally. Keeping youth engaged, knowledgeable, and empowering them to retain autonomy and say no to drugs and alcohol is the mission of REACH and the LOLPC. Great job to the students who participated this week and congratulations to the bingo winners!

On Tuesday evening, Grades 5 through 12 performed their annual spring concert. The auditorium was standing room only!  Proud parents and families were able to see the progression of talent and growth. The finale was wonderful with all grades on stage performing together.

On Tuesday, along with the sea of various shades of green, Student Council members prepared and facilitated some fun activities during our lunch waves. Photo booth, clover toss and pin the clover provided some levity to the day and students received a good luck bracelet after participating.

On Monday morning before school began, Chinese students met in Mr. Wang's room to join the zoom call with our sister school in China. Three of our students, (Ryan Shapiro, Thomas Kabel and Christopher Gibbons) all of whom are advanced Chinese scholars, are preparing to travel to China for a visit during our April vacation. 

At last weekend's Regional Robotics Competition in Springfield, MA, LOLHS Team 236 won the Excellence in Engineering Award. The Excellence in Engineering Award celebrates the team that demonstrates a professional approach to the design process and whose design is elegant and advantageous on the field of play. The award reads:
"When the game called for underwater reliability, this team latched onto the challenge. This team’s high-quality engineering practices assured success around the reef. When it comes to excellent engineering, this team ticks all the boxes.  Congratulations Team 236 Lyme-Old Lyme High School!”

​This past weekend, I hope you were able to enjoy the fabulous talents of our students. Under the direction of Kristine Pekar, their performance of 'Newsies' was AMAZING!  Between the set design and props, singing, dancing, and the music... it was a professional and truly entertaining show. To top it of, having Mr. Fisler and Mr. Eckhart having cameo appearances playing the role of Governor FDR. It was a wonderful performance by all!

The Mock Trial season came to a close last week after a heartbreaking loss to Sheehan High School in the semi-finals of the tournament. The outcome could not have been any closer as the team lost by a single point. Although we were disappointed, the team has so much to be proud
of - particularly making it to the final four for the third year in a row. The six seniors, co-captains Ryan Shapiro and Ada LaConti, witness captain Sophie Pennie, Simon Karpinski, Justin Bonatti and Chloe Datum continued to impress all season with their experience and skill. The underclassmen, several of whom were new this year, made huge contributions as well and will carry the tradition of excellence forward next year. Congratulations to the LOL Mock Trial team for another outstanding season!