WOODBURY- It’s officially the New Year. The ball has dropped, grapes have been eaten under the table and celebrations are over. Nonnewaug staff and students are excited to start the New Year but we can’t forget how great 2024 was so let’s wrap it up. 

“An important word I like to talk about is ‘Synergy’ which is when we all gain energy and enthusiasm from each other,” says Declan Curtain, the Vice Principal of Nonnewaug. 

Best sporting event: 

This is the perfect word to describe 2024. The “Synergy” was big this year including the Red Out game against Shepaug which was the top sporting event for the students at Nonnewaug. 

“The favorite sporting event usually tends to be the basketball game against Shepaug,” says Curtain. “It was amazing for me to look up in the stands and see the red sea that was there. Our kids really get into that game and it also gives money to the cancer and lymphoma society so we are all winning and we are drawing attention towards a cause that is important.”

Favorite Spirit Week Days 

Spirit week is a great way to get students excited for events to come like pep rallies and sports games. 

Sophomore Julia Gwizdoski has her opinion about her favorite spirit week day which is always the last one.

“My favorite spirit week day is when every grade wears their own color,” said Gwizdoski. “I like seeing every grade walking around the halls in their color” 

The color wars are a popular day but the fan favorite is always PJ day. 

“ PJ day is always my favorite because it is so funny to see everyone in the halls as well as being comfortable all day,” says Sophomore Indigo Kimball. 

“It’s something that people want to do and something people typically do everyday when people come to school in pajama pants,” says senior Chloe Walsh. “I find that it’s the easiest to do so it gets the most participation from the student body and that’s what spirit week is all about.” 

The Biggest Trends 

From water bottles to shoes trends have come and gone in Nonnewaug but there are some that have made the cut as the most memorable ones. 

The top water bottle trends of Nonnewaug were Owalas, the Poland Spring gallon water jugs and of course the Stanleys. 

But not everyone is all for the trends like Indigo Kimball. 

 “The Stanley cups are a big trend and personally I think they are a waste of money for a trend that’s gonna die down in a minute.”

 Trends are what a lot of people have in common, especially clothes. The biggest trending clothes at Nonnewaug are Carhartt sweatshirts, Uggs, Hey dudes, flared pants, etc. 

“A lot of people wear wide leg sweatpants, flared leggings, uggs, everyone wears uggs, and the Agriscience students with their boots, jeans and Hey Dudes,” says Gwiazdoski. 

“People like Uggs a lot. Everyone has a pair. They are a huge trend.” 

Although Uggs are a big trend and loved by Nonnewaug students, Hey Dudes are a favorite among the agriscience kids like sophomore Alexia Binette. 

“I love Hey Dudes because they are very comfortable,” says Binette. “They are very convenient to wear everywhere.” 

Prom

The most exciting thing for a lot of kids at the end of the year is prom. The dresses, the suits, the music, the after parties are all things kids at Nonnewaug look forward to. 

Something that is the most fun part about prom is grouping up, taking pictures, and getting ready. 

“My favorite part about prom was getting to group up and take pictures beforehand and going to after parties after the actual dance,” says 2024 prom king Walker Stanton. “It is a big rite of passage for a lot of kids their senior year and my prom was very fun.” 

Graduation

As every year ends at high school we have graduation. This is the milestone in every young adult’s life where they leave high school and are finally going into the world to continue their education in college or trade school or they are starting their career. 

“To me if you come into my office and you look at the pictures that are on my wall it’s often about graduation. To me graduation is so important because it concludes many years of hardwork and dedication from students and staff,” Curtain says. “Knowing that we are producing kids that are going out into the world to become better citizens and so for me graduation day is a very special one and one that I think is the most important day of any of our careers.”

Graduation is a very emotional thing for everybody but especially the students.

“It was nice to get together as a class for our last final event as high schoolers,” says 2024 class president Madison Willis. “My favorite part of graduation was the end when we all threw our caps because it meant that we finally graduated and it was time to start a new chapter in our lives.”

Photo Credits: Images Photo Studio; Genna Riggi; Madison Willis