June 3, 2022 marked Nutley High School’s (NHS) first ever Raiderfest: a series of different events taking place on the Oval, where all the grades competed against one another. Because of the lack of school activities in the last few years due to the Coronavirus, the NHS Student Council is working hard to bring back many events that were once enjoyed by all, and to even start new traditions in the future. 

As of June 2022, it is the 23rd celebration of Pride Month. During this time, individuals, whose sexual or romantic attraction and gender identity fall outside the mainstream, commemorate the freedom to be themselves. Pride parades and gatherings are traced back to the history of minority groups who have endlessly fought the decades of prejudice to be accepted for who they are.

For many years, the Egg Drop Challenge was popular with Lincoln School’s 6th graders, who were under the direction of retired teacher, Mr. Comune. It’s an opportunity for the students to bond, practice their engineering skills, and exercise friendly competition.  “Our curriculum was up for review and we wanted to include additional units of study such as Engineering and Coding,” says Spring Garden Media Specialist Mrs. Janine Sarno. 

Phillip Siculietano is no stranger to Nutley or the Nutley Public School system. Siculietano graduated from Nutley High School in 1982 and began his teaching career in 1992. He is a certified special education teacher specifically in a self-contained LLD program.

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, describes mental health, it is “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.” This influences our decision making, relationships with others, and general behavior. As such, from adolescence through adulthood, it is an important aspect within every stage of our life. Over the years, the importance of mental health has been gradually discussed, and May is a month to spread even more awareness.

For the past 22 years, the Nutley Chamber of Commerce, an organization representing many businesses in Nutley, has held an annual 5K run. This event is one of the two fundraising events for the Chamber of Commerce. This year,  Jim McGuire (President of the Chamber of Commerce), Christina Rodriguez (runner), Dawn Gajewski (runner), and Jaylin Romero (runner) reflected on their experiences and goals for this run. “It was a beautiful morning. I felt confident in my training,” says Dawn, “but was actually just glad to see the race had a good turnout and people enjoying themselves.”

Mrs. Lorraine Restel has been a part of the Nutley School District for 42 years, so her retirement made headlines throughout the community. Currently the Principal of Lincoln School, Mrs. Restel announced her retirement, effective July 1, 2022. “I love my job and will definitely miss it,” Mrs. Restel said.

John H. Walker Middle School produced their professional, junior level show on Friday May 6, 2022 at 7:00pm and on Saturday May 7, 2022 at 2:00 pm. Ms. Christina Alamo, the director of the show, decided on Into The Woods Jr. to be the first show for the middle school. 

It’s that time of the year again, when rain seems like it never ends, and the flowers flourish to their extravagant colors. As we leave the stretched out month of March in the past, and welcome April, many can be thrilled for multiple reasons. First, all students are able to take a week off of school to relax their minds. This calls for no homework, studying, or tests to complete. Several students and their families decide to travel for spring break.

Nutley High School’s Night of the Nations, although being postponed for 2 years because of COVID, has been an NHS tradition for years. Having been held in the cafeteria and arranged by the student body, Night of the Nations is an event which celebrates the cultures of the world with food, games, traditions, and more. Complete with music, recipes, and endless celebration, it rarely disappoints.

On March 23, Nutley High School senior Fabian Jimenez spoke with the Maroon and Gray regarding his experiences as one of the school’s thespians.

Distributive Education Clubs of America, also known as DECA, is a club for high school and college level students that prepares them for a future career in the business field. Beth Christman, a junior at Nutley High School (NHS), has participated in the club since her sophomore year but it was completely virtual then. 

On Tuesday, April 5th, NHS and the Key Club came together to organize this year's blood drive. Key Club advisors Ms. Mazza and Ms. Durso came together with the help of the members to set up this act of service. This was just one of the many fundraisers Nutley High School has done for the good of the community. Not only did it bring awareness to health and charity, but as well as teaching students lessons in life and putting themselves in somebody else's shoes. 

Shots rang out at East Rutherford’s American Dream Mall on Thursday, April 7. An announcement of a firearm entering the building was declared a few minutes before 6:00 p.m. and sent shoppers into a frenzy. As they ran for safety within nearby stores, they created a disarray that separated children from their parents.

Named after Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick, an annual celebration in his honor and of Irish culture occurs on March 17. Throughout years of both immigration and emigration, St. Patrick’s Day is now a worldwide celebration to pay homage to everything Irish.

Mr. Vicchiariello, also known as Mr. V is the well-known director of Bands for Nutley High School. He is known for his exquisite performing band as well as being one of the best music teachers in this school. Mr. V has worked in the Nutley School District for 12 years.

As COVID begins to calm down, life at Nutley High School gains some of its previous normality. Doors that were shut by the pandemic, including those of the NHS Staff Coffee Shop, reopen as the high school staff and students ease back into life as it was before. However, this grand reopening is just the beginning of a world full of improvements and opportunities.

As January comes to an end, here comes February to continue. This month is also known as Black History Month. In which our society dedicates and brings light upon African Americans and the significant events they have gone through. Nutley High School members and staff participate in this month to educate students and welcome the students who come from African descent.

Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a 15-day festival widely celebrated in East and Southeast Asian cultures. A time when family and friends gather to feast, it is an event to honor and remember ancestors, and is moreover tied to the lunar calendar.

The Super Bowl has been an annual  tradition in the United States for over half a century. It eventually became an unofficial American holiday complete with family gatherings, snacks, and an elaborate halftime show.