Nutley High School students are working very hard, studying for their upcoming exams and quizzes. With tests each day, it can be hard to concentrate and focus on what needs to be mastered for their next upcoming one. Students have a variety of types of studying techniques. Many students study in various places such as their bedrooms, the kitchen table, and the library. To have successful grades, students need to have an overall grasp of their classes and the learning concepts.

In society, there are many expectations that young people are supposed to follow. But why are we being pressured to follow them? In reality, these expectations and social norms are imposed by society and often bring stress into the lives of those who strive to follow them.

As a senior in high school, societal pressure starts to kick in and stress students out. Students are forced to focus and think that they need to go to college after high school, start a family after college, and get a job to support your family.

We Asked Students Their Views on Homework

From 8:05 a.m. to 2:53 p.m., every Monday through Friday, NHS students sit in the classroom learning new material on different subjects. Whether it be math, English, science, history, business, music, art, and any other NHS classes, students obtain new knowledge every day from teachers. However, when school is over, students are still required to do the work at home for the next class. The real question: is homework really necessary? 

Junior Formal is a night to live it up with all your friends. It is a day that NHS students never forget, as part of their high school experience. From the music to the food, the Nutley High School formal is a priority on everyone's list.

The event took place in the school gym on Saturday, April 6, 2019, and 245 NHS students attended, along with class advisors and chaperones. Each ticket was $55 and the event raised about $9,000 for the junior class.

Experiences with a mental health condition can affect the mind and body in different ways, especially in the young and developing brains of students. According to the National Association of Secondary Schools Principals, “one in five children and adolescents will face a significant mental health condition during their school years.

Peer pressure. That feeling that you have to do something to fit in, be accepted, or be respected, can be tough to deal with. The desire to fit in and feel like you are a part of a group is normal. Many people feel this way sometimes, especially in teen and early adult years. It can be obvious (friends telling you to do something) or less direct (seeing others at a party drinking alcohol and feeling left out if you don’t do the same).

Every high school student has gone through it; being considered the clueless “babies” of the school, walking into a new world. The Nutley High School Class of 2022 has experienced roughly four months of high school and it is safe to say they have already grown. Not only do new high school students feel academically challenged, but also socially. Freshmen experience new things that they will carry with them throughout the next three years of high school. Despite all the challenges, it seems that the freshmen have settled into life at NHS.

It is easy to take certain luxuries in life for granted. People from a middle class demographic might not always stop to realize just how lucky they are to wake up every morning to utilities such as running water, proper heating, food, and entertainment. For the 2.5 million children that are rendered homeless in the United States each year, having just one of these resources would drastically improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, there is only so much that can be done to make a difference.

Last year, Nutley High School began implementation of the Rotating Drop Schedule, which gives a common lunch hour to the entire school - students and staff. Curious to know how students use this time, the Maroon & Gray surveyed the student body. The entire NHS student body was offered the opportunity to take a survey about popular lunch locations in town.

Senior year is full of surprises and fun activities, such as prom, the senior fashion show, and most importantly, applying to colleges. Tension rises as students send their best SAT scores and most well-written essays to their colleges of choice. The wait for responses seems to stretch on forever, but when students get accepted into colleges, it is the best feeling in the world.

As a student at Nutley High School, one can definitely say that the academic portion of the school day is taken very seriously. To make the students’ schedules more intriguing and personalized, the school offers several elective courses. An elective is a course chosen by the students based on their own personal interests. Because of this, the students at Nutley High School are able to focus on their passion.

On Tuesday November 21, the NHS journalism class turned the tables over to senior students, Natalia Acevedo, Joe Sasso, Camila Leon, and Skylar Peluso to get more insight about the year thus far to help students in younger grades know what to expect for their senior year.

As the year progresses, it is easy to infer based off of these interviews, that there is a lot to keep in mind as a senior, along with the fun and celebration.

Romance can play an important role in the lives of high school students. At Nutley High School, romance and social lives are at the center of many students' lives. But, it's a challenging skill to navigate relationships along with school, sports, family time and extra curricular activities.

“Once you experience romance with someone, you’re going to want to keep them if they impact your life for the better,” says Ellice Billones, a junior at Nutley High School.

Fall and winter trends change every year. This year, there are many new styles and a wider variety of options. Depending on where you live or what you prefer, styles may have an impact on the way you live. For example, as the seasons start to change, you cover up or wear less depending on climate or preference. Oversized sweaters and hoodies seem to always be in style during these seasons. “It is comfortable and stylish. It gives me a reason to wear oversized hoodies daily,” said Vanessa Antonio, a freshman at Nutley High School.

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving where thousands of people swarm stores to get the best shopping deals of the year. Typically, this is the first day of the holiday shopping season. Black Friday first originated in 1869 during the crash of the U.S. gold market. Last year, U.S. retailers earned nearly $7.9 billion on Black Friday, according to Marketing News Weekly.