Jericho High School Seniors Reflect On Past, While Looking Forward To Future

As the 2022-2023 school year comes to a close, seniors at Jericho High School reflect on the past four years and look ahead to see what the future has in store.

Saying goodbye to years of memories, long days and longer nights, and new experiences is not easy. Jericho High School Senior Neha M., who has been a student in the district since second grade, describes her experience as bittersweet and expresses her gratitude for new memories and friendships made. She said, “My senior year has been bittersweet and went by way faster than I could have ever imagined. I’m so grateful for all the new friends I made and the experiences of having ‘the last time’ doing things.”

Neha plans on going to Cornell University to study Applied Economics and Management.

Jenna T., Jericho Board of Education Representative and senior at Jericho High School, also thinks her final year has been bittersweet. Her year has been chaotic, but predominantly positive despite the mixture of emotions and chaos. “The beginning of senior year definitely had a learning curve, but after surviving college application season I feel like I have a better grasp on how to budget my time. The whole experience has been pretty eye-opening too, especially because you’re practically being asked to define yourself on college applications. I think my experience at Jericho has been a pretty good one, and it’s going to be a bittersweet end,” she said.

Jenna plans on going to Georgetown University, hopefully to double major in Government and Philosophy.

Sam K., another senior at Jericho High School and one of his grade’s valedictorians, likewise believes the end of his high school career will be sentimental. “It was incredibly rewarding to accomplish so many goals that I had been working for, for years, but at the same time, it is sad to think about moving on from a place that has been a part of my life for so long,” he said.

Sam plans on attending the University of Virginia, planning to major in Commerce with a concentration in Finance.

With COVID-19 interrupting their sophomore year, these seniors had to adjust to new norms and online school, and the ability to connect with others and collaborate was quickly taken away. Neha M. said, “I think Covid made the high school experience a lot more difficult in terms of connecting with others.”

However, for Jenna T., Covid impacted her hobbies and broadened her horizon of pastimes. “For me, COVID changed a lot of my interests – being at home, I didn’t get to do a lot of hands-on activities like engineering and remote-learning made it pretty difficult to focus on serious school work so I turned my interests to more art and reading instead,” Jenna said.

After four years of hard work, virtual school, and standardized tests, the class of 2023 has earned themselves some time off and a relaxing summer. Sam K. plans on doing minimal academic work and wishes for ample relaxation time before he departs for Charlottesville. “This summer, I hope to find work, relax, and spend time with my friends before we all go in different directions.”

Neha M. is spending her summer interning for Clever Devices, a company that helps public transportation providers to run their services more efficiently, save money, and provide better services to their riders. She has been involved in various events with Jericho High School’s FBLA, Future Business Leaders of America, club for a few years, and she desires to continue down the business path. Neha said, “I’m really looking forward to getting hands-on business experience before going off to college.”

After growing up and spending over a decade in Jericho, leaving will not be a simple task. As time progressed, many relationships and lifelong friendships and irreplaceable bonds have been made. Sam K. acknowledges that making the transition may be sentimental. “I think the part of Jericho that I will miss most is all of the people,” he said.

“Everyone was so supportive and helpful during my time here, and it will be hard to move on from both friends and staff,” Sam added.

Congratulations to Jericho High School’s Class of 2023! You have all accomplished so much! There are big things ahead of you!

A Teen’s Perspective Of Winter Break

During winter break, many teenagers find themselves bored with not much to do. Luckily, many students in our community can share their experiences from the past week.
From binge-watching Netflix, to movie marathons, and even reading, teens nearby found themselves occupied on their time off. Rachel Wishner, a Sophomore at Jericho High School, immersed herself in a variety of different entertainment sources. During her time in Costa Rica, she enjoyed herself by listening to happy and upbeat music such as “Die for You,” by The Weeknd. “I listen to this music to keep me in a good mood, since I was stress free,” Wishner said.

While on her six-hour plane ride, Rachel watched many movies, including Matilda and Wonder. Even though she was just looking for movies to download, she thoroughly enjoyed watching Wonder due to the story of friendship only based on personality. “This movie allowed me to look back to the beginning of 10th grade. It really made me think about who my friends really are,” she said.

Movie-watching was definitely a popular hobby this vacation, as Daniella Silverman, sophomore at Syosset High School, too spent her free time doing this. Wedding Crashers was her film of choice. Daniella has seen this movie before, but enjoys watching it late at night with her family. She is particularly fond of the comedy and character relationships. “I think it’s so funny, and I love the characters and actors,” she said.

Binging TV shows was also on Daniella’s agenda. The main show she watched over break was a fan favorite, Grey’s Anatomy. Although she has seen the medical drama a countless number of times, she always finds herself re-watching her favorite seasons as a comfort show. “I love the characters and the plot, and I feel as if the show gets better every time I watch,” Daniella said.
Reading Colleen Hoover books was another activity teens did this break. Both Rachel and Daniella buried themselves in her literature. “I just ordered the book Reminders of Him, and I can’t wait to start reading,” Silverman said.

“I read It Ends With Us over the break. This book was a breath of fresh air since I have been drowning in textbooks,” Wishner added.

Likewise, Jessy Siegmann, sophomore at Jericho High School, did similarly to the two other girls. Early 2000s pop throwbacks have been playing nonstop in her AirPods. “Early 2000s music is nostalgic and brings back memories from when I was younger,” Siegmann said.

In addition to electronic entertainment, the students have found other hobbies to pass time. Cleaning out closets, exercising, and spending quality time with family highlight the main tasks that were done. Wishner said, “I am a very active person and thoroughly enjoy doing one thing after another, but over the break I enjoyed sitting at home watching Netflix with my family. These moments allowed me to calm down after very busy months at school.”

The days off also positively impacted mental health. Getting a break from school work, homework, and tests gave many the opportunity to focus on themselves and their other passions. Silverman said, “I had a lot more time to focus on myself and other things I’d rather be doing than school. The opportunity to get more sleep because of break also contributes to the improvement of my mental health.”

Overall, winter break was spent well in the Syosset/Jericho community, and among teenagers, very much needed and well-deserved.

A Spectacular Day In Syosset

Although the weather outside was frightful, it did not stop local residents from having a delightful time at the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce’s 24th annual Holiday Lighting Spectacular on Sunday, Dec. 4.

Many local businesses, including iSchool of Music and Art, Northwell Health Syosset and Plainview Hospitals, RPG Wealth Management Inc., James Cress Florist, and the Bell Law Group, PLLC, sponsored the event. Upon arrival, the One River School of Art and Design, another event sponsor, held a booth for children to make an arts and crafts project before the show began. A stand with hand warmers was also available for audience members. The evening began with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Dylan Linde, followed by a speech from chamber president Russell Green. The microphone was then handed over to elected officials of Nassau County to spread the holiday spirit. Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, 16th District Legislator Arnie Drucker, 18th District County Legislator Josh Lafazan and New York State Assemblyman-elect Jake Blumencranz were all recognized.

Lafazan felt very strongly about the spirit of the holiday season, as he expressed abundant gratitude towards the community.

“This time of year is amazing, and it’s about so much,” Lafazan said. “It’s about togetherness, it’s about family, it’s about inclusivity. It’s about belonging, my simple messages, it’s also about gratitude. It’s about gratitude for living in the greatest country on Earth. It’s about gratitude for our health, our family and our friends. From the bottom of my heart, it’s about gratitude for continuing to let me serve this community that raised me. I love public service, I love this job, and I love all of you. Thank you and happy holidays.”

Father Mike from St. Edward the Confessor and Rabbi Jay Weinstein from Congregation Simchat HaLev were also called to say a few words about the holiday season.

“We asked God, the Father, to give us the grace to be open to what he wants us to experience during this time of year so that we can have a profound change in our hearts,” Father Mike prayed. “It could help us to grow together. Not only as a community here in Oyster Bay and Syosset, but a community that can expand out to the whole world and love and joy that we all share together.”
Rabbi Weinstein added, “Experience a holiday season that’s magical, filled with family and friends, warmth, deep spiritual nourishment, meaning, and joy. In this season of miracles, teach us G-d to treasure each day and the blessings that we have in our lives, and the blessings we have in the practice of our own individual faith traditions. Open our hearts to the radiance that shines forth from every human soul.”

After many thoughts about the holiday season were shared, the performances started.

The first act was a North Shore Performing Arts Center dance called “Marshmallow World.”
Member of North Shore Performing Arts Center, Emma Sanders, has been performing at the tree lighting since 2018. Each year, Sanders always looks forward to the next tree lighting, as she always has a great time spreading holiday spirit through art.

“The radiant positivity that the audience brings is something I constantly look forward to,” she said. “We have been a part of this tradition for so many years and it’s not only fun practicing in the studio, but being able to perform in front of an audience who genuinely enjoys our performance, and the Christmas spirit we bring.”

Outstanding performances followed the opening act. The performances that came after “Marshmallow World” were “Jingle Bell Rock” by the Syosset High School (SHS) Adelettes, “Frosty the Snowman” by the SHS Adelettes and Choral Pride, “Silent Night” by The Children’s Orchestra Society Mallets and Bars, “Winter Wonderland” by Luca Alexandro, an “All I Want for Christmas” dance by North Shore Performing Arts Center, “Ave Maria” by The Elite Ensemble of the Children’s Orchestra Society, “Silver Bells” and “Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah” by the iSchool of Music and Art Choir, “Baby Please Come Home for Christmas” and “Jingle Bell Rock” by the iSchool of Music and Art Choir, and to finish off, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” performed by Dylan Linde.

After Linde finished belting out the lyrics to the Christmas classic, Santa arrived on the scene, escorted by the Syosset Fire Department. Seconds after his arrival, the beautiful Christmas tree stood tall, fully lit up, spreading holiday cheer to downtown Syosset.

Overall, the traditional Holiday Lighting Spectacular was a cheerful event where community members came together to celebrate the holiday season.

Reflecting On 2022 Syosset-Woodbury Business Highlights

As 2022 winds down, the Syosset Jericho Tribune would like to reflect on some of the most memorable business highlights within the Syosset-Woodbury Community

Below is a list of six notable events from the past 12 months of what has been a very busy time for the Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce.
This past April, a fire in the Hidden Ridge complex in Syosset destroyed seven homes, leaving those families in need of assistance. After some discussion, the Board of the Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce decided to start a fundraising page where 100 percent of the proceeds would go to the seven families. Over the next 1o days, over 200 local residents and businesses partook in the effort, raising $14,525. Chamber President, Russell Green, presented the checks to the seven families who lost their homes, along with other board members. The chamber assumed all the costs of the fundraising, so 100 percent of the donations went to the families in need. President Green said, “As president of the chamber of commerce, I believe it is important to continue the tradition started almost 25 years ago by our founding President, Frank Urso, to give back to the community, and this was another example of doing just that.”
Since the pandemic started in 2020, PSEG has been very helpful to local businesses by providing grants to chambers’ of commerce through its Outdoor Commerce and Beautification Grant Program. Local chambers are able to provide $5,000 in outdoor items to help local businesses via the program. The Syosset/Woodbury Chamber of Commerce has participated all three years that this generous effort by PSEG has made available. Chamber members Hurricane Grill, George White Restaurant, Butera’s Restaurant, The Maidstone 1845 and others have participated in our efforts to help our members.

#CD3Forum2022 was another effort by the Syosset/Woodbury Chamber of Commerce to give back to the community. The five democrats competing in the Aug. 23 primary appeared on stage at Syosset High School for a spirited 90 minute forum. Those candidates were County Legislator Joshua Lafazan, Suffolk County Deputy County Executive Jon Kaiman, businessman Robert Zimmerman, community activist Melanie D’Arrigo and lifelong Oyster Bay resident Reema Rasool. The forum was moderated by award winning journalist and anchor Karina Mitchell with NY1, Bloomberg and ABC News. Each candidate was given an equal opportunity to discuss issues that were submitted by the audience. There was also a 10 minute “lightning round,” where non-political questions were posed allowing the public to see the candidates in a more personal light. Chamber members RPG Wealth Management Inc, Bell Law Group, PLLC and local business LMG Calligraphy generously sponsored the evening. Over 400 local residents RSVPed for the Forum, and the evening was a great opportunity for them to hear from the candidates to make an educated decision in the primary.

The Syosset/Woodbury Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Street Fair on Sept. 18. The Syosset Street Fair has been a staple of the downtown area north of the Syosset train station for over 20 years. After having to postpone 2020’s event due to the pandemic, the fair has been a focal point of the community the past two Septembers. Upwards of 10,000 local residents were able to interact with over 140 sponsors and vendors to learn more about the many great local businesses that make up the community. There are activities for the children, raffles for prizes donated by local businesses with funds this year going to two food banks, and numerous food trucks to make the day a family experience, in addition to the 140 sponsors and vendors that line Jackson Avenue north to Cold Spring Road. The Chamber raised funds for two local food pantries at St. Edwards Church in Syosset and the Rudman Family Food Pantry at the Mid Island Y JCC. Alan Goldberg of Cardworks Merchant Services and Water Solutions of Long Island has been the membership chairperson the past five years. “He has done an excellent job of organizing the Street Fair, and having many Chamber members and other local religious, political and business leaders participating in making the day a success for the community,” said President Green.

The Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce welcomed local new businesses by hosting ribbon cuttings/grand openings when possible. This past October, Madison’s Niche opened its seventh upscale lifestyle boutique location in Woodbury. County Legislator’s Joshua Lafazan and Arnold Drucker, along with newly elected Assemblyman, Jake Blumencranz, on behalf of the Town of Oyster Bay were on hand to celebrate the opening with chamber members and longtime customers of Madison’s Niche. In March of this year, the chamber helped celebrate the opening of Race Hub, a STEAM Activity Center and Racing Facility on Jericho Turnpike in Syosset. Ivy Rehab in Syosset was also a new local business that the Chamber worked with to celebrate the opening of their new location in our community. Overall, chamber membership grew by almost 30 percent this year as business vibrancy has returned to Syosset/Woodbury following the two years of the pandemic. Green said, “Bringing attention to new businesses to the local residents is one of the ways the Syosset/Woodbury Chamber of Commerce works on behalf of our members.”
On Dec. 4, the chamber hosted the 24th annual Holiday Lighting Spectacular. In conjunction with the Biondo Family and Plaza Reality, the chamber traditionally hosts the event the first Sunday of December at 50 Jackson Avenue. The chamber works with Syosset High School and local music schools like iSchool of Music and the Children’s Orchestra Society to showcase our community’s youth to the hundreds of residents who come to watch. Over 300 local residents got to witness the dance and musical talents of some of the most gifted youth in the community. The performances were then followed by a visit from Santa, who lights the tree just after sunset each year. There was also a Community Menorah Lighting on Dec. 18.
The 2022 year had much in store for the Syosset/Woodbury community. Time will only tell what is on the deck for 2023.

A Chat with the Founder of Fashion and Lifestyle Brand Runaway New York

In light of recent global events, research was conducted on Jewish CEOs of clothing companies. The main objective of the research was to identify businesses led by Jewish entrepreneurs to highlight and support them during challenging times. This led to the discovery of Runaway New York, a fashion and lifestyle brand that is quickly gaining popularity.

CEO and Founder Jagger Walk initially began this as a creative collective in high school and has since evolved into an innovative community featuring pop-ups globally. Walk believes everything he does professionally and creatively stems from Judaism in a sense. For his young brand, community is a large aspect of the growing process. Reflecting on his years when he attended Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Walk notes his long-lasting relationships and highlights the value of community bonds, a core aspect of Jewish culture, which has influenced his approach to building and maintaining relationships in his professional life.

He said, “I’ve made these friendships from that Bar Mitzvah era because I was going to parties every weekend, and I still have those relationships that stem all the way from there, so it’s kind of funny how you get thrown into this sort of community when you’re so young.”
Building on the foundation of community, Walk’s vision for Runaway New York surpasses fashion; it’s about fostering a dynamic, creative community that resonates with people globally. His Jewish upbringing, centered around community and connection, significantly influences the brand’s ethos.”

“I wanted to create this community that can kind of expand. Each city that we’ve gone to has the same sort of creative energy of that community that kind of stems from the original Judaism,” Walk explained.

This approach has led to the brand’s organic growth and appeal across diverse cultural landscapes from New York to Tokyo, encapsulating the universal desire for a sense of belonging and community, which is deeply rooted in Jewish values.

As a high school student, Jagger interned for Kith, Guess Jeans, and Chrome Hearts, all renowned fashion labels. During his time at Chrome Hearts, he noticed how their company owned all their manufacturing and that the creative director knew everyone’s name and who made each piece. Feeling inspired, Walk knew he wanted to replicate that style of manufacturing. He said, “Starting out, it was really important for me to learn from people who are here and kind of being able to have my manufacturer. For example, for the pop-up coming up, I’m making more hoodies, so I can text them and get that response right away.”

Being only 22 years old in a rather cutthroat industry, Walk faced many inevitable challenges. One main challenge was manufacturers asking for larger minimum orders, something that can be difficult for up-and-coming businesses. Furthermore, producing merchandise, especially in the United States, is not always cost-efficient. However, the struggles that seemed endless at that time would serve as “delayed gratification,” as Walk believes and has seen that there are many benefits to creating a business. “It’s a challenge every single day. It’s so fun, though, like the good is so good, the bad is stressful, but if you don’t quit then the bad is just how you react to it, you know? But it’s so fun. I think everyone should start their own business,” he said.

In the age of social media and a more digitized world, fashion trends are constantly changing. Walk has observed a shift in consumer preferences. He said, “I think vintage has been really big for people who like vintage cut pieces. People are more willing to buy into brands and be a part of something bigger than just a logo.”

The trend towards branching out in social and lifestyle aspects goes further than the company’s core products. Walk points out that some brands are integrating important social issues, such as mental health awareness, into their business model. These initiatives, in turn, relate the brand identity to subjects other than clothing. “It’s less about the clothing and more about everything around it,” he explains.

In the past, Runaway has hosted concerts and pop-ups to promote launches and collaborate with other brands. Their unique way of marketing is a cross-pollination of art and music, two things Jagger is very passionate about. Being marketed in person, especially at a concert, is likely to leave attendees feeling positive about the brand. “It’s the same way you go to a concert and leave with a band t-shirt; you get to leave with something nice, which has been kind of this cool thing. I think in-person advertising is important because people can live with the brand because whatever feeling they get from being there, they’ll leave with something,” Walk said.

While he has not been directly impacted by the rise in recent antisemitic behavior, Jagger would like to take more initiative regarding the matter.“If people don’t want to come because of that, like, it doesn’t matter. I just think you have to just stick to whatever you believe in. You don’t have to appeal to everyone. But you know, if you’re anti-whatever I’m doing, then don’t support it, doesn’t matter,” he added, highlighting his Jewish pride and resilience during these dire times.

Runaway will be hosting its first long-term pop-up shop from Feb. 5 to March 4 in the Miami design district. In the meantime, Jagger will be planning his first corporate collaboration, separate from his brand but for him as a designer, to be released in the fall of 2024.

The Latest From The Jericho Union Free School District Board Of Education

On Thursday Dec. 22, the Jericho Union Free School District held their monthly Board of Education meeting.

The meeting began with a moment of silence for the loss of two former employees of the district. Victor Manuel, Assistant Superintendent of Business Affairs, then began to talk about the recent trip that 130 high school students went on to Disney World. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Ivy Sherman, then summarized the trip, as she was a chaperon for the time being. Students, besides having the opportunity to spend time at the parks, performed at Disney Springs as individual performing groups. Dr. Sherman said, “They were incredible. They glowed. It was beyond heartwarming.”

“The behavior of the students was incredible,” she added.

The next item of conversation was the new school food service provider, Aramark, that was brought in early December. The purpose of changing the food provider was to include more variety and fresh fruits and vegetables in the lunch options. About three or four weeks in, a lot of positive feedback was being heard. 1,089 lunches were served on Tuesday, Dec. 20, which broke the record for most school lunches served in a day. Victor Manuel said, “The variety that’s there and will continue for the balance of the year. We are really excited about it and we can just see it with the number of students purchasing lunch…We look forward to the board visiting the cafeteria at the end of January/beginning of February.”

Manuel, in place of Superintendent Hank Grishman due to his absence, read a letter to Mr. Grishman and the board on behalf of Allison Edelman, the President of the Jericho Joint PTA Council. The letter entailed information that summed up the council’s December meeting, including distribution of new Jericho apparel, life skill classes setting up a pen pal program, and a presentation from Dr. Patrick Fogarty, Director of Educational Technology, about password protection, online security, school accounts and more.

Jericho High School’s own Student Council Presidents, Ruby Shanker and Patrick Zhao, briefly explained some of the events that have been going on at the school over the course of the month.

They spoke about the new school musical, Jericho Talent and Fashion show, high school band concert, the Disney trip for band, orchestra and chorus students, Spanish classes dressed up in Argentinian colors for the win, Poetry out loud, Christmas spirit week, and course information night.

Jill Citron, member of the Board of Education, called upon Manuel to discuss the new property tax exemption for low income senior citizens and people with disabilities in Nassau County. The county asks school districts if they want to sign on for the same exemption. If they would like to do so, they would need to have done so by Jan, 2. Jericho currently has 37 residents that fall under the category that meets the need for the exemption, who, on average, make $37K per year. What this resolution does is increase their salary to a range of $50K-$58K per year.

Manuel said, “What we are recommending here is to go along with what the town and county have already approved and provide this additional exemption for our low-income senior citizens who live in Jericho and for our persons with disabilities who live in Jericho as well.”

The meeting closed out with Citron reading through the agenda and the resolutions.

A Hotel For The Dogs: K9 Resorts opens new location in Syosset

On Saturday, Jan. 16, a new branch of K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel opened up in Syosset. The nearly freezing temperatures and light layer of snow did not stop the excited crew of K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel from cutting the ribbon with, of course, large scissors.

The opening ceremony began in front of the building, displaying their gold and navy balloon arch. Co-founders Steven and Jason Parker introduced themselves then passed it on to Glenn Vogelmann, the franchise owner. Vogelmann expressed his gratitude and excitement towards the Luxury Pet Hotel. He said, “We’re so happy to be here opening the second of many K9 resorts, truly giving your pets here on Long Island a second home. My wife and kids are lifelong dog lovers, and when we decided we wanted to open our own business, K9 Resorts was the perfect fit for us. With best in class accommodations, world class service and staff, we’re ready to officially kick off this grand opening and welcome you to tour our resort.”

Nassau County Legislator Arnie Drucker, was also in attendance and had the opportunity to say a few words as well. Legislator Drucker congratulated Vogelmann and acknowledged the franchise owner’s countless amount of support. Drucker said, “I just want to congratulate you. This really blows my mind, and your family has been right behind you every step of the way and your partners and investors. It really shows you someone who really understands what the community needs.”

Drucker jested, “It really brings new meaning to when my wife says ‘you’re in the doghouse,’ because I’ll be happy to come to this dog house any time of the year.”
Once the Nassau County Legislator finished his brief speech, the ribbon was cut, and tours were available to anyone in attendance. The tour was led by Christina Rubino, the General Manager of K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel in Syosset.

The first stop on the tour was at the Luxury Suite, the highest level of accommodation. This suite includes a 9’ by 9’ of cage-free space, privacy doors and sound resistant environment, a Kuranda dog bed, DogTV, and hospital grade antimicrobial floors. Rubino said, “You’ll notice that everything in this room is beautiful but also functional. So every single tile in this facility is completely nonporous, antimicrobial, so every time you come into this facility, it’s going to smell fresh and clean, and in the rooms we have epoxy, which is going to also be antimicrobial, will not absorb anything, everything is very clean, very sanitary.”

Next on the tour were the Executive rooms; each with 5’ by 7’ of cage free space, top-of-the-line enclosures, glass privacy doors and a sound resistant environment, alongside hospital grade antimicrobial floors. “These are extremely comfortable for the dogs. You can fit up to three dogs again in these. You have a hammock style bed in every single room so evenly distributes the weight for every single dog. Regardless of how much they weigh. They’ll be equally comfortable, very comfortable rooms,” Rubino added.

Following the Executive rooms was Traditional Cage Boarding. The cages have top-of-the-line Snyder enclosures, and are ideal for young puppies and dogs participating in day care. They’re available in two sizes. Standard Compartment for dogs weighing up to 40 pounds, and Double Compartment for dogs weighing up to 100 pounds.

After the room tours were done, there was a tour of the bathing station, feeding station, as well as the play area. “We’ll generally have one to two people depending on how many dogs we have… The dogs are never going to be left alone in the room but if it gets crowded we can have two or up to three,” General Manager Rubino said in regards to how many people will be watching the dogs in the playroom.

Right outside of the playroom is an outdoor play courtyard with artificial grass turf, built in antimicrobial agents, extra high security fencing, as well as equipment that is cleaned and disinfected daily. There are two courtyards; one for small dogs and one for larger dogs.The tour concluded with lunch and refreshments in the large dog playroom that was nicely decorated. Employees offered grand opening special pricing to those who would like to have their dog stay at K9 Resorts.

Life at K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel is not so ruff, and will hopefully continue to thrive following the great opening last weekend.

Frozen The Musical Comes to Jericho High School

Do you want to build a snowman? Well, look no further. Jericho High School has been chosen by the National Educational Theater Association as one of the prestigious schools to participate in ‘The United States of Frozen – Love is an Open-door’ competition, and they will be putting on a production of Frozen the Musical from March 9 to 12.

In August of 2022, Theone Rinaudo, Jericho High School’s Theater Director, found out that the window for the contest reopened. With only three days to complete the application, members of the Jericho Theater Department helped out by drawing pictures, writing essays, and throwing out ideas as to why Jericho is the best fit. Rinaudo believes Jericho was selected because everyone has a place, which was a point made clear in the application. She said “Whether we have the robotics team building us icicles, or we’re building puppets. We have technology people coming in from the outside. We have our own tech people working on stuff here. If you want to build stuff, you can build stuff with Mr. Herbert. We’ve got a lot of different people who like to do hair and makeup. We’ve got a lot of people. Everybody just sees the stage. They don’t realize how long the reach is.”

In order to maximize the production of the musical, they had to make sure no stone was left unturned. They raised enough money to get snow machines, a short throw projector, puppets, and gobo lights, which project ice and snow onto the stage. The Jericho Educational Foundation (JEF), was very helpful throughout the process. They gave the theater program $10,000 for the short throw projector and also helped fund the puppets.

When November 2022 came around, auditions began. They were held virtually due to the many students auditioning, which added a sense of heightened anxiety for all auditionees.
Lauren Marchand, a senior at Jericho High School, four-year member of Jericho Theater, and Elsa in the musical Frozen, felt that with this show came more self-doubt as a result of the principle that Rinaudo holds onto every year that the shows are ‘for the seniors.’ Marchand said, “When you have that idea that the show’s gonna be for the seniors, it can be very difficult to see that there’s so many people auditioning that it has to be virtual. That was crazy.”

The cast list came out a week later as opposed to them coming out the next day. “That was definitely nerve-wracking not knowing immediately,” Marchand added.

Being the only school in New York State that is allowed to perform Frozen means that the pressure is certainly on. Rinaudo said, “It’s been chaotic. A lot more than normal. There’s a lot more pressure on us because we’re the only ones in New York State. We are doing two extra shows, which we don’t normally do…and just the process has been escalated.”

Gianna DeVellis, Senior at Jericho High School who is playing the role of Anna, feels similarly. “I think there’s a lot of pressure and I think, as a cast, we love each other so much, but we put so much pressure on ourselves. Speaking from experience, if I don’t do good [work] the show is gonna suck, so I know I better be on my A-game and not let anyone down; I don’t want to let any of my seniors down, my cast-mates, and the directors, and I just want to do the best for myself.”

Mixed in with all the pressure are moments and opportunities that the cast cherishes. Chloe Salva, a senior at Jericho High School who plays the role of Olaf, has one particular memory that sticks out to her throughout the production. The crew took a field trip to the elementary schools and performed a few acts from the musical. “I remember, this moment where I have this scene when Anna and Kristoff are finding out about Olaf because this is his first appearance in the musical, and then the kids are all like, ‘oh, he’s right there, he’s behind you.’ And it was just so interactive and all the kids were just singing and clapping. I feel like the experience of having those kids just being able to see their favorite characters from their favorite Disney come to life. It’s just very fulfilling” she said.