Congratulations To Everyone On a Fabulous Senior Prom!

Creative Writers at Annual "Phresh Content" Performance

Theater and CW Students at Annual O'Neill Retreat

Cooperative International Studies Program
By Ms. Corbin
     Co-op students Veronica Robinson, Sharelle Halloway and Kayla Cromety captivated staff members and “CISP” students during final presentation night.  Their presentation focused on social justice issues and the impact on different racial and ethnic groups.  
     Students openly shared personal experiences with the group and encouraged other students to promote justice and increase tolerance and respect among various cultures.

National Honor Society "Dress as a Student/Teacher Day" 

Sophomores Perform "The Tempest"

Many participated in Co-op's Black History Month Event 

Our Black History Month event drew a crowd of about 100 people and featured delicious food and inspiring performances.

Laura Sadowski 2/15
     The National Honor Society’s first annual Black History Month celebration was a night full of fun, friends, and food. With the leadership of senior and vice-president, Raphaella Brice, the afternoon started with the movie The Great Debaters in the main stage. Generous students and faculty spared time to set up the cafeteria and fill it up with the delicious food that had been donated.
     At around 5 o’clock, the café was decorated and the public was greeted to school-colored decorations and a live band of students. After a welcome speech by Raphaella, the food was ready to be served. There was so much food people were able to get seconds and thirds. Throughout the night, band students continued to play, even causing students to get up and dance. Jazmine Williamson, Tamera Sternberger, and Toren Brown read pieces they had written just for the event.   
     The event went off amazingly well and had people leaving happy and positive. None of it could have been done without all the people who volunteered to help out with the event. This was just one of the many successful things students have done this year to improve how the school celebrates black history month.

Writers Recycle Video Blooper

Scenes From the Freshmen Theater Showcase

Co-op's Annual Fashion Show 

Hope You Enjoyed the Annual Holiday Sweater Countdown with Mr. Chernak

An Active Fall for NAHS!
Mrs. Lee 11/24
      National Art Honor Society (NAHS) members targeted a goal for the year of 2014-15…Use Visual Arts to make a difference at CO-OP. They have already hosted, sponsored, and/or participated in numerous activities this fall semester.
     Starting with Parking Day on September 19th, the Art Honor Society members jumped into action. Prompted by Ms. Wetmore’s idea to use the CO-OP parking space at College and Crown on Parking Day as an art studio, NAHS members invited the community to paint. The members set up painting supplies at a large display easel, constructed by Mr. Cozzi, and invited people passing by to express themselves. Channel 3 and 8 paid this impromptu studio a visit, covering the event on the evening news, and The New Haven Independent gave a nod online to CO-OP for this artistic outreach.
     The Parking Day activity was followed by a similar event on Meet the Teachers Night. Again, Art Honor Society members hosted. This time the visiting parents and other CO-OP family members helped to create a second large painting.
     NAHS members energized October, by sponsoring a Halloween costume competition on the 31st. Although all students could wear costumes, for a dollar entry fee any student could take a chance at winning a prize. Winners in four categories were selected by NAHS members and announced at the end of the school day.
     In November, the NAHS hosted Hat Day…a chance for students to wear hats in class, for a dollar fee.
     Funds collected support the ongoing activities of the NAHS. 
     November’s double bill of activities included an ornament-making session, during November’s NAHS meeting.
     These were no ordinary ornaments, but ones to give to the Shubert Theater, in celebration of the theater’s 100th anniversary!
     Members of the National Art Honor Society continue to discuss other activities to bring more visibility to Visual Arts at CO-OP.
     Members include the following: (Seniors) Dierra Bristow, Evan Dobitas, Sean Hughes, Wesley Jackson, Alex Martinez, Kylie Mitchell, Amanda Robinson, Amber Suess, Aiden Turlington, Aaron Van Leesten, Brianna Walker, and Lliam West, (Juniors) Gabriel Abdul Karim, Christian Ayala, Christina Jones, Kenyanna Redding, Najma Temu, and Elijah Wright, and (Advisors) Ms. Wetmore and Ms. Lee

GSA Carnival

Dear Co-op family,
     The coronation dance was a huge success! It was a night filled with laughter, music, dancing, and fun! Thanks to the senior committee members who worked diligently as a team and transformed the gym into a spectacular Las Vegas theme. Co-op students are definitely creative! 
     On behalf of the senior graduating class, I would also like to express my thanks to the administrative team who gave their full support for this festivity and stayed for the entire event. To the custodial staff - thanks Frank (night custodian) for accommodating us on Wednesday evening; to our security personnelm especially the energetic Ron Rosarbo and Andrew Anastasio, who made certain everything ran smoothly in a controlled and safe environment. 
     We thank all parents who attended as well as those who were unable to attend, for all their donations and services in coordinating this event; our gratitude to Subway Inc. who donated an assortment of sandwiches, and to those students who prepared desserts and offered their services.  
     Last but definitely not least Co-op staff members, who volunteered and worked in various capacities: Mr. John Migliaro, Mr. Halloran, Ms. Sienkowski, Ms. Wetmore, Ms. Lee, Mr. Meikle and crew, Ms. Amanda Marcano, Ms. Chanel Rice, Ms. Cindy Andrien, Mr. Steven Franklin, Ms. Heather O'Grady, Ms. Weires, and Ms. Laudermilch for all your assistance in making the night a success.
Ms. Corbin

King Lear Performance Review
Review by Diamante Maldonado 11/14
     A King Lear performance took place in the Main Stage here at Co-op, and the junior and senior theatre students were in attendance. This version of the text, originally written by William Shakespeare, was conceived and adapted by John Basinger. It was directed by James Stidfole and produced by Hygenic Theaterwerks. The performance ran for 40 minutes and yours truly was in attendance, taking notes as the production went along.
     The production has a sole character who impulsively recites the lines of King Lear as he walks through what was described to be a blighted landscape. In this production many subjects are touched upon, such as betrayal, love, and grief. For example, there is mention of a lost love, Cordelia. As I watched, I could tell that King Lear felt guilt about his love’s passing because he had not been able to save her and he was grief stricken. The character did a very good job of being immersed in his role of King Lear; he spoke the lines as if they were his own, which led audience members to wonder: what drove this person to be so engrossed with King Lear?
     The character had a sense of allure and wonder as a result, because you do not know why this character is constantly reciting these lines, why he is so driven. Audience members find themselves pondering the question: “Who is King Lear?” 
     As the production progresses, much is left to the audience members in regards to who this man is portraying King Lear. One audience member said that the man was doing this because he was lonely. Another theorized that the man was homeless. Perhaps that is the reason the man finds himself in this plagued environment, maybe it is not--it is all left to the audience member to conjure their own interpretation.
     Overall, I found the performance to be an intriguing brain teaser that takes the story of King Lear in a unique direction in a rather short time period and all with essentially a single character. I think it was also tastefully done, with certain lines being punctuated with thunder and lightning effects from our wonderful tech crew, who were on point for the entirety of the production. As such, this greatly assisted in making the production not seem hastily put together or rushed, despite its short performance time. I felt that I had received a rather complete story as I sat in the audience and enjoyed the show. 

Class of 2015 Celebration 
Jade Epps 10/9/14
      On Monday October 6, 2014, the class of 2015 had a meeting regarding graduation requirements and how fast the senior year was going to fly by. In addition to the meeting, students signed a banner that signified that they would dedicate their senior year to creating a capstone that would lead to walking across the stage in June.
     Following the signing, students participated in a spontaneous "cha cha slide" dance, in addition to dance battles and other activities. 
     What can you say? They're excited and it’s nice to know that there are a group of youth who have decided that no matter what obstacles come their way, failure isn’t going to be a option. I can honestly say that I’m excited for senior year and prom and graduation, but more important I'm excited to realize that I did all of this with the help of the wonderful staff who are there to work with us and won’t let us give up even when we feel as if we can’t do it. We can! 

Coronation

Lauren Bryant, Ashaleigh Carrington, and Aryanna Affong. Photo by Ashaleigh. Send your photos to [email protected]