The student news site of Farmington High School

The Voice
The student news site of Farmington High School

The Voice
The student news site of Farmington High School

The Voice

MJ Martinez, Advisor

MJ has been the adviser for The Voice for eight years. In conjunction with student leadership, she witnessed the printed paper expand to a digital platform, social media, and a collaborative relationship with the 9:05 News. She also helped in achieving The Voice‘s first of now five Gold Medals from Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Annual Medalist Critique and the publication’s first Crown Award. MJ’s journalism roots come from her time editing her own high school newspaper and writing for a couple of semesters for UConn’s paper, The Daily Campus.

All content by MJ Martinez
Here I stand -- Senior Jennifer Liao speaks during a Social Justice Week presentation. Liao will deliver a speech as salutatorian during graduation on June 14.

[Photo] Jennifer Liao named salutatorian to acknowledge academic achievement and dedication

Sydney Bigelow, Managing Editor
June 11, 2022
Speak Now -- Junior Seerat Bath presents during Social Justice Week. The Social Justice Council hosted its sixth annual Social Justice Week during the week of February 14.

[Photo] Social Justice Week returns for sixth annual event

Rachel Wolkoff, Editor in Chief
February 28, 2022
Celebramos unidos-- Junior Valentina Salazar leads a club meeting following LatinX Heritage Month alongside senior Dani James. During this meeting, the students discussed Dia De Los Muertos and played some icebreaker games. The LatinX Culture Club began last year during hybrid learning and is looking forward to recruiting this year.

[Photo] LatinX Culture Club celebrates LatinX Heritage Month

November 10, 2021
Class of 2021 graduates on home turf

Class of 2021 graduates on home turf

MJ Martinez
June 18, 2021
Singing sisterhood-- (left to right) Social studies teacher Emily Blanchard, English teachers Sadie Robinson and Clarissa Tan, and Social Studies teacher Silvia Daleb perform as the Schuyler Sisters from Hamilton.

[Photo] Earth Day encourages people to take care of environment

Abdul Al-Arshani, Staff Writer
April 9, 2021
Together we rise-- Senior Dani Cloud speaks to both in-person and virtual audience members at the fifth annual Social Justice Week, an event led by the Social Justice clubs in the high school. Cloud began the week with a presentation on White Privilege alongside members of the Black Student Union (BSU).

[Photo] Social Justice Week persists through virtual platform

Sydney Bigelow, Opinions Editor
February 25, 2021
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[Photo] Polar Plunge benefits SpiriThon event

Ricky Podgorski, Editor-in-Chief
February 21, 2021
Step 1: Prepare your chocolate batter

[Photo] Valentine’s Day cupcakes made easy for you, your valentine

Alexa DeFrancesco, Staff Writer
February 11, 2021
Writing away-- Writer’s block members work on adapting to a new style of tutoring and learning. The Writer’s Block has adopted an array of new strategies to still serve as writing help through COVID-19.

[Photo] Writer’s Block makes new accommodations to help tutor during the pandemic

Khrystyna Stets, Broadcast Coordinator
December 22, 2020
Team player -- Former Health and Wellness Department Leader Ed Manfredi has stepped into the role of Interim Athletic Director after the passing of Coach Jack Phelan. Manfredi retired as the department leader last year.

[Photo] Manfredi steps up to role of Interim Athletic Director

Sydney Bigelow, Opinions Editor
November 14, 2020
Hybrid learning-- Social studies teacher Patrick Mulcahy works with co-teacher English teacher MJ Martinez, paraprofessionals, and support staff to differentiate for both in-class and at-home learners in his American Studies classes. Farmington Public Schools opened in a hybrid format this year with students coming in alternating weeks depending on their cohort.

[Photo] High school plan to reopen delays from October date

Radhika Desai
November 3, 2020
So much talent-- Student Activities Director Chris Loomis (left) and Director of Audiovisual Evan Foreman (right) celebrate being awarded Teacher of the Year and Staff Member of the Year, respectively. Both have worked at the high school for over ten years.

[Photo] Loomis, Foreman named Teacher and Staff Member of the Year, respectively

John Guerrera, Sports Editor
September 18, 2020
And so it begins-- Students walk into the Student Entrance on the first day of school. Students are now split into cohorts and spend alternating times in school.

[Photo] Students return to hybrid learning environment amidst ongoing COVID pandemic

Hollis Tharpe, Managing Editor
September 21, 2020
Fun facilitator-- English teacher Catherine Strycharz facilitates the first round of the Kahoot competition in her freshman Connect room. The competition took place on September 8.

Players ready-- Freshman Connect students answer questions in the schoolwide Kahoot competition. All room winners then competed in a second round with other grade-level classmates.

Ready to roll-- Freshman Ivan Khrystenko participates in the first round of the Kahoot Competition. Each grade level participated in their Connect rooms in a first round.

[Photo] Kahoot competition brings together hybrid school community

September 10, 2020
Connecting with one another-- Co-Connect coaches Amanda Roller and Shannon Prouty help run the first round of the Kahoot competition with their Connect room. The event took place on September 8 with participants from in-school and at-home.

Master of Ceremonies Mulcahy-- Social studies teacher and 2021 class adviser Patrick Mulcahy helps run the second round of the Kahoot Competition. Mulcahy helped organize the event with Student Activities Director Chris Loomis, the Connect team, and the class advisers.

A quote please-- Senior Ricky Podgorski interviews senior Max Alvarez prior to the start of the competition. Alvarez represented the senior class.

Confident competitor-- Senior Max Alvarez gets ready for the last round of the Kahoot competition. Alvarez was one of four grade-level reps.

Looking on-- Principal Scott Hurwitz (left) and social studies teacher Patrick Mulcahy (right) look on as the final round of the Kahoot Competition takes place. Junior Abhi Yammanuru won the competition.

Grinning-- Coach Chris Machol waits for the start of the Kahoot Competition. Machol represented the teachers in the last round and came in second place.

Let's get started-- Student Activities Director Chris Loomis prepares the crowd for the finale of the Kahoot competition. Loomis helped organize the event with the Connect team and class advisers.

Proud principal-- Principal Scott Hurwitz emcees the final round of the competition. Hurwitz read questions to those in-person and at-home.

Flexing-- Senior Max Alvarez flexes at the virtual onlookers before the start of the final round of the Kahoot Competition. The competition took place on September 8.

Show off-- Coach Chris Machol hypes up virtual onlookers during the schoolwide Kahoot competition. Machol was the winner of the teacher Kahoot Competition and played against one student from each grade level.

Looking on-- (left to right) Student Council Class Advisers music teacher Louise Carrozza, James Dinnan, Abe Gelb, Sadie Robinson, Kaitlin McIntyre, and Student Activities Director Chris Loomis oversee the final challenge of the Kahoot Competition. All winners, aside from junior Abhi Yammanuru who participated virtually, made there way to the gym for the last round.

Ready to play-- Freshman Thea Fleury competes in the final round of the Kahoot Competition. Fleury was one of four grade-level reps who participated in the last round.

In control-- Social studies teacher Patrick Mulcahy and Principal Scott Hurwitz facilitate the last round of the Kahoot Competition. Mulcahy helped coordinate the event alongside Student Activities Director Chris Loomis and class advisers.

Autograph please?-- Senior Ricky Podgorski catches up with Student Activities Director Chris Loomis after the competition. Loomis, along with the Connect Team and class advisers, planned the event.

Mulcahy fittingly named 2020 graduation speaker

Mulcahy fittingly named 2020 graduation speaker

MJ Martinez
June 20, 2020
Drive-thru diploma-- (left to right) Junior Ricky Podgorski, senior Sofia Podgorski, parent Amy Podgorski, and 2018 alumna Bella Podgorski celebrate graduation from their car. Graduation was held on June 14 at the Farmington Polo Grounds in a drive-thru format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Photo] Class of 2020 moves on

Ricky Podgorski, Managing Editor
June 15, 2020
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