The Calhoun Connections group at Calhoun High School was officially named the winner of the Team Up 4 Community 2024 Holiday Heroes Challenge on Dec. 20. 
Through the support of everyone, Calhoun Connections received a total of 1,538 votes, edging out the second-place team by more than 500 votes.
“It is thanks to our incredibly supportive students, staff, parents, and community members that they were able to reach such a high number of votes,” explained Principal Nicole Hollings. 
Calhoun Connections will receive a $3,000 grant for their program for winning first place in the contest.
In effort to further foster an inclusive environment at Calhoun, teachers from the special education department have created two new clubs. During the Buddy and Recreation Clubs, participants are paired with “buddies,” students from various clubs or teams volunteering their time. Students visit stations with activities such as trivia, arts and crafts, and games.

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On Dec. 17, students from both Mepham and Calhoun High Schools participated in annual Poetry Out Loud competitions at the building level.

“Student competitors memorized and recited works selected from an anthology of more than 1,200 poems,” explained Mary Allegretta, an English chairperson at Mepham. “Judges evaluated student performances on criteria including voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and accuracy.

Students must win classroom competitions hosted by their English teachers to earn a coveted spot in the schoolwide competition.

The event, hosted each December at Mepham by Fragments advisor Nicole Maresca and the English Department, is now a 17-year tradition at Mepham High School. At Calhoun, chairperson Kim Serpe oversees the competition.

Mepham High School:

1st Place: AriElla Wolfstein, senior
2nd Place: Samantha Bremer, senior
3rd Place: Asher Chang, sophomore
Calhoun High School:

1st place: Ryan Karis, junior (winner for the third year in a row)
2nd place: Uma Magi, sophomore

More about Poetry Out Loud: presented in partnership with the New York State Teachers & Writers Collaborative, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation—lifts poetry off the page, creating community and connection. Through this program, high school students across the country participate in a dynamic poetry recitation competition that is designed to improve their public speaking skills, help build confidence and teach them about literary history and contemporary life. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.4 million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud. To learn more about the Poetry Out Loud competition, visit PoetryOutLoud.org.

Date Added: 1/15/2025

Brianna Wuria, a senior and cheerleader at Calhoun High School, was selected as a U.S. Army All American Cheerleader and will travel to Texas in mid-December to cheer at the Dallas Cowboys practice facility.

Wuria is heading to Frisco, TX on Dec. 18 to practice and perform at the U.S. Army High School Football Bowl game on Dec. 21.
She was selected based upon her performance/results at the College Cheer Combine over the summer in New Jersey.

Only 40 cheerleaders across the country were invited to attend this program.

“This is an unparalleled opportunity to perform with the top cheerleaders in the class of 2025 in the nation,” the announcement email stated. “Being named a U.S. Army All American is a big honor and very select.”

According to her coach at Calhoun, Elana Hirschman, Wuria has been an exceptional member of the team who has performed and competed on the varsity squad since freshman year. 

“Now in her fourth year and serving as one of our captains, she exemplifies what it means to be a cheerleader,” Hirschman added. “Brianna consistently puts in 100 percent effort at every practice, game, competition, and event, demonstrating her dedication and passion for the sport.”

As a leader, Hirschman said Wuria assists her teammates, with the goal of fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.

“Her eagerness to learn and drive to continually improve herself inspires everyone around her,” Hirschman added. 

Wuria hopes to continue her passion for the sport at the college level.