Hosted by the Ability Awareness Club, this event promotes accessibility, friendship, and school spirit in a fun environment
Photo by: Saloni Mittal
Students participating in the Glow Dance, an event organized by the Ability Awareness Club
Neon lights, glowing bracelets, and upbeat music set the tone for the Ability Awareness Club’s Dance on Feb. 19. The event brought students together for an evening focused on inclusion, community, and celebration.
The ability awareness club is dedicated to promoting inclusion and support for all abilities within the Kinnelon community and bordering towns like Bloomingdale and Riverdale. Throughout the year, the club organizes events designed to encourage acceptance and allow all to have a great time. From awareness activities to interactive gatherings that bring students together, the club focuses on building connections. Every few months, the club hosts big events such as the glow dance.
The Glow Dance was designed to create a safe and welcoming environment for students of all abilities. By providing an accessible and supportive space, the club aimed to encourage social interaction and build stronger connections across the school community.
“I’ve learned that it is always good to help and lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it, especially in our community. My goal is to ensure everyone has a great experience,” said junior Hannah Kenyon
The dance took place at PRM Middle School and welcomed both PRM and KHS students. The event roughly lasted one hour, but volunteers stayed for three. The dance offered free admission to all. Multiple KHS volunteers helped organize the event, assisting with decorations and music and ensuring everyone felt comfortable and included throughout.
“This dance helps bridge the gap between general education students and students with disabilities by promoting acceptance and celebrating individual differences through shared experiences and awareness initiatives,” said advisor Carrie Bott.
Beyond hosting events like the Glow dance, the Ability Awareness Club focuses on promoting understanding and acceptance throughout the school year. The club’s overall goal is to ensure that every student feels valued in the school community. Rather than simply organizing events, the club aims to create lasting change by giving students a great time.
Junior Eva Rosenfeld states, “The club’s mission means making sure everyone feels accepted, no matter their abilities. It is about being kind, understanding, and making sure nobody feels left out.”
From upbeat rehearsals to high expectations, the KHS community looks ahead to opening night
Photo by: Savannah Yates
As the musical gets closer, rehearsals are held every day with the cast practicing lines, choreography, and songs.
As opening night approaches, excitement for Mamma Mia continues to grow throughout KHS. From lively rehearsals filled with familiar songs, anticipation for this year’s musical can be felt both on stage and around the school. Teachers, cast members, and the director are all preparing for a performance they hope will bring the community together.
“I hope the audience has fun watching it. This script is genuinely so funny, and it’s been so much fun to perform,” said junior cast member Frankie Cignini.
KHS is preparing for its annual school musical with Mamma Mia, scheduled to run March 5-7 in the school auditorium. The production brings together many students working onstage and behind the scenes, including performers and stage crew, all collaborating to bring this show to life.
Set on a Greek island, Mamma Mia tells the story of Sophie, a young woman about to be married, who dreams of having her father walk her down the aisle. However, she faces an unexpected challenge when she realizes she does not know who he is. The story unfolds with humor, romance, and music that many audience members already know and love.
“The main themes of the musical are love, family, and following your own path. The characters are on journeys of self-discovery and strength in the bonds of family and friendship,” said director Savannah Yates.
The production offers students many opportunities to get involved. Students can participate through acting, stage crew, or sound and lighting. Even those who are not directly involved often feel connected through friends who are part of the show.
“I would love for more students to participate in the theatre clubs, whether it is the school play or musical,” said Cignini
This year’s musical is especially significant because it marks the first production led by Yates, the new KHS theater director. The new leadership brings fresh energy and a new perspective to the program.
“As the new theater teacher and director this year, this is the first musical I will be directing at KHS, which is SO exciting! Our school has a wonderful history with theater, and this year we are hoping to just really grow the program and exceed all expectations,” said Yates.
Big scores, busy schedules, and steady growth define the competitive season so far.
Photo by: Adam Smith
The Academic Decathlon team celebrates earning second place in the Super Quiz Bowl and multiple individual medals at regionals.
As competition season continues, the Academic Decathlon team is proving that steady growth and determination can lead to meaningful results. After competing in the regional competition on Jan. 31, the team earned an impressive eighth-place ranking in the state. In addition, they secured second place in the Super Quiz, earning numerous awards and medals across a range of subjects, underscoring the team’s academic strength and preparation. The strong regional performance set the tone for the rest of the season and boosted confidence going into states.
“This was an extremely exciting event as many students earned individual awards in their category. This shows off the hard work and preparation that all the students went through,” said club advisor Adam Smith.
Compared to previous seasons, this year reflects noticeable improvement. The team worked extremely hard, practicing constantly. Months of preparation, after-school meetings, and independent study contributed to the stronger results this winter.
“To prepare for the competition, I studied a lot with my friends who are also on the team. This is my second year participating in the Academic Decathlon team, and I’ve noticed a lot of progress,” said junior Evangeline Phillip.
However, the season has not been without challenges. Attendance has been a significant challenge, as many team members are deeply involved in extracurricular activities. Conflicts with musical rehearsals, bowling competitions, and other extracurricular activities made it difficult for the entire team to attend every event together.
Despite these setbacks, the team’s morale remains strong. Students have responded positively to feedback and have taken responsibility for their performances. When an event does not go as planned, team members reflect on what went wrong and focus on improving for the next competition.
“The students are self-aware about what they need to work on. They’re competitive, but also extremely supportive,” said Smith.
The team recently competed at the state competition on Feb. 28, with results set to be revealed on Mar. 9. If the results are favorable, the Academic Decathlon team may qualify for nationals, making an exciting next step for the team.
The Cancer Awareness Club spreads awareness and raises funds through monthly events and fundraisers
Photo by: Wendy Bruffy
Students and teachers contributed donations during the Cancer Awareness Club’s winter drive to support cancer-related causes.
The Cancer Awareness Club helps students learn more about cancer while encouraging the student community to support those affected by the disease. Through presentations, school announcements, and creative fundraising events, the club works throughout the year to promote awareness about different types of cancer and the importance of research and support for patients.
One of the club’s main focuses is education. Each month, members highlight a different type of cancer and share information with students about its impact, prevention, and treatment. These efforts help students better understand the disease and why awareness matters. By consistently sharing information with the school community, the club hopes to make conversations about cancer more informed.
“We want to spread public awareness through morning announcements and by creating slide presentations or posters to discuss specific types of cancer,” said advisor Wendy Bruffy.
In addition to education, the club also finds creative ways to engage students in awareness activities. The Cancer Awareness Club was originally started by a KHS student who wanted to make a difference within the school community. Over the past few years, the club has continued to grow and build on that original vision by organizing events and expanding its outreach.
“Emedla Philips, who is a former student, started this club three years ago. This club started so students can be aware of certain diseases that affect many and also to teach the community how to prevent getting such sicknesses,” said Bruffy.
Fundraising is another important part of the club’s work. One simple but effective fundraiser is the bagel sale held on half days. Due to students not having lunch on those days, the sale provides a convenient way for students to grab something to eat while also supporting an important cause.
“The bagel sale is one of the most effective ways for the club to raise money, allowing all proceeds to go to organizers for cancer research and hospitals,” said Bruffy.
Through education, fundraising, and community involvement, the Cancer Awareness Club continues to make a meaningful impact at KHS. The club advocates for students to become involved by joining the club or participating in fundraisers.
Infographic on Ability Awareness Club
