With midterms over, school is now back to normal, and honestly the next thing everyone’s looking forward to is February break; but until then, GCHS will definitely be busy. With the second semester starting, new classes in session, and the memory of midterms lingering, students at every grade level have made their annual New Year’s resolutions to bring up grades in the latter half of the year.

Guidance meetings with students, parents, and counselors of Juniors continue, and events and activities for other grades are also taking place. The Spring play “Beauty and the Beast” continues its practice weekly, with all actors and crew members working diligently. Prom committee is starting to build its team as well, with the big dance only a few months away. In one more month, Spring sports will officially begin for everyone; many students who were or are hoping to be recruited have already started their training. Seniors who did not get a parking permit for the Senior Lot during the Fall and Winter months will get their opportunity now that it is a new semester. Clubs meeting this week include Andy Club, Heart to Heart, Gay-Straight Alliance, and Anti-Cyber Bullying. Principal Nanine Cuttitta has taken a leave, after having given birth to a beautiful baby girl (congrats!), and the HS community has been introduced to its new temporary Principal.

One activity in particular that has brought a lot of attention to the school is the Literary Circle, run by English teacher Carlo Rebolini. This group, which has been around since 1995, is a gathering of students and teachers coming together to have general group discussions on various works of literature. The club meets Friday evenings, and in addition to the discussions, original poetry is read by both students and teachers. Musical performances are also a part of these exciting nights, which usually have a pretty good turn-out of about forty to sixty participants. President and Co-President Seniors Andrew Nicolosi and Joanna Jager help to run the program. The Literary Circle also sponsors illiterate adults, and holds a “Read-a-Thon” to raise money to help support its causes. Participants pledge money, and volunteers read (this year’s chosen novel was “Inkheart,” by Cornelia Funke) continuously throughout the evening. This year’s fundraising event will take place on March 23rd, and is open to anyone and everyone!