High School Newsbite: December 22nd, 2025

Posted Date: 12/22/25 (05:49 PM)

Senior Citizen Luncheon

Over 60 seniors from Lambertville and West Amwell carried out the annual tradition of a festive lunch and creative performance at the Senior Citizen Luncheon on Tuesday, December 16th. Thanks to everyone who came and to our students and staff for their hard work.

Vocal Ensemble & Winter Concert

Vocal Ensemble braved the cold and were invited by businesses in New Hope and Lambertville to carol this month. They had a great time getting to sing for the community!

The HS Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 18 featured the HS Concert Choir, Vocal Ensemble, and the HS Concert Band. Students performed a variety of pieces that they have been working hard on in class since their last performance at the end of October.

District Parents: Let's Talk Tech

South Hunterdon parents are invited to attend “District Parents: Let’s Talk Tech,” a community event focused on the impact of technology and social media on our children and families.

On Tuesday, January 27th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in the HS Auditorium, we will watch a video produced by Max Stossel from Social Awakening that illustrates specific ways technology (social media) is intentionally designed to be addictive and distracting. The presentation also highlights how these design features affect our children’s developing brains and offers practical recommendations for addressing the challenges families are facing.

Following the video, we will hold a community discussion to share perspectives and talk openly about what is working and what is not working in our households when it comes to technology use.

To help us plan accordingly, please click the QR code or follow this linkto register so we can have a better estimate of the number of attendees. This event is sponsored by the South Hunterdon Regional School District in partnership with the District PTO.

We hope you will join us for this important and timely conversation.

Music Mountain Theatre

One of the things that makes South Hunterdon such a special community is that many of our students aren't involved in just one activity. A great example of this is our November Student of the Month MacKenna Healy and our September Athlete of the Month Tess Cathey-Jordan. MacKenna and Tess, along with Madison and Will Groves, are also members of the Music Mountain Theatre Junior Resident Company in Lambertville.

MacKenna explained, "Music Mountain Theatre has truly become my found family and it is a place where I feel honest and at home. Not only have they given me countless opportunities to prove myself as a performer, but they have also taught me how to be a better person, and that is something I am endlessly grateful for. I would not be the person I am today without MMT."

MacKenna and Tess recently starred in a Young Audience production of Frosty & Rudolph, which ran from November 28th through December 19th at Music Mountain Theatre. We recently caught up with MacKenna & Tess to learn more about their experience.

Q: What's it like being part of the Music Mountain Theatre company? How long have you been involved and how has it shaped you as a performer?

MH: Being a part of the Junior Resident Company at Music Mountain Theatre is an incredible opportunity for me because it allows me to work with some of the best and most dedicated people at the theatre. I have had numerous chances to take part in shows that I never thought I would get to be a part of, and I get to do it as a true representative of the theatre. I have been involved with the company for five years, and it has truly shaped me into a very versatile actor. I have played roles varying from comedic to serious, old to young, and scary to sweet. I am so lucky to have had these different experiences because they have turned me into a performer that can be given any part.

TCJ: Being a part of Music Mountain Theatre has brought me so much joy. I started taking classes back when it was still Downtown Performing Arts Center when I was 4 years old, and I performed my first show when I was 7. The people at MMT have taught me everything that I know. I have had the privilege of taking acting, singing, dancing, sewing, and costuming classes through the theatre which has broadened my range as an actress and shaped me as a performer.

Q: What do you enjoy most about being on stage?

MH: The aspect about being onstage that makes me the happiest is that I get to completely transform myself into a new person. For the hour or two that I am onstage, everything around me is silenced when I get to leave my mind and be placed in someone else’s. It also gives me the ability to have a new sort of compassion for the struggles of other people. When I get the opportunity to play a new character, I truly can feel and understand their own struggles and developments.

TCJ: What I enjoy most about being on stage is the feeling of being completely in the moment. While onstage nothing else matters but delivering the performance and being fully immersed in your role. Being on stage allows me to push myself into taking risks, staying present, and most importantly growing not only as a performer but a person every time I step on stage.

Q: What's the best part of being involved with young audience shows, specifically, Frosty?

MH: The best part about being involved with young audience shows is their reactions that coordinate with their attention spans. It really teaches you how to keep children interested; you need to have strong movements and exaggerated expressions in order for an audience like this to stay engaged. Acting is reacting, and I almost feel like a character in Charlie Brown with the way that I need to animate myself onstage. Frosty was a great example of this because I had to adjust my character in order to be appealing to the kids. I played the role of a teacher (not many kids love school, that’s for sure) and so I had to make my personality bigger onstage to keep them ‘involved in my class’.

TCJ: The best part of being involved with young audience shows is seeing how happy the little kids are after every show. Their excitement and energy make it really fun and extremely rewarding.

Q: What are your plans or goals after graduation?

MH: After graduation, I plan to attend a four year university with a major in child and developmental psychology with a minor in theater and performing arts. I want to put together my interests in both working with kids and performing onstage. I have spent many years teaching at the theatre and teaching drama classes at the elementary school, and I would be thrilled to continue merging these two categories together in my future.

TCJ: After graduation I plan on going to college to become a nurse. As a nurse I want to be able to help people and make a difference in their lives.

Eagles Insider

This episode of Eagles Insider features holiday songs, winter break plans, November Student of the Month MacKenna Healy and feedback from middle school students about the best way to spend a snow day.

What's Coming Up?

December 24-January 2 Winter Recess: School Closed
January 27 District Parents: Let's Talk Tech community event

Click HERE to see the Middle School Newsbite
Click HERE to see the Elementary School Newsbite