We concluded presenting The Newtown Bee’s ‘Why I LOVE Newtown’ Essay project middle school age runners-up in the April 28 edition.

This week continues the first segment showcasing high school age contributors, which will continue until all remaining contributions have been published.

At that time, we will announce and close out our coverage for this year with award checks being presented to the six finalists.

In the meantime, read on to discover what today’s featured high school age contributors LOVE about their home town:

Hayden Bobowick, 16 — Newtown High School

The Love of Newtown

The soft crunch of gravel beneath the feet of hungry children was the only sound my little ears could hear as my eyes bored holes into the ice cream window.

“C’mon, c’mon,” I whispered, praying that the nice people behind the glass would bring out my favorite ice cream: MJ Rell with rainbow sprinkles and a cone on top. It had to have the cone on top. My fists clenched in anticipation, I eagerly waited for my name to be called.

A thousand hours seemed to pass before I heard a soft voice cut through the air: “Hayden?” it said.

As fast as my tiny legs could carry me, I sprang up to the front of the service window. “Here! Here!” I shouted. My mouth began to salivate when I saw the girl reach behind the counter and grab my cup. Once the old doors slid open, I nearly had the ice cream in my grasp. I reached out and claimed my long-awaited prize.

Content with my cup of creamy goodness, I turned and trotted towards a bench, counting the sprinkles as I walked. My frantic strides to the window became euphoric hops. I couldn’t wait to feast upon such a sugary delight. The toe of my worn-out Skechers had just crossed the plane of the concrete pad upon which the building sits, when the smell of disaster filled the air.

My knee was the first to hit the ground. Cup in hand, I had no arms ready to brace my fall. I tried to hold the ice cream over my head to save it from certain doom.

Alas, it was all for nothing. My fingers had no grip on the wax-covered surface of the cardboard.

Through the tears that filled my bright blue eyes, I could just about make out the figure of a woman standing over me. I felt firm hands lifting me up by the armpits, as I wiped away my tears on my sleeve. I didn’t pay any mind to the dozens of people watching; all I could think about was my ice cream. The woman who helped me reassured me that it would be all right. She marched swiftly up to the order window and kindly asked the girl at the register to make me another.

While we waited for my ice cream, she patted my back. “You see,” she said, “everything works out in the end; you just have to believe.”

Ten years later, I am now a junior at Newtown High School. I can no longer recall the old woman’s face or voice, but I do remember her compassion. I think about her quite often. Whether it is holding the door for someone or helping a peer with their physics homework, I try to spread the kindness that she showed me as best as I can. There are plenty of great things to love in our town, but what I truly love about Newtown is the love in Newtown.

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Creeley Abbott, 15 — Newtown High School

What I love about Newtown… My difficulty here is not what to say, but where to start! For the sake of brevity, I’ll focus on one event; the tree lighting.

I debated going. I was tired, I’d had a long day, and the idea of a warm drink and a soft blanket was very appealing. But… something enticed me out.

Little white candles, in little white bags, lining the roadside. Each candle was balanced in a neat pile of sand.

As my family and I walked down our street in the growing dusk, breath curling white in the cold, I noted how each bag was the same precise distance from its neighbors. I’d been cautious of the idea of unwatched open flame in a flammable bag, but each had been set up so carefully I found that apprehension melting into appreciation.

Finally near the trees, we crossed the street in a small crowd of other families, and several small children who laughed, bundled in bright layers, as they scrambled down the road. The little lake was surrounded by the same paper bag lanterns. Struck suddenly, I tried to recall how many white bagged lights had lit our way from our doorstep to Ram Pasture- it had to have been in the hundreds. I imagined how long it must’ve taken to put them out, knowing it was likely done by volunteers.

The trees went bright in a multicolored flash, and the crowd cheered. Even though the frigid air easily permeated my jacket, I felt a warmth in my chest.

I thought of all the candles laid out, the volunteers who’d spent their afternoon making this magical scene, and the care put into every part of it, and I knew that this was what I loved about Newtown.

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Annabel Saunders, 17 — Newtown High School

Newtown is the place a pin would always fall back to on my map. My home and origin. I drive down these winding roads that pass by all the familiar sites. Watching the rock walls continue possibly forever. Imagining how farm lands must have been divided centuries ago, now held in memory by the crumbling walls. I drive past Ram Pasture. An annual visit for my family and friends to watch the Christmas tree’s first glow of the season. My dog constantly barking at the fake dogs across the street, determined if she’s loud enough they might run away.

The hats that sit upon their heads, constantly changing with the holidays. My favorite being the masks I witnessed the tiny dog wearing during covid. A road perpendicular to this called Main Street. The hotspot for kids under 15 to go for Halloween. My Wonder Woman dress still imprinted in my mind. The house that carves hundreds of pumpkins for the occasion, bringing in dozens of families to witness the art pieces. Exact same road is filled with kids during Labor Day. The parade I’ve had the privilege to see from both sides of the show. Setting up lawn chairs under the shade with my dad when I was 5, hopeful to be in the prime candy-throwing seat.

Dickinson’s park transformation from rustic dark wood to newly plastic structures, a symbol of our childhood memories being stored away. Spending summer there during day camps and holding the baby crayfish from the stream nearby. Ferris Acres as the destination after any summer event. The smell of cows lingering above the gravel, holding the cup of Cow Trax I’ve been ordering for 7 years. Sandy Hook. Always in our minds, forever in our hearts. It showed us how resilient our town is. How a tragedy will bring us closer through moving forward. Catherine Violet Hubbard Sanctuary. Ben’s Bells. Newtown Action Alliance.

And so many more.

Newtown continues to be my definition of community. They are my number one support system, all while pushing me to become the best version of myself. Schools that give me a constant drive to exceed standards with teachers always there for extra help. Sports teams created with a foundation of culture that use this to become a top competitor. Newtown’s name creates a fear among other schools. Being on the volleyball team myself, I love this competitive nature which aims for my highest potential while fostering lasting friendships. What’s most important is how much they prepare for what’s next in life. In whatever path you choose to take, they work their hardest to provide you with the tools you need. I love Newtown for what it has to offer, who offers it, and how much of an impact it’s made on me. No matter where I end up next year, being a senior in high school, I will always find myself coming back to Newtown. Not only for my family, but for the community.

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Connor David Dullinger, 18 — Newtown High School

When you ask me why I love Newtown it is like asking a parent to pick their favorite child. There are genuinely so many things about this town and community that I love, it is impossible to pick just one. As I sit here right now many things come to mind. Could it be Eunice’s everything bagels?

Could it be that feeling of euphoria that courses throughout your body as you and all of your friends sprint to be first in line to get fried dough or get on Zero Gravity at the St. Rose Carnival? Or could it be that feeling of ultimate harmony you feel as you sit beneath the gazebo on Holcombe Hill as you look over the rolling hills of green, over the towering maples and birches, and into the myriad of colors that culminate in a Newtown summer sunset?

After hours of deliberate and intense thought and consideration, I narrowed my list down to two things: the first being a flagpole from Misty Vale or the General Store (get it with chipotle sauce… trust me) and the second being the perpetual and constant feeling of unity and family that is cultivated every day here in Newtown. Despite the exquisite combination of savory and rich flavors the Flagpole features I had to choose the feeling of family and unity as the thing I love most about Newtown.

People will tell me that I am naïve. They will tell me that Newtown is not unique, that it is like thousands of towns across the United States and the world at large. They will tell me that this feeling of family and this feeling of support I experience is not exclusive to Newtown rather it is a common and almost constant quality of every community. For me, it is quite simple. The people that say this obviously have not played under the lights at Blue and Gold Stadium. A place where you can look out and feel the warmth of the hundreds or thousands of people that came to support you.

They obviously have not waited happily in line at Ferris Acres Creamery. These people have not walked the halls of Newtown Public Schools. Halls filled with teachers and peers that would do anything to help the person to their right and their left. Halls filled with people that want to see the people around them succeed, people that always have each other’s back. These people have not been to a Newtown Labor Day Parade. An almost always blistering day filled with candy, smiles, and full hearts. A day when people acknowledge, congratulate, and encourage those around them. These people have not been here on the anniversary of December 14th.

They have not seen a community of thousands of people come together to form a tight-knit family. A family that mourns together. A family that helps and supports one another. A family that stays together. A family that will be tied together for the rest of time.

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Olivia Bossio-Dotolo, 15 — Newtown High School

Newtown is an extraordinary place where the community is welcoming, there are comforting traditions, and the school system is top notch. This close-knit community allows everyone to feel safe to express their own ideas and opinions. Everyday I wake up knowing that I will be treated with kindness from my peers and I feel like I can talk freely to most anyone in Newtown. This town is very family oriented and most people think about the greater good of the town instead of just themselves. Wherever I have participated in fundraising or gathering donations I’ve always noticed how willing people are to give back to the community. Additionally at town gatherings, such as the Arts Festival, I’ve observed how friendly everyone is and how everyone is chatting with one another. Additionally, I enjoy how our town supports many small businesses and isn’t a huge commercial or industrial town.

One of my favorite things about Newtown are the many traditions that this town has. Every Halloween I enjoy trick or treating with my friends and family on Main Street. I love how people on Main Street make this holiday fun and exciting by decorating their houses and generously giving out thousands of pieces of candy. Another tradition that I look forward to every year are the many local 5k races, especially the Turkey Trot. While waking up early and running out in the freezing cold on Thanksgiving morning may not sound like the most appealing thing, I, along with hundreds of other people in Newtown, love this race. I love the energy and excitement that it brings, and it makes me feel more connected to the community. A further tradition that I love in the town is the annual tree lighting ceremony at the Ram Pasture. Each year I’m excited to get together with my friends and watch the tree lighting. I love seeing all the singers and dancers, and I enjoy watching everyone experience the festivities.

Lastly, I’m very appreciative of the exemplary public school system. I’m aware of how many other communities face hardships of poor school systems and inadequate education. One of my favorite things about the schools is how many extracurricular activities they have to offer. I loved participating in ski club, cross country, and the various school plays when I was in Reed and the Middle School. Now that I’m in High School I participated in cross country and indoor track, both of which were wonderful experiences. At the High School I really appreciate how many different resources there are for students to use. The Math Center has been so helpful for me this year when I’m struggling on a topic and need extra help. I am yet to go to the Writing Center but I’m sure it will be just as good. Lastly, I love how kind and understanding all of the teachers in our district are.

Overall, Newtown is a remarkable town and there are a multitude of things that I love about it.

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Sara Heinen, 15 — Newtown High School

To be completely honest, when I sat down to write this essay almost nothing came to mind. What was so special about Newtown? The town I moved to almost 6 years ago has just become an everyday thing. I wake up, go to school, come home, and fill my extra time with normal things like baking, watching tv, and hanging out with my friends. At first, I thought that Newtown was just any old town. Of course you have Sandy Hook and Dodgington which I’m sure makes it a little more interesting, plus we’ve got being the 5th largest town in CT under our belt. But, then it hit me, the real heart of Newtown that makes it loved by so many people isn’t anything extravagant like hosting balls or having a waterpark. It’s just the fact that it’s home. You don’t need anything large or exciting to be able to say that you love something.

I love my parents. I love my friends. I love reading on the beach and eating ice cream in the summer. I love the smell of fall when I can finally see the leaves change color. I love Taylor Swift. There are so many things that I, as a normal teenage girl, enjoy that aren’t anything crazy. Just like Newtown. I love Newtown because of the people, the atmosphere, and the sense of community. The list goes on. I love walking down to the bus in the morning and knowing that I feel safe. That I feel grounded and protected and I don’t feel afraid.

I was asked a question the other day.

Where do you wish you grew up? LA? Miami? London?

And the answer is simple. I would rather keep the childhood and life I have had here. There is something so special about our small, little, New England town that people from those bustling cities wouldn’t understand. The air smells fresh and clean and the deer roam free. Bright flowers of any and every color sprout up from the ground all over the yards in the spring and it (usually) never gets too humid in the summer. We have festivals, fairs, farmer’s markets, and carnivals and all of these special events that bring us as a community together. It’s like the top underlying priority for people living in this town that sometimes we don’t even notice is to have everyone feel welcome and to have everyone feel at home. And that is exactly what we have accomplished. I am extremely proud to say that I was and am able to live in such a town as Newtown because I do feel like I belong. And you might think I’m just saying that, but I’m really not.

There is a heart in Newtown, and it beats because of us.

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Gabriella DeNicola, 14 — Newtown High School

My fondness of Newtown, I will quickly describe

Here in this poem, a minute of your time.

The delightful aroma of Eunice’s bagels

Going on marketplace to sell kitchen tables.

Waking to snow falling on to the ground

It is quiet in town, you cannot hear a sound.

Neighbors helping neighbors, kindness in the air

The thing that gives our town a very special flair.

The flowers in spring beginning to bloom

The sweet, sweet smell of floral perfume.

Taking a walk around Fairfield Hills

Oh what a pleasant feeling that it instills.

Spending the summer swimming at Treadwell

Quenching the heat is always so swell.

A buzz residing on Labor Day

The famous parade is underway.

The changing of leaves to a golden brown

The start of autumn in our town.

There are many reasons that I love home

The one place I never feel alone.

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Check in next week for the next installment of our essay project high school age runners-up.