By AUDREY WILENTA – On Friday, Dec. 4, students and parents gathered in the cafeteria to attend CHS’s Coffee House. Coffee House is an event run annually by the junior class that showcases student performances ranging from singing to poetry to synchronized hula hoop dances.

Sophomore Cole Raymond of Middletown attended the event this year to support his friends who were participants.

“This year’s Coffee House was really entertaining,” he said. “I liked seeing all my friends show off their talents.”

The junior class council, consisting of co-presidents Elizabeth De Furia of Manalapan and Sarah Lang of Monmouth Beach and council members Sarah Lynch of Interlaken, Kathryn Willis of Tinton Falls and Catherine Escueta of Eatontown have worked on bringing Coffee House to life for months, they said. The class received donations from Anna Vernick Cupcakes, Wegmans, the Turning Point and members of the class.

Sarah Lynch, a member of the class council, said the money raised from the event is going toward funding the junior class, specifically their senior prom.

Sophomore Matt Avena of Middletown was a first-time Coffee House performer. Avena performed alongside fellow sophomores; Cara Pesciotta, Jack Toohey, Abi Karl, Andrew Wang, and Kyle Robinson in a band.

“Performing was really fun and exciting,” Avena said. “I expected to be nervous, but once I got on stage, I was just focused on playing.”

Lynch said she enjoyed the process of putting the event together.

“The best part for me, and I’m sure I can say the same for my other council members and our co-presidents, is seeing what our class can accomplish when we work together,” Lynch said.