the nucleus
2013
You know it’s time to graduate when... Amal Ahmed: When you’re an A student and you’re trying to stay awake in class. Aneta Baran: Senioritis gets you and your pitiful attempts to shake it off fail miserably, causing you to give up. Cynthia Barrios: You take your time walking slowly from class to class. Michal Belzek: You don’t even open your backpack when you get home. Dagmara Bogdal: You start counting down the days til graduation and girls start shopping for Prom dresses. Jenny Bogdal: You’re trying to stay awake in classes and don’t attempt to do homework anymore. Rosella Camastra: You get sick of seeing the same people every day. Tania Chwala: You keep putting off your homework each day thinking you’ll do it another day, but that never
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happens. So, instead, you sleep all day. Sara Claypool: You sit at home looking at your backpack thinking, “I got third period.”
on to keep you from accomplishing (or beginning, for that matter) any of your work. Rafal Jarzebowski: You just don’t care.
Ilona Debosz: You ditch class to take a nap or you miss half the period.
Alexis Justiniano: You’re complaining about making it through a full week of school and it’s only December.
Samantha Frank: Jenny Bogdal stops doing her homework.
Angelina Kadzielawa: No one comes to school anymore.
Alanna Freese: Teachers spend the majority of class telling hilarious stories about life lessons and their experiences.
Eleni Kaldis: You start referring to your given sick days as vacation days that cannot afford to not be used.
Gerald Garcia: You’re looking at what end of the year field trips are available rather than scholarship opportunities. Tatiana Gonzalez: You don’t want to do anything anymore but, sleep and eat. Joey Iaffaldano: You’ve perfected procrastination to the point where you no longer get bored. You have an endless number of websites and shows
Emily Kelly: All anyone is talking about is college, prom, and graduation. Karolina Klimont: Even the smart kids get senioritis. Seriously, that’s scary. Catherine Krol: You’ve finished your Graduation Bucket List. Paula Krzos: It takes you all of about 20 seconds to put on makeup in the morning.
Daniela Lakosilova: You stop caring about your grades. Milanka Lazarevic: You don’t take your backpack home over the weekend. Kristina Lazzara: You care more about what’s for lunch than the test you have next period. Jessica Lechowicz: Every single class is a joke. Erica Lopez: You look at your homework and say, “I could do it Rebel period and lunch.”
Olena Melnyk: You stop trying in all your classes and still pass with flying colors. And when you spend most of your time in counselor’s or Gates’s room. Holly Monaco: Tim has to tell me what is considered a half day so I can leave and have the school day count. Sladana “Slushy”Nikezic: You “got people.” Paulina Pachel: You prefer going to work more than school. Frank Punzio: You stop trying.
Nicole Macaione: Prom dress shopping consumes your life. Daniella Macrito: You sit in class and you realize you’re about to learn the same concept for the third time. Gianna Magnelli: You skip more classes than you go to. Alyssa Martinez: You’re complaining about having a “free day” in class. Jennifer Matthews: All you think about is prom! Jen Mazurkiewicz: You don’t care about anything at all.
Josh Rein: It’s June 10th. Amanda Rivera: You take a nap on the library floor. Heather Ronstadt: You throw away all your blue slips. Alexis Sabor: You wander the halls during class rather than actually going to class. Sam Sacuta: You’d much rather do busy work in class than actually learn something, just so you can put your headphones in. Joanna Salgado: The students stop focusing.
Michelle Skarzynski: You’re filling out applications to colleges. Karolina Sojka: Every class becomes surprisingly very easy. Tim Tannhauser: You tell your parents that you are off of school every day at dinner. Dimitris Tselepatiotis: You stop doing homework.
“A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that ‘individuality’ is the key to success.” -Robert Orben “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” -Albert Einstein “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela
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Advice for Underclassmen Amal Ahmed: This is going to sound very hypocritical coming from me, but my advice is not to procrastinate. Seriously. Also, have fun! Aneta Baran: Pick your classes wisely. Cynthia Barrios: Appreciate those around you because time flies. Michal Belzek: SparkNotes only goes so far, get a job, and drop the class. Dagmara Bogdal: “Incoming penny” - always do homework and study for tests. You will want your GPA to be high for college. Jenny Bogdal: Enjoy your time in high school before you go off into the real world because these 4 years will fly by. Take chances and don’t regret anything. Rosella Camastra: Take freshman year very seriously. Tania Chwala: Get involved! Join clubs and sports before it’s too late. You’ll be dumbfounded while filling out applications for colleges/scholar-
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ships because your lazy self wasn’t involved in anything.
Angelina Kadzielawa: Take the ACT seriously.
Sara Claypool: There’s this little thing called productiveness…yeah. It doesn’t exist.
Eleni Kaldis: Meet everyone, be open minded and talk to lots of people your first two years. The last two years you know who you actually want to keep around.
Ilona Debosz: Pick your classes carefully. Samantha Frank: Don’t worry too much about what other people think. Alanna Freese: Stay in school! But seriously, don’t eat poop. Tatiana Gonzalez: Don’t procrastinate! Start your college search early, so you don’t have to be rushed and stressed out. Apply for as many scholarships as possible and do them early. Joey Iaffaldano: People will judge you for your mistakes, but how you react is what really matters. Always keep your head up and remember who you are. Be true to yourself. Take risks and don’t care what people think. This is just the beginning and the best is yet to come. Rafal Jarzebowski: Get out of the way in the hallway.
Emily Kelly: Everyone always says not to slack off your senior year. My advice is to listen to them. Karolina Klimont: Respect your teachers. We’re sick of you and so are they. Paula Krzos: Just because someone’s smart, doesn’t mean they’re lame. Just because someone parties, doesn’t mean they’re cool. Don’t judge by what you see. Get to know people. Daniela Lakosilova: Work hard, play later. Milanka Lazarevic: Find your true friends. It’ll make high school more fun. And don’t do drugs. Kristina Lazzara: Bring snacks, but keep them hidden from vultures.
Jessica Lechowicz: It’s just high school, live your life and don’t stress. College is coming up. You’re going to pay thousands anyway. Freshman - be nice to your teachers and be mature. Erica Lopez: Respect your seniors. Nicole Macaione: Walk faster in the hallways. Don’t mess up your junior year. It’s the most important year. Daniella Macrito: More food, less stress. Gianna Magnelli: Have fun and make sure you pass. Alyssa Martinez: Balance school and having fun or else you’re going to go crazy. Jennifer Matthews: Don’t stress over the small stuff! Stay away from all the drama! Jen Mazurkiewicz: Don’t give up once you get accepted to college! Olena Melnyk: Apply to college early so then you don’t have to do anything the rest of the year. Don’t try so hard, you are a senior!
Holly Monaco: It’s high school; get over it and move on! It goes by really fast. Sladana “Slushy” Nikezic: Be smart, have fun, and make good decisions. Oh, and don’t procrastinate…it will be the end of you! Paulina Pachel: Work hard because hard work goes extremely far. Do not listen to people who are only there to try to bring you down. Do your own thing, follow your dreams, find your passion, and laugh like a maniac…you will always be above them. Frank Punzio: Do really good junior year, get into college, then take the rest of senior year off. Josh Rein: Don’t be a fool, stay in school. Amanda Rivera: Don’t procrastinate. Stay true to yourself. Heather Ronstadt: Keep it classy. Alexis Sabor: If you want the upperclassmen to like you, don’t stand in the middle of the hallway.
Sam Sacuta: Keep up with your classes. It sucks to be borderline graduating and scrambling to pass your classes. Also, don’t forget to be awesome. :) Joanna Salgado: Pay attention and do your work. Michelle Skarzynski: They say senior year is the easiest…it’s not. Karolina Sojka: Don’t stress out too much. You’ll end up in Triton anyway. Tim Tannhauser: Be yourself; don’t let anyone change you. Dimitris Tselepatiotis: Pay attention in class but don’t stress.
“Knowledge is power.” -Francis Bacon “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” -Mahatma Ghandi “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Best High School Memory Amal Ahmed: Sitting in lunch sophomore year.
Samantha Frank: Italy trip 2012.
Aneta Baran: “The Wall” Cynthia Barrios: “The Wall”/ Also spilling soda on Karolina’s pasta two days in a row during lunch Freshman year.
Alanna Freese: Freshman year Geometry meeting the man I still call mine today. Junior year Rebel periods and lunch with him. Spending any free time with my mom this year.
Jenny Bogdal: Fro-Yo Fridays, StuCo state conventions, making it to sectional championships in 2012 with Girls Soccer, and Mr. Parillo’s pieces of advice. Dagmara Bogdal: Sophomore year when I was close with everyone and it was always and it was always a big group of us hanging out together. Rosella Camastra: Going to Italy my junior year. Tania Chwala: Playing in the first soccer game of my life as a freshman. Sara Claypool: “The Wall” Ilona Debosz: “The Wall”
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Gerald Garcia: As annoying as it was, performing at the Friday Night football games with the band. Tatiana Gonzalez: Daniella Macrito sneezing. Joey Iaffaldano: Florida band trip sophomore year. Rafal Jarzebowski: Making friends. Lexy Johns: The pep assemblies, or pep rallies - I loved watching them or performing in them. My senior night - I’m going to miss cheering under the lights. Angelina Kadzielawa: Weekends/breaks.
Emily Kelly: Going on the Italy trip Junior year. Amazing! Karolina Klimont: “The Wall”/ Angel locked in the closet sophmore year. Catherine Krol: Attaining the groups of friends I am now sad to leave. Growing individually as a person with a rising social intelligence and complexity of thought. So really, I can’t pinpoint an exact moment in time. Paula Krzos: Making it to state for Poms and placing in top 15th. Daniela Lakosilova: Remember freshman year! Milanka Lazarevic: The Fab 5! State 2013. Kristina Lazzara: Anything that involved band or drama club. Jessica Lechowicz: Weekends, not being in school, Summer!, soccer, volleyball. Erica Lopez: Lunch, junior year, and Student Council.
Nicole Macaione: Making it to State! Fab 5! Daniella Macrito: Italy trip ‘12. Gianna Magnelli: Pizza Mondays, the A-team, and Room 235. Alyssa Martinez: Falling in the cafeteria trying to get a piggy back ride from Joey Iaffoldano. Jennifer Matthews: Making it to State! February 5th!
Holly Monaco: Cheering with my friend Heather at every game. Just messing around. Sladana “Slushy” Nikezic: Dancing in the bleachers. Paulina Pachel: All of sophomore year, lunch with OS, Lipton Tea, Government class with Cantos, basketball games, 5/18 and parties. Frank Punzio: When I snapped my arm in half during gym.
Jen Mazurkiewicz: Going to Italy 2012 with my best friends.
Josh Rein: AP LIT, English 2/3.
Olena Melnyk: End of volleyball season senior year… beast:) Chilling at Gates’s room in the morning.
Amanda Rivera: Fab 5! Becoming State qualifiers for Poms, my volleyball team!
Alexis Sabor: Driving around with these guys and yelling at stop signs. Sam Sacuta: Disney 2011 Joanna Salgado: My classes Karolina Sojka: Weekends Tim Tannhauser: Meeting new friends and playing golf. Dimitris Tselepatiotis: Talking with friends.
“Take care of all your memories. Fory you cannot relive them.” -Bob Dylan
Ridgewood High School’s Top 10% (in alphabetical order; as of September 2012) all 4.000 Cumulative GPA or higher Amal Ahmed Aneta Baran Jennifer Bogdal Anwina Choknumtumnukit Igor Cirkovic Samantha Frank
Alanna Freese Gerald Garcia Michael Giuliano Dylan Kaczmarczyk Eleni Kaldis Emily Kelly Paula Krzos
Daniela Lakosilova Gianna Magnelli Sladana Nikezic Alexis Sabor Kathryn Sobieraj Steven Wrobel
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Favorite Teachers Amal Ahmed: Mrs. Nett, Mr. Gates, Mrs. Mundy Aneta Baran: Mr. Parillo, Mrs. Machaj, Mrs. Nett, Mrs. Pennisi, Mrs. Gonzalez
Rafal Jarzebowski: Mr. Gates
Cynthia Barrios: Mrs. Machaj, Mr. Kumor, Mr. Collier, Mr. DeRose, Mr. Lee, Mr. Lehotsky, Ms. Wicklund
Lexy Johns: Ms. Winograd, Mrs. Balata, Mr. Lehotsky, Mr. McCabe, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Pemberton, Mrs. Portanova, Mr. Wlodarczyk
Michal Belzek: Mr. Parillo, Ms. Cantos, Mrs. LoBianco
Alexis Justiniano: Mr. Gates, Mr. Rogalski, Mrs. Romano
Jenny Bogdal: Ms. Cantos, Mrs. Abercrombie, Mr. Parillo
Angelina Kadzielawa: Mr. Gates, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Ms. Balata, Mrs. Romano, Ms. Cantos, Mr. Parillo, Mr. Zack
Dagmara Bogdal: Mr. Gates, Mr. A, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Pemberton Rosella Camastra: Mr. Gates, Mrs. Portanova, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mrs. Abercrombie, Mrs. Miller Tania Chwala: Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Timothy, Mr. Gates Sara Claypool: Mrs. Machaj, Mr. Parillo, Mrs. Nett, Mrs. Gonzalez Ilona Debosz: Mr. Kumor, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mr. Gates Samantha Frank: Ms. Abercrombie, Mr. Wlodarczyk Alanna Freese: Mr. Parillo and Ms. Cantos Tatiana Gonzalez: Mr. Gates, Mrs. Romano, Ms. Book, Ms. Cantos, Mr. Wlodarczyk
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Joey Iaffaldano: Mrs. Winograd, Mr. Gates, Mr. A, Mrs. Abercrombie
Eleni Kaldis: Dr. Penissi, Mr. Gates, Mrs. Portanova, Mr. Vear Emily Kelly: Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mr. Gates Karolina Klimont: Mrs. Machaj, Ms. Wicklund, Mrs. Nett, Mr. A, Mr. Parillo, Mrs. Gonzalez, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mr. Paus Paula Krzos: Mr. Parillo and Mrs. Romano. Daniela Lakosilova: Mr. Gates, Mrs. Machaj Milanka Lazarevic: Mr. A, Mr. Gates, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mrs. Pemberton Kristina Lazzara: Mrs. Miller, Mr. Parillo, Mr. Gates, Mr. L Jessica Lechowicz: Mr. Gates, Mrs. Balata, Mrs. Romano, Mr. Zack, Mr. Parillo, Ms. Cantos
Erica Lopez: Mrs. Miller, Mr. Gates, Mr. Kumor Nicole Macaione: Mr. Gates, Mrs. Pemberton, Mr. Wlodarczyk Daniella Macrito: Mr. Gates, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mrs. Portanova, Mrs. Miller Gianna Magnelli: Mr. Gates, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mrs. Nett Alyssa Martinez: Mr. Gates, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mr. St. John, Mr. Parillo Jennifer Matthews: Mr. Gates, Mrs. LoBianco, Mrs. Miller, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Ms. Book Jen Mazurkiewicz: Mrs. Abercrombie, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Wicklund, Mrs. Snyder Olena Melnyk: Mr. Gates, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Ms. Cantos Holly Monaco: Mrs. Miller, Mrs. LoBianco Sladana “Slushy” Nikezic: Mr. Wlodarczyk and Mrs. Mundy Paulina Pachel: Mr. Gates, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mr. Parillo, Mrs. Romano, Mr. Silca Frank Punzio: Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mr. Gates, Mrs. Laubenstein, Mr. L Josh Rein: Mr. Parillo, Mrs. Winograd, Mrs. Pemberton Amanda Rivera: Mr. Gates, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mr. Parillo
Heather Ronstadt: Mrs. LoBianco, Mr. Wlodarczyk Alexis Sabor: Mrs. Nett, Mr. Rogalski Sam Sacuta: Mr. Smith, Mr. Gates, Mrs. Netterstrom Joanna Salgado: Mrs. McCabe, Mr. McCabe, Ms. Manolis,
Mrs. Balata, Mr. Lehotsky, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mr. DeRose, Mr. Lee, Mrs. Nett, Ms. Winograd, Ms. Pemberton, Mr. Zack, Mr. Konsler, Mrs. Romano
Karolina Sojka: Mr. Zack, Ms. Cantos, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mr. Parillo
Michelle Skarzynski: Mr. Gates, Mr. Wlodarczyk, Mrs. Pemberton, Ms. Forestiere
Tim Tannhauser: Ms. Cantos, Mrs. Pemberton, Mrs. LoBianco, Mr. Gates Dimitris Tselepatiotis: Mr. Parillo and Mr. A
Favorite After School Activity Amal Ahmed: National Honor Society Aneta Baran: Art Club Cynthia Barrios: Art Club Michal Belzek: Freshman Basketball
Lexy Johns: Cheerleading
Gianna Magnelli: Sleeping
Alexis Justiniano: Disney Trips! Sam Sacuta’s basement
Alyssa Martinez: Hanging and fighting in the cafeteria
Angelina Kadzielawa: Volleyball
Jennifer Matthews: Poms
Eleni Kaldis: FBLA
Jen Mazurkiewicz: Class Council/FBLA
Jenny Bogdal: Soccer, Student Council
Emily Kelly: Hanging out with my friends
Dagmara Bogdal: Volleyball and Soccer
Karolina Klimont: Art/Book Club
Rosella Camastra: Sleeping Tania Chwala: Girls Soccer
Catherine Krol: Group Interpretation: 2011-2013. The Field.
Sara Claypool: Art/Book Club
Paula Krzos: Poms
Amanda Rivera: Volleyball
Samantha Frank: Class Council
Daniela Lakosilova: Art Club
Heather Ronstadt: Sleep
Milanka Lazarevic: Soccer, Poms, Naps
Alexis Sabor: Band
Alanna Freese: Homework!! JK Gerald Garcia: Art Club, Book Club, Rotary Club, and Choices Tatiana Gonzalez: Choices
Kristina Lazzara: Drama Jessica Lechowicz: Volleyball, soccer, student council
Olena Melnyk: Volleyball Sladana “Slushy” Nikezic: Getting JACKED! Paulina Pachel: Shopping, movies, concerts Josh Rein: Taking naps
Sam Sacuta: Drama Joanna Salgado: Choices Michelle Skarzynski: Soccer
Joey Iaffaldano: Freshman and sophomore year Drama club
Erica Lopez: Dunkin’ Donuts
Karolina Sojka: Soccer
Nicole Macaione: Poms
Tim Tannhauser: Golf
Rafal Jarzebowski: Sleep
Daniella Macrito: Dunkin’ Donuts
Dimitris Tselepatiotis: Freshman Basketball
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America’s Next Top Model Nico Florecki & Liza Zaitsava
Best Dressed Joey Iaffaldano & Amanda Rivera
Best Taste in Music Jake Liacone & Paula Krzos
Class Clown Billy Disselhorst & Sladana “Slushy” Nikezic
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Class Narcoleptic Alex Sanchez & Olivera Alilovic
Cutest Couple Justin Santiago & Milanka Lazarevic
Dean’s Homeroom Taleb Hasan & Kamila Kocur
Most Changed Since Freshman Year Angel Cascallares & (Kristin Palmsiano)
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Real Ridgewood Rebels CJ Noorine & Alyssa Martinez
Ridgewood’s Most Wanted Taleb Hasan & Amelia Davenport
Talks the Least, Says the Most Gerald Garcia & Aneta Baran
Teacher’s Pet (Michael Belzek) & Emma Pisello
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GO Rebels!
Most Likely to be the Next CEO of Apple (Michael Nasca) & Jenny Bogdal
Most Likely to be the Next Food Network Star (Michael Nasca) & Daniella Macrito
Most Likely to be in the Olympics Igor Cirkovic & Sladana “Slushy� Nikezic
Most Likely to be the Future President Steven Wrobel & Jenny Bogdal
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Most Likely to be on Broadway Victor Bertocchi & Catherine Krol
Most Likely to be on the Cover of Rolling Stone Joey Iaffaldano & Paulina Pachel
Most Likely to be Stuck in the Bubble Tim Tannhauser & Joanna Salgado
Most Likely to be the Mozart of Our Generation Gerald Garcia & (Anwina Choknumtumnukit)
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Most Likely to Fix the Economy Steven Wrobel & Anwina Choknumtumnukit
Most Likely to Have Artwork in a Museum Amir Prses & (Anastasiya Kostyshyn)
Most Likely to Win an Oscar/ Grammy Victor Bertocchi & Catherine Krol
Most Likely to Write a New York Times Bestseller Christian Palese & Paulina Pachel
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In 20 Years, I’ll be... Amal Ahmed: Have enough money to travel the world and help world hunger. Aneta Baran: Married with 2 kids and a cat, making good money as a graphic designer. Cynthia Barrios: Working full time and married with my 3 wonderful children. Michal Belzek: A billionare and very successful.
Ilona Debosz: Working in a hospital, hopefully enjoying life with my husband and two kids. Tatiana Gonzalez: Happily married with four kids living in Park Ridge and working as a child psychologist. Joey Iaffaldano: Owning my own Production Company and best friends with Adele. Rafal Jarzebowski: 38
Dagmara Bogdal: I’ll have a family, 2 kids, and a husband. I’m going to be a detective in the FBI! Jenny Bogdal: A cardiothoracic or pediatric surgeon. Rosella Camastra: Married with 3 kids and being a nurse. Tania Chwala: A creative director working in Downtown Chicago and married with kids. Sara Claypool: Writing stories about how stupid my life was back in high school and making millions off of it. Thanks to all those who contributed.
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Alexis Justiniano: Hopefully working as a broadcast meteorologist, married with kids. Angelina Kadzielawa: Living in a nice house in Florida with my children and a husband coming home in a suit saying, “Honey, I’m home.”
Paula Krzos: Hopefully making bank. Daniela Lakosilova: In Europe working with kids in the hospital by doing art therapy with them. Milanka Lazerevic: Sleeping on Paula’s couch while Jennifer’s caging the panda and Nicole makes me food. Kristina Lazzara: Snowboarding with my husband Leo Dicaprio at our chalet in the Alps. Jessica Lechowicz: Happily married to my husband. Have 3 kids and live in a house with a big yard. Erica Lopez: In a house in New York with my rich husband.
Eleni Kaldis: Changing the world.
Nicole Macaione: Livin’ the dream.
Emily Kelly: A nurse and married with three kids.
Daniella Macrito: Hopefully alive.
Karolina Klimont: Riding on the back of a T-Rex (their arms are too short to get me off) into the apocalyptic sunset.
Gianna Magnelli: 38…wow I’ll be pretty old. Alyssa Martinez: In medical school dying a slow death.
Jennifer Matthews: Caging the panda at the zoo while sleeping on Paula’s couch with Milanka. And…living the dream with Nicole. Jen Mazurkiewicz: Hopefully doing something productive with my life. Olena Melnyk: Living life in my decked out house with a rocking job and a family. I will also be on a private beach for two with the man of my dreams.
Amanda Rivera: I will hopefully be working as a pediatric nurse and living a happy life. Running from Jennifer as she tries to cage me up. Panda on the loose! Heather Ronstadt: Working at Loyola hospital as an emergency room nurse. Married with 3 kids. I’ll have a big house with a pool and own a Range Rover. Alexis Sabor: Cleaning cars. Sam Sacuta: Dead.
Holly Monaco: A beautician with a NFL husband and four children living in Florida.
Joanna Salgado: I have no idea.
Sladana “Slushy” Nikezic: Playing professional beach volleyball for Montenegro in the Olympics.
Karolina Sojka: Happily married with two kids and a job that makes me feel accomplished.
Paulina Pachel: A music journalist married to a rock star;) interviewing all kinds of musicians, going to concerts and working side by side the one and only: Krzysztof “Jankes” Jankowski for Eska Radio Poland.
Tim Tannhauser: I will be married with 2 kids owning my own company in Hawaii.
Frank Punzio: 37 Josh Rein: A personal chef/ owner of a catering company with a family.
Dimitris Tselepatiotis: A millionaire.
“Always do whatever’s next.” -George Carlin
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” -Anatole France “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” -Henry David Thoreau
“Action is the foundational key to all success.” -Pablo Picasso
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Future Major / Career
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Amal Ahmed: I shall figure it out soon enough
Alexis Justiniano: Meteorology
Jen Mazurkiewicz: Special Education
Aneta Baran: Graphic Design
Angelina Kadzielawa: Criminal Justice
Olena Melnyk: Nursing
Cynthia Barrios: Business and administration
Eleni Kaldis: Social Work and Dance
Holly Monaco: Hair, Nail, Massage, Make-Up
Michal Belzek: Business or Law
Emily Kelly: Nursing
Sladana “Slushy� Nikezic: Pre-Med/Biology
Dagmara Bogdal: Criminal Justice
Karolina Klimont: Engineering (Mechanical)
Paulina Pachel: Journalism
Jenny Bogdal: Biomedical Engineering
Paula Krzos: Chemistry
Frank Punzio: Criminal Justice or Engineering
Rosella Camastra: Nursing
Daniela Lakosilova: Psychology
Josh Rein: Culinary Arts
Tania Chwala: Graphic Design/Business
Milanka Lazarevic: Health Education/Nutritionist
Amanda Rivera: Nursing
Sara Claypool: English! Fo sho.
Kristina Lazzara: Journalism
Heather Ronstadt: Nursing
Ilona Debosz: Nursing
Jessica Lechowicz: Pre-Dentistry
Alexis Sabor: Biology
Samantha Frank: Undecided
Erica Lopez: Unknown
Sam Sacuta: English
Alanna Freese: Accounting/Business
Nicole Macaione: Nursing
Joanna Salgado: Undecided
Tatiana Gonzalez: Psychology
Daniella Macrito: Undecided
Karolina Sojka: Accounting
Joey Iaffaldano: Audio Arts and Acoustics
Gianna Magnelli: Psychology
Tim Tannhauser: Business Management
Rafal Jarzebowski: Accounting
Alyssa Martinez: Biological Sciences
Dimitris Tselepatiotis: Economics
Lexy Johns: Early Childhood Education
Jennifer Matthews: English
Where we’re going Amal Ahmed: Loyola University
Alexis Justiniano: Penn State
Jennifer Matthews: University of Illinois at Chicago
Aneta Baran: DePaul University
Angelina Kadzielawa: University of Illinois at Chicago
Jen Mazurkiewicz: Eastern Illinois University
Cynthia Barrios: Triton College Michal Belzek: University of Illinois at Chicago or Northern Illinois University Dagmara Bogdal: Western Illinois University, Oakton College, or Triton
Emily Kelly: Elmhurst College Karolina Klimont: Oakton Community College
Olena Melnyk: Loyola University or University of Illinois at Chicago Holly Monaco: Tricoci Beauty School
Paula Krzos: Loyola University
Sladana “Slushy” Nikezic: North Park University
Daniela Lakosilova: Triton College
Paulina Pachel: Dominican University
Milanka Lazarevic: Northeastern Illinois University
Frank Punzio: DePaul University or Marquette University
Tania Chwala: DePaul University
Kristina Lazzara: Marquette University or University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Josh Rein: College of DuPage or Elgin Community College
Sara Claypool: Dominican University
Jessica Lechowicz: University of Illinois at Chicago
Amanda Rivera: University of Iowa
Ilona Debosz: Loyola University
Erica Lopez: Dominican University
Alexis Sabor: Beloit College
Samantha Frank: University of Illinois
Nicole Macaione: Elmhurst College
Sam Sacuta: Illinois State University
Tatiana Gonzalez: Olivet Nazarene University
Daniella Macrito: Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio
Karolina Sojka: University of Illinois at Chicago
Joey Iaffaldano: Columbia College Chicago Lexy Johns: Triton College
Gianna Magnelli: Northern University Alyssa Martinez: University of New Orleans
Jenny Bogdal: University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign or University of Wisconsin - Madison Rosella Camastra: Elmhurst College
Tim Tannhauser: Elmhurst College Dimitris Tselepatiotis: University of Illinois at Chicago
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Words from the Wise Seniors,
“The world ain’t all sunshine
As Oscar Wilde once said,
This is just the beginning of
and rainbows. It’s a very mean
“Be yourself, everyone else is
your personal journey. Make
and nasty place, and I don’t
taken.”
the best of it by doing what
care how tough you are, it will
Mrs. Gonzalez
makes you happy!
beat you to your knees and
Ms. Kelsall
keep you there permanently if
“Find something that you love
you let it. You, me, or nobody
to do and you’ll never work a
Always keep where you eat
is gonna hit as hard as life. But
day in your life.” These were
and sleep clean!!! Disinfectant
it ain’t about how hard you hit.
the words given to me by my
wipes are your friend.
It’s about how hard you can
late father, Dennis Slowik.
Ms. Pemberton
get hit and keep moving for-
Mrs. Winograd
ward; how much you can take If you want to succeed you
and keep moving forward.
Graduates:
should strike out on new paths,
That’s how winning is done!”
You are now on a caravan of
rather than travel the worn
-Rocky Balboa
life…moving from the known
paths of accepted success.
Andy Tadaro
to the unknown. Make it matter.
-John D. Rockefeller Tristan Kumor
In the immortal words of Rush, As you enter life beyond high
“The caravan thunders on-
school, people will tell you to
wards/ To the distant dream
Aw yeah, you made it! My
‘be great’ and to ‘work hard.’
of the city/ The caravan car-
parting advice is twofold. First,
But the real advice is ‘don’t be
ries me onward/ On my way
remember that happiness is not
an idiot.’ Before proceeding
at last, on my way at last/
a guarantee. It’s up to you to
with any decision, ask yourself,
I can’t stop thinking big…”
find what makes you happy, to
‘Could this cause me physi-
Think big and be good. Life
seize the moment, and to go
cal or emotional harm? Will
often doesn’t award you with
for it. Secondly, be yourself!
I bring shame upon myself or
“re-takes,” so make the first
“To give anything less than
my family? Am I risking more
time count every time.
your best is to sacrifice the
than is reasonable or pru-
Best of luck to you,
gift” -Steve Prefontaine (Amer-
dent?’ If the answer to any of
Sra. Romano
ican track and field star)
these questions is yes, make a
Patrick Sweeney
smarter choice.
“If God brings you to it, He
Jennifer Snyder
will bring you THROUGH it. Best of Luck, Mr. De Rose
20
My words of wisdom are
“Do not follow where the path
Dream big (or small), but find
those of a person that is genu-
may lead. Go, instead, where
the thing that brings you bliss,
inely concerned for all of you.
there is no path and leave a
and try it out. Live it, inspire
No, not because I don’t trust
trail.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
others, and go to sleep at
that you will be productive
Zohreh Moaven
night knowing you might have
citizens, but because I have
made a difference in this
had many of you in class, and
If you always try to do your
world. Wake up each day
it scares the heck out of me
best, and learn from your
looking forward to a future
that you are going out there.
mistakes, you will rarely be
as beautiful and rewarding
Here goes…
disappointed in the outcome.
as you can imagine. Oh, and
1. Be safe, and not conversely,
Mr. Vear
vote.
have fun
Mrs. Mundy
2. Travel
Live for today. You could get
3. Be tolerant of all people…
hit by a bus tomorrow.
“I would rather be ashes than
yes, even the most cerebrally
Ms. Book
dust! I would rather that my
challenged
spark should burn out in a
4. Try to live a life without
Life is a journey not a desti-
brilliant blaze than it should
prejudice
nation. Enjoy the journey by
be stifled by dryrot. I would
5. Try new things
packing the essentials: passion,
rather be a Superb meteor,
6. Don’t be afraid of change
compassion, and knowledge.
every atom of me in magnifi-
7. You are beautiful! Don’t al-
Dr. Pennisi
cent glow, than a sleepy and
ter your appearance because
permanent planet. The proper
of what you think others see
Kangaroos can’t hop back-
function of man is to live, not
8. You have worth! Don’t listen
wards”- Daniel Tosh
to exist. I shall not waste my
to people who say you don’t
Brandon Mixon
days in trying to prolong them.
9. Trust until a person gives
I shall use my time.” -Jack
you a reason not to
“Be yourself; everyone else
London
10. Find a career that makes
is already taken.” -Oscar
Mr. Lippstreuer
you happy, not one that makes
Wilde
you the most money… al-
Mrs. Bishop
though if you find both, good
Dearest Seniors: Have fun, be safe,
for you
Remember....the basis for all
make good decisions
Good luck to all of you in all
happiness is good health.
Ms. Goodman
of your endeavors. I will miss
Eileen McGing
most of you. David Wlodarczyk
21
As you cross the finish line
is the antidote to despair” is
if you do poorly. They will not
of your four year marathon,
Joan Baez’s contribution to
tolerate you taking in class or
I congratulate you. As your
your mental health. Eleanor
any other rude behavior. You
cheerleader, coach, and occa-
Roosevelt would want you to
will be in class with students
sional giver of Gatorade, I am
remember that “No-one can
from around the State and
proud of you. You did not quit
make you feel inferior without
Country who were at the ‘top’
the race, but finished strong!
your permission.”
of their graduation classes
Now, enjoy some rest, water,
Best wishes always,
in their schools. You will have
and more Gatorade because
Mrs. Netterstrom
to adjust to being in a very
a new race is about to begin
22
competitive academic atmo-
this fall. ;)
Dear Senior Class,
sphere. If you do you will be
Mr. A
It has been a lot of fun be-
successful, and unfortunately
ing your class advisor this
if you don’t you probably will
Dear Graduates,
year and taking over the
not stay in college. If you are
duties of class advisor from
going to pursue a career that
and the health with which to
Ms.Abercrombie. First, I wish
does not require college, be
enjoy it! I feel honored to have
all of you happiness and suc-
on time and work harder than
had many of you during your
cess in whatever you do when
any other employee to prove
sophomore year of English. I
you leave Ridgewood!! Be
to your employer that you are
have watched you mature and
confident and never lose sight
the best. Remember there are
problem solve during your last
of your dreams. Now for my
plenty of unemployed people
years of high school. I am
words of wisdom! If you go off
who would like to have your
proud of your stamina and
to college, stay focused and
job if you fail. Don’t give them
determination. The seniors I
as they say, keep your eye on
the chance! Again, I wish you
presently teach are an amaz-
the prize, which is graduating
happiness and success, if you
ing group of young people
from college. There are going
are ever come back to Ridge-
and I have cherished our time
to plenty of opportunities for
wood please stop in and say
together.
you to have fun in college,
hello.
just be sure to make time for
Mr. Glogowski
I wish you success
My wisdom comes
from other sources. One im-
studying and school. Your
portant philosophy comes from
professors’ in college will not
Ralph Waldo Emerson who
be giving you any formative
believes, “What lies behind
exams, you won’t have a two
us and what lies before us
week policy that allows you
are small matters compared
to turn in late work, and you
to what lies within us.” “Action
won’t be able to retake exams
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.” -Benjamin Franklin
Snippets from Noteworthy Commencement Addresses “It doesn’t matter that your dream came true if you spent your whole life sleeping. So get out there and go for it, but don’t be caught waiting. It’s great to plan for your future. Just don’t live there, because really nothing ever happens in the future. Whatever happens happens now, so live your life where the action is — now.” -Jerry Zucker
“It doesn’t matter how far you might rise. At some point, you are bound to stumble. If you’re constantly pushing yourself higher and higher, the law of averages predicts that you will at some point fall. And when you do, I want you to remember this: There is no such thing as failure. Failure is just life trying to move us in another direction.” -Oprah Winfrey
“The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive. You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift, for all that it is painfully won, and it has been worth more than any qualification I ever earned.” -J.K. Rowling
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma--which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” -Steve Jobs
“You must have a high threshold for frustration. Take it from the guy who was turned down by every studio in Hollywood. You must knock on doors until your knuckles bleed. Doors will slam in your face. You must pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and knock again. It’s the only way to achieve your goals in life.” -Michael Uslan
“Take action. Every story you’ve ever connected with, every leader you’ve ever admired, every puny little thing that you’ve ever accomplished is the result of taking action. You have a choice. You can either be a passive victim of circumstance or you can be the active hero of your own life.” -Bradley Withford
“
“Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someone else’s path unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path then by all means you should follow that.” -Ellen DeGeneres But if you’re in the woods, you better be there for the rightreasons... “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” -Henry David Thoreau
”
23
Editor’s Farewell What’s up Rebels?! Wow! I can’t believe it’s been four years. We did it. We survived and we owe it all to ourselves. It seems as if just yesterday I was entering these halls, trying to figure out who I really am and what I am supposed to do with my life. Now, four years later, I’m an entirely different person with brand new perspectives and a whole new persona. I can let out a sigh of relief as I owe my life to The Rebellion for helping me choose my dream career of journalism. Picking up that pen at Freshman Orientation and signing up for newspaper has been one of the most influential and probably wisest decisions I’ve ever made. To say that it’s been amazing writing for you guys would be a huge understatement. I have learned so much over these short years and I am thankful for having such an amazing crowd that has given me the best kind of constructive criticism possible. I truly live for this and my readers are my ultimate fuel that keeps my ink moving forward on any blank page. Thank you for all of that. Also, huge thanks to my amazing staff. Thank you Alex Hanns, Editor In Chief, for countless feedback, disagreements, arguments, jokes, rides to downtown, and so much more. You have been an amazing partner in crime and you hold an incredibly huge place in my memories throughout all these years. We’ve formed a bond like no other and therefore, The Queen salutes The King. Thanks for sticking through with me. Thanks to all writers and other co-editors for putting forth their contribution towards organizing this paper. It has been tough but, we’ve grown immensely and we will keep on growing until they shut us down. Thanks to my amazing photographers for helping my shoot the senior class for the 2013 Nucleus, Danielle Quinn and Ewelina Pachel. These are some crazy outrageous photos. Last but certainly not least, thank you Mr. L, for being such an incredibly awesome advisor constantly believing in us, our abilities, our changes,
and our talents. You’re the reason why this entire publication even continues to function. You’re doing an amazing job and I hope that you will continue to do so for further years to come. As for my biggest and most important people out there, my readers, my fellow classmates, my colleagues, and my random-people-in-the-hallway, I have one very crucial thing to say: be yourself and stop living up to everybody else’s expectations. If they have a problem with who you are, then they are better off without you. You are who you are and you cannot change that. Be loud, be proud, be cool. Don’t take everything for granted. High school doesn’t last forever, and, quite frankly, there’s life outside of these concrete walls, so don’t be afraid to grasp every opportunity that you’re given. Dream big. Laugh at the things you find hilarious. Enjoy these couple of years and participate in anything and everything. You don’t know what your purpose is yet and maybe—just maybe the answer is right there. Find it. Reach it. Live it, for crying out loud. I am done here but, this isn’t the last time you’ll hear from me—or about me for that matter. I’m taking my bags, my leather jacket, and my wild hair and following my dreams. I’m ready to start this chapter in my life…scary but, it’s real. It’ll come for you too. Alex, I’m taking off my crown and handing it to you. Please be cautious with it. Do not let any diamond fall off of it ;) As for you guys, make me proud and best of luck to everybody in anything that they decide to pursue. You are all quite amazing. Stay bizarre…forever. Sincerely,
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