The inkblot issue 5 volume 14

Page 1

Page 10

Take a trip to Trader Joe’s

SPORTS

Page 8 Boost sex ed in schools

ARTS

Page 4 Weber finds home at CHS

OPINION

Page 2 Fashion show rakes in money

F E AT U R E S

NEWS

May 18, 2016 Page 12

Should NCAA pay athletes?

INSIDE: FATE OR FICTION? We take a look at the psychic industry on pages 6 and 7. BLOT ART BY SALLY BONIECKI

Communications High School, Wall, New Jersey

Volume 15, Issue 5

www.THEINKBLOTNEWS.com

Students hone skills at annual Teen Arts Fest

By MADELYN CURTIS Thirty-eight writers and visual artists alike ventured to Brookdale Community College on March 17 and 18 for the 12th annual Teen Arts Festival. The workshops allowed students from high schools across Monmouth County to admire and critique others’ artistic pieces, students said. Junior Daniela Delgado of Hazlet said she enjoyed the trip. “It was a fun learning experience. I got to see other students’ amazing artwork and get my work critiqued, so that I could improve in the future,” she said. Students were able to attend different sessions and workshops independently, where they presented their own works, received feedback and participated in discussions to give other attendees advice. Visual Communications teacher Ryan Weber attended the workshop for the first time this year. “I felt the day went really well,” Weber said. “The students seemed to be engaged in the critique that Visual Arts had, and we had a couple of winners, which seemed like a great sign.” The event also featured various performances and presentations for students to attend, including a dance routine, an open mic and a seminar. “During the open mic, there was one student who performed this really cool poem, and his performance really struck me. “Also, there was this one incredible self portrait that I noticed. It was super photo realistic and made in charcoal pencil,” Delgado said. Senior Darcy Darbin of Middletown attended the event for the second time, but she said that this year’s event was better overall. “Last year, the woman who critiqued our stuff wasn’t as thorough, and there wasn’t a lot to do. “This year, there were plenty of really fun workshops, and the critique was more in-depth. Overall, it was a lot more fun, and I took something away from it,” Darbin said.

BLOT PHOTO BY MEAGAN McDOWELL

Senior and Mr. CHS winner Nick Brennan of Middletown performed a dramatic reading of “It’s Tricky” by RunDMC for the talent portion of the competition. He was joined by senior Eric Harris of Middletown, who did not compete in the male beauty pageant.

It’s not ‘tricky’ – Brennan snags Mr. CHS crown By GRACE BADGER After a year-long hiatus, the SGAhosted Mr. CHS is once again under the spotlights and on the stage. Senior Nick Brennan of Middletown was named this year’s Mr. CHS. Originally, the event wasn’t even going to happen, junior and SGA member Rebecca Madeira of Howell said. Last year, Mr. CHS was rescheduled due to poor weather, but then the rescheduled event was ultimately canceled when many of the contestants then dropped out. This year, in a change of tradition, the event marked the end of Spirit Week and played a major role in securing a win for the seniors. Sophomore Ebbie Shim of Spring Lake Heights said that she was excited for this year’s Mr. CHS. “Not going last year was a bummer. I was so excited for this, because it’s a CHS tradition,” she said. “When I heard the event was happening this year, I wanted to come see what it was like.” SGA adviser and chemistry teacher Erin Wheeler said that the SGA needed to find a way to make Mr. CHS profitable. “The SGA wanted the event to be a success and felt the only to do that was to

attach it to Spirit Week. Contestants could gain points for their class but also lose points if they dropped out of the competition. By making Mr. CHS part of the Spirit Week competition we ensured that guys would participate and try their best,” Wheeler said. The night began with the contestants and their escorts walking, or in some cases, dancing, to the stage. Once on stage, each contestant then had to explain why they were the “dressed to impress,” which was the theme of the night. The contestants then each participated in a question-and-answer session, where they were asked things ranging from “What decade would you want to live in?” to “If you could listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?” The session was followed by a brief intermission, which boasted food and drink, and then the talent portion. Freshman James Krall of Middletown performed “All Star” on the kazoo, while sophomore Cameron Destefano of Middletown performed magic tricks. Brennan performed a dramatic reading of “It’s Tricky” with senior Eric Harris, also of Middletown, among other talents.

Junior Rachel Fenniman of Ocean particularly enjoyed this portion of the event. “I thought the talents were interesting and varied, but I preferred the funnier ones,” Fenniman said. Sophomore Marcos Guevara of Aberdeen said he particularly loved the dramatic reading. “‘It’s Tricky’ was my favorite part of the night. [Brennan] is hilarious,” he said. Ultimately, Cameron Destefano won “People’s Choice” and “Best Talent,” with junior Mark DiSpigna of Lincroft taking “Best Answer” and “Best Dressed,” the latter of which in a combined effort with junior Annie Ruoff of Monmouth Beach. As for Brennan, his dramatic reading earned him “Funniest” and and helped him to become this year’s Mr. CHS. Senior and SGA president Lauryn Masciana of Middletown said she sees a bright future for Mr. CHS. “I am so happy with how everything played out in the end. Being that I am graduating, it’s up to next year’s council to decide if the event will still be part of Spirit Week. However, I think it was an added bonus to the event as a whole,” Masciana said.

CCC Festival raises over $3,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

BLOT PHOTO BY MEAGAN McDOWELL

Senior Sarah Takash of Brielle performed a dance to “Don Quixote” at the annual CCC festival on April 8.

By KHUSHI KADAKIA and ERICA SAMMARCO Greece takes bronze. Portugal takes silver. And Iceland wins the gold medal. Only, these aren’t results from the Olympics. These are the winners of the annual Cultural Communications Festival. The event, which raised over $3,000 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, was held on Friday, April 8, and it featured 23 countries, ranging from Fiji to Austria, said CCC Vice President and junior Mark DiSpigna of Middletown. Groups of students transformed locker pods and hallways into exotic countries, complete with hand-made backdrops, authentic food and even photo booths. Six judges then selected the three winning countries and each group was awarded a prize. The theme of this year’s festival was “It’s a Giving World for St. Jude’s,” and DiSpigna said the theme embodies the event’s purpose. “The ‘It’s a Small World’ theme immediately came to

mind when the council was discussing ideas, because the festival is about bringing the whole world into one small place: CHS,” DiSpigna said. “We incorporated this theme by altering the phrase slightly and encouraging students and their families to come together for a good cause.” In addition to the cultural displays, the event featured student performances, and CCC President and senior Sam Dellis of Spring Lake hosted this portion of the night. Junior Catherine Escueta of Eatontown performed a dance routine with junior Anna Soltys of Holmdel, sophomore Shao Peterson of Rumson and seniors Lauryn Masciana of Middletown and Sarah Takash of Brielle. “It was fun to perform with my friends from dance in school and be able to show my classmates what I do everyday,” Escueta said. “And, of course, it’s really cool to see all the other wonderful talents that CHS students have to offer.” [See CCC Festival, page 2]


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