Eastside: April 2013

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 47 No. 7

Cherry Hill High School East: 1750 Kresson Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

April 2013

i

Lind Zee is... your boss

the friend you’ve never met

a catfish your best friend

the FBI your arch nemesis

your neighbor anonymous

your teacher an admissions officer

a robot controversial your mailman

popular a social experiment

your lawyer on the school board

Pgs. 12-13

Inside This Issue

Anybody

SMART Technologies take over East News/Features Pg. 3

GMO technology sparks controversy Opinions Pg. 7

Virgin launches tourism into the future Entertainment Pg. 14

NEWS/FEATURES Page 2

EASTSIDE

April 2013

Weaver’s theatrical legacy lives on ■ By Kayla Schorr (‘14) Eastside News/Features Editor

During the past few meetings, the Board has b e e n engaged Andrew Adler in budget discus(‘13) s i o n s .

Alternate T h e i r Board of Education g o a l s Representative i n c l u d e fulfilling all of the district’s budgetary needs without increasing property taxes. In order to reduce the amount of tax revenue needed from citizens, they are working to get more funding from the state.

Also, the Board encourages student participation in the public budget meetings to ensure vital programs and funds are not reduced in a detrimental way for students.

How to get involved as a BOE/Alternate BOE Representative: T h e selection of these positions is a multis t e p process.

First, Mr. Rebecca Davis will Fischer (‘13) s e n d Board of informaEducation t i o n Representative a r o u n d about a preliminary meeting to all of the juniors.

Students who wish to continue will fill out an application regarding general student information and activities. The applicant will also be asked to answer multiple questions about his or her interest in the position, what he or she can bring to the position, and about issues the candidate feels are prevalent in the Cherry Hill School District. The applicant is also asked to prepare a three to five minute speech answering one of the given questions.

Applicants receive notification if they advance to the next round, which involves presenting the speech in front of SGA and the administrators. SGA then votes on the candidates, which determines who will advance to the next round. This final round involves giving the speech again to a selected panel of teachers and students from different grades, departments and activities, followed by a question session and an interview. The panel then discusses and votes on each candidate, and the two candidates with the highest number of votes become the Board of Education Representative and Alternate. The entire process takes about a month or so, and will begin in April.

Logo by Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director

In the case of the Weaver family, the common phrase “Like father, like son” is definitely applicable. Mr. Tom Weaver, English teacher and theater director at East, has influenced many aspiring actors at East since 1977.

With his own passion for technical theater in addition to his wife’s zeal for the acting scene, the Weaver children were without a doubt headed for the theatrical world.

“They were born, raised and brought up in theater,” Weaver said. “I am sure that they were totally more exposed to live theater than any other kid would have been.”

After meeting his wife at a speech and theater class at Glassboro University (now Rowan University), Weaver and his wife were bound to raise children with a hunger for the arts – and they most certainly did.

“I think that the kids saw that theater made my wife and I very happy. It made us look like we were...having a good time with what we were doing.

And that is...what really got them interested.”

Weaver’s first child, Tom Jr., graduated from East in 1996, yet only attended East for his junior and senior years. Tom Jr. was (and still is) very interested in lighting design. Although he only spent two years at East, he played impactful

roles in the lighting and set design for the theater productions. Specifically,

Courtesy of Mr. Tom Weaver

Tom Weaver, Jr. plays Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.

he lit East’s production of The Wizard of Oz in 1995, which helped build his tech abilities, since lighting plays an integral role in telling the play’s story. Tom was able to learn how to make the stage look black and white rather than in full color, mirroring the movie’s lighting techniques. His senior year, however, he took his fascination with behind-thescenes work to the next level. At the time, Tom had a few friends that played professional acting roles in productions in Philadelphia. Since his friends were aware of Tom’s technical passion, they asked him to meet their director and introduce him to lighting on a professional level.

For the remainder of Tom’s senior year, he lit a few productions at Walnut Street Theater. Tom graduated from Carnegie M e l l o n University in Courtesy of Mr. Tom Weaver 2000 and continued on to Erin Weaver acts in South Pacific.

Yale School of Drama for three years of graduate school. Tom currently works all over the world, doing light design for all types of shows.

“He was just enamored with the professional level of theater,” Weaver said.

“Whereas most people feel intimidated with that, Tom was very comfortable.”

Weaver’s second child, Erin, graduated from East in 1998. Before coming to East, Erin became immersed in the world of theater at the young age of ten, acting in the national tour of Les Miserables.

While at East, Erin participated in Lab Theater, One Acts and all of the main stages, as well as being a part of Belles of East and playing varsity soccer.

As Weaver said, she “took advantage of the buffet here at East.”

She landed a starring role as Helen Keller in A Miracle Worker at East, and followed her passion into college, graduating from the University of the Arts in 2002. Because of a minor on-stage injury dur-

the first students from East to win a Helen Hayes Award or a Barrymore Award. Weaver said that Tom has won three or four Barrymores, after being nominated fourteen times.

Erin won a Barrymore for a group ensemble piece after being nominated about ten times.

“These awards are like the Tony awards for Philadelphia or Washington,” Weaver said.

Weaver’s second son, Robert, pursued acting all throughout his high school career at East and also continued onto studying at the University of the Arts; however, he became more fascinated with political sciences over time.

Although extremely successful in his field and running the Obama Campaign in Philadelphia, Robert is the only Weaver child that did not end up pursuing theater.

Caitlin, Weaver’s youngest daughter, currently studies at Towson University as a theater major. As only a junior in college, Weaver already

Courtesy of Mr. Tom Weaver

Caitlin Weaver (middle) acts in an East show. ing this production, Erin predicts a bright, theatribecame inspired to learn cal future. stage combat, for which the “She has a real knack University of the Arts had for directing,” Weaver said. a very extensive, enriching “Caitlin is a great actress, program. She became cerbut I really see her more in tified in stage combat and the world of directing.” taught her skills to East The different aspects of students in Peter Pan this theater truly bring the year.

Weaver family together.

Weaver said, “All of her Whether it be lighting, set works stems back from her design, acting, directing or athleticism and her role as just a general interest in Helen Keller in The the field, the Weavers find Miracle Worker at East.” passion in the theatrical Tom and Erin became scene.

Junior and senior proms quickly approaching ■ By Jenna Wilson (‘15) Eastside News/Features Editor

It’s the spring, and at Cherry Hill East that means prom is approaching. Both the junior and senior class student governments have been hard at work planning both proms. The junior prom will be held at the Merion in Cinnaminson on May 4, 2013. The theme for this prom is “May the Fourth be with you” (May the force be with you), though President Abe Granoff (‘14) said that the theme would focus more on outer space rather than just Star Wars itself.

Granoff said, “Juniors can expect

to have a great time at prom this year. With all of our decorations, our DJ and the food, it is going to be hard not to have a good time.”

Ticket prices have not been established yet, but can be expected to run $85 a piece. While students cannot purchases tickets yet, the selling dates will be announced so that everyone can purchase them.

The senior prom will be held on May 30 at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia, PA. The senior class SGA representatives have not finalized a theme yet, but class president Paulomi Banerjee (‘13) said, “The prom theme often ends up being the title of a song. One of our ideas was ‘Chasing the Sun,’

but we’re still brainstorming.”

She also said, “Prom this year should include delicious food, great music, a beautiful ambiance and a surprise giveaway.”

The SGA representatives are hoping to keep the tickets for senior prom under one hundred dollars and tickets will be on sale in May. Banerjee added, “I think everyone should just remember that the point of prom is to just have a good time.

We get so caught up in the drama that we sometimes forget to just enjoy our time with our friends who we may not see so often once we all go off to different colleges.”

Both the Class of 2013 and Class of 2014 can look forward to great proms.

NEWS/FEATURES April 2013

EASTSIDE

Page 3

New SmartBoard technology “clicks” with students ■ By Leah Mashioff (‘14) Eastside Staff

SMART Technologies, the maker of the SMARTBoard, are used in more than 1.5 million kindergarten through twelfth grade classrooms and by over 30 million students globally. Growing nationally and globally, SMARTBoard technology has been a benefit to classrooms at East for a few years now.

Math teacher Mr. Joseph Dilks said, “About five years ago, [the Math Department] had three or four installed, and, at least for the past three-and-a-half to four years, every math room has had one.”

Now, East has expanded technology to include SMARTBoard clickers, which the students use, and “Mobi” pads, which the teachers use. Both connect to the SMARTBoard.

The SMARTBoard proves to be a tool that is not just designed for lectures, but also for class participation. During lessons, students each take a clicker and are able to submit answers to questions with them. This way, teachers can see if students grasp the material.

Dilks said, “This interactive technology prepares more consistent, quicker lessons, allowing you to place pictures of diagrams and graphs and data that become more interesting for students.”

In fact, Dilks has decided to implement the SMARTBoard clickers into his daily lesson proce-

dures.

“We just started using the clickers, but will be using them for graded warm-ups and graded questions for understanding of concepts,” said Dilks, referring to the ways in which the clickers build students’ confidence and input levels in class.

Math teacher Mrs. Genene Barnes said, “I have used [the clickers] in my Statistics AP and Algebra 1 class for warm-ups and for graded assignments where I have the kids have a guided sheet and enter the answer on [the Mobi Pads], I ask questions ‘on the fly’ [using] them and I play games, such as ‘Math-O.’” The Mobi pads also enable any user to write the answers on the pad; any user can access a signal from another classroom.

Also, the clickers act as good incentives for students. Math teacher Mrs. Sue Melograna said, “[The clickers] motivate students and make for a little bit of a challenge.”

Furthermore, the clickers help teachers to better understand how well students are comprehending the class material.

Barnes said, “It’s just quicker – it gives [us teachers] honest results.”

The SMARTBoard clickers are allowing students to apply their own thinking strategies as well as boosting their self-confidence.

Melograna added, “[The clickers] force everyone to have an answer – right or wrong. They

alert [me] if I can move on or if I need to review.”

The teachers make a point of acknowledging the advantages, the limits and the ultimate purpose of using new, evolving technology.

“It’s 2013 and if we don’t embrace the appropriate use of technology, then, as a society, we would be shying away from this new technology. [We are not] downplaying traditional learning, but [rather] taking advantage of it in an efficient way,” Barnes said.

Barnes noted that colleges are now using these clickers for class attendance as well as for assessments.

Melograna added, “Our goal is to have the technology to enhance lessons – not have it overtake them.”

SMARTBoards are changing the way students at East, in America and around the world are thinking. The newly adopted “clicker” and the “Mobi Pad” SMARTBoard technology used in classrooms around the world hold as the catalyst for one of the more innovative t e ch n o l o g i c a l advancements that will enhance the educational system today and in the Art by Zoe Greenhall future. (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director

H.U.M.A.N. vending machines sell healthy snacks ■ By Kaylin Magosin (‘14)

machines.

For the past two-and-a-half years, East did have a healthy vending In the beginning of March, East machine, the Vend Natural. So why introduced new vending machines to the switch to the H.U.M.A.N. the cafeteria, replacing the old ones machines? According to King, the with vending machines called H.U.M.A.N. machines offer more H.U.M.A.N. Healthy Vending. The products, and the company’s sales acronym stands for Helping Unite team worked well with the parMankind and Nutrition. In creatent-advisory group. ing these machines, the H.U.M.A.N. “They took the extra step to Healthy Vending Company aims to work in the community,” King change eating habits of Americans said. by making healthy food accessible, One unique characteristic of as noted in its “easy nutrition the H.U.M.A.N. machines is that everywhere” idea, according to its they offer a new way to purchase website. Previously, East had two snacks, as the machines do not vending machines—the typical function like other vending black vending machine filled with machines. When purchasing a chips, pretzels and animal cracksnack, a rack moves up to grab the ers—and the organic Vend Natural snack and unloads it at an openMachine. ing. This prevents the food from The Cherry Hill School District getting stuck. partnered with Aramark, the food Another notable quality of the management company, and H.U.M.A.N. machines is that the H.U.M.A.N. Healthy Vending company donates ten percent of because it wanted to improve the its profits to its Young standards of what it means to be Entrepreneurs Program, which “healthy.” Anne King, Aramark helps students in underserved Assistant Food Service Director, schools learn about entrepreneursaid that Aramark wanted to offer ship and healthy habits. healthier products to students.

The H.U.M.A.N. machines can The district has a wellness parbe found at all three middle ent-advisory group that meets once schools and at both high schools, a month to assess the food options as well as at Malberg. at the schools. At one of these “[We want students] to be excitrecent meetings, the H.U.M.A.N. ed about [the H.U.M.A.N. vending company, along with the machines] and know that they district, offered a “taste test” to helped with the process,” said middle and high school students, King. along with parents to figure out Because of what they sell and what they would like to see in the how they sell, H.U.M.A.N. vending vending machines. machines revolutionize the image Art by Madison Stern (‘13)/ Eastside Staff of vending machines that has “We wanted students to feel a Photo by Brittany Nghiem(‘13)/ Eastside Photo Editor part of [the process] and have their existed for over 100 years.

New vending machines come to East.

Eastside News/Features Editor

say,” said King.

Students tasted Clif and Luna bars, Pop Chips, Back to Nature Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies, Stacy’s Pita Chips, Horizon Organic Chocolate Milk and various fruit juices, among other selections. These products can currently be found in the vending

Class presidents answer: What have you accomplished thus far?

What would you like to accomplish by the end of the year?

It feels surreal to see how quickly our senior year is passing by. With our dominaof Paulomi tion Spirit Week, Banerjee our success(‘13) ful Movie Night and very recently, our designing of awesome senior apparel, I must say that I am so proud of us this year. After senior trip, we will begin to finalize our plans for Senior Prom, as well as work on raising funds for Project Graduation. I truly believe that this will be a year that we will never forget.

This year, we have a c c o m plished many goals ranging from class apparel to Abe Granoff junior prom planning. (‘14) We hope to put together a great prom.

We would also like to arrange a class trip at the end of the year. Things have been going great with the junior class and we do not expect anything but that for the rest of the year.

This year has been a very successful one for our class.The biggest Sam Amon accomplishment that (‘15) we have had so far was the Sophomore Cotillion. Everyone had a great time and it was something that we can be proud of. The only thing that we wish is for others to participate more often.

If more people participate, the great activities we have will be even better.

My accomplishments thus far are admirable. I helped the freshman class place third in Kennedy Spirit Week Omari and helped (‘16) plan and prepare the Freshman Dance. SGA has a class trip planned to Hershey sometime in June! It’s unfair to take all the credit myself. I wouldn't be able to do anything without my reps.

SGA logo by Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director

NEWS/FEATURES Page 4

EASTSIDE

April 2013

Bannett and Levinson create musical duo ■ By Rachel Brill (‘15)

million subscribers is the goal,” Bannett said.

The Crooning Jonahs mainly perform covers of pop music.

On their YouTube channel, they have posted covers of “Little Things” by One Direction, “Some Nights” by fun., and “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, from their Coffee House performance.

The Crooning Jonahs like to feature other students as well.

TJ Bourne (’14) often performs with them.

“I am their guitarist and help them come up with arrangements and I sing with them,” said Bourne, who also manages the group’s Twitter account, @Crooning_Jonahs.

By no means do the Crooning Jonahs limit their performances to just themselves.

“We feature ourselves as the two main singers, but we prefer to bring other people we’ve sung with on the stage with us so people realize how musically intense East is,” said Bannett. “[Our staff] is really dedicated and none of this could happen without them,” Levinson said.

The Crooning Jonahs are serious about future plans and hope to make it big.

“Big stuff is coming. Stay involved with the channel.

Callie Scott (‘15)/ Eastside Staff Subscribe!” Bannett said.

Bannett and Levinson sing “Call Me Maybe” at Coffee House.

Eastside Staff

Many East students love music, but many students only exercise their talents in school.

However, two students have taken their passion outside of school. Jonah Bannett (’13) and Jonah Levinson (’13) have formed a singing duo called The Crooning Jonahs, often performing live and posting videos to YouTube.

Bannett and Levinson are both very active members of the Vocal Department. Both are members of the East male acapella group, Casual Harmony, that often combines with the Key of She as Stay Tuned. With Stay Tuned, they recently competed in the semifinals for the International Competition for High School Acapella (ICHSA) and performed at the college level of this renowned competition, called the International Competition for Collegiate Acapella (ICCA). In addition to Casual Harmony, Bannett and Levinson sing with East singers, East’s most elite choir. Levinson is also a member of the Madrigals.

The two sang a cover of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” at this year’s Coffee House in January.

“We learned [this cover] really quickly and we were like, ‘let’s do this forever,’” Bannett said.

The Crooning Jonahs began performing at Coffee Works in Voorhees, where they sing most Tuesday nights. However, they are more focused on gaining recognition through their YouTube channel, which already has over one hundred subscribers.

“They are becoming famous on YouTube. Tons of people are subscribing… the future is looking bright for the Crooning Jonahs,” said Mike Weaver (’14), the publicity and Facebook Manager for the group.

“We would like to be popular on YouTube. A

Logo by Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director Photos by Kaylin Magosin (‘14) and Jenna Wilson (‘15)/ Eastside News/Features Editors and Angie Nguyen (‘13)/ Eastside Photo Editor Art by Zoe Greenhall (‘13) and Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Directors and Amy Myers (‘13) and Gilana Levavi (‘14)/ Eastside Opinions Editors

If you had to What Disney be any animal If you could be If you could We asked... movie would to take over a any Crayola be any shape of noodle, you want to be country, what crayon color, which color what shape in? animal would would you be? would you be? you be?

Grace Johnson (‘16)

Tangled

A dog

Lion King

A monkey

Red

Spaghetti

Louis Yeung (‘15)

Conrad Kramer (‘14)

Gold

Spaghetti

Green

Bow tie

A lion Finding Nemo

Mrs.Boswell

An elephant Macaroni The Little and Cheese Mermaid

Rigatoni

COMMUNITY ¿Cuál es tú restaurante favorito?

April 2013

EASTSIDE

Page 5

Are you Team Pancheros or Team Chipotle?

■ By Dana Gordon (‘14) For Eastside

There seems to be a Burger King versus McDonald’s sort of rivalry happening between Pancheros and Chipotle, two popular Mexican burrito restaurants. The question that has been flowing through the halls over the past few months: Are you Team Pancheros or Team Chipotle?

Now for those who haven’t heard, Pancheros and Chipotle are both chain-restaurants located all over the United States. Pancheros Mexican Grill in Marlton, NJ, is a private company that was established in 2009, and Chipotle has been in business since 1993. Even though they both serve the same type of food, there is still something that seems to make one better than the other.

“I’m Team Pancheros because Chipotle is spicier and Pancheros is fresher tasting,” said Alyson Nothnagel (‘14). “Pancheros mixes their burritos as opposed to Chipotle, who just puts all their ingredients together and mixes it up.”

Although some people may see Pancheros as number one, others beg to differ.

“Chipotle is definitely better than Pancheros. I mean, have you tried their chips?” said Sara Wolfgang (’16). “Team Chipotle all

the way.”

Why not like both sides?

“Pancheros for their quesadillas and Chipotle for their burritos,” said Rachel Odland (‘14). “If you’ve been to one, you’ve basically been to both.”

ity from the workers as well. Lisa Yang, a worker at the Chipotle in Marlton, thinks they have not just great food but a warm welcoming restaurant as well.

“I’ve been with my company for over a year, and I love everything about it,” said Yang. “I try to make everyone feel as welcomed as possible.”

Although Mexican food may not be as healthy as some may think, Chipotle and Pancheros both have a large variety of healthy foods to choose from.

“I like Chipotle’s food because a lot of food on their menu is glutenfree and a lot healthier,” said Natalie Chadwell (’16).

Yang also has positive opinions of Chipotle’s food.

“Chipotle’s food, I would have to say, has bigger servings, which makes it different from Pancheros,” said Yang.

Bruno said that both Pancheros and Chipotle seem to be serving the same amount of customers, and there is barely any competition.

“We all share the same food, so why does it matter where you eat?”

Madison Stern (‘13)/ Eastside Staff said Bruno.

Chipotle and Pancheros fight out their infamous rivalry.

As to the rumor about opening a new Chipotle next to the Teresa Bruno works at the “I think it’s great because there’s Pancheros, that rumor is false; Pancheros located in Marlton, and enough businesses out there to Pancheros and Chipotle will both even though she’s only been to feed everyone,” said Bruno. stay in the same places, a great disChipotle once, she doesn’t Sometimes it’s not just about the tance from each other, serving burthink she is going back a second food, but the restaurant’s hospitalritos to loyal fans.

Twinkle, twinkle Cherry Hill Stars ■ By Liza Rothkoff (‘16)

staff of Cherry Hill Public Schools,” said Stoffman.

Eastside Staff One of the contestants this year, MSgt. Kenneth Kramer, is “Dancing with the Stars,” a currently serving in the United popular TV show on ABC, is dancStates Air Force. In the past, ing its way to Cherry Hill. For the teachers and students of East past six years, the Cherry Hill have participated in the event.

Education Foundation has made a “The atmosphere of the show is spin-off of the hit TV show featurprofessional and entertaining,” ing members of the Cherry Hill said Stoffman. community. The theme of this The people there are dedicated year’s show is the ‘60s. to supporting the Cherry Hill Dancing with the Cherry Education Foundation and the Hill Stars was started to raise 11,500 chilfunds for the dren in the Cherry Hill p u b l i c Education schools in Foundation.

Cherry Hill.

This event “ T h e was the idea m o n e y of Eleanor raised goes Stoffman, directly to President of teachers and the Cherry staff to pay Hill Edufor grants [to cation Founbetter the dation. She schools and wanted to education],” invite the said StoffCherry Hill man. community to During a fun evening the show, of family members of entertainthe audience ment. can vote.

“The reaAlso, online son I chose a voting has dancing coma l r e a d y petition was started. At because I have always Courtesy of Mrs. Susan Nicolazzo the end of enjoyed danc- Mrs. Susan Nicolazzo and Mr. Billy the show, the ing,” said Hart display their Best Overall judges pick a winning pair Stoffman.

Performance trophies. and the votThe Cherry ers determine another winning Hill community is responsible for pair. choosing the contestants.

Dancing with the Cherry Hill “The participants are chosen by Stars will take place on April 28, volunteers and people who desire at 7 p.m. at Cherry Hill West. to raise funds for grants for the Correction: In the February/March issue, Shari Bodofsky (‘14) was credited for the art of the trails on page 5 while Grace Shen (‘16) actually drew it. Eastside apologizes for this mistake.

time.

“It wasn’t my favorite place, the chicken was too spicy for my taste,” Bruno said.

As far as the whole Pancheros vs. Chipotle competition, Bruno finds it entertaining.

■ By Allie Grossman (‘16) Eastside Staff

Volunteer work pays off in many ways. Not only is the volunteer work giving back to the community, but it is also fulfilling a sense of pride within oneself.

On a monthly basis, the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA) boxes and delivers nonperishable food items to underprivileged Jewish senior citizens in the Cherry Hill area. This worldwide foundation has become local and a huge success in the Cherry Hill area.

Once a month, local families spend one hour of their mornings boxing the food items at the designated “house of the month.” Different volunteers will offer their houses each month, which shows both their enthusiasm and heart towards this organization. Both adults and children come out to help, and it is always a huge success.

Each family is then given a route and designated number of boxes to deliver to the local, underprivileged senior citizens. The process is always so quick due to everyone’s hard work and strong regard for the Jewish Relief Agency.

The looks on the senior citizens’ faces who receive the food is overwhelming, and fills all of the volunteers with a sense of joy and pride for their acts of kindness.

Zoe Greenhall (13)/ Eastside Art Director

■ By Rachel Cohen (‘15) Eastside Community Editor

The MS Walk is on May 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Medford Lakes. All proceeds from this walk go towards finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis, which is a neurological disease that creates lesions in the brain and spinal cord.

Although this disease is not deadly, it makes day-to-day activities more difficult for people with the disease and weakens the immune system. The walk is at a new location from previous years. Before, it was at Eastern High School.

Medford Lakes is a beautiful location for the walk, and you can sign up as a part of a team or separately with a minimum donation of $25. You can sign up at the site or online.

COMMUNITY Page 6

EASTSIDE

April 2013

Scrub Daddy brings smiles to cleaning ■ By Bogdan Vitoc (‘16)

Scrub Daddy has been featured on ABC’s popular show “Shark Tank,” where starting entrepreneurs go to raise capital, and has achieved great media coverage and sales.

The cool-looking yellow foam scrubber is advertised on Krause’s website as “great for all kinds of

fact, it was originally meant to scrub grease off of dirty hands.

“A machine would break and... I had to go out there and fix [it], and then my hands [got] dirty, but I had to come back in and be the president,” said Krause at his factory’s prototype-filled conference room in Folcroft, PA.

and began to use it to do his dishes. After becoming thoroughly imEastside Staff pressed, he began handing out samples to his employees, who also When 14-year-old Aaron had much success with the prodKrause, resident of Cherry Hill, uct. transformed his family’s garage After Scrub Daddy had been sellinto an auto-detailing shop, he had ing for some time, Krause filed an no idea that this would be the first application to be featured on step towards “ S h a r k his future T a n k . ” career.

T h r e e He continm o n t h s ued to run the later, he business after received a finishing colphone call lege, but one telling him day while he that ABC was working was interin the shop, he ested in his devised an business. idea for a new Over the kind of carcourse of buffing pad. several He soon got it months, he patented and w e n t his business through an began to application transform. process Quickly, the which culbuffing pads minated in started selling a 50-page Screenshots by Bogdan Vitoc (‘16)/ Eastside Staff contract so well that so Krause sold his Aaron Krause presents his latest invention, the Scrub Daddy, to the “sharks” on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” secretive that detailing shop he’s not even in order to focus more on the buffcleaning tasks,” and so it is indeed.

With all the extra foam from the allowed to discuss it now. ing pads. In 2008, a huge company Some of its uses include cleaning buffing pad business, Krause All said and done, Krause finally called 3M bought out his business. kitchen counters, removing burnt tried using it to scrub his hands flew to LA for the interview. After Buffing pads, however, are not substances from grills and exfoliatclean. about an hour of heated negotiahis only occupation; excluding ing.

“It worked, but not well enough. tions with the “sharks,” Krause Innovative Manufacturing To separate it from the competiSo we started working on a project emerged victorious. He sold 20 perServices (IMS) – the company that tion, the optimistic scrubber has a to make a really hard scrubbing cent of his company in exchange for makes the buffing pads – Krause special property: it changes texture foam, which we did... and we got a $200,000. Most importantly, in has three other companies: Krause based on water temperature. When patent on it,” said Krause. addition to the money, Scrub Daddy Consulting, a developer for 3M the Scrub Daddy is immersed in After about five years of low received a huge help in advertising which runs IMS; Innovative cold water, the foam hardens, sales and a toss off the market, due to the show’s large audience.

Accessory Products (IAP), which allowing for serious scrubbing, but Krause tried the sponge on his With plans for a Scrub Mommy manufactures car washing acceswhen the water is warm, the Scrub lawn furniture. While rinsing it of and Scrub Daisy, the yellow scrubsories; and Scrub Daddy, which Daddy becomes soft. dirt, he was surprised at how easiber’s family is about to expand. The produces a cute and always smiling The yellow smiley face, however, ly it became clean. Soon he discovquestion is: will you be a scruball-purpose scrubber. imp? has not always been so versatile. In ered the foam’s other properties

Sit back, relax and enjoy the renovations at the new theaters ■ By Neil Davis (‘13)

theater took about two months to complete. The project ran from the middle of December to February.

However, the AMC Marlton 8 is not the only local theater under renovation. Cinemark AMC Marlton 8 used to be a low-rated therecently purchased the ater. Its seats were old and Rave Theater, located in broken and there was not Voorhees, NJ, for about enough space or capacity for $240 million. The compeople to see the movie they pany recently made a wanted to see. The snack foods deal and signed an offered were subpar as well. agreement to buy 16 Fortunately, this dilapidated theaters with 251 theater has been upgraded: screens from Rave for better seats, larger room $19 million in cash capacity and better refreshand $100.4 million of ments for its movie-goers to assumed lease obligaenjoy. tions. Although this The new AMC Theater distheater will gain more plays a lot of new features, snack stands, some such as new stands equipped arcade games and with popcorn, refreshments ticket price changes, the and other snacks and a plan is to keep the theanew self-serve soda machine ter room space, size, with a touch screen that seats and screens the allows users to choose a large same. variety of flavored drinks.

The changes to the Installed into each theater Rave do not seem to are new reclining seats, allowexceed the ones made in ing people to lay back, put Marlton. The muchtheir feet up and feel more at needed changes to the home. The theater upgraded AMC Marlton 8 have the size of each screening made a big impact in room, widening the movie regards to making the screens and offering some movie-going experience semblance of a dine-in experian even better one. ence.

For those looking for “What we've done at AMC a comfortable night out Marlton 8 is take several of the at the cinema in concepts people rave about Marlton, the Rave finaland put them under one roof,” Art by Haley Schultz (‘14) and Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Staff ly has some real compesaid AMC Vice President Mark Many people think of movie renovations as changes to the set and scene. However, tition.

McDonald. these renovations mostly affected the seating area of the theater.

Eastside Staff

The AMC hoped that, with the renovations, more people would flock to the theater. Thus far, the new attractions have attracted many nonregulars.

All of these upgrades and new features to the

OPINIONS April 2013

EASTSIDE

Page 7

Genetically modified organisms in foods GMOs CON

GMOs PRO ■ By Keshav Amaro (‘15) Eastside Staff

Have you ever seen a GloFish glow? Or eaten a “grasin” instead of a raisin? Even though these things sound like they come right out of a Dr. Seuss storybook, they do not. They are real. They are biologically altered and enhanced organisms called GMOs (genetically modified organisms). All across the world, people are striving to make the food we eat more nutritious and our livestock more efficient. Within agriculture, the goal is to increase productivity by genetically engineering desirable traits. Crops and livestock are modified to resist germs and have more nutrition and longer shelf life. However, with all the GMO research, the fruits of people’s labor may come with a price to our long-term health.

The original function of the GloFish was to detect environmental pollutants in water. So far the feat is unsuccessful and scientists still strive toward perfecting this goal. Recently, the GloFish has become a fish marked with fluorescent colors so enhanced that it almost looks like it glows. It is now the first genetically modified pet to actually be sold in shops.

Unfortunately GMOs like the GloFish have been genetically altered just for spectacle. Should GMOs be modified for bizarre entertainment and profit?

Agriculture genetic scientists have successfully altered several other species of plants and animals. One example is the soybean.

It has been said that over 93% of soybeans in the United States have

been genetically altered to protect themselves from extremely large amounts of pesticides. The changes allow for more efficient production.

It also is a better quality product because it has more protein. Other successful re-engineering crops for quality consumption are corn. The Hawaiian papayas are now resistant to many diseases. But has there been enough time to distinguish how foreign DNA in our crops affects our own health?

There are large amounts of genetically modified tomatoes. The intention was to create a greater tasting product with shelf life. Yes, some are even genetically altered to never rot because their hypersensitive response is removed. The concern may arise if a plant cannot distinguish infection in itself and decompose as a basic defense mechanism.

While GMOs may result in certain health hazards and other various mishaps, the benefits outweigh the risks. Nutritional value can be added to many different crops and organisms in order to increase their life, as well as the health of ours. From GloFish to the disease resistant papayas and pesticide resistant vegetables, GMOs help provide our lives and the world around us with much healthier alternatives.

■ By Amanda Friedman (‘14) Eastside Staff

As factory farms began to appear alongside family farms in the 1920s, factory owners started to search for a way to raise their livestock more quickly in order to maximize profit. Use of hormones and changes in lighting and temperatures produced these effects to a certain extent. Once these techniques became commonplace, the prices of poultry and meat dropped to a point where almost everyone could afford these products. Farmers began to view their animals as products instead of living organisms.

Eventually, the desire to make as much money as possible took over most of the industry, explaining the current state of factory farms. Chickens, commonly exposed to “hormones, carcinogens and arsenic,” are specially engineered to grow abnormally quickly, reaching a desirable size in adolescence. This unnatural growth spurt has negative effects on the animal, disfiguring it to the point where its legs cannot support its prematurely developed body. In short, genetically modified foods present ethical issues. The food can be produced cheaply and quickly, but this

process places stress on the animals and is wholly unnatural.

Genetic modification also presents health risks, especially concerning different allergens. For example, someone who usually does not have any allergies might experience an allergic reaction to a genetically modified food product.

The special combination of genes could trigger an unexpected response within the body. This frightening possibility would make food consumption dangerous for almost everyone.

Extensive research would be necessary to rule out these possibilities.

The negative environmental effects of this experimental technology include accidental harm to other animals. When animals graze on genetically modified crops, this could damage them internally.

Food that is safe for humans is not necessarily safe for all living creatures. Basically, the negative aspects of genetically modified foods outweigh the positives. These methods disregard the best interests of animals; they also have dangerous, irreversible effects on the environment. Old-fashioned methods of food production may be more costly and time-consuming, but they are unarguably safer and more reliable than the alternative.

Jenn Cha (‘13)/ Eastside Staff

Monsanto and USDA engage in a “tug-of-war” over the issue of GMOs.

Monsanto, a sustainable agriculture company, supports the use of GMOs to increase productivity. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which promotes organic farming, denounces the use of GMOs.

Keep school closed on national holidays ■ By Leah Korn (‘16)

deserve more respect than that.

America is made up of A national holiday is a so many people from all time for the United States over the world who are to come together as a born into so many differwhole. It is a time to ent backgrounds and culbreak from our routines tures. In a country full of in order to celebrate and endless opportunities, recognize our great leadthere are not many things ers and pioneers. that can unite everyone.

On Monday, February But no matter where we 18, the rest of our came from and no country observed a matter where we national holiday to want to end up, takOut of respect for our counhonor the great presiing a day to rememdents who have led try’s great heroes and history, ber our past leaders this nation.

For and to promote patriotic who have made all Cherry Hill students, the current opporthough, it was just unity, school should never be tunities possible is another day of school. held on national holidays. vital. The only way Due to school time to preserve our lost during Hurricane future as a successSandy, school was in ful country is to session on Presidents’ those whom we should be remember everything Day. honoring. Our teachers that our country has been Out of respect for our and role models speak so through. If we keep country’s great heroes highly of these aweunder-recognizing these and history, and to proinspiring guides of our national holidays, our mote patriotic unity, country, so what message past will become forgotschool should never be are they sending us by ten. If we keep pushing held on national holidays, replacing these national aside our country’s even in cases when makeholidays? national holidays as if up days are needed due to By replacing these holthey are not important, inclement weather. idays with more ordinary who knows if kids 100 These days were desigschool days, they are years from now will even nated as days off for a teaching us that these know who George reason. They were not extraordinary people are Washington and created simply for our not important enough for Abraham Lincoln are? enjoyment of sleeping in us to have a day off. These Now that’s a scary and having a nice day off. heroes of our country thought.

For Eastside

Astounding men like Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln and George Washington did incredible things for this country. The absolute least that we can do is to have one day off to commemorate them.

Eliminating these days is not just unfair for students, but it disrespects

Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Editor

Our country’s heroes are forgotten when school remains in session on national holidays.

OPINIONS Page 8

EASTSIDE

April 2013

Debating Gay Marriage ■ By Brittany Finnegan (‘13) For Eastside

The institution of marriage has existed since the beginning of human civilization. Each culture has its own traditions, views and beliefs about this special union between two people; now we find America in the midst of a change in its own view of marriage.

Since the emergence of the gay rights movement in 1969, the LGBT community has come a long way in getting various gay rights legislation passed. However, on the subject of same-sex marriage, it seems the government is at a halt. It is hard to imagine that this beautiful country, for all the liberties and opportunities that it boasts, still restricts the rights of its people in terms of matrimony.

Many hold strongly to the belief that marriage is strictly between a man and a woman. For example, the Catholic Church condemned gay marriage when Pope Benedict XVI stated that the Church “cannot approve of legal initiatives that imply a re-evaluation of the life of the couple and the family.”

Views like these are what prompted the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996. This act stated that only marriage between a man and woman was legally recognized, preventing same-sex couples from receiving the federal protections and benefits granted to married heterosexual couples.

However, according to Ross Douthat of the New York Times, “There is no such thing as traditional marriage. Given the prevalence of modern and ancient examples of family arrangements based on polygamy, communal child-rearing, the use of concubines and mistresses, and the commonality of prostitution, heterosexual monogamy can be considered ‘unnatural’ in evolutionary terms.”

Progress is approaching in America, and it is wrong for the government to prevent the marriage of two people strictly because of their sexual orientation. Gay

marriage is protected by the Constitution’s commitments to liberty and equality. That said, gay couples should have access to the same rights that married heterosexual couples receive: taxation and inheritance rights, access to family health coverage, hospital visitation during an illness and protection in the event of the relationship ending. Without these rights, many gay partnerships are restricted and create unfavorable outcomes for those involved as they are legally powerless when decisions are required for their loved one’s care.

The Obama administration announced in July of 2011 that it would support a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), stating that it violates the equal protection component of the Fifth Amendment.

On May 9, 2012, President Obama became the first U.S. president to declare his support for gay marriage, stating: “At a certain point I’ve just concluded that, for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.”

In August 2012, CNN released a national poll that showed majority support for gay marriage, with 52% agreeing that “gays and lesbians should have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid.”

As it stands, nine states— Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Maryland and Washington— have granted gays the civil liberty of marriage, but there are 41 other states that are still neglecting people.

By prohibiting gay marriage, citizens of the United States are not only discriminating against homosexuals, but also condoning the unconstitutionality of the agreement. If we want America, which was built upon freedom and the rights of the individual, to maintain its status as a nation of tolerance and liberty, we must grant legal same-sex marriage in all fifty states included in our country.

■ By Atira Nair (‘16) Eastside Staff

Should same-sex marriage be legalized throughout the U.S.A.?

Notice: These two stories represent just two perspectives on this complex issue.

Feel free to email other opinions to opinions@eastsideonline.org.

Art by Gilana Levavi (‘14)/ Eastside Opinions Editor

Marriage: the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual relationship recognized by law.

This is the first definition of marriage according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

This definition may seem okay to some people, whereas to others, it is outrageous.

The second definition: The state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage.

The Supreme Court is in the process of ruling on whether the definition of marriage in America should include same-sex marriages.

Supporters say that love and marriage are the same, no matter the sexual orientation. “Gender makes no difference in love,” says Darsha Mistry (‘13).

Yet people who are antigay say that it is not traditional for two people of the same gender to marry and have a regular family.

Because of the sharply polarized views of gay marriage that permeate America, this country is not ready to take the huge step of universally legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.

Gay rights issues such as legalizing same-sex marriage have been disputed since the early 1900s. As of today, only nine states allow gay marriage. Twenty-nine states have constitutional provisions defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

The Defense of Marriage Act, signed by former president Bill Clinton in 1996, defines marriage as a “legal union between one man and one woman.” Several religious institutions, including the Catholic Church, renounce the idea of samesex marriage.

There have also been numerous court cases regarding gay rights on several occasions. One such case was Boy Scouts of America and Monmouth Council vs. Dale in 2000.

James Dale, a Boy Scout since age eight, applied for an adult membership at the age of 18, and was granted the

membership.

During this same year, Dale acknowledged his homosexuality and became the copresident of the lesbian/gay alliance at Rutgers University. Soon after a newspaper interview, Dale received a letter from Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts revoking his membership.

The reason: Boy Scouts “specifically forbid membership to homosexuals.” Dale sued in the New Jersey Superior Court, whose Chancery court ruled in favor of Dale. The Appellate Division ruled in favor of the Boy Scouts, saying that it does not matter whether someone is gay; they should have the same rights as people who are straight.

Although there have been many who oppose same-sex marriage, the idea of legalizing it everywhere is still an open question. There are people who support gay marriage.

“I think everyone should be allowed to do what they want as long as it does not hurt anyone else… But it is their right to do what they wish. I personally am not against gay marriage and do believe it should become legalized,” says Noah Podolnick (‘16).

A topic like same-sex marriage gets controversial quickly.

Though people oppose it, some are beginning to accept it. There are celebrities and businesspeople who are gay and open about it. If a law was passed supporting gay marriage and defining marriage as between two adults instead of a man and a woman, this may be welcomed among some people.

However, this is unlikely considering how controversial it is today.

So much controversy surrounds the topic of gay marriage. Sometime in the future, gay marriage could be legalized. However, America is not prepared to take such a huge step. There are many people who oppose the idea of legalizing same-sex marriage throughout the United States, so if it were to be legalized, there would be a huge uproar and the risks are too big to take, at least anytime soon.

A timeline of Gay Rights in the U.S.A. 1973

1924

1979

The American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from its official list of mental disorders.

The Society for Human Rights in Chicago, founded

by Henry Gerber (shown below), is the earliest known gay rights organization.

1951 The Mattachine Society is the first national gay rights organization that is accredited as an initiator of the gay rights movement.

About 75,000 people participated in the National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Washington, D.C.

1978 Harvey Milk, the first openly gay candidate in American History, wins an election by 30 percent against 16 other candidates and is sworn as a member of the San Francisco Board of supervisors.

2004 Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize gay marriage.

1993 “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was instituted for gays to serve in the military, but banned homosexual activity. It was repealed in September, 2011.

2012 President Obama becomes the first President of the United States to openly support gay marriage.

Photos courtesy of (left to right) nps.org, eqca.org, interstateq.com and salon.com

OPINIONS April 2013

EASTSIDE

Scotland roars for independence ■ By Amy Myers (‘13) Eastside Opinions Editor

Yeah, we know. Texas is fed-up with the union and wants to secede. In American politics, these key states are constantly trying to grab media’s attention by performing ridiculous stunts, like threatening secession from the Union. But what could possibly prompt this topic within the United States? Well, it is surely not a domestic issue.

It’s Scotland, not Texas.

For the first time in Scottish history, the United Kingdom has allotted Scotland the opportunity to nationally vote on the issue of Scotland’s secession from the United Kingdom. Scotland serves as an asset to the United Kingdom: providing military support when needed, financial strength in a crippling European economy, and has been a member of an established Union for over 300 years.

Now, what could possibly draw a wedge between such a strong alliance?

Finances.

Democracy. The aura of independence.

Seem like justifiable reasons?

Well, to a majority of the Scottish people, they are. England has expressed domineering control over Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for such an extensive period of time that Scotland has finally had enough. Not only has this severely uprooted the United Kingdom’s politics, but it has also inspired new revolutionary movements in Wales as well.

The people of Scotland feel that they are merely used as a source of income to help England finance expenditures that Scotland rarely sees the benefits from.

Not only that, but the overwhelming support for Scottish independence has grown so powerful that Parliament has been trying to tamper with the question on the ballot in order to deter support from the notion.

The United Kingdom has quelled nearly every chance that Scotland has tried to take to free itself from the fetters of the United Kingdom’s, mostly England’s, hold.

Thousands of Scottish revolutionaries were killed over thousands of years because they saw

a bright future for the nation of Scotland.

Now, the people are finally given a civil chance to democratically choose where the future of their nation lies.

Granted there would be new regional borders should Scotland secede, but this would also give Scotland an opportunity to become financially independent and to establish an effective parliament that would be able to prioritize the needs of the Scottish people.

Although change is difficult to imagine, especially when many people fear Scotland’s ability to sustain itself, this rare chance could help stimulate economies and could also help establish diplomatic means with the United States, especially as Scotland is fighting for control of sources of oil within its surrounding ocean.

Scotland has much to offer, and hopefully the people of the United Kingdom realize the potential in an independent nation that could help focus on the needs of Scotland as opposed to the other four nations combined.

Images courtesy of mcluskie.com and flags.net

Page 9

Reflecting on the loss of

Hugo Chavez ■ By Kyle Bigley (‘13) Eastside Staff

According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, under Chavez GDP growth averaged 4.2% a year, one of the highest in the region, unemployment dropped from around 14% to 8%, poverty sank from 50% to 31.9%, extreme poverty from 19.9% to 8.6%, inequality became the lowest in all of Latin America, more people received education than ever before, life expectancy increased and child malnutrition decreased. Chavez was truly a revolutionary, a hero to the poor.

For that he should be thanked.

But there was another side of Chavez. He formed a cult that centralized on his image and threatened the free speech of his political opponents. To him, people who challenged his leadership were not merely political adversaries; they were enemies worthy of demonization.

Thousands fled the country, depriving Venezuela of skilled men and women. Chavez should have invested more in public infrastructure; debt and inflation are now high as well.

While not only leaving some battles unfinished on the home front, he delegitimized the positive policies he accomplished domestically by aligning himself with leaders who authorized killings of their own people, such as Syria’s Al-Assad and Libya’s Gaddafi, while also courting the Holocaust-denying Ahmadinejad of Iran. He made outrageous claims about the United States doing everything from giving him cancer to causing earthquakes and famously called President George W. Bush “the devil” at the United Nations in 2006. While no fan of Bush myself, such rhetoric was only counterproductive and shied away potential allies. For such actions, Chavez undermined what he attempted to create.

Nevertheless, Chavez made a true difference in the lives of millions. More than just a leader, he embodied hope—hope for a chance to receive education, housing, food, a job and a voice in society. For all of his flaws, Chavez signified the opportunity for Venezuelans to live lives of decency. When he first ran for president in 1998, Chavez very well may have asked his friends, Venezuelans, countrymen to lend him their ears. But Chavez received much more; Venezuela also lent Chavez its collective heart. And now that heart is broken; Venezuela weeps.

I intend neither to eulogize nor to censure the late President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez. Too often we make the mistake of carving our historical figures out of marble, sticking them upon a pedestal and relegating them to neglected pages of historical survey textbooks. Or we do the opposite: we scorn them, twist them into demons, whether representative of their former selves or not. People are neither purely black nor purely white.

Perhaps to do proper justice to a man’s life and legacy we would need to commission Picasso and give him free reign to use stroke after stroke of his favorite color, gray, in which, as the most ambiguous of colors, character is best described. For, as Marc Antony says in his eulogy to Julius Caesar as told by William Shakespeare, “The evil that men do lives after them/ The good is oft interred with their bones.”

And in Chavez we find a Caesarian character: a man full of both strength and weakness, and one who leaves a much disputed legacy.

Few world leaders can conjure up the same kind of passion, either vitriol or extolment, as Hugo Chavez could. To some, he was a tyrant, a ruthless demagogue who stole freedom and made a mockery out of himself on the world stage. But, to the millions of once socially-marginalized Venezuelans, those who live in the slums around Caracas or work the poor rural fields of the countryside, Chavez was a hero.

To the majority of Venezuelans, Chavez’s vision, which he called “socialism of the 21st century,” was egalitarian and precisely what they wanted out of their leader; after years of multinational corporations dominating Venezuela’s oil supply, Chavez nationalized it and used the revenues to create a number of wideranging, beneficial social programs.

Under the flag of his “Bolivarian Revolution,” Chavez created new institutions called “Communal Councils” for a decentralized, participatory democracy that engaged local communities and, for the first time in Venezuelan history, gave people and communities a legitimate voice in the governing process. He presided over a time of great social change that produced growth, equality and improved living standards.

The Venezuelan people rewarded Chavez and his policies with victories in four presidential elections, one recall referendum and a referendum on a Courtesy of telenews.com Chavista con- Hugo Chavez, former president of Venezuela, stitution. died last month after a battle with cancer.

EDITORIAL Page 10

EASTSIDE

April 2013

Editorials represent the views and opinions of the Eastside Editorial Board.

Students should not overload on extracurriculars We get it: college is a big deal. Especially in our highly ranked and regarded high school, having a competitive edge against your peers means a better shot at that acceptance letter. As if the struggle to maintain a good GPA and achieve high standardized test scores is not enough, every student needs an impressive array of extracurricular activities and leadership positions to put on applications to prove that they are more than just numbers.

Extracurriculars should be a way of showing colleges other aspects of the students that cannot be seen through grades or standardized tests. They exhibit the passion, leadership and responsibility the students possess. That said, working around the system by inventing clubs or, even worse, joining clubs despite having no real regard for the purposes, only to pack a résumé, defeats the point of extra-curricular activities. It is also suspicious when students are involved in many activities but do not show consistency or leadership in any of these activities. Not only is it unrealistic to balance too many activities, but it is also unrealistic to have the same amount of passion for all of these activities. It is better to assume leadership in a few activities than to be halfactive in many.

According to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, the subject of the activity usually is not as important as the commitment to it as reflected by leadership, responsibility and persistence in the activity. The realm of the involvement is also considered. Does it encompass school, region, state, country or international involvement or competition? Activities that show group leadership and peer respect are highly regarded by colleges – such as involvement in student government or being the captain of an academic or sports team, concert master of the youth orchestra or the drum major of the marching band.

Plenty of students devote a lot of time to such activities that could be spent boosting that GPA or those test scores. These students are possibly hurt by more “ambitious” students in the admission process because on the surface, the students with energy divided among seven or eight other presidencies or vice presidencies might receive more attention.

This isn’t just unfair to truly committed students, but also to the clubs that the “ambitious students” claim they lead. Groups need honest, devoted leadership, not faux enthusiasm that serves no purpose other than getting into a “dream school.”

Students can prepare for college in many ways

Cherry Hill High School East 1750 Kresson Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Phone: (856) 424-2222, ext.

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What is best for one student may not be best for another Before entering high school, graduating middle school students are told to put their past years’ work behind them and focus on the future – a future filled with hours of work and stress, all to ensure that they can get into the college of their choice. Upon entering high school and beginning their chosen courses, students start to wonder, is this class worth taking? Or, if I don’t take this class, will I get into college? While most colleges do tend to choose from a range of wellrounded students, there is no set blueprint of classes that students must take while attending any given high school. For example, at East, it is common for a junior to hear, “You HAVE to take Physics in order to get into college” from fellow classmates when in fact this is not the case. While Physics may stand out as

an important class to some students, others see no point in taking the class and would get more out of a course such as Environmental Studies or Human Anatomy.

According to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, colleges generally favor students who prepare the strongest possible schedule throughout their high school career, whether it’s AP, IB or some other honors program. They also look at the strength of the courses taken starting in the ninth grade and at the overall accelerated courses when applicable. Therefore, while students are stuck on the idea that they must take a specific course, it is more important to assess the level of the courses that they are taking and work from there.

In addition, Rutgers said that col-

leges look for well-rounded students who stand out in positive ways to others. The best indicator of future potential is what a student has already demonstrated in his or her accomplishments. It looks at how these accomplishments have been recognized by grades, commendations, elected or appointed positions of leadership, and other tributes to success.

Counselors and students need to be more aware of college admissions’ expectations when it comes time to make a course schedule for the following year. Sometimes the best approach is one that is focused, one that shows the student is dedicated to a particular academic path.

Taking an extra science is not necessarily better than taking an extra English, for example. Every student is different. So is every college.

Letters to the editor are always welcomed!

Drop off letters to F087 or e-mail letters@eastsideonline.org

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SPECIAL April 2013

EASTSIDE

Page 11

Seniors take on Disney: Senior Trip 2013

Courtesy of Sammi Aaronson

Sammi Aaronson (‘13) poses with Tigger.

Courtesy of Melissa Shore (‘13)

Courtesy of Emily Bevington (‘13)

Emily Bevington (‘13) poses with Mr. Incredible and Frozone.

Courtesy of Becca Fisher (‘13)

Becca Fisher (‘13) and Lily Katz (‘13) jump in front of the castle at Magic Kingdom.

Melissa Shore (‘13), JamieLynn Brookover (‘13) and Danielle McCormack (‘13) pose by the water.

Courtesy of Kevin Gorenberg (‘13)

Angie Pacitti (‘13)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Seniors watched many plays on the trip.

Justin Landay (‘13), Kevin Gorenberg (‘13), Randy Ogen (‘13) and Julia Waldman (‘13) take a ride on test track.

Angie Pacitti (‘13)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Many seniors cited Disney’s Electric Parade as one of their favorite attractions.

Courtesy of Sabrina Laygo (‘13)

Steph Vasey (‘13), Francesca Girone (‘13), Sabrina Laygo (‘13), Taylor Ingram (‘13), Jackie Malaran (‘13), Jackie Kerner (‘13), Dana Brito (‘13) and Katie Rimdzius (‘13) take a breather with Princess Belle. (‘13)

Courtesy of Hank Davis (‘13)

Jacob Billig (‘13), Andrew Soll (‘13), Harris Blum (‘13), Jake Meklinsky (‘13) and Hank Davis (‘13) pose with Donald Duck.

Courtesy of Sam Acampa (‘13)

Anna Borinski (‘13), Sam Acampa (‘13), Candence Smith (‘13) and Sammie Canter (‘13) pose with Tigger.

Page 12

EASTSIDE

April 2013

# of messages: 23 # of messages from boys: 19 # of messages from fake people: 2 # of people who inquired about identity: 15

# of people who friend requested Lind Zee

Who is Lind Zee?

“They put a garden out there and invite everybody to be naked. [Facebook is] a business case to make people comfortable with disclosing their data.” – Andy MüllerMaguhn

32

16 friends wished Lind Zee a happy birthday; only 6 knew she wasn’t real

EASTSIDE

508 boys

829

Lind Zee’s last written status was on February 4th; four people liked it.

Since then, Lind Zee has become friends with 57 people.

210 East students completed a survey regarding social media. Listed below are some of the statistics. % of people who allow mutual friends to view their profile: 45 % of people who knew privacy settings are reset every time Facebook updates them: 25 % of people who have a public Twitter account: 79 % of people who check Facebook every hour: 21 % of people who check Twitter every hour: 24 % of people who have interacted with 100 percent of their Facebook friends in person more than two times: 7 % of people who have posted something to Facebook or Twitter that they We all have wwwww would not want an employer, teacher or College Admissions Office to that friend whowwwwww see: 30 wwwwwwww % of those people who never deleted that post: 74 tweets every second of wwwwwwwww % of people who are friends with Lind Zee: 13 every day. That person will % of people who have accepted a friend request from a tweet about the mostwwwwwwwwww mundane perwwwwwwwwww person whom they have never met: 67 thing, like going to the bathroom, to wwwwwwwwwwww % of people who checked “No” to the above question the most exciting, suchwhowww as vacationing who are friends with Lind Zee: 2

on some exotic island. This person could be your best friend, your teacher, your dad, a beloved author, or even…you.

■ By Sherin Nassar (‘13) But did you know that the social networking Eastside Managing Editor site that most of the world has grown to love has voluntarily handed over almost every message ever tweeted to the Library of Congress? Back in 2010, Twitter signed a deal with the Library of Congress, giving it full accessibility to every tweet ever tweeted by its users since the Fro company's creation in 2006. So that tweet where you drop a couple of FHoni m Brian bombs in reference to your science teacher's homework could be seen by gma researchers and analysts ten years from now. The tweet about dissing your old boss will be digitally immortalized forever. of “1 n’s list "Archiving and preserving outlets, such as Twitter, will enable future Fasci 00 researchers' access to a fuller picture of today's cultural norms, dialogue, Socia nating trends and events to inform scholarship, the legislative process, new Stati l Media works of authorship, education and other purposes," the Library announced in a public document.

Figu stics and Today, the Library of Congress has access to over 170 billion tweets, res F some of which could be yours. Now, the most daunting issue for the 2012 rom Library of Congress is finding a way to store all this informa”: tion in an efficient manner.

Access to the tweets comes at no charge at all to the Library, and the tweets are transferred from the social networking site to the Library through a separate company called Gnip. Creating a database to store the exponentially growing number of tweets, on the other hand, will cost the Library tens of thousands of dollars. But no matter the cost, the Library promises to continue with this historic endeavor.

Your tweet could add to the historical understanding of today for tomorrow's generation. Or it could also be one of many worthless tweets that work to build a bad representation. So when you're pondering whether or not you should go on a twitter rant about the inanity of an English assignment or just tweet about your mother's casserole, remember who might see that tweet years from now. #thinkbeforeyoutweet

1 restaurant

102 3 with 10 Eastin fake side college accounts editors

You new will m a frie nd ke a tod ay.

Page 13

As a social ex xperiment, Eastside created a fake Facebook profile to evaluate hoow easy it is to access information via social media.

# of friends in n California: 1

# of friends in Taiwan: 1

# of friends in Colorado: 1

# of friends in India: 2

# of friends in n Maryland: 1

Feed the Twitter bird Buy a catfish

April 2013

23

320 girls

Things to do today:

SPEC CIAL

# of friends in Florida: 3

# of friends in Israel: 1

# of friends who have more than 800 friends: 571 # of friends who have more than 2,000 friends: 57 # of friends who block their number of friends: 14

All statistics were calcullated based on when Lind Zee had 82 29 friends.

Lindsey Aaron (Liind Zee) has 829 friends on Facebook. Three of them are holding a gun in their profile picture, and four of them work at a local fire station. Sh he has friends in India, Israel and Taiwan. Fifty-seven of her friends have more than 2,000 friends, while 30 have less than three. There are e 15 who inquired about her identity. It's a shame only 21 of them know that she doesn't exist.

Lind Zee is not a practical joke, and she is much more than an Eastside social experiment. She defines the twenty-first century world of ready-access informa ation and postents of new methods of aggregating intelligence. She can only exist in a society that has kicked archaic standards of privacy y to the curb, or, at least, a society where taking the time to 'think before you act' isn't as validating as the number of likes a post might recceive. The consensus seems to be that one crude or provoking status is easily forever lost on a line of mass information.

Around the time tthat MySpace and Facebook came out (2003 and 2004, respectively), you weren't supposed to accept people you didn't know because they could c be sex offenders. But today, the sex offender and kidnapper are no longer the stereotypical "bad guys." If Lind Zee has proven anything g, it is how easy it is for anyone – friends, teachers, employers and so forth – to access personal information. However, such a problem doess have a relatively simple solution: don't accept friend requests from people you have never met. That seems to make sense. Yet, according g to the ratio of acceptances to requests made, if Lind Zee were to friend request any more people, there would be a 62 percent chance that they would accept. Perhaps we consider having "mutual friends" hard evidence. Or maybe it just makes us feel better about ourselves to kn now that we have another friend. Either way, there is no denying that we have a habit of accepting friend requests from many people with wh hom we do not interact on a day-to-day basis.

But the issue is no ot entirely the fault of users. It should be assumed that the company that produces the product also bears some responsibility. Lind Zee was blocked from friend requesting people for a one-week period, a two-week period and, recently, for a month. With an abundance of people e ostensibly selecting the "No" option to Facebook's automated question "Have you met this person before?" you would expect Lind Zee to re eceive a warning of account termination. It seems as if a company worth 68 billion dollars, like Facebook, is not in a rush to institute more striingent privacy settings, especially since doing so would reduce its ability to monetize users, like Lind Zee, and their personal data.

Facebook's new Graph G Search is a search engine that groups people together based on information searched. It is being advertised as a convenient way of diiscovering friends with common interests. But it is also something that should get people to reevaluate their privacy settings. Graph Search h will facilitate the process of finding out which of your friends like pistachio ice cream or canoeing, but it also makes intelligence gatherin ng almost too easy. The CIA coined the Mosaic Theory of Intelligence: the idea that unrelated pieces of information that appear to have no va alue when viewed independently form a significant piece of intelligence when viewed holistically. For any person working in the field of intellig gence gathering, Graph Search is your new best friend.

If you are one of the t 276 East students who accepted Lind Zee's friend request, or friend requested her yourself, do not presume that the message here is the cliché c "shame on you." But please do keep this in mind: it is not difficult to access personal information, and it's only getting easier with socia al media on the rise. Think before you share information because, once it's out there, it's out there for good. There is no paper shredder that will ever make it disappear.

-Danielle Fox (‘13) / Eastside Editor-in-Chief

25% of users on Facebook don't bother with any kind of privacy control.

Brazil publishes the highest number of postts out of all Facebook countriees.

23% of Facebook's userrs check their account 5 orr more times daily.

More than 1 million websi tes have integrated wit h Facebook in various way s.

As of 2012, 17 billion location tagged posts an d checkins were logged .

32% of all Internet users are using Twitter.

Twitter is projected to make a total of $540 million in advertising revenue by 2014.

The USA's 141.8 million accounts represent 27.4 percent of all Twitter users.

11 accounts are created every second on Twitter.

50% of Twitter users are using the social network via mobile.

All research compiled by Rebecca Cohen (‘15)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor, Danielle Fox (‘13)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief, Joe Incollingo (‘13)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor, Sherin Nassar (‘13)/ Eastside Managing Editor and Emmy Silverman (‘13)/ Eastside Community Editor Layout by Danielle Fox (‘13)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief Paneling and desk art by Zoe Greenhall (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director Twitter bird art by Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director Mac Computer photo courtesy of brighthub.com Post-it photo courtesy of independent.co.uk Bulletin board photo courtesy of dosomething.org To review Brian Honigman’s full list of “100 Fascinating Social Media Statistics and Figures From 2012,” visit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-honigman/100-fascinating-social-me_b_2185281.html

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April 2013

Space travel: no longer “out of this world” ■ By Joe Incollingo (‘13) Eastside Entertainment Editor

While the first mention of income inequality will bring up some pretty heated debate in some circles, almost no one will disagree over whether or not space is cool.

What, then, are people to think of an emerging trend that combines the two?

Amid quick-service burrito franchises and frozen yogurt restaurants has emerged a new fad within the free market. With the official end of NASA’s Space Shuttle program two years ago, many private companies have taken up space travel to pick up the slack.

“It's going to be absolutely incredible because finally people, ordinary people, will be able to have a chance to become astronauts,” Richard Branson, billionaire chairman of the British company Virgin Group, Ltd., told CBS in September.

The conglomerate’s subsidiary Virgin Galactic made headlines last year when several celebrities, including Ashton Kutcher, Katy Perry and Stephen Hawking, signed up for seats on the company’s maiden trip beyond the atmosphere.

Other companies, however, have taken on a more practical role in

space business. Last year, the California-based Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) made history as the first private company to send cargo to the International Space Station. Unlike Branson, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has pushed his company’s endeavors more away from the commercial; the company proposed a multi-billion dollar plan for a manned mission to Mars that involves the cooperation of NASA. Of course, NASA has wa r m l y accepted the rise in private companies stepping into its domain. In addition to its plans with SpaceX, the agency in 2007 signed a memorandum of understanding with Branson’s V i r g i n Galactic, l e a v i n g options f o r future collabo-

British Invasion lives on in primetime ■ By Molly Schultz (‘14) Eastside Staff

While you’re clicking through the channels on your TV, you may want to ponder how many of the shows you’re watching also air or have aired in another country.

Though this may come as a shock, many television shows now airing in America began as series in Britain, such as “The Inbetweeners,” “The Office” and “Skins,” along with many more.

The “Inbetweeners” aired in Britain for three seasons from 2008 to 2010. MTV tried to create an adaptation with an American cast, also called “The Inbetweeners,” in 2012. Both shows told the story of a group of four friends in high school battling their way through the social hierarchy. With only twelve episodes under its belt, the MTV version was canceled after its first season.

A similar fate came to the MTV adaptation of the British series “Skins,” which began airing in 2007 and continues in its seventh season. According to E4, the British network that airs the original

“Skins,” the pilot episode had 1.5 million viewers while the second season peaked at 884,000 viewers. On the other hand, MTV canceled its adaptation after ten episodes in 2011 because of low ratings and controversy over the show’s suggestive themes, teenage sexuality among them.

Not all American counterparts have met such difficulty crossing the pond. “The Office” aired in Britain for three seasons from 2001 to 2003. NBC created an adaptation, also called “The Office,” which began in 2005 and is currently airing its ninth season. Showtime’s “Shameless,” also an adaptation of a popular British drama, became the network’s best performing firstyear drama in 2011, allowing it to continue into a fourth season next year.

That said, it’s difficult for producers to gauge whether or not popular British shows will suit American tastes. Time will have to tell whether or not newer additions, like HBO’s Veep and Netflix’s “House of Cards,” can last.

ration wide open.

“This type of private sector effort is further evidence of the timeliness and wisdom of the [government’s] overall space policy,” N A S A

spokesman David Weaver wrote. “To create an environment where commercial space companies can build upon NASA’s past successes, allowing the agency to focus on the new challenges of sending humans to an asteroid and eventually Mars, [is the goal].”

Given recent funding cuts to many government agencies, NASA chief among them, the industry’s shift into the private sector means that space travel can continue into the future with little to no strain on the government.

The future, therefore, is saved.

Regardless of critics’ opinions of private enterprise, it’s difficult to condone sacrificing a tomorrow where, as Branson hopes, anyone can reach the stars.

"I think over the next 20 years, we will take literally hundreds of thousands of people to space and that will give us the financial resources to do even bigger things,” says Branson.

The possibilities he and others see, needless to say, are as infinite as the universe itself.

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Courtesy of cinemablend.com

“The Office” has held on into its ninth season.

ENTERTAINMENT April 2013

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Page 15

Valve to break into console market ■ By Neil Davis (‘13) Eastside Staff

A new competitor named Steam Box is about to enter the world of gaming: Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo need to watch out. Steam Box is the next generation of gaming being introduced by the developers at Valve Corporation. Valve, a Washingtonbased software company and video game developer, is best known for its hit franchises Half-Life, Portal, Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead and CounterStrike. Valve thinks it can compete with the other gaming consoles and be a “better, good and best” alternative, possibly reinventing the world of gaming in the process.

The Steam Box, slated for release before the end of the year, promises many features that none of the other consoles currently offer. The system will allow users to download as many game titles as they want without ever requiring them to buy a disc. The customer can choose a game from a vast library of free game customizations.

Also, a wireless controller gives the user the feeling of free-hand use or biometrics. All of this can be accompanied with wireless technology that connects the console to several rooms and screens in a house at the same time.

Despite its many complicated features, Valve insists that the system will be easy to use, offering a completely new gaming experience with maximum simplicity.

“If you think of a game like Left 4 Dead, which was trying to put you

into a sort of horror movie, if you don't peting companies for the best gaming change the experience of what the console. It should only be a matter of player is actually feeling, then it stops time before Valve finalizes its underbeing a horror game," Valve cotakings and delivers the great founder Gabe Newell told press. "So changes it seems to promise for gamyou need to actually be able to directing. ly measure how aroused the player is—what their heart rate is, things like that—in order to continue to offer them a new experience each time they play."

Steam Box will also allow users to view m o v i e s , shows, music and pictures just like any other console.

More impressively, Steam Box will interpret each user’s preferences and modify every game to the unique computer of the consumer who downloads that game, personalizing each user’s profile. Another positive note is that those who sign up with Steam or Steam Workshop, Valve’s digital distribution networks, will be Photo courtesy of techradar.com able to expand their game content with much more added storage for Tech company Xi3’s “Piston” is among alleged Steam Box prototypes. their personal console.

For the time being, Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft are still the top com-

2003: Valve debuts

C O N T RO L L E D

RELEASE A brief history of

and its lasting impact

1998: Half-Life

1996: Valve Corporation founded by Microsoft employees Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington.

sweeps Game of the Year awards, becoming Guiness World Record holder for “BestSelling First-Person Shooter of All Time.”

Steam digital distribution network for its video games.

2012: Steam Box announced, slated for 2013 release.

Valve logo courtesy of wordpress.com

From Friendster to your fingertips: story of social media is one of trials and triumph ■ By Izzy Kaminer (‘15) Eastside Staff

How many times a day do you think “I have to tweet that” or “I need to find a picture to #tbt for Throwback Thursday”?

Most of you would say at least once, twice or even three times. But ten years ago, none of this even existed.

1994 brought about the World Wide Web and the industry hasn’t stopped growing since then. In 2002, the world recognized Friendster as the first network with over a million users. The following year brought MySpace, which, believe it or not, was better received than the 2003 launch of Facebook. Today,

it seems a flash in the pan compared to Facebook’s rise to prominence in 2007. Today’s two widely used networks, Twitter and Tumblr, came about in 2009-2010. Google Plus, Instagram, Pinterest and others are a few that are slowly emerging today.

It’s safe to say that the past ten years have had a monumental effect on technology and society as a whole. It’s also safe to say that we have smartphones to thank for the raging popularity of these sites due to the fact that consumers literally have the entire world at their fingertips every second of every day. You can find your 1,000 Facebook

friends with the tap of your finger on a back-lit screen with a tiny blue square on it. You can tweet to hundreds of Twitter followers the same way. Crazy, isn’t it?

MySpace, the shortlived success where many an awkward middle school phase was spent, found itself drowned in the wake of Facebook. Now, many see Facebook slowly falling further behind Twitter.

Soon, something will take out Twitter. Our society’s social networking days are far from over; we will be updating each other on our every move for years to come. But I mean, who wouldn’t want to know what Justin Bieber had for breakfast…right?

Twitter logo courtesy of theinspirationroom.com

Rumors surface of an iPhone for everyone ■ By Bogdan Vitoc (‘16) Eastside Staff

Every year Apple releases a new iPhone.

Every time, consumers immediately turn their attention to the next one.

Take 2012’s iPhone 5.

As with all iPhones, there were a tremendous amount of rumors prior to its release and the unveiling was watched by hundreds of thousands of people on YouTube alone.

Within a week, however, the rumor-junkies quickly and predictably moved on to talk about the next iPhone as soon as their excitement about iPhone 5 died down.

Most prevalent is the possibility of a low-end iPhone (dubbed iPhone 5S) to complement the iPhone 6.

If it’s true, Apple may have found a ticket to success. Even though many people have “normal” iPhones, many cannot afford such a commodity and thus opt for something cheaper. Offered a more affordable iPhone, many will drop from the normal model to that one, but also many other nonApple users will convert and Apple will dominate the entire cellular device spectrum (Muahahaha!).

The Japanese blog Macotakara wrote that a low-end iPhone would probably be about half the price of the current 16GB iPhone, at $330 unlocked.

But if you think that by doing so, Apple would become overly generous, then you are most likely wrong. Techradar predicts that a low-end iPhone will not run iOS 7. That is a shame, but you can’t expect too much now, can you?

The Snapdragon processor is rumored to be the base of the low-end iPhone. There are two reasons for this move: One, the Snapdragon costs less, so the cheaper iPhone will be, well, cheaper. And two, the Snapdragon is produced by a third party, unlike all of Apple’s other mobile device processors which are produced solely

by Samsung, Apple’s main competitor in the mobile device market.

As for the iPhone 6, there are many extravagant rumors about fingerprint readers, retina readers, concealed cameras and 801.11ac Wi-Fi, but I believe that all these magical features should wait unless we want the iPhone to cost a fortune and a half.

So yes, an affordable alternative would be great, but the questions are: are we content with letting Apple suck more money out of more people?

Do we need to be more connected than we already are?

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April 2013

Now SoundCloud hits all the right notes Playing: of users – from professional singer/songwriters and bands to a large community ■ By Ethan Tinkelman (‘16) and of EDM producers and DJs all across the world.

Bryan Sheehan (‘13) Noah Hinrichs (’14) is one Eastside Staff and Eastside Underground Editor of those users. As a DJ and producer of House music, he is able to both explore new music and publish his own Recently, in our area, originals and mixes. Since Electric Dance Music (EDM) SoundCloud is a major dishas become a sensation tributor of EDM, DJs like among teens, and the EDM Hinrichs, who may be lookscene has exploded into pop- ing for new music to add to ularity. Dubstep, House, their own mixes, are able to Trap and many other sub- find a wide variety of EDM genres of EDM have become songs, especially ones that popular musical choices for can’t be found anywhere else.

East students. Along with “It’s very easy to get the YouTube and iTunes, fans songs, considering you can rely on SoundCloud, a web- just click a button and the site for music where users song will download directly can both listen to their into your iTunes,” said favorite artists or DJs and Hinrichs, who has been post music of their own. using the site for over five SoundCloud hosts music months. from a spectrum of genres When publishing to the ranging from classic rock to site under his stage name, electronica, and has millions DJ Heike, Hinrichs is able to

Logo by Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director

■ By Rachel Tinkelman (‘13) Eastside Humor Editor

After Black Tuesday, two major types of movies came out of the Great Depression era in America.

One type was upbeat feel-good movies ranging from romantic comedies to gut-busters. Lavish musicals of an escapist nature helped people to get away from their troubles, if they could afford to, especially with movies like those starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The feelgood movies entertained people, diverting their attention from the dire crisis occurring in everyday life.

Other films were darker, revolving around crime.

People went to these to see gangsters do what many people liked to imagine themselves doing – robbing banks, getting rich and shooting at representatives of authority, like policemen.

Production companies like Warner Brothers turned towards this second type of movie because the “gangster movies” were cheap and easy to make: all you needed was some crummy everyday alleyway and a couple of tough-guy actors. Despite the low budgets most of these films got by on, many of them were pretty good. In fact, if you want

to see a real genius at work in one of these gangster movies, check out James Cagney in White Heat (1940).

Cagney may have won his only Oscar as a song and dance man in Yankee Doodle Dandy, but he was better known for his roles as a gangster in this type of film, and anyone who has seen him play Cody Jarrett in White Heat would have trouble picturing him as anything else.

Jarrett is a psychopathic and brutal leader of a gang who also happens to be a big mama’s boy. One of the first things we see him do is shoot a member of his gang who was injured because they couldn’t afford to leave him behind to talk or to wait for him to heal.

The cops are able to get him on a small charge, but that isn’t enough, so they send a cop in undercover as a prisoner, and the two plan to break out together.

Hank Fallon, the cop, keeps tabs on Jarrett while trying to stay on his good side.

One of the best moments in the movie is when Jarrett finds out his mother got shot in the back. He is in the mess hall in prison and he gets the news by a kind of whisper-down-the-lane rumor spreading. When the guy next to him whispers the news unwittingly in Jarrett’s ear, he has a complete violent meltdown.

Cagney puts on a good show. You really believe he’s Cody Jarrett. If any other actor did this, it would seem laughably fake. There are many awesome Cagney gangster films out there – White Heat is just a good place to start.

categorize his work according to subgenre, from which other users can see when searching the site.

Artists can publish their music freely, enabling them to be recognized for their talent and brought into the spotlight. And while many EDM artists have become famous with the help of SoundCloud, like 3lau, Kap Slap and White Panda, Hinrichs uses the site more for fun than fame; but the prospect of discovery by someone has always been a dream of his.

Najeeb Jones (’13) is another active SoundCloud user who produces trap and EDM beats and shares them on the site. After creating a new track with the help of a Mac, MIDI keyboard and Ableton Live – a program that allows the user to create electronic music – Jones is able to publish it to SoundCloud. From there, he can decide whether to allow downloads of his song and easily share it through social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. One

of Jones’s favorite features of SoundCloud is that he can store a song on SoundCloud and revisit that song at another time and place.

But Jones uses SoundCloud for much more than publication.

“It’s a way to get closer to the artists that I listen to,” said Jones. “It lets you get inside [the artist’s] head because you can find a lot of the random tracks they make and don’t think twice about.”

Because SoundCloud hosts virtually every DJ and EDM producer, many popular musicians frequently post mixes, podcast appearances and new music. Since SoundCloud is free to use and upload (to a certain limit), it costs the artist much less to virtually release new music through the site, instantly sharing their creation with millions of potential listeners.

“It’s cool to know that [the artist] might not care about the song and just made it when they were

Out of the Beardspace (consisting of East grads Ethan Feinstein, Jeremy/Kevin Savo and Matt O'Neil) presents "Beardfest 2013"! Featuring over 20 live performances by diverse acts such as Consider the Source (sci-fi middle eastern fusion), Au5 (dubstep), Thank You Scientist (metal-pop progressive funk-fusion), Hold Your Own (hardcore pop punk), Pumba (dog-eared noise-rock) and Out of the Beardspace (psychedelic progressive fusion).

Beardfest will also include live art performance, fire spinning, colorful people on stilts, face painting, amazing food and yoga classes. Tickets are only $25 for the whole weekend and available at www.beardfest.net.

Also, search "Beardfest 2013 promo" on Youtube for the teaser video.

MAY 31- JUNE 2- located in Waterford Works, NJ (only 25 mins from Cherry Hill!). Bring a tent, a towel and everyone you know.

Logo courtesy of soundcloud.com

messing around, but I can still think it’s the coolest [thing] ever,” said Jones.

SoundCloud has everything an EDM fan could ask for: BBC Radio podcasts, live mixes and previews of upcoming tracks. Anyone can go on SoundCloud, and by making an account, which only takes a minute, they can access many features. And, as the EDM genre grows along with the market for music online SoundCloud could prove a vital tool in the modern incarnation of the music industry.

UNDERGROUND April 2013

EASTSIDE

Organics try to move past niche consumers ■ By Molly Schultz (‘14)

leading to adverse effects in consumers.

Likewise, when one plant is grown for miles and miles, pests that eat the plant can have a much more devastating impact Anything from a bowl of Kashi cereal to because there is so much of this one plant any of the sixteen different organic chips that they eat. from Kettle may display “USDA Organic” Conventional farmers spray their plants outlined in black. with pesticides like Roundup Ready so the The foods that do read “organic” on the pests no longer find the plants desirable. labels are grown and made differently than They also use Genetically are Doritos or Captain Modified Organisms which Crunch. And believe it or means that they take the not, conventional foods DNA of a plant and change are hurting both the it so that pests who eat the environment and the conplant do not like the taste sumers who eat them. anymore.

Mrs. Gina Oh, an “The cheap cost of food is Environmental Studies paid for at the expense of teacher at East, said that your health with possible organic foods are much medical bills and the better for both human expense of the environbodies and the environment…the pesticides in ment. conventionally farmed “Monoculture and confoods have been shown to ventional farming methcause various types of canods are harming soil and cer,” Oh said. ultimately making it difBut because conventionficult for farmers to grow al farming is heavily subsihealthy crops,” she said. dized and cheaper in the A monoculture is a short run, it costs conconventional farming sumers less in the checktechnique that relies on growing a heavily con- Zoe Greenhall (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director out line and is more accessible. Organically grown centrated amount of one foods are better for people’s health and the specific plant or animal – which is health of the environment, yet it is still unhealthy. Animals are more inclined to sadly marginalized to niche consumers. get sick when a myriad of the same kind So use your power as a consumer: if you are in such close quarters. Sick animals are pay those extra fifty cents, it will be well given heavy antibiotics, allowing for harmworth it in the long run. ful bacteria to develop immunities and Eastside Staff

Page 17

Youth Lagoon sounds as wide eyed as ever on new LP

■ By Nick Mitchell (‘13) Eastside Underground Editor

Trevor Powers, otherwise known as Youth Lagoon, seeped into the realm of people’s consciousness when he released his first album, The Year of Hibernation in 2011, recorded in his own home in Boise, Idaho.

In a very interesting debut, Powers utilized haunting lo-fi sounds as a backdrop for some very personal and introspective lyrics. His naïve yet tender voice gives the lyrics an even more sincere touch, as if Powers were standing on the brink of innocence, anxious about what the foreboding future holds.

On Youth Lagoon’s new album, Wondrous Bughouse, Powers turns his attention to existential themes, including the inevitability of death, faith in the midst of tragedy and the idea of eternal life.

Even though this might seem drab and depressing, Powers retains enough courage to face his existential qualms, making the album a sweet and uplifting experience that causes listeners to curiously delve into the mysteries and realities of life – which is indeed wondrous.

Though one might expect dark tones in an album obsessed with death and tragedy, the album mostly contains ethereal beats that ripple into the listener’s ear, blossoming into bombast and retracting into calmness, extinguishing the wild sounds that rang and clatter. Some of the melodies seem like they would be playing at a demented, manic carnival, a garish sonic motif that unfortunately becomes a bit irritating to listen to after a while.

Even though a lot of the songs on Bughouse get weighed down by a menagerie of silly, colorful sounds, which becomes horribly annoying after repeated listens, they can be catchy, and Power’s songwriting dexterity shines through any faults.

This can clearly be heard

on songs like “Attic Doctor,” one of the most memorable songs on the album, which tells the tragic story of an infertile woman and the cruel wacky doctor that informs her of her infertility. The strange, catchy melody coupled with the bleak yet fantastic lyrics makes for an intriguing juxtaposition. “The doctor conceals a grin to tell her she couldn’t have babies,” Powers whelps.

On other tracks, such as “Dropla,” Powers focuses on death, repeatedly declaring, “you will never die,” as if he were naively trying to convince himself that death is not a reality.

This is all set back against the catchiest melody on the album.

Unlike The Year of Hibernation, which seems like it is heavily influenced

by Power’s surrounding area of Boise, Wondrous Bughouse seems to be

Courtesy of Time Out Chicago

Trevor Powers performs last July. inspired by an awe of the infinite abyss of space containing an uncountable number of planets, galaxies and stars. Even though there might be an occasional black hole, it doesn’t stop one from thinking about the wonderfully colored planets and nebulas that stretch across the sky.

Powers definitely took a risk with Wondrous Bughouse, and in some ways, it is an improvement over his debut – the production is more solid and Powers is able to create more intricate beats – but overall, it’s missing the honesty and sweet nostalgia that made The Year of Hibernation so enticing.

Yet with two solid – though very different – albums in his pocket, it will be interesting to see where Youth Lagoon goes from here.

COMICS Page 18

Shark Infested Waters by Shari Bodofsky (’14)/ Eastside Staff

Sleeping In Class by Joel Greenspan (’13)/ Eastside Art Director

EASTSIDE

April 2013

Humans II Birds by Joel Greenspan (’13)/ Eastside Art Director

SPECIAL April 2013

EASTSIDE

Page 19

In Memory of Mr. Charlie (Moose) Musumeci Coach.

Teacher.

Mentor.

Friend.

“I don’t know how long I have left in this life, but trust me when I tell you, kids, my spirit’s strong. I will be here forever in spirit. I might not be as Moose strong as I was, but I will always be cougar strong in my heart.”

- Mr. Musumeci in a speech at Coffee House (January 2013)

HUMOR Page 20

EASTSIDE

New “human” vending machines to arrive at East “It’s a mystery to me, ya see, cuz my fam’ly ain't complainin’ cuz we here seein’ some darn good They’ve done it again. In machines and dizzydoodles a recent press release, the and whatnot and we be wildly popular, alwaysreal real ‘cited to see what innovative H.U.M.A.N. gon’ be comin up, and we announced the creation of has these crazy peeps an entirely new way of disjust ruinin’ our fun,” pensing food. complained western CherRight on the heels of its ry Hill resident Billy first groundbreaking entry Tractor. into the food distribution Directors of Human industry, Fill Werrell, the Ethics for the company, Director of Social Media Ritt Momney and Kod and Bad Jokes for Atin, met the protestors H.U.M.A.N., released this outside, and after a few press release: “Today we are well-deserved paddlings, making history. Ten years sent them scurrying. ago we had Bob Hope, Steve “These machines need Jobs and Johnny Cash, and no batteries, they use today we are going to make what you and I use, good new Hope, ol’ water, air Jobs and Cash and food; with our mait’s incredic h i n e s bly newB.E.T.T.Y. and wave,” WerM.A.R.I.A.” rell gushed.

Fo r m e d “But yeah, with a bonethey’re defimarrow-like nitely not skeleton, and humans, lol, covered with a rofl, don’t protective call the polayer of what lice or anythey call “defithing.

Tonitely not tally legal. human skin,” Today is the these vending opposite of a creations #tbt, and speak English, and can reJenn Cha (‘13)/ Eastside Staff we’re moving forward. spond to M.A.R.I.A. serves peanuts to students.

RT if you motion, as well love Fridays.” as pokes, pushes, nudges, of the school with signs.

The new machines are gossip and allergies.

Onlookers wondered aloud set to be released from Some radicals have what the world has come the factory this upcoming minor qualms, complaining to, with people being so Friday, as the community that “humans have rights, blind to innovation. waits with bated breath. these people are humans,” ■ By Jon Levine (‘13)

Eastside Staff

and “why are you putting my mom in a box with plastic peanuts; get out of my house, you maniac,” but H.U.M.A.N. has since put these lunatics into an asylum.

In their first demonstration, B.E.T.T.Y. and M.A.R.I.A. passed with flying colors, showing an adept ability to hand students food and collect money, albeit with a few short pauses for what the company calls “excretory tune-up sessions” and “dihydrogen monoxide intake sessions.” Photographs were not allowed despite the protests from human rights activists, literally protesting outside

April 2013

Students can now earn frequent walker rewards points ■ By Joel Greenspan (‘13) Eastside Art Director

According to Cherry Hill East’s student diplomat Dennis Rodman, the Board of Education is on the verge of making another significant and completely necessary alteration to East’s daily culture.

Due to the new schedule – or as the freshmen call it, ‘the schedule’ – East students have walked a stunning 26% less this year than with the old schedule – or as the freshmen say, ‘what old schedule?’

Based on a school-wide survey, 55% of East students walk to all of their classes, 32% use a bike and 13% admitted to teleporting between classes.

In order to fix this pressing issue, the Board of Education proposed a “Walking Rewards Program” (WRP) that will encourage students to walk more than necessary in order to increase their daily walking distance.

With the WRP, students will accumulate points for every step they take, regardless of whether they are wearing pants. Students will not be penalized for riding the elevator.

Once a student reaches a certain amount of points, he/she/it will be given a reward in return. The list of rewards includes skipping a class free of charge,

getting a lunch period and a complimentary round trip to a locker of one’s choosing. In addition, there will be three levels within the WRP, which will reflect the number of points a student has accumulated over time: ‘Standard-walker,’ ‘Frequent-walker’ and ‘Sky-walker’.

According to one East administrator, “this program will bring a sense of value to bathroom trips that were once considered pointless, and will also allow students to really utilize the top-of-the-line flooring East has to offer.”

However, just like with many decisions made about East, people (who have absolute no influence on the decision) are speaking out in disapproval. A main concern regarding the WRP is that, since the program encourages students to walk more for no legitimate reason, the incentive will persuade students to disobey the “up” and “down” staircase rules that were implemented in the fall of 2012.

In response, Principal Dr. Ron O’Shmeeza publicly tweeted, “People actually follow that rule? #Iaintaboutthatlife.”

Overall, this program should bring a new ‘pace’ to student life at East.

Without a doubt, this will be a change worth walking about.

Students demand gambling corruption be “flushed” out of East ■ By Jacob Borowsky (‘16)

said, “No, I don't know the code, but I disapprove of what the teachers in there Information regarding are doing anyway. Now at the reason behind the least I know where all the locked boys’ bathroom door seniors go when they cut on the first floor of B-wing gym class. It’s the lure of has been those poker games.” released.

He continued, “Why According to can't the teachers just use an anonymous the teachers’ lounge? I source, custodimean, so few students are ans and school going in there anyway, so staff have been why waste a perfectly good participating in bathroom... It's a shame.” poker games History teacher Mr. during their Prince King said he was break periods. outraged.

No student or “Just today I've had at teacher can get least four freshmen come in without a up to me crying because password. The they needed to 'go potty.' source, also It's terrible the way this known as “Cheap gambling thing has gotten Coat,” said that out of hand. It’s starting to in addition to affect the students,” said high stakes pokKing as he collected his er games, teach400 dollars in winnings ers participate in from English teacher Ms. other gambling Fran Hallcook. shenanigans, When asked about the sometimes gamsituation, all staff involved bling the good declined comment. grades of stuSABBLO has taken dents they disaction in trying to get like and betting teachers to unlock the on which stubathroom by having 25dents will win in Brittany Nghiem (‘13)/ Eastside Photo Editor minute protests during the annual sci- A widely regarded faculty member is captured in a scandalous photograph, relating to recent- lunch/break period one. ence fair, for ly discovered gambling ring operated in the boy’s bathroom at B-Wing intersection.

Creator Jrue Giroux which—to say ('14) said, “Our protests are enough of the peaceful. Only one riot has corruption in the teachers’ boys’ bathroom has sent ed walk-out. Some stuOh well.” broken out, but since then lounge—many of them innocent students and dents, however, found it When asked about his we have continued proteststand in as judges. teachers in search for ways easier just to search for experience with the bathing, and we won’t stop “Cheap Coat” refused to to get their favorite bathanother bathroom. room, Physical Education until the bathroom is reveal the password, but room back.

Igor Topee (‘13) has teacher Mr. Tony DuFry unlocked.”

Eastside Staff

did mention that it must be translated into Morse code by knocking on the door.

Also, students over eighteen may be admitted into the gambling ring.

This unjust use of the

Some students have tried making a “Students Against the B-Wing Bathroom Lock-Out” (SABBLO) Club, running to the exits near the East Gym to participate in a coordinat-

taken to wearing waterproof pants.

Topee said, “It's moments like these when I wish I studied Morse code like my friends. I just never thought it was cool.

HUMOR April 2013

EASTSIDE

Page 21

Fashion four-words: Buy This Right Now Two of Cherry Hill East’s best-dressed arbiters of fashion tell you what’s in this season.

■ By Zoe Greenhall (‘13) and Angie Nguyen (‘13) Eastside Art Director and Eastside Photo Editor

The top two leading fashion experts of Cherry Hill East have much to say about next season’s look for any budding fashionistas and fash-ists.

Hawaiian print shirts: Your dreams of being a worldtravelling cool-dad can be fulfilled now with a nice-lookin’, tight-fittin’ Hawaiian print shirt. Just head to your local Tommy Bahama store, where quality shirts suited for Six teachers earn twenty bohemian lifestyles are born. Popular patterns include pink flamingos and days of lunch detention pineapples. for using cell phones durOveralls or ing the March 8 in-servDungarees: ice.

We’ve got you covered.

Literally.

East set to join SEC in From head-to-toe 2016 for chess. in a non-repelling bib and trouser “Naked” becomes the offidenim hybrid. You cial drink of seniors who don’t have to be a did not buy class apparel. train conductor to wear this piece, Winter now considered but you’ll definiteoutdated. ly be on-track.

Brittany Nghiem (‘13)/ Eastside Photo Editor Fedoras: A fine, Senioritis spreads into Dave Holley (‘15) flaunts a hella chill felt fedoh-doh will Class of 2014. cool-dad getup. go perfectly with a tough-guy ‘tude.

Canadian now taught at Don’t be surprised when you're hangin' with your bros and East, along with get mistaken for Indiana Jones or Jason Mraz. Goes well Brazilian and Egyptian. with a popped-collar polo, electrifying neon shoes and reflective aviators. Scientific fact: It is a scientific fact that while East parking lot set to wearing a fedora, 99% of the people in your environment will host monster truck rally. avoid you. Probably because they’re thinking, “I’m not good enough to hang out with that guy.”

Teacher parks in stuWearing clothes backwards: Made popular by the dent’s spot; no one influential hip-hop duo Kriss Kross, this dank trend of wearnotices. ing the clothing articles on your human canvas backwards is growing fast like a newly bought Mr. T Chia pet. Now that’s To maximize efficiency, what we call original streetwear (take that, “Urban” spring blood drive opens Outfitters). new drive-thru.

Gaucho pants: It’s a s k i r t !

T h e y ’ r e capris! No, w a i t . . . they’re gauchos! Pants so ill-fitting never looked so stylish.

Travel back to your elementary school days, p a i r i n g these badboys with a matching Tshirt and

trainers to get the full fourth grade look. Yes, something so bad can be soooo good.

Jncos: Judge None, Choose One: Just as intimidating as they are girth-concealing, Jncos (pronounced “Jenco”) are phat must-haves for any selfrespecting, trend-setting tween, teen and everything in between. And remember: kids don’t just YOLO, JNCO. Dickies: Have you ever wondered how to achieve the turtle-neck-underbrightly-colored-sweater look? Well, Dickies can solve all of your layering needs.

Dickies, or the detachable shirt front, will provide you with the elite Star TrekBrittany Nghiem (‘13)/ Eastside inspired look without crossPhoto Editor ing the line of too many lay- Fred Durst (‘13) won’t ers. Channel your inner leave the house without William Shatner and pull off his JNCOs. this ‘70s fashion trend.

Fisherman Hats: Fintastic! Look no further for the ayecatching trend, fisherman hats! Keep the sun out of your eyes while looking like an old man ready to catch a flounder with this one-of-a-kind look. Tighten the neck strap for ultimate support.

Add tackle pieces and fisherman paraphernalia to really reel in the babes.

Members Only jackets: You best believe that nothing says, “I’m hip, stylish and a part of a members only club” more than a hip, stylish Members Only jacket. But be on the lookout, these can only be found at the finest highend secondhand stores.

Hats on Hats on Hats: Wearing a hat on top of a hat on top of a hat?! That’s THREE TIMES the swag of ONE hat! This trend is for serious fashionistas only. Tip: let the world know you bought all three of your hats at a reputable Angie Nguyen (‘13)/ Eastside Photo vendor and leave the holoEditor graphic stickers on for Dylan Fingerman (‘13) hasn’t that extra edge and worn a frontward pant since authenticity. Remember: he first heard Kriss Kross’s you’re no poser!

“Jump” in 1992.

Croc-a-style done-deal

■ By Nicole Grant (‘16)

For Eastside

Fashion alert! Mixing polka dot button downs with plaid skirts is out and Crocs are in! Everyone’s favorite shoe is in style for the 2013 spring fashion season. Recently, students have expressed some surprise at seeing the school’s main trendsetters rock their Crocs as students walk through the halls of East.

Ms. Matched, the Coin Cleaning teacher at East, was recently spotted wearing a pair of neon green knee-high socks with a pair of hot pink Crocs.

“She’s got style!” said Giana Jerome (’15). “I wish I could look that good, but all I have are these boring black ones. When I saw her the other day, all I could do was stop, stare and laugh with awe at her amazing style.”

The boys’ paper football team wore matching Crocs in team colors.

The captain even bought his Crocs personalized with his number painted across the front in gold.

When asked to comment, captain James Lerocce (‘13) said, “I couldn’t find the right jibbitz for them, so I figured paint would do. They are going to help us put a real dent in West’s school spirit!”

A plan is in the works by East’s school store to begin selling Crocs, too, although it had originally planned to sell the knock-off brand, Gators.

“Lucky for us, instead of selling the wannabe knock-offs, they are selling the true blue thing!” said SGA president George Willowbee (‘13).

East has reportedly pre-sold over three-hundred pairs; students and teachers continue to rush to place orders. With this huge boom on Croc love at East, it seems that Crocs will be rising higher and higher in popularity not only at East, but in all of Cherry Hill. If this trend is anything like the Sketcher craze of ‘09, within a month one will not walk down the street without seeing this returning trend.

SPORTS Page 22

EASTSIDE

April 2013

Baseball team looks to pitchers to lead the way in 2013

Photos by Angie Pacitti (‘13)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Alex Dimpter (‘13), Zach Lang (‘13), Joe Caprice (‘13), Mike Brambilla (‘14) and Nick offs, Dimpter’s sophomore While he looks forward ■ By Greg Frank (‘13) year, he tossed a no-hitter to personal success in the Eastside Sports Editor against the number-one future, Dimpter also For the last three years, seed in the South Jersey believes this will be a sucthe Cherry Hill East baseGroup IV tournament, cessful year for the whole ball team has been able to Washington Township. A team. qualify for the NJSIAA staple in the pitching staff “I would say whatever playoffs; however, in those for most of his three seasons they failed to time at East, advance past the second Dimpter feels round. as if he has If the Cougar baseball grown imteam is to make a deep run mensely in his in the postseason this seatenure as a son, it will need big perCougar.

He formances from their pitchharbors aspiraers, all of whom have had tions of pitchtheir fair share of high ing at the collegiate level. we have to do to win,” school pitching experience “I’ve definitely learned Dimpter said. “Our pitchand will need to step up to what it takes to become a ing staff has great potenthe next level for optimal college pitcher from my tial and we have great results for the Cougars on time at East. I was surteam chemistry.” the diamond this spring. rounded by coaches who all Good team chemistry One pitcher who will have played college basecan go a long way in high carry a heavy load of ball, which is great because school sports, as a closeresponsibility this season they’ve been there knit group of teammates is Alex Dimpter (’13). It’s already,” said Dimpter, who that know they won’t be safe to say Dimpter is a looks to continue to learn together much longer can seasoned veteran when it in his final season at East sometimes become a very comes to going up against and hopes to make a sucdangerous group of athhigh school baseball comcessful transition to college letes. petition. In the 2011 playbaseball.

Zach Lang (’13) is anoth-

DiEva (‘14) will be among East’s top pitchers. er pitcher who will have an “If I can throw strikes integral role in the baseand help the team, then ball team’s success this that’s all the success I’m season. Nick DiEva (’14) looking for right now,” he will also see a lot of said. innings this spring, and While that is obviously Mike Brambilla (’14), Joe easier said than done, Caprice Lang figures to be right in (’13), Ross the middle of things should Peterzell the baseball team win a lot (’14) and of games this season.

Kyle Bigley While a good pitching (’13) will be staff always needs run supon the hill port, this year’s East pitchfrom time to ing staff might be able to time all seawin with minimal offensive son. help. But there are always Lang is loaded with congames in a baseball season fidence about all the arms that don’t quite fit the the Cougars will send out norm; maybe that will be to the mound this year. the case for the Cougars “I think we have a pitchthis year as well. ing staff right now that can As Dimpter said, whateasily compete with any ever needs to be done to school in South Jersey,” he win—if Dimpter, Lang and said. “We have talent.” the rest of the seniors on Lang takes a rather simthis year’s team can manplistic, yet important age to find different ways approach on his expectato win games, then the tions for his own performbaseball players in the ance when he is to toe the Class of 2013 should be rubber this season. able to go out with a bang.

“We have a pitching staff right now that can easily compete with any school in South Jersey. We have talent.”

-Zach Lang (‘13)

Hank Davis, while balancing two sports, chooses one for the college level ■ By Connor Milligan (‘13)

beneficial. It can lead to further said Davis, “and to become really development of certain skills and good at one sport, I needed to attributes. Whether this is choose one to focus on.”

R e c e n t l y, a mental attribute or a Although Davis is excited about Cherry Hill East’s physical attribute, one the opportunity to play at La Salle Hank Davis (’13) sport may complement the University, he acknowledges that committed to La other and improve he will need Salle University the individual as an to put in a lot Davis’s Ranks: to play basketball. athlete. of hard work Davis was a cap“It’s definitely and be fully tain for this year’s helped,” said Davis. - Number One singles committed to basketball team “Tennis has helped a tennis player past success at and played a critilot with my footwork two years. the next cal role in leading for basketball.” level. the Cougars to a Participating in - Three years of varsi“I might 17-7 record and a more than one sport not get the playoff berth. also allows Davis to ty basketball. full college Davis was also get a taste of each experience,” selected to partici- Four years of varsity said Davis, game. pate in the Al “I love playing dif- tennis. who realizes Carino All-Star ferent sports,” said a majority of Game, which Davis. “It changes time will - South Jersey Al his takes place at things up.” be spent Rutgers-Camden.

Davis acknowl- Carino All-Star and either in the The All-Star game edges that he had Player of the Week for classroom or is made up of 30 considered playing basketball. on the basbasketball players ketball court.

Angie Pacitti (‘13)/ Eastside Photo Editor tennis at La Salle chosen from all Davis has committed to LaSalle basketball, a D1 program. University. However, H o w e v e r, across South he came to the conclusion Davis is willing to make these sacJersey. who ranked as the number one sinthat basketball will take up most of rifices to continue playing a game Although many people know gles player on East’s team last his time, making it very difficult to he loves.

Davis for his work on the basketyear. participate in both. It is very rare Davis has certainly found sucball court, he has also found sucDavis’s father played tennis at that an athlete can continue to cess as an athlete at Cherry Hill cess on the tennis court. He is La Salle and has clearly had an play two sports at the collegiate East through tennis and basketentering his fourth season on influence on his son’s performance level, so eventually Davis had to ball, and looks to carry on that sucCherry Hill East’s Varsity tennis on the court. choose one or the other—he chose cess to the next level at La Salle team and has played a prominent Playing multiple sports like basketball.

University as a freshman next role on the team each year.

Davis does can prove to be very “I like playing basketball better,” year.

Eastside Staff

“I started playing tennis a lot when I was younger,” said Davis,

SPORTS April 2013

EASTSIDE

Page 23

Golf season swings into action with high hopes ■ By Nick Ciocco (‘14) Eastside Staff

The East golf team looks to start fresh this season with a team of mainly underclassmen. Although the golf team is very different from the other sports offered at East, the team shares more similarities to other East teams than most students would assume.

The golf team is coached by Mr. Ryan James, who will be entering his eighth season as head coach. The team practices four days a week at Merchantville Country Club, the new home course for the Cougars, starting this season.

James said that there is a limited amount of people he is allowed to take depending upon what course at which they are practicing. The team usually has a roster consisting of twelve people, but what most people do not know is that golf is the only co-ed varsity sport offered at Cherry Hill East.

The matches are played in a six-versus-six format, and the golfers from each school go out to the pitch in foursomes. Each team plays nine holes under USGA rules and the rules of the course at which the match is being played. There are no electron-

ic devices allowed on the course during the match and there are no officials needed during the match. With the

Just like the other varsity sports teams at East, the golf team plays in Group Four of the Olympic Conference.

H o w e v e r, playoffs for golf are quite different from the other varsity sports; a team can qualify for playoffs as a whole or a golfer can qualify for playoffs as an individual. “ I t ’ s kind of like tennis,” s a i d James.

In order to qualify for playoffs, the Photo courtesy of Brant Edmonds (‘13) team must Brant Edmonds (‘13) lines up a shot during prac- h a v e tice. played five rounds of players governing themgolf shooting four over par or selves, they are trusted to better. The only other way to play fairly. Once the match is qualify for playoffs is to have over, the top four scores out of an overall sixty percent winthe six golfers from each team ning percentage by the cutoff. are tallied up and whoever Sectionals are played as a has the lower score wins. team, and States can be

played either as a team or individuals can qualify for states.

In James’s first year as head coach, the team was led by a female athlete. In the past few years, the team has been very good, winning the Olympic Conference two out of the last three years and keeping a 9-2 record in the conference last year.

Last season, the team was 16-3 overall and won the Camden County Tournament for the third straight year.

The team also won the Olympic Conference Tournament the past three years.

“It’s a young year, and people will get an opportunity to play,” said James.

Despite the lack of experience and the team consisting of mainly juniors and sophomores, captain Billy Spitzer (’14) has high expectations for the upcoming season.

“I expect a winning record and qualifying for sectionals as a team,” said Spitzer.

“Personally I want to make first or second team all conference.”

Although this is a relatively inexperienced team, the team plans on starting fresh and getting the younger players experience so they can lead for the years to come.

“Fore” fun golf facts: ---------------1. Golf is East’s only coed sport.

2. The team must adhere to each course’s dress code in order to play.

3. This year, the team practices at Merchantville Country Club, moving from the Woodcrest Country Club.

4. The golf team has won two of the last four conference championships, finishing with a 16-3 record.

Digneo set to lead softball team ■ By Mike Reisman (‘13) Eastside Sports Editor

Digneo also took a different approach to delegating leadership roles on the team, asking all of the seniors to step up and lead instead of

After finishing a season with a 515 record, it is hard for any team to be optimistic the following year. It is even harder as the coach of that team going into the season not knowing any of the players. And remaining optimistic after a bad season and not knowing any players in a coach’s first year as a head coach, is nearly impossible.

Cherry Hill East’s new softball coach, Ms. Stephanie Digneo, has big plans for the school’s softball team, looking to make it more competitive than teams in recent history. All of which, she hopes, will start at practice.

“Our practices are very structured to the minute.

We try to cover hitting, base-running and fielding Andi Leff (‘14)/ Eastside Staff every day and just bring intensity every day,” Digneo Coach Digneo instructs the team during a said.“I don’t know what it practice in the East Gym. was like before I got here, but I’m just trying to bring the strucnaming captains. ture and intensity that I’m used to “We didn’t do captains, we have our playing with here.” seniors leading and a strong junior Digneo, a current Beck math class to support them,” she said. “I teacher and East assistant basketball need all of them to lead. There are coach, was an award-winning softball only four of them, so I figured if I put player in college at Lehigh University them all in a leadership role, I have a and recently spent time as an assisbetter shot of them leading.” tant coach for the Cherry Hill West While Digneo may not have all the softball team. With a new, more diffianswers to turn the softball team into cult practice schedule, Digneo a state champion overnight, she cerexpects, at the very least, an improvetainly has the attitude necessary to ment from last season. create a strong core for the team and “The only thing I can ask for is that build a successful program in the the attitude as a team is positive, that near future. we improve and that we’re competi“Our theme for this year is ‘raising tive,” she said. “I want the softball the bar,’” she said. “So I think that it’s team to be respected because I feel time for Cherry Hill East softball to like, in the past, around the league raise the bar and be competitive.”

East softball has not been respected.”

SPORTS April 2013

EASTSIDE

Page 24

A look through the years at the coaching career of Mr. Karl Moehlmann Mr. Karl Moehlmann has been East Boys’ Soccer coach since 1989 and is the only person to coach Boys’ Volleyball in the history of Cherry Hill East, having coached since 1994. As Moehlmann plans on retiring at the end of this school year, Eastside decided to get in touch with former players from both the Boys’ Volleyball team and Boys’ Soccer team.

Eric Zaun (‘11)

Scott Mooney (‘98)

A look at the Moehlmann era: - As Boys’ Soccer Head Coach from 1989-2012, Moehlmann’s teams compiled a cumulative record of 272-139-34, which is a .667 winning percentage.

- His soccer teams won a total of nine Olympic Conference championships, two of which were co-championships and the other seven were won outright.

- Moehlmann coached Mark Lewis (‘98), who holds the school’s single season record for goals with 27.

Courtesy of Philly.com

Zaun owns school records for most kills in a single match with 27, and most career kills with 757 in his time at East. He became the first recruited volleyball player from Cherry Hill East in 2011 and is now a sophomore playing at Limestone College in South Carolina.

Coach Moehlmann is the best coach that I have ever had in any sport. Moehlmann taught me so much more than just the game of volleyball. He guided me and helped me to become a better competitor and a better person.

Moehlmann will do anything to help his players succeed in any aspect of their sport or their lives. He has motivated me to work extremely hard to become the player that I am today, and I would not be the same athlete without him.

My main goal for my senior season was helping Moehlmann to become the first coach in South Jersey to reach 300 wins. It was such an amazing feeling to be a part of Moehlmann getting his 300th win because he deserved it so much. I still talk to and keep in contact with Coach Moehlmann, and he will be a family friend for the rest of our lives.

Adam Scott (‘97)

Courtesy of Scott Mooney

Mooney was a part of all three of the state championships the Boys’ Volleyball team won from 19961998. Mooney has stayed connected with Cherry Hill East volleyball, as he is now the Girls’ Head Coach and sometimes drops in to the DiBart Gym to practice with the boys’ team.

I know we are prone to hyperbole regarding such things, but I can say without reservation that Coach Moehlmann has been the single most important educator to impact my life. I say "educator" because the term "coach" does not encompass his sphere of influence, which extends well beyond athletics. Coach Moehlmann taught me to set lofty goals and, more importantly, the art of preparation required to achieve those goals. He taught me to be humble in victory and resilient in defeat. He taught me to live my life with passion and confidence. I will always be grateful that I had the opportunity to call him my coach, my mentor and, most of all, my friend.

Scott played soccer from 1994-1997 as a goalkeeper.

He was also a part of the 1996 and 1997 state championship volleyball teams as a middle blocker and is seen left holding the 1997 state championship trophy.

It's been almost 20 years since I have suited up for Coach Moehlmann. If I close my eyes, I can still see him jumping up and down on the sidelines. I can still Courtesy of Adam Scott hear him chanting tzicka tzaka in the pre-game huddle. I can still picture him living and dying with every play. Some of my best memories of high school are on his field and court, taking direction and learning leadership from this man.

These images and sounds, forever emblazoned on my psyche, continue to inspire me to emulate his passion in life, career, and on the sidelines, as I now coach my son's youth soccer team.

- The only South Jersey Group IV Championship his teams won came in 1998, when the Boys’ Soccer team posted an outstanding 19-2-2 record.

- Boys’ Volleyball went seven years since the beginning of the program in 1994 before losing to a South Jersey opponent.

Moehlmann’s volleyball teams won their first 107 South Jersey matches before finally losing to Cherry Hill West on April 5, 2001.

- From 1996-1998 the Boys’ Volleyball team three-peated as State Champions. Their combined record in those three years was 62-4.

- In each of Moehlmann’s first seven years coaching volleyball, the boys team won the Olympic Conference.

- Boys’ Volleyball got to 100 wins in only its sixth season.

On April 15, 1999, the team defeated Eastern to achieve the milestone victory.

Mike Randall (‘10) Randall was a varsity soccer goalkeeper for Moehlmann and has continued to man the net in the collegiate level at Rutgers Camden, where he is currently a junior.

My time with Moehlmann was critical in helping me become the Courtesy of player I am today.

He athletics.camden.rutgers.edu instilled into all of us a never-quit mentality that is continually helpful to all of us both on and off the field.

In my last year at East, he was able to fit each player’s individual talents into the tactical scheme he is well-known for, and really help us make a run at a title, which the kids this year were able to accomplish for him. Most of all, I thank Coach Moehlmann for allowing me to continue to be a part of helping this team develop each pre-season, even though my time playing for him has passed.

- Moehlmann began and ended his Cherry Hill East varsity soccer coaching career with Coaches Cup Championships. In 1989 East played Shawnee to a 0-0 draw in the final and was named co-champion of the tournament and just this past fall, in his final season, East defeated Moorestown 1-0 to win the Coaches Cup.

- Moehlmann’s 200th volleyball win came on May 8, 2004 against St. Peter’s Prep and his 300th against Clearview on May 19, 2011.

- Cherry Hill East has the most victories in Boys’ Volleyball in South Jersey, entering this season with an all-time record of 318-100.

Eastern is second, but is 14 wins behind.

Angie Pacitti (‘13)/ Eastside Photo Editor

This year’s Boys’ Volleyball season will be the last one for Moehlmann, who has surely left his mark on the Cherry Hill East community.

- In its 19-year history, the Boys’ Volleyball team has never had a losing season.