Eastside: May 2010

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 43 No. 11

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

May 2010

Abigail Ace Adeah Agnes Aidan Aja Ajay Akshay Albion Alice Amber Ananth Anar ■ By Sari Soffer (‘10) Arun Ashtyn Atdhetar Autreen Avery Avra Andre Angie Anton Aoife Arish Arjun There are 20 Michaels/ Avram Ayesha Ayja Bailey Barbara Bela Benaiah Benson Bernard Bin BirenM Blaire If ever found in the difficult situation where you are alone Mikes in the M o o d a hallway with a familiar face whose name you just cani cCalvin Blaise Blake Blaze Brant innot Brenna Brenton Briana Bridget Caileen Caley h a eyl U.S. House of remember, Eastside has made it easy for you: go with s Represent“Michael” or “Sara(h)” and you Chandani can’t go wrong. (Well, you’re Min Camilla Candence Carey Carissa Cassidy Chan Charity Cheyenne going to be wrong 96 percent of the time, but the odds atives. increaseColin if you can decipher whetherConnie the face is of a boy or a Chun Claudia Clayton Cole Colton Cora Craig Daehan Dahlia girl.) Investigations have found that Michael is the most male nameDalton at East, while Sara(h) takes the lead for Darvin Dar’va Davina Daijjah’Nov Dailyn Daishicommon Dakota Dante Darby females. With exactly 49 Michaels and 31 Sara(h)s roaming their halls, EastDil students most likelyDitmar hear these twoDolores names Dawei Debajvoti Dhara Dharma Dilara Dong Ah Dong Ki hollered often in between classes. But don’t feel left out if name isn’t as trendy: there are Emin actually 442 students at Erin Esteban Euino Eun Dong Mee Dor Dov Eafenyour Eithymia Eitan Eli Erdong East who have a unique name. Displayed in the background of this page are some of the many exclusive monikers Chong Eunice Eve Ezra Fangel Felix Fiona Frances FrantzthatFung Galilee Gamsa Gavi East students are known by. Whether you are one of many or a proud individualist, take a look at the featured Michaels Goonja Gowri Graham Gavin Genevieve Georgette Gianni Gino Giselle Golan and Sara(h)s who are proud of their popular first name.

Griffin Guilherme Gun Woo Hae In Hai Hamlet Hannen Hao Happy HarleenHasan Heather Helen Hima Hishaam Hoon Hone Hsaioan Hyo name Michael Ihoong The Ilse Irene Iris Iryna Isaac hasIndia ranked secondJagwinder on the U.S. Isaiah Jada Jamil Jamilte Social Security's Office Janaireof theJaney Jean Jehan Jerry Jesse Chief Actuary’s list of the most popular Jherinames Jiaxin Jinyun Jonel Jonessa given at birth in the U.S. for theJuliet past A Look into the Joon Ho Kabir Karan eight years .

One Mike.

Two Mikes.

Big Mike.

Blue Mike.

Future Katarzyna Katrina Kayla Kayleigh Keaton Kelta Kellar Kiara Kieran Kirkland Kiyara The most popular male baby name in 2009 was Kobi Kolbi Komal Konstantin Aiden/Aidan/Aden, while most popular female Kou Krishna Krupa Jose Judah Judy Kurt Kyra La Bree Lajia the Lalitha Latifah baby name in 2009 was Isabella/Izabella, Lawrence Leandro Leanna Lee Lee Anne Leemar Leena Lenore Leonard Leonid according to www.babycenter.com.

Lexus Lillian Logan Loisa Lokesh Lona Loraie Loren Maari Mackenzie Manmeet Margarita Marlee Marlo Martin Martina Mary Mary-Luisa Mason Maureen May Mehak Melody Memet Memoona Meredith Mickey Mika Mikir Miles Min Ju Minda Ming Mohammed Moshe Moya Muhammad Murrell Myung SubNadja Nagyeeng Namaran Nana Nancy Naomi Nasir Natajia Navjit Naveli Neil Nelly Ni Nia Nikhil Nikita Nina Nitya Nkochinyel Nneoma Noopur Noy Nubaira Nul Nuru Nyla Obiechina Omer Omolara Oriconoel Oruny Osbourne Patrice Paulina Paulomi S ial l(yh ) s Pavan S a r Philana Prashasti Preet Priscilla Priyank Rachelle Radha Raiyan Rajan Randall Ravin Reetu Reid Reuben Richard Rishikumar Ronny Rowan Roy Russell Saanya was the #1 Saki Saly SamaraSarah Sanuella Sandra Sang Sang-Yun Sanice Sari Sasha Seanna Sedem most common in action...

Selima Selli Sergei Shannaz ShajohnSarah Shalan Shaparis Shareen Shari Sharon Shaylin name in Brussels, Belgium andSherin Sherry Shira Shirel Shiri Shisha Shriva Shuchao Sheena Shelby Shelly Shera 2009.

Shuhao Shujosh Iceland ShuvoinShyam Siani Simone Siona So Mang Somya Sonia Stacey Stanley Summer Sung Min Sung Won Susan Susanna Susie Suzanne Syde Sylvia Synise Taek Taj Talia Tamir Tammy Tanisha Tarajee Tarek Tashea Tatanashe Terrell Terrence Tezita Thasin Theologia Thorton Tianai Tiara Tina Toby Tommy Tony Travis Trinh Tu Tyreek Tysheria Tytreese Uchenna Ui Yun Valentina Vanessa Victor Vira Wanisha Wen Wendy Wesley Wilson Winnie Woei Won Joung Xenobia Yael Yan Yaodag Yarden Yazlane Ye Yen-Chin Yoo Jung Yoonsie You Eun Young-ju Yu Yunfei Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Courtesy of www.house.gov

From the top: Mike Anderson (‘13), Mr. Mike Dappalone, Mike Simunek (‘13)

From the left: Michael “Mick” Londres (‘10), Mike Chang (‘11), Mike Hseih (‘10), Mike Wolf (‘10) and Mike Block (‘13)

Courtesy of statbel.fgov

From the top: Sarah Kolbe (‘11), Sarah Chang (‘10) and Sara Rausch (‘11) All photos by Sari Soffer (‘10)/Eastside Editor-in-Chief and Julie Coben (‘11)/Eastside Community Editor

Inside This Issue

Silly Bandz make a name for themselves News/Features, pg. 2

Sarah Gurkin (‘10) plays Varsity basketball for Cherry Hill East.

The girls’ basketball team has been lucky to have a Sarah on its courts for four years!

Photo courtesy of Sarah Gurkin (‘10).

The sun: namely harmful?

Special, pgs. 8-9

Sara Rodriguez (‘10) has been dancing since the age of three, but only became serious about ballet at thirteen. She studies with trainers from Ballet Austin and the Bolshoi in Russia.

Look closely at the program at your next show because it may be starring Sara!

Photo courtesy of Sara Rodriguez (‘10).

Drug wars give Mexico a bad name Global Commentary, pg. 13

NEWS/FEATURES Page 2

EASTSIDE

May 2010

More than wraps: the faces behind the counter ■ By Jack Braunstein (‘13)

ing stores such as 16 Plus, counter in Cafeteria One. pare dishes, such as pudCharles Shop and Fashion Nearby is Suly Abreu, ding, to be sold during the Mode, which required her who works at the cash regday. Then they have four It is a shame that the to travel from New York ister in Cafeteria Two. hours of cooking ahead of majority of conversations City to Philadelphia conAbreu, an avid seamstress them, making the food for between Cherry Hill East stantly. who formerly worked at a all of East students’ lunch students and the cafeteria “I enjoyed it, but it was company that made ribperiods. At around 1:15 workers consist of invery fast-paced and stressbons, now spends time at p.m., they pack up and quiries into what type of ful,” said Ingrassia.

East and with her two chilhead home around 2 p.m. meat they want in their She now works the dren.

For most cafeteria workgrilled wraps at lunch. snack stand in the main ers, East is more than Though most stuhallway, which is popujust a job. dents are unaware, lar for students on the “The cafeteria some of the Aramark run. The job is perfect workers really get to employees have infor her because she can know the kids,” said triguing résumés in spend more time being Anne King, Assistant which the student body her children’s “personal Food Service Director might be interested. taxi driver.” She has for the district of Mrs. Zubah Kabochi, three children, and her Cherry Hill. “I can’t who makes wraps at eldest daughter, Chrisstress enough how the counter in Cafetina Ingrassia (‘13), is a much they care.” teria One, once owned freshman at East.

Shaffa Aziz, who a restaurant called Ingrassia is a hardcore works the register in House of Pizza with hockey fan.

Cafeteria One, said, her family for 35 “I do everything,” “When I’m not here, I Ben Taylor (‘11)/ Eastside Staff years. This Pennsau- Cafeteria One worker, Zubah Kabochi, Dorothy “Dot” Schatzle, miss the kids. They ken restaurant served awaits students to pick the fillings of another lunch worker, Ben Taylor (‘11)/ Eastside Staff are like my own kids.” all types of Italian cui- their wraps. said with a chuckle. Zubah Kabochi serves a student a Hopefully this artisine. It even had an “I’m very versatile.” cle has provided you wrap. additional area called The watch movies in his free Schatzle is a selfwith enough ice Capri Room, where salads time; his favorite is described “whack-job,” and Altogether, these cafetebreakers so that the stuand other traditional Terminator 2. loves to relax, spend time ria workers have very busy dent-cafeteria worker relaItalian dishes were freshly Moving along, Dawn with her family and have a schedules: they come in at tionship doesn’t have to served. Kabochi gave up Ingrassia formerly worked laugh with her co-workaround seven in the mornstop at “Do you ownership when her husas an apparel-buyer for ers. Schatzle can be ing on every school day to want peppers band fell ill. clothfound behind the wrap p r e with that?”

Eastside Staff

Michael Beuford, another Aramark employee, makes the pizzas every morning and works the deli in Cafeteria Two. Beuford used to work in food service for a very demanding law firm.

Beauford is 45, although he is usually mistaken as much younger. He loves to

Art by Jasmine Hwang (‘12)/ For Eastsde

East’s new trend: Silly Bandz ■ By Gabrielle Kains (‘12) Eastside Staff

Fads are always changing, especially in the halls of Cherry Hill High School East. Every few weeks there is something new that has all

While as of right now, Silly Bandz are very popular, “[This trend] will probably last until the summer,” said Catherine Chung (‘12).

For $4.95 (plus tax), a 24-pack can be purchased, allowing anyone

Rebecca Mulberg (‘12)/ Eastside Staff

The elephant is a common silly band found on and off students’ wrists at East. to “Collect ‘em, wear ‘em, the rage. [and] trade ‘em,” just like The newest must-have their slogan suggests. items are Silly Bandz.

Silly Bandz can be Silly Bandz are colorbought online at www. ful rubber band bracelets sillybandz.com or at made from silicone that stores in Cherry Hill form various shapes such as Five Below, CVS, when taken off the wrist.

Hallmark or Walgreen’s.

They come in a large Be aware, though: many assortment of colors, and stores are sold out of their shapes vary from this new, popular trend farm animals to the as it is reaching kids of alphabet to a princess all ages. and her accessories.

Poetry Slam smacks East ■ By Hailey Edelstein (‘12) Eastside Online News Editor

Peter Gambino.

Zach Siegel (‘11), one of Demogorgon’s editorsin-chief, said, “Demogor-

gon feels that the main purpose of writing is for communication, and with the Slam, we hope to

April, National Poetry M o n t h , p r o b r o u g h t vide a East’s love of place poetry to the where student body s t u in one enterdents taining event. c a n The annual share Poetry Slam, their hosted by feelDemogorgon, i n g s East’s litera n d ary magapoetry zine, took openly place on April Leena Lari (‘12)/ Eastside Staff w i t h 30.

The event Mr. Gagliardi and Mr. Gambino host the poetry slam as stu- t h e school.” ran all day dents respond enthusiastically. long in the library. Each period, different writers read some of their own poetry. Teachers, especially English teachers, were encouraged to bring their students to the Slam during their classes to give students a chance to hear or perform poetry.

Judges at the event were members of Demogorgon. They chose one winner to win issues of Demogorgon to encourage him/her to keep writing and sharing poetry.

The main difference this year from last year’s Slam was the emcees. While the previous poetry slams were hosted by poet Lamont Dixon (his stage name is Napalm Da Bomb), the emcees this year were English teachers Mr. Greg Gagliardi and Mr.

NEWS/FEATURES May 2010

EASTSIDE

Budget cuts and board changes For the past few months, the Board of Education and the AdJungwon ministraByun (‘10) Board of tion have Education Rep. been hard at work dealing with the devastating reductions in state aid this year. Every week there was a Board meeting: the regular work session and action meetings on the second and fourth of every month were joined by the regular public budget meetings.

Originally, the Board proposed over a million dollars in cuts at the high school level–eliminating extra-curricular activities, faculty positions and various stipends. Students from all different backgrounds of the East community rose to the occasion and spoke up to defend their programs, organizing Facebook groups or attending meetings with their teams. The past meetings have been filled with passionate members of the Cherry Hill community voicing their opinions as Board members struggled to accommodate everyone’s wants. They were considerate enough to hold a

budget forum between Cherry Hill East and West students, where representatives from sports, theater and other extracurricular departments gathered to advocate for their favorite programs.

Meetings lasted up to midnight at times and, during spring break, some of the board members voted while on vacation through the phone. By the time the final budget was proposed, almost all of the programs students de-fended were restored in exchange for a four percent tax levy.

Unfortunately, the budget did not pass on April 20. At this point, the budget will be submitted to the Town Council, which will only have the authority to cut programs from the budget.

As the year comes to a close, so do my and Julia Susuni’s terms. A new Board of Education Student Representative, Jon Silverstone, will be elected to sit alongside the also newly-elected members Mr. Steve Robbins, Ms. Lynette Howard and Ms. Sherrie Cohen.

We are also sad to see Mrs. Lisa Conn and Dr. Ken Hartman leave, but it has been an honor serving with them and the other members for a year.

Page 3

East students show who’s boss at DECA ■ By Darby Festa (‘13)

Eastside Staff

First, regionals. Then, states. And after that, Nationals. This is the process that forty Cherry Hill East students completed last month.

These students are members of DECA, an international high school business competition in which students compete in marketing and other business-related events.

Yes, forty East students qualified for the Nationals round. According to Ms. Peggy Hager, a business teacher, the number of qualifying students continues to increase each year.

In fact, forty students is the highest number to qualify in the past 11 years.

Mr. Greg DeWolf, a business teacher at East, said the students select a marketing event and then compete in a written test and a role-play, which is a presentation made before judges describing marketing ideas. However, students can also compete by writing a research paper.

“Some [papers] are 11 pages and some are thirty pages, and they are research papers, or entrepreneurship plans,” DeWolf said.

Ananth Kumar (‘11), who made it to Nationals

by ranking second at States in the advertising campaign event, said, “[For states], you go on a bus and head to the [Cherry Hill] Plaza. That evening, you take a written test for one hour and 15 minutes and after that is the opening ceremony.”

The test is a package test, which tests the students on many types of businesses, according to Jason Warren (‘11), who competed in Hospitality Services with his partner, Matt Bogdonoff (‘11).

The next morning, the students give their presentations or participate in a role-play in front of a judge. The best ten then compete against each other one more time.

In the advertising campaign event, the two teams with the highest scores qualify for Nationals. Their final score is an average of the presentation or roleplay score and the test score.

East students placed in many events, such as the online stock market game.

DeWolf said, “We’ve had some kids qualify for the third straight year in the DECA stock challenge, in which they go online and they trade stocks with fake money.”

According to Andrew Soll (‘13), who competed in the stock challenge, the top

25 competitors for the stock game qualify for Nationals. Soll’s team placed 26th. However, it was discovered that a qualifying team had cheated, so Soll and his partners were able to go to Nationals.

DeWolf said, “It’s a fun experience. You have a lot of teenagers from across America, as well as a few other countries, like Canada, Germany and Puerto Rico...It’s really competitive.”

The students at Nationals are not only competing for first place, but for scholarships as well.

“You can get scholarships, trophies and just the recognition that your hard work has paid off.

There’s some real world experience with talking to judges that are adults from the fields of business and they give you good feedback on everything,” DeWolf said.

According to DeWolf, students received scholarships at state level as well, but only from certain schools and companies that offer them.

At Nationals in Kentucky, 23 students were named finalists and six students finished in the top three. Go to eastsideonline.org for the list.

Medal by Alex Feldman (‘11)/ Eastside Business Manager

Teacher to Feature: Mr. Howard ■ By Avra Bossov (‘11) Eastside News/Features Editor

still as to what course he wanted to take in his life.

That course ended up leading to graduate school for education at the University of Pennsylvania, which ultimately led to his being a part of the East community.

Howard began working as a teacher at East in 2000. His first impression was that East was “pleas-

Hopping on desks, soccer scarves, engaging discussions of historical information—these are some images students can identify with Mr. Tom Howard, history teacher at East.

Prior to working at East, Howard grew up in the Bucks County suburbs of Pennsylvania.

Upon completing high school, he attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick for his undergraduate education. He actually went to law school for a year before he realized that he was not interested in the profession.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do—that was the problem.

Law school seemed Avra Bossov (‘11)/ Eastside News/Features Editor like the natural Howard makes dry topics fun by conprogression.

I necting some to Dr. Seuss books. wanted to work for civil rights, but I didn’t antly surprisingly diverse,” know if I would like the given that he “came from a required minutia. So similar demographic as far teaching seemed to be betas a suburban high school ter because of my interests in an affluent community.” in history, politics, etc.,” Howard had a selfsaid Howard. described “rough first After the first year of year,” due to him having a law school, Howard worked “rough time adjusting to at his father’s gas station being a full-time teacher.” and served as a cafeteria He also had disciplinary worker and a youth hockey problems with his students coach, as he faced a standduring his first year, which

led to his developing a better sense of what it is to be a “good” teacher.

“Every [teacher] has to find a comfort level based on [his or her] own personality... I don’t want to play a role that’s not genuine to me. I try to develop a rapport with my students by my laid-back personality.

Generally, I like to incorporate humor, which can lighten or diffuse a situation,” said Howard, in reference to his own teaching philosophy.

Amanda Elfman (‘13), a student in Howard’s World Civilizations class this year, said, “He uses humor to get his kids interested.

The environment of the classroom is very fun to learn in.”

Over the past ten years, Howard has worked to maintain positive relationships with his students as well as with his fellow teachers in the Social Studies Department.

“I keep in touch with students whether on Facebook or with e-mails.

It’s good to have contacts,” said Howard. “My department is cohesive—I have gained a great group of colleagues to go to with my academic and personal concerns.”

Howard explained how he enhances his teaching by “constantly learning for my own enjoyment, and not just book stuff, although I do read tons of

books. I am inspired to learn about a variety of topics and kinds of peo-

“I’ve gained a wonderful deity to worship and admire,” joked Howard.

Rosenberg speaks highly of Howard as well.

“Seriously, Tom Howard’s honestly one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever worked with.

He’s constantly reading something related to his classes.

Avra Bossov (‘11)/ Eastside News/Features Editor You know, in Howard’s unique teaching style makes the classroom he’s animatclass fun. ed, involved ple…you [learn to] appreciand dynamic. He really ate humanity.” puts on a show and his Josh Le Vine (‘11), kids love him. But it’s reflecting on his freshman funny because in the year as a student in lounge, he’s as quiet as a Howard’s World Civilizmouse—he’s the nerdy ations class, said, “He’s a bookworm—because he character. He was always either grades papers or in a good mood, loves what reads,” said Rosenberg. he’s teaching and that in “And by the way, he cuts turn makes his students his own hair.” interested in the subject.”

In reference to why he Howard is also known chose to become a teacher, for his close friendship Howard said, “I wanted a with Mr. Tom Rosenberg, job that I felt good about— another history teacher. possibly doing something The two often bring their positive for somebody classes together on days rather than punching the with irregular scheduling. clock.”

During this past year, Howard’s humor and Howard’s classes visited engaging teaching style Rosenberg’s classes to sing have transformed him over “World Civ Carols” the the past decade, and for last day before winter years to come during his break. time at East.

COMMUNITY Page 4

EASTSIDE

May 2010

Philly Zoo features new Lego habitat ■ By Laura Kane (‘11) E astside Community Editor

Caged inside the Philadelphia Zoo, a threehundred pound polar bear, constructed from 95,000 Lego bricks, has a much greater purpose than serving as a child’s play toy; it, along with ten other Lego creations, informs zoo guests about mankind’s devastating impacts on the environment. Through the “gazillion-piece animal adventure,” visitors discover ways to help save animals and their habitats.

From now until October 31, the Philadelphia Zoo is proudly displaying “The Creatures of Habitat,” an exhibit composed of ten free-standing Lego stations that feature animals at risk of becoming extinct due to the declining state of their homes. Sean Kenney, one of only five certified Lego professionals in the world, created the pieces for the Philadelphia Zoo. For over six months, Kenney, along with his team, compiled hundreds of thousands of Lego pieces to create the first conservat i o n

exhibit of its kind.

Throughout the zoo, guests explore Lego animals from the Arctic Circle to the New Jersey shore. The carnivore kingdom exhibit, transporting visitors to Brazil, is the home of 12 golden lion tamarin monkeys.

Swinging on branches, leaping over rocks and sitting with one another, the little monkeys, each made of 2,500 Legos, stare

dauntlessly out at the spectators. This station pushes guests to save the delicate monkeys’ tree-top homes by buying Forest Stewardship Councillabeled products made from recycled paper. The monkey’s relatives, the orangutan and

guins for the real ones.

Despite the penguins’ happy demeanors, the station informs visitors about the declining penguin population.

Many fishermen do not have distinguishing fishing techniques, throwing nets into the ocean, which catch the fish as well as other sea animals.

Fish are t h e n sold; however, animals that become tangled in t h e nets, such as p e n guins, are

The life-size Lego penguins teach safe fishing habits to help perserve their ocean homes.

The Lego Golden Lion Monkey promotes recycled tree products.

gorilla, displayed through vividly realistic Lego wall paintings, also promote environmentally-conscious habits, by recycling cell phones and planting more trees.

Traveling deep into the Arctic Circle, visitors are welcomed by five Humboldt penguins, created from 3,000 Legos each. Although not behind a glass, most guests must double-take after seeing the penguins. Standing with their flippers flat at their sides with a waddling stance, it is hard not to mistake the Lego pen-

tossed away. However, by eating sustainable fish and fish from safe fishermen, many penguins’ lives can be saved.

The other stations include five Jersey turtles, with intricate shells composed of sevenhundred Legos, a large yellow Harlequin frog created from 5,000 Legos, two tiny detailed Micronesian kingfishers, a massive polar bear created after 1,100 hours of work, and three Borneo rainforest displays. Each station advocates simple yet effective ways to

protect the animals.

Although the Lego exhibits

T o learn how to reduce greenhouse gases, visit the Lego polar bear section. are completely free with admission, a visitor can help the zoo’s fight for the preservation of the animals’ homes by donating 25 cents and adding a Lego to the zoo’s charity mural.

The stunning qualities of the Lego animal displays appear real to zoo visitors who pass by to take a closer look, but the resounding tips to save animals worldwide remain with visitors even after they have left the zoo. The Lego creations eventually may crumble, but the conserving lessons they teach will remain to be promoted by the zoo’s preserving programs.

All photos by Laura Kane (‘11)/ Eastside Community Editor

Local cooking classes provide professional skills make an entrée, a side dish and a dessert.

Eastside News/Features Editor When asked about the With the rise in popuTV’s reflection on the larity of cooking shows on number of people signing TV, such as “Top Chef” up for classes, Catering and “Rachael Ray,” many Manager Scott Key, said, people find themselves “That’s what people are with a desire to cook up always talking about. TV new, exciting meals for generates a lot of intertheir family and friends. est.”

However, many find “We have real that they are lacking in culinary instrucskills, or find that they tors; all certicannot cook at all. That’s fied…It’s all where local cooking hands-on. You are classes come into play. given a menu and The Cherry Hill area make your own alone offers plenty of food,” Key said. culinary classes. Each Whether one place conducts the class aspires to be a a tad differently, but renowned chef, or each teaches its stujust wants to imJulie Coben (‘11)/ Eastside Community Editor press his or her dents new and interestChef Brad Smith of Sur La Table leads family and friends, ing techniques.

At Sur La Table in a “Professional Chef Recipes at culinary classes the Promenade, Chef Home” cooking class. seem to be the way Brad Smith can be to go in order to found cooking up anydetached from the rest of improve one’s skills. In thing from Indian food to the store,” unlike other order to experience these cupcakes. He is the culinary classes. culinary adventures, instructor for the majorAnother popular cookcheck out the kitchens’ ity of the cooking classes ing class in the area is at websites for their monthin the store. Almost every the ShopRite on Evely schedules. Making a day, teen classes are sham Road. This class is call to one of the local offered for 45 dollars and held three times a cooking classes may be adult classes for 65 dolmonth. An individual the ticket to becoming lars. Though Smith class costs 20 dollars. In the next famous chef. teaches how to make just each class, students Art by Nicolle Rochino(‘10)/

■ By Rebecca Ohnona (‘12)

about anything, the most popular classes tend to be the ones making sushi or pasta. The class schedule can be found on Sur La Table’s website.

Smith said that his classes are unique because his kitchen is “in the back and totally

Eastside Art Director

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OPINIONS May 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 5

Numbers do not define intelligence ■ By Naveen Yarlagadda (‘11)

require strategies such as “guessand-check,” a strategy used by many students for the mathematI have often wonics portion of the SAT. In reality, dered about the defhowever, someone “critically reads” inition of intellia novel to understand it as a whole gence.

Some and look for common themes define it as the and motifs, rather than analyzranks students ing a mere sentence and objechold in their tively answering correct or school; others simply define it incorrect questions about that as a gift from a divine power. sentence.

Dictionary.com defines intelliThe SAT is used to gauge a gence as a “capacity for learnstudent’s achievements and ing, reasoning, understanding, accomplishments. Any student and similar forms of mental who gets near a perfect score on activity; aptitude in grasping the SAT deserves to be merited truths, relationships, facts, to godlike status among the meanings, etc.” academic community, according Often, organizations create to the students. or use standardized tests as a Sometimes I wonder why means of measuring a person’s students bother assigning the intelligence. However, stanword “smart” or “stupid” to othdardized tests fail to relate all ers, rather than calling them the “forms of mental activity” “2400” or “950.” It is clear that which dictionary.com refers to students are failing to see in its definition. Many organibeyond a number while judging zations, including the National a student of his or her acaMerit Scholarship Corporation, demic potential. It becomes College Board and the “cool” to score a high number, Educational Testing Service, allowing students to become provide only an objective view more popular in school, and to understanding concepts Photo Illustration by Nickee Plaksen (‘10)/ Eastside Photo Editor even helping them obtain more within an academic field.

The score a student receives on a standardized test does not define his or her respect.

Perseverance and work ethic intelligence, despite the tendency to compare students based on the number.

Can it really be justified to simply cancel out once these label how one thinks, understandardized tests are evaluated. the student is educated as a whole simply relate to questions of logic stands and behaves in life with one “A combination of both stanand not just in one area.” and do not test how much informasimple number? Unfortunately, to dardized testing and the classroom A person may be intelligent but tion one has retained, but rather some this may be the case; but for [work] is needed because work does not perform well on tests how much information one can use. others, it may simply be for selfethics and habits are equally or because of the intense amount of Yet much of the application of pride and arrogance to obtain a more influential in a student’s pressure involved. Does this mean the knowledge is impractical be“good” number on a well-known learning, all of which cannot be that this student’s “capacity for cause the tests ask questions that academic test.

Eastside Staff

judged from standardized testing,” said East math teacher Mrs. Linda Heath. “What a student does when he or she is younger–in terms of exploring different fields and not just book learning–is important so

learning” is poor? Or more logically speaking, can it mean that he or she is simply able to understand more abstract concepts rather than concrete problems? Many of the questions on the SAT, ACT and PSAT

Ask me anything Do you think formspring is a positive way to find out what people think about you and to have your anonymous questions answered?

Photo Courtesy of www.formspring.me

Questions Answered YES: A harmless forum for the curious ■ By Alana Kopelson (‘12) Eastside Opinions Editor

Let the social interview begin. Formspring is a social media site where anyone can ask questions to a person with a Formspring account, anonymously or by using their Formspring user name. All over Facebook and Twitter, people have posted their Formspring account links on their profiles, obviously wanting people to answer questions about them.

Although this website provides easy access for cyber-bullying, it also allows people to ask questions they may not feel comfortable asking another in person. Formspring is not just a place

for cyber-bullying. It is also well-suited for people who want to compliment others, employees who want to ask their supervisors a question or inquiring minds who just want to know answers to arbitrary questions.

Formspring allows its users to be creative by providing customization of profile backgrounds and the ability to change the colors and sizes of the question box.

If people get upset when harsh things are said on their own Formspring, then obviously this website is not meant for them. People should only get accounts if they realize that selfish comments/questions may potentially be published. Formspring is the one site where people

don't have to feel shy about asking questions. Of course, Formspring users do have the ability to delete any inappropriate questions/comments, or simply ones that they do not wish to have publicly viewed.

The site’s core function is very simple: it provides people a chance to ask questions anonymously with just a click of a button. In order to make this site even more accessible, it connects to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Blogger, allowing the questions to immediately be published.

Since November, 25, 2009, Formspring has become widely popular because of the chance it gives people to ask any question or comment on anything they desire.

NO: An open invitation for cyber-bullying ■ By Paige Hymson (‘10) Eastside Entertainment Editor

At first glance, Formspring seems harmless.

It is simply a series of anonymous questions asked to the account user, followed by his or her corresponding responses. Such a format makes it perfect for risky content. Anyone can pose a hurtful question on a user’s Formspring wall because everything is asked anonymously.

The Terms of Service page on the site warns: "You may encounter content that may be deemed objectionable, obscene or in poor taste,"

alerting the users of the risks involved with the website. Formspring is a place to “Ask questions, give answers and learn more about your friends,” according to the website.

While it may seem fun and entertaining, this may not always be the case. Such a website makes cyber-bullying easy, as questions asked may cause one to feel attacked or embarrassed.

There have also been cases dealing with suicide which involved online bullying.

Although Formspring declares that all users must be at least 13 years of age, such an age is too young to purposefully expose oneself to

harmful attacks on the Internet.

Formspring makes it easier to bully because one’s name is dissociated with the question.

Other sites, such as Facebook, link a name to whatever is said, forcing people to limit their harsh commentary.

Of course, such problems with bullying via Formspring can easily be avoided: do not create one. It seems like a website more for entertainment than for anything useful. All users must simply know that, while it comes with fun questions and funny answers, it also comes with a side of potentially cruel comments.

ENTERTAINMENT Page 6

EASTSIDE

New Iron Man launches into theatres ■ By Prishasti Awadhiya (‘12)

those of enemy Whiplash.

The first teaser trailer was released at the 2009 The release of Iron Man San Diego Comic Con 2 had avid fans ready to Convention, which elicited flood the box office. various reactions from Released on May 7, the fans. The first official trailmovie stars Robert er was released Downey Jr. as indusonline December trialist and engineer 16, 2009.

Tony Stark, who A video game becomes Iron Man based on Iron after being kidMan will be napped by terrorists released later on during a visit to the in 2010 by Sega, Middle East. Directed written by Matt

by Jon Favreau, the F r a c t i o n , film features an allscriptwriter of star cast consisting of Iron Man. The Don Cheadle as Lt. game’s trailer Colonel Rhodes, was also released Mickey Rourke as at the Comic Con Ivan Wanko/ WhipConvention. lash, Gwyneth PalMay 7 was trow as Virginia “PepPhoto courtesy of iwatchstuff.com definitely filled per” Potts, Scarlett Downey Jr. is Stark in the new sequel. for the social calJohansson as Natasha endars of the Romanoff and Samuel L. which he uses to combat movie’s fans. After the sucJackson as Nick Fury. evil. Stark refuses to do so, cess of the first film, the “The setting of Iron Man fearing that the informaaudience has been more 2 is set six months after tion will slip into the than excited to see Iron the events of Iron Man,” wrong hands… such as Man 2.

Eastside Staff

said Favreau in an interview with IGN.com.

The essence of Iron Man 2 is that the government and the public pressure Stark to release knowledge about his Iron Man suit,

May 2010 Scale by Sally Yang (‘11)/ Eastside Art Director Thumbs by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director

New sc progre ript in ss anot for “Die Hher ard” e e of Th Remakte Kid. Kara

Kate Gosselin gets a new show: “Twist of Kate.”

risk akes a S. t n a n Co to TB moving J.K. Rowling co writing anoth nsidering er Harry Potter in “may years from n be ten ow.”

Danielle Radcliffe back on broadway in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

This time he’s fully clothed.

Conan O’Brien tours after losing show to Leno ■ By Meagan Riley (‘12) Eastside Staff

Conan O’Brien may have lost his show, but that doesn’t mean he’s lost his notorious sense of humor. The comedian took over Jay Leno’s “The Tonight Show” in 2009, but lost it earlier this year when Leno moved back to late-night television. He now plans to go on tour, which he first announced through his also newlycreated Twitter account.

The tour is called “The Legally Prohibited from

Being Funny Tour” and its slogan is “A Night of Music, C o m e d y , Hugging, and the Occasional Awkward Silence.” It is presented by American Express.

O’Brien will be accompanied by A n d y Richter and some of the members of the

Max Weinberg Seven, the band that played on O’Brien’s show.

Originally, it was planned for just one night at Radio City, but the demand for more shows was so high that they continued to add more show dates.

The tour now stretches from April to June, and hits thirty cities in both the United States and Canada.

“It was either a

From studio set to stage ■ By Sydney Gore (‘11)

song and dance routines— it’s like High School Musical but more realistic. As Attention all Gleeks, Sue Sylvester, a character the “Glee” cast will be touron the show, says, the ing live across America drama is “delicious.” this spring on their “Glee The “Glee” cast will Live! In Concert!” tour. most likely perform its The tour will kick off in most popular covers from P h o e n i x , the show, Arizona on May including 15 at the Dodge “Don’t Stop Theatre, and Believin’” then move to (Journey), the Gibson “Jump” (Van Ampitheatre in Halen), “Single Universal, L a d i e s ” California on (Beyoncé), May 20. Next, “Somebody to the “Glee” cast Love” (Queen), will travel to “Halo/Walking Rosemont, on Sunshine” Illinois and per(Beyoncé form at the /Katrina and Rosemont the Waves), Theatre. The “ S w e e t last and closest Caroline” (Neil stop will be in Diamond) and New York, New several more.

York at the The choices Photo courtesy of vsnl.us are infinite— Radio City Music Hall for “Glee Live!” will be touring the country this Gleeks will just five shows dur- spring with the show’s major characters. have to wait ing both day and night, For those who are and see what the “Glee starting on May 28 and unaware, “Glee” is a new Live! In Concert!” tour has ending on May 30. Tickets show on Fox about a in store. And for those who range from 44 dollars to 94 diverse group of high are unable to travel to one dollars, excluding shipping school students and teachof the four cities, “Glee” and handling fees. ers. But it’s not your typireturned to Fox on April One of “Glee’s” co-cre13. cal show. “Glee” consists of Eastside Staff

ators, Ryan Murphy, told the Los Angeles Times that the cast is touring because “the response of the fans to our little show has been so immediate and so gratifying, we wanted to get out and thank them live and in person.”

massive thirty-city tour or start helping out around the house,” said O’Brien.

O’Brien kicked off his first night of the tour with a dose of humor that had the audience standing on its feet.

He appreciates

the crowd, only being used to a studio audience of 32, rather than a crowd of 2,500 excited fans.

O’Brien’s final contract prohibits him from appearing on television until September, so until he can find another gig, the tour is sure to excite his fans and get them ready for whatever he has planned for the future. It also may be the perfect opportunity for O’Brien to hone his comedy material for a big comeback.

Art by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/Eastside Art Director

ENTERTAINMENT May 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 7

Pixar continues the Toy Story trilogy one decade later ■ By Joe Incollingo (‘13) Eastside Staff

Unkrich, who also co-directed the second film as well as 2001’s Monsters, Inc. and 2003’s Finding Nemo, Toy Story 3 hopes to outdo its critically-acclaimed predecessors, both of which received coveted ‘100%’ ratings on popular film-criticism website Rottentomatoes.com, ranking with films such as Citizen Kane, Dr. Strangelove and The Godfather.

Of course, the film will be "stronger and more interesting and more powerful than the other two

Who says toys are for little kids?

Conceived over fourteen years ago, Disney’s Toy Story franchise will release its long-anticipated third installment this June.

Titled Toy Story 3, the film is set a decade after the events of Toy Story 2. The toys’ owner, Andy, finally moves away to college, and while he tries to save his beloved toys, his mother accidentally throws them into a box headed for Sunnyside Daycare. The toys, unable to see the true culprit, assume that Andy has forgotten them completely.

The film renews the franchise’s talented cast, including both of its lead actors. Tom Hanks returns as Sheriff Woody, the toys’ long-time leader, while Tim Allen reprises his role of Buzz Lightyear, the legendary space ranger and resident hero. The cast also includes other returning performers including Joan Cusack, Don Rickles and R. Lee Ermey. Newcomer Michael Keaton voices a suave and smooth-talking Ken doll, and Blake Clark also joins the cast, replacing the late Jim Varney as Slinky Dog. Directed by Lee College-bound Andy and young Andy.

Toy Story films]," said Allen, in an interview with The Insider. The screenplay is written by Michael Arndt, writer of 2006’s Little Miss Sunshine and recipient of the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2006.

“They took forever to get the script right, and they did such a great, emotional, wonderful job,” said Allen, in an interview with Moviefone.com.

Toy Story was released in November 1995 to universal acclaim and success. It was the first featurelength film to be completely computer-animated, setting a standard for computer-animated films that continues to influence today’s animators.

Toy Story is number 99 on the American Film Institute’s (AFI) “100 Years…100 Movies,” a list of the one hundred greatest American movies, as determined by the AFI. The franchise continued four years later with Toy Story 2, which garnered a Golden Globe for Best Picture (Comedy or Musical) in 2000.

“We just have to make movies the way we have for the past 15 years, which is to try to tell great stories through great characters,” said Unkrich to Empire Magazine.

Toy Story 3 will be the fourth Pixar film to be released in digital 3D, the first being last year’s Up, the second and third being both Toy Story films, re-released in 3D last year.

All in all, Toy Story 3 is bound to take a seat among Pixar’s finest.

All art by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director

Blast from the Past: ZOOM ■ By Meredith Medoway (‘10)

shirts and jeans.

Eastside Entertainment Editor

Show Activities High School Guidance Counselor

“ZOOM” (1972-1978 and 1999-2005)

A brand n e w kind of show at the time, “ZOOM” encouraged kids to get up and start moving around. It motivated children to be active thinkers and investigators learning about diversity.

When it first began in 1972, the show was also mostly unscripted, as the actors presented various activities suggested by TV viewers while wearing recognizable striped rugby

“Write ZOOM, ZDouble-O-M, Box 3-5-0, Boston, Mass 0-1-2-3-4: send it to ZOOM!” The activities performed by actors

Fannee Doolee is a fictitious girl that does not speak herself, but the other “ZOOMers” repeat what she says to others.

She creates a spelling puzzle for viewers by saying what she likes and dislikes. She likes cheese but not dairy. She likes words with double letters. The first version from the ’70s uses the Fannee segment more prominently than the second version.

on the show were Today suggestions mailed in by the Currently, only Discovtelevision audiery Kids Canada continues ence. They ranged to show re-runs of from poems to recipes “ZOOM.” However, there to jokes. has been talk of possibly “ZOOM” also had its showing re-runs on PBS own language, known as Kids Sprout or the future Ubbi-Dubbi. This language 24-hour digital PBS Kids actually existed before Go! channel. In October “ZOOM” and is also called 2008, a two-disc set was Pig Greek or Double released that was comDutch. Bill Cosby is also prised of four full episodes known for using Ubbiand other segments of the Dubbi in a voice for “Fat 1970s version.

Albert and the Cosby Art by Sally Yang (‘11)/ Eastside Art Director Kids.”

Page 8

EASTSIDE

SPECIAL

May 2010

May 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 9

Solar energy: more than meets the home

The following interview was conducted by Paige Hymson (‘10) with Dr. Wayne Goldschneider, an optometrist at LensCrafters in the Deptford Mall.

■ By Devon Braunstein (‘10) Eastside Managing Editor

While spending a day in the sun will tire out most people, the sun can actually have the opposite effect on electricity: energy. In simple terms, solar energy is an effect of the sun’s rays that reach the Earth and convert into heat and electricity. It is the Earth’s most abundant source of energy, able to produce several times today’s energy demand. While the amount of sunlight that hits the Earth is not constant, as it depends on location, time of day, time of year and weather conditions, it can be supplemented by storage of thermal energy or another energy source. The first commercial use of solar energy occurred after a successful application of photovoltaic systems in outer space. Photovoltaic cells, also known as “solar cells,” directly convert sunlight to electricity without any cumbersome generators. The application of these “solar cells” led to creation of several uses of solar power.

Q: Why is the sun bad for your eyes?

A: The sun emits three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. Over time they can cause damage to various parts of the eye, including burns to the cornea, which is the clear front surface of the eye. The damage is called keratitis, which is responsible for cataract formations.

It is a major risk fact for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness in this country.

Q: Why do we squint in the sun?

A: It is just a protective mechanism.

Q: What can people do to protect their eyes?

A: There are many things you can do, but the best things to do are: 1) Always wear sunglasses that block 100% of UV rays.

2) Never ever smoke. It is the worst thing you can do for your eyes. It often causes eye diseases.

3) You can take vitamins that enhance pigments in your eyes.

But the ultimate key is to just block UV rays and wear sunglasses all the time.

Eastside News/Features Editor

Photo by Rebecca Mulberg (‘12)/ Eastside Staff

Sun appreciation throughout the ages Eastside Opinions Editor

Before the 1920s, women went to great lengths to avoid the sun, because a tan was a sign of poverty.

Before the 20th century, people shunned the sun.

The fashion was to have delicately pale skin. Tan skin was only seen on poor people because they spent countless hours outside in the fields.

People of the upper-class would do anything to cover up their bodies from the sun, even turning to cosmetics in order to make their skin look lighter.

By the mid-1920s, this aversion to being tan changed dramatically.

Tanning suddenly came into style when Coco Chanel accidentally got tanned on a yacht, starting a craze for tanned skin overnight.

The trend continued to evolve in the 1950s when the first bikinis were being worn. Self-tanning products, such as brown creams and dyes, became available. These products allowed people to cover up any white spots in their tan or to even reproduce a tan. Even as these new products became popular, tanning was mostly

1500 B.C.E

restricted to the summer months. Only the ones who could afford to take winter trips to warmer climates would be tan other times.

These occurrences all changed when, in the 1980s, tanning salons began to appear. These salons became instantly popular because with just a few sessions in the tanning bed, customers established a tan base. Any further visits to the tanning salon would only enhance the bronzed look. In turn, many people began to simply pay to get tanned for a special event, even in the cold months of the winter.

With the beginning of the new millennium, the success of tanning salons remained. This growing industry still remains increasingly popular today. With more obsession than in any other point in history, the craze with being tan shows no sign of slowing down in years to come.

Solar Space Heating How it works: Use of fans or pumps to circulate heated air or heat-absorbing fluid.

Function: Heating homes, pools, buildings, etc.

With Memorial Day weekend approaching, many students are preparing for a fun weekend of sunbathing at the Jersey shore - most likely without any sun tan lotion. Although the sun is 93 million miles away from earth, it is the most powerful source of energy in our solar system. It is a known fact that everyone is affected negatively, as well as positively, by the sun. On the plus side, Vitamin D is produced by skins in response to sun exposure. Adversely, about one in every five Americans will develop skin cancer in his or her lifetime, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, from this very same sun exposure. Over time, the sun’s rays can cause damage to various parts of the eye, known as keratitis. Despite these frightening facts, the tanning sensation has continued to increase throughout the 21st century. So with summer around the corner, suncreen is now a most vital necessity to ensure protection.

Q: Who is most vulnerable to the sun with respect to the eyes?

A: No age group is most vulnerable. You need to protect your eyes from the sun for life.

■ By Alana Kopelson (‘12)

Solar Dish How it works: Uses concentrating solar collectors to track the sun, ensuring they always point towards the sun, subsequently concentrating a high ratio of energy with a temperature over 1380 degrees F. Function: Converting heat into mechanical power.

■ By Rebecca Ohnona (‘12)

Q: What can happen if your eyes are overly exposed to the sun?

A: You can go blind. That is the ultimate worst thing that can happen.

Solar Panels How it works: Flat-plate collectors intercept and absorb solar energy. Each has a transparent cover that allows solar energy to pass through but decreases heat loss from the collector and a heat-transport fluid that flows through tubes to remove heat from the absorber.

Function: Placed on the roofs of buildings (schools, homes, offices, etc.) or any location with direct sunlight to harness the sun’s energy.

Sun brings light to food industry

Eastside conducted a survey of 400 East students in order to discover their attitudes towards tanning and the sun in general.

80%

of students say that they are not inclined to get tan before a prom or special event.

17%

83% 65%

of students always wear suncreen when tanning or outdoors for an extended period of time.

of students find that they are happier when the sun is out.

of students feel more confident when they are tan.

1903 Dr. Auguste Rollier opened the world’s first dedicated sun clinic in the Swiss Alps.

■ By Rebecca Ohnona (‘12)

In 1966, Capri-Sun developed its famous line of juices in Germany, which began to be sold in the United States in 1981.

In 1991, Sun Chips, a fried multi-grain chip, was launched. Currently, Sun Chips are being made with the help of solar energy at a manufacturing facility in Modesto, California.

Among the most desirable “sun” foods is the ice cream sundae.

This dessert typically consists of multiple scoops of ice cream with toppings such as whipped cream and nuts.

The term “sundae” was

Eastside News/Features Editor

With the increasing embracement of the sun, food companies have continued to place the word “sun” into brand names, sometimes as an advertising strategy, as this implies that the food will bring sunshine and happiness to consumers.

In 1978, Sunkist, an orange and lemon-flavored soft-drink, was launched.

The advertising campaign, promising “fun, sun and beach,” became the #1 orange soda in the United States in 1980.

coined in 1 8 9 2 , when a s o d a company in Ithaca, New York, adorned a scoop of ice cream with some sweet syrup and candied cherry, then named it “sundae” after the Sabbath. The sundae has remained an American icon ever since.

As food companies continue to input the sun into various food brands, the foods have become increasingly popular, continuing to bring happiness to consumers worldwide.

Photo by Nickee Plaksen (‘10)/ Eastside Photo Editor

1994

Art by Diana Li (‘12)/ Eastside Staff

The Egyptian sundial becomes popular. This device measured the morning hours as the sun swept overhead.

Danielle Hu (‘11)/ Eastside Staff

1923

1938

Coco Chanel accidentaly gets tan on a trip to the French Riviera, setting the trend of being tan.

The first effective sunscreen is developed by chemist Will Baltzer.

1929 The first modern pair of sunglasses are produced.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory completes construction of its“Solar Energy Research Facility,” which was recognized as the most energy-efficient of all U.S. government buildings worldwide. It features not only a solar electric system, but also a passive solar design.

2010 A ten percent tax on amounts paid for indoor tanning services in lieu of the tax on cosmetic surgery will be enacted on July 1.

1970s

2000

Sun art by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director

Advertising campaigns begin to feature bronzed bodies, rather than pale bodies, as an advertising strategy.

The 1970s generation becomes the generation with the all-time highest rate of skin cancer.

Layout by Alana Kopelson (‘12)/ Eastside Opinions Editor and Rebecca Ohnona (‘12)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

EDITORIAL Page 10

EASTSIDE

May 2010

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

Cherry Hill High School East

No quick fix for budget crisis Amid current economic concerns, people are out of work and businesses are out of money. While the country as a whole suffers, smaller communities are experiencing the declining economy as well. School districts everywhere are attempting to create budgets that work appropriately for the majority of people. This year, on April 20, 2010, 260 of 479 budgets in 19 New Jersey counties failed, including that of Cherry Hill. With 11,225 votes cast, the budget was defeated by 486 votes. As high school students, we wish to see a plan that does not negatively affect students and teachers in our community.

The Problem Cherry Hill is widely known as a high-quality school district with consistently high SAT scores and a demanding curriculum.

Governor Chris Christie has proposed an 8.6 million-dollar cut to schools for the 2010-2011 school year. Because of the drastic revenue cuts, the 20102011 budget required the drop of 89.8 positions. Of these 89.8 positions, 47.8 are teaching jobs. In addition, there will reportedly be cuts in numerous extracurricular activities.

If such cuts do occur, it means jeopardizing the

prominence of our school district because many families move to Cherry Hill for the well-known academic success. The reductions would lead to larger class sizes, fewer support positions and some cuts in athletics and extracurriculars, collectively resulting in a less satisfying academic community.

The budget is also directly affecting the teachers. Because tax payers do not want to increase their taxes or cut from the student activities, some agree with Christie's plans that each teacher accept a wage freeze for a year, as well as pay 1.5 percent of their salaries toward health care benefits. The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) is the teachers union among which virtually all Cherry Hill East staff participates.

This group opposes the Governor's proposals. The statewide walk-out that took place on April 27 was in regards to those in support of the teachers.

The Solution While there are many approaches to solving the budget problems, we are all working toward the same goal. First, because the economic problems in New Jersey did not occur overnight, they should not be expected to be fixed so

quickly. Christie is trying to fix the situation in one or two budget years, but change needs time. Yes, it is a good thing that the Governor wishes to come to a solution as quickly as possible. But evidently that is not the best case scenario in this situation.

Understandably the budget needs to get done, but we need a way that is best, not easiest or more convenient.

Next, Christie should renew the millionaires' income tax which ended this past New Year’s Eve. The tax applies to those who have an income of $400,000 or more. Christie refuses to renew it; rather, he plans to veto it. Clearly the tax will bring more money to the state and begin to resolve some of the problems.

Additionally, teachers and students should be allowed to work together with the Governor in the process to fix the state. It would be extremely beneficial to have a partnership with both groups in order to have ideas heard.

Instead of some rapid decision-making by the Governor, we should be able to add in input and offer solutions to solve the problem. Students as well as teachers are intelligent people that can offer opinions and other rational solutions to alleviate the

Corrections for the April issue In the Entertainment section on page 13, the story, “Salinger dies at age of 91” was attributed incorrectly to Rachel Tinkelman (‘13). The story was actually written by Hannah Feinberg (‘12).

In addition, in the Special section, page 16, the answer key denotes that turkey bacon is a healthier choice than regular bacon. In fact, the opposite is true.

Eastside apologizes for these two mistakes.

Letters to the Editor are always welcomed!

Please drop them off to F087 or e-mail letters@eastside-online.org

1750 Kresson Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Phone: (856) 424-2222, ext. 2087 Fax: (856) 424-3509

Eastside Online http://www.eastside-online.org Publisher Fort Nassau Graphics Thorofare, NJ

Letters to the Editor Submit signed letters to FO87

Awards The International Quill and Scroll Society, The American Scholastic Press Association, The Garden State Scholastic Press Association, The Temple Press Tournament, and The National Scholastic Press Association. budget crisis. Instead of Governor Christie dictating policy, we want to hear other ideas proposed from those working within the problematic areas.

In order for this partnership to be possible, there must be a larger awareness of the current issues.

Understandably there are focus groups and Board of Education meetings that some students attend, but not nearly enough. More students would have gotten involved had they known more about what is going on. Consider the walk-out that was just held at East. Too many students did not even know what it was for, and just walked out to miss a class period.

It is unacceptable to leave students in the dark about important information to which many can contribute. More fliers should be sent to the schools about when district meetings are taking place, and Christie should set up more open meetings to discuss current issues. There must be an area of linkage between the Governor and the students and teachers.

Therefore, time should be spent, perhaps in a school assembly, discussing the issues so that everyone is educated on the conditions.

Once more students are made aware, added input can help solve the matter now and in the future.

A way to help students, teachers and even parents to get more involved would be to have more clear and concrete cuts and proposals.

The inconsistency can mislead people when positions and activities are said to be cut, but then that proposition is taken back later. Seemingly the reductions are often changing, which makes it difficult for voters to form an opinion and vote effectively.

The Future All of the aforementioned suggestions can help lead to a more successful future for New Jersey, but more specifically, Cherry Hill East. We live in a community of intelligent people who can offer helpful solutions to current problems. It is in the best interest of Cherry Hill to keep the reputation as a school district where families wish to move due to high academic quality.

Through the solutions offered, we can help lean toward a path of continued success in Cherry Hill so that everyone has a say in what to do next.

2009-2010 EASTSIDE EDITORIAL BOARD Managing Editor: Devon Braunstein News/Features Editors Avra Bossov Rebecca Ohnona Brooke Weiss Sports Editors Mike Davis Nate Mulberg Community Editors Julie Coben Laura Kane Opinions Editors Julia Finkel Alana Kopelson

Editors-in-Chief: Rob Incollingo, Amanda Michelson, Sari Soffer

Entertainment Editors Paige Hymson Meredith Medoway

Art Directors Nicolle Rochino Sally Yang

Global Commentary Editors Dan Perlman Moriah Schervone

Photo Editors Karina Korneyeva Nickee Plaksen

Humor Editors Andrew Huff Zach Schwartz

Video Editor Shelly Tan

Underground Editors Jason Cominetto Steven Markowitz

Radio Manager Autreen Rahbari Adviser Mr. Greg Gagliardi

To contact a member of the Eastside Editorial Board via e-mail, Online Sports Editor type the person’s first name Max Cohen followed by a period, his/her Business Managers last name and Alex Feldman “eastsideSomya Mawrie online.org,” ie: max.cohen@ Editorial Assistants eastsideonline.org.

Nupur Mital Elana Perilstein Dillon Rosenblatt May Staffer of the Month: Jake Trommer

Online News Editor Hailey Edelstein

Brett Israel (‘10)

COMICS May 2010

EASTSIDE

Chip Off The Ol’ Block by Rich Hanna (‘10) / Eastside Staff

Isotonic Exercise by Zach Schwartz (‘10)/ Eastside Humor Editor

The Caterpillar by Havisha Desai (‘11)/ Eastside Staff

Personally, I’d Ride an Elephant by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director

Page 11

Page 12

EASTSIDE

May 2010

GLOBAL COMMENTARY May 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 13

Rampant violence persists in Mexico’s drug conflict ■ By Diana Yu (‘11) Eastside Staff

After an exciting game of soccer in Ciudad Juarez, a Mexican border city a few miles south of Texas, a throng of teenagers celebrated their school victory at a private residence.

Suddenly, seven armed vehicles rode up to the house and began shooting the students. By the end of the night, 16 teenagers had died, one as young as 13.

These are only a few of the thousands of casualties that have resulted from the ongoing Mexican drug war.

The BBC reported that over 2,600 people were killed in 2009 in Ciudad Juarez, making it the most dangerous city in Mexico, if not the world.

As of 2009, the total death toll from the drug war had climbed to 17,900, according to Times Online.

The violence has reached such a degree that since 2006, President Felipe Calderon has sent over 45,000 troops to areas like Ciudad Juarez.

While that is a step for the government to actively fight the reign of the drug lords, they are doing so unsuccessfully.

“We have received very encouraging results. In the state of Michoacán, for example, the murder rate has fallen almost forty percent,” said President Calderon, but figures would suggest otherwise.

In 2008 the number of deaths related to drugs more than doubled from

2007, according to Attorney General Eduardo MedinaMora.

The problem is that the federal government in Mexico has too little power to decisively defeat the drug cartels. It can not exercise authority over drug lords, and the cartels are just as equally wellarmed with American guns as the Mexican army is.

The state and municipal governm e n t s themselves are comp l e t e l y entangled in a web of corruption and bribery.

Different c a r t e l s claim their territories in cities and effectively rule The cartels are through violence.

Nighttime battles between drug gangs over turf often result in bodies strewn across streets in the morning. Government officials can do little else but ignore the glaring carnage. Even the police force, whose job is to safeguard the people, is not safe from the drug cartels. In 2008, the chief of police fled Juarez after a few dozen officers were assassinated, including his second-in-command.

Because it has little authority over drug cartels in individual areas, the

federal government resorts to open warfare in city streets, often with civilian fatalities. Mass executionstyle murders leave bodies lined up in ditches. Cities are plagued with silent kidnappings by both the drug dealers and the Mexican government.

The drug war shows no sign of ending. Many peo-

ment has been increasingly asking the United States for aid in the war against drugs. The U.S. federal government’s Merida Initiative pledges monetary support to Mexico in the form of $1.4 billion. Yet simply pouring money into this black hole will not make the problem go away.

The United States government is uneasy with such fierce drug battles taking place only a few miles away from the border.

Such clashes have caused the deaths of Americans. On March 13, an attack killed two American and one Mexican consulate workCourtesy of NATO ers. One of the facing a strict federal crackdown. reasons the ple and organizations have U.S. is giving so much proposed different solumoney is that the United tions. These solutions vary States itself is a huge marfrom legalizing drugs in ket for Mexican drug dealMexico to throwing money ers. at the problem. Legalizing “Yes, we accept our drugs in Mexico, people share of the responsibility. argue, would free the averWe know that the demand age citizen from the grasp for drugs drives much of of the drug lords by allowthis illicit trade and that ing them to grow their own guns purchased in the U.S. marijuana. Yet this soluare used to facilitate viotion would lead to argulence in Mexico,” said ments between the United Secretary Hillary Clinton States and Mexico as it during her visit. would increase the amount Yet, if the demand in the of drugs that leak across U.S. is such a factor, then the border. the United States governThe Mexican government should do more to

prevent drug trafficking across the border.

Decreasing money supply to the drug lords would cause them to lose some of the power and influence that is keeping them out of jail. Doing so would cripple the drug cartels in a way that guns cannot.

Also, Mexico should approach the war in a different way. Rather than simply brawling with the cartels, the government of Mexico needs to consider that maybe it is contributing to the problem. The nationwide system of corruption and bribery provides the drug lords with protection from the law. In order to effectively carry out justice, the federal government should work to stop corruption from within. Laws are useless when criminals do not fear the enforcers.

The Mexican government does need help in the war against drugs. Yet, giving more money to Mexico would precipitate only fiercer battles and cause the death toll to rise even higher. One part of the Merida Initiative is to further education and social services so that fewer people turn to drugs. This goal should be the U.S.’s ultimate purpose for aid-giving because it works toward a better future.

Right now, Mexico is trying to battle the ubiquitous heads of a hydra. If the war goes on, conflicts of the future might not be region versus region, but one country against itself.

Plundering in Somalian waters ■ By Emily Hsu (‘12) Eastside Staff

Ever since ships were first built, pirates have been taking advantage of the rich rewards that merchant vessels offer.

Although the traditional perception of treasureburying pirates is no longer quite accurate, modern-day pirates such as the Somali pirates still exist, conducting acts of terrorism on the high seas in return for plunder.

Somalia, a country located in the Horn of Africa, has lacked a true central government ever since President Siad Barre was overthrown and the country plunged into civil war in 1991. As a result of the rampant lawlessness, fishing trawlers from other countries began to illegally fish in Somali waters, depleting the supply of fish. Somali fishermen banded up to protect their resources, ultimately becoming the Somali pirates.

Meanwhile, the country is still in turmoil. A third of the population depends on international food aid, and it is estimated that Somalia’s armed militias have stolen up to fifty percent of the food distributed in Somalia by the United Nations World Food

Programme (WFP). Piracy is not confined solely to the waters – instances of piracy on land are becoming more and more common. In fact, in January, the WFP suspended food aid to Somalia due to the growing number of attacks.

The simplest way to combat the pirates would be to refuse to yield to their demands, but this is easier said than done. The Somali pirates often hijack cargo ships containing barrels of oil which can be worth over 100 million dollars. Thus, a company would not be unwilling to pay a two or five million dollar ransom to regain possession of the cargo ship, especially if fluctuating oil prices may decrease the cargo’s value if the ransom is not paid immediately.

At times, the Somali pirates hold the crew captive and demand payment for the hostages. One widely publicized incident involved the capture and safe return of Capt.

Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama in the spring of 2009. The U.S. Navy Seals successfully rescued Capt. Phillips without delivering the demanded 2 million dollars payment, but such a situation may reoccur in the future – and next time it

may not have a happy ending.

Recently, the Somali pirates have only grown more aggressive in their attacks and demands. In 2007, there were 41 reported attacks in Somalian waters. In 2008, the number tripled to 122, and in 2009 increased to 198. The pirates are raising their ransoms and receiving them, providing them incentive to further increase ransoms. More and more people are attracted to pirating; in a sense it is becoming a lucrative business. Some say that piracy is Somalia’s only booming economy.

Nations that ordinarily are reluctant to work together must put aside their mistrust and fully cooperate. In January 2009, the anti-piracy coalition Combined Task Force 151 was formed specifically to deter Somali pirates. It is a multinational task force commanded by a U.S. admiral, and several countries including Turkey, Singapore and Denmark have already pledged their participation. This, not throwing away more humanitarian aid, is what will be most effective.

Art by Hannah Luk (‘12)/ For Eastside

HUMOR Page 14

EASTSIDE

Blackout at East

May 2010

Behind the Bandz ■ By Gina Villecco (‘11) Eastside Staff

Logo by Sally Yang (‘11)/ Eastside Art Director

Anatomical Adventures Boy: I got [him] a birthday card with a bunch of half-naked men on it.

Girl: Which half?

Shalom Girl: I love jewish gangsters!

Courtesy of Security Camera #19

A security camera photo taken during the blackout.

■ By Joe Incollingo (‘13) Eastside Staff

Sheer order ensued following a school-wide blackout this past week.

The blackout occurred around fifth period on Wednesday, lasting a little under two minutes. The student body quickly erupted into mass tranquility, as maintenance staff casually worked to fix the electrical problem, which was caused by a malfunction in the school’s electrical system.

Teachers and Campus Police officers told Eastside that they were having an increasingly difficult time dealing with the lack of disorder, especially in hightraffic areas.

“The kids just walked quietly, and continued as usual,” said Campus Police

Officer Vern MacGruder.

“I’d have thought they’d know by now to scream and shove each other.”

MacGruder was among many staff members who became helplessly confused during the mishap.

Shayna DiCarlo (‘11) was among many students who remained orderly during the blackout. “All of these kids were walking along, very calmly,” she said. “I thought that maybe it’d make me cool if I did it, too.”

“You’d think kids nowadays would have the common decency to shout ‘Fire!’ or something clever like that. It just saddens me,” said MacGruder.

All faculty members were summoned to a mandatory emergency meeting after school following the incident.

A very regal recount

Jake Trommer (‘11)/ Eastside Editorial Assistant

Homecoming King Steve Markowitz (‘10).

The one SGA officer ■ By Bryan Sheehan (‘13) who commented on this Eastside Staff issue wished to remain Outrage has stricken anonymous, and asked to Cherry Hill East again. be referred to as the Even though Homecom“Electric Anteater.” ing was months ago, stuThe Electric Anteater dents are still demanding said of the election details, that the election for “We thought no one would Homecoming King be notice, man. It was the recounted and demanding perfect plan, but it was that King Steve Markotoo much pressure! We witz (‘10) step down until couldn’t count all of them, the votes are recounted. so we... we burned the One of the issues surB-wing ballots. Oh god!” rounding King MarkoThe source could not witz’s reign has been the continue the interview. details of the election, When asked to comwhich are kept secret by ment on this recent disthe SGA. covery, King Markowitz Bobby Robertson (‘10) decreed: “It has come to my said, “I didn’t vote for attention that some of my him! None of my friends subjects have not been did, and I don’t think loyal. I have won fair and anyone in B-wing did at square, or fairly enough, all. It’s a [student] governand I will now punish all ment conspiracy if you ask who detest that. And to me.” all that wish to beat baby Robertson also said that seals over the head, I say: he would continue beating you must stop!” baby seals with a club until The Markowitz doth a recount is granted. command thee!

Stand Back, Ladies Boy: I almost lit a girl’s hair on fire once with a magnifying glass.

Crikey!

Girl: He’s Australian, and scrumptious!

Proper Planning Girl: Come here.

Boy: No, you come here.

Girl: Fine, we’ll meet at the equinox.

Pure Evil Girl: Wanna help me with my lemonade stand? It’s for my bike--I mean, cancer.

The word has got around that some students at Cherry Hill East High School have been involved in some suspicious deals during school hours.

“I always have open eyes and ears from the start of my post until the end,” said campus policeman Mitchell Claxton, 29. “I must say I’ve sensed some shady business in these halls lately.”

According to Brianna Spot (‘10), a self-confessed dealer, the “talk of the school” right now is what the students are calling “Silly-Bandz.” Silly-Bandz are simply childish rubber bands that look squiggly on the wrist but form shapes when held or laid out on a desk or table.

Principal Ron O’Schmeeza said, “Here at Cherry Hill East we do not tolerate deals of any sort, even if they are just extremely cute, deformed, zoo-animal-shaped bands of rubber.”

Spot said the students are positively addicted to “Silly-Bandz,” herself included.

“I walk around school and I see people with tens and hundreds of multicolored, squiggly-shaped bands on their arms trading them and giving them away like it’s their jobs,” said Paul Jaklyn (‘12), a regular, everyday Cherry Hill East student. “I can feel the whole school slowly falling under the spell of the ‘Silly-Band.’”

An article on page 2 by Gabrielle Kains (‘12) defines the street value of Silly Bandz as $4.95 for a pack of 24 bands.

The Cherry Hill Board of Education, parents of affected students and the Cherry Hill East staff have all been informed of the phenomenon taking over the school. According to O’Schmeeza, “The students are currently at the peak of the ‘Silly-Bandz’ fad, but the fire will die out over time. For now, all [they] can do is wait for this to be over.”

East’s cheerleaders cartwheel into lives of East students ■ By Max Cohen (‘12) Eastside Online Sports Editor

After a recent mandate from their coach, the Cherry Hill East cheerleaders have been applying their cheers to their lives throughout the day. The cheerleaders have been trying to be diligent in keeping up with their coach’s orders to such an extent that many feel it has interrupted their school day.

According to witness Jimbo Blakely (‘11), a group of cheerleaders recently angered a group of senior girls in the second floor C-Wing hallway. As the girls were standing at their lockers talking in a flirting manner to freshman boys, a pack of cheer-

leaders ran up to them and chanted, “G-O G-O Go Cougars!”

Having been embarrassed at being called cougars, the senior girls cried on the shoulders of their freshman friends.

The impact of the cheerleaders has also reached third floor C-Wing QPS classrooms. During the class’s impossible benchmark, right after teacher Mr. Freg Chemp announced five minutes remained in the test, a cheerleader in the class cartwheeled to the front of the room to chant repeatedly, “Time is ticking. Time time is ticking.”

After groans from the majority of the students, Chemp explained to the

cheerleader, “That’s what usually happens when people waste class time by cheering.”

A five-point curve resulted because of the occurrence.

A group of cheerleaders surfaced in the cafeteria after a student opened his wrap only to discover it was turkey and not chicken.

The student, Alecksa Goldnor (‘10) said, “They were like, super nice to me.

When they saw how my wrap was totally wrong, they kept telling me to ‘take it to the line!’ When I took it to the lunch line and showed it to the Aramark lady, I got the right type of wrap from her. They really saved my day.”

Becca Mulberg (‘12)/ For Eastside

Two East students cower in the presence of one of the recently ubiquitous cheerleaders. If spotted by one, seek shelter in the nearest unisex restroom.

UNDERGROUND May 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 15

Break out the glowsticks and dance ■ By Jack Braunstein (‘13) Eastside Staff

It’s hard to find a genre of music that has been as publicly specific about its goals as dance music has. Sure, Thrash Metal has tried to come close by suggesting that listeners should thrash around and smash things, but the former leaves no opportunity for misinterpreting: stop doing the task at hand immediately, throw on that glowstick necklace and spandex bodysuit, get to the dance floor and wow the masses with some intense moves.

Dance music is often considered a mainstream genre, with

artists scoring hits in clubs around America.

Some of these artists are original and enjoyable, such as the electro masters Daft Punk, but they are diamonds in the rough. Most of mainstream electro artists pretty much utilize the same cliché techno line with a monotonous beat resulting in a failed attempt at revitalizing terrible tracks.

So for those looking for something fresh to request from their local DJ, here are a few dance masterminds on the frontline of the underground electro music scene: Justice is the electro project of two French

DJs, and they are masters at the art of sampling, which is taking snippets of old songs or dialogue and configuring it to a new song.

These Frenchmen’s songs are loaded with bottom-heavy bass and distorted tremolo packed into some of the most intense build-ups known to man. Their music is like driving a slick black Ferrari through a nightclub, minus all the vehicular manslaughter. Tracks most infamous for spreading the unstoppable infection of the groove include “Genesis,” in which a glorious horn intro leads into a distorted bass-heavy dance epic

that feels ready to explode at any moment, and “D.A.N.C.E.,” which is what “School House Rock” would sound like if getting down was one of the academic cores. It was sampled in a Jay-Z song last year.

Another duo, MSTRKRFT, crafts infectious and tight dance tracks despite the lack of vowels. The razor-sharp synthesizers and samples under creatively distorted space age vocals make it impossible to stay sitting while songs like “Easy Love” and “Neon Knights” are blasting from the speakers.

Most electro artists are DJs, usually a pair of guys standing behind

turntables and a sampling machine, but full bands like Hot Chip do a pleasant job of breaking this mold. Although Hot Chip is a group of bespectacled nerds, their icy British techno music gives a kind of “Stefan Urquelle” effect to this very consistent band. “Shake a Fist” builds into a huge, swirling bass line that gives the listener the sensation of being in a washing machine lined with Sub-Woofers.

Nine out of ten doctors recommend midday dance parties to relieve stress. Then again, one of them is Dr. Pepper and another is Dr. Dre, but it is true nonetheless.

Border by Steven Markowitz (‘10)/ Eastside Underground Editor

What to do instead of going to the prom ■ By Bryan Sheehan (‘13) Eastside Staff

Prom isn’t for everyone.

The flashy dress, the overall formality, the strict rules and the cost may be unappealing to some. But what is there to do if one doesn’t go to prom?

The answer: anything and everything. Well, maybe not everything (Eastside does not endorse banging your head against a wall for hours on end).

Not going to prom can actually be much more fun than getting into a stuffy suit and spending all your money in one night. Here are some ideas for what to do instead that can be just as memorable:

1. Have a big hippiejam fest in someone’s backyard. Get together some indie bands, a bonfire and maybe even throw in a drum circle. Build a stage in a friend’s yard; get some local bands, set up a fire and roast marshmallows while you listen to some great jams.

2. Have a gigantic Twister competition. Paint old bed-sheets and tarps into the classic dots, throw in a hundred or so friends, and have a great time. Or you can have a March Madness-style Twister tournament, complete with brackets and a trophy for the winning team.

Who needs slow dancing when you can attempt to

distort your body far enough to get that left hand on red?

3. Watch all the best cult movies ever: Spinal Tap, The Big Lebowski, The Warriors, Rocky Horror Picture Show, etc.

Settle down with a really big bowl of popcorn and live it up with your friends.

4. Throw a rave in an abandoned warehouse.

The money that can be saved from not going to prom can buy all the speakers, strobe lights and glow sticks one could ever need to keep the party going long into the a.m.

Pump some hardcore European Techno and get ready to sweat.

It may seem like everyone is going to prom, but who says everyone has to?

If it’s not someone’s thing, they can be a trendsetter, be revolutionary and do their own thing. Grab some movies, some guitars, some friends or some big Twister mats and go have fun in an unconventional way.

Ghosts of the Garden State ■ By Sarah Minion (‘12) Eastside Staff

Most people think there is nothing interesting about New Jersey except that we do not have to pump our own gas and that an elusive devil haunts the Pine Barrens. However, if people take their cars on road trips to some of Jersey’s most haunted streets, they would definitely think more of the Garden State.

The ghost of Annie

The ghost of Atco

In southern Jersey lies the little town of Atco. In Atco lies the ghost of a young boy. Or rather, he does not lie, since he is busy haunting those who drive their cars down Route 30 and onto Burnt Mill Road. The little boy was killed by a hit-and-run and now looks over cars in the middle of the night to inspect them and see if he can find the one that murdered him.

However, there is a set of rules one needs to follow if he or she desires to meet the ghost.

According to legend, the only way to see him is to drive down the haunted road in the middle of the night and then shine the headlights. Next, those who dare must turn the engine off and wait silently for the ghost to slowly walk towards the car. The ghost walks in the direction of the car but never actually reaches it.

Art by Katie Walker (‘10)/ For Eastside

The ghost of Annie haunts Rivervie Drive in Totowa, New Jersey. Riverview Drive, also known as Annie’s Road, w not only home to the spirit of a younis girl but is also a generally dangero g us road to travel on. Surrounded on one side by dense woods and on the other the dark waters of the Passaic Riveby travelers find it particularly risky r, to journey down this road at night. The only thing protecting the car from the river is a steel guardrail with mysterious splashes of red paint…or blood?

Legend goes that Annie was drinking alcohol and walking home on her prom night after having been stood up by her date. A bunch of other drunken prom goers from her school ran her over witha large truck and the red splatter on the guardrail is supposedly her bloo d.

Another story explains that Annie was walking on her wedding night when she was murdered and dragged along the side of the road.

When cars drive down this desolate road in the darkest hours of the nigh t, the passengers witness Annie as she floats across the street wearing her flowing white dress and into the spoo ky graveyard across the way. Anyone who feels brave enough to venture down this perilous road is in for a huge scare.

Although it is strange that most of Jersey’s greatest and most legitimate ghost stories revolve around violent car accidents, the tales are still entertaining and clever enough to give the average person a good scare.

SPORTS May 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 16

East relay team ranks 16th nationally ■ By Max Cohen (‘12) Eastside Online Sports Editor

they had their eyes set on running well at the Penn Relays this spring, which is a race featuring teams from all over the United States and even interna-

2010, this 4x400 relay team won their Penn Relay race, becoming the first group of runners in East history to ever win a Penn Relay event.

This winter, East’s track and field 4x400 relay team of Terrence Owens (‘10), Mike Oliver (‘11), Alex Reber (‘12) and Marcus Phillips (‘12) qualified for and competed in the Nike Indoor Nationals on March 13, 2010 and placed 16th out of 55 competing teams. The team’s 16th place finish means the team is the 16th best 4x400 meter relay team in the country. The qualification and participation in this event is completely unprecedented in East history, as no track and field team at the school has ever achieved such a level of success as this 4x400 relay team, according to East’s co-head winter track coach Mr. Michael Surrency.

“They are defiAlex Herman (‘10)/ Eastside Staff nitely one of the From left to right, Alex Reber (‘12), Marcus Phillips (‘12), Mike best relay teams Oliver (‘11) and Terrence Owens (‘10) stand side by side on East’s in East history,” track. The foursome, who make up East’s 4x400 meter relay team, said Surrency. finished in sixteenth place at the Nike Indoor Nationals.

Surrency also noted that competing at tional countries. They Oliver attributes the this national event in the eventually accomplished relay team’s success to winter was not the team’s their goal at the Penn their practice intensity. original goal. Primarily, Relays when on April 24, “This is the first year

our [relay] team practices with a competitive spirit,” said Oliver.

Fellow teammate Owens agrees that the team’s intensity and competitive spirit has led to their success.

“We feed off of each other in practice and in meets,” said Owens.

As the lone senior on the team, Owens is glad to end his track career with such accomplishments.

“I felt I should go out with a bang. [Nationals and Penn Relays] were a great way to go out,” said Owens.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about this relay team is the time they still have left to further their mark on East track and field.

“The team has already gone above and beyond the call of duty,” said Surrency.

One can only imagine what Oliver, Reber and Phillips are capable of accomplishing in their future years running at East.

“My goal as a senior is to be top five in the nation,” said Phillips.

Regardless of how the returning runners fare in the future, one thing is for sure: they will be remembered by their track cohorts for years to come.

Said Reber, “Future kids at East will be able to see our names.”

ESPN.com reigns supreme as best sports website, says East sports fans ■ By Jake Fischer (‘12) Eastside Staff

Based on a recent survey of 52 sports savvy

Cherry Hill East students, the majority of students prefer to visit ESPN.com more than any other sports website in order to follow their favorite sports teams and players. In fact, 75 percent (39 of 52 students) of the East students surveyed ranked ESPN.com as the best website out of arguably the four other most highly regarded sports websites, Ya h o o . c o m / s p o r t s , Cbssportsline.com, Sportsillustrated.com and Foxsports.com.

ESPN.com was also rated at least a seven out of ten, with ten being the highest rating, by all but five of the students surveyed.

“[I look for websites] that are fast and easy to access information. ESPN would be the best… and has better articles than Ya h o o , which is my second favorite,” said Nikhil Yegya-Raman (‘10).

Of the 13 students that did not rank ESPN.com the best sports website, six students

ranked Sportsillustrated.com the best, four ranked Yahoo.com/sports as their favorite and three ranked CBSsportsline.com as their top choice.

Foxsports.com was never ranked higher than the third best website.

One student supports his reasoning for visiting Yahoo.com/sports more than ESPN.com because it is more user friendly.

“I like Yahoo over ESPN

because Yahoo Sports is a lot easier to navigate.

ESPN.com may have more information, but it is easier to find things on Yahoo Sports,” said Evan Asroff (‘10).

Despite the fact that ESPN.com may be somewhat difficult to navigate, 100 percent of the students surveyed do visit ESPN.com in order to follow sports.

“I look for information on a wide range of sports and information that is as informative about athletes and their athletic performances as possible. ESPN offers that,” said Natalie Kucza (‘10).

While there are many different sports websites to use, East students are very comfortable with the credibility and vast amount of information that ESPN.com provides to its users.

Sports website emblems by Jasmine Hwang (‘12)/ Eastside Staff

J a k e Fischer ( ‘ 1 2 ) explains w h y ESPN.com is the best sports website around: ESPN dominates its competition as the best sports network today, and ESPN’s website, ESPN.com, is a major reason for their dominance in the sports reporting world.

Primarily, ESPN.com features many renowned journalists and experts such as Rick Reilly and Bill Simmons, both of whom boast humorous and original personalities. The website also provides viewers with extremely high quality video highlights and analyses of games, press conferences and other notable events.

Additionally, ESPN runs arguably the most efficient and easy-to-use fantasy sports leagues as well.

ESPN.com provides its viewers with an overall amazing experience that simply cannot be matched by any other sports website.

■ By Mike Davis (‘10) Eastside Sports Editor

Earlier this year, 13year-old quarterback David Sills, a Bear, Delaware resident, accepted a football scholarship offered by the University of Southern California. A 6’0” seventh grader with a veteran throwing motion, Sills is definitely a promising prospect; but should a child, especially a child who will be graduating high school in 2015, be allowed to be recruited and accept an athletic scholarship to a college at such an early age?

To me, it‘s ridiculous to imagine. Think about how many high school seniors don’t even know where they are going to college late in their 12th grade school year. But somehow, a 13-year-old who will not be attending college for another five years has already made his college decision.

Interestingly enough, this type of recruiting is permitted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Last year, the NCAA passed a rule stating that seventh and eighth graders were allowed to be recruited by colleges. Because I have experienced the recruiting process first hand (I will be playing tennis at Muhlenberg College next year), it is truly unthinkable to me that a child could properly understand and be involved with such a complex procedure as that of collegiate athletic recruiting.

The bottom line is that college athletics have changed a significant amount over the years, and these changes have caused the recruiting process to change drastically as well. Although it may seem like a bit of an exaggeration, college athletics truly have become a major lucrative business.

There is no better advertising and publicity for a college sports program than making it far in collegiate playoffs and winning national championships.

Look at the University of Notre Dame football program: in recent years, the value of their football program has been estimated at 97 million dollars. Because of all of the money that is at stake, who could blame coaches for trying to get a head start in their recruiting?

I can understand why these coaches recruit such young athletes, but I question whether or not it is ethical to recruite athletes of such a young age.

Open Mike art by Sally Yang (‘11)/ Eastside Art Director Photo by Karina Korneyeva (‘10)/ Eastside Photo Editor