Eastside: January 2010

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 44 No. 6

Cherry Hill High School East: 1750 Kresson Roa

Learn

How To...

Vol. 41 No. 5 08003

January 2010

Check out the flip side for s t e p - by - s t e p wo r k o u t s from the experts themselves.

be a real-life superhero! pg. 21

become famous on

You Tube pg. 20

inter pret texting b15 ... w8 ... ^5 learn to decode your texts pg. 9

(East athletes give the inside scoop.)

See Body Special inside.

pgs. 12-13

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

TO N E YO U R B O DY

NEWS/FEATURES Page 2

EASTSIDE

January 2010

East students exercise to stay fit ■ By Rebecca Ohnona (‘12) Eastside News/Features Editor

According to Kenneth P. Moritsugu, the Surgeon General of 2007, getting Americans off the couch and onto their feet could save an estimated 200,000 lives per year.

Despite the simplicity of this lifesaver, not many people make the effort to exercise each day. Putting on a T-shirt and shorts after hours of school does not seem appealing to most students. Merely getting oneself to the gym to work out can seem to be nearly impossible when activities like taking a shower, sleeping and eating sound so much more enticing. Not many are prepared for the pain afterwards, the distractions imposed by peers at the gym or even the thought of being in yet another noisy, social atmosphere.

Despite these excuses, a survey conducted of two hundred East students reveals that 85 percent of students somewhat enjoy exercise and work out at least once a week, while only eight percent claim to not exercise at all.

Every student exercises for different reasons, usually along the lines of staying healthy and maintaining his or her weight. “[I exercise in order] to be fit and be confident in social situations. Also, because it makes me feel good about myself,” said Brenda Villecco (’13), who exercises six or seven days a week.

When asked why she exercises, Jacquie Benson

(‘12) said that it is “to maintain [her] health.” She

creases depression and anxiety, reduces the risk of development of heart disease and enhances work, recreation and sport performance.

Of the students who said they exercise six or s e v e n days a week, one hundred percent of them said they are comfortable w i t h their bodies.

also said that she is “healthy and fit.”

H o w e v e r, many students disagree. Students who do not exercise say that it is because they don’t have time or are just lazy. The benefits of exercise, however, should greatly outweigh its downfalls. Besides reducing and maintaining one’s body weight or body fat, physical activity de-

Alex Siegal ( ‘ 1 2 ) said, ”I am comfortable with my body. I am fit and in shape [due to] my 15 hours-aweek [workout schedule].”

Siegal gets his exercise from sports such as basketball and soccer.

Exercise to this extent keeps students healthy and happy, in addition to improving concentration in school.

Sean Luenkemann (’11), who works out almost every day of the week for a total of about seven hours, said that he feels comfortable with his body because he is in “good shape.”

Although such a rigorous workout schedule as Luenkemann’s is not necessary in order to be comfortable with one’s body, at least thirty minutes of heart-pumping exercise per day is recommended to stay healthy.

On the flip side, 64 percent of surveyed students who said that they do not exercise claimed to be uncomfortable with their body images.

The two most popular types of exercise are running and playing team sports. Of the 38 percent of students who said that playing team sports is their favorite type of exercise, thirty percent of them say that they exercise every day of the week in order to make the team or to remain in shape for when their season comes.

Not only does exercise increase happiness and relieve stress, exercise is arguably the most beneficial thing you can do for yourself. Staying hydrated is a very important part in one’s exercise performance.

As Jim Rohn, a famous American author, once said, “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”

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

After interviewing 200 East students, we found that: • 85% of students enjoy exercise.

• 8% of students do not exercise.

• 26% of students exercise for over seven hours per week.

• 38% of students favor exercise in team sports.

• 18% of students get their exercise from running.

• 28% of team players exercise six to seven times per week.

• 64% of students who do not exercise say they are not comfortable with their bodies.

• 100% of students who exercise every day of the week are comfortable with their bodies.

Did you know?

• Each pound of muscle burns 75-100 calories every day simply by existing.

• Swimming freestyle stroke for one hour burns about 350 calories in a 130-pound body.

• You would need to run 6 miles in order to burn the calories in a Big Mac from McDonalds.

• Weight lifting burns about 200 calories for every half-hour.

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

Long time ring tradition fades as prices rise ■ By Gabrielle Kains (‘12) Eastside Staff

Ten years from now, what high school memorabilia will you still have? A yearbook, a diploma, maybe a varsity letter? But what about a class ring?

In the fall of every school year, Jostens, the provider of high school memorabilia such as yearbooks and rings, sends a representative to Cherry Hill East to perform presentations and sell class rings to the sophomore class.

“Every school is different, but Cherry Hill East decided students will buy rings sophomore year so they can wear them ahead of time,” said Jeff Johnson, East’s Jostens representative.

In the past, all interested students purchased the same silver ring with a red stone, the school mascot and the engraved words

“Cherry Hill East.”

Starting in the early 1990s, students were able to customize rings any way t h e y

would like, but many believe that this factor is why ring sales have slowed over the past decade.

“That’s why I didn’t buy one,” said Samara Levin (‘12). “It’s like buying your own class ring… but nobody has the same one.

It would be so much cooler if everyone bought the

same thing. One for boys and a smaller but similar one for girls.”

Johnson said that the economy has also had a large effect on sales.

“The price of gold is higher than it has ever been,” Johnson said.

“Rings with 14 -karat gold can be hundreds of dollars.”

The cheapest ring is $69.95 and is made of silver, with a logo and one stone.

The average ring ranges from about 300 to 400 dollars, but if a student wants gold or diamonds, the price increases significantly, with some as much as 700 to over 1,000 dollars.

Even though the rings are “really expensive,” according to Danielle Impagliazzo (‘12), she bought one anyway “for memories.

[The rings] are good to have.”

For the boys, the most

popular ring was the Tribute A11, a simple ring with a stone, the student’s name, a school name, class year and a logo. For the girls, the most popular ring was the Serenity F60, a ring with a marquise or almond-shaped cut gem, class year and school name.

bought a ring received a free grey hoodie with 2012 printed on the front.

“Good school spirit is definitely a factor [in the number of rings sold],” said Johnson.

Johnson likes how rings are picked up at the Sophomore Cotillion, like a “ring dance,” which encourages students to have fun dancing with their classmates and to receive their class ring at the same time.

“I’m working in any way to Hsiui Chung (‘10)/ For Eastside possible increase school spirit,” he said.

According to Johnson, around forty percent of Johnson believes that East students bought rings Cherry Hill East has great this fall. school spirit, and the sales As a new added bonus of class rings reflect that this year, students who quality.

NEWS/FEATURES January 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 3

Wachman knows what’s JustINStyle ■ By Sherin Nassar (‘13)

of Autism research.

Wachman hopes all Wachman is very inteens will see him and his spired by young designers company in the same way Justin Wachman (‘10) like himself. that Cohen knows just what’s in style.

“Anytime I see does.

After discovering his clothes from “I would like interest in fashion at the young designers to have a comage of eight and studying I get inspired pany that is in merchandising and because when well known and computer graphics in you’re younger, I hope to always Philadelphia and New life is already design for York City, Wachman complicated, teens,” Wachhas started his [and to man said. first fashion line, design on top Wachman is “JustINStyle.” of that is] publicizing his JustINStyle’s intense,” he new clothing first line, Love is the said. line over FaceNew Peace, features Wachman book, YouTube logo tees and sweatis also inand through his shirts that are censpired by his Courtesy of JustinStyle fashion show for tralized around the celebrity He Facebook Fan Page Eastcast. theme of love and idol: Lady encourages acceptance.

Gaga. A student at teens to become a member “It’s time to bring New York University, on his website. Wachman in the love,” WachLady Gaga knew what is always on the search for man said. she wanted to do when ideas for future T-shirt Designing clothes she was younger, designs. since he was 15, Wach-man said.

“I will take the time Wachman studied in Just like Lady to try my best to deNew York City at the G a g a , sign a shirt for Laboratory Institute Wa c h m a n anybody,” Wachof Merchandising also serves man said. this past summer. as a role Wa c h m a n , There he learned m o d e l . who has been about merchandisS a m m i e enrolled in busiing, ran a fashion Cohen (‘11), ness classes at Photo Illustration by Karina Korneyeva (‘10)/ Eastside Photo Editor show, designed a six- Wachman works on his designs with his clothing line next to him. who has East such as piece jewelry set and k n o w n Intro to Busieven managed a photo the company. out at the end of DecemWachman since ness in addishoot, all in the one “I’m putting in my own ber, while the official middle school tion to Marketmonth he spent in New money [for this company]. women’s line is coming out and joined him ing and ComYork.

I’m not dealing with the this month and the men’s in at-tending the puter Graphics, New York also brought whole loaning system,” line in February. The New York sumhas applied to the business side out of Wachman said. material for the clothing is mer program, fashion and Wachman.

After he saved up made in the U.S., and is views him as a business schools “The younger you are enough money, he bought fifty percent cotton and very dedicated like Lynn, FashCourtesy of JustinStyle ion Institue of actually makes you more all of the materials wholefifty percent polyester. person.

Facebook Fan Page Technology and determined,” he said. sale, started to design his However, JustINStyle is “He’s outgoing This exposure to the own shirt and got some not the only clothing line and he always NYU. city, coined the “fashartists to design other Wachman wants to create. likes to make everything Wachman lives by his ion capital of the country,” ones.

He would like to create his best work. ‘Okay’ isn’t own motto, “fashion can be encouraged Wachman to The clothing line, which “Fashion for a Cause,” a good enough for him,” bought; style is something start his fashion line. will be sold on his website, line of apparel in support Cohen said. you possess.”

Eastside Staff

“If it wasn’t for this summer, I wouldn’t have had the courage and determination to express myself [through] a T-shirt line,” Wachman said.

Tired of having several drawings merely sitting in his notebook, Wachman finally decided to take the next step and saved up his money for a year to start

Justinstyle.info, has a price range of approximately 15 to 35 dollars. All clothing pieces come from American Apparel and have an “urban feel” with a mix of spring colors.

“People who buy the clothes now can wear the clothing in the spring,” Wachman said.

The logo apparel came

Coffee House preview ■ By Emily McCready (‘11) Eastside Staff

Refreshments, entertainment and charity awareness: Cherry Hill East's Coffee House is certainly a unique way to spend a Saturday night.

On January 23, for the fifth consecutive year, Cherry Hill East’s Thespian Society and East Singers will collaboratively run and host a carnivalthemed Coffee House to benefit charity.

This year, Coffee House will raise awareness for and benefit the CARES (Child Abuse Research Education) institute, an organization providing services to children suffering from abusive situations. CARES works on a case-by-case basis, offering support specific to the individual family’s needs, oftentimes including

medical and mental health services.

On this occasion, the cafeteria is styled to mimic an actual cafe, with decorated individual tables and couches.

Entertainment typically includes musical routines, one-act skits and comedy acts showcasing East’s talent. Students and teachers alike perform in such routines, all for the benefit of a chosen charity.

Admission to the event is five dollars.

In addition, baked goods will be sold to further benefit the CARES organization.

In past years, Coffee Houses at East have raised between $5000 and $8000 for different charities.

With help from the East community, the goal can again be met and possibly even surpassed.

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

NEWS/FEATURES Page 4

EASTSIDE

January 2010

Teacher to Feature: Mr. Rouen ■ By Dan Desrochers (‘11) Eastside Staff

BEEEEP. The school bell rings to signal the end of yet another hectic school day at precisely 2:30 p.m.

As students rush out of school, the teachers and faculty gather their papers, car keys and methodically file out – with the exception of a select few. Those few teachers stay past school hours to provide extra help and make-up work until 4 p.m. when they choose to retire for the day...except for an even more select few. One of these anomalies remains fixed at his desk for at least another hour, usually more.

This figure is none other than Mr. Greg Rouen, who has put in long hours every day since he became a part of the East faculty six years ago. He often spends late nights filing papers and grading when all of the other teachers have gone home. “[There is] a lot of filing and a lot of grading makeup tests,” said Rouen. “I have a lot of small grading

things that I don’t like to ing, filing and preparing leaves, it’s easier to get take home, there is just too for labs the next day. work done.” much.”

That’s two and a half more Rouen has admitted he On any given day, Rouen hours. has been found on some usually arrives occasions at school at sleeping around 7 a.m. on multiand then teaches ple chairs, until 2:30 p.m. with all After that, he the lights stays with stuturned out dents for extra in the scihelp and makeence office. up labs and “I have tests. f a l l e n “[Mr. Rouen] a s l e e p stays after here many school as long as times,” he students need said, “both him,” Vira Shao on purpose (‘12), a former and by student of Rouen accident.” said.

“Even Rouen though he is sacdoes have rificing his pera wife and sonal life.” family, as Finally, at well. Ever around 6 p.m., Karina Korneyeva (‘10)/ Eastside Photo Editor since his he makes his Rouen sometimes stays at school until 11:30 p.m. first son way home for meeting with students and doing work for his classes. was born dinner.

That’s last year, eleven hours so far.

In total, that adds up to Rouen has been forced to Now here comes the thirteen and a half hours learn to adapt. extraordinary part: spent in the school build“I had to learn how to depending on his workload, ing in one day. take stuff home and work Rouen may actually return “There are a lot of disat home,” he said. “[My at around 8 p.m. and work tractions at home,” Rouen wife] gets more bothered until 10 or 11:30 p.m. gradsaid. “Here, after everyone when I am not home now

that I have the kid— way more than she used to.”

As crazy as it may seem, Rouen used to stay even later. Before he had his first son, he used to work around 16 hours a day.

“I used to be here real late, I would leave with nothing but my car keys and would have everything set up for the next day,” he said, and he blames it on “a little bit neuroticism and a lot of grading.”

As bad as a 67.5-hour work week may seem, he actually took the teaching job because he thought he would spend less hours than he did at his former job as a chemist at Merck.

His hard work seems to be appreciated, as many students realize how much effort he puts in.

“He uses some of the best teaching methods,” Mike Berkowitz (‘12) said.

“He gets really into it; he stands on desks and stuff and he has great analogies. He uses props to get you to understand.”

If Rouen is ever sleeping on the job, try not to wake him. He needs the sleep.

Substitute teachers fill in for teachers long-term ■ By Meagan Riley (‘12)

communicates with Mikulski, but also with Mrs. Jennifer Dolan, who Many students have follows the same lesson been taught by a long-term plan. substitute teacher at one He said, “Mrs. Dolan and point in their academic life.

Mrs. Mikulski work on the Long-term subs take over same thing so it goes for a teacher who is pregsmoothly with the lesson nant, sick or recovering plans.” from an injury for an The grading is not more extended period of time. or less lenient when a longThe job of a long-term sub term sub is in position, but is not only a complicated is as similar to the other one, but also a challenging teachers’ grading systems one. The sub needs to meet as possible. Students also the expectations of the stuget the same amount of dents and parents, as well work as those in other as the requirements of the classes. However, a student teacher.

They who has a longneed to be very Long-term sub- term sub teachfamiliar with the ing them may subject they are stitutes need to feel as though taking over as have a state cer- they are not well. learning enough.

So many re- tification and a According to quirements make college major in Bryant, however, long-term substithe criteria for tutes either hard the subject they long term substito come by or are teaching, as tutes are essenlacking in suf- well as pass the tially the same ficient knowlas for a teacher.

PRAXIS II. edge of the subThey need to ject they are suphave a state cerposed to be teaching. tification and a college Mr. John Bryant, who major in the subject they serves as a long-term sub are teaching. Also, they for Mrs. Meghan Mikulski, need to take and pass the currently on maternity PRAXIS II, a state test leave, said that the objecthat measures one’s contive of the long term sub is tent knowledge in a certain to “take the place of the subject. All teachers are teacher” so the students required to take this, and will be on schedule with so are long-term subs. the curriculum when the Bryant said that “being teacher returns. They also available and qualified try to make the transition when the need arises” is for teachers as seamless as what being a long-term sub possible. is about.

Bryant ensures that his A student may also feel students are on the same that a long-term sub lacks track as other classes by enough experience to teach staying in contact through the subject matter. phone or e-mail with the However, a long-term subother teachers. He not only stitute would not be placed Eastside Staff

in such a position unless a long-term substitute at they knew East for the “The reason I like juniors what they and were doing. seniors.

He being a long term For example, specializes in sub is that I like Bryant is American experienced in History, so he the challenge.” both teaching the - Mr. Bryant meets and substitutrequirements ing.

From needed to sub2006 to 2008 he taught stitute for both Mikulski’s courses at both East and and Dolan’s classes.

West, and last year he was “The reason I like being

Mr. Davis

We asked...

Natasha Alex Kauth Mr. Hauck (‘13) (‘11) Musumeci

If I won buy a cup of the lottery, hot chocolate pay off my because I daughter’s I would... would win the $2 lottery

a long term sub is that I like the challenge.

It keeps things interesting all the time,” Bryant said.

He added that “the challenge is sometimes working with other teacher’s plans and making sure that when the teacher returns from their leave, it’s a seamless transition.”

buy a mansion

buy a trampoline

PhD loan

pancakes Favorite breakfast with strawberries grapefruit item

waffles Frosted Flakes

on top

People say I...

look like Jon Gruden am friendly

Whichever Team Edward or one was the Jacob? guy in Harry Potter

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NEWS/FEATURES January 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 5

Brooks has a little hope, love, faith ■ By Jheri Grossman (‘11) If you could change one thing at East, what would it be?

FRESHMEN I would construct a nicer football stadium. A stad i u m would help Greg Weinstock bring more school spirit. Additionally, having a stadium would help make the community of Cherry Hill and our high school have a closer relationship. We could even host the Thanksgiving football game.

SOPHOMORES I would change the overall school spirit. During e v e n t s such as Adam Rosenthal S p i r i t Week, the spirit throughout the school is at its peak. The same spirit and hype brought forth from Spirit Week should be shown throughout the school year.

JUNIORS Our school has several opportunities to get involved; I just wish more peoAvra Bossov ple knew about them. While it is the responsibility of the club or organization leaders and its members to publicize events themselves, it would be helpful to have televised announcements.

These would provide the visual component that would make people pay attention to them.

Logistically, this would require all homerooms to have a working television and people to actually be on camera.

SENIORS I would extend the six-minute homeroom.

In this new p o l i c y, t h e r e Lauren would be a Ruediger bell at 8:10 a.m. during a fifteen-minute homeroom (8:00 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.). If students arrived in homeroom before the 8:10 a.m. bell, then they should be on time. This could eliminate the craziness in the parking lots as well as in the hallways, and give students more time to study or go to their lockers.

Next month, class presidents reveal role models.

For Eastside

I

t is a misconception that only famous or rich people can help children in another country, let alone have any sort of impact on their lives. However, those who want to help people who are less fortunate than oneself should follow Taylor Brooks’ (‘11) example. She has managed to prove the misconception incorrect.

Brooks started the Hope Love Faith Foundation over five years ago as a sixth grader. While most children’s extracurricular interests included soccer and video games, she was more interested in saving the world.

Brooks knew she wanted to start a charity as soon as she was diagnosed with CMV. CMV, short for Cytomegalovirus, affects Brooks’ heart and nervous system, proving to be a constant presence in her everyday life. CMV affects Brooks all day, every day, with symptoms such as trouble concentrating and extreme fatigue. Brooks said CMV “is like having [mononucleosis] all the time.”

During her discovery of this illness, many people helped her and assisted her in her time of need.

This, plus her fascination with “American Idol Gives Back,” inspired her and encouraged her to start the Hope Love Faith Foundation.

Brooks then realized that she wanted to help others in their times of need. She knew she wanted to be involved in the aid of others, but did not know which charity to send money to. She researched other charitable organizations, such as Bono’s “One,” but was not able to find one that she liked.

Then Brooks found out that her mother’s friend from Rosa, English teacher Mrs. Gretchen Seibert, had already started her own charity a few years before, giving Taylor the idea to

branch off of the already existing charity and create her own. Thus, the Hope Love Faith Foundation was born.

Brooks finally decided she wanted to donate the money raised to a secondary school in Kigo, Uganda.

She got in touch with the school’s director, Alice Awegey, and immediately became involved. Brooks sends money to the school and has so far bought all fifty students school supplies and helped them on their way to graduation.

Also, seeing as some students are currently orphans without any home to live in, the school also acts as a boarding school, so Brooks purchased enough beds and pajamas for every student who remains homeless. So far, Photos courtesy of Taylor Brooks (‘11) she has raised over 4,000 Alice (left) and some stu- dollars and counting.

However, Brooks does dents were excited to receive these beds that not work on this foundation alone. Many people Brooks donated. contribute to the flow and organization of this charity. Kaity Hartkopf (‘11) is also a strong participator in the foundation. Brooks said, “Kaity Hartkopf helps immensely” by selling lollipops to raise money and come up with other fundraising ideas.

Brooks spends multiple hours organizing and fundraising for this foundation.

Hartkopf said Brooks has “always been a loving and caring person and this just tops it all off.

Brooks’ sister, Devin Brooks (‘10), said that Taylor has a huge heart and would do anything to make someone's life better, Some students in Africa use especially exemplified in a well that Brooks donated her charity. over the summer.

By communicating with a school of children whose living conditions are completely different from her own, Taylor Brooks said that this organization has “opened her eyes to the world,” helping her realize there is a world outside Cherry Hill’s upper middle class society.

Cherry Hill East can only expect to see great things from Taylor Brooks as this charity takes her through high school and college. Her face lit up as Brooks receives the Volun- she revealed her plans to teer of the Year award from continue with this charity. the Outside the Dream Anyone could tell that she Foundation. truly loves to help others.

1. Visit her website at www.freewebs.com/hopelovefaith.

2. Buy a lollipop for $1 — all proceeds benefit the Hope Love Faith Foundation.

3. Donate money. Checks should be made payable to the Hope Love Faith Foundation.

4. Contact Taylor at foreverhope8@yahoo.com for volunteer opportunities, which will take place in the spring.

Headline by Sally Yang (‘11)/ Eastside Art Director; Bed by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director

The Cherry Hill Board of Education has been busy at work in Alternate BOE p r e p a r a Representative tion for creJulia Susuni ating the 2010-2011 budget.

The Board has also been working on various methods of reform for Cherry Hill Public Schools. The BOE has begun a general discussion of the budget for the upcoming school year. A “first look” budget will be presented to the Board

by Administration this month. After this presentation, the discussion of the budget will move forward at full force. The Board is pleased to announce that an auditor made a presentation, reporting that the expectations the Board had from last year were off by a mere 10 percent. This success is great news for the Board.

The popular new flu on the rise, swine flu, has been addressed after much concern from the community. High Schools East and West hosted open clinics, making swine flu vaccines more accessible as flu season approaches. On December 10, 2009, Cherry Hill East held the H1N1 Vaccination clinic for the community. The clinic lasted for three hours as members of the community received the vaccine to protect them from the widespread swine flu. The long lines filled the DiBart Gym and both cafeterias.

The Director of Security presented the Annual Violence, Vandalism, Weapons and Substance Abuse Report for the 2008-2009 School Year. There has been a slight decrease in the number of reported incidents during the year, which is very favorable to our district. The BOE has been very pleased about this information. Hopefully, the 2009-2010 school year will continue this decrease.

The Board has also implemented new policies for student transportation and administration of medicine. The BOE will continue to work towards developing an action plan to improve school facilities in Cherry Hill Public Schools. In addition to these new policies, the Board has begun to devise a rough calendar for the 2010-2011 school year.

For more information regarding the Cherry Hill Board of Education, please visit: http://www.cherryhill.k12.nj.us/ SGA and BOE Logos by Avra Bossov (‘11)/ Eastside News/ Features Editor

COMMUNITY Come on down to Chinatown

Page 6

EASTSIDE

January 2010

Art by Jean Harrell (‘11)/ For Eastside

dents travel to Chinatown to enjoy dim sum, or “tea lunch.” Dim sum items are small portions of food, such as steamed shrimp, pork dumplings, deep-fried egg rolls and taro-root dumplings, meant to satisfy eating needs during every season with a variety of tastes and fragrances.

Many Chinese families reserve Sunday mornings for this special outing. The first step in a dim sum meal is ordering a special kind of tea, such as po nay or jasmine. The food is brought to the table on carts or trays with some food served in bamboo

opened in 1870 showing musical comedies and traveling minstrel shows, “the ■ By Devon Braunstein (‘10) Troc” now serves as a concert Eastside Managing Editor hall and live music venue.

One student characterized the onvenience versus culture: a Trocadero Theatre as “its own little choice that several East stuworld within the city.” Though the dents seem to be pondering venue is the oldest 19th century thewhen searching for their atre still operating in the country, ideal Chinese food meal. the Trocadero takes care to modernPhiladelphia’s Chinatown ize the facility while still maintainused to be known as the “hotspot” for ing its historic essence. Most recentSouth Jersey residents looking to ly, the Trocadero hosted band experience a Chinese meal. Today, Ghostland Observatory for a with more and more local and show filled with laser lights, fog conveniently located Chinese and blasting music. food restaurants opening up, While a majority of students some students may overlook feel that the travel across the the unique aspects that the bridge is worthwhile to experihip, urban Chinatown area ence the cultural authenticity has to offer. of Chinatown, other students Out of the 77 percent of prefer hopping in the car and East students surveyed that driving, or even walking, to the have been to Chinatown, 82 nearest local Chinese restaupercent say that they go rant. Students’ top choices for mainly for the authenticity convenient Chinese food of the Chinese food. include Chez Elena Wu, Sakura “If you were to go to Spring and Joe’s Peking Duck Chinatown, compared to a House. place like Shangri La, it is Chez Elena Wu, located in two completely different the Ritz Shopping Center in styles,” said John Voorhees, offers customers a McDermond (’10).

Chinese cuisine fused with a “Chinatown places seem Mia Holley (‘12)/For Eastside French influence, plus a wide more China-oriented, while a local place is more East students enjoy going to Penang, a popular selection of sushi dishes.

Sakura Spring also intermixes Chinatown restaurant.

American-oriented.” nationalities on its menu, offerPenang, a popular steamers. Customers choose from ing Chinese, Japanese and Thai cookChinatown destination for East stufour of the main food groups: steamed ing. Most similar to the restaurants dents, brings an edgy style to dishes, variety dishes, deep-fried located within Chinatown is Joe’s Chinatown. Large spiral lights on items and sweet items.

Peking Duck House, as it serves the ceiling hang above customers as “[Eating in Chinatown] brings out strictly authentic Chinese dishes. they enjoy a Malaysian cuisine. the experience of eating the dim sum Though countless Chinese food Custom-designed tables and chairs and makes it even better,” said Mike restaurants exist in students’ attribute to the restaurant’s edgyHsieh (’10). backyards, the cultured atmosstyled interior. The most popular Aside from the culinary aspect of phere of Chinatown seems to be entrée is the Mango Chicken, Chinatown, 43 percent of surveyed one-of-a-kind. Whether it is a cooked with spicy sweet and sour East students appreciate the culture Sunday morning meal centered sauce and served in a mango shell. and shops of Chinatown. around dim sum, or a rocking While Penang is a chain restauThe Trocadero Theatre is a night out at “the Troc,” a trip to rant, East students also enjoy Victorian-styled independent music Chinatown is sure to be an order some of Chinatown’s more authenvenue in Chinatown.

Originally of chow fun. tic food stops. Several East stuArt logo by Sally Yang(‘11)/ Eastside Art Director

Ingredients: * White rice * Vegetable oil * Sesame oil * Eggs * Soy sauce * Onions and garlic * Vegetables of your choice (corn, carrots, pea pods, etc.) * Chopped chicken

Step One: Beat eggs with salt and pepper for taste. Heat very little vegetable oil in a frying pan and make an omelette with half the beaten eggs. Turn on to a plate to cool (do not fold omelette). Repeat process with remaining beaten eggs. Place one omelette on top of the other and chop. Set aside.

Step Two:

Step Three:

Step Four:

In a medium bowl, toss chicken strips with the sesame oil, salt and pepper to add taste. Heat three tablespoons of vegetable oil over high heat in a large frying pan or wok and stir-fry the prepared chicken strips until lightly golden, for about two to three minutes.

Add onion and garlic and stir-fry for one to two minutes or until onion has softened.Add two tablespoons more of vegetable oil and when hot, stir in the cooked rice and green onions, tossing and mixing thoroughly until very hot.

Sprinkle with soy sauce and mix evenly. Remove from heat and stir in diced cooked egg. If desired, garnish with additional sliced green onions or vegetables of your choice. Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of www.cooksrecipes.com.

COMMUNITY January 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 7

brings its brains to the Franklin Institute ■ By Danielle Fox (‘13) Eastside Staff

In 1995, Dr. Gunther Von Hagens, a German anatomist, presented the first Body Worlds exhibit in Tokyo, Japan. Since then, other exhibitions that branch off of Body Worlds have been seen by more than 25 million people worldwide.

“The Human saga [shows] the workings of the brain, the heart and other findings and phenomena about the h u m a n body,” said wife of Von Hagens and director of the Institution for Plastination, Dr. Angelina W h a l l e y, according to bodyworlds. com.

Recently, a new Body Worlds exhibit came to the Philadelphia area. On October 17, “Body Worlds 2: The Brain – Our Three Pound Gem” came to the Franklin Institute and will be showcased until February 21. The exhibit contains the most recent neuroscience findings on development, function, dis-

ease, disorders and improvement of the brain.

Von Hagens and Whalley created a holistic meditation on t h e

brain that merges anatomy, neuroscience and

philosophy.

“The exhibit had a bunch of facts and information [and had] skeletons of people and i t

Photo courtesy of culturemob.com

was a way of learning more about the memory unit

in psychology,” said Elizabeth Conn (’11), who went to the exhibit with her psychology class on a class trip.

After visiting the exhibit, one may want to check out the Plastination Cart, which showcases hands-on demonstrations of the process of plastination and polymer science.

Plastination, invented by Von Hagens, is the revolutionary process of how the exhibitions are preserved. The water and fat of the body parts a r e replaced by certain plastics, yielding specimens that can be touched, do not smell or decay and retain most properties of the original sample.

After capturing the views of various people and students, the Body Worlds exhibit has proved to be a great success. So, if you have “the brains,” you should take a trip to the Franklin Institute for an educational experience.

Body Worlds logo by Danielle Hu (‘11)/ Eastside Staff

■ By Amanda Silpe (‘11) For Eastside

A l o n g with my academic responsibilities, I am very involved in community service projects at the local Jewish Community Center (JCC).

One particular organization that I take part in at the JCC is called TOUCH (Teens Organized and United to Care and Help).

The organization started last January and has grown over this past year to about 15 members. We have meetings once a month to plan the two big projects we create every year. Last year, we collected canned food items to put together baskets for families in need in our community. The recipients were so kind and appreciative. This year, our first major project was visiting Voorhees Pediatric Facility.

We collected infant toys and then spent an hour visiting with the children living there.

With every project we do, no matter how big or small, I know we make a difference in people’s lives by brightening up their days or putting smiles on their faces. The organization not only benefits the recipients, but also the group members as well.

By being a part of this organization, I have learned about myself and about my community.

Philadelphia: the “mural capital of the world” ■ By Rebecca Schuck (‘13)

mural, he marked off certain areas for students to paint. The students then went back to the Murals “create mural and added their community, inspire own artistic talents to individuals, revitalize it. neighborhoods and Last February, the give hope.” This is the Mural Arts Program philosophy of the celebrated its 25th Philadelphia Mural anniversary. In honor Arts Program, accordof this milestone, ing to its website. The the program created Mural Arts Program another mural called helped Philadelphia “This We Believe.” The earn the title of seven-panel, 2,700"mural capital of the square-foot-long mural world." Since the Courtesy of time.com conveys a message of start of the program A mural called “Careers: Heads to the Sky” by Carin Jones optimism. It depicts in 1984, it has crafted keep kids off the street 1998 created the famous symbolizing the millions how Philadelphia is conover three thousand and give them a positive mural “Common Threads,” of choices children can stantly overcoming obstamurals for the Philadelthing to do during afterwhich depicts small, oldmake. cles. phia area. school hours. fashioned statues whose Although Jones The program offers “Philadelphia is a city Continuing with the movements are mimicked sketched and designed the many different ways to of neighborhoods, of diby their modern-day experience and converse communities — teenage replicas. In the tribute to “the mural it’s full of authentic middle of the mural, an capital of the world”. voices of people who African-American girl Whether it is taking want to be heard,” stands alone. This girl a tour, submitting said Jane Golden, the mimics no one, symbolan idea for a new founder of the mural izing her yearning to do mural or participating program, in her intersomething special with in one of their occaview with Philadelher life. sional community servphia With Love.

Another talented arice programs, taking Wishing to express tist, Cavin Jones, graced the time to become the voices of Philadelthe city of Philadelinspired by the murals phia, Golden develphia with his mural, and the people whose oped the mural proCourtesy of time.com “Heads to the Sky,” Courtesy of time.com stories they portray is gram as a branch of worthwhile. the Anti-Graffiti net- Philadelphia mural by John Lewis showcasing children who Mural painted by Don Gensler For Eastside

work that children from all over Philadelphia currently take part in.

Its afterschool programs

program’s mission to provide meaningful aesthetics to the community, artist Meg Saligman in

are looking up to the sky which contains four rows of career paths. He wanted the rows to seem endless,

OPINIONS Page 8

EASTSIDE

Placement tests for H/AP classes As Cherry Hill East students strive to challenge themselves academically, many opt to take Honors or Advanced Placement classes.

However, some find themselves in over their heads, stimulating a debate whether the school should institute placement tests that students must pass before entering an H or AP class.

PRO

not keep up with the rest of student to start the year in the class. By enforcing the class that they would placement tests, there is a eventually drop into,” said decreased chance that less Rocchino. “That way, they ■ By Sydney Gore (‘11) prepared students will will be more comfortable in Eastside Staff struggle and receive bad the right environment.” grades. Instead of falling Placement tests would behind in a difficult class, also decrease the stress on Although the idea of these students can take a students who are taking testing students to deterclass where they learn at a AP courses even though mine if they qualify for more comfortable pace. they are not ready for Honors or AP courses “[Not doing well in an them. Some students are seems unnecessary, it Honors or AP class] makes pressured by their parents would ultimately benefit the student feel bad as if to take courses they do not every student and teacher he or she failed when the want to take, and testing involved. Almost everyone school has responsibility to would reduce that occurhas endured the dreadful put them in the most conrence. experience of the student ducive environment for Students in AP classes who asks numerous quesacademic success,” said Ms. are expected to take the AP tions because they do not Roseanne Rocchino, an Test at the end of the comprehend the material, English 2H teacher. school year. Some students or simply make inane and Although students know choose not to take the test irrelevant comments. that they can drop a course for financial or personal If placement testing is if it is too challenging, reasons, wasting their time used, classmates would be those who do so then in a challenging course at an equal academic level require a period of adjustpreparing for a test they and no one would slow ment to catch up on what never planned to take. down the pace of the class. they missed in their new Those students who are Less advanced students in class. Placement testing not planning on taking the H/AP classes tend to leave would drastically reduce exam would be better off in the entire class at a disadthe number of students a lower level class. When vantage; however, a placewho are incorrectly placed viewed in this light, placement test would work to in courses during the year ment tests actually benefit prevent this. and will eventually drop the students rather than Also, teachers may be the higher-level class. impairing them or limiting frustrated or discouraged “It’s a good idea for the their learning. to help a student who canAccording to an educaAt Cherry Hill East... tional research study by • 305 students took at least one AP exam in the 2008-2009 school the Thomas B. Fordham year (a 51.6% participation rate). Institute reagrding AP courses, of the 1000 At the following high teachers in American schools, students must high schools surveyed... qualify to take an AP class • 56% believe that too many either by obtaining a high students overestimate their score on a placement ability to succeed in an AP exam, submiting strong level course. teacher recommendations, • 60% said that many or meeting other prerequi- stduents are enrolled in AP sites... courses simply because of Millburn High School pressure from parents or Scarsdale High School guardians.

Oak Park High School

CON

■ By Diana Yu (‘11)

For Eastside

In March of every year, students at Cherry Hill East face the challenge of choosing the next year’s courses. Students confer with their parents and guidance counselors and carefully consider how their choices may resonate in the future. However, at many times the school has broached the idea of interfering with this process. A particular faction in this school supports the use of evaluative tests at the end of every year to determine whether or not a student qualifies to take an honors or AP course the next year.

This intrusion is not welcomed; no test can possibly determine a student’s personal ability.

If any proof is necessary, look no further than the near and looming future: college applications. The major test that helps to form a college’s opinion of an applicant is the SAT I. However, if this criterion was all that was used to

admit or reject applicants, some people with the most potential might be overlooked. Fortunately, colleges look at an entire range of what a student has to offer, ensuring that each student has a fair chance.

If Cherry Hill East based its entire system upon a test, and excluded other factors like student potential, then some of the most hard-working individuals would be barred from taking AP and honors courses.

Tests cannot determine how well a student will do on projects, homework, participation and the various other factors that determine a grade.

Moreover, whether or not a student can take a test should solely depend upon his or her decision.

Even though a teacher may recommend for a student to take a lower level, the student ultimately knows what is better for him or her. Teachers do not see all the facets of a student’s character, and may partly base their recommendation upon their perception of the student from a previous year.

Many students and faculty members oppose this idea, including Mr. Terry Regan, a Chemistry 2AP teacher, who staunchly believes that students should have the final choice.

“As long as they give people the ability to drop levels, I think people should be given the opportunity to take a class they want. It needs to be the student’s decision,” said Regan.

If a student finds an honors or AP course too difficult from the beginning, they always have the option of dropping. Thus, students are given a chance to challenge themselves and it is up to them whether or not they can handle it.

After high school, students will face many forks in the road at which they must assess themselves and decide which direction to take. Allowing students to make their own decision now will foster their ability to evaluate themselves and make their choices accordingly in the future.

Art by Julia Finkel (‘10)/ Eastside Opinions Editor

January 2010

College admissions decisions issued online ■ By Amanda Michelson(‘10)

cepted. Gale wrote, “The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, I am a Cornell University and modernist.

Northwestern University’s I am no prestigious Kellogg School stranger to of Management have expethe wonrienced similar goof-ups in ders of recent years, but the UCSD technology, incident Monday was by whether it is talking to my far the largest.” friends on Facebook, or Still, a multitude of begging my parents for the schools choose the ease of revolutionary BlackBerry clicking a button as opphone that seems to be the posed to post-marking letnext big thing in the techters. Even Harvard Uninology world. I will, howversity, known for its tradie v e r, tionalist ways, a d m i t “In switched March 2009, has that over to electronw h e n University of Califor- ically sending i t nia-San Diego sent a c c e p t a n c e s comes and rejections. to col- congratulatory notices Some schools lege, I of acceptance to 28,000 send an e-mail am a students then an who had and tradiofficial letter a tional- already been rejected few days later ist. to students, but from the school” A s it seems to be a more colleges switch to waste of time to go down a sending acceptance letters whole e-mail list and mailvia e-mail, I am reminded ing list, when only one is of stories my parents and really necessary. other older family memI will applaud that a bers have told me. They variety of schools such as hassled the mailman each The University of Maryday, waiting with anticipaland, The University of tion for their fates. And, Pittsburgh, Emerson and when they finally did more now have websites in receive those glorious which a student can check envelopes, tangible and the status of swelling with hope for the t h e i r future, they saved those applicaletters to one day show tion. their children.

This In an article published in the Pittsburgh PostGazette entitled “Students watching e-mail for college acceptance” by Anya Sostek, I was saddened to find a recount of an experience of student Alex Bob, who almost deleted his first college acceptance letter to American University, as it found its way into his spam folder. It pains me to sound so old-fashioned, but where has the romanticism of being accepted to college like the way generations before us gone?

Mia Holley (‘12)/ While Bob ended up For Eastside realizing his almost huge A student waits by the mistake, other students mailbox for her college have suffered the conseadmission decision letquences of the technology ter to arrive. switch over. According to “UC San Diego sends allows a less stress-inducwrong e-mail to rejected ing way for students to stay students” by Gale Holup to date with all of the land, in March 2009, Unicomponents of their appliversity of California- San cation process, and is an Diego sent idea that all colleges congratulatshould aspire to imory notices of plement in their ofacceptance to fices of admissions.

28,000 stuWhile dents who checking applicahad already tion statuses online been rejected is extremely benefifrom the cial, for a more forschool, giving mal and heartfelt them false Nickee Plaksen (‘10)/ acceptance or rejecEastside Photo Editor tion, mailed letters hope that they had been re- Many colleges have are more approprito ate than the usage of considered or transitioned a c c i d e n t l y using e-mail to send technology. I can rejected the out notification of only imagine what first time. The admission to appli- the future may hold acceptance let- cants. as advances continters had been ue: the thought of sent to all 47,000 applireceiving a text message cants instead of the 18,000 reading “accepted” or that were actually ac“denied” makes me cringe.

Eastside Editor-In-Chief

OPINIONS January 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 9

We asked a student and a teacher...

Silence the texting buzz

Keep contact constant

Take a glimpse into modern culture: during a conversation, a Mr. Jules p e r s o n “vibrates,” Gross / Spanish pulls out a Teacher cell phone, taps out a new message, shuts the lid and then looks up at the person talking as if to say, “OK, I’m ready until I get my next message.”

A person will still be talking, when suddenly, he or she is staring at the top of someone’s head. When the rude text-messageobsessed individual finally looks up, the conversation becomes irrelevant. When asked what important, urgent information was just exchanged via text message, the student gives a variety of examples, from “I’m in class” to “I’m bored” to “I’m so bored,” to “I’m really so bored.” Prior to the integration of cell phones into every activity, students had to wait (gasp) to see their friends to tell them how bored they were in class.

However, aside from the interruptive nature of texting, there are plenty of appropriate moments to send a text message. For example, on a commercial break during a television show, a text message can satisfy the craving to obsess over a particular character or scene with a fellow religious “insert television show name here” watcher. And there is no better time to send a text message than during class when the 44-minute class period simply becomes

The text message is arguably the biggest phenomena of the 21st century. It has Sari Soffer established (‘10)/ its own voEastside cabulary (a Editor-in- combination Chief of abbreviated words, acronyms and the like) and has brought together young people, (tech-savvy) old people and people from all across the globe. With 74 percent of cell phone users worldwide texting, it must be true that text messaging is a useful addition to the mobile world.

One perk of a text message is in its convenience factor. With a text message, one can avoid interrupting his or her current task to move to a quiet area or wait for what feels like an endless amount of telephone rings. He or she can just send a text with a simple question or comment, and then return to the previous task while waiting for the reply.

Though cell phones have recently been banned at East during school hours, the faculty at East constantly assumes that all cell phone use during school is used for cheating or social purposes. Honestly, many students simply use their cell phone for communication with their parents or guardians during school hours.

Also, when a student forgets a notebook or needs money for lunch, he or she should be able to send a text message to a parent. The odds of that student walking all the way down to A-

:]

:-X

unbearable. Or, when two people realize that their “Facebook official” relationship is problematic because there is nothing to talk about in person, a break-up text message will end things quickly and from a distance.

On a more serious note, texting has become a dangerous habit, as many people choose to text message while walking through crowded areas or even while driving. During these two activities, in addition to a multitude of other actions, people need to be aware of their surroundings, not just of the screen illuminated on their cell phone. The constant flow of messages to the inbox folder is distracting—no matter how skilled a person is at multi-tasking.

It seems that the more people talk, the less they say. The ability to keep in contact with friends nonstop throughout the day has had a negative effect on accepted social habits and behavior in public.

Texting moves one’s fingers but stops his or her brain. People lose the ability to concentrate on anything for more than the time it takes to receive the next text message.

If living for a day without a cell phone in hand is a major struggle, if a conversation cannot be held from start to finish without interruption from a text message, and if everyday activities, including eating, doing homework or driving, always include the presence of a cell phone, it is time to re-evaluate whether the texting craze needs to be turned off.

:-&

:->

How has text messaging impacted East students both inside and outside the classroom?

Art by Julia Finkel (‘10)/ Eastside Opinions Editor

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

;)

:P

(:-D

:-!

wing to make a phone call are very slim, especially when it takes thirty seconds to send a text. The alternative to text messaging would be students continually asking teachers’ permission to call home for a simple request.

Sure, many will argue that certain extended conversations may be unnecessarily spoken through text messages, but the idea of engaging in a written conversation often relieves people of their discomfort in conversing with people they do not know very well. I am not suggesting that people shouldn’t try to build their characters by reaching out to people they do not naturally feel comfortable with, but certain reticent individuals find it much easier to communicate through text at first. The truth is, without texting, these people probably wouldn’t reach out at all.

I completely do not support the idea of texting during an active “real-life” conversation; any sort of distracting activity during a conversation is always considered rude. However, I do support the convenience of being able to send quick text messages when necessary.

A cell phone user should simply know how to send a text message at an appropriate and necessary time.

Despite the idea that text messaging inhibits real-life exchange, I don’t believe anyone can deny the usefulness of texting.

Beginning with the younger population, text messaging has even spread to some grandparents in the past few years. There’s no stopping it now.

%-(

0=)

When a quick text message needs to be sent, refer to the following acronyms...

BI5: Back in five NRN: No reply necessary wuz4dina: What’s for dinner?

XLNT: Excellent W8: Wait ^5: High five

When seeking to express an emotion quickly via text message, refer to the following emoticons...

Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director

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

People choose to communicate via text message, diverting their attention away from the present situation to send a quick message to a friend.

:-P tongue sticking out :-T keeping a straight face : ( ) cannot stop talking

:-D laughing &-l tearful :-@ screaming

EDITORIAL Page 10

EASTSIDE

January 2010

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

East students in need of “real world” skills Teachers at East often announce to a class, “You probably won’t ever need this in real life,” which leads students to wonder what skills they actually do require to thrive after high school.

Regardless of East’s impressive breadth of high-quality academics and extracurricular activities, many of its 2,091 students lack a standard financial education and do not know how to write a check by the time they graduate. An institution whose core standard is quality preparation for “the real world,” Cherry Hill East flounders in terms of practical financial preparation.

However, the entire curriculum does not require an overhaul, just a small addendum: a system of teaching students practical financial skills, integrated into current health classes.

Currently, only one elective-class at East (Business Principles) teaches students basic financial skills, such as balancing a check book, which are necessary for becoming economically independent. The new health unit would span three weeks, and current health teachers would administer the lessons following a training course themselves. Topics covered by this new unit would include addressing an envelope, calculating a tip, paying a bill, developing a signature and filling out insurance forms, in addition to completing other necessary financial tasks.

Implementing this new unit would successfully

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

prepare students for the financial responsibilities of adulthood.

Because they are in the process of applying to colleges, interviewing with admissions officers and mailing letters, transcripts and fees, juniors and seniors Eastside Online should have health first semester instead http://www.eastside-online.org of second.

This amplified health class would mirror college- and university-provided Publisher career services ranging from coaching Fort Nassau Graphics students on their “elevator speeches,” to helping craft a proper resume and even Thorofare, NJ setting up job interviews.

Colleges and universities prefer that incoming undergraduates have some form Letters to the Editor of job experience, but without knowledge Submit signed letters to FO87 of when, where or even how to start looking for one, students lose out on important opportunities. Local businesses and Awards shops will be more inclined to hire East The International Quill and Scroll Society, The American students if they see that they have already mastered basic financial skills. Scholastic Press Association, The Garden State Scholastic Students could also expect to learn first- Press Association, The Temple Press Tournament, and The hand how to fill out a job application, and National Scholastic Press Association. would be connected to job listings in If Cherry Hill East truly strives to send fullyCherry Hill. capable young adults into the world, then mateIn short, a mandatory financial skills unit at rial with a practical real-world application must East would allow students to leave high-school be taught. more financially savvy.

1. Calendars at the beginning of the month Teachers can distribute monthly calendars to prepare students for future deadlines.

2. Putting notes on the eboard Teachers can update their eboards with daily outlines of each day’s agenda to ensure that absent students do not fall behind. Supplemental websites are an added bonus.

3. Essay code name Students can label their essays with creative names in order to conceal their identity to allow for a fair grading process.

4. Study sessions - "Breakfast Clubs”

Here are a few teaching tactics that the Eastside Editorial Board considers especially beneficial:

Teachers can hold a before-school study session the day before a test – while enjoying some breakfast. This tactic gives students a day to review the material from the study session, plus ask questions, eliminating any last-minute confusion.

5. Practice tests the day before a real test Teachers can create practice tests (or use tests from previous years) so that students have the opportunity to test their skills on a subject they will be assessed on the following day.

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

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 Max Cohen first name 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 January Staffer Dillon Rosenblatt of the Month: Jake Trommer Danielle Fox (‘13)

Online News Editor Hailey Edelstein

COMICS January 2010

EASTSIDE

How To... by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director

MAKE A COMIC Word Jumble by Rachel Romm (‘11)/ For Eastside

Young Love by Havisha Desai (‘11)/ For Eastside

Feelin’ Sketchy by Rich Hanna (‘10)/ Eastside Staff

Artistic but not funny?

Funny but not artistic?

COLLABORATE! comics@eastsideonline.org

Page 11

Page 12

EASTSIDE

January 2010

SPORTS

January 2010

EASTSIDE Layout, commentary and information by Mike Davis (‘10)/ Eastside Sports Editor and Nate Mulberg (‘10)/ Eastside Sports Editor

Baseball Player Sam Slutsky (‘10)

Sam Slutsky and Marlee Ehrlich photos and all workout photos by Nickee Plaksen (‘10)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Page 13

Football Player Isaiah Campbell (‘11)

Sandra Goldlust, Erdong Chen and Isaiah Campbell photos by Karina Korneyeva (‘10)/ Eastside Photo Editor

If your New Year’s resolution is to get in better all-around shape, check out the workout regimens of some of East’s top athletes.

Following these workouts will show you how to achieve your workout goals using the methods of East’s most in-shape athletes.

To see more about how these student-athletes perform their key workouts (including the workouts of Goldlust and Ehrlich), turn to the back page of the newspaper.

Highlighted Feature: If you want to increase your bicep strength, follow Isaiah Campbell’s (‘11) workout.

Highlighted Feature:

Abs/Core

If you want better abdominal muscles, follow Sam Slutsky’s (‘10) abdominal routine.

Slutsky, who will play for Division I Purdue University next year, is the starting varsity centerfielder for the Cougars.

Last year he earned First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-South Jersey and First Team All-Group IV honors.

With a .569 batting average last year, Slutsky led all of South Jersey in batting average and tied East’s single season batting average record.

For more muscle endurance and stamina, check out Sandra Goldlust’s (‘11) exercise routine on the back page.

Abdominal Toe Touch with 12 pound medicine ball: 2 sets of 20 repetitions The abdominal toe touch is a bit of a difficult exercise, but the reward to your abdominal muscles will be great. To start off, lie on your back with your legs straight out. Then, lift your legs straight up so they are off the ground (the target is to get your legs to make a ninety degree angle with the ground, but if you are unable to do this, just raise your legs up as high as you can). Then, simply use your hands, or a medicine ball for more resistance, to reach up and touch your toes. The key to this exercise is making sure that on each repetition, you reach far enough so that your shoulders lift off the ground.

Starting Position

Toe Touch Position

Gymnast Sandra Goldlust (‘11)

For stronger leg muscles, follow the routine of wrestler and two-time East Wing Bowl Champion Erdong Chen (‘11).

To improve your all-around body and cardiovascular health and stamina, follow swimmer Marlee Ehrlich’s (‘12) workout regimen on the back page.

Wrestler Erdong Chen (‘11)

Muscle Endurance Goldlust is an extremely committed gymnast who trains at least 12 hours a week to remain competitive in her sport. In 2008, she placed first overall at a Jonas Gymnastics competition.

Lunging Position

Campbell made a major contribution to the varsity football team this season, playing running back, wide receiver and defensive back for the Cougars. He was selected as a Second Team All-Olympic Conference performer.

Starting Position

Hammer Curl Position

Dumbbell Hammer Curls: 4 sets of 12 repetitions (on each arm) Campbell completes a set of Dumbbell Hammer Curls, which works the bicep and forearm muscles. The added benefit in doing Hammer Curls instead of regular Bicep Curls is that Hammer Curls target a different part of the forearm than regular Bicep Curls do.

Swimmer Marlee Ehrlich (‘12)

Dumbbell Strides/Lunges: 4 sets of 8-12 repetitions (on each leg)

Starting Position

Highlighted Feature:

Biceps

Highlighted Feature: L e g s Chen, a varsity wrestler for the Cougars, found much success as a sophomore last year and started off this year on the right foot by winning the 2009 Palmyra Tournament. Chen is also a two-time East Wing Bowl Champion.

Leg Lunges are a great way to give your lower body a full workout, as they target almost every part of the lower body including quadriceps (the primary muscle worked), hamstrings, glutes and calves. Depending on your weight-lifting abilities, you can do dumbbell weight lunges (as Chen uses in the photo to the left), or you can simply do lunges without weights (known as a body weight lunge because your body weight is the only resistence during the lunge movement). Make sure that while you are in the lunge position, your back knee does not hit the floor. Ideally, you want your knee to be just above the floor.

You can also prevent injury from occurring by making sure that your front knee does not lean past the tips of your toes. Make sure that you complete the same amount of lunge repetitions on each leg so that one leg does not become stronger than the other.

Highlighted Feature:

Cardio Skills Ehrlich, a varsity swimmer for the Cougars, participated in the 18th World Maccabiah Jr. Games in Israel this past summer, where she won two silver medals and one bronze medal.

She has also qualified for the USA Jr. Nationals, along with the NCSA Jr. Nationals.

GLOBAL COMMENTARY Page 14

EASTSIDE

January 2009

What exactly do they do?

Royalty today: Jordan’s royalty

Swaziland’s royalty

■ By Moriah Schervone (‘11)

■ By Laura Kane (‘11) Eastside Global Commentary Editor

Eastside Community Editor

The Jordanian Hashemite royal family’s official website claims that the royal family members are the direct descendents of the prophet Muhammad, and governs its country with the religion in mind. As tensions in the Middle East rise and the present King Abdullah II has to face pressures from all sides of the conflicts, the Jordanian royalty has less power than it once had.

After a meeting with former President George W. Bush in 2005, Jordan claimed to be “moving toward democracy.” King Abdullah’s father, King Hussein, was a highly respected monarch who tried to create peace in the Middle East before dying in 1999. Jordan is still considered a constitutional monarchy as the King appoints the Prime Minister and approves other government officials.

Many royals, instead of focusing on their diminishing role in government, serve the state in other leading roles. For instance, King Abdullah’s halfsister, Princess Iman bint Al-Hussein, attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and then joined the Jordanian army.

In Swaziland, the second smallest country in Africa, lives one of the world’s last ruling monarchs, Swazi King Mswati III. Mswait has the final say in decisions. Although many people hope for democracy, Mswait still fights to retain his power. Two parties have been formed to promote democracy in the country, both based on broad interests, from labor to business reform.

One works with the government to promote change, while the other group prefers to remain in underground operations.

Despite the efforts, the country still submits to the traditional and outdated laws of Mswati.

A notorious “royal function” that Maswati partakes in is spending millions of dollars on expensive and lavish cars. He recently requested that government funds pay for renovations in one of his many palaces. King Mswati III is also known for his polygamy. He currently has 14 wives and 23 children.

According to Swaziland tradition, the king must marry a wife from each clan.

While Mswati focuses on his own affairs, his country is in shambles. Mswati’s title as one of the world’s last remaining kings may quickly vanish with the downfall of his country.

Monaco’s royalty Sweden’s royalty ■ By Laura Kane (‘11) Eastside Community Editor

Sweden sustains a prominent imperial family that is consistent with the typical figurehead royalty of the 20th century. In 1975, Sweden officially became a democracy, ditching the title of constitutional monarchy. Despite the new authorized title of the government, Sweden was primarily governed by an elected parliament years before 1975. Under the new constitution, the kings and queens of Sweden could no longer dedicate laws. The only privileges the royal family retained were the rights to a royal address, as well as the right to perform ceremonial duties.

Although the current king and queen of Sweden are just figureheads, they hold an important position in Swedish culture. Today King Carl XVI Gustaf, who took over the throne in 1973, appears on Swedish coin currency. Gustaf not only impacts his own country, but also takes part in activities across the globe. Gustaf presents two world-renowned awards every year: the Noble Peace Prize and the Polar Music Prize. Gustaf is also passionately involved in conserving energy with new technology. He attended the Sweden-Michigan Clean Energy Summit, a conference created to research biofuel.

In 1980, Sweden was also the first country to change the rules of succession: the oldest child of the Swedish royalty, regardless of gender, will ascend the throne. If the residing king passes away, Princess Victoria will become the first regnant queen in Sweden in 300 years.

■ By Moriah Schervone (‘11) Eastside Global Commentary Editor

Located next to the coast of France, Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, the smallest being Vatican City.

The Grimaldi family, the longest ruling royal family in Europe, has ruled Monaco for over 700 years. The country is considered a constitutional monarchy, whose sovereign is widely known as the Head of State. The current Heads of State is Prince Albert II, who has a strong political presence in his country. Prince Albert II oversees the Council of Government, which consists of five members nominated by himself and the National Council. The members of the National Council are elected every five years and hold legislative powers, yet take orders from the Prince. The royal family is very close to its people and, as a major banking center, protects the privacy of its citizens.

Prince Rainier, Prince Albert II’s father, caught the international media’s attention when he married the popular American actress, Grace Kelly. Their three children also gain much media attention, both good and bad. In Monaco, there have been many royal weddings, as Princess Caroline married three times while Princess Stephanie married twice. Prince Albert II has not married, yet has two illegitimate children who are not heirs. Instead, Princess Caroline and her children are in line for the throne.

Crown and sky by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director Peasant by Jason Park (‘10)/ Eastside Staff

GLOBAL COMMENTARY January 2010

EASTSIDE

As the Queen: 1. At 11:15 a.m., arrive at the Sovereign’s Entrance and walk into the Robing Room. Be sure to don the Imperial State Crown and parliamentary robe.

2. After leading a procession through the Royal Gallery, arrive at the Chamber of the House of Lords.

3. Take your seat at the throne and deliver your speech.

As a Yeoman: 1. At 10 a.m., search the cellars to make sure that Guy Fawkes hasn’t planted any gunpowder—again.

2. Prepare the queen’s bulletproof carriage, along with the Imperial State Crown and Sword of State.

3. Escort Royal Procession from Buckingham Palace to the House of Lords.

As “Black Rod:” 1. Go to summon the Commons; get door slammed in face.

2. Hit door thrice with the eponymous rod.

3. Lead House of Commons to the Lords’ Chamber as they ritually dawdle, take your place at the bar, listen to speech.

■ By Dan Perlman (‘10) Eastside Global Commentary Editor

So when most people are watching Spongebob, usually “gee, I wonder how this affable yellow anthropomorphism reflects my social realities and informs my understanding of them” isn’t at the forefront of their thoughts. You can guess where this is going.

In their own demented ways, each of the main characters—that is, Squidward, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Sandy, Plankton and of course Spongebob— copes with the abject meaninglessness of his or her life. And make no mistake, half the fun of that show is that without exception, absolute nihilism is the common thread between episodes.

Value is mocked, morality

Page 15 is a con and everyone gets on anyways; it even often makes returns to the hyper-violence of Tom & Jerry days (but did that ever really go away?). It is one of the most true-to-life mainstream cartoons produced in recent history.

Sandy is a Texan squirrel stuck in her bio-suit and bio-dome, a hopelessly alienated mammal in an aquatic world of capitalist crustaceans and proletarian poriferae. Technology sustains her indefinitely in an environment with which she has zero substantive connection. Her futile attempts to sequester an identity from what little she can call “hers” will always fail.

Spongebob is a delusional wage-slave, the slaphappy scion of a submarine underclass who inexplicably manages to have a middle-class home and little financial trouble (yes, “it’s a cartoon”). He is simultaneously at one with nature (through his jellyfishing) yet devoted absolutely to the service of horrible mass-consumed slop vis-à-vis The Krusty Krab. Spongebob is Kim Jong-Il’s kind of Mickey

Mouse; but he is ours, an American cartoon icon.

What does that say?

Patrick is a moron who has surrendered entirely to a life of completely careless idiocy under his rock.

Plankton struggles against his gross marginalization in (or just outside of) Bikini Bottom’s society by acquiring power in any way possible, which includes attempting to mimic the economic tyranny of Mr. Krabs.

Mr. Krabs himself is a caricature of our bourgeois heritage, and is the archetypical American ladderclimber. Money rules him entirely, yet he fails to strike it rich; his attempt at forming a traditional nuclear family falls limp as he winds up (somehow) as a single father of a brat who hates him (Pearl the Whale). Capital does not always seem to govern life in Bikini Bottom—except in the case of Mr. Krabs, who comically bears the full weight and reaps little of the benefits of his exploitative ideology.

And Squidward? Well, I’m Squidward.

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

Waves and fish by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director; Bottom by Cynthia Zhang (‘12)/ For Eastside

Eco-tourism: effective?

■ By Andrew Huff (‘10) Eastside Humor Editor

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

Peering into the ocean off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, one might regard Jason de Caires Taylor’s sunken sculptures as archaic relics, rusting and resting on the sea bed. After delicately crafting his life-size human-like art, Taylor submerges the fruits of his labor.

On November 19, his concrete quartet sank to the bottom of Caribbean waters, shallow enough for divers to reach. Just the first stroke of a ground- or water-breaking project, Taylor aims to have 400 sculptures submerged by 2011, making the site the largest underwater museum on the globe.

In 2006 he procured the first underwater museum in Grenada, West Indies, with 65 sculptures positioned over 800 square meters.

Underwater, the sculptures are meant to be distorted by the aquatic elements and entangled in a mat of burgeoning sea life.

Taylor wouldn’t have it any other way, though. The decision to cast away his creations is not a symptom of the mind frame of the self-deprecating artist; quite the opposite, he takes pride in the deterioration of his art, a process which in itself marks a kind of rebirth.

The consolation for his loss manifests in the possibility of ecological restora-

tion under the sea, specifically coral reefs. Coral reefs constitute about .025 percent of the entire ocean floor, but their vitality is intrinsic to the stability of a diverse aquatic ecosystem.

Regarded as the rainforests of the sea, coral reefs have earned the description from their invaluable contribution as stable, secure epicenters of microscopic sea life, as well as from their brutish destruction. Taylor’s pHneutral concrete sculptures are designed to offset some of the dwindling reefs to act as substitute coral reefs engineered to divert sea life and harmful tourism away from the real reefs so that they may regenerate.

Currently, reefs must simultaneously combat natural forces pounding into them in the form of tropical storms and hurricanes while avoiding mankind’s environmental fists. Agricultural and industrial runoff, coupled with haphazard boating practices which physically break the coral reefs, present a seemingly insurmountable stalemate for this underwater keystone.

Hidden by the tides, coral reefs are out of site for a majority of the world’s population, and are thus out of mind. This mentality favors the preservation of grand yachts and pollutioninspired profits to the drowning realization that the ocean is slowly turning

into a global cesspool.

The sculptures look to mimic coral’s almost-magnetic ability to spurn new underwater life as a means of combating the degeneration of this species.

The sculptures begin to show signs of algae growth after approximately two weeks underwater.

The Mexican government has funded most of the 350,000-dollar budget for the underwater museum; the rest of the money has come from private donations. This past May, the United States Navy sank a retired warship, the Vandenberg, as part of an 8.6-million dollar plan to convert it into the second largest artificial coral reef in the world.

On the surface, the decision by any government to promote environmental conservation and protection could be fueled by ulterior motives of increased profit from tourism and media attention.

Similarly, the underwater museum on the Yangtze River in China and the proposed one in Alexandria, Egypt, could serve some environmentallysound purpose, but profit will always be the major factor in construction of these facilities.

Regardless of the catalyst for revamping the coral reefs off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula, progress is being made: plant life has started growing on the four sculptures in the water.

HUMOR Page 16

EASTSIDE

January 2010

Giant ant colony discovered at East ■ By Joe Incollingo (‘13) For Eastside

East hallways were flooded with panic last week after news of a very large ant infestation was finally leaked to the student body.

Maintenance staff said that they had originally intended to keep the problem, which is the first giant ant infestation to hit the school in thirty years, a secret from the students and non-administrative staff, so as not to cause mass panic.

“You have such a huge bug problem, the kids are going to freak out,” said Brian Handler, a member of the East maintenance staff.

Handler said he first noticed the problem when cleaning out a basement locker room.

There, he said, he encountered a part of the large ant colony.

“They were inside the walls, chewing through pipes,” he said. “A few of them were eating a deer, or something. They must have dug down from the surface.

Handler continued on to say, “I had never seen such a big ant infestation.”

Ross Philbin of Dorkin Exterminators was called to the school after Handler alerted the administration.

Despite Philbin’s efforts, the large ant infestation showed no sign of reduction.

“I had to run. They saw me leave, followed me to my home, I know they did.

I could have sworn I caught one in my hedges, watching my children play,” he told Eastside by

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

•Newest Smart phone becomes obsolete in the time it takes to read this sentence.

•East teacher assigning work over winter break held on trial by human rights group.

•A baby was just born!

•Archaeologists discover “phonebook,” a relic of civilizations long past.

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

At the beginning of 6th period, students in F-Wing encountered a throng of giant ants. One brave photographer captured this candid, disturbing image. phone, as he had left town prior to the interview.

By around seventh period on January 12, at least half of the large ant colony had moved up into C-Wing, making nests of sweatshirts, rat skeletons and grilled wraps in empty supply closets and boys’ bathrooms.

Among the students who first encountered the infestation was Bert Mahoney (‘11), as he returned to an empty CWing classroom to retrieve his forgotten backpack.

“It hissed at me, almost like it was speaking. I think it spoke to me.”

Mahoney said he immediately alerted the nearest teacher, who then called the Fire Department and local law enforcement.

They arrived at Communications two minutes later.

The building was imme-

diately evacuated by late seventh period while the ants were exterminated.

Cherry Hill Police Lieutenant Gary Fernari participated in the assault.

“Bullets wouldn’t work.” he said.

Fernari commended students and staff for their immediate response. If not, he said, the casualties would have been double the amount they were.

The invasion finally ended once the National Guard intervened with truck-mounted magnifying glasses and a large policespider squad. Surviving ants were captured and locked in plastic farms.

Students are encouraged to avoid C-Wing restrooms this week.

Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of Francine McGregor (‘12) is encouraged to report to Guidance.

First-hand Accounts “The ants attacked at our poetry meeting.

But there was no one else there, so I had to fend for myself.”

- Mariah Mawry (‘11) “They were crawling, like, all over my brand new Ugg boots. And my Nordstrom’s bag.

They were even on my black leggings. They were, like, ruining my Cherry Hill couture.

Like, seriously.”

- Brooke Rivers (‘10) “I was attacked on the way to school. I wrestled free, but when I arrived I was still marked late, for some reason.”

- Anton Mei (‘13)

•The sun feels sting of economic decline, begins rationing daylight.

•Coca-cola and Pepsi engage in cola war.

•East student gets B+ in US History AP as his life crumbles before his eyes.

•Same student gets sent to guidance to “re-evaluate” grades.

•Cherry Hill student “considering multiple offers” from several grocery stores.

•New reality show does NOT involve music.

•Kilmer Elementary School water fountain now named “Fountain of Youth.”

•New pencil sharpener helps students get to the point.

C.H.East gives up Plug pulled on the Internet New de-motivational posters send messages of abandonment and fear to East’s student body.

■ By Alex Krefetz (‘10) Eastside Staff

East students have discovered something new in all of their classrooms.

After a suggestion from a member of the Board of Education, it was decided that all teachers would receive a demotivational poster to hang in their classrooms.

“It’s important for students to remember that public school is a scary place where nobody can help them,” said board member Jacob Davidson.

“The student body needs to be reminded of this fact every time they step into a classroom.”

Teachers have already begun posting the signs in their respective classrooms. Each one has the same message typed in bold letters: “This is important. You are going to do things horribly wrong.

Don’t even try asking for help, it’s too late.”

These words are typed

on a putrid-green sheet of paper that, according to a 2008 study, makes 57 percent of all people who see it immediately feel horrible.

“It’s so great having these posters!” a teacher at Cherry Hill East exclaimed when the poster caused a freshman girl to run out of the room in tears. “This is something that was always implied, but recently we teachers felt students were a little too comfortable. With these, our message is clear.”

The posters aren’t just for Cherry Hill high schools. Due to such a positive response at the high school level, the posters are being distributed to all middle and elementary schools as well. The posters have had a similar success in these schools, such as Bret Harte Elementary, where first grade teacher Donna Nobel reports her students are acting “a lot less uppity.”

■ By Jake Trommer (‘11) Eastside Editorial Assistant

Chaos reigned across the globe yesterday when the Internet unexpectedly shut down, plunging several countries into anarchy.

The culprit, 35-year-old Annie Thatcher of Topeka, Kansas, did not attempt to hide responsibility for this catastrophe.

Yesterday, she issued the following public statement: “The Internet has been utterly destroying the moral character of our youth. I mean, have you looked at it?

Children can see disgusting things, such as violent video games like Pokémon, that also encourage them to try Satanism! I will not reactivate the Internet until such horrific things that can corrupt our future are annihilated.”

Public outcry has been overwhelmingly negative, with prominent members of society reacting quite strongly. President Obama condemned this “heinous deed,” saying that “now I’ll have no idea what the heck is going on with ‘Lost.’” North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il also denounced the deed, asking, “Where will I go to read funny caricatures of myself?” Al Gore, one of the biggest contributors to the creation of the Internet as people know it today, also had strong words to say about the disaster. Gore declared the catastrophe to be “very much like losing a child.” Gore then mumbled something that sounded very much like, “Because I invented it.”

Meanwhile, a spate of animal cruelty charges in which humorous comments were brutally affixed to housecats was attributed to the denizens of notorious Internet forum 4chan.

As Thatcher bluntly put it, “this series of tubes channeling filth to our children cannot continue to exist as it is. As long as it does, I will ensure that no one will be able to access it.”

Her method of unplugging the Internet has yet to be discovered.

Several parties have sued Thatcher; one case has gone up to the Supreme Court, where a decision is pending.

Art by Jasmine Hwang (’12)/ For Eastside

HUMOR January 2010

EASTSIDE

Page 17

Tea time at East ■ By Nupur Mital (‘11) Eastside Editorial Assistant

1. Obtain a copy of Eastside, which will not be difficult, as several staff members will form a human wall along all school entrances, doing everything in their power to impede your progress until you take a paper.

2. You now have an Eastside of your very own!

Congratulations! Crack that baby open.

3. Flip directly to the “HUMOR” section. It’s okay to be a bit overwhelmed when confronted with so much raw comedy.

Try and keep your cool.

6. Take a short break.

Reading the section will take a huge toll on anyone’s psyche. Regain your energy to re-read it.

7. Casually leaf through the issue, whilst absentmindedly talking to your friends as you do so. Leave the information on the pages no time to actually register as you flip through the issue faster than any human could actually read.

8. Finished? Enjoy that deep sense of satisfaction.

4. Read each article in the section. It’s a daunting task, but completely necessary for full enjoyment.

9. Crumple or otherwise desecrate your paper. This will send a message to nearby students, indicating to them that you have finished your copy and no longer care for it.

5. Fully absorb the information. Read it twice, maybe even three times.

Let the information be integrated through your skin osmotically.

10. Drop your broken, unrecognizable newspaper in the hallway, making life miserable for the nearest janitor.

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

On January 19, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Cherry Hill East will be hosting its first annual Tea House.

Admission will be £3.02, with all proceeds benefiting the Society for the Knights of Camelot, an organization aimed at "returning honour to the Pendragon name, following the appalling behaviour of Sir Lancelot (not to mention Pellinore and all his rubbish with the Questing Beast).”

After weeks of studying Middle English, students will act out several stories from Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales.”

Insider sources suggest that school faculty and administrators will act out the Mad Tea Party from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”

Principal Dr. Ron O’Schmeeza seemed especially pleased that the Tea House will be taking place on his unbirthday, though he revealed that he can rarely stand to drink more than half a cup of tea at a time.

Furthermore, spectators can look forward to the

recital of sinister poems filled with a brilliant air of despondency and dread, including Lord Byron’s “My Soul is Dark,” John Milton’s “On the Late Massacre at Piedmont” and Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “All Things Must Die.” Viewers will also be able to enjoy a true British tea, including biscuits dipped in Earl Grey, scones with cream and jam, crumpets and miniature cucumber sandwiches.

Student Activities Director Mr. P.J. Davidson said, “In an era of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and—my personal favorite—Spice Girls, it is rather unsurprising that Cherry Hill East students have been infected with the British craze. It sounds like a right good time.

Grab your mates and head on over!”

However, certain Coffee House affiliates believe that the Tea House is infringing upon their territory. Organizer Stacy Jones (’10) said, “The time of British rule has long since passed. It is our time now!”

A re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party is expected, to protest the new event.

Junior class takes trip to Disney pose for photographs with shoppers.

Eastside News/Features Editor One shopper said, “I On Saturday, January 9, really enjoyed taking my the junior class traveled to pictures with all these the Disney Store at the folks I didn’t know. I felt Cherry Hill Mall in prepalike a celebrity. I can’t wait ration for its senior trip to see myself tagged in next spring. Five-hundred them on Facebook.” and forty-seven of the 548 Storeowner Geoff members of “ G o o f y ” the class Donaldducker attended, a appreciated number which the business.

Mr. P.J. “I’ve never Davidson seen that finds disapm a n y pointing. teenagers in After severmy store. I al meetings was so proud behind open to witness the doors between wonderful administraworld of tion and Disney with Davidson, them,” he said.

Davidson As far as announced in the juniors’ December reactions, “I that the junior didn’t mind class would waiting—it travel to the was worth it, Disney Store just to meet in order to my role model “prepare the since age five, junior class Goofy!” said for what the Sienna Bagel senior trip (’11). will be like,” “Going to said Davidthe mall was Photo illustration by Ben Taylor (‘11)/ Eastside Staff son.

Eager juniors crowd the Disney Store during their junior class trip to the mall. the best expe“This trip rience ever—it will last one day, rather Unfortunately, the “This is a great way for was truly a once-in-a-lifethan a few. Also, students Disney Store could not juniors to see if they actutime event. The Disney have the luxury of preparaccommodate all 548 junally want to go on the senStore itself was pretty ing for the economics of the iors, so Mrs. Diana Way ior trip,” said Davidson. sick…in a good way, not in trip by having to practice and Mrs. Sue MelongranOther shoppers at the a violent nausea kind of paying that fee for this ada had to organize them mall didn’t look twice at way,” said Bike Mohan field trip, which comes out into 10.96 groups. The trip the 548 juniors milling (’11). to only $3,085.” lasted from 10 a.m. to 9:30 about. In fact, some juniors Rest assured, the junior “We were really jealous p.m., from when the mall thought the other shoppers class is now prepared for that the senior class gets to opened to when it closed, so in the Disney Store were the April 2011 senior trip go to Disney World in a that all 548 juniors got a employees and began to to Disney World.

■ By Avra Bossov (‘11)

couple months, and since we won the Spirit Week dance competition, we feel like we’re seniors. So instead of going to Disney World, we got to go to the Disney Store at the mall, which is like…totes better,” said Vice President Batty Mogdonoffice (’11).

chance to enter the Disney Store with each other.

The choosing of these 10.96 groups resembles the process of senior trip room assignments: each junior chose 9.96 fellow classmates with which to spend every waking moment of the trip.

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

Pride and Prejudice Student: Does your mom just have a bias against fat people?

Lub Dub Student: If I saw everything with my heart I’d probably be dead.

Fun with Dehydration Girl: Are you kidding?

Do you want me to die of dry throat?

Citation Needed Boy: I’d trust wikipedia. I’d trust it with my life.

Undefined Power Boy: There’s no getting Calculus, you just have to obey.

Highway Robbery Boy 1:How much do senior sweats cost?

Boy 2: $25 for the sweatshirt and $15 for the sweatpants.

Boy 1: What a rip-off.

Boy 2: That’s the price of school spirit.

Cougar Pride Teacher: I’m going to pounce your pecs!

Well, Obviously Boy 1: Well, there’s a 50% chance of rain.

Boy 2: There’s also a 50% chance of men taking their shirts off! ...

Boy: I just wanted to check the time.

Teacher: I want to check your face across my lips.

Class: ...what?

The System Works Boy: I can’t round to the nearest tenth!

Other boy: How did you pass the HSPA? Boy: There was no rounding on that one!

Paging Chris Hansen Girl 1: Stop talking like a pedophile.

Girl 2: No, you stop talking like a pedophile.

Study the Rainbow Girl: You know how I do my studying?

Skittles. They keep me on track.

It’s Good to Dream Girl: I saw an old guy buying a Lunchables yesterday and I thought, ‘I hope I’m that cool when I’m old.’

Arboreal Aspirations Boy: I wish I was a tree... Then I could bear fruit and make people happy.

Hey kids! Submit your ‘overheards’ to humor@eastsideonline.org and we’ll totally publish them, maybe!

ENTERTAINMENT Page 18

EASTSIDE

January 2010

Risky business takes center stage ■ By Avra Bossov (‘11) Eastside News/Features Editor

On Sunday, November 22, “American Idol” Season 8 runner-up Adam Lambert was given the honor of singing his hit “For Your Entertainment” as the last performance on the American M u s i c Awards s h o w.

T h i s showi n g was

Lambert’s first televised performance since “American Idol.” During his stage time, Lambert displayed offensive behavior by kissing his male guitarist and provocatively touching other dancers.

Lambert’s performance sparked enough controversy that ABC received about 1,500 t e l e phoned c o m plaints and the network canceled his November 25 appearance on “ G o o d Morning America.”

There was such controversy because of Lambert’s unrepentance, as he defended his artistic techn i q u e s .

Lambert, who is openly gay, kissed another guy, which, given even our own state’s recent decision in the New Jersey state Senate Judiciary Committee, has furthered the process of passing samesex legislation. The b i g g e r

i s s u e , though, is t h a t

Lambert’s performance added to a growing list of scandalous performances.

Lambert t o l d Rolling Stone

magazine, “Female performers have been doing this for years—pushing the envelope about sexuality— and the minute a man does it, everybody freaks out.

We’re in 2009—it’s time to take risks, be a little more brave; time to open people’s eyes and if it offends them, t h e n m ay b e I’m not f o r them. My goal was not to piss people off, it was to promote freedom of expression and artistic freedom.”

It has been argued by viewers that because this is an eventful time in history, it does not mean millions of viewers should be subjected to shows of public sexuality. As displayed in media flair-ups after the 2003 “MTV Video Music Awards” during which Britney Spears and Madonna locked lips, and after, back in 2004, the half-time show at Super Bowl XXXVIII during which Justin Timberlake ripped off part of Janet Jackson’s wardrobe, revealing Jackson’s breast to millions of viewers, risqué performances seem to be on the rise.

And while those performers were years ago, just recently Miley Cyrus felt the need to use a pole as one of her props during her

performance of “Party in the U.S.A.” at the 2009 “Teen Choice Awards.”

Cyrus is seventeen years old.

The performers of today have the unique opportunity to inspire a n d influence millions o f t h e

world’s youth.

Rather than using their status to promote sex, perhaps performers can focus on the music they are p r o d u c i n g, rather than t h e promiscuity of the way they present it.

Photo illustration by Nickee Plaksen (’10)/ Eastside Photo Editor

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

A fine line between shoreline shenanigans and stereotypes ■ By Andrew Huff (‘10) Eastside Humor Editor

“This is the true story of eight strangers, picked to live in a house…”

Wait a minute.

Throw four tan, beefy, muscle-flexing guys plus four tanner, cleavage-showing girls into a Seaside Heights, New Jersey beach-house stockpiled with alcohol for one summer and ta-da: a perfectly accurate microcosm of the entire state of New Jersey.

Or so MTV says.

The network’s festering Petri dish of subculture has cultivated a new colony of “reality”-dwellers: the Italian-Americans of the Jersey Shore.

Known for stirring the pot in terms of content matter, MTV seems to have dumped the pot with this controversial addendum to its repertoire of reality TV

shows.

“Jersey Shore” features one New Jersey resident, one Rhode Island resident and six New York residents.

This scantily-clad congregation spends their days hooking up, getting ready to go clubbing, drinking, clubbing, drinking, “working,” all with just about one square foot of clothing on their bodies.

“Jersey Shore” and Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” depict New Jersey as a raunchy, materialistic state of Italia.

Italian-Americans have specifically called “the Jersey Shore” out for the subjects’ casual use of the words “guido” and “guidette,” ethnic slurs aimed at Italian-Americans, with one another. The cast members regard it as a compliment, a statement identifying that someone “takes care of himself or herself.”

UNICO (Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Char-

ity, Opportunity), the largest Italian-American organization in the nation, disagrees and has decried the show’s portrayal of Italian-Americans as inaccurate.

The National Italian American Foundation said in a letter to the MTV production company Viacom that not only does the word “guido” enforce derogatory stereotypes of ItalianAmericans, but that “Jersey Shore” tries “to make a direct connection between ‘Guido culture’ and the Italian-American identity.”

It calls the series “a giant leap backwards.”

Dominos Pizza, citing the “content” of the show, cancelled its advertising on “Jersey Shore,” but not with the MTV network.

The pattern of documentary-style shows following New Jersey residents seems to portray them – us – as borderline-gangster, frivolous, vain and obsessed with big-breasted

girls and big-muscled boys.

Despite what has become regarded as a hilarious attempt to portray the Jersey Shore, MTV can claim the series as accurate: for all intents and purposes, it does capture what the individuals engage in under the sun.

However, the show differs at its core from more laudable MTV series, such

as “True Life” and “The Real World,” which have garnered reputations for shedding light on social issues and deconstructing a barrier.

“Jersey Shore” concentrates the stereotypes and lets them run wild.

Judging by the first season, these new faces of Jersey are already getting old.

Photo courtesy of guerillabuzzmouth.blogspot.com

Cast of Jersey Shore from the left: Vinny, Angelina, Pauly D, Jwoww, Ronnie, Snookie, Mike “The Situation” and Sammie “Sweetheart.”

ENTERTAINMENT January 2010

EASTSIDE

Oprah moves to her own network after 25 years ■ By Sarah Minion (‘12) Eastside Staff

When someone mentions Oprah Winfrey, several things may come to mind. Whether it’s her allgirls school in Africa, Josh Peck from Drake and Josh or just her show in general, Oprah has found a way into almost every household across the world.

However, Winfrey is saying goodbye to her 25-season-long daytime talk show, and leaving with tremendous plans for the future.

“I have decided that next season, Season 25, will be the last season of ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show,’” Winfrey said on November 20 to a full audience on her show. However, this decision should not come as such a surprise.

“This is a decision she had been thinking about for years,” said Walt Disney Company President and CEO Bob Iger, also

Winfrey’s close friend.

Although Winfrey is leaving her show, she isn’t traveling very far. Winfrey has teamed up with Discovery Communications to create a new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), which will launch in January 2011. OWN will feature new shows starring Oprah regulars as well as Winfrey herself.

“It’s been a really popular show for a really long time. It’s going to be weird and different,” said student fan Tim Butts (’12).

“The Oprah Winfrey show” has featured segments regarding everything from prisoners sentenced to death row to losing weight and from battling drug addictions to finding one’s soulmate.

Somewhere along the journey, Winfrey even started her own book club.

“I follow her wherever she goes. Truly hardcore fans will watch her no matter what,” said Diana

Yu (’11).

Winfrey is so successful that no matter where she goes, she will make a difference in the world.

“She has good people working for her and a lot of fans. The people watching the show benefit from her,” said Memet Abdulai (’11).

Regardless of the network, Winfrey will continue to help everyone who watches her shows as well as people all over the world.

With the success of the past 25 years and millions of fans worldwide behind her, Winfrey shouldn’t have much trouble launching her new network and remaining a well-known household name.

No matter what comes to mind when thinking about Oprah Winfrey, her actions and generosity will continue to change the world for years to come.

Page 19 Scale by Sally Yang (‘11)/ Eastside Art Director

Radcliffe to go nude in 7th Harry Potter: just no. s gar ha le Dug, Josie. l e h c i M r baby ulous. anothe en was ridic rds. o e Eight ’s beyond w Now it Matt star i Damon to Hunt n Good Wi are a ing 2: sequ ll a badlmost alwa els ys plan.

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Conan O’Brien is going back to late night.

“State of the Union” will not interfere with “Lost” season Premiere.

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

Lack of Legitimacy in the Grammys ■ By Jason Cominetto (‘10) Eastside Underground Editor

It’s getting to that time of the year again, when the world’s greatest musicians get a pat on the back, and if they’re lucky, a gold gramophone to commemorate their original and creative pieces of art. Yes, it’s time for the Grammys, and I sorely wish the previous statement was true, but in fact the Grammys are easily the world’s most illegitimate award ceremony. Here’s why:

Photo courtesy of nymag.com

Over the past 25 years, Oprah has had various influential and well-known guests on her show, such as David Letterman, as shown.

Winners are chosen solely by popularity and economic success Winners are supposed to be chosen purely on the quality of their music, but in fact these two factors alone decide who wins. There are numerous reasons for focusing more on successful artists, including profit and viewers. This completely deprives the Grammy of any legitimacy.

One look at current and past nominees verifies this. Do you really think Lil’ Wayne won the award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 2009 for “A Milli” because it was the greatest rap song released that year, or because it was what most of the viewers wanted?

Inappropriate timing for artist nominations This is a simple problem that makes the Grammys and the people that run them look, for lack of a better word, dumb. Artists should only be nominated if their music was released in the past year, yet this is not always the case. In 2005 Green Day was nominated for six awards correlating with their then-new album American Idiot, released in 2004. Then, one year later in 2006, “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” a track off of American Idiot, won Record of the Year. The category Best New Artist is commonly guilty of this issue as well, with the most recent example being the Silversun Pickups’ nomination… a band who released its first album in 2006. Awards shouldn’t be anachronisms.

Genre award categories are bias There are numerous different awards that fall under certain genres in Grammys, but some genres are either ignored or underrepresented. Rap has five different awards, but the only award specifically for metal is Best Metal Performance, which is not even presented on television. The reason for this ties in with my first point, because rap is more popular than metal, but to not subdivide metal’s and numerous other genres’ awards is to show favoritism, dismiss them as legitimate forms of music, ostracize viewers and not fully represent the best of the music industry.

Fixing the Grammys is possible and not that difficult to do. The nomination process needs to be altered so a select few who are experts in certain genres can pick and choose the nominees and categories so they accurately reflect the most deserving artists in their field. Until then, the highest bidders will continue to win the most awards and the truly great artists will be ignored. I implore you not to watch the awards, but if you need to see celebration of the mundane firsthand, the “Billboard 200 Awards” will air January 31 on CBS.

ENTERTAINMENT Page 20

EASTSIDE

January 2010

I tube, you tube, we all use YouTube ■ By Danielle Fox (‘13) Eastside Staff

Over a decade ago, it took more than just a click to become famous. Success took countless hours of practice, dedication and rejection until finally an opportunity arose.

In today’s society dominated by various technologies, with just one click one can reach fame, perhaps overnight.

YouTube is a video-sharing website site where users can watch videos or create an account to post videos of their own. It is also where many people are discovering their rise to fame. The website was created in 2005 by former PayPal employees Chad Hurley, Jawed Karim and Steve Chen.

In 2005, Lucas Cruikshank created a YouTube account, taking the stage name of Fred Figglehorn.

Figglehorn’s hilarious videos about a boy who has a dysfunctional

home life and anger management issues quickly attracted numerous viewers, and by April 2009, the YouTube channel was the first channel to hit over one million subscribers.

While on the Tyra Banks Show, Cruikshank said, “I’ve always just wanted to be an actor and I decided [to start] on YouTube.”

Figglehorn’s videos have also enabled him to appear on the hit Nickelodeon series “iCarly” and the hit Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.”

YouTube not only opens a door to the comedic world, but also to notable musical abilities, such as AJ Rafael, a singer and songwriter, as well as a pianist and guitarist from Moreno Valley, California. The talented musician has over 111,805 subscribers and channel views reaching 3,231,782.

Another name one may be familiar with is Justin Bieber, a 15-year-old singer who started his career on

YouTube. Bieber’s videos were discovered by his current manager Scooter Braun. Known for being a talented pop musician, Bieber has reached one of the top ten songs on iTunes.

East students are also regular users of the video sharing website. Out of 104 East students between grades 9-12, eighty percent of them use YouTube on a weekly basis and 44 percent have a YouTube account.

However, 78 percent of the 58 students without a YouTube account wrote that they know someone with an account.

Some of the students, such as Dharma Almonte (’10), Sherin Nassar (’13) and Hank Davis (’13), spend up to 20 hours on YouTube during a weekly basis.

Almonte wrote, “I [enjoy using YouTube] because [I] can find a lot of things that [I] like to watch.”

Collectively, 44 percent of the students wrote that YouTube is beneficial for

stardom because the whole world can see the videos posted, allowing one to be discovered by record companies, agents, etc.

This benefit was the case with actress Jessica Lee Rose.

Rose’s videos on YouTube about a teenage girl who experiences typical teenage issues instantly became popular around the country. In 2006, she was chosen via her character Bree to participate in an ad campaign to promote the United Nation’s anti-poverty cause. Rose’s videos also allowed her to land the role of Jen K. on the hit ABC family series “Greek.”

With society’s continuous increase in technology, it seems there is also a continuous increase of opportunities available for putting oneself “out there.” Instead of traveling from audition to audition, it may be wise to create a YouTube account.

With just one click, fame could be within one’s reach sooner than expected.

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

1. Inhale helium or alter your voice to a high-pitched and extremely annoying tone, then talk about your day, your fears, your crazy relatives, etc.

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

attempt and instead wipe out.

4. Have your adorable adopted kitten come over while you lay on the floor and stare endearingly into the camera.

2. Pick a Miley Cyrus/Jonas Brothers/Taylor Swift song and put the volume up as loud as possible. Show off your awesome dance moves.

5. From the floor, reach off camera and pull over a Coke can and some mentos. For your last performance, make that soda fly.

3. While dancing, attempt to do a backflip off of your television. Fail miserably at this

Reminder: Miley Cyrus/Jonas Brothers/ Taylor Swift song should NEVER stop playing.

Blast from the Past: Are You Afraid of the Dark?

■ By Meredith Medoway (‘10) Eastside Entertainment Editor

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

(1991-1996) Although never showing gore or being excessively frightening, “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” still managed to send shivers down the spines of young children watching the Nickelodeon program at night.

Each episode consisted of a group of teenagers that called themselves “The Midnight Society” gathering around a campfire to tell each other creepy stories. Gary (Ross Hull), Betty Ann (Raine Pare-Coull) and Kiki (Jodie Resther) were the most frequent storytellers. Usually, the tales included some ghostly or mystical events that would leave viewers with

the chills. The show lasted five seasons and won six out of eight nominations including

International Film Festival.

Stories that Stuck Some of the ghostly tales still re-

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main with viewers today. Here are some particularly vivid episodes that continue to haunt old audiences:

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about a person actually comes true, even the death of his good friend.

The Tale of the Dream Machine: In this story, an aspiring writer continues to write stories until he finds a typewriter that has an intriguing power. It seems that whatever he writes

after his friend, Rick Hagerty, drowns, but a ghostly presence alters his life even more after he finds his friend’s bike.

The Tale of the Doll Maker: A girl becomes dis-

traught after her friend goes missing. She then finds a dollhouse that can be entered through a doll in the attic. She soon finds that her friend is slowly turning into a china doll and she must save her from a horrible fate.

The Tale of Train Magic: Tim has been obsessed with trains since his father, a conductor, died.

Ray Lawson, a mysterious conductor, gives Tim a model train that takes Tim to a seemingly real train. Slowly the plot unravels and Tim discovers that Lawson was the man behind the crashing of his father’s train.

The numerous stories, although seemingly childish in some aspects, still managed to frighten us as children and are still fun to think back on now.

UNDERGROUND January 2010

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Page 21

Ordinary people don masks of superheroes ■ By Nate Mulberg (‘10) Eastside Sports Editor

Power Rangers, Superman, Batman and Robin. As kids, many revered fake superheroes such as these so much that they wanted to grow up and actually be them. After maturity set in, the children grew to realize that superheroes are fictional characters and saving lives in a jumpsuit is not a practical way to make a living.

But some adults never came to this realization.

Because of this lack of recognition, all over the east coast real life superheroes are patrolling community streets and saving lives as we speak – well, sort of.

Super Hero Profile Alias: Terrifica Location: Brooklyn Heights, New York Job Status: Retired Weapons: Pepper spray and her promiscuous outfit, which includes tight, red Spandex and a gold mask Although she no longer dons a cape, Terrifica is remembered as one of New York City’s greatest superheroes of all time. Born in 1975, Terrifica had the goal to save women under the influence of alcohol from sleaze-ball men seeking to take advantage of them.

Terrifica would hang around clubs and bars all night until she spotted a predatory man trying to make sweet talk with an inebriated woman. Then, Terrifica would move in and attempt to distract the man by flaunting her body, giving the intoxicated woman an opening to

escape safely.

"I protect the single girl living in the big city," Terrifica told ABC in 2002.

"I do this because women are weak. They are easily manipulated, and they need to be protected from themselves and most certainly from men and their ill intentions toward them."

Super Hero Profile Alias: Master Legend Location: Orlando, Florida Job Status: Employed Weapon: Master Blaster personal cannon, which is developed from a potato gun Wearing a silver and black uniform supplemented with a war helmet, Master Legend patrols the streets and aids people in need. In 2004, he was commended by the sheriff ’s office in Orlando, Florida for saving people from the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. Although many people are hard-pressed to believe valiant stories of Master Legend saving people, one police sergeant came to his defense in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine.

“Based on the neighborhood, [the sergeant] figured Master Legend might be a good local contact.

‘And sure enough,’ the Sergeant tells me, ‘I start getting calls from Master Legend with information.

And it checks out. Master Legend has helped put away a few criminals.’”

Super Hero Profile Alias: Civitron Location: Boston, Massachusetts Job Status: Employed

Weapons: Trash broom and dust pan

bag,

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

(weapons, gadgets, detective gear, etc.).

5. In your exploits, you need allies to defend you when society inevitably turns against you. What better allies than the police? Just remember to make sure the officials know you are a good guy or else they will become your biggest enemies.

6. Now that you have found your place in society as a hero, go out and fix the aforementioned flaws by whatever means necessary.

7. When you begin to be overcome by inner conflict, there is only one way to clear your mind: sit on a rooftop in the night with one knee up and your cape blowing in the wind.

8. Get your name into the public by bragging about your exploits to websites that follow real superheroes (such as http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org).

9. After you have completed all these steps, go forth with your quest and become a legend.

Based out of Boston, Civitron is a superhero looking to clean sweep our society of danger. During the day, Civitron has a full■ By Steven Markowitz (‘10) time job working with Eastside Underground Editor adults who have autism.

1. Every superhero needs But after work, Civitron a cause to fight for, so the puts on his burgundy and first step in becoming the orange uniform and goes to next Master Legend is to the streets where he cleans find a flaw in society worth up litter and assists the defending. homeless or families in 2. Next you must find your need. Civitron believes it is niche; in other words, cresimple to become a real-life ate a superhero persona, a superhero. fighting style/strategy and In an interview with a witty catchphrase. www.RNW.nl, Civitron 3. One of the most imporsaid, “… and for anybody tant steps to becoming a looking to become a real successful hero is the coslife superhero – they tume and logo. When should explore themselves, designing your appearknow what they believe to ance, make sure it embodbe true, set out to be that ies the issue and is intimiambassador to the world dating to criminals. and always stay true to 4. If your martial arts their message.” skills are not good enough Next time you spot danto compete with guns, ger, keep your eyes peeled. make sure you acquire You may just witness appropriate utilities Terrifica, Master Legend, Civitron or numerous other superheroes coming to the rescue. And if you do, do not think twice about what you are seeing because, as implausible as it may sound, superheroes do exist.

For more information on real life superheroes, check out www.reallifePhoto illustration by Steven Markowitz (‘10)/ Eastside Underground Editor superheroes. Left to right: The Black Ghost, Master Legend, Civitron, Terrifica, org.

The Black Knight, and Ace.

All the best upcoming underground movies and music of 2010 ■ By Jack Braunstein (‘13) Eastside Staff

Top image courtesy of the-fly.co.uk.

Bottom image courtesy of spockya.com.

To those alienated from the cinema scene by heartthrob vampires and weekly Saw sequels, and to those who witnessed music enter its dark age while being informed that the Black Eyed Peas “Got a Feeling,” there is still hope that 2010 will bring about a slew of overlooked and fantastic releases in pop culture. Here are a few films and artists to get pumped about in the New Year.

Yeasayer’s Odd Blood: Brooklyn experimental group Yeasayer appeared on the scene in 2007 with its debut album entitled All Hours Cymbal, which went mostly under the radar. How could a band break through to the mainstream when they describe their music as “Middle-Eastern-PsycheSnap-Gospel?” Although it was mostly reviewed by blogs and local publications, the album received very positive reviews and gained them a cult following. The band’s new album is riding a wave of expectation, mostly because of the lead single, “Ambling Alp.” The song boasts a multilayered soundscape of mature synthesizer and well-placed bass drum, cryptic lyrics and an extremely catchy chorus. The hype might also be due to the “Alp” video, probably the most disturbingly

intriguing accompaniment of the year, featuring bubbling sulfur, nudity and mirror-faced boxers.

Odd Blood is out February 9 via the Secret Canadian record company.

Spoon’s Transference: Spoon is not new to the field of crafting fantastic indie rock albums, but the members have a way of reinventing themselves in each of their efforts. Soulful multi-instrumentalist and singer Britt Daniel has made seven critically claimed studio albums with the rest of the band, but unfortunately their fame only extends to having songs played for ambiance in the film Cloverfield and television shows such as “Numbers” and “Scrubs.”

Their new single is called “Written in Reverse” and features Daniel violently pounding on the lower regiment of a piano while straining his voice to the limit of human capability and the rest of the band providing an impressive accompaniment. The Austin band’s seventh studio album is out January 19 via Merge Records.

O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: What is so original about a film adaptation of a comic book series? What stands out in Bryan Lee O’Malley’s series of graphic novels is that the character has no superpowers. Scott Pilgrim is just a kid who plays bass in a local band, and has trou-

ble with quirky girls. Even though the movie heralds household name Michael Cera, it is bound to fall under the radar due to the small yet faithful fan base it received as a graphic novel. Keep an eye out for this movie in spring 2010 because it will be making a splash, however small that splash may be.

Pegg’s & Frost’s Paul: Simon Pegg and Nick Frost love making films together. The first two they have created together did not have much box office success but did have a loyal fan following. Shaun of the Dead set the pace for zombie satires for years to come, and Hot Fuzz dealt a hilarious blow to small town UK Law Enforcement. The British comedians’ third film together find the two playing sci-fi fanatics, going to America to immerse themselves in UFO culture of places like Area 51. In such a place, the duo discovers a real alien played

by Seth Rogen. Although it does not have a set release date yet, Paul should turn out in the tradition of Pegg and Frost’s other comedies.

Sometimes to find quality motion pictures and albums, it’s necessary to dig deeper than normal. If the mainstream radar is not picking up on these great works of cinema and music, it’s probably broken.

UNDERGROUND Page 22

EASTSIDE

January 2010

Dark graphic novels tackle society’s issues ■ By Danny Glantz (‘10) Eastside Staff

When many people think of comic books, they think of silly little children’s stories full of superheroes in tights; cliché tales full of men and women doing impossible stunts and always saving the day. There is always an extremely flamboyant villain with a harebrained scheme to blow up the world and he is always stopped by the superhero just in time.

While the above may have been true for comics of old, today’s comics deal with surprisingly deep issues, such as racism, alcoholism, politics and more. “When did comics move to such deep issues?” you might ask. Well, it all started in the 1980s.

The ‘80s saw a revolution in the comic book world. Multiple series came out in a rapid succession that was unlike anything seen before.

Examples of these graphic novels were Maus by Art Spiegleman, The Dark

Knight Returns by Frank Miller and both Watchman and V for Vendetta by Alan Moore. Each of these books broke ground in the comic book world by being both extremely entertaining and extremely dark in subject matter.

Maus by Art

replaced with animal counterparts: Jews are depicted as mice, Nazis as cats, etc.

The writing is very well done and the animal symbolism makes the book unforgettable. While the subject matter itself is dark, the comic is masterfully written and can be recommended to anyone.

The Dark K n i g h t Returns by Frank Miller turned the superhero world up on its head.

The comic deals with an older Bruce Wayne, who, after officially retiring, realizes that

Spiegleman is a story of two Polish Jews attempting to survive Nazi occupied Poland.

One of the things t h a t make the s t o r y unique is the Art by Nicolle Rochino (‘10)/ Eastside Art Director f a c t Clockwise: Nameless Cat (Maus), Evie that all (V for Vendetta), Commissioner Gordon of the (The Dark Knight Returns) and Dr. charac- Manhattan (Watchmen). ters are

Batman is his life and he must go back to it. Wayne once again dons the mantle of the Dark Knight and goes back to fighting crime on the streets of Gotham.

While this is a superhero story, it is anything but predictable. All of the old familiar characters return with a surprisingly dark twist.

Alan Moore’s Watchmen and V for Vendetta have recently become very popular due to being adapted into major motion pictures.

Both comics deal with the politics of the time and their message still resonates today.

The resounding success of these four graphic novels, all dealing with dark topics, forever changed the comic book industry. Today, comic book writers are more willing to take risks in their subject matter, such as writing about politics, drugs and other topics that hit readers surprisingly close to home. So next time you pass by a comic book, do not write it off as purely children’s material.

Japanese manga influences Western comic writers ■ By Zach Schwartz (‘10) Eastside Humor Editor

Manga, once a foreign concept outside of its native Japan, has in the last decade become an instantly recognizable medium across the Pacific.

Characterized by a clean, distinctive art style, continuous storylines occupying multiple volumes, manga is now extremely popular among Western teenagers.

This burst in popularity has had a noticeable effect on western comic book artists as well, leading to a number of comics and graphic novels with strong manga influence but with a distinctly western feel.

Among the most surreal of these is Canadian author Bryan Lee O’Malley’s

breakout hit, the “Scott Pilgrim” series. Describing itself as a “comedy/action/ romance,” the six-volume series follows the eponymous hero’s life in Toronto.

Scott is 23, in a rock band and dating a 17-year-old high school girl when he meets the girl of his dreams (literally) and must defeat her seven evil ex-boyfriends if they are to continue dating. The series is written in a very informal dialogue-style and takes place in Canada, but absurd action scenes and a smooth yet exaggerated art style call back to its manga influence. Appealing to a wide variety of subcultures, it received unanimous praise from critics. A movie adaptation, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, ar-

rives in theatres later this year.

Japanese-American artist Kazu Kibuishi has produced several works with Asian influence.

Contributing to Scholastic’s line of graphic novels aimed at adolescents, Kibuishi draws the “Amulet” series, a full-color ongoing saga detailing two children’s adventure in a strange realm after a family tragedy. The style is an odd blend of anime-styled characters and painstakingly drawn backgrounds akin to western comics.

More successful is his hit four-volume miniseries “Daisy Kutter: The Last Train,” a steampunk Western lauded by critics to be perfect for young adults.

The series lends much of

its own art style to Amulet.

Kibuishi also contributes to and edits each installment of the six-volume Flight anthology, which collects works from young comic authors of various styles, many of whom inject their art with an Eastern flair.

Though some may argue that the manga genre is becoming stagnant, suffering from an overload of recycled storylines and repetitive genres, the influence this storytelling method has impressed on Western authors is nothing to sneeze at. With time, these Western mangas could grow to occupy their own sub-genre. And if not, an Eastern influence is certainly creeping slowly into Western comics.

Courtesy of latimesblogs.latimes.com

The Scott Pilgram series combines a western art style with a Japanese-manga style to form a unique visual look.

■ By Brett Israel (‘10) Eastside Staff

February is on the horizon, and even in the thick of winter, comics continue to come out like clockwork.

It is always a good time of year to pick up new stories by the big two (Marvel and DC). In fact, here are a few that are recommended: Daredevil After the epic runs of writers Brian Michael Bendis and Ed Brubaker, writer Andy Diggle (“Thunderbolts,” “Hellblazer”) looks to take over the “man without fear.” After issue 500, Matt Murdock, Daredevil, has taken control of The Hand, a group of ninja assassins who once were his greatest enemy. In the three-part arc starting in February, Matt goes to Japan to attempt to unite The Hand, but someone might beat him to it. Marco Checchetto comes onboard to take over art duties in Daredevil 505, available February 3 for $2.99.

Red Robin In all seriousness, Red Robin has certainly not had much impact in the DC world, especially with “Blackest Night” at the forefront. However, the one thing that this book, and this book alone, touches is the search for Bruce Wayne. Tim Drake is Red Robin, an old Robin that will not accept that Bruce Wayne is dead. In fact, it is this that leads him to discovering that Bruce is not dead, but lost in time (classic DC). Tim is coming back to Gotham knowing about Bruce Wayne; however, what will he do now? Will Bruce be back? Find out in Red Robin. Pick up the new arc in “Red Robin 9,” written by Christopher Yost (“X-force”) and art by Marcus To (“Heroes”) and Ray McCarthy (“The Adventures of Superman”) for $2.99 on February 3.

Spawn “Spawn,” created by Todd McFarlane, has been adapted into a movie and TV series, and February looks to be a huge month for the series. Spawn reaches a milestone issue of 200 and writers Todd McFarlane (“Spiderman”) and Robert Kirkman (“Invincible”) are looking to make a big impact. Spawn, along with his new sidekick Clown, are coming up against one of Spawn’s most deadly villains. Just to make things crazier, God will be involved. Come check out this book with art by Todd McFarlane, Greg Capullo (“Haunt”) and Danny Miki (“X-men”) on February 24 for $3.99.

SPORTS January 2010

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Rose continues his father’s basketball legacy ■ By Max Cohen (‘12)

ing for Valore at East. Like his father, Sam has always admired Valore for his great leadership aspects as Three men in the East a coach. From attending basketball program share East games as a youngster, a common bond that dates Sam liked the way that back as far as thirty years “everyone listened to ago. The connection all [Valore].” started when Cherry Hill As a sophomore last East Basketball Hall of year, he received a varsity Famer Leon Rose (‘79) letter for basketball, but he enjoyed numerous suchopes to make a greater cesses in the DiBart impact on the team this Gymnasium as a memyear. The shadow of his ber of the Cougar father’s success as a basketball team.

Cougar does not put Now, Leon has the extra pressure on the privilege of watchyounger Rose, however. ing his own son Sam “What [my father] Rose (’11) play for the did was awesome, but I Cougars and be just try to do the best coached by the man that I can,” said who influenced him Sam. so much during his Valore, the great Cougar days: Head influence of Leon’s Coach Mr. John high school days, Valore. The elder enjoys working with Rose is very Sam as well. Valore pleased with the sees various similarsituation. ities in the father-son “[Valore has] pair. taught me so much “Sam has adopted about preparation, discipline, [and] com- Courtesy of Leon Rose the same personalmitment, which Sam Rose (‘11), ity that Leon has,” are all very impor- dressed up as an said Valore. tant traits and val- East basketball As a father, ues in my life,” player for Hallo- Leon would love said Leon. ween during ele- for his son to learn Leon played mentary school. as much from Valore as he did. varsity basketball Said Leon, “I can’t imagfor three years at East durine anyone being a beting which Valore imparted ter coach for [Sam] in upon him many of the valbasketball or any of the ues that allowed him to other values in life. Coach become successful in basValore will help preketball as a Cougar player pare him for things he and now as asports agent will face for the rest of his for players such as Allen life.”

Iverson and LeBron James.

Sam is currently in the Photo on right by Karina process of experiencing one Korneyeva (‘10)/ Eastside of his childhood dreams.

Photo Editor Since he was a young child, Leon Rose (‘79) and son Sam has thought of the Sam Rose (‘11) stand prospect of following in his on center court of the father’s footsteps and playDiBart Gym. Eastside Online Sports Editor

Holidays are over; eggnog out, Cornog in ■ By Harris Blum (‘13) For Eastside

Amongst the many talented athletes at East, there is one athlete who is taking his game to the next level.

Jason Cornog (‘11), a member of the East bowling team, has found success early in his high school career after placing sixth in the New Jersey State Tournament last year. Cornog was also selected to the All-South Jersey team as a sophomore last year, cementing his name as one of the top players in the area. “It’s pretty exciting, I guess. It’s interesting to sound like I’m that good,” said Cornog.

Cornog started bowling when he was six years old, mainly due to the influence of his father. Since then, he has bowled a 300 four times in his career, the most recent being on August 15, 2009.

He attributes the perfect scores to “practice and patience,” he said.

Now as a junior, Cornog looks to improve his game and place higher in the State Tournament.

Mr. Mike Hischak, the coach of the East Bowling

team, explained that he is expecting improvement from Cornog and believes he has the skill to place top five in the state this year.

Cornog only missed last year’s final five cut by a few pins.

Cornog’s value to his team is extrodinary. Aside from his tremendous ability while bowling, Cornog’s teammates are able to use him as a source of motivation to perform well.

“Cornog is really our life-line. He’s our anchor and the team feeds off his energy,” Hischak said.

Cornog is now in the process of applying for college scholarships, with hopes of competing in college.

Cornog’s chances seem favorable.

Said Hischak, Alex Herman (‘10)/ Eastside Staff “Cornog can defiJason Cornog (‘11) bowls during a game in December. Cornog hopes to challenge for a state nitely bowl Division I.” championship this year.

SPORTS January 2010

EASTSIDE

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Swimmer Marlee Ehrlich (‘12)

Gymnast Sandra Goldlust (‘11)

Starting Position

Ehrlich swims on a regular basis to stay in top physical shape for her swimming season.

She also does outof-water exercise to supplement her swimming routine. Some of these out-of-water exercises include stretching, jumping jacks, planks Nickee Plaksen (‘10)/ Eastside Photo Editor and crunches.

Plank Position

The Plank is an exercise targeting the abdominal muscles. To perform a plank, start off on your stomach, as seen in the picture above. Then go into a push-up position, except instead of using your hands for support, use your elbows. While performing the plank, keep your head up, legs straight, and your back as parallel to the ground as possible. Also make sure your weight is distributed evenly, as leaning too forward will put more strain on your shoulders and arms than your abdominal muscles.

Part of Goldlust’s workout routine Below, Goldlust describes how to perform parts of her workout: 1. Jogging: Five minutes - Try to bring your knees up to a 90-degree angle on each step.

2. Plank - Three sets for one minute each 3. Mountain Climbers: 3 sets of 25 - Start from a standing position with your hands on your hips. Step down into a lunge (one leg stepped out forward, one leg stepped out backward). Bend your knees so your back knee is just slightly above the ground. Jump back up, in the process switching your back and front legs, and go right back down to the same position. Make sure not to hit your back knee on the ground and that your body is centered between your back and front foot.

4. Sprints: 2 sets of five laps - Sprint a short distance and at the end, do five push-ups. Run back to your starting point. Then, run a farther distance, and at the end do seven push-ups and run back to your starting point again.

This would be one lap.

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

Swimming is a great way to increase your aerobic capacity. Just look at Ehrlich, who swims at least 16 hours a week. Here is a list of reasons why swimming is an amazing way to get into shape: -Swimming allows you to use almost every single part of your body at once. Therefore, by swimming, you will be “killing two birds with one stone” - doing one type of exercise and targeting many different parts of your body.

-The water of a swimming pool creates more resistance than air does, making swimming through water a more difficult workout for your body muscles than running.

-Swimming is one of the safest and softest forms of exercise for the body. Swimming is very easy on the joints, as opposed to running, which can cause injury to joints on legs fairly easily.

Nutritional Fun Fact Eating whole grain bread instead of white bread can make a big difference in your health. Whole grains have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure and reduce the risks of many cancers.

Nutritional Fun Fact

Nutritional Fun Fact

Eating a high dose of fiber and protein for breakfast will help keep you satisfied until lunch time.

It is extremely important to try to eat at regular intervals. By eating every 3-5 hours, you can keep your blood sugar levels stable. Skipping meals does not help control weight.

Nutritional Fun Fact Try eating your first meal of the day within an hour of waking up. Doing so can make you feel more alert the rest of the day.

Nutritional Fun Fact Making your own soda can reduce your caloric intake. Try taking carbonated water and mixing it with your favorite low-calorie and low-sugar fruit juices. By doing so, you can feed your crave for soda without ingesting its high calorie and sugar content.

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

Parts of the other athletes’ workouts Isaiah Campbell’s (‘11) bicep workout: •Preacher Curl: 4 sets of 12 repetitions •Dumbbell Curl: 4 sets of 12 repetitions •Dumbbell Hammer Curl: 4 sets of 12 repetitions •Barbell Curls: 4 sets of 12 repetitions •Reverse Barbell Curl: 4 sets of 12 repetitions

Starting Position

Bicep Curl Position

Erdong Chen’s (‘11) bicep workout: •Squats: 6 sets of 6-12 repetitions •Leg Press: 6 sets of 8-12 repetitions •Hamstring Curls: 6 sets of 8-10 repetitions •Calf Raises: 3 sets of 50 repetitions

Hamstring Curl Position

Sam Slutsky’s (‘10) abdominal workout: •Windshield Wipers: 2

sets of 12 repetitions on each side •Suitcases with medicine ball: 2 sets of 20 •Toe touches with medicine ball: 2 sets of 30 •Russian Twists with medicine ball: 2 sets of 100 •One set of 50 weighted crunches •One set of 50 weighted oblique crunches •One minute plank •One minute side plank

Windshield Wipers’ Starting Position

Ending Position Workout photos by Nickee Plaksen (‘10)/ Eastside Photo Editor