Eastside: November/December 2011

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 46 No. 3

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

November/December 2011

Charter school in unchartered territory ■ By Max Cohen (‘12) and Eric Kessler (‘12) Eastside Editor-in-Chief and Eastside Opinions Editor

The dispute over charter schools now has a new battleground in Cherry Hill.

Long-regarded as effective in urban districts with underachieving public schools, the state’s recent approval of a charter school in Cherry Hill has created quite the stir with various questions arising about its approval.

On September 30, the State Department of Education issued a charter for the creation of Regis Academy Charter School in Cherry Hill. The school will be located at 99 Burnt Mill Road and will receive students from the Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Somerdale and Lawnside school districts, with the majority of students and funding from Cherry Hill.

The charter school will accommodate 250 students in grades K-4 for the 20122013 school year, and the total number of students will increase annually for four years until the school supports grades K-7.

Eventually the school will become a K-8 school with a maximum of 450 students.

Approximately 169 Cherry Hill Public School students can enroll, which forces Cherry Hill to set aside at least 1.9 million dollars (sixty-nine percent of the funding for Regis Academy Charter) to help finance the charter school in 2012.

The loss of at least 1.9 million dollars from the Cherry Hill Public School budget will affect the entire district. Since the 169 Cherry Hill students will not come from one single school, the district cannot simply resize and refigure a single school and its budget. The district has estimated that 29 teachers will need to be laid off in order to sustain the budget with the loss of funds and students.

The lead founder of the school, Amir Khan, emphasizes the need to give parents choices in their children’s schools. In an interview with Eastside, Khan said, “What we are is an alternative and there are some things that we can offer that the other school districts are not offering.”

However, even as a major proponent of charter

Inside This Issue

schools, Governor Chris Christie has lauded the Cherry Hill School District and has explicitly stated that Cherry Hill provides a sufficient public education.

“If in fact, you’re a family who is living and sending your children to the public schools in Livingston, Cherry Hill or Millburn-Short Hills or Bridgewater...you’re getting an outstanding public school education,” he said in an interview with the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Khan’s background and the activity of his church have also been questioned.

According to various sources, Khan currently runs a private Christian school in the same building in which the Regis Academy Charter School will be located. Qualified founder Cheryl Ross said the program in place at Khan’s school, Children of Promise Christian School and Daycare, is the main reason why she is passionate about the charter school in Cherry Hill.

“I support it because I’ve had both of my kids in the [private] school for the last seven years and it’s a really good school,” Ross said.

“The curriculum they had, when my daughter was four years old, she was learning how to write cursive. The people who run it are great. They have teachers who teach there who do wonderful jobs.”

However, the Cherry Hill School District and Cherry Hill Township along with the other three school districts involved have filed an appeal of the charter school’s approval.

The district does not think that the charter school will offer anything that the district does not. In addition, the district does not agree with the projections that determine how much Cherry Hill needs to pay. The district has repeatedly attempted to contact the State Department of Education but to no avail.

The Cherry Hill Township has also filed for state legislation to pass a law requiring the approval of charter schools to be voted on by the people of the district. The bill has passed in the State Assembly but not the State Senate as of November 30.

East becomes home to many immigrants

East students’ college quest

Seniors take Spirit Week 2011

Lancelotti: Minor Leaguer’s major feat

News/Features, Pg. 3

Special, Pgs. 12-13

Special, Pg. 19

Sports, Pg. 22

NEWS/FEATURES Page 2

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

Smoking at East: a look at 25 years ago ■ By Abby Hoffman (‘14) , Kayla Schorr (‘14) and Juliet Brooks (‘13) Eastside Staff and Eastside News/Features Editors

In May of 2011 Cherry Hill was notified that an application had been subJackie mitted by Susuni (‘12) the New Board of J e r s e y Education Representative Department of Education for the township to publicly fund a charter school.

Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules and regulations that apply to public schools. With this charter school, Cherry Hill taxpayers would be required to partially fund this school while the Board of Education would additionally allocate $1.9 million (sixty-nine percent of the two percent budget cap).

In protest, Cherry Hill and several other local districts have submitted letters outlining the townships’ concerns regarding the charter school. On September 30, 2011, the Department of Education announced the approval of the Regis Academy Charter School, and as a result, the Cherry Hill BOE unanimously adopted a resolution to file an appeal. Since then, Dr. Maureen Reusche, superintendent of the Cherry Hill Public School District, has met with members of Congress that are in support of Cherry Hill’s appeal.

Sign the petition regarding the charter school at: http://www.change.org/ petitions/new-jersey-communities-want-local-control-over-new-charterschools-2.

Additionally, the board has been actively involved with the changes to the Cherry Hill East and West school schedule to “set a new TONE (time, opportunity, nourishment and enrichment) within the schools, while creating a collegiate environment.”

This new schedule will consist of a rotational day of four to six classes depending on the day and will allow each student to take a lunch period. In addition, there will be four days per rotation of 52-minute classes and two days per rotation of 80-minute classes.

In the near future, there will be community presentations of this new schedule to inform everyone of the upcoming changes.

For more information, check out www.chclc.org.

If you have any additional questions, join the CHE Board of Education 2011 group on Facebook or email the BOE representatives at eastboe@ yahoo.com.

Smoking’s negative effects on health are common knowledge today. However, this does not stop teens from lighting up before, during and after school hours.

Although smoking at East is not permitted, it was at one time considered acceptable on school grounds. In an opinion piece from Eastside circulated in February of 1986, Julian Cohen wrote about a government attempt to ban smoking ads.

He wrote, “the whole point [of banning smoking ads]… is that it will stop smoking at the heart of the problem: out of sight, out of mind. Without the tempting… the younger generation will not be prompted to smoke.”

However, Cohen did not like the idea of the government controlling what the cigarette companies could advertise.

In the 1970s, and even through the ‘80s, smoking was permitted on school grounds.

Mrs. Marguerite Smaldore, an English teacher who has been at East since the school opened in 1967, said that students were allowed to smoke in the school courtyard.

“Students trampled the courtyard and were late to class… the grass was never the same,” Smaldore said.

Although, according to Smaldore, the Student Government at the time made efforts to clean up the courtyard, consistent student tardiness and revolutionary research about the effects of smoking on the lungs led the school to close off the courtyard to smokers.

Students smoked wherever and whenever they found an opportunity. Mr. Matthew Carr, an English teacher who has been at East since the late ‘70’s, said, “I know that one used to go into a student lavatory and it was clear that smoking had been going on there.”

Mr. Bob Menta, security officer at East, said, “I know that smoking inside the school has been reduced. Now we find that the kids are smoking outside. We find doors propped open [so that students can get back in].”

Although people have continued to disobey school rules and smoke in school and on school grounds, the main difference between East in the past and East today is that students can now get in trouble for possession of cigarettes.

The first time a student gets caught smoking on school property, he or she gets a warning and disciplinary action is taken against them. The second time, the student goes to court and faces a 100-dollar fine.

At East, smoking used to be considered very open and

Photo illustration by Mia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor

students did not hide it. Many people chose to smoke. As Cohen wrote in his opinion piece, “the fact that smoking is dangerous is common knowledge: if you still want to do it, it’s your choice.”

Menta said, “I don’t understand, with all the education today, why anyone would smoke at all.”

In 1978, 33.2 percent of all people 18 and older smoked.

Today, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20.6 percent of adults 18 years and older smoke. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 25 percent of high school students in the United States smoke cigarettes.

East students play at prestigious Carnegie Hall ■ By Leah Mashioff (‘14)

The experience at Carnegie Hall has impacted all four of the students’ The prestigious Carnlives. egie Hall in New York “Because of that perCity has showcased musiformance, I became more cal talents from classical devoted [to my piano playcomposer Tchaikovsky to ing],” Tang said. jazz performer Benny At East, these musiGoodman. But talented cians participate in multiEast students have also ple instrumental groups, played at Carnegie Hall: such as Symphony OrHannah Germaine (‘13) chestra, Wind Ensemble, Jonathan Landa (‘13), Jazz Band, Jazz StandTommy Tang (‘12) and ards, Chamber Quartets Sarah Kim (‘13) are just and Pit Orchestra.

Landa s a i d , “ M u s i c b r i n g s musicians a sense of community, where whether they share similar or different talents and i n t e r e s t s, musicians Brittany Ngheim (‘13)/ Eastside Staff build a Left to right: Jonathan Landa (‘13), Sarah Kim (‘13) and Hannah Germaine (‘13) play the piano. foundation four of the East students twelve. He still plays has played in three interof connections, collaborawho have performed for piano today. national classical and pop tions and even friendlarge audiences at the Tang said that performances at Carnegie ships.”

Hall. although he played a presHall.

Though memories of Germaine and Landa tigious venue, he does not “Each time was differthis experience may be played a duet at Carnremember the experience ent, but the first day was forgotten, they will always egie’s Golden Keys Piano much. overwhelming,” she said. cherish this opportunity.

For Eastside

Competition. Germaine has played the bass since seventh grade. She played the flute and clarinet in her elementary school years, and also learned how to play guitar on the side.

Landa has played piano since he was seven years old. He said that his parents influenced him to play the piano.

Tang had his recital at Carnegie Hall in seventh grade, when he was

Landa agreed. “It was a very exciting day… [but] it was not really [any] different than playing in any other place,” he said.

Even though the students say the hall is much like any other, playing at Carnegie Hall is not as easy as Germaine and Landa make it sound. The only way to get a gig at Carnegie Hall is to practice.

Kim started playing piano at age three. She

NEWS/FEATURES November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Page 3

FOP works to create festive atmosphere ■ By Rachel Cohen (‘15)

asked Cherry Hill East to become involved and help out. This club is only active The winter holidays at East; no other school has have come to symbolize this particular club. presents, and the best “It is a nice way for our present of all is seeing a kids to help those with smile light up on a child’s physical and mental handface. This is a lesson that icaps and help them have the FOP (Fraternal Order an enjoyable day,” said Mr. of Police) Holiday Party CJ Davis, the FOP advisor.

Club teaches many stuPreparation for the dents at East. party takes many hours of The club helps prepare work. Students spend time and decorate for the FOP after school, tracing Holiday Party, which is a Christmas trees and stars party held for kids in the to decorate and use as area with special needs placemats at the party. and disabilities. FOP has They also decorate banbeen a successful and popners, cut snowflakes and ular club at East for wrap boxes in wrapping decades, since the FOP paper to make sure the started the tradition and party has the traditional Christmas festive feel.

Sometimes, special guests such as the Phillie Phanatic m a k e appearances, and band Hailey Edelstein (‘12)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief a East students make decorations for FOP. plays holiFor Eastside

day music to add to the holiday and winter spirit.

“At the FOP party we get to dance with the kids, and they are really happy,” said Shahi Terzi (‘12), one of the FOP Overall Chairpersons.

E a s t students dress up in different costumes at the party to Joel Greenspan bring joy (‘13)/ Eastside Art to the kids Director attending.

At the party, the kids have a chance to meet Santa Claus and receive a special present from him.

“The main goal is to guarantee the children have fun,” said Eric Bonventure (‘12), the other FOP Overall Chairperson.

It is a main point to ensure that there is a large amount of entertainment and activities. It is essential that the children feel welcome at the event. Not only do the children who attend the party have fun,

but the East students who host have a great time as well.

“A lot of people don’t have experience with kids with special needs, unless [it is with [a] f a m i l y member or n e i g h b o r.

We realize they are not much different than we are,” said Terzi.

The club is always looking for new members to join. Many active members are seniors, so the club looks forward to seeing more people join from different grades to keep FOP going strong.

FOP meets twice a week from November through December, and has evening meetings once a week. There are approximately 150-200 students in the club, including ten chairpeople. The FOP party will be held on Monday, December 19.

Student immigrants assimilate at East ■ By Gilana Levavi (‘14) Eastside Editorial Assistant

hard [at] first…to get to know other people…[because it was] really hard to talk to them.”

She said that she tries to get to know other students by introducing herself and asking about them.

No’ad Shanas (‘14), who emigrated from Israel two and a half years ago when he was in seventh grade, also said that getting to know his classmates was difficult.

“I came at the stage when everyone [had already] made friends, in sixth grade or in elementary school,” said Shanas.

At East, Shanas joined extracurricular activities including orchestra and Chemistry Club to meet other students.

Another immigrant, Thao Tran (‘12), emigrated from Vietnam nine months ago.

“Before I came here, I [was] mature [enough] to have many real friends,” wrote Tran in an email. “I miss my friends [and] my relatives, the [people] in Vietnam, so much.”

East Principal Dr. John O’Breza

said that he has made the teachers at East aware of the growing student immigrant population so that the school can help these students overcome the challenges they face.

“We have worked with the staff to make them more aware that [for] students coming from different cultures, they’ve got to have a higher sensibility,” said O’Breza. “It requires a different level of patience, a different level of understanding.”

Most recent immigrants have felt the effect of this effort.

Maqbool said that the teachers at East are kinder than the teachers she had in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. She said she appreciates that East teachers are willing to stay after school to give extra help to students.

“The students and teachers at East [have] been warm and welcoming to me,” wrote Tran. “I feel so happy.”

East’s varied community benefits all of the students at East, but it is always nice to remember and celebrate just how culturally diverse East really is.

East’s diverse student body is highly apparent to anybody walking down the halls. However, people at East do not always realize just how diverse East is.

Although students who are recent immigrants to the United States come from very diverse backgrounds, they face many similar challenges in adjusting to life as students and as Americans. For many recent student immigrants, unfamiliarity with the English language presents a big challenge.

Haruka Shoji (‘13), who came to the United States last April because of her father’s job, said that although English class was one of her best subjects when she lived in Japan, speaking English on a regular basis is difficult. “[The English we learned in school] didn’t help me in real life,” Shoji said.

She said her teachers focused on grammar and spelling rather than speaking.

“The most challenging part… [is speaking on] the phone because I have to speak English and I can’t see the [person’s] face,” Shoji said.

Betsy Chanzapa (‘15), who emigrated from Mexico this past August, said she does not know a lot of English, but enjoys it when her classmates communicate with her in Spanish.

“I feel happy when Americans speak Spanish because I speak Spanish,” Chanzapa said, adding that she does not mind if they cannot speak Spanish well.

Tuba Maqbool (‘15) originally emigrated from Pakistan, and then moved to Sri Lanka for two years.

She lived in Virginia and then Chicago for short periods of time before settling Juliet Brooks (‘13)/ Eastside News/Features Editor in Cherry Hill.

Haruka Shoji (‘13) and Thao Tran (‘12) immigrated from Japan and Vietnam, respecMaqbool said, “It was tively, to Cherry Hill within the past year.

School President answers: What does SGA have planned for the rest of the year?

What does SGA do?

With an inAdam t e n s e Rosenthal Spirit (‘12) W e e k now in our past, we can now look forward to the winter and the wonderful festivities that come along with it. I’m not talking about Santa and Rudolph; I’m talking about the upcoming wonderful winter and spring events that the Student Government Association has planned for the remainder of the year.

We are currently in the process of planning some sort of new, school-wide event that will take place either late January or early February. As of late November, we had not settled on an exact event, but trust me when I say this: it’s going to be awesome.

And who could forget the mother of all events: Mr. East. It is easily the best event of the entire school year.

We have a lot planned and are eager to plan and host those events, but many events are only successful thanks to our individual grades’ Student Governments.

People often ask how school-wide Student Government works with classwide Student Government. School-wide Student Government works mainly on the school-wide events. We also work with class-wide Student Government by overseeing what they’re doing with their classes and making sure everything is getting done. We have the class presidents provide us with a monthly statement as to what their class is planning. We also ask them questions and offer suggestions to help them with the process. We use their help in our school-wide events, especially when it comes to publicizing them.

We relay information regarding school-wide events to class presidents, who then relay it to their representatives, who then relay it to their entire class.

Student Government does a lot of work to get things all over school up and running that goes completely unnoticed. So thank your wonderful Student Government officers and representatives for doing everything that they do to make everything at East great!

NEWS/FEATURES Page 4

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

Freshman Patricia Irwin initiates acting career ■ By Kayla Schorr (‘14)

Eastside News/Features Editor

When people sit down to view a professional production, many thoughts come to mind. When reviewing the Playbill or cast list, it is

o f t e n perceived that the performers live a glamorous, urban life and are o f t e n treated l i k e celebrities due to their professional background and their enormous level of talent. Though this perception may be present in the minds of audience members, one thought seems to be overlooked.

Many of the actors are children: regular students who attend public school just like any other child or teenager would.

In fact, this reality applies to one of the many students at East, Patricia Irwin (‘15). Though Irwin endures a rigorous academic schedule, she also maintains quite an impressive résumé as well.

Irwin’s prestigious performing career began at a very young age. She discovered her passion when she began singing for her church. At the age of three, Irwin received a solo for her church choir. Singing was just the first foray in

Sophia Santo (‘13)/ Eastside Staff

Irwin reviews a script.

Irwin’s journey through performing arts.

“It’s honestly something that I love to do,” Irwin said. “I can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s just my passion.”

As Irwin matured, her hobby of performing emerged into that passion. At age eight, Irwin assumed the role of Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Irwin said that the experience was absolutely incredible and inspired her to move forward with her acting career.

“That was when the bug bit me.

That’s when I realized that this is what I love to do,” said Irwin.

Though Irwin landed professional acting roles, she also participated in middle school productions, including Guys and Dolls, where she assumed the role of Sarah Brown, one of the two female leads.

Although this production was not as esteemed as those of her past, Irwin thoroughly enjoyed this performance.

Irwin has discovered over the years that performance is her forte.

However, there are many challenges that an actress like Irwin must face in this competitive business.

“Aside from trying to get certain roles, there are a lot of small challenges that [one

Students inherit parents’ teachers ■ By Jenna Wilson (‘15) For Eastside

Students’ relationships with teachers have always been crazy.

The subtler nuances of understanding a teacher’s whims are often difficult to master and, at the same time, students can be incomprehensible to their teachers. But recently, a new factor has been thrown into the teacher and student relationship at East. One word: parents.

No, not the parents who e-mail teachers every night to ask what the homework is, nor the parents who are at the school conferencing with a teacher every Friday. These parents are the parents who attended East in the past, parents whose former teachers are still here.

East was founded in 1967, and parents who attended East in the 1970s and 1980s are now returning to Cherry Hill. And while their lives have changed since their freshman year, East has not.

Enter the teachers: the teachers who gave students in the ‘70s and ‘80s their A’s and their F’s, their detentions, their white cards and their extra help. And now those students are back—with their

kids.

Ally Deas (‘15) said, “It would be cool to have the same teachers my mom had. I would think of her as a freshman sitting in the same class as me.”

Similarly, students mentioned liking the idea of learning from the same teachers who had taught parents all those years ago. It is interesting to think about a teacher sitting in the front of the room, taking attendance, recognizing the daughters and sons of his or her former students.

However, it is scary, too. It is possible that the teacher might remember an old student fondly, but it is equally likely that the teacher could have taken issue with the former student.

Mr. Lee Troutman, who has been teaching at East since 1978, said he approaches everyone with a fresh perspective and does not compare parents and students.

However, he does notice characteristics, facial expressions or things that the students say that remind him of their parents.

Overall, the idea of teachers teaching the second generation is interesting, but, like anything else, comes with both positive and negative aspects.

must] face,” said Irwin.

“You can walk in feeling prepared and confident, and then the five girls that audition before you perform unbelievably. It can truly be intimidating.”

In addition, Irwin mentioned the improbability of being called back for a role, which is one of the most intimidating factors of acting and performing.

Irwin’s passion was shortly cultivated into a profession. A couple years ago, Irwin played the role of Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden.

“It was a challenging acting role because the character was so dynamic,” Irwin said. “In the show, my character lost her parents and had to move in with her lonely uncle. It was really difficult at first to develop the character.”

Just recently, Irwin participated in a playwright festival at the Turtle Shell Theater in New York City.

The festival was titled Eight Minute Madness, which consisted of a large variety of short plays.

Irwin said that although the theater was tiny and cramped, it was an amazing experience because she had the opportunity to work with many experienced directors who gave her a great deal of inspirational advice.

Irwin has practiced her talent at East as well. She participated in the Lab

Theater production in October of 2011 entitled Give and Take. She is also enrolled in Vocal Workshop and participated in East’s fall production of A Christmas Carol.

Not only has Irwin made a name for herself in theater, but she also plans to continue with other passions after high school.

“I want to go to school for musical theater or opera,” said Irwin. “Just being able to perform anywhere is the dream.

Whether it is a community playhouse or a Broadway stage, I will just be proud to do what I love.”

Irwin’s acting career proves to be impressive even to many upperclasmen involved in the theater program at East.

“She blew us away at auditions for Lab Theatre,” said Danielle LeVine (‘12).

“She is such a pleasure to work with.”

Anthony Diaz (‘12) served as Irwin’s director during Lab Theatre.

“Her résumé is better than mine, yet she is so much younger,” he said.

“She truly is talented.”

Irwin’s passion for performing arts can simply be described as inspirational.

The fact that she does not care whether she is a successful Broadway actress or just an actress who performs at small theaters shows her utter dedication towards this field.

NEWS/FEATURES November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Page 5

Computer Graphics teacher is always Hird ■ By Juliet Brooks (‘13) and Prashasti Awadhiya (‘12) Eastside News/Features Editors

Several students have had the scarring experience of calling a teacher “mom.” Usually, the teacher makes a joke at the student’s expense and then continues with the lesson.

Not so with Mrs. Aimee Hird.

“She is very motherly,” Noy Chetrit (‘13) said of Hird as Chetrit sat at Hird’s desk after completing her assignment early.

And Hird, the Computer Graphics teacher at East, does not mind being described that way.

“That’s what teaching is to me,” Hird laughed when she heard what Chetrit said. “I am close to the students. I like to think that I have a connection to them.”

Although Hird teaches Computer Graphics now, she studied both computers and business at her undergraduate college.

She has been teaching in the Cherry Hill School District for the past eight years; she taught business and math at West, but then transferred to East when she saw the Computer Graphics opening.

Right now, Hird is quite happy in F-wing.

Hird said, “I love my classes, I love where I teach, and I love working with my students.”

Hird enjoys getting to know her students and feeling like her students can come to her for advice.

Knowing that she can help her students, present and past, shows Hird that, as a teacher, she has done something right.

Another great experience for Hird is when past students return

to see her.

“When my kids that graduated come talk to me, that makes me feel like an accomplished teacher,” she said.

Jerry Peralta (‘13) said that Hird is a teacher on whom he can count.

“She listens to kids and gives them advice,” Peralta said.

Hird loves teaching Computer Graphics because it is an extremely hands-on class.

“I can’t stay in the front,” Hird said. “I get a good workout, I’m always answering questions.”

Hird’s teaching philosophy is to help students apply skills while doing fun activities. Her goal is to make learning something that teenagers can enjoy.

Hird also wants to expand the Computer Graphics program at East. Two years ago, she created the Advanced Graphics and Advanced Application classes.

She said, “I love to collaborate with Kevin Frost, the [Computer Graphics] teacher at West.”

Hird is also very passionate about organizing a field trip for Computer Graphics.

She said, “I would love to take the kids to Star Graphics, a place around the corner [from East] to show them real-life applications of computer design.”

Hird is also active in extra-curricular activities. She has been the advisor of Anime Club for the past four years and also facilitated the Breakdancing Club last year.

Hird’s energy is part of what makes her such a good teacher, and her enthusiasm carries into every facet of her job. First and foremost, however, Hird said, “I value my connection with my students.”

Kevin Yoo (‘12) and Mia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editors

(Top) Hird helps a student working with computer graphics.

(Bottom) Hird teaches her classes with a lot of enthusiasm.

Eddie Lai (‘12)

Keely Baker (‘15)

Mrs. Morgan

Chelsea Morales (‘15)

We asked...

What is your favorite turkey condiment?

Why did the turkey cross the road?

I’m thankful for...

Cranberry chutney Gravy

Mayo

Gravy

To get away To be here To get to the from the other side man with the axe my family and my students

my family

To get to the other side

my family

life Target

Favorite holiday store:

Garage Best Buy

Bath and Body Works

COMMUNITY Page 6

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

Thanksgiving Day Parade brings in holiday spirit ■ By Rebecca Ohnona (‘12)

The parade was first created by Gimbel Brothers Department Store for There is nothing like the children and residents watching the Philadelphia of Philadelphia, but WPVIThanksgiving Day Parade TV/6abc stepped up to conto get one in the spirit for tinue this holiday tradition the holiday season. As the once Gimbel Brothers oldest Thanksgiving Day closed in 1986.

Parade in America, the This year, on November stream of celebrities, 26, the excitement started at floats, choirs and marching 8:30 a.m. and aired live on bands has been thrilling Channel 6abc, as well as on Americans since its start a live webcast on 6abc.com. in 1920.

Cecily Tynan and Rick Williams hosted the parade with Karen Rogers and Adam Joseph.

The 1.4mile parade route began at the intersection of 20th Street and JFK Boulevard, turned left onto 16th Street and then left Ben Ni Zheng (‘12)/ Eastside Staff onto These unique floats graced the streets F r a n k l i n Parkway. The of Philadelphia in this year’s Parade.

Eastside Community Editor

entire parade route was free and open to the public, except for a limited number of grandstand seats in the telecast area that were reserved for sponsors and VIPs only.

The vibrant holiday spirit of the parade stems from the parade balloons and floats, which never fail to amaze viewers. This year, the classic enormous balloons of The Jetsons, Tom the Turkey, Mr. Potato Head and Elmo graced the roads of Philadelphia once again, in addition to floats of the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney, the Snowman Family and the Food Drive Wagon.

As if the blow-ups were not enough to liven the mood, special guests included Brandy and Walt Disney characters, and Pageant Queens Miss New Jersey, Miss Delaware, Miss Pennsylvania and Miss America 2010 were in attendance.

With music from high school marching bands coming from Delaware, South Carolina and even

Ni Zheng (‘12)/ Eastside Staff

Philadelphia celebrates Thanksgiving anually with a balloon-filled, 1.4 mile-long parade.

California, to name a few, the organizers of the parade aimed to get as many talented individuals as possible involved. There were also various choirs in attendance, excited to sing their ways through the streets of the City of

Brotherly Love.

For this year, and many more to come, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade jumpstarted Americans into the vibrant holiday spirit, in preparation for a lively day of food, family and fun.

Feeling thankful this holiday season? The Food Bank of South Jersey found many ways to give back: The Food Bank of South Jersey is especially active throughout the holiday season. There are many locations where anyone can drop off food for those in need, such as Nielson, Broad Street Media - The Trend and Long and Foster Real Estate. Several bowl-making events were hosted in the ceramic studio at Perkins Center for the Arts and at the end of the week, four-hundred bowls were donated to the December 3 charity event. Participating restaurants served a simple lunch to guests in a bowl of their choice, which they could keep when they donated a minimum of ten dollars. Fifty percent of the day's proceeds benefitted the Food Bank of South Jersey. To help the 100,000 people that go hungry in South Jersey every holiday season, donate money or food and participate in the many events that the Food Bank of South Jersey has to offer during this time of the year.

Quixote Quest promises their deeds, not words ■ By Juliet Brooks (‘13)

girl who was walking on Eastside News/Features Editor the beach at low tide, throwing beached starfish Mahatma Gandhi once into the ocean. When said, “You must be the someone told her that she change you wish to see in could never save all of the the world.” starfish, she said, “I can The Quixote Quest, a make a difference for this New Jersey-based volunone,” and threw the teer organization for teens starfish in her hand back aged 14-18, embodies this into the sea. belief.

Effie Ferti (‘13), a memThe Quest involves six ber of the Quixote Quest, “clubs,” or sub-divisions, tutors the same boy every located all over New Jerweek. sey.

Ferti said, “as Their goal is opposed to mak“...You’re to provide teening a difference agers with op- influencing this for everybody, portunities to one person’s life you’re influenchelp change ing this one pertheir communi- because you’re son’s life bespending so ties. Teenagers cause you’re can seek out vol- much time with spending so unteer opportumuch time with them.” nities for themthem.”

- Effie Ferti (‘13) selves or they Another big can volunteer at part of the club a location suggested by the is the idea of being part of Quest. a community. The clubs The “clubs” are located meet every other week to in Voorhees (Camden discuss their experiences County East), Merchantwith volunteering over the ville (Camden County previous two weeks.

West), Marlton (BurlingVolunteers must pledge at ton County), Deptford least two hours of their (Gloucester County), time every week.

Hamilton (Mercer County) As Ferti said, “The and East Brunswick whole motto of the club is (Middlesex County). ‘deeds not words.’”

A big part of the The best way to make a Quixote Quest is the idea difference in the communiof “Starfishing,” or helping ty is to start trying. Even to change the life of one the smallest actions have person. The idea comes a big impact on someone from the fable of a little else’s life.

Broadway’s home away from home ■ By Sydney Swartz (‘13) For Eastside

Many people would love to attend a Broadway production. All of a show’s elements, from the acting to the decorations, come together to create an unforgettable memory for the audience. Now with the Merriam Theatre, one does not have to go to New York City to enjoy a show.

On August 26, 1918, one of the most prominent theaters in Philadelphia opened to the public. The Merriam Theatre is home to a number of its very own Broadway shows. It has continued to thrive, and provides people with the chance to fully take in a Broadway musical.

The Merriam Theatre has put on productions such as Billy Elliot the Musical, Jersey Boys and

Mia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor

The Merriam Theater opened in 1918.

West Side Story, which theater has been restored have all toured on Broadso that people can get a way. sense of how theatergoing The Merriam Theatre was in the twentieth centuhas gone through many ry. The lobby has been renovations. The theater redone with vintage paintnow serves as the school of ings to give the theater the music for the twentieth century vibe.

College of The Merriam Theatre is Performing Arts. It a prominent asset to the also has recording art scene of Philadelstudios, practice phia, allowing theaterrooms, a piano lab, goers to experience a computer and synBroadway musical without thesizer workstahaving to drive for two tion labs, audio-forhours in heavy traffic to video dubbing and get there. editing lab and perMerriam Theatre will be cussion studios. The holding perfomances of: theater also serves as a variety of art •The Wizard of Oz functions, including (December 27-28) 12 professional galMia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor leries, a student-run •Jim Brickman The Merriam Theater is promi- gallery and visual (Febraury 18) arts facilities. The nently located in Philadelphia.

COMMUNITY November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Page 7

First Person Arts Festival: Bringing out the artists in everyone ■ By Rebecca Ohnona (‘12)

Restaurants alter their menus for the holidays ■ By Alana Kopelson (‘12) Eastside Community Editor

Best Vegan: Vegetarians and vegans could finally enjoy a meat-free meal this past Thanksgiving, thanks to Miss Rachel’s Pantry. Their home style vegan meals are made freshly and delivered straight to a person’s home.

Established by Rachel Klein, with the goal of bringing more vegetarian/vegan options to the Philadelphia area, Miss Rachel’s Pantry featured Thanksgiving meals and platters to accommodate veggie lovers this Thanksgiving. Their menu featured a Turkey-style seitan with mushroom red wine gravy, garlicky mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and rosemary thyme stuffing with cranberries. For dessert, they offered a decadent homemade pumpkin pie. At only $22 for a platter, Miss Rachel’s Pantry finally had vegetarians and vegans anticipating their holiday meal.

Best Italian: This past Thanksgiving, Buca di Beppo, a restaurant that serves family-style Italian meals, served a traditional American feast with an Italian Twist. Aside from serving their entire regular menu of Italian cuisine, they served style portions of turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce. Buca di Beppo is designed to accommodate groups of up to 40 people, so they were an ideal Thanksgiving venue for large groups of families and friends.

Best Atmosphere: La Campagne offers a more intimate dining experience, with a turn-of-the-century fireplace to complete the charming ambience. This Thanksgiving La Campagne served its classical American cuisine as well as an additional Thanksgiving feast menu. For people who want a more intimate dining experience next Thanksgiving, then La Campagne is the place for them. Its classical American cuisine and ambience sets the bar high for fivestar dining in South Jersey. Its Thanksgiving menu features more formal food choices such as roast turkey, salmon provencal and white chocolate pumpkin bread pudding.

better than ever. The festia desire to participate in val highlights included the festival. The program performances by April also hosts Story-Slams, For the tenth annual Yvette Thompson, who t w i c e - m o n t h l y event, artists and everyday executed a powerful onestorytelling competitions, people alike woman in order to enliven the gathered s h o w storyteller in each and together in called every member. a unique Liberty Participants of this nonfestival to City, profit organization work share their a n d towards the “First Person stories and Adam Arts” goal of converting experiences Wa d e , real-life drama into memthrough difw h o oirs and documentaries ferent forms p e r in order to encourage of art. On formed gratitude for individual November a oneand shared experiences.

10 through m a n They believe that through Courtesy of firstpersonarts.org 20, the First Adam Wade performs his hilari- s h o w , storytelling, people can P e r s o n ous show, Adam Wade from New T h e connect on a deeper level.

Festival of Hampshire.

Adam The dramatic First Memoir and Wade Person festival annually Documentary Arts took from NH Show. The plot of succeeds in stringing place at Christ’s Church Liberty City explores a together the various arts, Neighborhood House. Vicki deep story of family, race including film, writing, Solot founded First Person and the value of underacting and storytelling, to Arts, which was originally standing one’s history produce a novel event, called “Blue Sky,” in 2000, while establishing one’s extracting the artist in in response to the heightown path. The Adam Wade every willing individual. ened interest in memoir show, on the other and documentary art hand, proved to be forms. more playful, as Through this festival, it featured brutwriters, musicians, actors ally honest and and other artists from comic stories from across the country have his adolescent the chance to join together years in New for five days of powerful Hampshire. workshops, interactive preLeading up to sentations and other the festival, there dynamic events, with the were storytelling goal of improving the artist workshops and Courtesy of firstpersonarts.org in each participant. film screening disThis year, the performcussions in order to April Yvette Thompson performs ances at the festival were prepare those with her one-woman show, Liberty City.

Eastside Community Editor

OPINIONS Page 8

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

East visits the 99% at Occupy Philly ■ By Kyle Bigley (‘13) For Eastside

If you make one million dollars a year, do not read this column. If you make any amount of money less than that, read on, for the Occupy Wall Street and other growing movements pertain to you, the 99%.

Whether you choose to embrace or choose to ignore the Occupy Wall Street movement, a growing dissent emanates from the abuses of corporatism and capitalism marches across the nation and the world. Ordinary people, the men and women who

defend America from enemies domestic and abroad, want happiness and they are willing to fight for it.

How can someone be happy when he or she is cold, sick, homeless, stressed or unemployed?

How can I climb the ladder if there is no ladder to climb? How can I pull myself up by my bootstraps if I am barefoot?

The protesters want for their government, if it really sees all men and women as equal, to prioritize the economic welfare and happiness of 312 million people, just as much as it does for the 3 million super rich. United by a common goal of lessening economic inequality, the Occupy movement has

brought people of all gender, color, race and religion together to bring about a real change, not some ambiguous word on a politician’s campaign sign.

Until now, the 99% were content to squabble over the scraps left by the “job creators” while ignoring the real feast at the table of prosperity. They saw poverty, oppression and war at the hands of corporate greed and hoped that electoral change would translate into economic benefits.

But along came Occupy Wall Street and the successive movements across American cities, which have rekindled the torch of liberty, igniting a flame that has since spread to every corner of the world.

The movement is a voice of boundless hope. It expresses the opinion of Americans who will no longer allow corporatism and capitalism to dominate democracy. While the poor got poorer, the rich got richer, for now the 400 wealthiest Americans have more money than the poorest 150 million Americans combined.

The protesters want the deluge and ensuing flood from the storm clouds of dissent to rush past the avaricious corporatists’ levees of defense, engulfing the entire country and world in the struggle for democracy.

All the gullies, gulfs and gulches flow from the fearless fighters for freedom who braved the weather

and nightsticks of the NYPD. Overall, the movement embodies all that is good in America—compassion, action, liberty, equality and democracy—and protests all that is bad in the world—greed, war, corruption, poverty and inaction.

The members of the movement highly resolve that their endeavors bring about a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

The aspiration of Occupy Wall Street could promise a new future for America, a more democratic nation in which every citizen can pursue happiness.

Mia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Occupy Philly does not have as many participants as Occupy Wall Street, but it is clear that the passion is just as strong.

OPINIONS November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Page 9

Sponsorships now a necessary part of schools ■ By Talia Balakirsky (‘14) For Eastside

Athletes across the world can agree that being sponsored by companies such as Adidas and Nike is a big step forward in their careers. Off of the playing fields and away from the world of sports, however, public schools have begun to bring sponsors into their realm as well. The debate began in 2005, when it was discussed whether sponsorship of different school facilities, such as the new tennis courts at East, is really necesary and important. Tax cuts, a stalling economy and less school funding have become sad norms in the last few years.

Sponsorships, they have come to realize, might be the answer to these problems and can be seen in two ways: as philanthropic and as generally helpful.

Philanthropy plays a role

in sponsorships because those who attended public schools, such as East, and played a

dominant role or w e r e involved during their time in high school, might find sponsoring different facilities an important and memorable task. For example, Diana Li (‘12)/ Eastside Art Director

an alumnus who was a “jock” and played on teams during every season would potentially be interested in sponsoring new facilities for sports because it relates to him or her on a more intimate level.

Taking a closer look at why sponsorships can be seen as generally helpful, school budgets are constantly going down—and fast. The use of these sponsorships may be able to shed a much-needed light on the problem of school funding. If people are willing to sponsor new facilities, the p u b l i c schools will be able to place their money into needed items including books, lab supplies and more teachers.

The new tennis

courts at East, named the Ross and Jamie Silverberg Tennis Center, are a great example of the idea of sponsorships being put into action. However, many people may not know that school facilities can be sponsored by businesses and not solely by people or families.

Bernard’s Salon and Spa is a “proud supporter of Cherry Hill Tennis” and their sign can be seen hanging on the tennis court fence. Additionally, Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery and Shoprite are among many other groups that are also supporting Cherry Hill tennis. Not only does this publicity bring more customers to the doors of the companies, but it also brings the community together.

“Sponsorships need to be continued in the district because aid is needed to buy new equipment and to support student activities.

Also, these sponsorships introduce a way for the school to branch out throughout the community,” said Alyssa Markowitz (‘14), an active member in the Theater Department.

It seems plainly obvious that, in most cases, sponsoring public school facilities is a big hit among educators, residents, students and school officials.

When coventional money-making ideas run dry, it seems that sponsorship is the only way to make the money back.

From this seemingly communal agreement will hopefully come more sponsorship facilities that could help out the community and its schools in the long run, as long as the cash keeps on flowing.

All people can do now is ask themselves: will Cherry Hill be able to score more goals in the game of putting sponsorship money in the right direction?

Should kids power down during lunch?

■ By Eric Simons (‘15) For Eastside

Diana Li (‘12)/ Eastside Art Director

Everyone has seen at least one student texting during class, and most students have probably done it themselves. It is obvious why using electronics during class is distracting to the user and to others; however, students frequently ask: Why can’t we use our beloved phones and iPods during lunch periods?

Dr. John O’Breza, East principal, believes that portable electronics have their time and place to be useful, but they just aren’t necessary in school, which is why from 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., students cannot use these portable electronics.

“Lunch should be social time, time to talk with friends, do any work that might have been missed and just relax,” O’Breza said.

O’Breza stressed that the use of cell phones is becoming addictive.

Even if people are sitting at a table with other people, they still text

instead of living in the moment.

This causes students to miss out on everyday social experiences, like physically greeting others and starting up a conversation. People miss out on these experiences because they choose to stay connected through cell phones instead of just talking in person.

He also said that if people use cell phones during lunch, chances are they will not stop at the end of the period. Students will continue to use these electronics in the hall, and then into the next class and so on.

On the other side of the issue, there are a few benefits of being able to use electronics. Like O’Breza said, many students use lunch as a way to catch up on missed work.

Students often use lunch periods to print out papers or complete assignments, such as vocabulary homework. Instead of rushing to the library for the internet, students who have phones with

internet capability could look up the necessary information or copy a typed assignment in a notebook.

Some students also say that they like to use their phones in school to stay in touch with their parents throughout the day. However, if a student’s parents have an urgent message for him or her, there are phones conveniently located in every classroom which parents can reach by calling the office and leaving a message.

Cell phones do have important uses, but is school the place to take advantage of them?

Cell phones are generally distracting when used in school, and using cell phones at lunch usually rolls over into using them in later classes. Maybe the best medicine for technological addiction is a complete break from cell phones and iPods during the school day, and preventing use of them may be the best tonic.

OPINIONS Page 10

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

Can Brazil live up to its sporting passion?

■ By Alexcia Mazahreh (‘12)

to breach the top five within the next decade and will undoubtedly be able to handle the costs of e a c h

Eastside Staff

So the Olympics and the World Cup, they’re each kind of a big deal (just a little bit), and every four years people bear witness to exceptional athletic talent, ranging f r o m Michael Phelps t o We s l e y Schneider.

On October 1, 2010, the major of the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro beat out Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid in the bid to host the 2016 Olympics. Three years earlier, Brazil had also won the rights to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Although the former was decided about a year ago, the public has only recently started to voice its opposition to the controversial choice. Well, all those who are kicking and screaming against the South American host should simply cease their prejudicial reactions and look to history to give the answers it so kindly offers.

One of the rebuttals against the decision to allow Rio to host the 2016 Olympics is the readiness factor. This argument does not come without reason, however, as the recent scandal and resignation of Brazilian Sports Minister

Orlando Silva on October 27 has led to skepticism of Brazil’s operational planning. With the World Cup only two years away, a flick of a ball in FIFA time, opponents of the city’s hosting of the Olympics argue that since it has yet to begin construction of the twelve new stadiums for the World Cup, the city obviously will not be able to handle infrastructure preparation for the Olympics. Brazil has already proved its worth as an adequate host in the Pan Am games in 2007 despite projected failure.

Not withstanding, Brazil has the world’s seventh largest economy in the world and is expected

sporting event. So one does really think a country ranked fifth in the world’s biggest sport (soccer) will not be able to adequately prepare for the World Cup, and consequently, the Olympics? It is like those pesky college applications that seniors

keep temporizing out of their schedules. They will get to it at an undisclosed time, but definitely before deadlines. Thus Brazil cannot be judged fairly for the Olympics until 2014 comes around and Brazil gets into its first choice college… that is, successfully hosts the World Cup. Another argument against Brazil’s hosting of the Olympics is the question of whether or not Brazil deserves to host. This should not even be a question. The U.S. has hosted the Olympics eight times in previous years and as for Spain, is it really fair to give it to yet another European country after England’s hosting in 2012?

Those arguing whether or not Brazil deserves the Olympics are also concerned with the safety of tourists and spectators with the ever-notorious drug rings in Brazil.

Anyone who has seen Fast Five, or has any miniscule background knowledge on Brazil, knows of its notorious corruption. While this is a valid concern, Brazil cleaned up before the Pan Am games by conjuring “Protection Police Units” in Rio, making its citizens feel safer.

Rio de Janeiro is a truly beautiful location, with its tropical weather and major tourist attractions such as the famed Christ the Redeemer statue. Brazil deserves this opportunity and a chance to prove itself. In time we will all see that it will meet the challenges.

So whose Olympic bid failed?

Chicago: The USOC (United States Olympic Committee) and IOC have a long-standing dispute on revenue sharing, which negatively affected Chicago’s bid. The U.S. hasn’t hosted a Summer Olympiad since 1996 in Atlanta.

Madrid: It failed in its bid for the 2012 games, but no continent has hosted two consecutive summer games since 1948-1952.

Tokyo: It hosted the 1964 Summer Games, but there was little local support for the bid (56% in the city in May 2009).

Art by Kevin Liao (‘12)/ Eastside Staff Photo Illustration by Hailey Edelstein (‘12)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Time is eternal, but school days shouldn’t be ■ By Keshav Amaro (‘15) and Kevin Pang (‘15)

sidering increasing the average school day to improve their test scores.

Many teachers believe that more school time gives them more time to explain lessons, thus increasing student achievement.

Extended days can allow more hands-on help and the chance to take more class loads for the students,

While schools can give more instructional time for a student’s academic benefit, this added time can also interfere with extra-curricular activities, such as sports and clubs.

People who participate in sports, for example, can be in trouble with their academic standards if they have less time after school

much more with students’ lives if the day were extended. An average high school student spends at least two hours each day on homework, not to mention extra-curricular activities, sports and social lives.

Cherry Hill East is one of the best schools in the nation and students have

available than most Camden County schools.

Does Cherry Hill East realFor Eastside ly need more academic The average person’s hours? The successes of the attention span is very Cherry Hill School District short. Are you still reading show that extended school this article? days are far from necesThe average attention sary. span is twenty minutes Having longer school and as the day goes on, the days can also negatively brain becomes progressiveaffect children when they ly more and more are young. exhausted. The brain can “Kids need time to only attentively focus for explore their world and a specific period of time, to socialize. If they don’t and focusing in school for get this, they could be over six hours can be stunted in terms of their hard to endure. But will social and emotional adding extra time to the development and more school day really enstressed out than they hance our education already are,” said Tracy through such a stressful Dennis, a child developmanner? ment psychology profesPresident Barack sor from Hunter College.

Obama believes that In the end, an extendlengthening school days ed school day for a stuwill have a positive effect dent does not sound very on the U.S. as a whole. pleasing or beneficial.

His argument is that Although an extra ninelonger school days would ty minutes a day will help schools in the help improve grades and United States compete academic performance with schools around the in schools across the world. The idea is just Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director country, it has some not something to consid- Students will spend seemingly endless hours at school with an extended school day. major drawbacks to both er for Cherry Hill East the students and the because a longer school day as the students can be betto study and complete projmany diverse enrichment community. would increase stress on ter prepared for college or ects and assignments. The options. Parents and teachExtended school days the students and their famwork upon graduation. school may have to ers are proactive for the may be helpful elsewhere, ilies.

Despite the advantage, decrease scheduled pracsuccess of their students. but the Cherry Hill School Already, various schools major drawbacks will surtices and games. It seems Cherry Hill East has more District has proven to be across the country are conface in the community. that school would interfere courses, sports and clubs successful without them.

EDITORIAL November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Page 11

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

District succeeds without charter school In May 2011, Cherry Hill was notified that an application had been submitted to open a publicly funded charter school in Cherry Hill. Four months later, the New Jersey Department of Education announced the approval of this school, officially known as the Regis Academy Charter School. Founded by Pastor Amir Kahn of the Solid Rock Worship Center, Regis Academy completely undermines the successful Cherry Hill public school system and has received steadfast opposition from Cherry Hill residents.

Regis Academy intends to initially serve students in grades K-4 from Cherry Hill, Lawnside, Somerdale and Voorhees. The charter school, which centers around the goal of not only educating its students, but also immersing them into their learning, is based on the idea of a MicroSociety in which all students play a vital role in sustaining. According to the MicroSociety website, the program is designed to help “children with low expectations of success construct a chain of events that affect their self-evaluations and future expectations of success.”

The program is primarily modeled to serve children who have had minimal success in the public school system, coupled with low selfesteem, and is ultimately supposed to provide an opportunity for these students to reinvent themselves and “become achievers.” Although the principles behind the MicroSociety mission seem beneficial, Cherry Hill is evidently not the proper place to implement them. Cherry Hill students are achievers who consistently perform well on standardized testing. In 94 percent of the grade levels and subjects on the state assessments, the district’s total student population’s percentages of advanced proficient scores are at or above the District Factor Group (DFG) and the class of 2012 had 13 National Merit Semifinalists and 26 Commended Scholars.

Additionally, Cherry Hill has three NCLB Blue Ribbon Schools: Rosa International Middle School, Cooper Elementary School and Cherry Hill High School East. Both Cherry Hill East and Cherry Hill West are on Newsweek’s 2011 list of America’s Best High Schools. Newsweek calls the list “a measure of success in challeng-

ing and preparing students for post-secondary education – and life,” essentially making Regis Academy’s mission redundant.

Beyond the statistical success of the Cherry Hill Public Schools, Mayor Bernie Platt believes that they have produced some of the most promising and talented young adults he has ever encountered. In June 2011, a hardworking team of eighth graders from Rosa International Middle School took home the silver medal at the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest, while students at Joyce Kilmer Elementary School partnered with the AntiDefamation League of Greater Philadelphia to implement a program that celebrates diversity and promotes tolerance. In the arts, the East theater program garnered much acclaim at the Mainstage Center for the Arts One-Act Play Festival, receiving awards for Best Director, Best Actress, Best Ensemble and Excellence in Acting. While the executive summary of Regis Academy states that the mission of the school is to graduate students who are life-long learners, independent self-starters, effective problem solvers and deep critical thinkers who will share their intellectual and social capital with their communities, it is clear that Cherry Hill’s public schools already do this successfully.

“The Cherry Hill schools are a tremendous source of pride for our town,” Platt wrote in a letter to Department of Education Commissioner Christopher D. Cerf.

The proposed charter school will provide no benefits to Cherry Hill families and students, and will instead have crippling effects on Cherry Hill’s public school budget.

“Simply put, a charter school would do nothing more than divert valuable tax dollars and resources away from the award-winning Cherry Hill School District to instead fund what is essentially a private, for-profit educational facility,” Platt wrote.

Cherry Hill will set aside $1.9 million to support approximately 169 Cherry Hill students in September 2012. With this estimated cost, the district faces the possibility of having to eliminate programs, lay off teachers and increase class sizes, after already suffering the effects of

Cherry Hill High School East

1750 Kresson Road recent state Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 budget cuts.

A l t h o u g h Phone: (856) 424-2222, ext. 2087 Fax: (856) 424-3509 the Regis Academy students Eastside Online will feed from four http://www.eastside-online.org separate Publisher towns, every eight stuFort Nassau Graphics dents who Thorofare, NJ decide to attend the Letters to the Editor school will result in the Submit signed letters to F087 loss of one teacher in Awards Cherry Hill. The International Quill and Scroll R e g i s Society, The American Scholastic Academy Press Association, The Garden State proposes a Scholastic Press Association, The student to t e a c h e r Temple Press Tournament, and The ratio of 25:1, National Scholastic Press which is Association. higher than the current ratio in Drop off letters to the Cherry Hill editor to F087 or k i n d e r e-mail g a r t e n letters@eastsidethrough seconline.org ond grade classrooms.

The detrimental effects of the charter school on Cherry Hill’s public school finances and ultimately the success of existing public schools make it completely unwelcoming to most Cherry Hill residents. Although it sounds absurd, the current process surrounding the charter school system application offers Cherry Hill representatives little room to influence the final decision.

On November 4, the district filed notice of intent to appeal the State Commissioner of Education’s approval of the Regis Academy Charter School, and is asking residents to voice their opinions regarding the charter school.

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ENTERTAINMENT Page 14

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

Social networking adds a new prospect with Google+ ■ By Sammi Aronson (‘13)

tion as the most-used social site.

However, Google+ has often been referred to as a more compliIt is no secret that in the last cated and difficult version of decade, social networking sites Facebook. have become a colossal success.

Garrett Clayman (‘13), From Myspace, to Twitter, to who has been a Google+ Facebook, the world of social user since its release to media has expanded to become the public in July, said, “I one of the most influential prefer Google+ over forms of communication. A new Facebook, because it gives website has recently made its me better control over what I can share. There entrance into the internet are a lot of things that world: Google+.

Google+ does better than In three months, this new Facebook, and the reason social phenomenon has it has not caught on yet is reached an astonishing 25 milbecause people already lion users. In perspective, have Facebooks and they Facebook took three years to don’t see a reason to reach that number and Twitter change it up and get a took more than two years.

Google+.”

Google+ was launched on If the social networking July 28, 2011. It is designed to world were viewed as a make social networking more Screenshot by Mia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor kingdom, as of now, similar to real-life communicaFacebook would clearly be tion with features that cannot The screenshot shows an example of the homepage of a Google+ account. the king, with sites like be found on other networking Twitter, Myspace and Tumblr maksites. It supports features like tennews feed. Google+ allows users to According to recent polls coning their ways up to the court. As person video chats and circles, follow people who are not yet folducted by The Christian Post, out Google’s newest creation continues which are similar to friends lists, lowing them and communicate of 2,000 voters, 903 people proved to flourish in the world of internet but allow the user to regulate who with other users who are not in to be in favor of Google+ becoming and social networking, there is one can see which posts are uploaded. their circles. the new major social networking question: does Google+ have the Some of the new features also In addition, Google+ has many website over Facebook, while only tools and features to dethrone the include a game lounge and a search of the same concepts as other pop702 voters believed that Facebook king? box, giving users the ability to ular sites. The Google+ ‘+1’ is simiwould be able to maintain its posiFor Eastside

search their friends’ recent updates. Google+ also has realworld substitutions, like a world news section as an alternative to a

Created: 2006 Users: 200 million

Created: July 2011 Users: 25 million

lar to a ‘like’ on Facebook. Google+ also has comparable updating capacities, commenting formats and chatting options.

Created: 2006 Users: 200 million

Created: 2004 Users: 800 million plus

Gossip Girl is back and “it’s killer” ■ By Juliet Brooks (‘13) Eastside News/Features Editor

If you could turn one book character into a murderer, who would it be?

Dan McDevitt (‘12): Harry Potter (from Harry Potter)

Dakota Judge (‘13): Hester Prynne (from The Scarlet Letter)

Joe Turtz (‘14): Creon (from Oedipus Rex)

Lexie Mullner (‘15): Peter (from The Chronicles of Narnia)

Murder: all the cool kids are doing it.

Or, at least, that is how Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the Gossip Girl series, is looking at things.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly’s Shelf Life, a website that interviews the industry’s finest, on her latest book Gossip Girls: Psycho Killers, Ziegesar said, “[The main characters] are not killing anyone because they’re losers, they’re killing everyone because they’re psychos.”

Gossip Girls: Psycho Killers is a revamp of the original Gossip Girl series.

In the original, Serena, an entitled New York teenager, comes back from boarding school and exacts her vengeance on anyone who gets in the way of what she wants. Her vengeance usually comes in the form of a stolen boyfriend or dirty rumor.

In the spin-off, Serena takes the easy way out; instead of ruining reputations, she just kills people who get in her way.

In the original series, the teenagers get away with a lot, but murder is a little bit different from gratuitous drug use. The fact that not one of the adults has caught on that Serena is a killer is highly implausible.

According to Ziegesar’s interview with EW, however, she said, “The adults are kind of brushing it

publicist contacted her which her main characters under the rug the way and proposed a Gossip spent their free time comthey used to brush it Girl spin-off. Ziegesar mitting homicide. under the rug, you know, wanted to do an innovaAt any rate, Serena is partying and sex and all tive novel and thus Psycho back from boarding school, that.”

Killers was born. again—but this time she The main problem that Ziegesar said that her brings a figurative closet reviewers on favorite part of writing the full of literal skeletons goodreads.com found with book was the freedom that and a sick penchant for this book is that the book came with a new idea in creative murders. itself uses the same base text as the original G o s s i p G i r l .

Reading G o s s i p G i r l : P s y c h o Killers is akin to rereading G o s s i p G i r l , except that people die.

Gossip Girl and murder might be an odd combination, but Ziegesar offers a perfectly rational explanation for it: a “Dexter” marathon and a s t r o n g desire to do somet h i n g c r a z y .

Ziegesar said that she was Mia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor watching “ D e x t e r ” Gossip Girl crosses over to the dark side, with a psycho killer on the when her loose in Cecily von Ziegesar’s new series.

ENTERTAINMENT November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Page 15

Goldworm produces and manages golden fates ■ By Danielle Fox (‘13)

ness school experience...

You merge all of that together and my life which seemed like it had no path Taking the role of assisall of a sudden seemed like tant after producing a it had some path.” multi-million-dollar film In 2009, as the Executive was demeaning, if not gutsy.

Vice President of Television But to Adam Goldworm at Industry Entertainment, (‘94), the founder of Goldworm boldly left Aperture Entertainthe company to ment, the scenario found one of his own: seemed necessary in Aperture Entertainvying for the acclaimed ment. position he holds toAs a manager and day. a producer, Gold“My life was a lot worm has helped like Benjamin Button’s mold the careers of where in reverse it some of the industold a good story,” try’s finest, such as Goldworm said. “In “90210”’s Jessica reverse I was an assisLowndes. tant, went to business He said, “It’s so school, wrote for a hard to do anything paper and then proin this business duced a movie. I had that it’s good to tried everything else have these little at that point and nothreminders now and ing had worked for me, again that the so I figured why not things you are doing start at the bottom?” have a material At East, Mr. Robert impact on people’s Nation influenced lives.”

Goldworm’s involveCurrently, Goldment in the Theater worm is working on Department. A f t e r two horror film projstarring in the producects: The Last Witch tion The Diary of Hunter, a supernatAnne Frank, and parural action movie ticipating in the One about a man cursed Acts competition, with immortality, Goldworm sought to and Friend Request, take his passion for a film that underfilm to another coast: scores the horrors of Los Angeles, Califorsocial networking. nia.

As an acclaimed During his time at producer and manUCLA’s film school, Courtesy of Adam Goldworm Goldworm Goldworm got a first, Clockwise from top: Adam Goldworm on the set of “Masters of Horror”; ager, yet ephemeral, taste Goldworm shooting the premiere episode of “Fear Itself”; Goldworm attests that no matter how unconvenof the stakes that having fun backstage. tional the rise to the come with producing a eccentric career rise to top, all dreamers can masgood film. worm shifted career paths, Karate Kid Daniel Larusso’s ter their own fates with the The film Luckytown, feaattending UC Berkeley’s “Wax-On, Wax-Off ” epiphright mindset. turing Kirsten Dunst and Haas School of Business any.

Goldworm said, “If James Caan, ended up as a and writing obituaries for “He realizes all this nonthere’s anything else in the bust; but, nonetheless, Variety Magazine. sense [Mr. Miyagi] was world you’d rather be doing, Goldworm learned that a So, with ten years’ worth teaching actually has a purthen you should probably do producer must be ready to of industry experience—and pose. For me, it was a weird that. But, if not, if you’re meet the odd ends of a gama business degree—Goldcombination of having a like me and this is the only ble. worm’s job selection as an large encyclopedic knowlpassion that you really “It’s really hard to make assistant for Industry edge of film met with havhave, well then, you just a good movie. There are so Entertainment was suring on-set production expehave to get out here and go many different things that prising and opportune. As rience and having the busifor it.” can go wrong between the his boss was putting togethEastside Entertainment Editor

casting and the writing and the weather, or just poor choices during production, that you realize afterwards what a miracle it is whenever anyone makes anything good,” he said.

Meeting one futile endeavor after another, Gold-

er the financial pieces for the Showtime series “Masters of Horror,” Goldworm became a great asset, using his knowledge and love of horror films to spur the production of the show.

Goldworm compares his

Goldworm’s Management and Production Accomplishments 2001: Goldworm produces Luckytown.

2006: “Masters of Horror” wins Emmy award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music, is nominated for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) and wins Saturn award for Best Television Presentation.

2007: “Masters of Horror” wins Saturn award for Best Television Series Release on DVD and is nominated for a Saturn for Best Presentation on Television.

2008: Goldworm produces “Fear Itself ” and is one of 35 executives under the age of 35 selected for the Hollywood Reporter’s Next Generation.

2011: Goldworm is producing The Last Witch Hunter, The Brood, Friend Request, “Haunted” and managing “90210”’s Jessica Lowndes.

Broadway remembers MLK Jr. through a different light ■ By Claire Hoffman (‘12) Eastside Staff

On October 13, The Mountaintop premiered on Broadway to a full house.

The play dramatizes Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night before he was assassinated, taking place April 3, 1986 in King’s motel room in Memphis, Tennessee.

Originally opening in London, in 2009, The Mountaintop is written by Katori Hall. The drama primarily explores a less moral side of King, but also elucidates some of King’s political and spiritual viewpoints.

The name of the play comes from King’s famous speech “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.” Destined to be a success because of its weighty topic and stars, The Mountaintop will run until January 15, with most of the seats already

sold out.

The Mountaintop stars Samuel L. Jackson and Angel Bassett, both Oscarnominated actors, as King and his hotel maid, Camae.

Although Jackson has never been a lead in a play before, Bassett is most familiar with the stage since her debut performance as an actress in August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. Jackson has a personal connection to King since he heard King speak at his college several times and was an usher at his funeral.

Jackson portrays a different King than the saintly man students learn about in school—a man who cusses and drinks whiskey. Although

this King is different from the beloved icon version of King, The Mountaintop does not interfere with any of King’s political notions.

“Yes, there will be people who say we don’t have enough icons and now y o u ’ v e spread dirt on the icon

by making him a womani z e r , smoker, drinker, curser or w h a t e v e r,”

said Jackson in an Entertainment Weekly interview, “but he’s human.”

Despite the acknowledged superior acting, The Mountaintop has not been universally well-received.

Although the drama won the Olivier Award in London for the best new play, here the staging has been criticized. Instead of focusing on Martin Luther King Jr., The Mountaintop centers on the overly seductive Camae, the chambermaid. The perpetual presence of Camae seems pointless, not advancing the audience’s perception of King; however, others praise the play for its risky portrayal of King.

The Mountaintop will

be a hit no matter what because of the high demand to see a play about a national hero. But audiences will have to decide whether this new interpretation of Martin Luther King Jr. can coexist with their wellinstilled loyalty towards the man.

People will choose whether this supposed tarnishing of King’s private reputation encroaches on their views of his aid to this country.

Art by Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Directior

UNDERGROUND Page 16

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

Jon Wurster, drummer for indie rock mainstays Superchunk and the Mountain Goats, talks about his punk-comedy radio show, man vs. cat knife-fights and how he survived high school.

E: Which is ironic becuase his music is so un-thrashy.

Eastside (Jack Braunstein (‘13)/ Eastside Underground Editor): So, you’ve played in a ridiculous amount of fantastic bands, and now you’re hosting a fantastic show on WFMU. How does all this stack up?

Jon Wurster: I’ve been really lucky to have gotten to play with so many great musicians over the years. More importantly, I’ve gotten to play with many of the best songwriters of my generation, like John Darnielle, Robert Pollard, Bob Mould, AC Newman, Jay Farrar, Ben Gibbard, etc. To me, having great songs to play is more important than playing with great musicians. I don’t actually co-host the Best Show on WFMU. Tom Scharpling is the host and I call in as the various characters. This is one of my most favorite things I get to do in my life.

E: Has [sagely Mountain Goats frontman] John Darnielle ever dropped any mind-bending philosophical nuggets on you?

JW: He told me that when he dies he’s going to go out taking progressive thrash to new levels.

JW: [Laughs] You’d be surprised how the guy listens to Black Metal.

also. The highpoint of the “Moves” shoot was getting to act with one of my heroes, [The Departed, “Grounded For Life” actor] Kevin Corrigan. I like cats, but I’m more of a dog man.

E: Anything exciting coming in the future of J. Wurster?

E: What really inspired you when you were in high school?

JW: More rocking, more comedy.

Sometimes both at the same time.

E: Which was more fun to film, the [New Pornographer’s silly, celebrity cameo-filled] “Moves” video or the catfight in [Superchunk’s absurd] “Crossed Wires”? What are your opinions on cats, especially after the shanking?

JW: Getting out. Fortunately or unfortunately, I knew even before I got to high school that I wanted to play drums in a rock band and that was pretty much all I wanted to do. There wasn’t a great understanding of a goal like this in the rural high school I went to in the early eighties.

And there really wasn’t anything taught there that would help me realize that goal. That isn’t a slag on my school or its teachers. I was inspired to get out into the world and pursue this dream that actually kind of came true.

JW: I had more stuff to do in the “Moves” shoot, but the cat fight was a lot of f u n

Photo courtesy of Jon Wurster

“Arrested” movie in development

■ By Alexa Garber (‘12) Eastside Staff

After five years of mourning the loss of “Arrested Development,” fans can finally welcome back the Bluth family.

The comedy, featuring Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and a young Michael Cera, is making its big-screen debut. Although during its original run in 2003-2006, “Arrested Development” had low ratings, the controversial show is now considered to be one of the best comedy series ever.

The critically acclaimed comedy took many controversial aspects, including incest, racism, terrorism and anti-religion into a humorous light, which captivated critics but led to the show’s premature demise.

At the time, ratings were decreasing season by season. But posthumously, the widespread cult following of the last half-decade has grown so much to compel creator Mitch Hurwitz to continue the story of the Bluths. So what’s in store for the “Arrested” cast?

Despite production

scheduled for 2010, it took until April of 2011 for Hurwitz to confirm the script’s progress.

It is not just a movie that is in store.

Not only is “Arrested” expanding to Hollywood, but also it will be re-hitting the small screen as well, with a planned ten-episode miniseries as a preview to the movie’s scheduled 2013 release.

The producers are planning each episode featuring the development of one Bluth family member since viewers last saw the family. The film adaptation is set to bring the original cast back, with fresh new faces as well.

Hurwitz is rumored to play himself in the flick, and Liza Minnelli is scheduled to reprise her guest spot from the series.

Though no network has signed on yet, many companies are interested in t h e series.

Though Cera and Bateman have grown fairly large careers since the series, both are eager to return

to their television family.

The dysfunctional characters are back and in true form, and have learned little from their experiences.

The unfortunate events from the past have followed the Bluths into the present. Fortunately for the audience, it will make for the comical situations and awkward social experiences that bring the story its original charm.

Though the date is up in the air, “Arrested Development” will be making a comeback in a big way. The transition onto the big screen looks promising. Luckily for long-time fans, it looks like it will be just as politically incorrect and marvelously controversial as ever.

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN:

East’s favorite quotes from “Arrested Development” There’s always money in the banana stand!

I’m a MONSTER!

We shan’t be telling your mother about this.

I’ve made a huge mistake.

Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director

Photos courtesy of imdb.com

■ By Rachel Tinkleman (‘13) Eastside Staff

Literature has always been a key source of inspiration for movies, in which the most popular characters from books often recur on screen. One such character is Dracula.

Bram Stoker’s book is an excellent example of horror fiction. It’s suspenseful; it’s chilling; it’s totally cool. So naturally, the vampire, particularly Dracula, became a popular monster in the horror genre of film.

The 1931 adaptation of Dracula, born out of Universal Pictures’ monster movie era, is perhaps the most notable up to that point. It thrilled and captivated audiences in 1931 and it does the same for movie fans today, but the movie was so poorly put together that it is hard to understand why.

This film’s issue lies in the directing. Each shot faded into the next scene before Dracula’s lips even touched anyone’s throat.

Imagine Dracula, a monster that drinks blood, and there’s not a drop of blood in the entire movie.

Why, then, has this movie lasted as one of the best renditions of Dracula to this day? From a modern perspective, there is only one reason to recommend this version: the superb Bela Lugosi as Dracula. Suffice it to say, the man was born to play the part. His thick accent and dark features epitomize Dracula, and with his intense, hypnotic gaze, he puts a spell over his audience, just as Dracula puts a spell over Mina Harker. Unfortunately, this was the only time he would play the role seriously and he had to fight to get it.

Many have since tried to emulate Lugosi’s performance, but most wandered off the beaten track, the most disappointing result of which is Twilight.

I’d like to think that most people see Twilight for a laugh, but most are more interested in Taylor Lautner’s chest and the love between a girl and Superman. They could better invest their time in Clark Kent and Lois Lane.

Without going into a discourse on the subject, my objections are as follows: Vampires do not refrain from drinking human blood, they are not nice, they do not make good boyfriends and they definitely do not, nor will they ever, glitter in the sun. They shrivel up and die, or burn to ashes. End of story.

UNDERGROUND November/December 2011

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The nose knows where to goes in Cherry Hill ■ By Eric Kessler (‘12) Eastside Opinions Editor

Cherry Hill citizens and outsiders alike recognize the town for its fine schools, its mall, its lack of cherries and hills and, of course, its smell. Though olfactory tours have yet to catch on as a tourist attraction, certainly a smell-fest is a reasonable corollary to the more traditional sightseeing. To start off the trend, here are some of Cherry Hill’s best smelling rooms: .

Woodstock Trading Co. Opening the door of Woodstock Trading Com-

pany, Cherry Hill’s first name in Grateful Dead belt buckle sales, a blast of incense obscures the senses. After a few minutes of nostril-adjustment, the scent of patchouli mixed with candles mellows to a pleasant haze. The smell pervades the store from the Bob Marley jewelry case to the poster-filled backroom, not a squareinch free of the heady odor.

The scent is so powerful that even the smell of the cat living in the store is masked by the herbal fog and it perfumes clothes for hours. Woodstock is the strongest smelling room in Cherry Hill and, if you can handle it, the best-smelling one as well.

Bargain Book Warehouse

Laura Ketterer (‘13)/ Eastside Staff

Woodstock Trading Company is filled with the the smell of incense.

The unexpected topnote in Bargain Book Warehouse’s complex bouquet is the fruity smells lingering in the produce boxes used as makeshift shelving in this new/used bookstore.

Underneath that comes

Laura Ketterer (‘13)/ Eastside Staff

The bakery at Springdale Farm Market is one of Cherry Hill’s best-smelling rooms, thanks to fresh-made baked goods and hot apple cider donuts. the fresh, laundry-clean scent of the newer books.

Venturing farther into the shop, the smell of more crisp pages mingles soothingly with the worn-edge antiquity of old-book smell, the perfect olfactory soundtrack to a bookstore stroll.

Other sections of the store contain just the scent of old, worn books whose auras attract nostrils and each could tell a story.

The bookstore, though a fragrance adventure, is one of the most calmingly scented rooms in Cherry Hill.

Great Harvest Bread Co.

As one takes the first steps into the store, the first scent-pression of the one-room bakery can only be described as “bready.”

A wonderful aroma from baking bagels in the morning still lingers at 5 p.m., giving the impression that bread-making is perpetually in progress. It is a warm smell (if one could imagine), but also a sweet one that perfectly encapsulates the comfort of being in bed, wrapped in a freshly baked bread blanket.

The Great Harvest Bread Company is an exceptionally smelling room, and the experience is only amplified by actually eating the bread.

Springdale Farm Market One cannot detect a pervading odor in Springdale Farms until the doors open to the back room of the store and the nostrils cross the threshold, when the smell of the apple cider donuts overtakes everything including the subtle perfume of the freshpicked fruits and vegetables. As one moves towards the back of the bakery, the smell only gets stronger and more delicious. If ever a smell could be eaten, it would be here. The back room is the most edible and scrumptious smelling room in Cherry Hill.

Dracula is scary good ■ By Zach Kasdan (‘14) For Eastside

Email your answer to alan@tutoringclubch.com by 1/6/2012 Please include your name, mailing address and phone number. Entry information will only be used for prize fulfillment contact. This month’s winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Starbucks and other assorted Tutoring Club goodies. Winner will be selected randomly from entries with the correct answer and contacted via email by January 13, 2012. Winner must come to Tutoring Club by January 20, 2012 to receive prize.

Nurses, a band categorized as indieexperimental, psychedelic folk rock, comes back after a two-year lapse of production with their latest album, Dracula. The band can be described as Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear’s perfectly crafted love-child, fusing obscure electronic instrumentation, slightly off-key piano riffs, oddly fitting chord progression and spacey vocals.

With a constantly changing sound, Nurses evolved into the experimental-indie sound with their more folkbased 2009 release, Apple’s Acre.

Their latest release shows the fully developed character of the band, obvious by the flowing, complete feel of Dracula.

The opening song, “Fever Dreams,” starts the album off strong with a chilled out, spacey guitar riff, simple drums and echoey, non-descript vocals. Although there are not many changes dynamically in the song, the feel-good melody and effects, along with a wild music video consisting of a close-up shot of a florescent blue man singing (an homage to Tobias Fünke’s Blue Man Group, one could only hope), makes it enjoyable.

As the album progresses, Nurses brings its more experimental side into the picture with songs such as “Extra Fast,” “Dancing Grass” and “Gold Jordan.” “Extra Fast” features odd chord progressions that leave you somewhat unsettled—but in a good, thought-provoking manner. Odd

chord progressions become a sort of recurring theme throughout the rest of the album, most notably in “Dancing Grass,” which features sliding and pulsing bass-lines in addition to odd high-pitched sounds here and there. Although “Gold Jordan” doesn’t focus on the same theme as the other two, having a much more upbeat vibe, its oddly placed breaks, strange timing and an especially disconcerting instrumental break epitomizes Nurses’ experimental side.

Dracula really exhibits how versatile Nurses’ sound can get; one song is an experimental meltdown of every obscure instrument they can find, while the next is a re-imagined piano-pop song. “Trying to Reach You” starts off with a Ben Folds-like piano and bass rhythm, but slowly evolves into Nurses’ own thing, integrating the band’s classic echoey falsetto singing and simplistic yet fitting drumming.

Although you would think that at least some disconnect would occur from this sporadic fluctuation between styles, sounds and rhythms, Nurses seem to bring it all together through reverberating vocal tracks, slightly off-key interlude-fillers and the fitting electronic organized chaos.

Dracula serves as the band’s evidence of evolution from a classic alternative-verging-on-indie band, to folk-indie, to finally, its own unique sound. Despite the fact that all of the songs are not real winners, this album is certainly a new starting point to watch Nurses evolve from.

It is fair to expect a lot out of this band in the future as they evolve even more.

Album rating: 7/10

COMICS Page 18

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

Anger Management by Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director

Serious Problems by Diana Li (‘12)/ Eastside Art Director Target is out of Spiderman footsie pajamas. Now I have to wear the two-piece.

Graphs by Kelly Sadwin (‘12)/ For Eastside

I wanted a petting zoo for my birthday, but all I got was a clown.

Coldstone ran out of rainbow sprinkles. Chocolate sprinkles are not the same!

SPECIAL November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Cafeteria Games

Booth Competition

Seniors: 580 Sophomores: 520 Juniors: 410 Freshmen: 410

Seniors: 325 Juniors: 250 Freshmen: 200 Sophomores: 150

Page 19

Donations Juniors: 350 Seniors: 250 Sophomores: 150 Freshmen: 50

Dance Competition

Homecoming Attendance

Seniors: 600 Sophomores: 450 Juniors: 300 Freshmen: 150

Seniors: 45 Juniors: 35 Sophomores: 35 Freshmen: 20

College Dress-up

Dance Participation

1980s Dress-up

Seniors: 150 Freshmen: 100 Juniors: 75 Sophomores: 50

Seniors: 45 Freshmen: 35 Juniors: 35 Sophomores: 20

Seniors: 150 Juniors: 100 Sophomores: 50 Freshmen: 75

Team Jersey Dress-up

Total Points

Crazy Hair Dress-up

Sophomores: 150 Seniors: 100 Juniors: 75 Freshmen: 50

Seniors: 4275 Juniors: 3170 Sophomores: 3030 Freshmen: 2280

Seniors: 150 Sophomores: 100 Juniors: 75 Freshmen: 50

Theme Dress-up

Red Dress-up

Banner Competition

Seniors: 150 Sophomores: 100 Juniors: 75 Freshmen: 50

Freshmen: 150 Sophomores: 100 Seniors: 75 Juniors: 50

Seniors: 200 Sophomores: 150 Freshmen: 100 Juniors: 50

Pep Rally Game

Class Video Competition

Sophomores: 100 Juniors: 75 Seniors: 50 Freshmen: 25

Freshmen: 200 Seniors: 150 Juniors: 100 Sophomores: 50

Volleyball

Crab Soccer

Tug of War

Seniors: 425 Juniors: 425 Sophomores: 250 Freshmen: 200

Sophomores: 200 Freshmen: 150 Seniors: 100 Juniors: 50

Juniors: 375 Seniors: 350 Sophomores: 225 Freshmen: 200

Layout by Hailey Edelstein (‘12)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief and title by Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director Photos by Gabrielle Kains (‘12)/ Eastside Managing Editor, Sarah Minion (‘12)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief, Lindsey DuBoff (‘12)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor, Emily Kahn (‘13)/ For Eastside, Caley Fischer (‘12)/ For Eastside and Becca Mulberg (‘12)/ Eastside Video Editor

For a complete point breakdown and more complete coverage, visit www.eastside-online.org.

HUMOR Page 20

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

Escape from the East parking lot ■ By Jordan Schmidt (‘14) For Eastside

Soon, Sanders and Harrell quickly agreed and set the plan in motion.

It was a cold Wednesday afternoon when the three students attempted the breakaway. Harrell picked up Martinez first, while Sanders took the backseat,

It is a shared opinion at East that the most feared rule requires that drivers holding a probationary license can only carry one passenger in the car.

Many have tried to break this rule, and all have failed…until now.

Three East students managed to break from the parking lot earlier this month in an act that defies the rules of logic and sanity.

Justin Harrell (‘12), Emily Sanders (‘12) and Max Martinez (‘13), the culprits of this outrageous crime, believe that their act is one that all of East should follow.

Harrell, recently gaining his license, drives Sanders to and East security attempts to apprehend from school daily.

Though a law and schoolsqueezing into the footrule abiding citizen, well. Once all three were Martinez felt there was a accounted for, Harrell, who certain rule that required would later admit to being breaking. “scared out of [his] mind,” “The whole thing led the car into the long started with me being jealline of impatient ous that Justin always teenagers. drove Emily, and then I However, once the car thought ‘Who says we reached the front of the can’t fit both of us?’” line, the light turned red, Martinez said. “I wanted and the school security to see what [security] guard sauntered over to would do and how they’d the car. react.”

“He seemed nervous,”

said the security guard about Harrell, “and as a security guard, I can’t ignore that.”

The security guard approached the car, asking if there was anything in the trunk.

“The security guard

plopped onto the ground with a face that only could be recounted as utter confusion mixed with dumbfoundedness.

“The car slid out of the parking lot before I could even notice it was green,” recounted the security

Logo by Diana Li (‘12)/ Eastside Art Director

• Library installs bottomless pit, those who eat on carpet thrown in.

• Siri, the iPhone “personal assistant,” becomes fed up with stupid questions, revolts against society.

• Snack carts begin selling hall passes to students who waste ten minutes in line.

• Students and teachers enter third week of Occupy DiBart.

• Student finds third floor B-wing, unimpressed with size of jacuzzi.

Kevin Yoo (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor

the escapees but is unable to do so. wasn’t going to leave, and in my mind, I was begging for that light to turn green,” Harrell said.

His begging paid off: once the light turned green, Harrell hit the gas.

Unfortunately, the determined security guard would have none of this.

He leapt onto the hood of the car as it began to leave the parking lot, but with some nifty steering wheel turning tricks, he was

guard, “and I still have a scar from being thrown off that hood.”

As East slowly disappeared from the back window, the three students felt a mixture of relief and joy. Now, Harrell, Sanders and Martinez are hailed as folk heroes.

“The younger ones look up to us,” said Sanders.

“When we walk by, they say, ‘There’s the ones who got away with it!’”

• East Curling team sweeps competition.

• Air conditioning bill skyrockets in preparation for winter months.

• Administration changes internet filter, unleashes real barracudas on students.

• Students still confused about “2-day week” idea.

• SGA president institutes 9-9-9 plan.

• SAT-prep-prep offered at Cherry Hill middle schools.

Gym class hero Newton’s flaws of Physics ■ By Bryan Sheehan (‘13) Eastside Humor Editor

There have been many great athletes at East.

Everybody remembers star pitcher Orel Hershiser (‘86) and basketball points leader Chris Santo (‘11), but a new face is destined to join the ranks. Cole Greenstein (‘12) is turning heads with his ability and work ethic, not in football or baseball, but in gym class.

“You know, Coach [Carly Melmann] told me that gym is really important, and that everybody should try their hardest, so that’s what I do,” said Greenstein, who has already broken scoring records in kickball and badminton.

“I’ve never thought I was great at sports, but I really found my place in gym class,” said Greenstein. “The competition is fierce in class, but practicing every weekend has helped me excel in badminton.”

Greenstein’s prowess has not gone unnoticed, as scouts and coaches from many Division I gym schools have come to watch him play. He has already received scholarship offers

from all of the “Big Three” schools: University of Miami, Harvard University and Middle Tennessee State. Greenstein said that he may be leaning toward Middle Tennessee State University, which fielded the best pickleball classteam and the second-best ultimate Frisbee team in the country last season.

“He’s a great kid, and I’m excited to see where he lands,” said Melmann. “His level of competition is way above all of the other students. In fact, he reminds me of a young version of myself!”

Melmann, who of course graduated from Cherry Hill East in 2001, went on to have a great career playing left striker for The College of New Jersey’s gym class handball team, winning two all-American awards in the process. She returned to teach at East so she could train the next generation of gym-class superstars.

Melmann said even though Greenstein has impressed his fellow classmates and top colleges with his play, he will only receive a 93 percent for the year because, “no one gets a 100 in gym class.”

create curiosity-induced myths, and he is now referred to as the “missing Many of the students and link.” faculty at When the class East have heard of the discovlearned in ery, the room went the last from a polished couple group of disciplined months of students to a coma particle plete frenzy of panic that can and delirium. A r e a c h band of inquisitive speeds students began to greater test Newton’s than that Second Law of of light.

Motion by deliberW h i l e ately sprinting into some may each other. One stuh a v e dent, completely remained discouraged to hear apathetic about the news, to this disripped up a poster c o v e r y, with a portrait of other stuSophia Santo(‘13)/ Eastside Staff Albert Einstein on dents and Physics teachers still remain in this position. it. faculty “Neutrinos still remain flabbergasted. what I’ll do with myself ruined my life. I will now This is, of course, referring after this disaster. Teach exact revenge by becoming to the Physics Department. gym?” said Mr. William faster than the speed of Ever since its members Seagress. neutrinos,” said Patrick learned of this anomaly, This is the last statement Pinkinstein (‘12), a former things for them have indeed Seagress released before physics student. been…different. being declared missing by By the end of class, a When the news was the Cherry Hill Police cleanup crew, a psychologist reported to the public on Department. He has yet to and a few medical techniSeptember 22, Physics be found. Some residents of cians infiltrated the chaotic teachers at East stood silent Cherry Hill have begun to classroom. Several hours of for several minutes, trying question his existence and intense therapy later, all of to comprehend the slippery pull together different the students made a full idea. Their comprehension scraps of information to recovery.

■ By Nick Mitchell (‘13)

Eastside Staff

of the natural world seemed to disintegrate, bit by bit.

“No more teaching physics for me. I don’t know

HUMOR November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Page 21

Walk which way: students pace the topic

Slow it down

Speed it up

tion thingy. He might even consider these East moments more important than American hisDidn’t a wise man say that it’s tory. not about the destination, but the You must take in the view of journey? That man must have our school life. When you walk been one smart pacer, with a slowly, you get to take note of the walking speed little things that the most that make life slothful of walkworth caring ers at East about, like would envy. watching that Since my delinquent English teachfreshman drawers have pounding a turtle on ed this line into the wall. Those my brain, I kids who obnoxapply it to my iously push past life here at East you or even yell in terms of my “Move!” just walking. don’t get it. I I don’t like don’t want to be those annoying active; I want to kids who walk be passive, and so fast, it seems I can only do so Helen See (‘12)/ For Eastside by like they’re taktaking in ing ten strides in one step and are life and walking slowly. I must not worrying about getting to class. only walk slowly, but even think What is this teaching us? slowly—which makes me respond It’s not the class that’s imporseconds later to the kid who yelled tant or the annoying lectures at me. about Thomas Jefferson, it’s about Some may say that I’m a dreamthe view in the life that we call er who wishes for a nation of slow “school.” If you ask me, Jefferson walkers here at East, but I’m not would rather us take in the view the only one. No, seriously, I’m not: of a kid throwing a muffin across 75 percent of East students walk C-wing than learn about what slowly in the hallway, and the pack Jefferson wrote in that Constituis only getting larger.

■ By Sherin Nassar (‘13)

■ By Nick Mitchell (‘13)

finally do arrive at my next class, a piercing “LATE” fills my ears, because the majority of students refuse to get moving.

Every day, five days a week, hunThese atrocities cannot keep dreds of talkative teenagers crowd occurring. Innocent students are the halls of Cherry Hill East trying receiving late marks, and there is to arrive at their next class on time. no one to explain the Some students, with situation. I even fall time to spare, lazily victim to the hallstroll through the way madness that hallways as if it were encompasses our a day in the park. school. The most Others tend to link appalling example of together in lines to hallway insanity create large walls rests in the puzzling that stretch from labyrinth of C-wing each side of the hallintersection. C-wing way. These obnoxious intersection conactions are the roots tains people standof my many problems ing idly by. What are within the school. we as a school to do Many students to remedy this vexneed to get to their ing dilemma? next class quickly, If students stayed which for some kids Helen See (‘12)/ For Eastside mindful during their lies on the other side four-minute breaks, this column from which they came. In order to would not exist. But it does. And it reach their classes, students are is our duty to end the sad reality forced to rudely cut people off, bump of the corruption in the unsafe into their fellow classmates and tire hallways of our school. “Slow-walktheir legs out because some stuers” must make it a priority to raise dents refuse to simply get out of the their walking speed in the hallway and get to class. way, or else someone will have to Like a specific population at make them move a little faster, and East, I like to walk at a brisk pace, I’m not talking about a crossing but rude, annoying obstacles guard. always fill my path, and when I

Eastside Humor Editor

Eastside Staff

Leave the wrap lane for the fast lane ■ By Zack Becker (‘13) For Eastside

What began as a trial with nonlunch-taking students is now open to a select group of students at East: the Wrapline FlashPass.

Ever get tired of waiting in line behind obnoxious kids who sometimes don’t even buy a wrap? Of course you do, you’re only human.

The school’s administration has a solution for you.

This privilege, adapted from the world-famous FastPass from Disney World, is currently available to students with injuries. The pass allows the student to get directly in the front of the line, much to the ire of the students behind him or her.

“The FlashPass is the best thing to happen to the wrap line since wraps themselves,” said Teri Meete, one of East’s lunch ladies.

However, there has been controversy surrounding kids who are faking injuries just to get to the front of the line.

“I saw one kid with a cast on his left leg right before he came into lunch, then he took it off after he got his wrap and sat down with his

Diana Li (‘12)/ Eastside Art Director

friends,” Fay Kerr (‘13) said.

Some students have petitioned for a required, nurse-signed medical waiver allowing those with injuries to receive FlashPasses.

“It’s unbelievable what some kids will do to cut two minutes out of their wait for that wrap,” said Justin Tyme (‘12), who has seen many of his fellow students performing soccer-player-like dives just to get ahead.

The school soon desires to open the FlashPass to all students on a reward system: do well in class, get a two-week FlashPass.

Administration and faculty hope this will serve as motivation for students to improve their grades.

FlashPass students have reported an increase in happiness and the psychology teachers are conducting a study of the Wrapline FlashPass on the human mind to prove this point.

Is Valore “right there” at East?

■ By Dylan Fingerman (‘13) Eastside Staff

Those who have not been at East for more than a year do not know of the famous coach, teacher and legend, Mr. John Valore. Valore, who coached basketball for over thirty years at East and was inducted into the South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame, retired last year and many students speculated that he would most likely not be back. This theory held true… at least for the 2011 summer break.

Recently, sources report seeing the tall, elusive man wandering the halls.

Though some say it is just a personification of memories, others claim they were close enough to touch the gargantuan figure.

“I was sittin’ in my bio class when he walked in,” said Rick Horscfasce (‘12). “He almost hit his head on the door… and then he fell asleep.”

People claim to have had conversations with Valore.

“I asked him who George Washington was,” said Tina McRoy (‘14) when she recounted the story of her first encounter with the mystical creature in her U.S. History 1AP class. “But he just kept on talking about his achievements,” she said.

Valore, who used to teach physical education, has been seen several times sleeping in the gym, and when asked, has yelled about kids being on his lawn. Many students are expecting Valore to coach the team this upcoming season, while others believe

he might attempt to try out for the team. The popular belief is that Valore has only returned to the school to feed, sleep and also direct students “where, right there.”

Valore is seen around the school if one knows where to look for the gentle giant.

Valore’s favorite feeding grounds and habitat are the DiBart Gym and random classrooms where he recounts his favorite tales.

Photo by Sherin Nassar (‘13)/ Eastside Humor Editor Photo illustration by Mia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor

SPORTS Page 22

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

After an impactful East career, the cracking sound of Lancellotti’s bat was heard around the world ■ By Jake Fischer (‘12)

ter chance at making the team as a pitcher.”

His clever plan In the fall of 1972, a was successful, just teenage Rick Lancellotti as successful as his (‘74) packed up his bags pitching career for and his entire life in New the Cougars during Hampshire. Little did he the spring season of know at the time that the 1973. The coaches journey he was about to noticed he had embark on would be both potential and one the hardest challenge he coach, Assistant would ever encounter and Coach Dave Martin, the most influential experiparticularly saw a ence of his life. college baseball playLancellotti and his famier in the making. ly moved from a small “I had played coltown in New Hampshire to lege ball and really the large town of Cherry knew what schools Hill. And, as a disgruntled were looking for in a teen who desperately high school recruit,” wanted to graduate with said Martin, the his friends back in his now-retired, storied, hometown, Lancellotti long-time Cougars found great difficulty baseball coach. “I adjusting to his new sursaw that the sky was roundings. His biggest culthe limit for Rick’s ture shock occurred when potential, and we he tried out for the Cherry were able to develop Hill East baseball team in his skills through the spring. hard work and pracBack home up north, tice.”

Lancellotti was a member Eventually, the of his small school’s closecoaches recognized knit baseball club.

Mia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor Lancellotti’s hitting Annually, about thirty kids Lancellotti’s East legacy is forever lasting in the East Baseball coach’s office. ability and switched would try out for the team. him back to his norball hitter spread to the legend calls the record a But, it truly reveals his Naturally, when he got to mal position of Major Leagues, and the “dubious” one. Since he motivated drive to improve. right fielder.

Pittsburgh Pirates drafted only appeared in 36 total This drive is what ultimateH o w e v e r, the East graduate in the Major League games for ly led him to playing in Martin and eleventh round of the 1977 three different clubs (the cities around the world he Lancellotti Major League Baseball San Diego Padres, San never would have dreamed developed a Draft. After the selection, Francisco Giants and of setting foot in, let alone greater conLancellotti would leave colBoston Red Sox), Lancelplaying baseball in. n e c t i o n lege early, opting out of lotti will still forever be “I definitely thought beyond pracearning a college degree to known as a Minor League about quitting at times,” ticing and fully take advantage of the legend and a real-life verthe slugger said. “But I developing the opportunity of playing sion of Bull Durham. couldn’t. I just loved the player’s skills. baseball in the Big Additionally, those who game too much.”

As the new kid Leagues and capturing his knew him throughout his Lancellotti’s career was suddenly sublife-long dream. playing days all agree that nothing short of successful. merged within After becoming a profesthe man was all about Its longevity, statistics and an already sional, Lancellotti’s career heart and passion for the stories are a true testaclose-knit turned into a total rollergame. ment to the determination t e a m , coaster ride. From starting “It is truly an honor to and skill of one of the Lancellotti his first day by initially be a part of Rick Lancelgreatest East baseball struggled to fit mistaking the opposing lotti’s life,” said Martin, the players of all-time. A South in with the team’s clubhouse for his man who helped mold Jersey Baseball Hall of other players own, to hitting his first Lancellotti’s Famer, Lancellotti conon the team Major League home run in sheer love tributes the foundation of and his confi1986 for the San Francisco and passion his success and records, dence sufGiants, to playing in forinto detereven though they may be fered. eign countries such as mined “dubious,” to the guidance “I was a shy Japan and Italy, Lancelon-field and support he received kid,” Lancellotti definitely had a wild success. during his time playing at lotti said. “And ride. Over the course of East.

Courtesy of www.baseball-reference.com Dave [Martin] this 17-year career, Lancellotti’s Now, after retiring from Lancellotti’s player card as a member really took me Lancellotti played in seven story is not baseball in 1990, Lancelof the Pawtucket Red Sox under his wing countries and in four contioverflowing lotti resides in Buffalo, NY, and helped me nents. with Major where he raised his son, regain my confidence. I Lancellotti’s most League glamJoe, and daughter, Katie, Cherry Hill, Lancellotti owe him a lot for that.” significant profesour and with his wife and founded was extremely intimidated Under Martin’s guidsional achieves u c the Buffalo School of by the 130 prospective ance, Lancellotti flourished ment is his cess.

Baseball. After many stobaseball players that parwithin the East baseball all-time ried years and a recordticipated in the East basesystem.

Soon, many M i n o r breaking career, Lancelball team’s try-outs during schools were noticing the L e a g u e lotti will forever be known the spring of his difficult outfielder’s great hitting record for as a very succesful and junior year. In fear of gettalents. Rick acted on his hitting determined journeyman ting lost in the crowd, college-attractiveness and 2 7 6 who truly loved the game.

Lancellotti was faced with accepted a scholarship to career a difficult decision.

Courtesy of www.hotstovers.org play baseball at Glassboro h o m e “I decided to try out as a State College. At the colr u n s . pitcher,” Lancellotti said. “I Lancellotti during a 1986 lege level, Lancellotti was However, knew I could hit, but since Major League Baseball able to even further develt h e there were so many kids game for the San op his skills. Subsequently, Minor there, and I had a decent Francisco Giants his reputation as a longLeague arm, I knew I’d have a betEastside Sports Editor

Lancellotti by the Numbers

Bats: Left Throws: Left Height: 6’3 Positions: First Base, Outfield, Pitcher College: Glassboro State (Rowan) Major League Baseball Teams: San Diego Padres (1982), San Francisco Giants (1986), Boston Red Sox (1990) Number of Minor League Baseball Teams: 23 Foreign Countries Played In: Canada, Japan, Italy, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela Minor League Career Stats: 1,600 Games, 5,392 AB, 276 HR, 984 RBIs, .252 BA, 1,361 Hits

SPORTS November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Page 23

New banners hang in the DiBart Gymnasium

Mia Holley (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Banners like the ones above are located on the far side of the DiBart down.

■ By Dillon Impagliazzo (‘14) “[The banners] appeared to be For Eastside hand-painted wooden shields,” said East Athletic Director Dr. Walking through the hallways John Burns. of East, students can see trophies Those banners were taken upon trophies in the school’s glass down in the early 2000s in order showcases. The DiBart Gym was to paint the gym and were not put once filled with banners of all the back up. Burns said that the accomplishments students and school has not had any form of teams have made in sports over athletic banners for over 12 years. the years but were later taken

Gym, revealing each team’s championships.

For many years, these trophies team’s conference, sectional, state were the only testaments of the and Tournament of Champions accolades that East sports teams title that each East sports team have achieved. Then, while the has won over the course of the school was closed on September entire school’s existence.

29, multiple staff members were “I can’t express in words what hard at work in the DiBart Gym, these banners mean to me, let hanging numerous banners on the alone the community,” said Mr. far wall of the gym.

Mike Melograna, a big advocate These banners, an $8,000 projfor the installation of the new ect, now convey every single banners.

Ehrlich’s race through colleges finishes at Harvard ■ By Mike Reisman (‘13) Eastside Staff

At Cherry Hill East, many students h a v e played a sport once in t h e i r lives.

Fewer students continue to p l a y sports at the h i g h school level.

Even then, only a couple, if a n y, students at East h a v e been or a r e b e i n g recruited to play a sport in college.

One of these students is East Girls’ Swimming State Champion Marlee Ehrlich (‘12).

However, Ehrlich is no typical college-bound athlete.

She has received calls from many schools all over the country. Many schools asked her to visit, expressed interest in her swimming for their respective teams and asked her to dive into the pools on their campuses.

“It’s really flattering, really fun and you’re never as popular as when you’re being recruited,” she said.

“Flattering” may just be the perfect word to describe these calls. Few students are scouted by colleges and even fewer

receive calls offering official visits. Since official NCAA rules only allow top high school recruits to visit five college cam-

puses during the recruitment process, Ehrlich chose to visit The Ohio State University, Penn State University, Northwestern University and Harvard University.

Her scheduled trip to UCLA unfortunately fell through.

Penn State, Ohio State and UCLA were all ranked in the Top 25 nationally in womens’ swimming for the 2010-2011 season.

According to Harvard Women’s Swimming Coach

Stephanie Morawski, the school only invites about twenty students to take official visits per year.

“A lot of phone calls are

that after initially contacting fifty female swimmers, the university only allows around twenty students to make official visits.

The visits, while seeming insignificant, are big indicators of the school’s interest, as the university must pay for a t

Photo by Kevin Yoo (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editor Art by Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director

made a n d the list narrows very quickly,” she said, adding that the school offered less official visits than average this year.

Jimmy Tierney, women’s swimming coach at Northwestern, also said

least part of the two-day visit, spent almost entirely on campus.

“You really are a college student for a day,” Ehrlich said, adding she has done things ranging from going to classes to watching the school’s swim team practice on visits.

But, schools aren’t just looking for good swimmers to come to their programs.

“We look for people that… are academically strong and goal-oriented,” said Tierney, who added that each student must be able to cope with the high academic standards of the program.

Morawski added that she is looking for someone who is going be the best fit for the team.

While colleges may have specific criteria for the type of student-athlete they are looking for, Ehrlich had requirements of her own.

“It’s got to be a strong mix of academics and athletics… and if I could see myself there,” she said.

After long hours of flights, observing classes, attending practices and just hanging out with college students, Ehrlich officially and publically committed to Harvard University on October 25 through Twitter, and is now a proud member of Harvard’s Class of 2016 and a key member of the swimming program.

“I felt the most comfortable at Harvard,” said Ehrlich. “Harvard is a member of the Ivy League, which only consists of distance races. And, since I’m a distance swimmer, it was a perfect fit.”

While the college recruitment process for athletes is still a crazy thing for people to totally grasp and understand, one thing is clear: Marlee Ehrlich is one popular swimmer.

SPORTS November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Page 24

Winter Sports Preview Boys’ Basketball Head Coach: Mr. Dave Allen Last Season’s Record: 23-5

Wrestling Head Coach: Mr. Mike Brown Last Season’s Record: 10-11

Key Players: Marc Schlessel (‘12), Jake Gurkin (‘12), Jesse Gold (‘12), Hank Davis (‘13), Brett Roseman (‘12), Gary Hettinger (‘13) Coach’s Quote: “We expect to qualify for the state tournament, play for a home game, compete for the conference championship and make a run in the Group 4 playoffs.”

Girls’ Basketball

Key Players: Marc Rothman (‘12), Daishi Goto (‘13), Carmen DiTore (‘12), Kevin Swenson (‘12), Max Caldas (‘13), Jeremy Keesal (‘12), Andew Foy (‘14) Coach’s Quote: “We expect to be above .500. With a very tough schedule, we hope to be in the Group 4 playoff hunt.”

Head Coach: Ms. Kim Keyack Last Season’s Record: 26-2 Key Players: Darby Festa (‘13), Caitlin Delaney (‘13), Jasmine Burke (‘13), Christine Goins (‘12) Coach’s Quote: “We will be in the rebuilding stage, but hopefully can make the playoffs.”

Boys’ Basketball Player Marc Schlessel (‘12)

Girls’ Basketball Player Darby Festa (‘13)

Wrestler Marc Rothman (‘12)

Girls’ Swimming Winter Track

Head Coaches: Ms. Anita Ricci and Mr. Keith Kovalevich Last Season’s Record: 9-4

Head Coach: Mr. Matt Cieslik

Key Players: Marlee Ehrlich (‘12), Michelle Faykes (‘13), Jaimie Lynn Brookover (‘13), Alyssa DiSanti (‘14), Marta Lawler (‘14), Natalie Simunek (‘14), Colleen Finias (‘13), Maria Timuscuk (‘14)

Last Season’s Record: Sectional State Champions, lost state championship to East Brunswick

Coach (Ricci’s) Quote: “We expect to win the sectional championships.”

Key Players: Alex Reber (‘12), Brad Krell (‘12), Marcus Phillips (‘12), Kevin Barry (‘13), Joe Pelligrino (‘12)

Boys’ Swimming

Assistant Coach (Mr. Michael Surrency’s) Quote: “We’re capable of avenging our loss last season and winning the state championship.”

Head Coach: Mr. Joe Cucinotti Last Season’s Record: 12-2 Key Players: Ford Scott (‘12), Austin Weitz (‘12), Mike Simunek (‘13), Alex Dintino (‘12), David Rowe (‘15)

Boys’ Swimmer Ford Scott (‘12)

Bowling Head Coach: Mr. Michael Hischak

Coach’s Quote: “We expect to repeat as Central Sectional Champions and return to the State Final Four.”

Girls’ Swimmer Jaimie Lynn Brookover (‘13)

Last Season’s Records: - Boys: 45-15 - Girls: 40-20 Key Players: Aaron Wolf (‘13), Rob Dilks (‘13), Melissa Pliskin (‘13) Coach’s Quote: “We had a ton of seniors graduate, so there’s new opportunities for many new students to step up and perform.”

Boys’ Bowler Rob Dilks (‘13)

Information compiled by Jake Fischer (‘12) and Emmy Silverman (‘13)/ Eastside Sports Editors

Girls’ Bowler Melissa Pliskin (‘13)

Photos by Mia Holley (‘12) and Kevin Yoo (‘12)/ Eastside Photo Editors

Page 12

EASTSIDE

November/December 2011

SPECIAL

November/December 2011

EASTSIDE

Page 13

Colleges and Universities that over 150 East students applied to:

Colleges and Universities in which at least 50 East students applied and more than 75% of those students were accepted:

A

Collges and Universities in which at least 25 East students applied and East’s acceptance rate is at least 20% higher than the national average:

I

American University: East - 74%; National - 43% Binghamton University: East - 75%; National - 40% Drexel University: East - 82%; National - 55% Fairleigh Dickinson University- Teaneck: East - 86%; National - 58% University of Hartford: East - 87%; National - 62% Hofstra University: East - 79%; National - 59% Montclair State Universtiy: East - 71%; National - 50% University of Rochester: East - 64%; National - 38% Rutgers University- Camden: East - 80%; National - 55% Rutgers University- Newark: East - 93%; National - 53% St. John’s University: East - 76%; National - 46% Stony Brook University: East - 98%; National - 41% University of Tampa: East - 79%; National - 57% Towson University: East - 77%; National - 57% Tulane University: East - 57%; National - 26%

Arcadia University: 70/87 = 80% Arizona State University: 54/61 = 89% Binghamton University: 49/65 = 75% Drexel University: 545/669 = 82% East Carolina University: 38/50 = 76% Farleigh Dickinson University: 148/177 = 84% Hofstra University: 134/169 = 79% Kean University: 48/60 = 80% La Salle University: 57/73 = 78% Philadelphia University: 61/80 = 80% Rider University: 262/314 = 83% University of Rhode Island: 60/80 = 75% Rutgers University- Camden: 233/293 = 80% St. Joseph’s University: 105/135 = 78% Towson University: 268/344 = 77% University of Vermont: 51/67 = 76% Widener University: 139/159 = 87% West Virginia University: 82/106 = 77%

H

Pennsylvania 1. Drexel University: 668 2. Temple University: 323 3. Pennsylvania State University: 463 4. University of Pittsburgh: 250 5. West Chester University: 236 New Jersey 6. Rowan University: 494 7. Rutgers University-New Brunswick: 1,317 8. Rutgers University-Camden: 293 9. Rider University: 314 10. Richard Stockton College: 245 11. Farleigh Dickinson University-Madison: 177 12. The College of New Jersey: 365 13. Montclair State University: 173 Delaware 14. University of Delaware: 467 Maryland 15. Towson University: 344 16. University of Maryland: 377 Massachusetts 17. Northeastern University: 195 18. Boston University: 175

J

At least 30 students applied, less than 30% were accepted: Accepted/Applied = percentage Pennsylvania 19. University of Pennsylvania: 17/144 = 11% Connecticut 20. Yale University: 14/71 = 20% Massachusetts 21. Harvard University: 8/73 = 11% 22. Boston College: 21/105 = 20%

F F G Syracuse University: 219

Guidance’s guide to college success: a question and answer with Mr. Bert F igueroa, an East guidance counselor Q: What do you think matters most in a student’s application?

A: The top three things colleges look at are GPA, academic rigor and standardized test scores.

Q: Do they consider extracurricular activities as much?

A: I would say students have to meet those three standards first that the school sets before they look at the other things. They do look at the other stuff. They do look at extracurricular activities.

Schools that are service-oriented will look at service and letters of recommendation.

Q: You mentioned that standardized test scores were important. What tests should most students take?

A: Colleges accept both SAT and ACT. Some of the tier one schools, like the Ivy League schools, and some of the tier two schools look at SAT II scores. They are called SAT Subject Tests.

Q: Would you recommend taking SAT II’s?

A: Usually through the application process they indicate [whether] you have to take them.

Q: When should students start the application process?

A: Junior year is usually the best time to start. It’s not necessarily applying, but it’s the best time to narrow down your choice of schools.

It’s a good time to visit the schools. You can stay on campus if possible. The summer before senior year is a really good time to go on visits. It is good to visit colleges even if you’re not that interested in them. It’s just good to go for the different campuses.

Q: Is there any way a

Cornell University: 186 42/186 = 23%

freshman or sophomore can be proactive when searching for colleges?

A: Yes. The best way for them to do that is to do research for schools online. They can go through College Board, and even Naviance if they want to meet with their counselor and ask for the code or password. They can also visit schools. They can always visit colleges. If they have older siblings in the colleges, it’s a good thing to stay with them overnight and go to classes with them. Most of the time you have to get permission to go to the different classes, but a lot of colleges will allow it.

You can even talk to professors. That’s always a good thing to do, too.

Q: Are there any outside sources students can use to help them?

A: For most of the application process, the guidance counselors can help the students with that. They have organizations in the area to help with SAT tutoring. We have an SAT review class, here at East, which is free and goes over math and critical reading. You can also get books through local bookstores that help you score better. The other thing you can do is sign up on College Board for the SAT Question of the Day. It’s small, but it’s something that you can do and a lot of students get them on their phones at this point. It just keeps them in that mind frame.

Q: Do you have any tips for students applying to college?

A: The most important thing is to select schools that have what you are looking for. As a student, you want to look at colleges as though they are applying to you. You want them to fit your criteria, your needs and what you are looking for to learn in school.

21

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New York Columbia University: University: 231 15/106 = 14% 3 13 Hofstra 7 12 11 University: 2 169 4 9 5 1 10 19 6 1 8 16 14

Indiana University: 164 Washington University: 14/72 = 19%

15

Johns Hopkins: 12/98 = 12%

NAME THAT MASCOT! The first 25 people to figure out which colleges match the mascots around the page and send an e-mail to contest@eastsideonline.org will receive special prizes!

Georgetown University: 15/65 = 23% University of Virginia: 14/50 = 28%

E

Vanderbilt University: 10/47 = 21%

University of North CarolinaDuke University: Chapel Hill: 20/78 = 26% 5/51 = 10%

Emory University: 27/90 = 30%

University of Florida: 9/36 = 25%

The Princeton Review guides the high school student from taking college-bound exams such as the SAT to getting into college.

It has various books in which it rates colleges based not only on academics, but also on the social atmosphere. All of these traits such as whether or not the school is a party school, are based on a student survey. Through these statistics, the college-bound high school student can really see all of the details about a specific college. The Princeton Review also has a website companion that has a search engine. The student can choose a level of a certain trait, enter his or her GPA and test scores and it will provide colleges that meet his or her standards.

Naviance Family Connection offers a unique comprehensive tool that saves the student’s data such as test scores and GPA, which is confirmed by the student’s guidance counselor. Schools can subscribe to Naviance, or students can subscribe individually. Students who use the school subscription are able to see records of the students who applied to a certain school via scatter plot that displays the students’ GPA and SAT scores.

D

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College Confidential offers an experience unlike that of any other search engine; it is more of a forum than an actual search engine. As the name suggests, College Confidential has inside details on any specific college because anyone who attends the college can post about it. For each specific college, College Confidential has a thread about the college in which prospective students can post their statistics and get responses from alumni or current students of the school. College Confidential also gives its users the opportunity to ask practically anything on the forum as long as it relates to the school. Through College Confidential, the prospective student has a real person’s point of view, not just statistics.

Layout by Lindsey DuBoff (‘12)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor and Alana Kopelson (‘12)/ Eastside Community Editor Map and scroll art by Joel Greenspan (‘13)/ Eastside Art Director Book art by Diana Li (‘12)/ Eastside Art Director Blurbs by Prashasti Awadhiya (‘12)/ Eastside News/Features Editor Interview by Darby Festa (‘13)/ Eastside Online Editor