Eastside: April 2019

www.eastside-online.org

Mr. Man of the Year

Vol. 52 No. 8

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

April 2019

Ten contestants put on a show for 32nd Mr. East competition

Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor

■ By Defne Alpdogan (‘20) Eastside News Editor

The 32nd annual Mr. East competition was won on Friday, April 5, by Kevin Naddeo (‘19), aka Mr. Kevin on Earth.

The night’s theme, Man of the Year, set the tone of the competition, as each competitor was dressed to represent a given month of the year. The Mr. East chairladies — Nafessa Jaigirdar (‘19), Amanda Kahn (‘19), Julia Langmuir (‘19) and Dani Lazarus (‘19) — even opened up the show with a weather report.

The opening act started

Inside This Issue

with a routine choreographed by dance chairladies Lindsay Kaplan (‘19) and Mandi Karpo (‘19) in which each contestant had a moment to shine.

During this time, Spencer Levy (‘19), aka Mr. Lucky Charms, danced to “Get Lucky,” while Caleb O’Neill (‘19), aka Mr. O’ Meal, sang along to a childhood Thanksgivingthemed song. The opening act concluded with “Seasons of Love” from “Rent.”

The first to perform his act was Vincent Velasco (‘19), aka Mr. Ramen Empire, who hosted what he called “A Fabulous Eve-

ning with Vincent” – a combination of a television show and a comedy sketch.

Velasco brought out several of his friends from the East theater department to help him sing a Broadway medley as part of his grand finale.

Next, Andrew Bui (‘19), aka Mr. Bui-Eve in Yourself, created a combination dance-and-drumming routine which cycled through his daily school routine three times. The act shifted when Bui came to center stage, fed up with the perpetual cycle. In order to get back in touch with himself, Bui reminisced on his

East orchestra to perform at Carnegie Hall News, Pg. 2

time at East. When it came self-deprecating jokes, foltime for him to “graduate,” lowed by a poetry reading Asher Maitin Eastside Photo Editor Bui placed his robe down in the(‘17)/ style of Bo Burnfor one last dance with his ham. For his finale, Cofriends. hen played on Spongebob Levy showed off a differSquarepants’s appearance ent sort of talent: a baking at this year’s Super Bowl demonstration that played by singing “Sweet Victory.” on the movie “Ratatouille.”

Drew Annarelli (‘19), He talked with the “lepreaka Mr. Annabelly, put chaun” in his hat as he decon a dance battle against orated a yellow and green Kaplan, Karpo and Anaya cake. As Levy missed the Colon (‘19). Annarelli and icing or smeared it on himhis crew — Jared Garfinself, the audience laughed kle (‘19), Matt Lewis (‘19) along. and Sean McKenna (‘19) The month of April was — danced along to songs represented with a comedy including “Milkshake” by act by Jon Cohen (‘19), aka Kelis.

Mr. Jon Stoppable. Cohen started off with various See MR. EAST, pg. 3

Student playwrights show Liang picks winners in the Great Bubble Tea Battle off their One Acts Community, Pg. 11 Features, Pg. 8

NEWS Dancing the Night Away:

Page 2

EASTSIDE

April 2019

Junior and Senior SGAs look forward to prom season ■ By Max Gaffin (‘22)

■ By Emilinn Kim (‘22)

Eastside Staff

Eastside Staff

The Class of 2020 will celebrate its Junior Prom April 13 at the Collingswood Ballroom, with tickets on sale for 75 dollars.

Class of 2020 Student Government Association (SGA) officers, based on a GoogleForm sent out to the entire class, have selected the theme of an enchanted forest and are planning to decorate the ballroom with earthy ornaments to make it feel like a fantasy-like experience.

“We are going to have a wreath decorated with flowers, leaves and bushes as the backdrop for where the photos are going to be taken,” said Carly Robinson (‘20), one of the junior class officers.

Adding in some natural elements to the decorations will give the room the most realistic feeling. Since the ballroom is already green for the most part, the decorations will complement the enchanted forest theme of the event very well, according to members of SGA already familiar with the decorating process.

The entertainment will be provided by a DJ named Jones Moler, also known as “DJ Per4m.”

Junior SGA President Kartik Pejavara (‘20) said that the hardest part about planning the event was selecting a theme that everyone would appreciate. There were four themes to start off with, but two of the themes, “Prom Too Hard” and “Spy” (which were very popular among voters) were considered inappropriate and were rejected. The other one was “Willy Wonka,” but it didn’t receive as many votes as the other options, so it was eliminated. Thus, the SGA settled on an enchanted forest theme for the junior prom’s general ambi-

ance.

“Something that challenged us was picking the theme... A lot of it took a lot of planning to make sure e v eryone was [satisfied],” said Pejavara, “The [Junior Officers] hope that the night will go smoothly and according to plan, and that it is a night to remember for all the people that come to Junior Prom...Junior Prom is a night that everyone enjoys, and they go out to have fun with their friends.”

Prom season is upon the seniors of Cherry Hill East once more as they prepare to buy dresses, tuxedos, bowties, corsages and tickets in preparation for the Senior Prom, which is set to take place on May 30.

“Senior prom is an extremely fun night for everyone in the senior class,” said Class of 2019 SGA President Kyle Krell (‘19). “It’s a great way to conclude our time in high school with a night filled with celebration. I’m very excited for prom.”

The Class of 2019 SGA officers and representatives have been planning the class’s senior prom since their junior year to make sure it is the best it can possibly be, according to members of the association. Last year, class officers and representatives looked at various venues that could potentially host prom a n d

worked out the budget for each location. This year’s venue will be completely original, as the Class of 2019 is the first to have its prom at The Fillmore, a concert venue in Philadelphia that plays host to alternative bands such as All Time Low, The Lemonheads and Iron Maiden.

I think the location really helps build… excitement for prom because it’s not just going to be a ballroom with a dance floor,” said SGA Representative Emily Saidel (‘19). “The [Fillmore] has more of an industrial style to it, which makes it unique. We haven’t one hundred percent decided on a theme, but it’s probably going to revolve around music since the Fillmore is a wellknown concert venue,” said Saidel.

The Fillmore is further known for its industrial character as a building, which could add to the chosen theme.

Currently, the senior class looks to accommodate a large number of people and to keep them dancing.

The concert hall will transform into the selected theme that SGA selects.

The concert venue has a max capacity of 1,315 people, including a balcony overlooking the concert floor and a lobby.

“We are planning for 600 people to attend,” said Krell. “Since this will be our last school event in high school before graduation, I’m really looking forward to spending time [and]... having fun with the entire class, which is something I may not be able to experience again. We have a DJ booked for the night, as well as dinner for everyone.”

The Senior Prom hopes to be an amazing event for the Class of 2019 to say goodbye to high school in an entertaining, bittersweet way.

Art by Danny Kahn (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

East orchestra invited to Carnegie Hall for festival

■ By Lauren Smith (‘20)

Eastside Staff

Cherry Hill East’s Symphony Orchestra has received and accepted an invitation to perform at the storied Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Symphony Orchestra will be one of four orchestras participating in the Vienna Masters Invitational Orchestra Festival in June, which aims to honor the musical memories of composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn. The orchestra will be honoring Ludwig Van Beethoven, according to its conductor, Mr. Tim Keleher.

“We’ll be playing the Egmont Overture

by Beethoven, from an epic, tragic play.... and Beethoven Symphony No.7 Fourth Movement, [which is] often referred to as the ‘apotheosis of the dance,’” said Keleher.

Though Carnegie Hall certainly is an incredible achievement, this is not the first time a renowned concert hall has invited East Symphony Orchestra to play. The symphony orchestra has played at the Lincoln Center in New York City on three separate occasions and once at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. two years ago.

“We were invited to play

at Kennedy Center because they were having a Presidents’ Day music festival,

we were invited to return to the Kennedy Center or come to the festival at

orchestra will be the only high school orchestra attending the festival; others

bers] a chance to show their skill level and create dramatic music effects… a chance to perform in an international setting,” said Keleher.

“We’ve been prepping since winter with a few pieces by Viennese composers during class and our lunchtime rehearsals,” said Jiahao Zhou (‘20), a violinist.

The Music Booster Club is looking into the possibility of taking a spectator bus from East to Carnegie Hall.

This would allow other Esat students can watch their peers in the orchestra perform at the storied conAlesia Lelaj (‘21)/ Eastside Staff cert venue.

Mr. Tim Keleher directs Symphony Orchestra, which will perform at Carnegie Hall in June.

“This is an experience and one of the orchestras Carnegie Hall in June.” include an orchestra from high school orchestras rareselected to play bowed out To become a member Washington State and the ly, if ever, get offered,” said — they actually found one of Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Youth Zhou. “Going to Carnegie of our videos online,” said students must audition, Orchestra.

Hall is an exciting opporKeleher. “Based on those and only 60 are selected.

“We have a very adtunity for us, adding someperformances and the repThe festival is by invitavanced orchestra…[the festhing special to the normal utation of the orchestra, tion only. East’s symphony tival] will give [the memroutine of concerts.”

NEWS

April 2019

EASTSIDE

UPDATE

■ By Julia Langmuir (‘19)

East BOE Representative

Among the various complaints of both students and the general community regarding facilities at East rests the argument that the East auditorium is in need of renovations. Despite the success of the departments that use the auditorium, such as the vocal department, the theater department and extracurricular activities like Multicultural Day and Mr. East, it has gradually declined in functionality and aesthetic.

The Board of Education most recently attempted to tackle these concerns through the Bond Referendum last year. East auditorium renovations were listed under Question 3 of the Bond, but unfortunately for anyone anticipating these changes, all three questions of the Bond were voted down by the public.

In the meantime, the roof repair project that was started on the auditorium roof in the summer of 2018 gradually presented other structural issues in the auditorium. Primarily, complications with the parapet wall (the upper portion of the wall that rises above the edge of the roof) both increased the price of the original roof repair construction project while pushing the Board to prioritize managing the condition of the auditorium at East.

At the February Action Meeting on February 26, following a presentation on the known conditions of the auditorium, the Board was asked to decide between two repair paths. One option would be to construct a new auditorium and the other would be to repair the structural issues with the building before considering and planning for interior renovations of the space.

After additional investigation at the site in late March, the Board decided to tentatively aim for the second option, which will involve fully investigating the condition of the auditorium over the summer when the space is clear in order to ultimately develop a plan for both the initial repair of the walls and roof followed by a plan to renovate the interior aspects of the auditorium.

Community members frequently compare the auditorium at East — which was originally built as a concert hall for instrumental music — to the one at West, which was recently constructed.

Ultimately, the old West auditorium was not functional for the program that the school’s theater and music departments wanted to run, so the construction of a new auditorium was necessary. Although East’s auditorium may be far outdated, the Board is hesitant in committing to new construction while also navigating a new Bond Referendum and additional district costs.

Logo by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

Page 3

East implements new disciplinary committee

cerns of teachers and also constitutes a fair system Eastside Staff for the student body.

“The purpose of a disThe Cherry Hill East cipline policy is to change administration, headed by the behavior of, not punish, Principal Dr. Dennis Perry, students, so we need a more is developing a new comprogressive approach for mittee to discuss the implestudents,” said mentation and Perry. content of disciAnother goal plinary policy at is to clearly esthis school. tablish the roles The idea to of both teachform the commiters and admintee came to Perry istrators in the after seeing the disciplinary proresults of a surcess, in order to vey sent to all clarify some of teachers in the the terminology building, which used. showed a wide “The word variety of opin‘insubordinaions on how distion’ is used for cipline should be large infractions handled at East. like refusing to “It just made leave the classsense for the time room but could [to] talk about be used for a stu[discipline] and dent not doing how to handle it homework,” said going forward,” Perry, further said Perry. noting that he The commitwanted to make tee is open for sure that “the teacher particisame behaviors pation on a volhave the same unteer basis, and consequences” its intention is and to ensure to bring together teachers are on staff members the same page with different in terms of how opinions to ulAine Pierre (‘20)/ Eastside News Editor infractions are timately reach named. common ground Ms. Elizabeth Endres fulfills her disciplinary duty assignment.

Because the and brainstorm a them.” faculty meetings are only committee has only been more effective system. The Disciplinary duties, such occurring at East and not in the works for a month, committee is focused on as study hall and lunch duat any other school. and the six faculty meethow much control teachers ties, are assigned to differPerry said, “[In] May and ings have yet to transpire, and administration should ent teachers for the entire the beginning of June, the its effectiveness and scale have over disciplinary conschool year. committee will meet with a have yet to be seen. Howevsequences and how parents As for the development of place to start.” er, the East community can get notified about a stuthe committee, six faculty One of the goals in formexpect to see major changes dent’s rule infractions. meetings, in lieu of the two ing the committee is to crein East’s disciplinary polPerry said that for infractions under the current usual, mandatory monthly ate a disciplinary system icy starting as soon as the system, “a form is filled out, ones, will be occurring until that both satisfies the con2019-2020 school year.

■ By Liam Reilly (‘20)

and it goes to Mr. Papa’s office. He receives all of these forms and addresses the larger infractions, and for the smaller ones he gives certain suggestions and the teachers that have duties in the discipline office address

the end of April to address ideas teachers have with not only discipline, but also with communication, morning announcement length and other issues that teachers have concerning the school. The committee and

Mr. Kevin on Earth crowned Mr. East 2019

his quest, Naddeo sang about his Continued from pg. 1 identity and his legacy, Charlie Hess (‘19), while earnaka Mr. CHUBS, played ing “pixie a solo on the guitar, dust” from made what he deemed Mr. CJ Da“bad puns” and ended vis in a fairy with a piano and vocal godmother performance. Throughoutfit. out the night, Hess kept At the end on stating how proud of the night, he was of the East boys’ the proceeds swim team and highof the event lighted the day they went to won the state championHopeworks, ships. a nonprofit Matt Lee (‘19), aka helping disMr. Not Matt Lee, advantaged brought his groovy youths to Breakdancing Club build conskills to the stage as he fidence in danced with his peers. technology Lee finished by playing and entre“Ain’t Got You” by Alicia preneurship.

Keys on the piano, acIn addition, companied by Roberto Mrs. Katie Sul (‘19) on the cello and Radbill gave fdfd vocals from Eastern sethe Lifetime Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor nior Hannah Dasta.

Achievement Saurabh Shah (‘19), Kevin Naddeo (‘19) sings and dances his way to first place.

Award to Dr. aka Mr. Maple Saurabh, John Vivone, performed a comedy skit a driving force graph to demonstrate, beswallowing a coat hanger while drawing on a whitebehind the Mr. East pagfore playing the guitar and and putting keys in his board, an idea inspired by eant since its creation. harmonica as a finale. nose, O’Neill told anecdotes comedian Demetri Martin.

Ultimately, Lee took O’Neill decided to follow discussing his childhood.

One bit centered around third place, Shah took secShah with his own standFinally, Naddeo, who Venn diagrams. Shah also ond place and Naddeo took up comedy act. After statrepresented the month joked about the success first place and won Mr. ing the various other acts of December, sang songs of balloons and created a East. he had in mind, including about finding himself. On ■ By Defne Alpdogan (‘20)

Eastside News Editor

Correction: In the March issue of Eastside, the story “Annex Exodus: East implements a new study hall policy” (pg. 2, left) was mistakenly credited to Samantha Roehl (‘20). The story was actually written by Liam Reilly (‘20). Eastside regrets the error.

NEWS

Page 4

EASTSIDE

April 2019

Girls teach “next generation” of female scientists

event involved students presenting a stimulation demonstrating to students On Saturday, March 17, that as an engineer, not evEast’s Women in Science erything will work the first club held the Women in time around. The day endScience: Next Generation ed with the older students event at East to teach elecreating a volcano and the mentary and middle school younger students doing a girls about a vasimulation that riety of scientific was essentially a topics. relay race mimickThe event, ing transmissions which was startin the brain. ed by Julia LangMembers of muir (‘19) and the Women in Science 2017-18 Women spoke on the imporin Science board, tance of teaching is targeted toscience to younger ward students students. in grades four “Kids are the futhrough eight, ture, and we need with the elemento educate them tary school stuon what they’re dodents and middle ing in their future. school students Women should be rotating through involved in science interactive because they can themed stations, do anything they such as robotset their minds to,” ics, computer said Jane Lipsett science, physics, (‘20), a member of chemistry and bithe club. ology. Members Overall, those of the Women involved believe in Science club the event went reand the all-girls ally well. robotics team “It was definite2616Y curated ly a success,” said lesson plans and Emily Mahaffy activities for the (‘20), a member of girls that were the club. “I was a designed for a bit nervous in the particular scienchemistry part, but tific field. the students ended Students in up liking it. It was grades four and very fun.” five rotated toSoha Aslam gether through(‘20), who helped out the day run the event, said and students Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor the program “went in grades six Elementary and middle school students participate in a chemistry demonstration in Cafeteria 1. very well.” through eight roMembers of tated together.

Women in Science Isha Kalikiri, grade six, volunteered showed the a toothpick, or looking at sics of computer programhope to keep the program was very excited about the students how to make the the cells from an onion. ming with Scratch, a begingoing to continue inspiring event. balls and made sure they Due to the interactive ner-friendly drag and drop and educating members “It’s cool to be here. I understood the science benature of the event, even programming software. of the next generation of know a lot of people aren’t hind making them. students who were not sciThe robotics part of the women in scientific fields.

■ By Asa Williams (‘20)

Eastside Staff

into science and it’s good to be here to know that there’s people like you,” said Kalikiri.

Grades four through five were involved in a chemistry activity that involved creating bouncy balls out of slime. The East girls who

The older kids (grades 6-8) also learned about cells and about how to look at cells under a microscope, given a choice between examining their own cheek cells that they would get by chewing the side of their cheek and swabbing it with

entifically inclined ended up having fun at the various stations.

“I hate science,” said Serena Simms, grade seven, “but I enjoy this program.”

Students in grades four through six were also given laptops and learned the ba-

East to install new security cameras in hallways ■ By Jaclyn Kim (‘21)

Eastside Staff

With improved school entrance monitoring systems and more officers performing patrols from the Cherry Hill Police Department, it is safe to assume that Cherry Hill High East has attempted to ensure the security of its students.

To further step up school security, East will be initiating and activating new security cameras throughout the school in order to provide students with a safe and nurturing learning environment.

The security cameras will be monitoring almost every hallway and every door throughout the school.

There will be roughly 120 cameras. Although they are installed already, they will be turned on so they are operational by early April. Administrators will receive training on how to use them in the successive weeks to better help this system come to fruition.

“We will be able to look back at every hallway to see who enters and leaves classrooms,” said East Vice Principal and Supervisor of School Security, Mr. Lou Papa.

Administrators will also be able to roll back in the camera film in the case of an emergency.

Additionally, the cameras will be connected to

nitely more ease, according to Papa. The cameras will also have a clearer picture due to their higher quality.

“Everything will be in one location and will be

work and the other one did not,” said Papa. “The other system had 12 different boxes in different locations, something that you could buy at a BJ’s, so not really

Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor

The new, more centralized security camera system at East will allow East administration to keep a better eye on the goings-on of the school. a single system and single location, which will allow administrators to access security footage with infi-

able to be accessed by administrators on their computers, laptops and their phones...this system will

a professional system.”

Although the administrators will not be able to keep an eye on all the cam-

eras throughout the whole day, they hope that the fact that there will be upgraded cameras will serve as a sort of warning or caution for students to think before they act.

“Some people may get upset, but if students know that they are watched, they will do less things,” said Papa.

The cameras fulfill one of the priorities of the Board of Education: to implement better security. It has been a priority for the last three years to upgrade the system. With the new camera system, if the administration deems new devices to be necessary, they can link the new cameras to the existing mainframe.

Due to the Parkland shooting last year and other tragic school shootings, the need for better security became a pressing issue. Last year, East had five working cameras and police patrolling the school.

Ultimately, Papa and the East administration hope to keep a better eye on students, and make sure that the “smile: you’re on camera” signs in C-Wing intersection carry their intended warning to the East community.

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 5

FEATURES

Page 6

EASTSIDE

■ By Sam Grossman (‘19) Eastside Features Editor

There are two things in this world that drive me crazy.

One: when p e o p l e chew like animals; and two: when upperclassmen fish for dates to the Freshman Dance and Sophomore Cotillion.

First, I want to establish that I in no way intend to be a killjoy with this column. I think it’s great that any student can go to every grade’s dance. I just find it bizarre that someone would put effort into finding a random underclassman to take them to a dance, especially when it’s someone the person doesn’t even know. That just leads to an awkward night with awkward pictures and an awkward car ride and a year’s worth of awkward eye contact in the hallway.

Another obnoxious thing is when someone asks someone else to the dance, and the person who was asked doesn’t speak to his/ her date the whole night.

What is this, eighth grade?

I try to make a point of spending time with my date, and if I get the sense she’d prefer to be with her friends, I still check in with her every now and then.

And yes, believe it or not, I get asked to dances. Women like me.

Anyways, another thing I want to include is the subsequent Instagram post. I always feel bad for the poor sucker who asks someone to a dance and then his/her date posts pictures from the night on Instagram and he/she is not in any of them.

Also, if someone asks you to the dance and you say yes, let them know if you have a boyfriend or a girlfriend so everyone’s on the same page. So many potential issues can be prevented this way. So many.

Finally, there’s all the stuff that should go without saying but I’ve seen/ experienced: Don’t VAPE on the dance floor; we can all see your clouds in the strobe lights.

There’s already a lack of oxygen in the cafeteria, we don’t need you wasting precious air.

Don’t THROW SALSA or any liquid that STAINS EXPENSIVE CLOTHES. Frankly, I’m surprised marinara sauce, mustard, ketchup and other stainmaking condiments are even available at dances.

Don’t unironically ask me if you can TAKE MY MOM to the dance. Yes, this has happened. I actually said yes and the two of them had a nice time together at prom. Just kidding, I freaking said no.

Again, these are all my personal opinions on what should be considered proper East etiquette. All that really matters is that everyone has fun, whether it’s their class dance or not.

Logo by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

April 2019

From student to staff: teacher alumni reflect

■ By Karissa Murray (‘20) and Defne Alpdogan (‘20)

Eastside Features Editor and Eastside News Editor

drama, that was consistent.

There was a feeling of leadership. It was the place to be.”

For certain teachers, such as Mr. Jonathan Blum (‘96) and Mrs. Katie Radbill (‘91), their experience as students at East directly contributed to their later interest in becoming teachers.

“The teachers I had here

that was my number one choice,” Oh said. “I knew that I could build up good citizens and good people. I wanted to be how my teachers [were] to me.”

Though many of these East students-turnedteachers initially found it uncomfortable to start working alongside their former teachers and call these teachers by their first

long since graduated from the mindset of a high school student. However, they are able to observe and understand the differences between the culture of East when they were here versus the way the school functions now.

“When I was here, there weren’t so many students taking Honor[s] classes,” Radbill said. “A very small,

For most students who go to East, high school will ultimately remain a memory, left in the past. But some students find their way back eventually, becoming teachers at the school they once attended.

Over a dozen current East teachers are in this situation.

Today, some fondly recall their high school experience within East’s halls.

“My experience here as a student was extremely positive, which I’m so thankful for,” said Mrs. Gina Oh (‘93).

“My teachers were extremely rigorous but understanding.

My peer group back then was high-achieving.

It was really all about academics because Courtesy of Mike Melograna, Jonathan Blum and Anita Bowser I was in AP and Mr. Melograna (‘01), Mr. Blum (‘96) and Mrs. Bowser (‘94) pose for their senior portraits.

Honors courses… It was extremely driven; it was very directly inspired me to names, they greatly valued elite group took Honors motivating.” want to become a teacher the advice and guidance classes. There wasn’t that These students felt a too,” Blum said, specifically that they gave. many offered and there connection to East that perin regards to his junior and “It was nice to be back wasn’t this societal push to sisted through the years. senior year English teachhere, but the weird thing always take higher classes. “[My experience] was a er, Mrs. Jane Carmody. was being with the teachers That didn’t happen. Now lot different than it is toWhen Oh realized in colthat taught me,” said Mrs. people are pulled in so day,” said Mr. Mike Melege that she wanted to beAnita Bowser (‘94). “But it many directions.” lograna (‘01). “There was come a teacher, she knew was nice because they knew Despite their variety of a greater sense of responshe wanted to return to who I was and made me feel experience, having the persibility, a greater sense of Cherry Hill East. comfortable and welcomed.” spective of an East student school pride. There was an “There was no other Nowadays, these teachhas given these East “lifers” undeniable tradition in acplace for me. I wanted to ers see East as their place a strong connection to East ademics, athletics, music, come back to this school… of work first, as they have that persists as teachers.

Vocab curriculum is not obsolete... yet

■ By Ilana Arougheti (‘19)

Eastside Editor-in-Chief

The last few decades at East may have seen a few dozen fashion trends and a revolving door of science electives come and go, but one cornerstone of the classroom experience has marked the memory of many generations: the vocabulary curriculum.

For the last several decades, Dr. Joseph Orgel’s “Building an Enriched Vocabulary” (the ‘green book’) and Sadlier and Oxford’s “Vocabulary Workshop” (the ‘orange book’) have been taught to AP/H/Atrack and R-track English students, respectively.

These two vocabulary books have secured unusual longevity due to a combination of continued efficacy and independent adaptation.

The ‘green book’ was structured for the vocabulary (sentence completion) section of the SAT, which was abolished in 2015.

However, East English teachers do not feel that the vocabulary program’s place in the classroom has since changed, either in terms of student attitudes or in terms of general importance.

“The words that [the book uses] are real words,” said Mr. Jonathan Blum.

“They’re a step further

beyond where the kids are, which is fine… as they get older, they will have increasingly complex thoughts and emotions, and they need stronger, more complex, more accurate vocabulary to attach to those thoughts.”

Currently, the vocabulary curriculum is subject to intermittent review from a curricular committee.

Mrs. Erika DeWitt, Mrs. Helena Dobromilski, Mrs. Margot Mackay and Mrs. Katie Radbill meet approximately three times a year to review textbook usage, evaluate the day-to-day prominence of vocab and brainstorm supplementary materials.

“The huge bulk of terms that we’ve done for a long time that has worked – research is sort of pulling back on that,” Radbill said.

“Many teachers in the department have made adjustments on their own.”

In her own classroom, Radbill implements fun enrichment activities whenever a word from the current unit lends itself to inspiration. When a recent word list included “parody,” her students created parodies with the words from their latest vocabulary assignment. Similarly, Blum maintains a tradition in which anyone can scream “Vocab Smash!” if they hear

a word from the Orgel’s book during normal classroom activities.

According to Mr. Anthony Maniscalco, it is common for Orgel’s words to make these types of cameos in English classes schoolwide, whether you’re using a book list from 30 years ago or 30 days ago.

“The words pop up in every book that they read,” Maniscalco said. “Jane Eyre, Great Expectations…

I think the kids see it as a good way in which they have some control.”

It is also possible for teachers to focus on specific aspects of the textbook, changing their approach to vocab without changing their source material.

Mrs. Karen Simeonides sympathizes with student sentiments that vocab lists can be dense and esoteric, so she looks to emphasize any words used in both the current unit and modern conversational language.

Meanwhile, instead of assigning textbook exercises, Mrs. Noreen Cunningham asks her students to assemble a master list of unfamiliar words. She is then able to tailor each lesson based on students’ real strengths.

“When they come in, I teach them everything that they don’t know,” said Cunningham. “I have researched every single word

– if there’s a difference of nuance between synonyms, if there’s a famous line in a movie, or from history… or how the word or the phrase has evolved over time. I feel like if I have these little anecdotes, it will stick.”

However, no matter how iconic, the green and orange books are not invincible. As tests like the SAT and the AP exams have recently shifted their focus to words in context, East Assistant Principal Mr. Ted Beatty finds that a need for better critical reading may lead to the books’ replacement with a digital program centered on identifying words in context. The district recently began piloting a program called “No Red Ink” in certain English classes and is beginning to test two additional programs. “[The programs] are more informationally based, but… are also meant to just develop close reading skills,” said Beatty, who is also the supervisor of the East English department.

“I don’t want to feel like we have to fix… a system that’s not necessarily broken.”

Ultimtely, the department hopes to continue sending the message that a mastery of vocabulary is important to one’s future mindset, both in an academic context and in terms of general critical thinking.

FEATURES

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 7

Students commit to college increasingly early ■ By Sam Grossman (‘19)

Eastside Features Editor

Senior year of high school has a reputation for being easygoing and stressfree in comparison to previous years, but there is one aspect unique to senior year that younger students don’t have to worry about: college decisions.

Some seniors send in their applications by the early action deadline, which means they will recieve an earlier response from colleges. Another way to apply is early decision, which is similar to early action except the student is honor bound to attend the school if accepted and withdraw other applications.

Over the past few years, there has been a national increase in students committing to colleges earlier, and according to guidance counselor Mr. Roberto Figueroa, Cherry Hill East is no exception.

“It serves the interests of the colleges. It’s big business for them,” Figueroa said. “Essentially, they’re trying to make sure their numbers are where they need to be so they can meet their financial goals and get all their students accounted for. If they’re expecting 600 freshmen, they’re trying to get people to apply early decision so they’re bound by the contract.”

Figueroa believes the

trend of early college decied with cheerful posts of colleges haven’t even resions has mostly been the students announcing their sponded yet. I’m uber jealwork of the colleges. decisions. While this is an ous,” said Joyce Park (‘19).

“Colleges have been effective and happy way for But not everyone feels putting more pressure on parents and on students to apply earlier and earlier and commit earlier and earlier.

Over the years we’ve seen a couple colleges have changed their application deadline to October, which is really early, because usually November 1 is the earliest one. It’s causing kids to apply earlier, and that’s actually not good because the enrollJiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor ment has gone Uncommitted students may feel surrounded by pressure. down... less students are going to college so they’re students to announce their this way, including uncomtrying to get them in earplans to their friends and mitted student Spencer lier,” he said. celebrate their hard-earned Carroll (‘19).

A popular social media accomplishments, it can “I feel no added pressure trend for seniors is to post make students who have from social media… I don’t a picture of themselves not yet committed feel like care,” he said. with college gear after comthey’re falling behind.

Of course, most students mitting to that school. Ad“Social media makes me who commit early don’t do ditionally, the CHE Class feel so pressured because I so to get it over with and of 2019 College Decisions see posts about people who instead chose their schools Facebook group (unofficial) already committed and I’m based on the feel of the with 241 members is floodjealous because most of my school, the campus, finan-

cial aid and other factors.

“When [students] choose to commit early, they tend to have done their research,” Figueroa said. “I don’t get a lot of students regretting their decision.”

One such student is Roni Schaffer (‘19), who committed to Boston University in January of her junior year for Division I soccer.

“I had been exploring a bunch of different options, but I just fell in love with the academic environment and athletic facilities and the coaches at BU,” said Schaffer. “Now that I see all my friends committing, it’s really exciting, but it was very relieving having my process done earlier than a lot of people.”

Another benefit of committing early is that it lowers stress when many peers are still preoccupied with college applications and acceptances.

“I tried to get my applications done over the summer so I didn’t have to be stressed over the school year,” said Caylin Payne (‘19), who committed to the University of Delaware in November of 2018.

Of course, students should not choose to commit to a college simply because they want to have a relaxed senior year. Conversely, those with their hearts set on a college should not be scared away from making an early commitment.

East students join ranks at prestigious military academies tend West Point, encountered multiple surprises during the application process. Perhaps most When East students typically surprising, he said, was the sheer think about the most competitive number of essays he was required universities in the country, elite into write for the nomination process. stitutions like Harvard, Yale, MIT “I wrote 24 essays just for four nomand Julliard come to mind. Howevinations,” he said. er, there are a group of academies Semon noted that nomination esthat may be even more difficult to says also tend to be more thorough get into. These are the five United than those on the Common ApplicaStates Service Academies, namely tion. Similarly, each academy has the Military Academy, Naval Acadits graduates conduct interviews, emy, Air Force Academy, which Coast Guard Academy and can be Merchant Marine Academy. intimiThe history of the coundating to try’s service academies are some. rooted in honor and tradition.

NoneThe Military Academy, also theless, known as West Point, was escanditablished in 1802. Since then, d a t e s four more academies have can do opened, each with the goal of several training young Americans to things to become commissioned officers improve in their particular branch of t h e i r service. Each academy follows chances a rigorous process to select a of besmall group of students to being accome cadets and midshipmen. cepted.

The various service acadPrimaremies tend to initiate the apily, application process much earlier plicants than traditional universities. should Four of the five academies be promaintain summer programs, active Courtesy of Lucas Semon (‘19) a b o u t the applications to which also serve as preliminary appli- Lucas Semon (front right) (‘19) poses with a group at the West completcations for admission to the Point “Student Leadership Experience.” ing variacademy. Certain academies, ous staglike the Air Force Academy, allow entry exam (SAT/ACT), a Candies of the application process. juniors to submit these applications date Fitness Assessment and a for“The academies will constantly as early as December; the other mal medical examination. Ideally, be looking” and paying close attenacademies follow suit shortly thereall of the information has been sent tion to which candidates submit after. to the academies by the summer their information early, according After preliminary applications, before their senior year. The acto Semon. Each academy wants to students apply for congressional ceptance rates of the service acadsee signs of true commitment. nominations. Excluding the Coast emies range from 8 percent to 18 Tyler Parsons (‘17), a sophomore Guard Academy, each service acadpercent, and the total number enat the Naval Academy, also has ademy requires a student to have rolled across the five academies at vice for those considering applying. been officially nominated by one of one time is approximately 12,000.

Perhaps most importantly, applitheir state’s senators or their disLucas Semon (‘19), who will atcants should do their best to show ■ By Harry Green (‘20)

Eastside Online Editor

trict’s congressperson. The student is interviewed by a congressperson’s staff to assess their competitiveness against other candidates.

This system fosters significant competition within a particular state, as students must compete for an academy’s general acceptance, in addition to a congressional nomination, to receive an official letter of appointment.

After applying for a nomination, students must complete a college

that they are unique. Academies desire well-rounded candidates, not simply one who is solely accomplished in athletics or academics.

In addition, students should try to consistently seek leadership opportunities. Above all, students who are genuinely interested in applying should remain committed to the process. Semon also has a simple message for hopeful appointees: “Don’t stop until you’ve got what you want in hand.”

While being accepted to a military academy remains a tremendous honor, attending one also requires significant commitment.

After all, academy graduates spend four years, in part, preparing to serve in the military. Upon graduation, newly commissioned officers are typically obligated to serve for eight years, spending five years on active duty and the remaining three years in the reserves.

The various service academies also provide a variety of benefits to their candidates and midshipmen.

Perhaps most obviously, students at the various academies receive four years of tuition-free, competitive education. In fact, students receive a monthly stipend, or salary, simply for attending the academy. Cadets and midshipmen graduate with a Bachelor in Science degree, in addition to a position as a commissioned officer in the armed forces.

For Semon, his dream of going to West Point never involved the prospect of tuition-free college.

“Of course having no tuition is great,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I still have to serve five years after college. It’s not necessarily free.”

Instead, a strong sense of patriotism attracted Semon to the service academies.

“I’ve experienced so many freedoms and privileges here [in America]… I’m paying it back now,” he said.

FEATURES

Page 8

EASTSIDE

April 2019

Theater teachers recount the history of One Acts

■ By Asa Williams (‘20)

Eastside Staff

Each year, the theater department at Cherry Hill East puts together One Acts, an event that incorporates both short films and plays created or directed by East students.

One Acts has existed at East for over 40 years and was started by former theater director Mr. Robert Nation.

“It started before I got here,” said Mr. Tom Weaver, the current theater director at East. “It was a year before that, in 1976, when Bob Nation was the theatre director here.”

One Acts used to consist of four plays directed and acted in by the student body. However, through the decades, the contents of One Acts have changed. It is no longer exclusive to a maximum of four plays, and students can get involved

through Club. “It’s plays or honestly by creatmy favoring films. ite event T h e of the film fesyear [at] tival asEast.” pect was T h e founded s h o r t by beloved films are East facscreened ulty memduring ber Mr. the night Charlie of One Musumeci A c t s , and is now and are run by asshown in sistant between theater diplays durrector Mr. ing set Pete Gamchanges.

Courtesy of Courtney Bird (‘18) bino. Ev- Students perform in “The Perfect Child” at One Acts 2018. This exery May, poses the students audience who are interested are givto a wider array of different This is called the “Moose en three criteria to include genres of plays and films.

120,” after Musumeci. in a five-minute movie: a “I really like the variety “The criteria vary every required quote, a prop and of things,” said Gambino. year, but they always give a theme. Students are giv“Everything is 100 percent the competition a fresh new en 120 hours to make their technically directed and spin,” said Jon Cohen (‘19), movies from start to finish. acted, and it’s a lot of fun president of the East Film

seeing a lot of the things that drive the students.”

Both Weaver and Gambino work with the 5-8 student directors and support each one in putting together the various details of the play.

Students are given the freedom of choosing the plays they produce, and some students even write their own One Acts.

“It’s a thoroughly entertaining evening,” said Weaver. “It’s truly a festival, and the audience is in for a treat when seeing the variety shown.”

At the end of the night, there are awards for everything from script to acting to direction for both the One Act plays and the short films. Over 40 years after its humble beginnings, the One Acts festival remains a prominent tradition each year at East, and this staple will likely stay that way for years to come.

for the change of being behind the scenes.

“I love One Acts because they give juniors and seniors the opportunity to stage manage and direct,” said Cuddihy. “It’s giving me an opportunity to do something I probably will never get to do in my life again.”

Although One Acts are short works, only 30 minutes each, a lot of hard work goes into creating them.

“Each play has a director, stage manager and technical director, so they’re each their own mini play,” said Cuddihy. “It’s kind of how we do a main stage play, but it’s smaller form.”

This year, up to seven One Acts will run along-

said Naddeo.

One Acts are a great way for seniors and juniors to get the show experience through a different way.

Although there are different jobs when it comes to directing each One Act, all of the managers and directors work together to help the vision become reality.

And though the theatre teachers are there to help, they let the students hold the reins of their own productions.

“Mr. Gambino and Mr. Weaver are there to kind of help us,” said Naddeo. “Mr. Weaver just likes to sit in our rehearsals and give minor suggestions. But they are here after school so we have supervision, but they

really stay out of it. They don’t direct it, but they will sometimes be at stage crew to help out. But it’s really on ‘take what you learn this year and apply it.’ or ‘you’re an actor, you should know how to block a certain scene correctly.’ They aren’t here to direct the show; that’s your job as the student director.”

One Acts are a unique opportunity at East, as they allow students to participate in theatre without having to dedicate the time necessary for a main-stage production.

“A lot of people who don’t have the time to commit to a regular show can come and try something new,” said Cuddihy.

said Lehrfeld. ways a complete final draft, something during the proAfter writing the initial as the authors can tweak duction if a line doesn’t draft, the sound right or doesn’t author must mesh well with a cerpare down tain actor’s portrayal. his or her For Geisinger, story to fit this is his second the 30-mingo at writing a One ute conAct. Geisinger wrote straint. Afa One Act in his ter that, he eighth-grade year or she may which was never perchoose to formed. This will be consult with Lehrfeld’s first origiWeaver and nally written one Mr. Pete act, though she has Gambino performed in the One about the Acts competition in play so they past years. can offer cri“The first [One tiques and Act] was about the constructive Holocaust,” said criticism.

Geisinger. “It was “Ahead supposed to show of time… if stories from people a kid hands we don’t necessarily in the play, hear from very often, I can make like Catholics who suggestions; were persecuted durMr. Gambiing the Holocaust, no can do the people with disabilisame thing, ties, things like that.” but that’s For this year, preparation Geisinger has opted for the final to do a more historisubmission,” cal take, writing a said Weavbiographical play er. based on the life of The final Courtesy of Hannah Lehrfeld (‘19) the Roman emperor submission Hannah Lehrfeld (‘19) poses with a copy of her Caligula. The play is not al- One Act, “First Kiss.” examines how Cal-

igula’s difficult upbringing inspired tragedy during his future rule. “[Caligula] was a very bad person when you look at him objectively,” said Geisinger. “But he did have some justifications for his flaws, which was that he had an awful childhood.”

However, Geisinger says the process of writing a historical play takes much longer than a traditional, purely fictional play.

“I tried to keep [it] as historically accurate as possible… because I want as much of the objective story of Caligula to be told as is possible in 30 minutes,” said Geisinger. “So… I had to do a lot of research.”

Lehrfeld’s play will explore the awkwardness of a first kiss through a series of vignettes.

“I always knew I wanted to write my own one act and direct it my senior year,” said Lehrfeld. “In my sophomore year, I was a part of ‘Almost, Maine…’ which is a series of vignettes and they all have an interconnecting theme, and that really inspired me.”

The One Act competition will take place on May 10 at 5:30 p.m. in Cafeteria 1 and the auditorium.

Seniors reflect on their experience with One Acts

■ By Amanda Merovitz (‘22)

Eastside Staff

One Acts is a theater festival of sorts at Cherry Hill East, where students direct, manage and act in their own plays. One Acts gives opportunities for both under- and upperclassmen to get involved in their own passion projects. Working on One Acts has impacted many students over the years.

One senior who has been very involved in East’s theater department and One Acts is Cassie Cuddihy (‘19), who is stage-managing a One Act called “Red Rover” this year. Cuddihy has acted in many main stage plays and is excited

side “Red Rover.” There are large differences between the creative processes of One Acts and regular East productions. “[One Acts are] really laid back,” said Kevin Naddeo (‘19), who is also directing a One Act play this year. “It’s a nice experience; everyone has a good time. It’s not as stressful as a main stage production.”

Many students have been involved in One Acts since they were freshmen and find that they have learned a lot through acting and directing in them.

“It’s a great experience to get to work with other student directors and collaborate with them, and it’s just a great experience,”

Student playwrights pen their own original One Acts ■ By Aine Pierre (‘20)

Eastside News Editor

Every year, student actors and directors take over the East stage for a weekend to compete in the annual One Acts festival.

Generally, students select from a wide catalog of existing one-act plays; however, a few students every year decide to chart a course of their own and write one themselves. For these students, according to theatre department head and One Acts coordinator Mr. Tom Weaver, the only limit is their imagination (and, of course, the 30-minute time constraint and five-character minimum).

For this year’s competition, there are two studentwritten One Acts, one written by Michael Geisinger (‘19), for whom Vincent Velasco (‘19) will direct the final product, and one written and directed by Hannah Lehrfeld (‘19).

The writing process, according to Lehrfeld, is not incredibly difficult.

“It’s something that I’m very interested in; I’ve always been a big fan of movies and theater...so to bring [my story] into a script was just second nature to me,”

COMMUNITY

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 9

South Jersey and Philly area celebrates Earth Day

Sustainable South Jersey’s Earth Festival returns to Croft Farm ally impactful for the community –– Jorett said that they are expecting around “5,000 people, [with] volunteers and staff of about 75, plus one hundred non-profit groups, vendors and our generous sponsors, which includes Lourdes Care, as well as Hutchinson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.”

This year’s festival includes a family-fun bike ride, 90+ business, school, community and non-profit group displays, entertainment from local musical groups and activities centered around sustainable arts and crafts.

The festival also provides a recycling-upcycling depot for plastic shopping bags, shoes and gently used books. Additionally, Cherry Hill Township and the New Jersey Tree Foundation are giving away free tree seedlings while supplies last.

Registration for the bike ride begins at 8 a.m. the day of the event, or can be completed online prior to May 4. Participants can either bike a two- or ninemile course that begins

and ends at Croft Farm and includes riding through the Barclay Farm neighborhood. The bike ride is open to both cycling enthusiasts and families alike. “ T h e bike ride is around 9 a.m. and then the opening of the festival begins with a musical interlude… the musiMaddy Cicha (‘19)/ Eastside Community Editor cal groups from Rosa A Springdale Farms mobile farmstead arrives with produce and floparticipate. ral displays for sale at the 2017 Earth Festival.

Then the mayor, Chuck Cahn, and around 9:45 a.m.,” said sumption, in their everyday the town council, and myJorett. lives. As it is “family-friendself, and officials from SusOnce the festival is open, ly,” people of all ages can tainable South Jersey, we visitors will learn how to learn about sustainability all take the stage and we make small changes, such and the environment in fun declare the festival open as reducing plastic con and exciting ways.

ment. We talk a lot about taking care of our government... but we also need to make sure that we are active citizens in terms of the environment as well,” said Kehres.

The Constitution Center is unique in that it teaches not only about what citizens can do to help the environment in the present, but also the influence of past politicians on their environment.

“We talk about people from American history who have been really environmentally-minded,” said Kehres. “People like Teddy Roosevelt, who was integral in expanding the national

park system, and first lady ‘Lady Bird’ Johnson, who really advocated to clean up the nation’s highways.

We look at those political figures who were also environmental heros.”

With activities beginning at noon, visitors are able to participate in programs such as “It Is Easy Being Green” Bingo, with a board that aims to cover history, sustainability and alternative solutions for climate change, and craft stations, in which visitors can plant their own vegetables and learn about a greener lifestyle. Plus, the “Constitution Hall Pass,” an educational video series

produced by the Constitution Center, will show the history of Earth Day celebrations. The event also includes outdoor activities focused on inspiring people to live environmentally friendly lifestyles.

“We have some outdoor activities,” said Kehres.

“We are having kids plant seeds and take them home to start their own gardens.

We also have some fun colonial games going on on the front lawn [and] our craft tables are made from recycled crafts. We have some fun ways to remind people to be more environmentally friendly in their everyday lives, [and these] crafts are

just fun ways to make those checklists, to just remind people.”

Overall, the Earth Day program at the Constitution Center aims to inform citizens about making changes in their lives to benefit the planet.

Kehres said, “Know that it is easy to take care of our environment. It’s just making little changes, it doesn’t have to be anything really big, and... people in history before us have done it, and so we are in good company.

Just making little everyday changes to your way of life will go really far in preserving the country for the next generations.”

annual “Naturepalooza” festival on April 27 from 10 Eastside Staff a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival April 22 marks Earth will take place on its 340Day, which is right around acre property right in Philadelphia, PA. N a t u r e palooza r u n s in conjunction with the annual Philadelphia Science Festival organized

by The Franklin Institute.

T h e event is familyfriendly and free to the public. “ W e Courtesy of Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education have an The Schuylkill Center hosts educational outdoor activities. environm e n the corner. Do you know ter for Environmental Edutal arts department and that you want to do somecation is hosting its eighth that’s a pretty unique thing

among nature centers,” said Amanda Cohen, Manager of Public Programs at the Schuylkill Center. “We like to incorporate our environmental artists into Naturepalooza as well, so not only do we have different science organizations that have tables there, but we also have environmental artists that have tables there as well. We probably have about a dozen different activity tables, so that’s very hands-on and that’s going on all day, but then in addition to that, we have other things.”

Nature hikes will be offered throughout the day to all participants. In addition to these hikes, the Schuylkill Center has three on-site ponds that are a part of pond ecology hikes.

Hiking groups will go down to the pond to search for macroinvertebrates, or water bugs. (And if you are lucky, you may even catch a tadpole or two.)

Naturepalooza also holds its own fort-building contest within its forest and will provide food trucks for all visitors. And for the first time ever, the center’s

wildlife clinic will organize its own activity table.

Additionally, the Schuylkill Center received a grant from the Philadelphia Science Festival, thus allowing it to fund new environmental art projects for the 2019 festival.

“This year our environmental art department… [is doing an] art installation relating to the emerald ash borer, which is an insect that is killing a lot of the ash trees on our property and just in the area in general,” said Cohen. “So they’re gonna do a really cool project that’s still kind of coming to fruition based on the dead ash trees that the emerald ash borer is killing and to draw awareness to the problems that ash trees are facing.”

To learn more about the problems facing the environment today, participants will be immersed in the Schuylkill Center’s forests and ponds. So if you are trying to figure out the best way that you can help the environment this Earth Day, check out Naturepalooza and give in to your wild side.

■ By Emily Mahaffy (‘20)

Eastside Staff

On Saturday, May 4, Sustainable South Jersey (previously Sustainable Cherry Hill) is hosting its tenth annual Earth Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is free and takes place at Croft Farm in Cherry Hill.

This year’s theme reads: “Reduce Plastic –– Fantastic!” and promotes reducing single-use plastic at home, work or play. The festival encourages visitors to bring reusable water bottles and to carpool or bike ride to the event.

Brenda Jorett, Sustainable South Jersey’s producer of the Earth Festival, said, “Now that we are in our tenth year, and we’ve changed our name to ‘Sustainable South Jersey,’ we’re incorporating all of South Jersey, Burlington, Camden [and] Gloucester counties. This will be the first year that we try to invite everyone in the region to be part of this event.”

And the festival is re-

The Constitution Center provides new perspective on Earth Day

■ By Shir Goldfinger (‘19)

Eastside Community Editor

As Earth Day comes around, not many expect to see the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia hosting events for it. But as it turns out, the Constitution Center provides an informational and unique perspective on Earth Day. Jenna Kehres, the museum’s programs manager, works to ensure that people understand the significance and history of Earth Day. “Earth Day is a great civic holiday because it teaches people to be active and civically minded, to really take care of our environ-

Naturepalooza inspires Philadelphia to help the environment ■ By Emily Mahaffy (‘20)

thing to help the environment, but you are not entirely sure where to start?

Well, you might just be in luck. The Schuylkill Cen-

COMMUNITY

Page 10

Lokal Hotel makes service personal

■ By Tomer Goldfinger (‘22)

Eastside Staff

A local Philadelphia hotel is redefining the very meaning of a hotel. Currently, the process of staying at a hotel is predictable.

You book in advance, check in at the lobby, get a key, enter the room and have periodic check-ins by hotel staff to clean the room.

The Lokal Hotel of Philadelphia removes most of these actions, opting to use a more bare-bones process.

“You are big boys and girls.,” reads the Lokal Hotel website’s “About” page. “You know what you’re doing. We trust you. That’s why we know you will love our invisible service. That means no front desk. No onsite staff,” The Lokal Hotel is defined by its “invisibility service.” This service removes the traditional hotel lobby and staff, using an automated online process to check in and enter the room. Each room is equipped with iPads preloaded with information including details about the room and a service manual.

In addition, rooms have Spotify Music, Apple TVs, high-speed internet connection and a flat screen TV, as well as the traditional hotel room accomodations (bed, bathroom, etc).

With three locations in the Philadelphia area (Old City, Fishtown and Maurice River), the Lokal Hotel provides an authentic feel to those visiting the Philadelphia area.

Lokal Hotel co-founder and owner, Chad Ludeman, commented on this approach.

“We really wanted people to really feel like they were a local while they visited there,” Ludeman said.

Although lacking in humans at first sight, the Lokal Hotel wants to keep a personal approach. All of the iPads also come with recommendations for restaurants, activities and events all over Philadelphia.

“We wanted them to feel like we were good friends,” Ludeman said. “Like I could give them recommendations for how to avoid the tourist trap and do all of the local things while they were there.”

Each of the three locations have around six rooms, with prices ranging from about 150 dollars to 350 dollars depending on room and time. Each room has a unique setup and design created for its specific location.

Many elements of the room are comprised of work from local businesses. The Lokal Hotel partners with local businesses such as Jersey Ice Cream Co. and True Hand Society, as well as many others.

“We try to work with a lot of small local makers,” said Ludeman. “From the designers, the architects and all of the people making the furniture, we try to help the local economy of Philadelphia rather than having our products made from somewhere like China or India.”

The Lokal Hotel promotes smaller local shops and businesses in the area, not only helping visitors have a more authentic experience of Philadelphia, but also helping the local economy in the process.

“People are really happy that they don’t have to go through the hassle of check-in and can gain some privacy...they check in, and nobody is bothering them. People like that,” Ludeman said.

EASTSIDE

April 2019

District schools make eco-friendly change ■ By Maddy Cicha (‘19)

Eastside Community Editor

In February of this year, three Cherry Hill schools (Bret Harte Elementary, Kingston Elementary and the Alternative High School) received environmental grants from Sustainable Jersey for Schools, funded by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).

Kingston Elementary was awarded 10,000 dollars, which it is using to construct an “outdoor classroom” for not only its students but also members of the community.

Principal Dr. William Marble said that a former student actually motivated them to create an outdoor classroom back to the elementary school, while it had been in the back of their minds for years.

“An alumnus from Kingston Elementary school who is currently a senior at West, Alexa Caputo, she approached us about her Girl Scout Gold Service award project and she wanted to do something for Kingston school,” said Marble. “It was really her project that rekindled our efforts to get the funding for this outdoor classroom.”

While construction plans are not yet set in stone, Kingston is working towards making the space not only available to the school, including all subjects and grade levels, but also the community. Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge will provide educational programs, and the Cherry Hill Public Library will be holding public storytime sessions.

“We intend to have local plants and fauna there,

and Cedar Run is gonna help us determine those things,” said Marble.

With the help of Green Team leader and librarian Nicole Sutton, who, according to Marble, has “been a wonderful advocate for our school and for the students,” the school will be creating the space around the general goal that every teacher and student, no matter their grade or subject matter, will be able to benefit educationally.

“They’ll also be backpacks for each of the classrooms with some outdoor tools…whether it’s the art teacher or the librarian,” said Marble. “We’re also looking at the curricular pieces and working on which pieces will be best suited… for outdoor exploration.”

Bret Harte Elementary School is using its 2,000-dollar grant to buy reusable lunch trays, replacing the Styrofoam trays that are currently used in many schools throughout the district.

Melissa Cattai, fifth grade teacher at Bret Harte and Chair of its Green Team, said that, like Kingston, the inspiration for its move comes from a student.

“A third grader, Jonah…thought that our use of Styrofoam trays in the lunch room was not the best option…and he didn’t feel that we were doing enough for the environment by using [them],” said Cattai. “He wrote a letter to Dr. Burti [Bret Harte principal] telling him about how he felt.”

The new lunch option will be a more nontraditional form of lunch trays: plastic baskets. Accord-

ing to Bret Harte, these are not only cheaper than buying traditional trays, but also easier to clean and organize. Plus, the 2,000 dollars is realistically more than the school needs for the trays.

“Our budget… left us money over to create flyers and everything to actually send home to parents,” said Cattai. “And it’ll also leave us money left over just in case we need to buy new baskets.”

With no pushback from the district, parents, students or Aramark, Cattai and the Green Team worked with lunch ladies and the school board to make the switch as smooth as possible. Aramark will be providing wax paper to cover the baskets before each lunch period, delaying staining and damage to the plastic.

“Our new assistant superintendent, Justin Smith, was actually a huge fan and supporter of us moving forward and getting this grant, as has everyone else [on the school board],” said Cattai.

The new system is due to arrive at Bret Harte this month, along with educational presentations led by student members of Harte’s environmental club to inform the school of the logistics, reasoning and benefits of a reusable lunch tray.

The Cherry Hill Alternative High School, the third school in the district to receive a grant, was awarded 2,000 dollars to be used by Service Learning Class students for a pollinator garden, in hopes of attracting insects such as bees and butterflies to aid the students’

The program will run for eight to ten weeks, training girls at Bret Harte twice a week after school. Every session starts with a warm-up, then includes stretching as a transition into the daily lesson or activity.

The daily lesson revolves around topics that coaches choose regarding female encouragement, empowerment and positivity, like how to calm oneself down

on the team, which is a really phenomenal number, and we had coaches that were fellow teachers as well as parents who helped coached, too,” said Tara Bredeck, the coordinator at Bret Harte.

Girls on the Run Central New Jersey moved to Bret Harte last year with Bredeck. Bredeck worked with York in North Jersey in Bascon Ridge. When she moved to Bret Harte,

nearby vegetable garden and its growth.

Along with contributing to the environment and the students’ educations, this project will ideally help the entire community, said Ms. Celena Bell of the Alternative High School, who wrote the application for the grant.

“All of the veggies that the students grow are donated to the Cherry Hill Food Pantry, so we’re doing the pollinator garden not only to help the pollinator population… but it’ll also even help boost our vegetable garden,” said Bell.

While Bell acknowledges that it has been a slow process to initiate at first, the school maintains a tentative timeline for finishing the project.

“We’re gonna start this spring and hope to finish it by the end of this fall,” said Bell. “At the very latest, we’ll be done by next spring.”

Ultimately, with hopes to boost vegetable growth, the pollinator garden serves as a grand science experiment for the students of the Alternative High School’s Service Learning Class.

“A part of it is to give [students] a sustainability lesson as far as helping the pollinator population… it’ll be nice for them because they’ll be able to see the direct result of attracting more pollinators to the area because they’ll get to see how it boosts the vegetable growth,” said Bell. “We weigh our vegetables before we donate them, so hopefully we’ll see a difference in the pounds that we’re able to donate this growth season.”

Girls on the Run motivates young girls ■ By Defne Alpdogan (‘20)

the girls a strategy, and then they will practice the strategy through a From April to June, physical activity like a the second annual Girls relay race or a leap frog on the Run program will activity. The strategy to take place at Bret Harte help them with life skills Elementary School. is reinforced physically, Girls on the Run Cenwhich is really neat,” said tral New Jersey began in Bredeck.

2001. The organization is Following the daily lesa part of a national group son, the girls run laps, that formed in North Carand every time a girl passolina in 1997, serving over es her teammate she has 2,000 girls in grades three to give her an affirmation to five, and was or compliment. created to teach At the end of the proyoung girls how gram, the girls will be to set and achieve able to participate in a attainable goals 5K run. This 5K run is while also learnopen to the community, ing how to navibut it is the final celebragate the world as tion of the girls on their a girl. journey. This year, the “Girls on the race will be held at Navy Run is a social Pier in Philadelphia. and emotional By the end of last wellness program year, Bredeck was able for girls from to see how the program three to eight that brought together girls revolves around from different grades. running.” said “I think the girls reDonna York, the alize that they become executive direcmore of a team... [the tor of Girls on program is] all differthe Run Central ent grade levels so they New Jersey. “It don’t necessarily see Courtesy of Girls on the Run is not a running The athletes of Girls on the Run show off their positive mindset. each other during the program, but we day… I will see them use running to in the hallway, a third teach the girls that if you in a stressful situation. she brought the program grader and a fifth grader set a goal and you work to“Last year was really with her. saying hello to each othwards it, you’ll achieve it.” successful [with] 27 girls “The lesson will give er,” said Bredeck.

Eastside News Editor

COMMUNITY

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 11

Pizza Brain’s museum puts a twist on traditional eateries significantly different from its competition. Not only is its menu filled with flavorful twists and mouthwatering toppings, but its

over 70 combined years of restaurant management Eastside Staff and marketing experience.

When it comes to pizza, Hunter designed the Pizza Brain, located in the quirky menu, which consists of thin-crusted pizza pies such as the Kira Tierson (mozzarella, smoked bacon, red onion, blackened brussel sprouts) and the Patrick Maxwell (mozzarella, brisket, aged provolone, caramelized onions, hot cherry peppers, Cheese Whiz).

Carter manages day-to-day strategic planning, as well as handles relations with restaurant group operations.

The brains behind the “pizza museum” Isabella Levin (‘22)/ Eastside Staff side of Pizza Brain Pizza Brain’s walls are full of pizza-themed memorabilia. is Anderson, who used his master carFishtown neighborhood of restaurant just happens to pentry and finishing skills Philadelphia, creates slices also be the first pizza muto allow customers to have like no other. The restauseum in the nation. a one-of-a-kind experience rant opened up back in Owners Joseph Hunter, as soon as they step in the 2012 and has been serving Michael Carter and Ryan front door. fun and funky pizza pies Anderson all contribute difChef Nate Williams has ever since. ferent expertise to running been serving up pizzas at Its intricate and creative Pizza Brain as a successPizza Brain for the past menu keeps the restaurant ful business. The trio have nine months and has been ■ By Isabella Levin (‘22)

handling food his entire life. He feels that the purpose of the restaurant is to give customers a more unique experience, rather than what they might get at their typical pizza place.

“We like to do out-of-thebox styles, rather than traditional,” Williams said.

To Williams, having both food and memorabilia available allows customers to see pizza not only as a food but also as a cultural statement. The art on the walls of Pizza Brain’s museum side consists of a collection of pizza-inspired artwork and movie posters. For example, several of the movie posters consist of instantly recognizable movies, while others, such as magazine and album covers, are archived pizza memorabilia.

Despite this, all pieces of artwork thoroughly demonstrate pizza’s influence in pop culture.

The pizzas’ extremely peculiar names — from “Forbes Waggenese” for pepperoni to “Buffy Ernst” for buffalo chicken — are another major draw, with diverse origin stories. The special of the month is typi-

cally one that the owners have come up with themselves, and is named after family and friends.

However, the staff often joins in on the fun, too, and experiments with different ingredients throughout the day that usually result in some amazing combinations of flavors. The names of staff-created pies are completely random.

“Some of the names are just pulled off the top of someone’s head,” Williams said.

Not only does its pizza memorabilia keep Pizza Brain different from other places, but the staff hired to work there do as well.

Each staff member brings his or her own dynamic personality and quirkiness to the restaurant. As a result, there is a great overall ambience the moment a customer walks in.

“Each staff member knows this community,” Williams said.

Between the eccentric pies, pizza memorabilia and the vibrant personalities, Pizza Brain is changing the way customers view their next slice of pizza.

Spilling the Tea: The Great Bubble Tea Battle

I spent a recent Sunday morning running around Cherry Hill and Philadelphia’s Chinatown buying drinks from a total of five local bubble tea stores: Kung Fu Tea, Mr. Wish, Tea-Do, Vivi and A Cup of Tea. At each store, I ordered two drinks. First, Eastside Editor-in-Chief I ordered the classic black milk tea with bubbles, a staple offering I could use to directly compare the stores against each other.

Second, I ordered a specialty drink which I picked by asking the cashier, “What’s a popular drink you sell that I wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else?” to showcase the most unique elements of each store. The exception was A Cup of Tea, whose black milk teas weren’t yet ready when I arrived about 15 minutes after opening, so I got the closest alternative: the fresh rose tea with milk foam.

I purchased all the drinks before coming back to Cherry Hill to taste them at the same time. After taking a moment to revel in fulfilling a childhood dream (a dozen cups of bubble tea!! all for me!!), I rated each store on seven criteria, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best): tea taste, tapioca taste, cost, menu variety, packaging/aesthetics, store ambience and quality of service. Finally, I combined my overall impressions to arrive at a definitive ranking of the five stores in The Great Bubble Tea Battle.

■ By Sophia Liang (‘19)

Photo Illustration by Maddy Cicha (‘19)/ Eastside Community Editor

2nd Place

A Cup of Tea Philadelphia, PA

3rd Place

4th Place

Kung Fu Tea Cherry Hill, NJ

Philadelphia, PA

Kung Fu Tea is by far the most popular local bubble tea store among East students, but I just couldn’t get behind the hype. My regular milk tea had a floral, sickly sweet aftertaste. I could tell the Yogurt Orange was made with freshsqueezed juice, but it was underwhelming for the price. In both drinks, the tapioca was annoying to chew. Unfortunately, though, I can’t recommend it over other stores with better drinks. Don’t @ me.

Cherry Hill, NJ

1st Place

Tea-Do A Cup of Tea offers some unusual ingredients in its drinks such as uji matcha, gyokuro and longan, but I was disappointed that only two sections of the menu were ready to order from when I entered the store in the mid-morning. The options that I could select, however, were fantastic — in fact, the rose tea was my favorite of all dozen drinks I tried that day. The slightly savory milk foam was a cool twist that complemented both the floral and fruity flavors. My main criticism would be the store’s sparse and unfinished decor, which contributed to a rather dreary atmosphere.

Nonetheless, it’s hard to believe how underrated this relatively new location is, and I’d highly recommend others to give it a shot.

Mr. Wish

Tea-Do was great across the board. Although its black milk tea was the cheapest of all the regular drinks I tried, it was also my favorite — smooth and creamy but not overwhelmingly sweet, and they didn’t charge extra for bubbles. The green ombré Grasshopper specialty drink tasted light and refreshing; the lychee jelly added some interesting texture. The store was well-staffed, even on a quiet Sunday morning, and the employees there were eager to make recommendations and show me around the menu. The space was cozy, with board games and a small lounge corner, but it would get a bit too cramped to sit and study on a busy afternoon in a prime location in Chinatown.

To see more of Sophia’s bubble tea adventure, check out https://tinyurl.com/ y45mkwuw

Mr. Wish’s regular black milk tea was less sweet and creamy than most of the others, and it would make a good choice for those who prefer the earthier tea notes. The tapioca in this one really shone — it had that justright level of chewiness that none of the others could quite hit. The summery Wish Special contained four types of freshcut fruit, but they all sort of blended together into a generic tropical juice flavor. The customers’ Polaroid photos on the walls were a cute touch. Overall, it’s a solid choice for a refreshing drink.

5th Place

Vivi

Philadelphia, PA

I had high hopes for Vivi. The regular black milk tea was decent, but when ordering a specialty drink, the cashier pointed me to the Kumquat Lemon Green Tea. It turned out to taste even worse than its name sounded. Vivi pales in comparison to Tea-Do across the street.

Page 12

EASTSIDE

April 2019

SPECIAL

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 13

Destination Disney: The seniors have a magical time

Courtesy of Lindsay Weinberg (‘19)

(Clockwise, from left) Lindsay Weinberg (‘19), Jenna Ringold (‘19), Chloe Garber (‘19) and Sophie Guralnick (‘19) rest their eyes — and their wings.

Courtesy of Kevin Naddeo (‘19)

D-Wing seniors pose for a group picture at the hotel before hitting the park.

Courtesy of Vidhya Sundar (‘19)

For Amita Doiphode (‘19), Arya Amaro (‘19), Vidhya Sundar (‘19) and Caroline Cheung (‘19), long wait times at Toy Story Midway Mania provide the perfect opportunity for a selfie.

Courtesy of Lily Smith (‘19)

Senior girls pose for a quick photo with the Tower of Terror looming in the background.

Courtesy of Matt Lee (‘19)

Andrew Bui (‘19), Jacob Lee (‘19) and Matt Lee (‘19) take on Bikini Bottom.

Courtesy of Katrina Chen (‘19)

Katrina Chen (‘19) and Harrison Yang (‘19) relax between rides at Universal Studios.

Courtesy of Caroline Boucher (‘19)

Seniors share a magical moment on Main Street in Magic Kingdom.

Courtesy of Jacob Stein (‘19)

Seniors enjoy an active day in Universal Studios on day 3 of their trip.

Courtesy of Anthony Fiore (‘19)

Anthony Fiore (‘19) and Jacob Folbaum (‘19) catch up.

Courtesy of Zoe Culver (‘19)

Seniors stop to model their mouse ears during golden hour.

Seniors jump for joy by Cinderella’s Castle.

Courtesy of Julianna Johnson (‘19)

Page 14

COMICS EASTSIDE

April 2019

Self-Discovery by Amanda Chen (‘21)/ Eastside Staff

All Nighter by Riva Sharma (‘22)/ For Eastside

The Ultimate Trainee by Riva Sharma (‘22) and Moriah Williams (‘22)/ For Eastside

Honor your senior friends, family and classmates with a special shout-out or ad in our June issue.

Come to F087 to grab a form or to receive more information.

EDITORIAL

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 15

Cherry East must improve sustainability efforts Hill High School East Editorials represent the views and opinions of the Eastside Editorial Board.

The lessons that students are taught every day at Cherry Hill East go beyond academics and into life: giving back to one’s community, standing up for one’s values and behaving with integrity. Cherry Hill schools must model these behavioral standards when it comes to sustainability efforts.

In the past, Cherry Hill East has received Sustainable Jersey for Schools grants, awarded to municipalities and schools that make significant efforts toward sustainability. All 19 schools in the district are certified at some level by Sustainable Jersey. However, Eastside feels that during years when East is being evaluated – including the 2017-2018 school year – environmentally conscious programs become more prevalent, only to fade away until the next evaluation. For example, the East Environmental Club was much more active last year than this year, evidenced by this year’s minimal meetings and dwindling membership. Furthermore, while projects like the East greenhouse look appealing to the grants committee, classes still do not do labs in the greenhouse, and the Environmental Club is still not engaged in making it operational.

While Eastside understands that some projects may just appear stagnant while those involved push through red tape, we feel that for the school to claim a commitment to sustainability, there must be a greater sense of dedication.

Eastside does recognize that, to some extent, it is impossible for a large and busy school environment like East to minimize all of its waste without impeding education. Therefore, Eastside would like to see a focus on smaller sustainability efforts that are are more manageable and have faster, more visible results. Smaller initiatives could include reducing the use of plastic bottles at dances and increasing use of the recycling bins already provided. Eastside calls on the Student Government Association to support these small increases in sustainability. In fact, Eastside itself is doing its part to reduce the environmental impact of its print issues by publishing issues online for viewers outside of East, donating spare issues to art classes and publishing a large amount of content online only.

The Cherry Hill School District focuses heavily on ensuring that East and West provide equal resources. Thus, the strong

efforts of environmental clubs at West should become a model for similar East organizations. At Cherry Hill West, the Environmental Club has taught students to appreciate stewardship of living things by planting a wildflower meadow and building a garden in one of their courtyards, while the Vegan Club has been working towards a plant-based food system in the cafeteria. Eastside recognizes that at East, we already have many successful student service organizations. Most of these, however, do not have environmental goals, and neither the student “green teams” that form during semesters of AP Environmental Science nor the Environmental Club have been able to adequately fill this vacant niche. Thus, West’s example should motivate the East Green Team to refocus on creating new programs over running awareness campaigns.

Further, the Environmental Studies teachers also have some sustainability proposals that Eastside would like to support. These include painting the roof white to reduce building heat absorption during the summer, or planting rain gardens to reduce water runoff. These initiatives could be completed with Sustainable Jersey grant money or through fundraising.

Eastside does commend the progress that East has already made concerning sustainability. East’s recently implemented water fountain filters encourage reusable water bottles, with each filter tracking the number of bottles which fountain use has saved from landfills. Further, East has recently become one of the only public schools in the South Jersey area to eliminate the use of Styrofoam trays in the cafeteria, moving instead to individually wrapped items with paper trays for hot food. Styrofoam is not biodegradable and fills around 30% of all the space in the world’s landfills, so the building’s commitment to reducing Styrofoam waste is highly commendable – perhaps the progress could be taken even further in the future with a complete switch to reusable trays.

Eastside hopes that Cherry Hill’s existing commitment to sustainability, coupled with the success of the filter and tray initiatives, bodes well for the green projects which Eastside has proposed. It’s not easy going green, but we can get there together if we get our priorities straight.

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Eastside 2018-2019 Editorial Board

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OPINIONS Should the federal minimum wage be raised to fifteen dollars?

Page 16

EASTSIDE

April 2019

YES

■ By Samantha Roehl (‘20) Eastside Features Editor

New Jersey’s current minimum wage is $8.85 per hour. But, according to legislation passed by Governor Phil Murphy, the minimum wage is set to increase to $15 per hour by 2024. This is a major win for New Jersey and the millions of workers who currently work minimum- and low-wage jobs.

For most positions, a 32- to 40- hour work week is considered working full time. People who work full time deserve a wage on which they can live full time. People who work full time should not be living under the poverty line.

In fact, today’s minimum wage workers make less money per hour than their counterparts from 50 years ago, according to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI). If minimum wage had been raised in tandem with productivity, which has nearly doubled since 1960, the minimum wage would be over $20 an hour today. With that in mind, along with the inflation that will make $15 of today’s money worth less in 2024, a $15 minimum wage is even a conservative price to pay millions of full-time workers.

Those millions of workers have mortgages, utilities, grocery bills and medical bills that they need to pay, and despite the claim that minimum-wage positions are starting jobs meant for teenagers, that is not the reality in modern-day America. Only 10 percent of minimum-wage workers are teenagers, and a $15 minimum wage would benefit 38.6 million adults, according to the EPI. Those people are working fulltime jobs and deserve salaries that reflect that. And they cannot, as some opponents of higher minimum wages suggest, just get “better jobs.” Someone still has to do their job, and that someone deserves to be able to live above the poverty line.

For those living in poverty despite working, at times, multiple full-time positions can grind people down. Many health risks are associated with workers who are paid low wages. People living in poverty are more likely to be obese, as fast food is less expensive and more accessible than healthy food.

Additionally, working multiple jobs to survive severely cuts down the time one has to prepare his or her own food.

According to a publication in the American Journal of Public Health, minimum-wage workers report fewer unmet or untreated medical needs in states with higher minimum wages. Higher minimum wages are also tied to lower rates of smoking. And according to a study from Indiana University, raising the minimum wage by as little as $1 would be able to reduce reports of child neglect by almost 10 percent. This would allow parents to ensure their kids have enough food or that the heating will not be turned off in the middle of the winter.

The issues with a low minimum wage do not stop there. This low

NO

wage that pushes people into poverty also negatively impacts American taxpayers. When low-wage workers are not paid enough money to live on or survive, they are forced to turn to the government for support. According to the UC Berkeley Labor Center, low-wage workers cost taxpayers more than $150 billion a year through Medicaid, welfare, food stamps and earned income tax credit. If someone works full time, they should be paid a living wage that allows them to survive, unassisted by the government.

In addition to lessening the burden on taxpayers, a $15 minimum wage would boost the economy and lower employee turnover. More money in more pockets means more spending, and seeing as low-wage workers spend most of their earnings, higher wages will quickly make their way back into local economies, spurring both business and job growth, according to the EPI. Additionally, people working minimum-wage j o b s would be able to live

■ By Sam Grossman (‘19)

healthier, happier lives. They would be able to save some money, creating a cushion in case their car breaks down or their kids get sick.

This would in turn mean that fewer people would need government assistance in those scenarios in which people currently living paycheck to paycheck run the risk of losing everything.

Of course, there is the common argument that a higher minimum wage will cause massive layoffs and further poverty. In New Jersey, wages are not going to increase overnight. Wages are being slowly increased until 2024, when they will level off at $15. And the reports of decreases in employment are largely unfounded — a study published by the Census Bureau found that raising the minimum wage increases earning growth without declines in employment.

That does not mean that on a caseby-case basis, no one will be laid off, but it does mean that the average number of jobs in the economy should stay about the same.

At this point, it should not even be a question whether or not people deserve to be able to live on the money that they work so hard for.

Because of this, it is not only the right choice but also the humane choice to raise the minimum wage to $15.

of 500,000 jobs.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS), in 2016, 21 percent of African-Americans, 20 percent of Hispanics, 39 percent of Whites and 74 percent of Asians above age 25 in the labor force had a bachelor’s degree. Raising the minimum wage will cut the most jobs for African-Americans and Hispanics and make finding a job even more difficult for those who are already too poor to afford an education. What good is a 15-dollar-an-hour wage if you are unemployed? There is no moral high ground among supporters of raising the minimum wage.

Another thing to note is that many higher-paying jobs require experience, and the minimum wage is a surefire way of making it more difficult to gain such experience. Additionally, students at Cherry Hill East would have to kiss their summer jobs goodbye, since 58.5 percent of minimum wage workers are teengers, according to the USBLS. If the minimum wage is raised, businesses will find ways to pass on the costs. For starters, they can simply raise the costs on consumers. According to a research paper called “The Pass-through of Minimum Wages into U.S. Retail Prices,” a 10 percent minimum

Eastside Features Editor

Any student taking AP Economics at Cherry Hill East learns that when the minimum wage increases, quantity of labor demanded falls. To reduce labor costs, firms will also lay off workers. The end result? Workers lucky enough not to be laid off earn a little more money, while those who aren’t as lucky have to start looking for a new job while collecting unemployment. Raising the minimum wage is a feel-good, but irrational, way to combat poverty.

Right now, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. New Jersey’s minimum wage is $8.85 an hour. Many people, notably the group “Fight for $15,” want to raise minimum wage to — you guessed it — $15. If this were to happen, workers without college degrees would no longer be able to find jobs. Researchers from Duke University found that there is a 2.9 percent decrease in the probability of job seekers finding a job for every 10 percent increase in minimum wage. As another example, the American Congressional Budget Office said that a minimum wage increase from $7.25 to $10.10 would result in a loss

wage hike translates into a 0.2 percent increase in grocery prices.

The research states that “consumers rather than firms bear the cost of minimum wage increases in the grocery sector.” A similar effect would be felt throughout other industries.

Another way firms will do this is replacing workers with robots.

Economists Grace Lordan of London School of Economics and David Neumark of UC Irvine studied 35 years of census data. They found that “a significant number of individuals who were previously in automatable employment are unemployed in the period following a minimum wage increase… these effects are among the largest for individuals employed in the manufacturing industry, and are larger for the oldest and youngest workers, for females and for African-Americans.” Next time you’re at a self-checkout at Target, you can thank minimum wage.

A third way firms can reduce the cost of labor is taking away employee benefits. The National Bureau of Economic Research looked at employee pay data from 2011 to 2016 and discovered workers who had their minimum wage increased by $1 had 9 percent to 57 percent of their wage gains offset by a reduction in their employer’s health insurance coverage.

Labor costs supporters will argue that raising the minimum wage will help get people off of government assistance. However, researchers from the University of Wisconsin found that mothers in states that raised the minimum wage relied on welfare 44 percent longer (on average) than their peers in states where the minimum wage was unchanged.

Why? Because firms understandably hired teens or students with more education.

Finally, raising the minimum wage hurts small businesses that can’t afford to pay their employees as much as corporate giants like Walmart and McDonald’s. Even if a new minimum wage is contingent on 25 workers or fewer, it will make growth much more difficult for small businesses.

If you want to give more power to a few big corporations, go ahead and cheer for minimum wage increases.

Revered economic journalist Henry Hazzlit said it best: “you can not make a man worth a given amount by making it illegal to offer him anything less.” Forcing someone to sell their labor for more than it is worth is simply not moral. You would not make someone sell bananas for 100 dollars each — nobody would buy them! It is okay to oppose a higher minimum wage.

This does not make you a bad person; it makes you a person who can see the bigger picture. No matter the motivations of its supporters, raising the minimum wage will make it harder for workers to find jobs, incentivize automation, hurt small businesses and raise prices for consumers. Raising minimum wage is a foolish way of addressing this country’s economic inequality.

Art by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

OPINIONS

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 17

More vocational opportunities must be offered ■ By Jacob Graff (‘20)

Eastside Opinions Editor

Who comes to your house when the TV won’t turn on?

How about when the pipes are leaking? Or what if you need a custom-built table or chair? Who do you call?

Students don’t learn how to do these jobs at professional colleges like Rutgers University, The University of Tennessee or The University of Pennsylvania.

These sought-after professions are instead encouraged at what are called “vocational schools.”

It’s unfortunate, then, that some of the most common jobs in the nation are widely ignored by Cherry Hill East. Instead, this school pushes students to challenge themselves academically through rigorous course selection. However, your local electricians don’t need to know about the Roaring ‘20s or the figurative language in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” to make close to 100,000 dollars a year in certain markets. All they need is job training specific to their future vocation, which technical instit u t e s provide.

The point here is not to bash professional colleges at all. Most students from East will attend them after graduation and get degrees that will certainly benefit them

later in life. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, a bachelor’s degree adds almost 17,000 dollars in average annual income, or half a million over 30 years.

However, for people who don’t find their best fit in traditional education, going to a two-year vocational college is a very viable alternative option to a traditional four-year university. In this way, a young student can avoid being completely overloaded with debt while joining a workforce that wants young professionals, is possibly unionized and provides solid, if not spectacular, benefits.

The financial help website The Simple Dollar brings up some more advantages of a trade school.

The opportunity cost of a four-

year e d u cational plan is not experiencing the real job market and gaining valuable work experience for two years as vocational school students do. But the common college experience intrinsically has its faults; the average

cost hovers around 130,000 dollars, and yet two out of every five students drop out before completing their degree.

That is money down the drain for t h o u sands of college students, more specifically the 70 percent of students who take student loan debt, who still have to pay off their debts with nothing to show for it.

Trade schools have a reputation as being strictly for the professions of electrician, plumber, etcetera.

But they also train students to be nuclear technicians, pharmaceutical technicians and dental hygienists, to name a few. Instead of the broad liberal arts education propagated by major research universities, trade schools focus on a particular skillset with a handson education in two years instead of four.

Certainly there are benefits for each type of school, but in

terms of the Cherry Hill East environment, trade schools are not widely seen, or widely advertised, as a viable alternative to a four-year traditional degree. This can, and should, be changed.

During meetings with guidance counselors, the option of trade school is rarely, if at all, mentioned. The emails students are sent from the guidance department don’t contain references to any local vocational opportunities or trade schools.

Remedies to this can include creating partnerships with local trade schools in the fashion of half-day traditional schooling combined with a half-day of vocational training for seniors who have decided, with their parents’ permission, to continue their post-high school education at a vocational school. This would allow East students to get a jump on their higher education,

similar in nature to taking select college courses online or taking advantage of dual credit opportunities, which are two common pre-college routes.

But this is not enough.

East needs to offer and promote more vocational classes than cooking and woodworking.

Adding courses such as auto repair and steelworking would allow students on the non-traditional path to explore opportunities they might go into l a t e r in life, rather t h a n what to them is the obsolete, typical liberal arts high school experience offed at East.

Admittedly, East would be hard-pressed to find more people interested in auto repair than AP World History, but what came first, the chicken or the egg?

Maybe if East established a more concrete support system for vocational students or engaged in more promotion of these opportunities, more people would choose to take these classes.

The truth holds, though, that East should respect the students who take unconventional higher education by offering more vocational options in this school.

Art by Julia Benedetto (‘19)/ Eastside Opinions Editor

OPINIONS

Page 18

EASTSIDE

April 2019

Revised study hall system benefits East students

■ By Lalitha Viswanathan (‘22) Eastside Staff

Students had a lot of concerns over the study hall system that concluded at the end of the first semester this year. If three people had already gone to the library from each classroombased study hall, other students who needed it couldn’t get access to the printer or a computer. For many, this became a huge issue that needed to be fixed as soon as possible. Thankfully, the administration heeded students’ complaints and created the annex-based study hall system that is now in place today.

With all study hall students put into the deadsilent library and the relatively loud annex, the study hall does get overwhelming at times because there are many students compressed into two rooms. However, the social aspect helps most students with completing work.

“I think the new study hall has its pros and cons.

Personally, I like it a lot better,” said Sharon Um (‘19). “Now that we have more freedom in the library and choose whether we want a quiet or loud study hall, the class has become way more efficient.”

The students who don’t like the noise should just

choose to go to the quiet study hall in motion. He possibly can. study in the library if they wanted to provide choices One teacher, who chose have a better time focusing without impeding people’s to remain anonymous, said, in a qui“Some teacheter amers don’t like bience. this atmoI t sphere, but is true I think it’s that it fine. I have is somenot seen any times large issues hard to and I enjoy concenhow the stut r a t e dents just do because their thing. being Obviously, w i t h during a fire friends drill or big for the fight, a probentire lem could period arise, but I gets dishaven’t seen tractany types ing and of problems makes it like that in harder here.” to finS o c i a l ish any s t u d i e s work a teacher Mr. student T h o m a s m a y Rosenberg, Jacob Graff (‘20)/ Eastside Opinions Editor for have. one, H o w - Students utilize the ability to talk with their friends and do thinks that ever, if work in the annex with the new study hall system. They the study h a v i n g also have the option of going to a classroom. hall in the a group library anof friends in your study concentration. nex gives the students hall makes it hard to conTeachers also weighed more freedom, because they centrate, you should just in on the study hall shift. can choose if they want to go into the library, even if Many faculty members socialize or have a quiet being with your friends is agree that it is helpful, but study session in the library. tempting. there are a few flaws that However, he thinks that Assistant Principal Mr. still need to be smoothed teachers on duty should Ted Beatty is the adminout in order for the new have a master attendance istrator who put the new system to work as well as it list so that they could have

more control over the group of students. He agrees with the anonymous teacher that one wouldn’t be able to control the kids in case of an emergency situation.

The students in the study hall should get informed about the different drills that we must perform if there ever is an emergency. There should be a practice drill for each scenario (fire drill, lockout, lockdown, etc.).

However, in the instance of a fire drill, there are too many students for the teachers to identify outside, and that may create an issue as to whether or not all of the students are safe and in their proper location.

Although a lot of the students enjoy the new study hall, others find it worse and have negative feedback about it.

“I hate this study hall so much,” said Zan Mohsin (‘22). “My grades were so much better when we had the classroom setting of study hall. I get so offtrack because so many of my friends are in this study hall. I would say it is more of a social hour.”

Beatty said, “It honestly depends on the student…

Through the student voice, we are trying to make a more flexible space that includes everyone’s unique style.”

Students should be able to decorate graduation caps ■ By Samantha Bell (‘21) Eastside Staff

Graduation marks the end of an era. A time in life for new beginnings.

The start of a new chapter.

Graduation is not only an accomplishment celebrated by families and students, but a time of personal achievement.

At Cherry Hill East, students need to have the opportunity to decorate their graduation caps. The ones with the tassel that will be moved from right to left once the graduates receive their diploma. The ones that they will throw up in the air out of joy. The cap signifies a time in the graduates’ lives when they become adults, and move on from the school district that they have been a part of for the vast majority of their lives.

The next chapter of their lives will be entirely their own. Graduates will have the opportunity to choose the classes they take, major or occupation.

This d a y w i l l signify the beginning of the individualistic journey.

T h e d e c o ration o f the caps is a great way to s h o w everyone what the graduating class is re-

choose to decorate their could be a great way for ally about. certainly won’t hurt anycaps with their friends and each senior to stand out.”

Kaela Segal (‘19) said, “I one and will only enhance make it a whole experience On the other hand, the would love to decorate my the experience of one of the endless graduation cap. I possiwould decorate my bilities cap with my colof oplege logo or things tions to representing Syradecorate cuse University.” one’s hat The cap is a can be symbol for Cherry stressHill East’s graduful, but ating seniors, repd e c o resenting the hard rating work they put in the cap over four years fiwouldn’t nally paying off. be necThis could addiessary tionally become a or mansenior perk that datory. generation after It is generation of East meant students could be to be a part of: a little fun and thing to look forlightward to on the hearted, bittersweet day of a n d graduation. Furwould thermore, Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Former Eastside Art Director be a gradua t i o n The graduating seniors of the Class of 2018 wave goodbye with undecorated caps. v a l u able rei s with colors and memoraward for each graduating supposed most important days of the bilia, others may not decoclass behaving. to be a year for graduating seniors. rate their caps at all, but at All in all, it gives stutime Individually decorated least they have the option dents another chance to t o caps also represent East’s to if they want. leave their mark on East culture. East has allowed Some of the seniors may and show their personality each student to express choose the nostalgic route for the last time. A decoratthemselves through the classes they take each year when deciding what to put ed cap is similar to a yearand the activities they on their caps by drawing book quote because both participate in. Why things that commemorate represent East seniors and should this culture stop their good times at Cherry their lasting impression on on graduation, a day Hill East. Others may use the school. about Cherry Hill East and it to represent the colleges The ability to decorate its graduating class? they are attending. The one’s graduation cap would On another note, decopossibilities are endless as be a great way to end the rated caps could also be an long as they have the creyear and the senior’s time excellent way for parents ativity to match their ambiat East. Seniors can take celand families to identify tion. pride in their artwork and ebrate their graduate in the overLindsay Kaplan (‘19) all they have to celebrate as o n e ’ s whelming number of red said, “I think it would be a they begin their individual achieveand white gowns. great way to see different path out of adolescence and ments at East Decorating caps also sides of your classmates. into adulthood. and a sending off gives students creative The grad[uating class] size into their future, Art by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ freedom. While some might at East is so big, the caps and a little decoration Eastside Art Director

CULTURE

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 19

“Gross” and “scary” pets delight East students ■ By Angelina Witting (‘22)

Eastside Staff

Pets that were once considered “dangerous” or “scary” are slowly taking over the hearts of East students. These pets include animals like rats and snakes. But as some students are realizing, these animals may not need to be feared.

One student, Angela Bruno (‘22), is the loving owner of a snake, along with four dogs, one cat, a rabbit, fish and chickens.

Bruno has had her ball python, Hobi, for a year and a half and wouldn’t give him up for the world. She emphasizes the importance of research before getting a snake because some need specific care. Bruno herself was never afraid of snakes and can recall a relative who had a snake which she found interesting.

“They’re not gonna bite you,” said Bruno. “The only time they are ever gonna bite is if they are really scared or trying to eat something… they won’t look at a human and think that’s what I wanna eat,” said Bruno, who plans on getting another snake in the near future.

Blake Weiss (‘19) is another one of East’s snake owners. He owns a ball python that he got in June 2018. Her name is Athena and she is only one of Weiss’s expansive brood of pets, including cats, snails and a dog. Weiss explained that he got a snake because he wanted a pet that was more long-term, as a snake can be up to a 30-year commitment. Weiss isn’t sure a snake would satisfy someone looking for love and affection; he would recommend a dog for that. But for someone searching for a pet to look at and let do its own thing, a snake is a good option. Weiss added that he is constantly upgrading Athe-

f e m a l e dumbo rats named Lily and Lola whom she has had since May of 2018.

“Anybody who is new that comes over is like ‘what is in that cage?

Why do you have rats? These are not pets,’” said Takacs.

She often has to explain that they are just like any other pet; however, some peoCourtesy of Kaylie Takacs ple still Lola and Lily the rats enjoy a snack on Takacs’s bed. don’t come Courtesy of Angela Bruno around to on the AWA’s website and caring and loving, and they Hobi the snake curls around Bruno’s arm. the idea of making a joke to her mom. love human interactions After later research, she and form really good bonds this unique found that rats were like with their owners,” said na’s enclosure and buying pet. miniature dogs.

Takacs. her food, which can rack Takacs decided to get “They’re really smart, Once she realized how up a hefty cost. Despite the her rats after finding them outgoing her rats were, costs of keeping she even potty-trained his snake, Weiss them. believes having One misconception a snake is worth Takacs would like to the investment. debunk is about the Snakes can somecleanliness of rats. times be thought “They’re not dirty, of as gross and they love taking baths moist, but Weiss in the bathtub and I said that snakes keep a bowl in their are not slimy like cage and they bathe they are often porthemselves every day,” trayed. In fact, said Takacs. snakes are quite She would recomdry and rough. mend rats for any pet Along with owner seeking a lovsnakes and other ing relationship that is reptiles, rats are more short term. another animal Although these pets that were once still terrify some, peofeared but are ple like Bruno, Weiss, now winning the and Takacs have hearts of their started to see their lovowners.

Courtesy of Blake Weiss ing personalities that Kaylie Takacs make them great pets. (‘19) owns two Athena the ball python sticks her tongue out for the camera.

Polaroids regain their former popularity with a flash

■ By Asa Williams (‘20) Eastside Staff

In 1972, Polaroid launched the SX-70 Land camera, the first automatic camera to print out colored photos immediately after taking them. The instant camera was such a success that, according to the site Lomography, Polaroid produced 5,000 units daily.

Throughout the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, the instant camera market was thriving, with many people using the cameras to capture moments with friends and family in a more convenient way. For quite some time after that, these cameras were replaced by their digital replacement and even cell phones.

Recently, however, instant cameras have been resurfacing, and younger generations of people have begun to use them for their aesthetic and nostalgic appeal.

“I love using my Polaroid camera,” Skylar Shadduck (‘20) said. “It’s so vintage, and I think pictures look way cooler when they’re

taken on a Polaroid.”

Polaroid has recently come out with One Step+, which connects the instant camera to Bluetooth so that users can upload pictures to social media sites like Instagram, Tumblr and Snapchat.

Nostalgia, especially for technology, has been something many youth have been bringing back into popularity by experimenting with devices like cassette tapes and vinyl. Stores like Urban Outfitters profit off of the nostalgia trend with “vintage” clothes and accessories that appeal to youths’ aesthetics.

“I think [Polaroid cameras] are great,” said Mr. Bill Kovnat, a photography teacher at East. “The negative part that I see is that it’s very expensive. The cost factor is very crucial to some people, but the immediacy of having it printed out right away is convenient.”

Indeed, Polaroid cameras range from 120 to 200 dollars. Additionally, the film for the cameras is pricey as well; one pack that

Zoe Culver (‘19)/ Eastside Culture Editor

Students use their Polaroid cameras to capture the things that they love, like friends, trips and pets.

contains 8 instant photos costs 15 dollars.

“In the ‘80s when I was growing up they were big. The paper is wasteful coming from an environmental perspective,” said Ms. Gina Oh, who teaches environmental studies and biology.

Oh also said that she prefers digital cameras due to how they are easy and do not waste paper.

Maddie Graham (‘21) said, “I like them.

I used to use them to take memories and stuff and hang them up on walls. The quality is good and I recommend them.”

The aesthetic of Polaroid photos continues to live on amongst each generation due to their novelty and their ability to make events more memorable and bring friends and family together. While it may seem like just a small piece of film, it can capture memories in a unique way.

CULTURE

Page 20

EASTSIDE

Student poets explain their literary process

■ By Emily Mahaffy (‘20)

Eastside Staff

“Silver runs through my veins. Not the romanticized mesmerizing metal. The one which is associated with kings and other fantasies. No. This is a silver which is despised.

One which is representative of evil, chaos, and madness.

Mercury. My veins flow with mercury.” - Hannah Cohen (‘21) In Cohen’s poem, “Hydrargyrum,” liquid silver and mercury pool within the lines and stanzas. To Cohen, this poem expresses herself, her thoughts and her own personal experiences.

“Over the summer, I was at a chemistry camp.

We were discussing a lot of the elements. And for some reason I think I was having a conversation about mercury,” said Cohen. “I think [silver and mercury] have a lot of parallels between them, like in terms of looks.

However… people really enjoy silver; it’s a precious metal. While mercury [has] kind of like evil connotations — it’s poisonous and drives people insane — [silver is] something wanted, rather than something that’s feared.”

Cohen’s poetry is a part of a collection of student poetry within East’s literary magazine, Demogorgon.

Cohen and her friends Rachel Agosto-Ginsburg (‘21) and Luisa Glass (‘21) help to write and curate the submissions for the magazine.

“Poetry is writing about experiences that I’ve enjoyed, things that I’ve seen and found beautiful,” said Agosto-Ginsburg.

“With stories, it’s writing stories that I enjoy telling to myself. So really it’s about me

Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

sharing things that I enjoy with other people.”

East’s Demogorgon is open to students who want to share their creative short stories, poems and art. Editors-in-Chief Vivian Lu (‘19) and Katherine Li (‘19) both encourage students to submit their stories for publication.

“We wish more people would take the opportunity,” said Lu. “We think it’s a great way to just express your voice and things like that. But unfortunately I do feel that not that many people either know about

Demo or creatively write in their free time enough… [however,] we do encourage everyone that submits.”

So how does the process work? Demogorgon’s, or ‘Demo’ for short, publication process is broken down into two steps: writing and editing submissions for the first half of the year, and then designing the digital layout of the magazine in the second half.

“In the first half of the year... we compile packets [of submissions] each week,” said Lu. “So then

There were also more serious, heartfelt posts about cultural identity struggles and discrimination.

Some of my friends even attempted to post funny content on the page, so I was inspired to give it a shot as well. My siblings and I came up with an idea about how chicken wings, or kalbi, that are not eaten to the bone will upset Asian

my experience and found it entertaining.

Even now, I am still amazed that this Facebook group grew to be so large.

It all started in September of 2018. The founders decided to create this page while bonding at Chinese School.

They noticed a Facebook group called “Subtle Private School Traits” and were inspired to create a page of their own after joking about their own experiences of being a first-generation immigrant. New members have to be added in the group by someone who is already a member of the group. It became popular to the point where a famous Korean hip hop artist, Daniel Armand Lee, better known by his stage name Tablo, posted a video and a long paragraph saying, “Hey SAT, this is Tablo from Epik High. As someone who grew up in Vancouver and went to college in the states, and who has grown up sharing the name Daniel Lee with like five other kids in school, I relate to a lot of the memes floating around...I’d love to hear from you and share

these packets basically have everyone’s writing, it’s anonymous, one hundred percent, and then we have our editors, we go in a big circle and we basically read the submission and then we offer feedback, criticism, and at the end of each submission, we take a vote of ‘yes,’ ‘no’ or ‘maybe’.”

In order to build a highquality magazine, the editors try to maintain a lot of dialogue with staff.

“It’s pretty much a free-for-all when our editors say what they liked [or] what they didn’t like about it,” said Lu. “Sometimes we also say what should change, we can accept a piece but only with edits… in that case we would send it back to the writer and say, ‘hey can you make these edits?’ And then if they send it back, then we’ll take it.”

And there’s no limit to creativity here.

“We look for quality of the writing,” said Li. “Some topics we can’t publish since they’re too not school appropriate. And we’re pretty free with the topics we accept, except for when it’s not school appropriate.”

This unique process allows for the editors and writers to have a lot of creative freedom with their writing. Demogorgon is a good way for them to share their ideas with the whole school and to receive constructive criticism on their work.

“I think it’s a good way to express myself because I’m better at expressing myself in writing rather than speaking,” said Glass.

“And I think it’s a good way to think about things in a different way and to give yourself a new perspective on things.”

“Subtle_Traits” Facebook groups build community ■ By Jiseon Lee (‘20)

Eastside Photo Editor

Facebook was never my “thing.”

I used to think that it was only for parents to share posts that teens would never understand or that it was just a way for clubs at school to organize events.

But one day, I was added into a closed Facebook group called Subtle Asian Traits (SAT), where fellow Asians around the world such as Vietnamese, Chinese and Koreans share relatable posts unique to the Asian experience.

I was amazed to find out that over a million people were part of this phenomenon. Soon, I found myself scrolling through relatable Asian-culture-inspired memes and videos for hours (and I never imagined myself spending so much time on this app).

There were tons of funny posts that related to having strict parents, bilingual puns or popular Asian foods like bubble tea and hotpot.

dads. I did not expect it to blow up, but when I posted the idea, over 4.5 thousand people reacted to it. People may say that I am “clout chasing,” but in all honesty I was just pleased to see that others could relate to

my experiences/offer any any advice or WHATEVER on moving the Asian collective forward.”

When I saw his post on my feed, I was so shocked to see that an idol whom I had known even before I came

to America was in the same closed Facebook group as me.

Subtle Asian Traits is not the only group of its kind out there. There is Subtle Curry Traits, Subtle Latino Traits, Subtle Christian Traits and more. These closed Facebook groups gather many people of the same background and create an environment for them to share laughter. It is pretty fascinating to see that people are connecting to each other through social media platforms to unite in the inside jokes and nostalgia within their cultures.

Photos courtesy of Subtle Asian Traits Facebook Page

April 2019

■ By Eli Weitzman (‘20) Eastside Webmaster

The cell phone industry has been intrepid for the past couple months.

Samsung and Huawei have both released phones that fold. Yes, you read that correctly: fold.

It may seem odd that companies are hinging their future phone development on this design. Why make a phone that folds?

It’s actually a logical step in innovation, as phones over the years have gotten lighter and larger. Naturally, Apple’s fans would want the company to have a piece of the action as well. However, I believe Apple will not follow suit.

In order to understand this, let’s look at the current line of mobile devices.

Apple offers the iPhone, the iPad and the Mac. In theory, the folding phone’s intent is to replace tablets.

If Apple was to make a folding iPhone, it might as well cancel its entire iPad line.

This action is a big no-no for them since the iPad is a prospering product line and Apple would lose a revenuegenerating product. It’s the same reason Apple will not be making the Macs touchscreen in the near future.

In addition, this explains its competing strategy of PC replacement with an iPad Pro. Additionally, Apple would definitely need to start from the ground-up with iOS to make it compatible for folding. Currently, Samsung and Huawei’s folding phones run on a special version of Android, optimized for their specific devices. Google just recently announced Android’s support for foldable devices, but it is yet to be used in these devices. As an unintended consequence of Samsung and Huawei’s new software, there are glitches, as Android is not yet optimized for this type of display. The same issue would happen for Apple.

And even though Apple has a lot of experience with touch displays for the iPad and iPhone, it’ll be quite difficult to create a device that can combine the functionality of both.

Reports point to Apple not even moving iPhones to 5G until late 2020, while almost every other manufacturer has already released 5G-compatible phones.

Overall, I believe Apple has the ability to release a folding phone this year. The company truly does have the resources, research and ability to make quite a successful folding device. However, due to its track record of lacking innovation, the way it has configured its product lineup and its history of playing it safe when it comes to new devices, it’s hard to imagine that Apple will release a folding phone anytime soon.

SATIRE (Happy April Fool’s Day Month!)

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Infectious disease plagues halls of East ■ By Claire Joanson (‘19)

Eastside Culture Editor

This morning, it was announced to the school that many students have fallen ill to a mysterious illness tentatively named “Hallwayitis.”

Thirty students, all underclassmen, were diagnosed within the last few weeks. Recently, the school called the Center of Disease Control (CDC) to investigate and hopefully thwart the spreading illness. The government workers were able to pinpoint the source of the sickness to the hallways surrounding the cafeterias in A and F wing.

“Yeah, well, we just followed the stench of the rat droppings and sweaty adolescents and that just led us straight to those hallways. Why anyone would eat on those floors is beyond me,” said CDC Investigator Hugh Gross.

Gross is now leading the East investigation, which has gained attention on a national scale.

The high school is being credited as the birthplace of a new strain of bacteria, eastirium, that causes the feared “Hallwayitis.”

This disease has gained attention for its unusual and rapid-onset signs and symptoms, which include an “overwhelming urge to stand in clumps in

the middle of the hallway while others struggle to get around them” and “incessant vomiting,” according to the official CDC report.

Hallwayitis-infected Tim Becile (‘22) shared his story with reporters.

“I’ve been eating in the halls since the beginning of the year,” said Becile.

Becile is one of the 30 students in recovery from this illness; all are currently quarantined at the nearby Cooper hospital.

“The hospital has been really good to us,” said Jill Ness (‘21), who contracted the illness late last week.

“My only complaint is that they won’t let us eat on the

way at home. Then, she just started throwing up everywhere.”

The East administration is now warning students against eating in the halls and have suggested that students pick up a complimentary hazmat suit from Communications if they are truly concerned for their health. This has garnered some criticism from parents and students, who feel the school is not doing enough to counter the illness.

“Today, I got an email saying I should tell my daughter to eat in the bathroom instead. Where are students supposed to vape now, at home?” said Meg Head, a parent to an East student.

Though this new illness has had no fatalities and students are on the mend, the CDC issued a warning to schools across the country.

“Protect yourself from illness by only Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor eating in environStudents eat their lunch, unaware of the risks involved. ments lacking in excessive contamination “Yeah, I mean it’s kinda floor here, even though the or odors. At the very least, disgusting, but once you halls are squeaky clean.” sit on a chair,” the newsletbrush the droppings and “I noticed something ter stated. dirt off of the food, it’s not was up when Jill wouldn’t East students are enso bad. Plus, there’s no even eat with us anymore,” couraged to bring in their seats in the cafeteria, so we said Will Ness, Jill’s father. own tables for the foreseehave nowhere else to go.”

“She had to sit in the hallable future.

Seniors celebrate record-low accidents ■ By Zoe Culver (‘19)

Eastside Culture Editor

As summer vacation rapidly approaches, students and faculty alike are reflecting on accomplishments from this year and working on their plans for the end of the school year.

From honor roll grades to successful fundraising to community outreach programs, this seems to be another successful year at East. However, more important than its impact on the Cherry Hill community, East has reached a recordlow of 17 accidents in the parking lot this month, and it’s truly a miracle.

Cherry Hill East has struggled in the past with keeping its number of parking lot accidents below 30 each month.

Students drive recklessly through the lot each day, causing multiple collisions. The school has maintained an average of approximately 33 accidents per month over the past ten years.

The Class of 2018 managed to reach a 25-accident average last year, below the ten-year average. To praise their students’ great work, the Honor Roll luncheon usually held for seniors was canceled and replaced by a free breakfast for the class to celebrate its accomplishment. It is yet to be said whether administration will do the same for

the Class of 2019.

A mere 17 accidents this month is an enormous achievement for the senior class. Many believe the decrease in accidents was caused by the creation of a new club, Future NASCAR Racers of America.

While some people believe this is just a “paper club” at East, FNASCARROA is striving to make real changes.

After

however, we’ve been proved wrong. Now students speed out of the parking lot at over 150 mph and they don’t even have the opportunity to get into accidents!”

However, others just believe it’s the luck of the draw. Seniors are the majority of those driving in the parking lot and, as a result, the driv- ers themselves tend to switch up year by year.

No

While administration remains concerned, students do not seem worried about their safety. Even though there are fewer accidents than before, there is no doubt that students are still at risk.

When asked about whether or not she felt safe driving in the East parking lot, Ari Gant (‘19) responded, “That’s what airbags are for. Even though there can be damage, it’s not a big deal. My daddy will just pay for another Porsche like he always does.”

With three months remaining, only time will tell if the seniors can stay in their lane and keep their average number of accidents t h i s school year b e low last year’s 25.

Based on the acts of students and administrators alike, it doesn’t seem likely.

school, the club holds seminars and driving lessons for students, allowing them the opportunity to brush up on their skills.

“Originally we were very nervous about the behavior this club would encourage. NASCAR racers can be careless, and more reckless driving was the last thing we needed in our parking lot,” said Assistant Principal Dr. Tom Fooler earlier this year. “Since then,

matter who the drivers are, administration believes that there is nothing that can be done to dramatically diminish the number of accidents.

In a message three years ago, after the thirty-first accident of the term, an announcement was released from the school saying that “Kids will be kids,” and “no real change will be made until our cars can drive themselves.”

*Since this article was written, four more accidents have taken place in the Cherry Hill High School East parking lots, making the monthly total reach 21 accidents. **Since this footnote was added, there was a 12-car-pile-up outside of East. So much for getting under 25 this month.

Art by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

Page 21

Anti-hackysacking rules established

■ By Henry Nolan (‘19)

Eastside Culture Editor

A new program to cut down on the use of school bathrooms for illegal hacky-sacking is being implemented, said a representative for the Cherry Hill East Administration this week.

Under the program, the school security officers are licensed to confiscate any hacky-sacks, even those that are not being actively used, found in a student’s possession, according to a statement sent home with students on Monday, March 11.

Administration stated that it wanted to promote a healthy, hacky-sack-free life for students, and commented on how hackysacking can lead to chronic tangled limbs. They also expressed fears that students may move on to use more intense objects, such as tennis or soccer balls.

Many students had brought up concerns about the use of bathrooms for hacky-sacking.

Andrew Bluud (‘21) said, “I am afraid to go to the bathroom now, because as soon as I walk in, I get hit with a stray hacky-sack.”

Bluud has direct experience in this His nose was broken in November 2018, when a hacky-sack hit him in the palm and he was punched by someone trying to retrieve it.

This new program has been met with approval from most students.

Liz Ardmann (‘19) said, “I am disappointed by the current state of the school.

When I came to the school, there was not nearly as much hacky-sacking in bathrooms.”

Ardmann was happy to hear that the administration was taking action to fight this trend that has built up over the past three years.

On the other hand, some students oppose the new program, such as William Abuul (‘20), who said, “Hacky-sacking is a harmless means of passing the time. The administration is taking things too far.”

He, like many others in opposition of this new program, said that students deserve the right to hackysack in school bathrooms.

Other students criticize the program for not going far enough.

Roxanne DuPrie (‘22) said, “The administration is focusing on the problem of guys hacky-sacking, but there is just as much going on in the girls’ bathroom.

This new program fails to consider how they will tackle this issue.”

DuPrie’s older sister, known only as “Gran” DuPrie, has been working for an anti-hacky-sacking non-profit since graduating in 2016. The DuPries have been vocal about their opposition to hackysacking in schools, and are now working with school administration toward a more universal means of preventing student hackysacking.

SPORTS

Page 22

EASTSIDE

April 2019

Fencer Lam competes in the Junior Olympics ■ By Lily Lazarus (‘22)

Eastside Staff

You may not be able to find this “combat” sport very easily on television, but that didn’t stop a sophomore from Cherry Hill East from excelling in the old sport of fencing. As a sport that was included in the very first Olympic Games, fencing is certainly popular, but not to most East students. However, East is home to an Olympic-caliber fencer: Justina Lam (‘21).

Lam may not be a household name just yet, but to those within the fencing world, she is becoming a presence that will not soon be forgotten. Since the age of nine, Lam has developed a connection with fencing.

As with most kids starting out in sports, she initially merely experimented with fencing for fun, but now she pursues this highly competitive sport with a passion that she has shown by her commitment to training and high-level competition.

“Like many other sports, fencing requires intense physical training to increase strength, but one of the aspects of fencing that I love most is the critical strategic component — knowing when and how to score points,” said Lam. Developing the skills required for fencing, however, does not come easily or quickly. Unlike more common sports such as basketball, soccer and football, there are no elite training

opportunities at a local level for fencing. When Lam was younger, she would travel to Princeton to train. Now,

from over.

“I typically spend most of my free time finishing homework, either on trains

both regionally and nationally. She recently competed in the Junior Olympics in Denver, Colorado, and

Courtesy of Justina Lam (‘21)

Justina Lam (‘21) fences in a competition, hoping to beat her opponent. she takes a two-hour train ride every day after school to practice with the Fencers Club of New York. After doing some homework on the train, she endures several hours of practice. After practice, she then takes the two-hour journey back home. While many kids are able to catch up on their Netflix shows or even get to bed, Lam’s evening is far

or before practice if I arrive early, and I have spent countless lunch breaks in the East library doing homework,” she said.

For Lam, it is merely part of her usual day and her commitment to the sport, a commitment that has no doubt come with its rewards.

Lam’s hard work shines through in competitions

placed second in the under-17 category and third in the under-19 Junior category. In the last national championship in July, she won first place in both the under-14 category and the Division 1A category with fencers of all ages.

Competing on several teams can become very time-consuming, and with only so much time avail-

able, it has become important for Lam to use her time wisely. Being able to share her time with her friends is just as important to her as beating her opponents.

As she continued to fence, Lam’s love and passion for the sport grew stronger and so did the connections and relationships she has made, both with competitors and those on her team.

“Fencing is not only a competitive sport, but also an opportunity to meet friends from all over the country, and even from all around the world,” Lam said.

Whether it is with her coaches or teammates, Lam is always learning from others and building connections that she has held onto from even her early years of fencing. Although on the mat it can be one versus one, in the long run, it is about how the team progresses and how well it does as a whole.

“Despite the fact that fencing is mainly an individual sport, every fencer belongs to a team and contributes to a strong team spirit,” she said.

Different styles and skills come differently to different fencers, and as every coach says, it just takes hard work and practice. In the future, Lam hopes to keep fighting and to continue competing throughout high school and into college competitively in NCAA tournaments and North American Cups.

Boys’ Tennis pursues a state championship title ■ By Jessica Levin (‘22)

This year, the tennis team will be playing out of its comfort zone. It will be competing in tough competitions in preseason and regular seaAce, deuce, match, win — the East Boys’ Tenson against teams that are not in its conference. nis team is looking forward to a successful seaThese teams include Lenape and Haddonfield, son. With a strong set of seniors, the team has who have recently maintained good records. high hopes to head to another sectionals match DeWolf wants to continue on the East tradithis spring. tion of a successful East boys’ tennis team and Coach Mr. Greg deWolf is excited for this seafollow in the girls’ footsteps with a win at sectionson, and is already impressed by the outstandals. ing work that the varsity team is starting to put Adam Yu (‘19), who will play tennis at The in. Having made it to sectionals for the past four College of New Jersey next year, is one player years, but not being able to pull through with a to watch in the team’s upcoming push for glory. win, deWolf maintains confidence, and he feels Yu has a passion for tennis, having played on the strongly about this year’s team and its chances. varsity squad for the past four years and at first “Losing was bittersweet,” said deWolf. singles for the past three. After almost a decade His main philosophy heading into this year on the court, Yu is the definition of a team player, was that he wanted to take the previous losses and knows all of the hard work that goes into beand turn them into fire to go out and win — not ing a champion. only for himself and everybody as individuals, “I am 100 percent committed to my teammates but to do it for the seniors who only have one and coaches,” he said. more year left.

Yu wants to watch out for Lenape and Cherokee, but having held open practices during the off season, he is ready to lead his four senior counterparts in bringing home wins for East.

Last season, the team had a 13-2 record; this year, the varsity squad will see a lot of new faces rising from last year’s JV lineup.

Key players to look out for include Adam Yu (‘19), Jeffrey Xi (‘20), Nathan Belitsky (‘22), Kevin Hu (‘19), Arnav Gupta (‘19), Max Sobel (‘19) and Brett Schuster (‘22).

Yu said that the team has a lot of people that could play varsity, and he feels that it is a good thing to have so many amazing players that can switch in for varsity any time they Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor need it.

Yu will serve as co-capThe tennis team hopes to win a state championship this season. tain of the team this year.

Eastside Staff

Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Ben Vender (‘19) hits a forehand shot.

His co-captain, Kevin Hu (‘19), is also a talented player. The duo works well together not just as longtime teammates, but also as best friends.

Yu appreciates the help on the court and enjoys helping his younger teamates. He calls this season very bittersweet, because although he will be leaving his high school family, he is excited to see what the future has to bring, and he feels that the team’s brotherly tradition will be passed on.

If deWolf and the players have anything to say about it, this season for the boys’ tennis team will not be anywhere near a swing and a miss.

SPORTS

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 23

East graduate makes a splash in Costa Rica

“Coach [Cucinotti] is one of the smartest and most intellectual people to ever Going to the Olympics is coach me,” said Rowe. a dream for many athletes, While Rowe is a very decbut for Cherry Hill orated swimmer, he also East graduate David gives back to his commuRowe (‘15), this dream nity in Costa Rica. Rowe’s could become a reality. swim club is involved in Rowe, a former Ameria charity that donates can citizen, is now a food and money to undertop-three swimmer for privileged citizens. Rowe the country of Costa hopes to continue pracRica. Rowe looks to beticing generosity in the come a participant of future, wherever it may the Costa Rican Olymtake him. pic swim team for the Rowe needs to get a 2020 Olympic Games. distinction A cut or B cut Rowe has won nato qualify for the Olymtional competitions in pics. He is entered in Costa Rica, as well as many national competimulti-national competions, where excellent titions, but in order for performance may allow him to make the cut him to obtain one of those for the Olympics, he cuts. When Rowe athas to be the absolute tends these competitions best in his country. in Florida, he said that Rowe was an Amerhe will have to maintain ican citizen and atconsistency and focus the tended Seton Hall whole time in order to University for swimreach what has been his ming. He took a trip goal since fifth grade. to Costa Rica after Rowe said, “My whole graduation. While life was training. I there, he realized that wouldn’t ever be able to his best times would Courtesy of David Rowe (‘15) be with friends, and a lot make him a competi- David Rowe (‘15) swims for Costa Rica, and hopes to qualify for the Olympics. of my teachers gave me tive swimmer in Costa extended times on assignRica, which interested him.

“My training schedule won a gold medal for her Rowe, and his brother, Jeff ments so I could focus on He had a conversation with includes a fifteen-pound country.

Rowe, also were swimmers my training, because they his father, who told him he belt, and I [have] to swim “I was just looking for a in high school, but they saw the gift I had.” had a gift. many laps with it,” said place to stay in shape, and did not continue after high Rowe looks to build on “The Olympic dream beRowe. “[I do] dry land trainI ended up crossing paths school. the accomplishments that came real when I realized ing everyday from 3 p.m. to with one of the country’s Rowe swam for East he has already set while that my best times matched 4:45 p.m., then swimming all-time best,” Rowe said. throughout his high school continuing to give back to up with the Costa Rica [nafrom 5 to 7. Then on Thurs“It’s crazy to realize that years. He formed a close his community. His childtional] records,” he said. days, we will swim from 4 I am being trained by a bond with his coach, Mr. hood dream was to be an He became a citizen of to 6 in the morning, and world record holder and Joe Cucinotti, to whom he Olympic swimmer, and he Costa Rica, and since then, then same schedule in the that I may get there also.” feels he owes many of his is so close that he can alhe has been swimming for afternoon.”

Rowe has been swimaccomplishments. ready see it.

■ By Josh Janove (‘22)

Eastside Staff

the country. His father is a Costa Rican citizen. Rowe now trains multiple times a week to prepare for his Olympic goal.

Rowe currently gets topof-the-line training from Claudia Poll, who is the only Costa Rican Olympic participant to have ever

ming since he was four years old. His siblings played a huge part in his starting and staying in the sport. His sister, Christine

Sheppard earns spot in NJSCA Hall of Fame

Sheppard loved coaching because of all the fun he had. He loved that his team had a lot of pariFor most coaches this day ticipants, which allowed for many and age, the prevailing mindpersonal connections. The team set is very similar: win, win, had many long bus win. For former Cherry Hill rides that served as East swim coach William bonding opportunities Sheppard, the prevailing for Sheppard and the mindset was different: proplayers. mote team camaraderie, “Coaching swimwork hard and dominate ming was really fun swimming. This recipe sebecause of all the difcured his role as one of the ferent personalities best swim coaches in South I dealt with. I got to Jersey history. meet many different Sheppard coached girls’ people,” said Shepswimming for 16 years pard.

(1985 to 2001), during Many of the swimwhich time the team won mers are still friends eight sectional titles and today. Sheppard got five state titles. He also to meet many of their coached boys’ swimming for parents, which he enfour years (2001 to 2005), joyed. The team’s caduring which time the team maraderie and pride won five sectional titles and was outstanding. Of two state titles. course, Sheppard also On March 24, Sheppard enjoyed winning, and was inducted into the New he experienced a lot of Jersey State Coaches Assoit. ciation Hall of Fame, joining “The boys’ team five or six other East coachI had in 2002 was Jared Fisch (‘18) / Former Eastside Managing Editor es. He is already a member of ranked number one in the Cherry Hill East Athlet- Sheppard accepts his nomination to the Cher- the state at the end of ics Hall of Fame, to which he ry Hill East Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. the season,” Sheppard was inducted in 2017. said.

“I am grateful to just even fortunate enough to be in a sport Sheppard appreciates every be considered,” Sheppard said. where there has always been talswimmer that was on one of his “Being selected means a lot to ent.” teams. He noted that although me. It’s a tremendous honor.

Although Sheppard did not not everyone was a superstar, he The names of the coaches that swim competitively in high school believes that they contributed far are already in there are very or college, he was able to use his more than they realized. They put impressive.” knowledge of the sport to propel in a lot of effort at practice and Sheppard credits his athhis team to victory. meets. letes as the reason he was able Of the many accolades “I couldn’t have done it without to be so successful. During his throughout his career, he is esall of them,” he said. twenty-year career, he was pecially proud of the 1999 girls’ Within a sport that has so able to come in contact with swim team, which was named many legends to remember, Shepathletes and their families that the “Team of the Century” by the pard is certainly near the top of left a lasting impact on him. He Courier Post. the list of greats that have ever said he will never forget these On top of all of his success, walked through the doors of East.

■ By Sophie Levine (‘19)

Eastside Sports Editor

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special people.

“My favorite memories would have to do with the tremendous student athletes that we had on our teams,” Sheppard said. “I was

SPORTS

April 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 24

East community commits to weightlifting Greg’s ■ By Claire McFadden (‘19)

Eastside Staff

Weightlifting is a wellknown sport that is often stigmatized as a dedication to vanity or avoided because of the intimidation factor of heavy weights and bulging muscles. However, lifting weights is an activity that can enrich people’s lives by giving them the strength and confidence they may have lacked as they peered in the gym window for the first time.

Many East students participate in a weight training course during school hours, but Jared Garfinkle (’19) is motivated to take his training to the next level.

Garfinkle regularly goes to the gym after school to complete sessions of his own training program. He alternates days of pushand pull-based exercises, and he also mixes in days of cardio and rest to accelerate muscle recovery. Garfinkle has come to rely on lifting as a way to relieve stress.

“Whenever I have a problem or too much work I’ll be like, ‘alright I’m going to the gym,’” he said.

Garfinkle also runs a YouTube channel called Jared Lifts, on which he posts vlogs of his workouts and gives fitness-related advice. He got the idea to make his own videos after watching training clips posted by a company called

Gymshark. Garfinkle hopes his channel will attract enough support to catch the attention of Gymshark so it will make him one of its sponsored athletes. How-

been his preference when working out.

Locke comes from a family gifted in the art of pumping iron. His twin brother became a world-class ama-

Courtesy of Jared Garfinkle (‘19)

Garfinkle does a pull-up as part of his workout. ever, he also hopes he can guide others through the challenges that come with weightlifting.

“I started the channel as an educating platform,” Garfinkle said. “I want people to be able to take something away from it.”

East history teacher Mr. Tim Locke is also driven to make health and fitness a priority in his life, and weightlifting has always

teur powerlifter in the ‘80s and at one point held the New Jersey state record for bench press, at 415 pounds.

When Locke first started weight training, he followed programs that worked on building strength and mass. Over the years, he has shifted his focus to overall conditioning and health.

Locke structures his workouts based on the con-

of the students are just starting out in their lifting endeavors, Kovalevich believes the class is a great introduction for them. “[Students] have the young bright enthusiasm but not necessarily the

make the same mistakes that I did, train effectively and train safely,” said Kovalevich.

The class is split into multiple sections that each focus on different components of exercise such as

cepts of muscle confusion and dynamic tension. This means that his workouts include a variety of movements in order to avoid a plateau in improvement, and that they require slow, deliberate lifts with good form.

One of Locke’s goals that keeps him motivated is bench pressing 300 pounds.

Now, at age 60, he trains three days a week with at least one rest day in between each session, and he eats a healthy, balanced diet along with supplements in order to aid his body in recovery.

“I used to go hard all the time, and then I would injure myself and be out of the gym more than I was in,” Locke said.

Locke also points out that staying active and building strength is important at any age because it has the benefits of lowering blood pressure, stabilizing blood sugar and maintaining bone density.

“I honestly feel that I don’t look my age because I’ve been involved in weight training for years,” he said.

“It has kept me young.”

Locke recently hit 280 pounds on bench press, and after a period of rest from his gym routine, he is refreshed and ready to go for 300 pounds again.

“It’s a tough goal,” Locke said, laughing. “But I figured I may as well set it high.”

Students use the weight room for personal gain

their back squat by 150 pounds or more within a two month period of time,” Teenagers go through a he said. myriad of physical and emoHowever, it is sometimes tional changes during their difficult to keep students high school experience. motivated, so Kovalevich They get taller, learn to uses unique challenges and communicate team-building acbetter with tivities to mainothers and tain engagement. get stronAs the weather ger.

With gets better, Kovaall of that levich takes the often comes students outside new habits for better condiof going to tioning and somethe gym and times even runs learning to exercises that properly exsimulate military ercise. training.

These For all juexercises give stuniors and sedents a different, niors, Cherry and more intriguHill East ing, strengthgives the opbuilding experition of takence. ing Weight Along with Room as the class, sevan alternaeral sports teams tive to gym use the room afand health. ter hours. FootWhile many ball players, for students use instance, often the weight use the room for room space team lifts. Also, as an opthe throwers on portunity to the track and Andrew Maier (‘20))/ Eastside Photo Editor get a strong Jared Achuff (‘20) spots Sam Lees (‘20) as he uses a bench in the weight room. field team use the lift in during equipment.

The and after the setup of the room school day, its importance knowledge of technique, strength, endurance and allows athletes to constantgoes beyond just an ordiprogramming, things of power. Based on those prinly push each other to their nary hour of working out. that nature,” said Kovaciples, the class will have greatest records while creThe class, taught by Mr. levich. “They don’t know challenges and team-buildating team comraderie.

Keith Kovalevich, exposwhere to start.” ing activities using the Although the class and es students to legitimate The class uses a periequipment. The students the room are important machines and freestandodization system that many will then go into a unit that to many students in their ing gym equipment from athletes use to improve is heavier on calisthenics. capacity as a free gym, weight racks to rowing their athleticism and physiKovalevich’s methods Kovalevich’s main purpose machines. This helps them cal training. have a history of yielding for continuing to lead the learn the proper techniques “My philosophy, how I a lot of improvement in a Weight Room class is to of weightlifting while reapproach it, is trying to short span. have his students remain maining active. As many fast-track people not to “Kids have increased active in the future.

■ By Jacob Kernis (‘20)

Eastside Sports Editor

Grains

■ By Gregory Rothkoff (‘19)

Eastside Opinions Editor

We are now over a quarter into 2019, and I hope everyone’s fitness goals for this year are going well. In the last edition of this column, I left out the nutrition aspect involved with living a healthy lifestyle. And honestly, how you eat outside of the gym is equally as important as the hard work you do inside the gym.

There are people who say they work out everyday, but they do not see any results. Most of the time, this directly correlates to the fact that they don’t eat well. Do not let yourself be this person.

The first step in planning a healthy diet is finding the amount of food you really need to eat a day. There are various ways of doing this, such as portion control, but the easiest method for me is counting calories.

There are a multitude of calculators out there to find out how many calories you should be eating a day based on a certain activity level, but make sure to only use a reputable source such as MyFitnessPal. Eating a certain amount of calories only has a small impact on your muscle gain; it’s where the calories come from that counts.

Most people think about the health content of their food in terms of the three macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein and fat.

If you are trying to gain muscle, do not be afraid of carbs, which are your body’s primary source of energy. In fact, carbs make up a little more than a third of my diet. Additionally, make sure that as many carbs as possible are whole grain, which have much more of the nutrients needed for gaining muscle.

Besides carbs, protein is of course very important.

My rule of thumb is to eat one gram of protein every day for every pound I weigh. Lean meats such as chicken are the most nutritious, as they have the highest concentration of protein compared to foods such as steak.

The last macronutrient, fat, should not be overlooked. In moderation, fats aid in a lot of bodily functions that are integral to growth. Unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, also provide calories for you to reach your daily goal.

Overall, do not let a healthy diet have too much of an effect on what you enjoy eating in life. One “cheat” meal a week won’t destroy the hard work you put in at the gym. Think of eating healthy like refueling; you should only want to consume the healthiest foods in order to maximize your gains.

I encourage you all to take the reasons why you started your fitness journey as future motivation.