Eastside: April 2016

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 49 No. 6

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

April Fools’ Day 2016

Lanxi Li (‘16)/ Eastside Humor Editor

With the introduction of Project Renovation, sunlit classrooms like this one will become even more photogenic.

East’s decision to renovate school is not so foolish ■ By Lanxi Li (‘16) Eastside Humor Editor

Sick of sitting at worn-out desks day after day? Worried that the sagging ceiling is going to collapse over your head? Well, fear no more.

After months of deliberation, East administration has finally made the decision students have been waiting for.

The administration’s new plan is called Project Renovation, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a detailed, 587-page proposal to fully renovate the school. Several of the programs outlined in the project will be enacted on April 1.

“We were concerned that the conditions of the school didn’t add up to a good learning environment,” said Sue Donim, one of the administration members who drafted East’s new plan. “Now, with Project Renovation, we’ll be able to fix problems we weren’t able to fix before... including the sagging ceilings, questionable water fountains, lowquality desks, and, of course, the ever-present rodent problem.”

According to the agenda posted on the district website, Project Renovation will gradually restore different aspects of the building to achieve what Donim calls “a modern, up-to-date, structurally-sound version of East.” In order to make Project Renovation more feasible, a diverse coalition of specialists, ranging from home-repair experts to financial negotiators, was assembled to organize the plan into a comprehensive guide to improving every part of the school.

For example, to replace East’s older desks and chairs, middle-aged moms hired by Project Renovation will purchase new desks and chairs

Inside This Issue

online at bargain prices using websites like eBay and Craigslist. As for the old desks and chairs? According to Karen Thorpe, a professional coupon-clipper working on Project Renovation’s “desk and chairs team,” the older school furniture will most likely be sold to recycling companies as scrap wood or donated to the Scholastic Furniture Charity.

“The [Scholastic Furniture Charity] usually doesn’t take furniture of this quality,” said Thorpe while smiling slightly at a chipped wooden desk in one of the history class-

that Nelson has a point. Recent research from the Faulk Academy and Kelley Educators coalition (FAKE) demonstrates that students who experience comfortable temperatures in classrooms perform better on multiple-choice tests. In fact, 73 percent of the students tested during FAKE’s research improved by one letter grade after an air conditioning unit was added to the room.

“Air conditioning is more important than we realize,” said Christopher Grossman, a senior researcher at FAKE, in an interview with TIME magazine. “I’d even go as far

“Now, with Project Renovation, we’ll be able to fix problems we weren’t able to fix before.”

- Sue Donim rooms, “but after a lot of discussion, they agreed to make an exception.”

Along with East’s desks and chairs, Project Renovation also plans to revamp the school’s heating system.

“The central heating system and auxiliary air conditioning units present in every classroom are functional, but not ideal,” said Charles Nelson, an air conditioner repairman recruited by Project Renovation. “Some of the classrooms are literally saunas, while others can become uncomfortably cold. My team and I are going to fix the entire heating system because in my business, it’s vital to have the temperature be the way you want it.”

Project Renovation recognizes

to say that it’s one of the top five factors impacting student performance today, above the Common Core and standardized tests.”

However, while air conditioning is inarguably important to the school, it pales in comparison to Project Renovation’s number one priority: East ceilings. The higherups at Project Renovation have already hammered out all the details; by 2017, they say, ceilings at East will no longer sag. It is a heavy claim to make, to be sure, but Clause 110 of the project’s planning document, a step-by-step outline of the ceiling renovation process, makes the whole thing seem almost feasible.

“The ceilings will be repaired minutely,” said Donim. “You might

Mr. East chairladies build castle News/Features, Pg. 2

Seniors find a grand castle News/Features, Pg. 4

be sitting in a classroom, and you won’t even know that the ceiling above your head is being improved.

This way, no one has to miss class because of ceiling work.”

Donim plans to accomplish just that using a breakthrough rodent behavioral therapy developed by researchers at the Western Hospital for Youth (WHY). By training rodents en masse to handle miniature construction tools, East ceilings can be repaired in a subtle and cost-effective manner.

“It’ll be like that scene in Ratatouille where all of the rat’s friends are helping him cook a gourmet meal, except this time they’re fixing a ceiling,” said Donim. “Fortunately, the East building is already home to a whole colony of rodents, so we don’t even have to find our own to train. Isn’t that convenient?”

Despite the plethora of renovations needed at East, the repairs proposed by Project Renovation are already fully funded. According to business specialists, Project Renovation’s predicted 1.5 million dollar fees were raised over ten days by selling Krispy Kreme donuts to students from various schools. How Project Renovation managed to do this despite East’s ban on Krispy Kreme sales is currently unknown, though several anonymous tips suggest that the rodents may be involved.

“I think I saw one of the East Robotics kids giving me a dirty look,” said one Project Renovation donutseller, who asked that his name not be printed. “But it’s all going to be worth it in the end.”

Whatever happens, it’s clear that Project Renovation will change the condition of the school building for the better.

Student loses key to castle Entertainment, Pg. 15

NEWS/FEATURES

Page H2

EASTSIDE: APRIL FOOLS’ DAY

April 2016

New third-floor pool makes a splash on the East community ■ By Julia Rothkoff (‘16) Eastside Editor-in-Chief

To the delight of freshmen everywhere who no longer have to be the butt of jokes, East Administration recently installed a third floor pool. This move comes as a surprise after the school failed to spend its money on fixing its fox problem.

In order to put East’s recent waste of money to good use, several students have taken advantage of the new addition. However, due to the JCC’s recent overcrowding of senior citizens taking swimming classes, several of the JCC’s classes have utilized East’s newly installed pool.

As an indoor pool enthusiast, Dana Simon (‘17) likes to measure the amount of chlorine present in the pool water.

“The amount of chlorine in the pool should be between one to three ppm.

The amount of chlorine in this pool is consistently seven ppm. I think it’s these old ladies. They are trying to mess with me,” said Simon.

While it is unclear whether the high levels of chlorine present in the pool are the doings of the senior citizens or some other mysterious source, the danger has not stopped others from spending their time lounging by the pool.

Donnie Smith (‘19) ex-

pressed his excitement about this new addition to East.

“I’ve developed a habit of cutting gym class, so instead of watching HBO GO on my phone in a bathroom stall, I go to the pool and watch it. The only people in there are the old ladies taking a water aerobics class. They like to talk to me, but I ignore them because like any teenager, I don’t know how to communicate properly,” said Smith.

W h i l e some stuPhoto Illustration by Lanxi Li (‘17)/ Eastside Humor Editor dents have A local senior citizen relaxes in East’s new pool. Located on the third floor, the pool spans d e v e l o p e d nearly the entire width of the hallway and is almost 32 feet long. disdain for East’s newest etry. When I finally made expert at knitting mittens,” school newspaper without visitors—both the excessive my way to the third floor, said Walter Fletcher (‘16). any Communist affiliations, chlorine levels and the seI was met with some very When Eastside asked Margaret fell asleep on the nior citizens—others have welcoming old ladies eating Margaret to give her lounge chair. embraced their presence. lunch. Once Margaret put thoughts on East’s third At press time, Eastside “One day, I decided to her dentures back in, she floor pool, she said that she was still trying to reach check out the pool during invited me to her knitting refused to talk to CommuMargaret for comment, but my routine third trip to the class. I delightedly accepted nists. After she was politely mysteriously, she was no‘bathroom’ during geomher offer, and now I am an informed that Eastside is a where to be found.

Mr. East chairs get their moment to sit in the spotlight

have their roles in making the performance a success, but without us out there supporting the audience, there would be no one to watch.”

While Lounge has been hard at work particiMr. East, one of East’s most anticipated pating in Mr. East, he admits to preevents, will stun its spectators come April 15. paring for other events in his free While everyone might know the contestants, time. Once Mr. East concludes, he most students are not aware of the chairs plans to work on One Acts. that make everything possible.

“Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of One Act Otto Man (‘25) has been helping with Mr. performances during my many years East since it was first established 27 years here,” Lounge said. “But from what ago. While he usually does not assist the conI heard about the scripts that were testants, he always does his best to support submitted, this year’s show might be the judges. the best one yet.”

“It’s hard work for sure,” Man said, “but I While Man, Fah and Lounge are always enjoy supporting the judges. I have wildly different in personality, a few to keep myself grounded at all times, and I things tie them together: their willneed to make sure not to buckle under presingness to work, their admiration of sure. But the smiles on those people’s faces... their colleagues and their age. it makes it all worth it.”

“I’m very old,” said Lounge. “I reMan considers himself an honorary memmember graduating from this very ber of the orchestra, jazz band and stage crew. school in 1971... those were fine days.

Though the pressure sometimes amplifies his Now, I feel like sometimes I don’t get stress levels, he is always willing to give his the respect I deserve. It’s a shame.” friends a boost when they need him to.

Man, another veteran in East’s “I enjoy being in band,” Man said, “but my chair community, disagrees. “I think favorite thing to do after school is helping our friends are treating us the way paint the sets for the shows in stage crew. we’ve always been treated. We supIt’s great knowing that I’m playing a part in port them. We hold them up, literally helping such tremendously talented people.” and sometimes even figuratively.

Soh Fah (‘26) has only been working at The Mr. East competition—a funEast for 15 years—not nearly as long as Man filled variety show featuring the talhas—but she certainly feels that she knows ents of many different contestants— all the ins and outs of the Mr. East competiwould not be possible without the tion. help of the chairs. The people work“Yeah, I haven’t been around too long,” ing on the show deserve commendaFah said, “but I’ve been working Mr. East tion, too, of course, but Mr. East’s long enough to be considered a veteran of chairs have stayed in the background this competition. For all those competing for far too long. this year, a good tip for winning is to make “Thank you so much for writing sure that you have a good sense of humor. this article,” said Man, who fell down The judges always love a contestant who can in shock after hearing that a school make them laugh.” publication would be kind enough to Fah enjoys participating in the wind enEmelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor write about the chairs. “All of us are semble and standing in on its concerts, though Several chairs involved in the Mr. East production pose on- happy just doing our jobs, but it reshe most enjoys being in Robotics Club. stage. This is the first time any of them have received newspa- ally touches me, from the bottom of “Everyone in Robotics Club is like one big per recognition. my heart, that [Eastside] would recfamily,” he said. “I’ve been so lucky to have ognize us like this.” made such intelligent, talented and kind These are just a few of the many friends.”

“What’s a show without an audience? Nothing, chairs working on Mr. East this year. To show apEarnes Lounge (‘18) has been assisting the authat’s what,” Lounge said. “Without me, there is preciation for everything they have done, be sure diences of not only Mr. East, but also all events no show. Sure, everyone on stage and backstage to get a seat to see Mr. East on April 15.

■ By Danny Naddeo (‘17)

Eastside Staff

in the auditorium since it was built. While never helping out on stage, he feels that his contributions are integral to the successes of every event and show held in the auditorium.

THE REAL

Vol. 49 No. 6

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

Is East dead?

April 2016

For over a year and a half, the east community has experienced a drastic decline in extracurricular activity and school morale

■ By Courtney Finnegan (‘17) Eastside News/Features Editor

Over the course of the last several months, the East community endured a variety of drastic changes to both academics and extracurriculars. The occurrence of many of these changes stemmed from the exhausting battle between the Cherry Hill Education Association (CHEA) and the Cherry Hill Board of Education (BOE).

After over a year and a half of critical brainstorming, seemingly endless negotiating and settling disputes, the longstanding issues were resolved. The BOE officially ratified the teachers’ union contract, and on February 16, 2016, the CHEA and the BOE came to a compromised agreement.

Over the course of the last several months, many teachers and support staff in the Cherry Hill School District met to discuss the provisions concerning the contract.

Although many of the negotiations and expectations were discussed privately among the union, the public, especially the students, was directly impacted.

“We tried to send a message, but we wanted to come up with ways to do that without hurting the kids because that was our main objective.

There was a lot of stuff we didn’t do because we felt that it was going to hurt the students,” said Rick Friedman, a representative on the Cherry Hill East negotiations committee and East technologist.

Aside from partaking in regularly scheduled meetings, the members of the CHEA also took other measures such as discontinuing their participation in any extracurricular engagements beyond the seven-hour school day. This discontinuation included volunteering as club advisors, working school events and holding extra help sessions for students before and after school.

“I used to have two tutors, one for chemistry and one for math. I wasn’t as reliant on my chemistry tutor my freshman year because my teacher would stay after school until six, being super dedicated and helping me and other kids. But once the contract stopped the extra help sessions, I struggled in chemistry last year, and now I have to have three tutors,” said Taylor Anchra (‘17).

Although the CHEA tried to avoid negatively

Inside This Issue

impacti n g t h e students, its reluct a n c e to assist students outside of the regular school day inevitably had a detrimental effect on the students’ experiences at East.

A multitude of clubs failed to hold meetings, organize field trips and draw in more members without an advisor. As a result, many of them are now no longer active.

Popular clubs such as East in Action, Habitat for Humanity and Model UN were all victims of the contract negotiations. Instead of Habitat for Humanity scheduling monthly day builds starting in September 2015, the club did not schedule a day build until February 2016. In addition, Habitat for Humanity’s annual trip to Baltimore was cancelled.

Model UN is another currently inactive club; it has been inactive since the beginning of the 20142015 school year. The club, valued by history enthusiasts, was a way for students to enrich and exercise their knowledge of world affairs.

“We would go to different schools on Saturday once a month or once every other month and compete and have a mock [United Nations] session.

This was very helpful because it helped us learn how to publicly speak and gather our thoughts quickly and how to refute arguments, build alliances and actually write resolutions,” said Sung Kwang Oh (‘17).

The absence of intellectually beneficial clubs

Violent video games promote killing Opinions, Pg. 11

such as Model UN not only affected the members in those clubs, but also members involved in other clubs.

Students began to aimlessly join the few clubs that were still active regardless of their interest level in that club.

“Because of the teacher contract, [Debate Club] had a drastic increase in numbers because Model UN and other clubs like that weren’t available. The bad thing about [the inactive clubs] was that a lot of [the new members of Debate Club] didn’t even know what debate was or how to debate. They just knew that they needed to be a part of a club for their résumés,” said Oh, a member of the Debate Club at East.

Some clubs, however, were able to persevere through the situation and actively continue their success. For example, the Robotics Club did have a tough experience at the start of the contract disputes, yet the club was able to overcome the restrictions and meet on a regular basis from September of this school year.

“Part of the problem was that last year we realized how difficult it was for our Robotics Club when we weren’t meeting in school, so this year we decided that even though there were still contract issues going on, we were still going to meet after school and find some way to be organized because it really was a struggle,” said Keith Babitz (‘17), vice president of the Robotics Club. “This year we wanted to avoid that and get better.”

After months of persistence and resistance from the majority of the East staff, the distress from the students ultimately translated to their parents.

Both students and parents attempted to push for more rapid resolutions by submitting various complaints via email and even speaking out on social media.

The East community was able to work through all of the negotiations and disputes. Some clubs and most school events were able to continue functioning, students and teachers successfully overcame various obstacles and, now, East will be able to grow and prosper even more so than before with the implementation of the new contract.

New music craze produces killer tunes Entertainment, Pg. 14

Art by Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

Del Duke kills it on the volleyball court Sports, Pg. 18

NEWS/FEATURES

Page 2

EASTSIDE

DiCiurcio says farewell to a fulfilling East experience ■ By Luke Hinrichs (‘17)

Eastside Sports Editor

Mrs. Marilyn DiCiurcio joined the East family in August 1994 as a new addition to the Guidance Department. As her first experience in education, Guidance proved to be a frantic learning experience.

“It was extremely hectic, but it was a hub of impaction and action. It was probably the perfect place for somebody who has never worked in the education system before to start, and I will always be so grateful for it,” said DiCiurcio.

DiCiurcio’s experience in Guidance, processing college applications and directly overseeing the growth of students, fueled her passion for the East community.

“I have seen how competitive our school is. I have seen how amazing and resilient our students are, and I have been quite impressed by the staff members here,” said DiCiurcio.

After seven years of affecting the lives of thousands of students behind the scenes in Guidance, the Activities Director at the time, Mr. Tom DeLuca, ap-

proached DiCiurcio. From cation. year, there will be an addithen on, it has been a happy “On days when the job tion to the students taking history for DiCiurcio. got a little overwhelming, the step away from East.

Entering the “I just Activities Departthink ‘well, ment in 2001, I am seeing DiCiurcio began another her new position class gradalongside DeLuca. uate,’ but Constantly then I readapting and alize I am learning, DiCiurbasically cio experienced graduating a change in Acwith the tivities as DeLuca Class of retired and Mr. 2016. It is CJ Davis took on sort of my the position. The graduation many weeks and year too,” months following DiCiurcio were, to DiCiurcio, said. simply amazing.

A f t e r DiCiurcio said, years of Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor “I can honestly impacting [say] that announc- DiCiurcio distributes paperwork from her desk. the student ing my retirement, espeand when there were deadbody, building relationships cially to Mr. Davis, was not lines to meet and timelines and playing a key role beeasy. It’s not easy breaking that appeared unachievhind the scenes, DiCiurcio up a partnership, and Mr. able, the students were my will have a tough time closDavis has been amazing to shot of adrenaline. And I ing the door. work with.” have to say upon retiring, DiCiurcio said, “I can To DiCiurcio, the 20 I think that is what I will honestly say the day I pull years working at East have miss the most, the kids,” my door shut for the last been the happiest and most she said. time, when I walk out of meaningful. No matter the As the Class of 2016’s this building, it will be with day, no matter the weather, high school experience nothing but the most wonno matter the feelings, it winds down each second, derful and incredible memhas been the kids that have also does that of DiCiurories of the past almost 22 sustained her love for educio. But at graduation this years.”

Chairladies put in work behind the scenes for Mr. East ■ By Sari Cohen (‘18)

Eastside News/Features Editor

For approximately three months in preparation for one of East’s most popular events, Mr. East, six senior girls dedicate themselves to the behind-the-scenes work of the impressive production for charity.

When applying for the the job of a Mr. East Chairlady, the applicant signs up for a position that requires a lot of dedication and time.

Natalie Chadwell (‘16), Adi Eylon (‘16), Ally Lazarus (‘16) and Alexis Rebock (‘16) are the Overall Chairladies this year while Emily Mosgowsky (‘16) and Kshama Parekh (‘16) are the Dance Chairladies. All six Chairladies show commitment by taking on a position that is truly much more than it appears.

For them, the whole process began with their applications. The selected girls had a reason to apply and prior experience, too.

“I remember watching Mr. East when I was a freshman,” said Eylon, “and I was always [saying] ‘wow, I want to be a part of this and organize it…’ I feel so accomplished now that I got the position.”

Parekh said that in the past she has worked on Multicultural Day dances while Mosgowsky co-ran her class’s Spirit Week dance for all four years.

The previous involvements advance their positions as Dance Chairladies.

“For me, I directed a One Act Play last year, and I had a lot of success with that, so I was like, ‘oh this is exactly like directing, and I need to do that again because I had such a fun time directing last year,’” said Rebock.

The girls had to choose a theme for the pageant, and they decided on King of the Jungle: the jungle, of course, being the crowded halls of

East. Each contestant will be portrayed as an animal throughout the show, each one aspiring to be crowned the “King of the Jungle.”

With this in mind, they created an application for the contestants in accordance with the theme, which was new for Mr. East.

Lazarus said, “[The applicants] were able to really showcase what they’re going to be like on stage [in the application].”

The applicants had to get

members what makes the best Mr. East show, so we’re also very in touch with what we need to do.”

The Chairladies know what tasks they need to achieve, but additionally, they are aware that they will be rewarded in many ways. They will meet people they have never met after nearly four years at East and watch the success of a production that they organized as a group.

“I’m excited to get to

themselves in doing everything except the dance.

Mosgowsky said that she and Parekh choreograph the dance that kicks off the show. All six of the girls help with sponsors for the event. The Overall Chairladies, however, make a promo video and do all the planning that goes into a theater production.

“We’re the producer, the director, anything and everything,” said Chadwell.

The work behind the curtains truly pays off as Mr. East is known as one of the best events all year.

Great attendance and constant conversation show how loved this pageant is at East.

“It’s known at East as such a fun and amazing event and an event that’s [still] talked about,” said Mosgowsky.

Sure, the event is huge with great attendance and over 20 contestant applicants this year, but those who come to watch do not generally know the considerable work the Chairladies devote Leah Downie (‘16)/ Eastside Staff to Mr. East.

Mr. East Chairladies prepare for the pageant on stage.

“Every day I’m learning that the Overalls have to do creative when answering. know some people in our something else,” Lazarus “They couldn’t just be grade that I’m not close said. yes or no answers,” said with,” Rebock said.

The Chairladies get the Chadwell.

The excitement is also in job done and do work that However, the Chairlathe outcome of the show afis not as easy as it looks, acdies do not simply create ter a multitude of hours of cording to Mosgowsky. applications, choose the hard work.

Eylon said, “You’re defitheme of Mr. East and read “Considering we’re going nitely not aware from the the contestants’ bios like to be behind the scenes, we outside perspective how some may believe. The girls get to see how it plays out much work goes into it, so I have to promote the event, at the end,” said Eylon. “It think in that sense we are a choose the contestants, fiis going to be a great, diflittle underappreciated.” nalize acts, find sponsors ferent perspective. We are Every moment allotted to and, for the most part, plan going to feel very rewarded the show by the Chairladies the entire show from the after.” will be given back on April dances to the backstage The Dance Chairs have 15 when the six senior girls crew. a pretty specific role in Mr. watch and host the pageant Lazarus said, “We have East, while the Overall as “proud moms” of the probeen asking a lot of staff Chairs tend to categorize duction of Mr. East.

The Boyling Point

April 2016

■ By Kaitlyn Boyle (‘17) Eastside Managing Editor

It’s the typical characterization of an ‘80s high school coming-of-age movie: the popular cheerleaders date the football stars, the theater students make friends within their own clique and the smart students are called unsociable. Welcome to the world of high school stereotyping.

The East hallways, however, portray a different plot. The athletes aren’t limited to the court; they can be seen excelling in the classroom or playing in the band. A choir singer may just as soon be spotted belting out a song in D-wing as planning a school dance in a Student Government homeroom. Generic labels such as “jock” or “nerd” are insufficient when describing our student population, something that should spark pride in the East community. The majority of clubs offer a welcoming atmosphere for a wide array of students from all corners of the building, proving that East is truly built upon the passionate staff and student body.

Thus, it is distressing to learn that the theme of the second annual Red and White Night Competition commencing this spring is “Nerds vs. Jocks.” For an event that is struggling to gain more popularity amongst East students, it is imprudent to choose a theme in which most students cannot relate.

Very few students identify as either a “nerd” or a “jock.” How do the student leaders expect to gain more attendance at events by choosing an unrelatable theme for the event?

In addition to being inaccurate, the terms chosen have offensive connotations. The word “nerd” implies that academically gifted students are uncool or odd and only devoted to scholastic achievements. In actuality, many of the most successful students at East participate in a variety of activities, often taking on leadership positions and interacting with their peers.

On the other hand, the term “jock” insinuates a lack of intelligence, as most athletes in stereotyping movies excel on the court, while they fall behind in the classroom; however, many of East’s athletic students succeed in Honors and AP level classes.

I would hope that by this point, our society would have moved past the high school stereotypes in which students of one singular interest cluster in cliques and sit at exclusive tables in the cafeteria. East students have the ability to utilize all of their talents throughout the many clubs and sports teams offered.

Although the theme of the Red and White Competition is unlikely to have any influence on the social dynamic, it still advertises an offensive, outdated and inaccurate representation of our student population.

NEWS/FEATURES

April 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 3

Coffee House supports different charities yearly ■ By Abigail Kramer (‘16) For Eastside

At Coffee House 2013, I remember sitting in the seats of the Cherry Hill East Auditorium my freshman year absolutely in awe of the talent that was in front of me. As a timid 14-year-old, I could not have possibly imagined performing at the level the seniors of 2013 achieved.

That night, the whole school banded together to support an amazing cause—the charity researching the cure for Mr. Musumeci’s cancer.

Mr. Musumeci was a beloved teacher at East, involved in the theater program and the softball team. Thankfully, he was healthy enough to be in the audience to enjoy a night of entertainment towards his cause. If it weren’t for Coffee

House, the school would not have gotten the opportunity to show its love and appreciation for the years of work that Mr. Musumeci contributed to the school. Sadly, Mr. Musumeci passed away later that year, but I know it was a night the other students and I will never forget.

The next year, East Singers and Thespian Society chose the GI GO foundation to support at my sophomore year Coffee House. I had the honor of performing “I Will Follow You Into the Dark”

by Death Cab for Cutie with David Nahum (‘14).

The atmosphere of Coffee House is different from any other open mic performance. The night is about the cause and the difference we all can make by performing to the best of our abilities. From the beginning of planning for the big night, everyone works together to create an amazing experience for the audience.

My junior year, we did not have Coffee House due to contract issues. It was absolutely devastating. Coffee House is not just about us as a school, but the community around us. Everyone in Cherry Hill lost an opportunity to support a local charity, and it deprived us of the amazing experience.

It was a huge loss for the year, with the Class of 2018 never knowing what a Coffee House performance is and how much fun it can be to be involved in it. But, when they come to this year’s Coffee House, they will definitely be impressed.

This year, we have chosen to support A​li Fights Cancer, ​a cause that strikes home for many in the Vocal Department. Ali is an active filmmaker who is also longtime soulmate of Mr. Nick Wright. Wright is an arranger for the Vocal Department, arranging East’s well-known graduation

songs and arranging for the choirs and small groups.

Ali has recently begun a difficult personal battle, having been diagnosed with a genetically-attained liver cancer called Hepatocellular

Carcinoma (HCC). Through their strenuous fight against HCC, Ali and Wright have attained an enormous financial burden. Without help, they may soon have to end the clinical trials and her treatment.

A​li​ F​ights Cancer ​will help relieve them of some of the financial burden and help Ali continue her treatment that she so desperately needs. Ali needs our help, and she needs it now.

Please find it in your heart to come support and enjoy this truly special night.

This year, Coffee House is on Saturday, April 2 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Coffee House experience has truly changed my life, and I know it will have that same effect on the people who become involved in helping make this year’s Coffee House the most inspiring and beneficial one ever.

Art by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Eastside Staff

New Sustainable Design Program takes over F085 ■ By Jenn Pacitti (‘17)

Eastside News/Features Editor

In F085, students are busy studying architecture, creating accurate scale drawings and 3D printing.

But, as many of these students are planning their next model, the Curriculum and Instruction Committee of the Cherry Hill School District is laying out a blueprint for a new program that will change the game for many drafting students.

After approximately 30 years of teaching students to visualize, plan and build architecture, the drafting electives will be changed into a Sustainable Design Program (SDP).

Drafting is a popular program at East with currently 174 students taking the elective.

“It’s almost always filled to capacity… and in every period drafting is offered,” said East Guidance Counselor Mr. Darren Gamel.

The drafting course taught by Mr. Louis Marano gives students the necessary tools to produce drawings in the real world. This course is offered as a fouryear program in which nine students will complete their fourth year of Advanced Drafting in the 2015-2016 school year.

Drafting students learn to lay out views of objects in which they can build what was drawn and are taught to use the latest engineering technology and computer programs. It enables students to experience first hand the drawing process that architects, engineers and designers use in their careers.

The proposed SDP will replace the existing fullyear Drafting, half-year Drafting and Advanced Drafting offerings.

“From the course description that we’ve been given, it seems it is not an entirely new course. It seems like it’s Drafting but with the Sustainability course

implemented into it,” said “The curriculum was were approved by the disGamel. written by Mr. Kevin Frost, trict's Curriculum and InAccording to the course who is the Drafting teacher struction Committee,” said description for the Sustainat West... The initial plan Mr. James Riordan, Cherry ability program at West, was to phase it into both Hill East and West Director this program begins with schools. The curriculums of Guidance. “West is in the Principles of Susinitial year tainability that of Sustaincovers the fundaability and mentals of sustainwill introability, including duce levels population issues, two and climate change, three next renewable energy, year. East consumption, ecowill introsystem viability, duce the transportation, first level food systems, for the green design and 2016-2017 construction, bios c h o o l diversity and enviyear.” ronmental justice.

Riordan The program said the continues with content of Sustainable Dethe existsign One, which ing draftis a project-based ing courses course that focuses will be on design. Pulling largely abfrom the Drafting sorbed and curriculum, this integrated course will put an into the emphasis on deproposed veloping spatial SDP. and visualization Howevskills and commuer, several nicating concepts Drafting through drawings students and models. Howare shocked ever, students and upset will also investiabout this gate and integrate change in emerging sustainthe proable and regeneragram and tive methods and have extechnology. pressed Sustainable concern for Design One is folthe direclowed by Sustaintion it is able Design Two, heading at in which students East. will learn the “I took fundamentals of Drafting building systems because and gain an underI really standing of strucwanted to tural systems, pursue an enclosure systems engineerand mechanical ing career. and environmenMy sister tal systems. Stuwho went dents will learn to to East design buildings said it was in the context of a essential site and cultural to learnPhoto Illustration by Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor setting. basic Some students will see F085 as a whole new room. ing

engineering skills,” said first-year drafting student Jeremy Joji (‘19). “But I don’t think I will take this Sustainability course… It’s very different than Drafting, and I’m not interested in it.”

Although current juniors can still take Advanced Drafting next year, there are still some concerns.

“I have heard more from select students who have gone through the program and parents and alumni that are worried for the Drafting Program here at East,” said Gamel.

While it is expected for several current Drafting students to decide not to continue with Sustainable Design, enrollment in the class may also suffer due to the inflexibility of the program. Drafting was offered multiple periods as a halfyear and full-year class, and many students found a way to fit it into their schedules.

Gamel said, “I think it is possible that it could lower the number [of students enrolled in Sustainable Design] because it is set up as a full-year course, not a half year, which doesn’t work for some students who don’t want to commit to a full year or don’t have enough space in their schedule.”

Because Drafting is a popular course at East, students are left to wonder why the change of the program at West is also impacting East.

Riordan said, “Its applications are diverse…

Students at both East and West should have the opportunity to take a course focused on this major that will better prepare them for the future.”

With the model for this program currently being built at West, the sketches are being drawn up for the implementation of this new curriculum at East, just one of the many changes coming soon with the 20162017 school year.

NEWS/FEATURES East students take a trip down South Page 4

EASTSIDE

April 2016

DECA, Habitat for Humanity and the Class of 2016 expand their high school experiences beyond the walls of East

Courtesy of Mr.Greg DeWolf

East DECA ICDC Qualifiers pose at the state competition.

DECA ICDC: Nashville, TN

From Saturday, April 23, until Tuesday, April 26, 30 DECA students will travel to Nashville, Tennessee, for this year’s International Career Development Conference (ICDC). These students qualified at both the regional and state conferences and will go on to compete among over 10,000 other participants from around the world in presentation and role-play events. East was assigned the Omni Hotel in Nashville by the DECA organization, where they will stay for three nights and then go on to compete in their events during the day at the Music City Center. There will be a DECA Night at the Wild Horse Restaurant in which NJ DECA members will be joined by three other states for barbeque food and line dancing. Additionally, DECA will offer students the opportunity to visit the Grand Ole Opry and the Nashville Sounds.

Courtesy of Hannah Sawn (‘16)

East students take a break on the Habitat trip last spring.

Habitat for Humanity: Raleigh, NC

From March 20 to the 26, 45 students and six faculty members traveled approximately seven hours by bus to Raleigh, North Carolina. Selected members of the Habitat for Humanity Club at East and other volunteers worked about eight hours a day building houses, working at a ReStore and helping at local food banks. East has partnered up with the national Habitat for Humanity organization and has travelled to various locations around the country during spring break in the past 11 years, as well, in order to give back and help the community. While the majority of the trip was spent working, the students on the trip also had some down time to participate in other activities in the area such as a UNC baseball game, the Funplex and community dinners.

Courtesy of Jenn Andalora (‘16)

Seniors jump in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

Senior Trip: Orlando, FL

Blurbs by Sari Cohen (‘18), Courtney Finnegan (‘17) and Jenn Pacitti (‘17)/ Eastside News/Features Editors Map by Lia Yamamoto (‘17)/ Eastside Staff Pins by Kevin Chen (‘17)/ Eastside Staff

From March 10 to March 14, 319 seniors and 23 East faculty members traveled to Orlando, Florida, and visited Walt Disney World as well as Universal Studios.

East students and faculty members who attended the trip were present at an East-exclusive dessert party in Epcot and afterward enjoyed fireworks. For five days, the Class of 2016 walked the grounds of Disney, from Epcot to Animal Kingdom and from Magic Kingdom to Hollywood Studios, exploring the various attractions of Orlando. Some students spent time at Disney Springs, Blizzard Beach, the Boardwalk, ESPN Wide World of Sports and various restaurants in the area.

April 2016

COMMUNITY EASTSIDE

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Gloucester Rabbi expands Jewish community with Chabad ■ By Ashley Cooper (‘17)

Eastside Underground Editor

Rabbi Avi Richler and his wife, Mina Richler, recognized the lack of a Jewish presence in Gloucester County in 2007. Deeply affected by this realization, the couple simply felt obligated to change this lack of Judaism in the small community.

“We realized the small Jewish community could really use a presence of Jewish outreach, so we moved down from Brooklyn to Gloucester County and started knocking on doors and looking for Jewish residents. Soon enough we had a little center going,” said Richler.

Chabad is one of the largest Hasidic movements in Orthodox Judaism; as a part of this prominent Chabad movement, Richler hopes to demonstrate that the Chabad of Gloucester County is “more than just a synagogue.”

“It’s truly a Jewish center,” said Richler. “We have multi-faceted programs for both adults and children.

All that programming is meant to engage the community from multiple different angles.”

As executive director of the Chabad of Gloucester County, Richler has a lot on his plate, but he does not seem to mind; rather than becoming consumed with

the stress of the position, Richler revels in the community outreach that he is directly causing.

“It was a lot of sweat and a lot of hard work, a lot of sleepless nights, knocking on doors, having a vision and [building] that vision one small step at a time, but it was definitely all worth it if I could unite the Jewish community of Gloucester County,” said Richler.

In terms of inspiration for creating the Chabad of Gloucester County, Richler sites The Lubavitcher Rebbe. Formally known as Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Rebbe is considered one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the twentieth century.

“He wanted to make sure that every Jew, no matter where [he or she was] around the globe, was able to have a sense of community,” said Richler, further commenting on the Rebbe.

“He reached out and engaged on some level, so my wife and I decided that we, too, wanted to join on this journey.”

In terms of a time frame to end construction or stop development of programs, Richler adamantly insists that there simply is none.

“We’re still going today, there is no time frame, every day is another challenge and a new opportunity to do as much as we can,” said Richler.

Since instilling the Cha-

bad in 2007, Richler has come a long way in making spectacular strides for raising Judaic awareness in Gloucester County.

had wanted to engage in their Judaism on any level, they needed to go to Cherry Hill or Philadelphia, and here there’s the opportuni-

cessful, he still has major plans of further expansion.

“In May of last year we purchased a nine-and-ahalf acre piece of property on which we are going to be building a Jewish Community Center and all that comes with that,” said Richler.

Richler feels that the new space will become more effective, as the current Chabad building forces him to “constantly rent spaces” due to its overly small stature.

Overall, Richler will never stop striving to bring awareness to Judaism and foremost wishes to forever link the Jewish community of Gloucester County into one strong entity.

R i c h l e r said, “We hope Courtesy of Avi Richler to touch any Jew that comes Rabbi Avi Richler conducts services at Chabad. through Gloucester County.

“In terms of reception, ty that there’s a local JewWe are discussing internalit’s been an amazing jourish outreach center,” said ly the possibility of openney so far. Most of the peoRichler. ing a preschool, as well as ple are extremely receptive Though Richler’s current a summer camp for Jewish because traditionally if they Chabad is extremely suckids.”

Cherry Hill Township renovates outdoor nature trails

these vast renovations comes from, and the answer would not be from the Township of Cherry Hill’s pocket.

Approximately 24,000 dollars are goIn preparation for the upcoming into this project, all the result of ing spring season, the Cherry Hill a grant from New Jersey’s DepartEnvironmental ment for EnvironmenBoard is plantal Protection. Cherry ning renovations Hill’s Environmental for Cherry Hill’s Board filled out an apblossoming trail plication on the Envisystem.

The ronmental Protection EnvironmenAgency’s website and tal Board plans received the money for to use money the grant, which it has earned from a already received three grant to renotimes previously. The vate, refurbish grant includes renovaand rehabilitate tions to the town’s trail all twelve trails systems, but it also inin Cherry Hill. cludes extras such as More speadvertising and maincifically, many tenance. trails are beGorman also clariing made more fied that not all Cherry handicap accesHill trails are being resible, notably done because many of Old Orchard’s them have been refurpath. This exbished in recent years. tensive renovaNonetheless, every trail tion will attract needs services such as a wide variety cutting vegetation and Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside mowing the grass. To of people who Photo Editor help with these services, were excluded from visiting the Cherry Hill advertises its Cherry Hill’s Trail Crew, trails previously. Old Orchard trail. headed by three chairOther additions persons of the Environinclude opening mental Board, including brand new trails on the West Side, President Jay Jones, helps with most enhancing already existing trails and of the maintenance for the trail sysadding benches beside particularly tem. The crew is a volunteer group beautiful spots along the paths. that meets at the trails monthly in Chairman of the Cherry Hill Enorder to keep the trails safe and environmental Board, Lewis Gorman joyable.

III, stresses that improvements are The township of Cherry Hill recalways being made for Cherry Hill ognizes the importance of preserving trails, and that “there is no end in its environment, which is why it has sight” for future renovations; there made such an effort to sustain and is always maintenance to do. When renovate all Cherry Hill trails. there is no maintenance, the Board “People are very, very happy the is thinking about opening new trails trails are there,” Gorman said. in any available open space.

Cherry Hill plans to keep it that One may ask where the money for way.

■ By Sidra Isenberg (‘18)

Eastside Staff

COMMUNITY

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EASTSIDE

April 2016

DePace Sports Museum brings sports history to Collingswood constantly receiving new items from its private foundation, from DePace's personal collection, items on In the heart of Collingloan from various sports swood, DePace Sports Mustars and items on loan seum hosts a vast collecfrom sports memorabilia tion of sports memorabilia collectors. and artifacts like no other.

Uniquely enough, reFive years in the making, maining in the museum the anticipated museum is the original 1920s bank opened its doors to the pubvault which the building lic on February 12. was built around. Not only Once the location of a TD will the museum be embracBank, the building has since ing the history of sports, been bought and transbut it will also continue to formed into a virtual walk embrace the history of the through the history of sports building itself. and, in particular, the his"The vault is a turn of tory of South Jersey’s local the century. sports.

It's almost a The work of art... m u We will be seum housing exwas all hibits inside made [the vault] possifor people to ble by walk in and a cardisee," said Deologist, Pace Jr. Doctor The muNichoseum is dedilas Decated to allow Pace. not only the Deadults a place P a c e to reflect h a s back on their b e e n youth, but c o l also a place lecting to teach the sports youth of the memoremarkable rabilia sports stories for detheir parents cades, lived through e x to share with plains their chilhis son dren. a n d The museD e Sara Messinger (‘17)/ Eastside Staff um will also P a c e include interSports The DePace Sports Museum is located in Collingswood. active expeM u riences that seum playing a majority of boxwill be educational and CEO, Nicholas DePace, Jr. ing, baseball, football and meaningful with a compre"It all started thirty hockey memorabilia, the hensive Sports Library and years ago. He started off exhibit presentations are Learning Center. Additioncollecting baseball memoconsistently changing. ally, the museum will inrabilia [and] cards... From As a public non-profit clude interactive exhibits, there he started collecting museum, the museum is videos, an extensive photo boxing, football, and then ■ By Sara Messinger (‘17)

Eastside Staff

decided to make it a[n] all sports collection," said DePace, Jr. The museum consists of some of the most treasured sports artifacts in sports history, some of which have never been seen before. Included amongst these artifacts are the fight-worn trunks in the "Fight of the Century" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971, and a Babe Ruth 1929-1937 Yankees gameworn road jersey. All together the collection is valued at 30 million dollars.

Although currently dis-

Sara Messinger (‘17)/ Eastside Staff

DePace Sports Museum showcases a large display of sports memorabilia. collection and the largest sports art collection in the world.

The past meets the present at the DePace Sports Museum as current and retired athletes are planned to give speeches and sign autographs at special events that will be held at the museum.

With exhibits and displays constantly changing, the museum always offers a new experience for the visitor.

Instead of traveling long distances around the

A stadium of their own:

United States and Canada to individual sports Hall of Fames, the museum gives visitors a destination to view items from all sports in one place.

As a public non-profit, the museum does not charge admission; however, it does accept donations.

"Any amount is appreciated. That's how we operate," said DePace, Jr. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday noon to 5 p.m., and Friday and Saturday noon to 9 p.m.

Temple Owls begin to build a new nest

“They have a very solid and stubborn attitude about the relationship between Temple and the Eagles.”

A vote to build an on-campus football stadium Leaving “The Linc” and contracting an archiat Temple University was approved February 8, tect would cost Temple 100 million dollars to 2016, by the Board of Trustees. A site has already build the estimated 35,000-seat stadium. Temple been mapped out for the projected twoideally wants a three million year project. Norris Street, Broad Street, dollars net saving with the 16th Street and Montgomery Avenue borswitch over from Lincoln Fider the grounds located on Temple’s “Main nancial Field rental payments Campus” in Northwest Philadelphia. to a mortgage on its own staAfter playing at Lincoln Financial dium. According to former Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, Pennsylvania Governor Ed for 14 years, the Temple Owls look at the Rendell, that is the only way upcoming 2016 season as the last of their the funds are sufficient.

15-year agreement, which began in 2003.

“The 100 million dollars The Owls’ desire for a true home turf would not be available to lies in their recent big stage push. Temple Temple for anything other sees itself as a national competitor, havthan a football stadium,” Rening played Notre Dame at home with the dell said to WPHT-AM (1210) attention of ESPN’s “College GameDay” Radio. pre-game show. In a nail-bitting 24-20 Trustees state that funding loss, the Owls proved they are ready to go will only come from private head to head with high-ranking Division donations and bonds, not stuI teams. dent tuition. The short-term “We have a dynamic, young coach, employment and economic acCourtesy of Temple tivity for Philly is much need[Matt Rhule], who wants to stay at Temple and build a national program,” Tem- Temple promotes its approved soon-to-be built stadium online. ed, according to Theobold. ple University President Neil Theobold He believes hundreds of consaid to philly.com. “We’re building a spirstruction/trade workers can it of pride in being part of a growing, enthusiastic Eagles officials have discussed new rental fees be given jobs if the plan goes through, as stated community.” for the college team. Going from one million dolon “Temple Now.” Traffic and parking on game days are seen as lars per season to a proposed 12 million dollars The complex also hosts additional room for a a problem for locals. Temple stated it is looking upfront plus two million dollars per season seems student recreation building and retail space. All forward to working with its neighbors and City an awful lot to ask. of these renovations are part of the larger effort Council, who are currently against the plan to “It’s a private entity and part of the NFL,” said to make Temple University more than just a “city build the stadium altogether.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney per philly.com. school.”

■ By Ben Goldsmith (‘17)

Eastside Multimedia Director

Theobold expects the new stadium to elicit more than just students and fans.

“It would attract alumni to campus — maybe for the first time in decades — so they can see what an amazing renaissance has taken place,” said Theobold.

COMMUNITY

April 2016

EASTSIDE

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Diane’s Water Ice reigns superior in South Jersey ■ By Brooke Greenberg (‘17)

Eastside Community Editor

For years, Diane’s Water Ice has brought flocks of people from all over South Jersey to enjoy their many delicious water ice treats.

Owned by Mark and Diane Caesre, the business was started during a financial crisis when Mark Caesre could not apply his degree in civil engineering to the construction field. The Caesres wanted a business that could be open during the warmer months to have completely off during the winter.

“I wanted to [have] something to do for half of the year, and then I could flip houses during the other half of the year,” said Caesre.

“We decided to go into the water ice business because

that was the only business that we could come up with that was [able to] work hard in the summer and have off 100 percent in the winter.”

Caesre never imagined his water ice business would have taken off so much. Since Diane’s opened on March 11 to customers for the 2016 season, Caesre has been hard at work making hundreds of gallons of water ice for the upcoming season in mid-February.

“When we open on March 11, we will have 400 buckets of water ice,” Caesre said before Diane’s opened for the summer season.

Diane’s has become a summer staple for kids and adults all around South Jersey, as its delicious creamy consistency separates it from the competition.

“We have a smooth,

creamy product while m o s t traditional water ice places have more of a soupy liquid consistency.

We add a lot of f r u i t and add things so it does not settle to the bottom. [Diane’s] is flash frozen like ice cream, so it can last a lot longer and stays fresher,” said Ceasre.

While Caesre expects large crowds of people almost every day from the months of March to Oc-

tober, he is adequately prepared and well-stocked for the masses.

“I always have 12 buckets of every flavor on hand. I have never run out of a flavor here in 23 years,” said Caesre.

Diane’s stocks a surplus of flavors ranging from tangerine, blueberry and strawberr y shortcake on the feature menu that never fail to disappoint hungry customers.

tory of farming—five generations on one side of the family and six generations on the other. [The farm] started out primarily as a wholesale farm contracting with Campbell’s Soup in Camden, and then we

the products that might be seen on the shelves during the open seasons are the result of hard work in the off-season.

“Even though we might not be open for business, there are still activities goi n g on here. A lot of the transplants that we will be putting out into the field in April and

is open, and the farm’s long history speaks for itself; the loyal customer base, including local restaurants, is always satisfied. The farm is so well established in South Jersey that it is “one of the principle farms in the South Jersey Independent Restaurant Association’s ‘Farm to Fork” program,”’ according to the farm’s website.

Two months without business can put stress on a business owner, especially when the business relies on

closed, and we try to set that aside during the business year,” Ebert said.

The farm has new products to offer this year as well.

“We will have a couple new varieties of vegetable crops that will be growing… a new tomato and a new pepper variety,” said Ebert.

Springdale Farms will continue providing quality products to Cherry Hill residents for as long as it can.

May get started in our greenhouses,” said Ebert.

In terms of the farmers market, off-season maintenance includes a lot of “painting, scrubbing and organizing.”

Behind-the-scenes work is crucial to make sure that customers receive the desired product when the farm

a specific climate to thrive.

“We plan for [the offseason]… We have a pretty good idea of budgeting what we are going to need during those months that we are

For more information, visit Springdale Farms’ website at www.springdalefarms.com.

Springdale Farms reopens for the spring season ■ By Matt Kains (‘16) Eastside Community Editor

On March 11, Springdale Farms reopened for the spring season. A Cherry Hill icon for over 65 years, Springdale Farms provides fresh produce, pies, flowers, ice cream, donuts and much m o r e to residents year after year.

A corn maze, h a y rides, birthday parties and pumpkin and strawb e r r y picking a r e a l s o popular attractions.

In 1931, Cherry Hill, then called Delaware Township, was home to 82 working farms. Now, only Springdale Farms remains. Opened in 1949, the farm has a storied history.

Passed down from generation to generation, co-owner John Ebert hopes to keep the family business alive for years to come.

“I come from a long his-

moved into retail back in the ‘60s,” said Ebert.

The farm has not looked back, as it has continued to retail even today, Ebert explained. Ebert has plans to pass on the business to the next generation within the next 10 years.

The farm, open from March to December, still buzzes with activity during the frigid months of January and February. In fact,

Local businesses also open seasonally:

• Rita’s Water Ice (opened on March 10) • Sundae’s Ice Cream (opened on March 11) • Cabana Water Ice (opened on March 10) • Weber’s Drive-In Restaurant (opens in the spring) • Spirit Halloween (opens in the fall) All art by Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

• Delaware RiverRink Winterfest (opens in the winter)

Page 8

EASTSIDE

April 2016

OPINIONS

April 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 9

Age restriction on R-rated movies is not effective ■ By Joe Levin (‘17)

Eastside Staff

We live in a different age.

Things like sex, profanity and extreme violence are just a click away from pre-teens surfing the Internet on their computers.

My twelve-year-old sister could plop herself on her bed, turn on her iPad and view the most sexual, violent movie ever created, and no one would be there to stop her.

With each passing year, younger generations become more and more desensitized to the violence and profanity that dominate television.

So why are people under the age of 17 prohibited from seeing movies with the same themes in theaters?

The R-rated movie age should not be eliminated completely, but it should be lowered significantly. Keeping teens in a bubble until the age of 17 accomplishes nothing; it instead makes them less prepared for the real world.

Some age restrictions are appropriate, like those placed on alcohol and drugs; there is an abundance of scientific proof to back up the fact that most teens are not

mature enough to handle the impact of drugs and alcohol on the body. However, it is not fair to assume that not all teens are mature enough to view R-rated material before age 17.

While it is true that some kids are immature by nature, many teens mature at a much faster rate, and those teens should not have to have a parent present in order to see a movie filled

with themes to which they have already been exposed.

R-rated films supposedly have material that is not suitable for young children. However, a study by researcher Keilah Worth, who showed 6,522 children a list of 40 R-rated movies with “extreme examples of graphic violence,” indicates that 12.5 percent of these 6,522 children had seen each movie.

More than one in three children said that their parents let them watch Rrated movies either “sometimes” or “all the time,” and about 22.6 percent of kids who said that their parents wouldn’t allow them to watch R-rated films had seen at least one.

While there may be an age restriction on these movies, research shows that kids still find ways to

view them.

A recent undercover study performed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) discovered that many movie theatres do not even enforce the R-rated movie regulations. The study, which surveyed 295 movie theaters, found that roughly 46 percent of unaccompanied 13- to 16-year-olds were able to successfully purchase tickets to attend R-rated movies.

The FTC study also found that many teens are coming up with a plethora of ways to get around the 17-or-older rule; getting a friend or sibling to purchase the tickets and buying tickets for other movies are just a couple common examples of how teens can circumvent the rule.

As technology and streaming continue to become larger parts of our everyday lives, the 17-orolder R-rated movie rule appears more and more useless and out of place.

With the variety of streaming services now offered on the Internet, it is clear that the rule is not preventing anyone from seeing whatever he or she wants to see.

The age limit for Rrated movies is easy to Megan Rose (‘17)/ Eastside Staff evade, and it simply no Movie theatres ask for ID to verify a person is 17 when attempting to buy a ticket for an longer fits in such a modernized world.

R-rated movie.

Smartwatches lead to dumb decisions in class ■ By Hope Rosenblatt (‘18)

Eastside Opinions Editor

Passing notes is too old school, writing the answer on your arm is too risky and looking at the test of the person sitting next to you is way too obvious. But utilizing the many features offered by the Apple Watch to cheat your way through school is just right.

In the modern age it is hard to find something that’s not considered “smart.” There are smartphones, smart cars, smart TVs and now, finally, smartwatches. Something that is becoming more rare to find in the modern age is actual smart people, and no, that does not mean Siri.

One of the easiest ways and also one of the most thoughtless ways to cheat involves simply having a picture of what you need to know, whether it be a formula or a definition, and setting it as one’s “Watch Face,” more commonly known as a lock screen.

Besides the basic features the Apple Watch possesses such as being able to look at one’s messages and photos, it also maintains unique features that seem like they were made specifically for the use of cheating on an exam.

To be precise, Digital Touch makes it easy to cheat on tests. Besides the usual messages and calling, Digital Touch allows users of the Apple Watch to

communicate with one another in a set of interesting ways. One can share his or her heartbeat or send a tap, but more importantly Digital Touch allows users to send small, time-sensitive sketches. The sketch feature is perfect for sharing multiple-choice answers, as

swer choice.

And in the rare, but not impossible scenario, the more advanced cheater can send “taps” to another user in the form of Morse code. There’s no limit to how much effort a determined deceiver will put in to avoid studying, even if it

“In order to use [sketch] to cheat, you would have to have something else already in place before, like someone having to text you something previously,” said Ms. Cindy O’Reilly, East librarian and user of the Apple Watch.

It takes preparation to

the watch to cheat guarantees an “A,” while reviewing notes, sadly, does not.

Just like a phone, it is the student’s right to have the technology in school; but why, during a test, does a phone have to be tightly zipped up in a school bag, while a smartwatch can stay safely wrapped around a student’s wrist with all the answers inside?

“I know that it is a heightened concern of a lot of faculty members about cheating on [the Apple Watch],” said Ms. Susan Nicolazzo-Dollarton, a math teacher at East and an Apple Watch owner.

Teachers separating their students into different rows and telling them to keep their hands on the desk at all times isn’t cutting it anymore; for honest students who work hard, it can be frustrating to see kids put in no effort and get a better grade because a teacher was not paying any attention during a testing period.

For now, it is watches; next it might be a bracelet or a ring or maybe even a smart water bottle. In a rapidly moving technological environment, it is Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor important to keep many Apple Watches can be used to transmit pictures of information onto the watch for use developments out of the during a test, which can cause problems for teachers. classroom, and it is up to teachers and the school to make it less attainable to it is almost too easy to slyly means going to long efforts cheat with the watch, but be a cheater. sketch out the number of to make a plan and prepare the harsh truth is that it Smart students should the problem one is working for how to carry out the distakes more preparation to be the only smart thing on with the letter of the anhonest act. actually study, and using working during a test.

Visit eastside-online.org to voice your opinion on this month’s Opinions stories! Vote in our polls and see if East students agree or disagree with this month’s opinions.

OPINIONS

Taxing feminine products is just unfair Page 10

EASTSIDE

■ By Shari Boiskin (‘17)

Eastside Opinions Editor

In an interview on January 8, 2016, President Barack Obama was asked why tampons were considered “luxury goods,” the interviewer adding that few women consider menstruation a luxury. He retorted, “I think Michelle [Obama] would agree with you on that… I have to tell you, I have no idea why states would tax these as luxury items. I suspect it’s because men were making the laws when those taxes were passed.”

He then encouraged the women of the 45 states where the “tampon tax” exists to work on changing the law that dictates the tax. Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and New Jersey are the only states without “tampon taxes.”

In the United States, the average woman makes 68 cents for every dollar that a white man makes.

According to a 2006 study by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, a woman with the same degree as a man will make, on average, just more than half of the man’s salary. For example, while a man with a doctorate degree would make around 103,939 dollars, a woman with the same degree and qualifications would make around 67,676 dollars.

In a study conducted by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs that compared 900 similar products that were clearly

defined as male or female, it was found that the women’s products, on average, cost seven percent more than similar products for men. The height of change in costs was in personal

less, does it make sense that they are paying more? Absolutely not! There are fifteen states that do not tax candy, saying that it is a “grocery staple,” but tax tampons and pads. Does that make

April 2016

liament to, as they said on their website, “show how 'luxury' tampons really are.” They held signs that read “No Uterus, No Opinion” and “Does your tax make you feel awkward?”

Megan Rose (‘17)/ Eastside Staff

Various men’s and women’s health products are usually differently priced. care products, which were 13 percent more expensive for women. An example of this is the Schick Hydro Razor Cartridge Refills, which for men cost 14.99 dollars and for women cost 18.49 dollars. Another example is Levi jeans; men’s jeans cost 68 dollars while women’s jeans cost 88 dollars.

So if women are making

sense? No, of course not! In New York, tickets for the circus are tax exempt, but tampons and pads are not.

The idea of the “tampon tax” is not a purely American issue. In the United Kingdom this past fall, three women protested the tax by wearing white pants and forgoing tampons in front of the Houses of Par-

This display was an especially pungent way to show support for the issue, but many other women are also standing up, and this time, by going through the legal system.

This route to equality is a growing trend in the state of California, where assemblywoman Cristina Garcia holds office. She campaigns

for the state to rid itself of the luxury tax of feminine products, citing the fact that Californian women pay seven dollars a month on tampons or pads, which amounts to a grand total of 20 million dollars of taxes from every woman’s tampons and pads each year.

Although seven dollars a month may not sound like much, it adds up. For women in financial distress, they may have to choose feminine products over groceries and other necessities.

This tax is certainly, without a doubt, unfair.

It is not fair for trivial objects like circus tickets to be tax exempt, but necessary objects like pads and tampons to be taxed. The primary users of pads and tampons are women—the same people who are paid less than men. What makes the whole situation entirely more ludicrous is the fact that not only are pads and tampons taxed, but they are also taxed as luxury items. When the facts are laid out, the only way they can be read is to say that the “tampon tax” is unjust.

Fiona Ma, a Certified Public Accountant who sits on California’s Board of Equalization and is a proponent of ridding California of the “tampon tax,” says it perfectly: “[Menstruation] is a condition that happens every month for women. It’s not a choice.”

Menstruation is not a choice. Tampons and pads are not luxurious. Keeping the “tampon tax” makes no sense.

Period.

WHO WILL BE

KING OF THE JUNGLE? Find out at

Mr. East 2016 presented by SGA

April 15, 2016 at 7pm Follow @MrEast2016 on Twitter for updates There can only be one...

OPINIONS

April 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 11

It’s time for students to come clean about mess in school ■ By Abigail Richman (‘18) Eastside Staff

Walking around the hallways of East, one can say the most noticeable thing in the building is the trash scattered all over the hallway and the numerous cracks throughout the caved-in walls. East is known to get slack for being dirty, but why? With over 2,100 students walking the halls each day, it is inevitable that trash will compile throughout the school day.

With various accessible places to eat throughout the school and an obvious increase of rodents, an unsanitary atmosphere for students is bound to develop.

The uncleanliness of the school not only affects the building itself, but also the students’ education.

According to East cooking teacher Mrs. Pat Dilba, the mice get into the food almost every week.

“When the mice get into the food, the food automatically has to be thrown away.

This affects my lessons and my budget when things go to waste,” said Dilba.

Mouse traps have been put into many classrooms, and although it may not have a direct effect on the students, it is definitely not healthy to spend the day wondering whether a mouse will come scurrying across the front of the classroom. This occurrence leads back to the eating habits of the people at East.

“The students should not eat in the hallways. If they do, they should pick

spills and trash around the building but not full lunches that are left behind by

Linder.

Having back-to-back lunch periods has an ex-

more appealing.

On top of East being nearly 50 years old, it would help if students took care of themselves and their own trash. Clearly, when people are in a dirtier area, sickness tends to spread easily, and the dirty ambiance of East can actually harm students.

If students ate in the cafeterias provided rather than on the floor in hallways, East would definitely be less dirty. Trash is thrown on the floor so Kevin Chen (‘17)/ Eastside Staff carelessly, The hallways of East contain an excess of garbage such as food and schoolwork. people would not even it up and throw it out, but students. treme impact on the dirtiknow it is a high school. they leave it right there. It High school students are ness of the school. With Imagine East like it used would be more beneficial to old enough to know betless time for the janitorial to be. It should not be a noreat in the cafeterias proter; they know that if they staff to clean, it would be mal occurrence every day vided,” said East custodian choose to make a mess, beneficial to go back to havwalking in the halls to find Tony Linder. they have to deal with it in ing four periods of lunch ketchup smeared on the It is not any custodian’s a responsible way or there with 30 minutes in between floor or french fries scatjob to constantly be cleanwill be repercussions. each. tered all over. ing up after students who “I’ve been here for 21 If the students of East If East was respected like are careless and at the age years, and due to the lack would come together and it should be, there would be where they should know of staff this year, it is much attempt to make the school a more desired atmosphere, how to clean up after themharder to clean in the mida healthier and more sanimaking it a better place to selves. It is, however, the dle of the two lunches betary place to learn, the enspend one’s day for so many custodian’s job to clean up cause they are so fast,” said vironment of East would be days a year.

Video game violence has potential to play out in real life ■ By Hope Seybold (‘19) Eastside Staff

Video games have become a common form of entertainment for children across the United States.

According to a poll by the Kaiser Foundation, a nonprofit organization focusing on national health issues, American children from ages 8 to 18 play an average of eight hours of video games per week. A majority of the top-selling video games contain large amounts of violent content.

For example, “Grand Theft Auto Five,” an actionadventure video game that involves going on murderous rampages to receive money, is the second best selling video game of all time.

Though the game is rated mature and is generally suitable for ages 17 and up, according to Craig A. Anderson, a professor at the Department of Psychology at Iowa State University, “Grand Theft Auto Five” has been played by 56 percent of children in the United States from ages 8 to 18.

According to Anderson, though video games may have some positive effects on players including improvement in coordination and sociable behavior, they can also have negative effects, such as provoking aggressive behavior.

Aggressive behavior may include bullying oth-

ers, involvement in physical fights or a tendency to get into arguments with peers. According to Victor Strasburger, the Chief of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the University

to these violent and graphic video games may be shaping their personalities for the rest of their lives. According to Paul J. Lynch of University of Oklahoma Medical School, exposure to violent video games is positively correlated to hostility. Children who play a great amount of violent video games are more likely to see the world as a more hostile place, argue with their teachers and perform poorly in school.

and give players an experience with the violent actions. Performing the tasks, such as shooting down opposing players, is often rewarded in the games. Gamers may receive money or a larger selection of weapons as a prize. This “reward” is promoting the idea of using violence as a way to gain for oneself.

Violent video games, however, are only one risk factor that leads to aggressive behav-

Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

Violent games are often a risk factor for promoting aggressive behavior. of New Mexico School of Medicine, people learn their attitudes about violence at a young age, and they are very difficult to change once learned. Exposing children

Additionally, video games often require players to use different motions in order to use a knife or gun in the game. These simulations are often very realistic

ior. According to Strasburger, being bullied, mental illness, social isolation and exposure to violent video games are the main factors that cause violence

in school shooters.

In a 2007 interview from Spring Creek Correctional Center with Evan Ramsey, who gunned down a fellow student at his high school in Alaska in 1997, Ramsey said that he often played the video game “Doom.”

“Doom” allows gamers to play first-person shooters and was very popular in the 1990s.

Ramsey’s experience with the game blurred his awareness between fantasy and reality since the video game characters are able to reboot and come back to life after being killed.

This occurrence prevents people from feeling any empathy while performing the action and dehumanizes the actuality of taking a human life. Continuous exposure to these kinds of violent media desensitizes the players to real-life violence.

Though they may not be the leading cause of violence, violent video games can increase aggressive behavior in children. In order to prevent this occurrence, ratings of games need to be more strictly enforced by parents and game stores.

The ratings are imposed to protect vulnerable parties who could misinterpret the game, but they are often not followed and instead are taken casually. Enforcing game ratings more strictly will prevent eight-year-olds from virtually killing others merely as a form of entertainment.

EDITORIAL

Page 12

EASTSIDE

April 2016

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

East is in transition state after contract negotiations

Many students wonder many of these clubs would trips and the annual spring interest in the clubs that whether the East commuhave likely ceased activity break trip. fought their way through nity will ever revive itself entirely.

More of the dormant contract negotiations. Beafter facing a variety of difNot all clubs were this clubs should follow suit loved groups including ficulties this school year, fortunate. Habitat for Huand work to return to full East in Action, Model UN, the most significant being manity, for example, had strength over the upcoming ECHO and Future Doctors the disappearance of many no choice but to suspend months into the next school of America have not been clubs. In the past, prospective high school students attended East hoping to participate in many of these award-winning activities.

Yet over the past few years, a number of clubs have disappeared, whether from lack of advisers, funding or motivation, perhaps never to return to East again.

Eastside would first like to commend the student leaders who have diligently worked to keep their clubs running throughout the contract negotiations. Groups such as Cherry Hill East Robotics, the Debate Team and the Science Olympiad Competition Team continued to fundraise and prepare for competitions after school and on Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director their own time.

East halls often feel dead after 2:30 p.m., for many clubs ceased activity in the midst of conBridge tutors traveled to Beck tract negotiations. and Rosa twice every week to work with activities without an adviyear. active for at least one year. middle school students, and sor to accompany the stuSadly, for some clubs, For this reason, Eastside Fraternal Order of Police dents on day trips. Yet the their presence has comencourages underclassmen (FOP) Club worked to crepersistent club members pletely vanished and have to bring these clubs back ate posters and decorations remained active behind yet to return. Small clubs to life and regenerate their for the annual Christmas the scenes, and as soon as are just as important to presence in the East comparty. If it had not been for the opportunity arose, they East as small businesses munity. The freshmen and the dedication put forth by jumped back into action are to the economy. Not evsophomores are now faced the members of these clubs, by planning numerous day ery student may have an with the responsibility of Benefactors Sherri and Ken Hoffman Fran and Sid Fisch Lynne and Eddie Cohen Jennifer and Steven Greenberg The Goldsmith Family Erica and Jerry Rothkoff Susan and Ian Meklinsky Robin and Richard Pacitti The Steele Family Lois and Mitch Cohen Billig Jewelers Stephanie and Ted Fisch Linda Ross The Appel Family Lonnie Propass Dolores Birnbaur Shine Power Yoga Christy Marella

David Samuel Steven Davis David and Maxine Butler Sponsor Cheri Tolin Patron Jessica Gardner Brad and Melissa Tinkelman The Nussbaum Family Jonathan and Staci Boiskin The Mistry Family Joan and Rich Rosenblatt Jennifer Grossman Wayne Myers The Keller Family Steve and Michele Kains Debbie Shore and Jonathon Korn

Friends of Eastside Jeffrey and Rochelle Dashevsky The Goldfinger Family Brian and Christina Boyle Steve and Stella Kim June and Bill Borowsky The Cooper Family Jeffrey and Darcy Becker Cynthia Black Matthew Cohen Dr. Jarrod Kaufman Premier Surgical and Vein Center Ronald Stern Andrea Cohen Stephen Ross Contributor The Greenberg Family Pamela Barroway Haye and Sherru Hinrichs

The Voorhees Diner Rosemarie and George Dolnycky The Nemeroff Family The Kibitz Room Spencer Lincoln Douglas A. Perham Mitchell and Martha Rosenburg Steven and Jane Lindemann Advocate Samir and Rupalee Mehta Ralph and Roe Deal Mr. Rouen Rachel Wint Daniel Stahl Abby Hoffman Suzanne and Clifford Young Sam Malat Ruth Southworth

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

2087 Fax: (856) 424-3509

Eastside Online http://www.eastside-online.org

Publisher

Fort Nassau Graphics Thorofare, NJ

Letters to the Editor Submit signed letters to F087

reintroducing old clubs and creating new ones, as many of the previous student leaders have left the building already.

The students can’t take this feat on alone, however.

In order for clubs to function, advisors are a needed component. Without teacher support, a club cannot truly become legitimate; thus, it is essential for teachers to remain open to helping students run clubs.

On the same hand, students must ensure to have meaningful and legitimate intentions when asking a faculty member to advise their club, instead of just creating a group to boost their résumés.

Eastside believes that East is not dead, but merely in a transition; it can only return to its full strength with the help of the student body and staff.

Scott Brown Sari Mintz and Tom Mirsen Janet Ruslf Norman H. Fuegal John Solano Nancy Ramming The Lehrfeyd Family Arizona Green Richard Josselzon Sandra and Mutch Berger Barbara and Stanley Rekant Lucas Lafor Elinor Beier Dr. Robin Fenilberg Heather Lehrfeld Allesandra Berger

Managing Editor: Kaitlyn Boyle Online Editor-in-Chief: Sonia Kim Editors-in-Chief: Jacob Borowsky, Julia Rothkoff, Liza Rothkoff Adviser: Mr. Greg Gagliardi

News/Features Editors Sari Cohen Courtney Finnegan Jennifer Pacitti

Community Editors Brooke Greenberg Matt Kains Jenna Myers

Sports Editors Elissa Cohen Samuel Greenberg Luke Hinrichs

Underground Editors Ashley Cooper Jared Fisch

Opinions Editors Shari Boiskin Matt Nussbaum Hope Rosenblatt

Photo Editors Rachel Becker Emelia Keller

Art Directors Tammy Stahl Sydney Steele

Video Editor Madeline Bowne

Webmaster Gabriella Friedman

Entertainment Editors Allison Grossman Leah Korn

Multimedia Directors Brett Dashevsky Ben Goldsmith Steve Mirsen

Business Managers Drew Meklinksy Priya Mistry

Humor Editor Lanxi Li

Radio Manager Ethan Tinkelman

Contact the Board: To contact a member of the Eastside Editorial Board via email, type the person’s first name followed by a period, then his or her last name followed by “@eastside-online. org,” ie: jared.fisch@ eastside-online.org.

Editorial Assistants Alon Goldfinger (Note: There is a dash Drew Hoffman between “eastside” Josh Sodicoff and “online”)

April 2016

COMICS EASTSIDE

Educational Decree Number... by Kevin Chen (‘17)/ Eastside Staff

Page 13

Senioritis by Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

Cookie-cutter Kids by Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

“New Board policy; that one’s no good anymore.”

Love drawing comics?

Interested in illustration? Find yourself doodling during class? Do you want to see your artwork in Eastside? Come to F087 during LB1 and talk to either Sydney Steele or Tammy Stahl to sign up!

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 14

EASTSIDE

April 2016

Wireless headphones become the life of the party ■ By Nashita Ali (‘18)

Eastside Staff

As technology advances, the party scene does, too.

As time progresses, “silent clubbing” is slowly becoming the next big thing.

Wireless headphones are the new innovation in the party world, as they enable everyone to enjoy highquality music, no matter how far he or she may be from the main stage.

Silent Events, an event production company with a branch in Philadelphia, is nationally known for its success in planning and executing wireless headphone events.

Silent Discos, a Silent Events function, have made appearances in 42 of the 50 states in America. Silent Events provides sound engineers, lighting, staging, tenting, DJs and distribution specialists.

Its partnerships with companies such as Visa, Samsung, Google, Nike, Budweiser and BeatsAudio highlight the accomplishments of Ryan Dowd, the creator of Silent Events.

Thanks to Dowd, wireless headphones have been ex-

posed to functions such as ESPN X Games, Vans Warped Tour, Bonnaroo and many more. Silent Events also sends wireless

events, music festivals, university events and company functions.

Wireless headphones can be purchased or rent-

ed, the headphones must be shipped back after the event.

Wireless headphones replace one’s traditional speaker s y s tem by transm i t ting the music through radio signals s e n t to the headphones.

A t the typical concert, being far behind in the crowd results in more noise a n d c o m motion, Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director w h i c h makes it Silent Discos are the modern-day version of partying at a club. harder to hear headphones to weddings, ed and will arrive the day the music as the artist inbirthday parties, private before one’s event. If renttended it to sound. The vol-

ume of the headphones can be adjusted to the user’s liking, which is convenient for those who are not fans of roaring music.

Additionally, replacing speaker systems makes it easier to communicate in rowdy crowds. Simply take the headphones off or lower the volume to have conversations as opposed to screaming over hundreds of voices.

Batteries last six to eight hours and can be connected within a radius of 300 feet or less. The headphones provide high-quality audio.

The Silent Storm Trooper model features LED lights in various colors that will light up any room. Audiences can choose which channel they wish to listen to, and the DJs can keep track of who is tuning into their channels.

As time progresses, more festivals will begin to convert to this new style of partying that has already begun proliferating the party scene. The future is here, and soon the party scene will be totally transformed into a more effective system that benefits both the artists and the listeners.

“Watching” movies takes on a whole new meaning 3D architectural structures and layouts, sports, and medical practices. Any exEver since it was estabperience that is costly, hazlished, the motion picture ardous or impractical can industry has been conbe virtually experienced stantly working to make without having to leave the the movie viewing experiroom. Additionally, compaence more interactive and nies such as Next VR are realistic for audiences. In starting to incorporate VR 1895, the Lumière brothers into everyday events. figured out a way to display “CNN’s 2015 Democratic moving images Debate” was on a screen; the first live they unveiled news broadthe world’s first cast that commercial streamed a movie in Paris. virtual realKinemacolor, ity version invented in of it. Us1908 by George ing special Albert Smith, VR cameras was the first newly incommercially stalled in the successful prodebate hall, cess that made VR watchPhoto Illustration by Rachel Becker (‘16)/ Eastside Photo Editor ers were able it possible to watch mov- With new movie technology, moviegoers are transto watch the ies with color. ported to a different world. debate from Later, in 1927, close up next Warner Brothers produced Directors are now takto the candidates, from the first movie with sound: ing VR into account when the audience seating area The Jazz Singer. After these filming movies; specialand even from behind the basic principles of producized cameras and filming podium with a 360-degree tion became standard in techniques are required to viewing angle at each perthe film industry, further make movies compatible spective. improving picture and auwith VR headsets. The goal “You are the camerapdio quality, special effects of virtual reality movies is erson,” said DJ Roller to and computer graphics beto make the viewer feel like CNN, co-founder of Next came the new mission for he or she is a part of the VR who partnered with the twentieth and twentymovie.

CNN to make these VR first centuries.

“At some point, VR is gostreams possible. “You can One of the biggest ading to eliminate the need look around wherever you vances since integrating to go to a physical place,” are.” sound was three-dimensaid Brendan Iribe, CEO of The 2015 International sional film shooting, first Oculus in an interview with Champions Cup soccer introduced in 1953; anothCNNMoney. match between Manchester er was IMAX technology, Iribe’s company revealed United and FC Barcelona which emerged during the one of the most highly anhad a VR stream available.

1980s. ticipated and most sophisNext VR has also covered But moving on into the ticated VR headsets on NBA and NHL games, NAfuture, virtual reality will March 28 of last year.

SCAR races and U.S. Open be the next big evolution of He said that the VR exmatches. film technology. perience “can be even richer With all of these adVirtual reality, or VR, is than the IMAX experience vances in virtual technolan entirely computer genin a theater, because it can ogy and the arrival of the erated three-dimensional be 360 and all around you.” revolutionary Oculus Rift environment. To experience Aside from novelty enin March 2015, many have VR, one straps on a headtertainment, VR has many high hopes and expectaset such as the Samsung useful purposes. It can be tions for the future of virGear VR or the Oculus Rift. used to view and simulate tual reality.

■ By Eugene Kim (‘18)

Eastside Staff

The wearer is offered 360degrees of sight, both up and down and side to side.

Through the use of cuttingedge computer graphics and high accuracy motion/ orientation sensors, the computer-generated environment adapts seamlessly to one’s head movements to make the viewing experience as lifelike as possible.

The best virtual reality movies:

Listed below are the top five rated virtual reality films from the 2016 annual Sundance Film Festival.

1. Giant

2. 6x9: An Immersive Expereince of Solitary Confinement

3. Kiya

4. Dear Angelica

5. Irrational Exuberance

Photos courtesy of www.theverge.com

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 15

“American Idol” takes a bow as its final season airs ■ By Asher Maitin (‘17)

Eastside Staff

Generes.

The series was created by Simon Fuller and was originally based off of a British series entitled “Pop Idol.”

The first season began in June of 2002 and brought a young Texan named Kelly Clarkson into the limelight, becoming the first winner

Idol” had held a streak of seven consecutive seasons during which it was the most-watched show in the United States, starting in 2004. “American Idol” contestants as a whole have been awarded 13 Grammy awards, with Carrie Underwood earning the most with

the viewership of the show dropped, with a sharp decline starting after Season 10. Not without coincidence, Season 10 of “American Idol” also marked the beginning of NBC’s “The Voice” and Fox’s “The X Factor.” These shows created more competition for

As the Fox network singing competition hit “American Idol” closes in on its fifteenth and final season, it is critical to look back on the profound impact that “American Idol” has had on both the music and television industries.

Contestants on the show must pass multiple rounds of preliminary auditions to be seen in front of three judges. Those who pass through this round proceed to Hollywood week, while those who do not proceed go home with big dreams of coming back next year.

Photos courtesy of American Idol and Rolling Stone The current judging Collage by Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor panel consists of Keith Many of the “American Idol” contestants, such as (from left) Jordin Sparks, Kelly ClarkUrban, Jennifer Lopez son, Carrie Underwood and Phillip Phillips have made it big in the music industry since and Harry Connick, their success on the show.

Jr., while the original three-person judging of the series. Since then, seven. the original hit show. panel consisted of Paula Clarkson has released nine When “American Idol” Other notable winners Abdul, Randy Jackson and Billboard Top 200 albums first came on, its ratings of the series include Jordin Simon Cowell. However, and has also sold over 25 skyrocketed.

According Sparks, Phillip Phillips and the panels in between have million albums worldwide. to Billboard, 38.1 million Fantasia Barrino. Underconsisted of names such as Following that first people viewed the Season wood has won 17 Billboard Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, 2002 season, “American Two finale. Yet soon after, Music Awards and eight Steven Tyler and Ellen De-

American Music Awards and also became the biggest “American Idol” earner of all time, selling over 65 million records worldwide. Sparks became the youngest winner of “American Idol” at age 17 during Season Six in 2007. Phillips’ coronation song “Home,” released after his Season 11 victory, sold over four million copies in the United States. Barrino, since winning Season Three, has won a Grammy and three Billboard Music Awards and sold over three million records.

“American Idol” has elevated chances of opportunity for the ambitious musician. The show brought with it the emergence of social media and the rise of musicians utilizing social media platforms such as YouTube and Twitter to broadcast their talents.

“American Idol” also popularized the singing and talent-based television show while accelerating a wave of new talent into pop culture. The show will always have the reputation as one that not only revolutionized two industries, but also brought families together.

Don’t judge a book by its cover... Science proves RBF is real

to do with RBF. “I think it's just how Eastside Underground Editor some people's faces are,” said Robinson, commenting on her doubt of RBF’s You have probably heard scientific accuracy. “Some someone say, “_____ has people look approachable Resting B**** Face” (RBF) and some people don't.” at least once or twice; just Bevington also held a insert the name of a famed similar opinion to Robincelebrity or maybe even one son’s, as he believes that of your friends. But how ex“some people just have a actly did the term rise to its naturally irritated or angry current state of fame, and expression.” further, is it scientifi“I don’t think it’s a cally proven? scientific thing, no,” RBF is essentially said Bevington. the term used to deAside from the sciscribe one’s face as entific community, appearing angry or irRBF has been creatritated while in its nating controversy in ural, resting position. the general public.

In terms of the origin of Several females have RBF, the subject is still called RBF an “offoggy for many. fensive term” that is Some claim that derogatorily used to RBF soared to populartarget women. Others ity following the release simply find the term of the Broken People’s comical and take it comedic video, coining very lightly. the term. In the video Being a male and the term was initially yet having been told referred to as “B****ey he has RBF, BevResting Face,” but has ington comes from a since been adapted. unique perspective.

However, some argue He personally does that Broken People’s not find the term ofuse of the term was not fensive, as “even [his] the true reason behind Mom has pointed it its boost in popularity. out,” he said.

Instead, the argument “It is a little ancan be made that RBF noying when some“established” itself beone keeps saying it, fore the Broken People though,” said Bevingvideo, when it initially ton. appeared on Urban Likewise, Robinson Dictionary, as there is not offended by the are more followers on term; instead she bethat media platform. lieves “it’s kind of funThe term RBF was first ny that people think I posted and defined on have RBF,” she said.

Urban Dictionary on “I’m generally a August 18, 2009. nice person, so having Pat Bevington (‘16) RBF is funny to me,” first heard of the Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor Robinson added. term “around seventh Want to know if grade,” in 2010, prior A student shows off her RBF. Even though she may look like she is in a bad mood, she is actuyou have RBF? You to the release of Bro- ally quite happy. can send your photo ken People’s video. tober 2015, behavioral neusociated with RBF has been real. into Noldus Information Maggie Robinson (‘17) roscientists Abbe Macbeth scientifically identified as Despite recent studies, Technology to be analyzed remembers first hearing and Jason Rogers utilized contempt, indicated by East students refute that at http://tinyurl.com/joof the term at an older age their company’s (Nodulus “subtle facial expressions, science has anything at all j48ud. during her freshman year ■ By Ashley Cooper (‘17)

in 2013 (exactly at the time of Broken People’s video).

Nonetheless, despite differences in opinion on the term’s exact means to rise, its prominence is most certainly indisputable. Now, the term has become wellknown enough to even expand past simply media culture and into the realms of scientific investigation.

According to CNN, in Oc-

Information Technology) FaceReader software in order to analyze the faces of celebrities commonly known for having RBF. Macbeth and Rogers found success through their studies; “underlying levels of emotions,” meaning “traces of sadness, happiness or anger,” appeared in only those who held RBF. The majority of the emotion as-

like a slightly pulled-back lip or squinting eyes,” according to Macbeth.

Further, David B. Givens, director of the Center for Nonverbal Studies in Spokane, Wash., claims that RBF is an actual condition. Givens coined the condition as “blank face,” and he is continually creating new studies to entirely prove the phenomenon as

UNDERGROUND

Underground Social Media

Page 16

EASTSIDE

April 2016

Growing bored with mainstream social media? These three alternative social media apps can change that...

Yonder takes Instagram to the outdoors ■ By Drew Hoffman (‘18)

Eastside Editorial Assistant

In today’s society, popular social media applications such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have taken over everyday life.

These three popular sites play a big role in many lives across the world, but hidden behind these social media giants is an app that has yet to break out of its shell: Yonder.

Yonder shares a similar approach with Instagram, but it is more specific. The app is for people who share one love: the great outdoors. On the app, users can browse through and post pictures of beautiful scenery and

nature. For example, many popular posts are pictures of mountains, waterfalls and deserts.

Users have options to like, comment or share a picture to their own profiles. There are

ent tabs on the bottom, similar to Instagram’s layout: the main news feed, pictures of nearby destinations from one’s current location, a button to post a picture, a search button and o n e ’ s profile.

Yonder is a free app just

“hashtags” and destinations around the globe that users can also search for on the app.

The app is laid out in five differ-

l i k e many other social media networks.

Besides the price, some similarities it shares between mainstream applications are the ability to edit

pictures before uploading them and using hashtags for certain trends, as well as being able to follow and be followed.

Scrolling down the main feed, there are a plethora of pictures taken of historic views, monuments and natural pieces of land. The pictures have color and charm.

The app is perfect for people who love photography, social media and the great outdoors. It is a relaxing experience to lay back and enjoy pictures of natural beauties from around the world. Compared to other social media outlets, Yonder provides a simply unique experience.

Beme puts a spin on the disappearing video ■ By Brett Dashevsky (‘16) Eastside Multimedia Director

Do you routinely find yourself taking a “selfie” with the good intention of capturing a true moment to share with the world, only to immediately edit it? Then, after several focused minutes of artistic cropping, highlighting, blurring, coloring, altering lighting, removing blemishes and even Photoshopping several self-perceived imperfections, you finally post this allegedly “natural reflection” of yourself to be seen for generations. Just like it is illegal for businesses to keep two sets of accounting ledgers to display their business in a different light, shouldn’t there be something done about documenting an altered version of oneself and one’s life via a photo editing app?

Enter Casey Neistat. Much of the

world is probably familiar with the exuberant film director and producer from his creation of popular YouTube videos and vlogs.

Now, Neistat is the creator o f

tat knows a thing or two about social media.

The goal of Beme is to tear down the facades created for social media and to get rid of the false identities people produce with edits and fil-

t h e new social media app, Beme (pronounced “bee-m”), the app that boasts a mission to redefine and simplify the way people use their smartphones for social media.

With over two million subscribers to Neistat’s popular YouTube channel and hundreds of thousands of followers on his Snapchat, Neis-

ters.

Beme itself is simple enough to use. The app’s home screen is grey, resembling the command lines used on early generation personal computers. In order to apply the feature, users simply cover the proximity sensor located next to a smartphone’s earjack and foursecond bursts of video are captured

side-by-side and, in a similar style to Tinder, the viewer gets to slide either right or left when picking which one is better. Sliding right means a win for a video and sliding left means a loss.

In the app there are also different icons on the bottom of the screen, including a “clashem sign,” a crown, a plus sign, a bell and a person. These icons all serve different functions within the app. The “clashem sign” is where one

The goal for a video maker is to get a higher percentage of wins, which will be shown when one clicks on that person’s profile as “Battles Won.”

chooses who wins or loses a battle, the crown is for staff picks and different topics one can search up to judge a battle, and the plus sign is for the user to

and uploaded. Users are not able to review or edit the videos before uploading them to the Internet. In a video posted on Neistat’s YouTube channel, he demonstrates Beme by placing a smartphone on his chest, reenacting the Pledge of Allegiance stance. The smartphone beeps and vibrates to alert the user to the beginning and end of the video capture.

Beme followers can view other users’ “bemes” which self-delete after viewed. Best of all, viewers can respond to the poster with “reaction selfies” which similarly self-delete forever. With no emojis, the goal is to quickly interact and not prolong the view and response, because in today’s world, who has time for that?

If the idea of Beme has piqued your desire to leave the fictitious world of Snapchat and Vine to return to a more authentic world, then jump on the Beme train to take you there.

Clashem makes videosharing competitive ■ By Madi Palat (‘18)

Eastside Staff

Many new apps are advancing to having videos embedded within them, such as Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and, of course, Vine. When scrolling through some of these apps, comparing video-to-video is a natural thing to do; which video is funnier, cooler or just more creative? Aside from these apps, a new app has emerged with the basis of comparing video-to-video, entitled Clashem.

Clashem compares two videos

add videos to put in for a battle. The bell is where one can check notifications of who picks a battle as the winner, and the person icon is for one’s account information and video battles.

Compared to Vine, the Clashem app proves to be more interactive with viewers because it allows them to “judge videos” with the video battles, while Vine just allows for a simple “like,” “comment” or “Revine.”

Clashem combines the best aspects of multiple social media outlets, giving it a chance to overpower some of today’s most popular social media apps.

Screenshots by Jared Fisch (‘18)/ Eastside Underground Editor Photo Illustration by Jacob Borowsky (‘16)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

UNDERGROUND

April 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 17

Poets & Writers initiate the rebirth of the printing press ■ By Gregory Rothkoff (‘19)

Eastside Staff

In 1440, Johannes Gutenberg invented the innovative printing press. Now, the word “press” has been brought back to life. For over 45 years, the literary organization Poets & Writers has provided resources for writers to communicate throughout the literary community.

Organizations just like Poets & Writers have been popping up all around the country. The Writers Guild provides information just like Poets & Writers, but it is more focused on professionals. Though most are in specific fields rather than in groups, Poets & Writers does the best at providing a local feel to a national organization.

Started in 1970, Galen Williams, director of the 92nd Street YMYWHA Poetry Center was given seed money from the New York State Council on the Arts to start an organization to help aspiring writers get on their feet. Today, it has flourished to an all-in-one resource that is now based in California for poets and writers.

Many organizations have a literary journal where they can showcase their writers’ work. Poets &

Writers’ magazine helps spread its presses helps foster the sought-aflong tradition of fostering developter creative environment. ment through its awards, one of Poets & Writers not only supwhich is the prized Jackson Poetry ports well-established presses, Award. but also young ones.

The JackBatCat Press, situson Poetry ated in Midland, PA, Award is is a high school run the most press started in 2009 renowned

by Managing Editor award of the Deanna Mulye. Along Poets & Writwith six intrepid stuers awards. dents, a press was With a born that has read hefty prize thousands of submitof 50,000 ted manuscripts and dollars, the published 12 pieces of award enpoetry since its onset. courages BatCat Press truly writers to has a unique style flourish in a unlike most presses special type out there. With the of commustudents’ young ages, nity. they can publish piecThe most es of work that relate special part to young people. Their Courtesy of Poets & Writers crisp age allows them of Poets & Writers is The January 2016 cover of Poets to publish pieces that its support & Writers features an extremely are seen as experifor small, lo- creative design. mental and new. The cal presses. unique style allows These presses have genres that for new types of poetry that are unrange from graphic novels to poems heard of and refreshing. about love. Creating a unique atmoAnother type of press providing a sphere for aspiring poets and writunique style is 2Leaf Press. Locaters to directly interact with these ed in Manhattan, 2Leaf is a small

press with big ideas. Publisher Gabrielle David created 2Leaf in 2003 with the hope of bringing poetry from the city surroundings.

2Leaf tends to enjoy pieces of poetry in prose style. Prose style poetry does not rhyme and is written in paragraph style instead of verses.

The diversity of New York City also allows 2Leaf to publish culturally diverse pieces that reflect the city’s atmosphere.

Although 2Leaf is a very small press, it acts as a major publisher in how it markets its published pieces. All of what it publishes can be found on nearly all ebook platforms, which is very different from what most small presses do.

A more image-based press is Aforementioned Productions. Based in Boston, Aforementioned specializes in writings that stimulate the mind. Created in 2005 by Carissa Halston, Aforementioned publishes its literary journal, apt.

The journal focuses on enticing the mind in a myriad of unique ways. This diverse and idiosyncratic style is a lot newer than most due to its extremely imaginative approach.

An organization that cares more about the local presses than big names is a special organization that Poets & Writers has created.

Out of the Vault: Silly Bandz lose their elasticity ■ By Jared Fisch (‘18)

Eastside Underground Editor

They are neither rubber bands nor wrist bands, but in fact, they are a combination of the two. Silly Bandz took America by storm in the early 2000s after being discovered by Robert Croak. A graduate from Owens Community College and proud founder of Brainchild Products (BCP Imports), Croak prides himself as a successful entrepreneur, bar owner and concert promoter.

BCP Imports is a product development company that even took part in distributing the well-known “LiveSTRONG” wristbands, which were developed by Nike.

But how did BCP Imports get into Silly Bandz?

Croak, while at a trade show in China, came across stretchy, animal-shaped rubber bands which, at the time, were sold in Japan.

Croak told Susan Berfield, a writer for

Bloomberg Business, that he “liked the way they looked, and [he] thought if they were done correctly—larger and thicker—they would make a great fashion accessory.”

Little did he know that these silicone rubber bands would be on the wrists of thousands of children nationally and internationally.

In 2008, the bands hit the online market place but did not really gain any traction.

The next year Silly Bandz were taken to retail and became an instant hit in the South, later moving up North. By 2010, themed packs of Silly Bandz were being sold in about 8,000 stores across the United States. The Denver-based fast-food franchise, Quiznos, even started putting Silly Bandz in its kids meals.

As the bands grew in popularity, Christopher Byrne, an independent toy consultant, saw nothing special and even told Berfield that it would amount to nothing more than “a schoolyard fad.”

However, Silly Bandz had one main consumer: children. Kids were the ones who were trading Silly Bandz at lunch and recess, just as kids before them traded baseball cards.

Sadly for Croak and his Silly Bandz, fads fade away as quickly as they rise. In early 2010 reports stated that Croak’s business was on track to generate profits around 200 million dollars a year. Just months later, 7-Eleven reported a 97 percent drop in sales of the bands. Just like that, Silly Bandz was added to the list of dead fads.

If you have lost your Silly Bandz but have the urge to restock your wrists, they can be purchased through Amazon, Walmart or Party City.

Logo by Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director Photo by Rachel Becker (‘16)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Mark Galarrita mixes Star Wars and Hemingway ■ By Ashley Cooper (‘17)

Eastside Underground Editor

For Mark Galarrita, 26, his passion for writing started at an extremely young age. Long before studying creative writing at Marymount Manhattan College, Galarrita found his desire to write from an unusual entity—video games.

“I got into writing at a young age and in high school when I first played [games with]... dragons,” said Galarrita.

When Galarrita embarked on his college journey, however, he began to take a more traditional route on reading novels.

“I read a lot of authors outside of the fantasy genre, kind of like contemporary [literature]... things like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald,” said Galarrita.

Since reading those novels, Galarrita’s appreciation for more than fantasy, for literature as a whole, has intensely flourished.

Though Galarrita has yet to officially publish any works, he has already written several short stories and even full-fledged novels. His first novel follows a similar plot-

line to that of authors from the Lost Generation. The Lost Generation refers to the generation that came to age after World War I and were thus disillusioned with life.

“I wrote a first book, a contemporary, about young men before they go into war. It’s about them accepting their short lives and also accepting death before they go into the war,” said Galarrita.

Currently, Galarrita has put efforts for that novel to the wayside in order to fully dedicate his time to getting his seco n d novel published.

Falling under the young adult genre, the n o v e l takes place within a unique location. “[My] young adult novel… is about a woman who is living in an African kingdom and how she’s captured by an empire and how she escapes out,” said Galarrita.

Further, Galarrita’s initial short story is nearly published. Having been accepted by Bull Men’s Fiction,

a magazine that publishes twice a year and updates online periodically, Galarrita is hopeful to gain readership through the source.

Additionally, Galarrita feels that there is no reason to rush out his novel; instead, he is content with waiting, as he would rather have his publishing done by professionals.

“I’m not trying to do self-publishing, I’m just trying to do traditional publishing,” said Galarrita.

In terms of inspiration, Galarrita often gathers ideas from daydreaming and life experiences. He feels that even the most basic occurrences can shape and form into an extremely interesting novel.

Likewise, Galarrita feels that in respect to format, stories can maintain simplicity while still being very effective.

“A lot of times they say that some of the best stories are copied off of the same format, and I believe that’s true in some aspects,” said Galarrita. “It’s kind of like seeing stories similar to Star Wars. It’s... a space epic, [and] it’s been done over a thousand times by so many

people. But any time you see a ‘new’ version of Star Wars, there is always something that’s been made different, something that’s unique.”

Galarrita hopes to mantain this uniqueness in all of his work.

Although Galarrita has held a multitude of job titles, he adamantly attests that he will always return back to writing in some sense, for that is his undoubted “calling,” so to speak.

Galarrita said, “My real passion is one day...being a full-fledged author [and] also working with TV, videogames, comics, etc.”

Tips for Aspiring Authors

1) Just keep writing, no matter what!

2) Don’t be discouraged.

3) Make sure to find your own voice.

Logo by Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

SPORTS

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EASTSIDE

April 2016

Babroff finishes off his four-year varsity career

Babroff’s all-time record speed for a baseball throw is 83 miles per hour—a speed that rivals that of most professionals. During the fall footWhen Jake Babroff (‘16) first arrived at East, ball season, Babroff played multiple positions one thing was clear: he was a baseball star. Baand contributed primarily at running back. broff, who has been playing for the varsity team Babroff recovered fairly quickly from his injusince his freshman year for head coach ry, and it took a lot of physical strength Mr. Erik Radbill, has thrived in his to come to terms with what happened. system.

He had to rebuild his strength all over When Babroff started on JV his again during the recovery process. freshman year, Radbill saw something “Babroff is really looking forward to special in him and sent him to play coming back and playing after breaking with varsity every once in a while. his thumb, and not being able to help us “Coach Radbill basically said to me last year, he had to watch some pretty ‘this kid has potential’ and gave me a bad baseball at times,” said Radbill. shot at varsity in the middle of the seaThroughout his four years at East, Bason,” said Babroff. broff has maintained a close relationship Eventually, at the end of the season, with Radbill. From holding a position on he was able to earn his first varsity letvarsity for all of his years, the two have ter, a tremendous feat for any player. become close, and Radbill considers him All the stars were lined up for Ba“family.” broff with a steady football focus dur“I have gotten pretty close with him ing the fall and varsity baseball season over the years. Being that I played here, during the spring of 2015 until a broanybody that comes into the [varsity ken thumb hindered his ability to play. baseball] program becomes family. He The injury left Babroff out for most of has become one of my favorites,” said the season, and it took intense physical Radbill. therapy for him to recover.

Though his time at East is up in just a “It made me look [at myself]... If I few short months, his time playing basewant to be serious about baseball, then ball is not. Babroff is going to Camden Liz Lee (‘17)/ Eastside Staff County College, which Radbill said has I have to get back to where I was beJake Babroff (‘16) practices his swing prior to a preseason prac- a tremendous baseball program, where fore the injury,” said Babroff.

He was fortunate that he was able tice at East.

Babroff can definitely play. to return for the last game of his junior Babroff will carry the legacy of being season. coaches—which has taught me great leadership one of East’s star baseball players years after Babroff is a leading East player with superior skills.” graduation.

■ By Brooke Greenberg (‘17)

Eastside Community Editor

stats in both baseball and football. During the baseball season, he plays third base and center field.

Babroff said, “I usually play a corner position, so we are usually the ones on the end who have to pass the ball around and take signs from the

Del Duke “sets” up for his senior season ■ By Sam Greenberg (‘16)

Eastside Sports Editor

In professional sports, a common narrative exists among many players; often, they begin to play their respective sport upon entering high school as a result of physical prowess or a natural affinity to the game and evolve as athletes full of potential.

Standing close to 6‘4”, Colin Del Duke (‘16) is a prime example of this occurrence.

“I always thought [volleyball] was a cool sport,” said Del Duke. “I went [to high school] not playing volleyball ever. It was around the time of the Summer Olympics, and I thought it was pretty cool to watch. I was playing beach volleyball over the summer, so I was like, let’s try out. Why not?”

Ever since beginning to play volleyball in the spring of his freshman year, Del Duke has yet to take any time off from the sport he loves. Del Duke plays beach volleyball all summer long and competes for South Jersey Volleyball Club throughout the fall and winter months. I n b e t w e e n , he also practices with the East Volleyball team and participates in preseason volleyball, which consists of weight room sessions with his teammates and the occasional practice.

“This year I’m really focusing on team chemistry. I always try to get everyone to play even when we don’t have practices,” said Del Duke. “I think off-court is just as important as on-court.”

Del Duke and Dan Santiago (‘16) are cocaptains for the East

Volleyball team. “[Del Duke] set up nets on his own and had kids come out completely on his own time,” said East Volleyball Head Coach Mr. Brian Zaun. “It makes my life a lot easier [having a captain like Del Duke] because I have a go-to person in any situation. I can go to him during the game. I can go to him about another player. I can go to him to help run drills and things like that. It just makes everything so much easier to have someone so dedicated and so passionate.”

Del Duke is an outside hitter by trade, meaning he stands on the left side of the court and crashes the net for big-time spikes. A kill in volleyball is essentially spiking the ball and getting a point for the team as a result. Last season, playing the same position for varsity, Del Duke had 86. This year, he has his eyes set on 100.

“Personally, I want to make First Team All-Conference,” said Del Duke.

Del Duke’s rapid ascension to East Volleyball star-

Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

dom did not just happen overnight. In order to get to where he is today, Del Duke gave everything he had in him to volleyball.

“He didn’t just become the best player, the best outside on our team, arguably one of the best outsides in South Jersey without really pushing himself,” said Zaun. “His work ethic, how he picks people up, he’s always smiling, he’s always working hard, and that’s all just because his goal is to be the best he can [be].

You can be really good and noticeably better than everyone else in the gym if you work hard, if you stay humble. Hopefully other players will see that and emulate his actions.”

When an athlete is able to have a legitimate appreciation for the sport he or she plays, like Del Duke, playing and practicing so much does not prove so difficult.

“It’s something I love playing. I really enjoy it.

Even when I don’t have practice, I love to just get out on the court, hit the ball a r o u n d [and] play with some friends,” said Del Duke.

For Del Duke, his journey of playing volleyball has yet to end.

Next year, Del Duke will be attending the University of Pittsburgh, a Division I school that lacks a volleyball program. Despite this, Del Duke

s t i l l plans to play club volleyball for the school a n d beach v o l leyball during his summers. “[It’s] d e f i nitely a sport that I’m really d e d i cated to.

I think a lot of Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor p e o p l e Del Duke elevates to make a hit in practice. d o n ’ t really underfectly sums up the player stand how difficult the that has done so much for sport is and the commithis program. ment that goes into it,” said “We want to be good athDel Duke. letes, and we want to be With Del Duke soon endgood people as well, and ing his reign as East’s best Colin embodies that to the volleyball player, Zaun perfullest,” Zaun said.

SPORTS

April 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 19

Track and field runs in the Field family

■ By Elissa Cohen (‘18)

Eastside Sports Editor

For six years now, identical twins Taegan Field (‘17) and Greer Field (‘17) have been running side by side. All four seasons of the year, the Field sisters train to become better distance runners.

Doubling as teammates and twin sisters, the Fields always have something to look forward to; after all, they do spend hours on end together.

In middle school, when they began running together, the two would find themselves to be extremely competitive when it came to running in races, but presently they just enjoy having each other as supporters throughout each season.

“Now, in high school, [running] is more against yourself than against your [twin],” said Taegan.

Having a twin as a teammate adds an entirely new aspect to the sport. A twin can be not only a personal cheerleader, but also a friend to practice with and with whom to have some healthy competition. Taegan explains how after a bad race, the two girls try to encourage each other in hopes of increasing the motivation for the next race.

Running tends to be different from most other high school sports. Although a part of a collective team, cross country and track runners move at their own paces. For Taegan and Greer, as twins, they create their own team.

“It is hard to compare us… just like how other

teammates don’t want to be compared. You want to try to compare to yourself in running,” said Taegan.

Although Greer has been out of school with a concussion, the twins’ athletic partnership has not been changed.

Collectively, on their own team, Taegan and Greer have accomplished many tasks as identical athletes.

Participating in cross country, winter track and spring track has given the Fields Courtesy of Taegan Field the opportunity to win medals in Taegan and Greer Field triumphantly pose after completing a marathon. different races.

Although they appreciate independence when it comes to running, Taegan explains that it is always beneficial when joining a team to have a twin by her side; having Greer means already having a friend on the team. The aforementioned benefits need some downfalls to form balance, and for the Fields, some negatives play a role in their running relationship. “[Running] is competitive for us, and we are always doing the same thing because we play the same sports, so after a while, it is a lot,” said Taegan.

In the end, having a twin as a teammate can really alter the experience for the better; having a twin also means having a built-in friend and supporter.

On the contrary, competitiveness becomes a huge factor between twins who are teammates. For Taegan and Greer, putting all of these thoughts aside is crucial to success on the day of a race or a meet.

Gormans display dual effort on the field

■ By Luke Hinrichs (‘17)

Eastside Sports Editor

Twins are united together since before birth. From then on, many twins become roommates, schoolmates and occasionally teammates.

For Kyra Gorman (‘16) and Kelsey Gorman (‘16), the idea of sharing the field and sharing the spotlight with a sibling is an ongoing reality. Even though the Gorman twins picked up their lacrosse sticks and trotted out onto a field in the third grade, their passion for lacrosse has not eased since.

“It is great having someone who matches your passion and someone who is always ready to practice at home. I started really young, and I never stopped loving it,” said Kelsey.

For many years, the Gormans played side by side in midfield. The dynamic duo would move up and down the field in rhythmic harmony. It was not until East lacrosse needed a defensive presence that the twins separated. Kyra stepped into the defensive role and flourished. Last year, Kyra earned her title as an All-South Jersey Defend-

er, while Kelsey “ W e picked up a poget on sition on the each othAll-Conference er when Second Team. we make Though both m i s earned subtakes, stantial honand that ors, the drive to j u s t be the best does makes not cease for eius play ther twin. harder.

“It definitely We try to caused some match up friction beagainst tween us, but each othhopefully this er a lot year I can catch and push up and maybe o u r surpass her. selves We are comduring petitive,” said practice Kelsey. to make Even though o u r lacrosse can reselves Rachel Becker (‘16)/ Eastside Photo Editor b e t t e r , ” sult at times in a bitter rivalry Kyra and Kelsey Gorman pose after a s a i d between the strenuous lacrosse practice.

Kelsey. twins, the comChempetition of the istry is a sport drives both of them to strive vital component of any team sport, to be better. and the twins have been perfecting

fine-tuning it since the day they picked up the stick.

Kyra said, “I always feel like I know what she can do and where she is going to be to a certain extent. I know that when I have the ball, she is going to be making a run or moving to support.”

Although the Gormans have always had someone with the same last name on the field, East Lacrosse became an extension of their family.

Kelsey said, “We try to partner off with other people occasionally and lacrosse is such a close team.

We struggle through practice together. We lose together, and we win together. We all go through it together. It is not just Kyra and [me]. It’s everyone on the team.”

The hours of practicing together, the days spent at games together and the weekends consumed at tournaments together are drifting into history as the graduating Gormans take the field for one more season.

Kelsey said, “I just love playing with her, and I am kind of sad it is our last year playing with each other out on the field.”

The Boyarskys gain the sibling “advantage”

a twin brother. “[The] best thing about having a twin who plays the same sport is that we can always play together,” said Elan.

It is often debated whether having a twin is Such availability of athletes with somewhat a blessing or a curse. In the case of Elan Boyaridensky (‘18) and Mattea t i c a l Boyarsky (‘18), it is ability clearly a blessing, as has intheir being twins has creased had a beneficial, nont h e negotiable impact on practice both of their tennis cahours of reers. the two The pair has been a n d , playing tennis since therethe age of two, confore, instantly building off of creased each other in practice. their They have established talent. an ever-ready playM a t ing mate in each other tea jokfrom a very young age. ingly Mattea compared admithaving Elan as a brothted that er to having a hitting the two partner living with practice her. Mattea regards whenElan as her personal Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor e v e r practice coach who provides advantageous Elan and Mattea Boyarsky competitively train and build off t h e y are not criticism in the form of of each other’s strengths.

■ By Karli Wulwick (‘17)

Eastside Staff

fighting with each other.

Not only is living with a twin athlete convenient, but it is also an eye-opening experience that the Boyarskys do not take for granted. Elan’s skills have prepared Mattea for fierce competitors with strong shots.

“So many people say [to] take advantage of Elan and [to] hit with him, so it’s always nice to know that when I need to practice, there will be someone there,” said Mattea.

Constant access and utilization of each other in the form of hitting partners has allowed the two to develop similarly regarding their strengths and their weaknesses in tennis.

The two confessed to being confident in basic hitting skills including, but not limited to, their forehands, as well as their lacking in similar areas.

“I need to work on the consistency of my serve,” said Elan.

The twins’ similarity regarding tennis is not just limited to the tennis court, though, as their general passion for tennis is carried on in the house. Both Elan and Mattea enjoy watching tennis together and discussing the latest news. Elan also emphasized that the two enjoy discussing current, past and prospective players.

The Boyarskys say they are thankful for their being twin athletes. Ultimately, being twins has helped both of them develop their skills and love for the game.

SPORTS

Page 20

EASTSIDE

April 2016

Lacrosse players commit to college and a winning season team dynamic.

“We will have to train a lot harder this upcoming season to get prepared to play people who are guarLast season, the East anteed to be a lot bigger Boys Lacrosse team showed than us,” Stamm said. everyone that it was a force Sheekey agrees that they to be reckoned with. This will each have to work hardupcoming season, the team er to succeed because they plans to build off of its sucwill have a target on their cess and carry an uplifting backs as key players. All confidence from having four four of them clearly know influential starting college what it means to be comlacrosse commits. mitted and part of a team.

Brian Stamm (‘16) and Campbell, who also Ian Sheekey (‘16) are shows a commitment to both committed to High East Varsity Basketball, Point University. They said that both are team are ready sports and he must be to take on a leader in both to do the “rigorwell. ous pracCampbell, Simmons, tice schedule Sheekey and Stamm which will be would all agree that more mentally and playing East Lacrosse physically demandhas impacted each of ing,” Stamm said. their lives in a different Mike Simmons (‘16) way. will be playing for “Playing East LaSaint Leo University. crosse has really helped Simmons said he is in all aspects of my prepared to devote his life. You can’t take any time to all practices days off when there are before and after class. other teams working He knows, Photo courtesy of Evan Campbell day in and day out,” he said, in Photo Illustration by Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor order to be Left to right: Mike Simmons, Brian Stamm, Ian Campbell said.

The East Lacrosse successful, Sheekey and Evan Cambell in college gear.

Team has provided he must put each player with in the work. trainer on performance teammates that they all The youngest of the four training. Along with priagree feel like family. The lacrosse commits, Evan vate training during the commits all expressed that Campbell (‘17), has most reyear, Sheekey, Simmons the lacrosse team is so close cently committed to further and Stamm played for the and that relationship closehis lacrosse career at Saint Blue Chip National team, ly relates to the team’s sucJoseph’s University. and all four of the players cess.

Sheekey and Stamm behave played for the ShamSheekey thinks that with gan playing in fifth grade, rocks. the new coach, Anthony Pewhile Simmons and CampGoing into this season ruso, anything can happen. bell have been playing since knowing they are commitCampbell adds that this will third grade. ted to play college lacrosse be an excellent returning Simmons, now playing most certainly changes the season for the varsity team, for 10 years, continues to

■ By Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)

Eastside Staff

love the sport.

The “feeling of a team and the camaraderie that comes along with playing,” he said, is what has kept him in the game for so long.

From early on, the players have worked hard to get to where they are now.

All four of the commits train four times a week at Nexxt Level training facilities with a private

and he feels the new coach will be able to help all four of the commits succeed, as he recently finished playing college lacrosse.

Both Simmons and Stamm would agree that they look forward to the whole new level of college lacrosse and getting the chance to be on the same field as All-American players.

Campbell said that it is extremely en-

though they look forward to graduating and playing on the college level next year, they will each miss playing with their best friends. The underclassmen, the walks to the Decou Field and all of the little things throughout their lacrosse careers at East have made all the difference to the players.

The commits also credit their parents for much of their success. Without their parents, according to

Photo by Liz Lee (‘17)/ Eastside Staff Photo Illustration by Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Left to right: Evan Campbell, Mike Simmons, Brian Stamm and Ian Sheekey in East practice gear. joyable playing against the same people, yet it is even more exciting to play against teams of such high recognition.

“Everyone on the college level of any sport has the same mindset, and I look forward to seeing how I match up against the other players,” Sheekey said.

Stamm, Simmons and Sheekey all express how al-

Simmons, none of the boys would be where they are today.

They would also admit that the upperclassmen in previous years were incredible role models. The commits say their mentors left the team with big shoes to fill; that is exactly what Simmons, Stamm, Sheekey and Campbell plan to do this season.

Sherman exhibits excellence on the varsity turf ■ By Steve Mirsen (‘16)

Eastside Multimedia Director

“I could tell right away he’d be a great player,” said Mike Simmons (‘16).

Over a year since making this initial observation, East Varsity Lacrosse midfielder and soonto-be Saint Leo University student, Simmons, appears to have been correct in his prediction of attacker Eric Sherman’s (‘18) potential and performance.

This season, Sherman will take the field as a varsity starter, a sophomore sharing the lines with all upperclassmen, four of whom have already committed to play at the collegiate level.

Sherman, who has been playing since fifth grade, switched from a midfielder to an attacker in eighth grade, and he took the varsity field in that position a year later, as a freshman.

On the first day of last year’s practices, starter Matt Stern (‘15) suffered an ACL tear, which unexpectedly propelled Sherman to the varsity level. Sherman said that he went into the season “hoping to get some time,” but he did not expect to play as much as he did. “[Sherman and I] had to step up and play a big role,” following Stern’s injury, attacker and High Point University commit Ian Sheekey (‘16) said.

“And he did. He filled the shoes.”

“He stepped up to the plate right away,” said Simmons. “He made a bunch of important plays for us [last season]. I could tell he was going to be something special.”

Going into his sophomore season, Sherman is already on track to becoming a major leader for the team on and off the field. He credits much of his expertise to the upperclassmen and the model they set for him.

“I probably looked up to Sheekey the most,” Sherman said. “He was the most skilled attackman, and he took me under his wing and showed me what to do. I also give a lot of credit to Coach Wood. He was a pretty good role model to me.

When I had some bad games, we’d talk about it.

He’d cheer me up and help me keep going.”

According to new head coach Anthony Peruso, Sherman has already stepped into a significant leadership role on the team. Peruso has seen

East play in past seasons, watched players in offseason games and consistently followed players’ performance and progress.

“Most of the kids his age are already looking at him as a leader,” said Peruso. “He has all the traits.”

Peruso also recalled watching Sherman play at the Philadelphia Indoor Lacrosse Championships.

“He was going against kids who were seniors in high school,” Peruso said. “He was smoking them… For his age… I was very impressed…. He shows a lot of composure and a lot of maturity… especially leadership.”

With upperclassmen approaching graduation, the next league of players, and leaders, will inherit their spots in the coming years. Sherman aims to not only lead on the team during his career, but also to mentor the younger players and create new leaders, as Sheekey and the other upperclassmen did for him.

“With seniors leaving, there will be more JV kids coming up to varsity,” said Sherman. “They look up to you, so you’ve got to lead by example.

You’ve got to lead by your vocals. Like, if someone’s feeling down, don’t get on them, help them, cheer them up… Just make sure the younger kids that are playing varsity, or the JV kids, even, see what type of leader they should be.”

In regards to this season, Sherman hopes the team will get further in the playoffs. Last year, East was defeated after winning its first playoff game. In addition to his high school aspirations, Sherman seeks to play lacrosse at the collegiate level. He hopes to continue this goal throughout the offseason and “turn a few heads at summer showcases,” he said.

“Committing to college is what I’ve dreamed of,” said Sherman. “I look up to [the commits’] hard work and dedication.”

He also said that training at Nexxt Level with them “shows [him] what their work ethic is and what [he will] have to do to be like them.”

Simmons expressed confidence in Sherman’s aspirations, saying he thinks “he’s definitely going to play in college.” Sherman said he currently has his sights set on potentially playing for a Patriot League or Ivy League school, which require

a strong academic record as well as an athletic one.

“It’s hard to fit in all your homework and all your friends and stuff,” Sherman said. “I know I take full advantage of my study hall just trying to get everything done.”

Sherman said his collegiate goals as well as his high school aspirations motivate him.

“Whenever I do something, I always want to try to be the best I can at it,” he said.

Aside from his goals and opportunities he strives for, Sherman said the game and the feeling it brings make all the hard work, time, dedication and sacrifice worth it.

Sherman said, “You can’t walk off that field without a smile.”

Courtesy of Eric Sherman

Eric Sherman (‘18) warms up for a varsity game.

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Gym volleyball player wins big on college admissions ■ By Nicole Grant (‘16) Eastside Staff

Jim T. Ryhard (‘16) is not your ordinary student.

Throughout the history of East, he’s the first to commit to the prestigious Jones State University (JSU).

If you are not familiar with JSU, you should know that it is ranked number one by not only the Princeton Review, but also by the Harvard and Yale Reviews, as the most desirable university in the nation.

Though it is highly regarded as a top university in the world, JSU just recently lost its international title to the British college, Jounes University.

Ryhard did not get into JSU for, say, an impressive transcript or high SAT scores. Instead, he was specifically recruited for the college for his prodigious athletic skills.

Though he does not participate in after-school volleyball activities, he was named by SJ Magazine as the best gym volleyball player in the Tri-State area.

Ryhard can often be seen roaming the halls in some fairly skimpy shorts, high socks and a red headband.

In addition, he often brings nothing to school but a LOL44 regulation gymnasium-grade volleyball.

ment letter to JSU with a “Gym volleyball is my a record 49 students, makvolleyball because of the full ride. life,” he said simply. ing 22 students “look silly” important life lessons it Mr. Richard Sanger, the His career as a highlyand another 19 “just plain teaches our students,” said head of physical education ranked gym volleyball embarrassed.” Another 36 East physical education at JSU, expressed major player took excitement about what off during having Ryhard means freshman for its program. gym, where “I’m ecstatic to have some of his Jim on our [gym] volleyrecord stats ball team. I know that included his effort during gym making while the other students seven girls remain apathetic will cry and bring our school yet anwinning other [gym] volleyball three gym championship,” Sanger volleyball said. tournaIn addition, Ryhard ments. plans to join JSU’s “ H i s most popular fraternity, serves were HHH. so beauti“H stands for the ful that Greek letter, Hawda,” tears startRyhard explained, “and ed wellso their frat is known ing up in as Tri Hawda. Isn’t that my eyes,” great?” said Alison Ryhard’s twin brothKrept (‘16), er, Don T. Ryhard (‘16), one of the wishes his brother the girls who best of luck at JSU. Don reportedly T. Ryhard himself will broke down sobbing Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor attend The Other Uniduring Ry- Mr. Richard Sanger, the head of physical education at Jones State Univer- versity (TOU), with a double major in napping hard’s time sity, scouts out potentially talented students. and procrastination. in freshIf you see Jim T. Ryman gym. hard walking around with “He hit me directly in students have admitted to teacher Ms. Carolyn Smith. a ball, you should congratuthe nose and broke it,” said being “totally apathetic” “Seeing Ryhard play makes late him.

Klarissa Dims (‘16), one of about Ryhard’s volleyball me think that they finally “He’s incredible when he the other seven girls whom abilities. get it.” plays volleyball in a specific Ryhard made cry.

“When we phys ed teachAfter a four-year gym school-sponsored gym setAs a senior, Ryhard’s ers meet to design the curvolleyball tournament championship streak, Ryting,” said Smith. “I think phenomenal gym volleyball riculum each year, we alhard signed his commithe’ll go far.” techniques have perplexed ways focus particularly on

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Rumors about upcoming football stadium proven partially true

■ By Sam Greenberg (‘16) Eastside Sports Editor

The grass keeps getting greener at East.

What once was a new turf field is now slated to become a cutting-edge, state-of-the-art football stadium by 2017. Well, maybe.

For several days during this past week, Dr. Attorney Lipman has utilized his morning announcement time to inform students about the plan for East’s new football stadium. However, nobody at East genuinely found out about the news until eastside-online.org put out an article three days later.

“I could not believe the news Eastside reported,” said Pacho Webbler (‘16), this past year’s starting quarterback. “It’s so saddening that I will graduate before I ever get a chance to play in the stadium.”

Since the school administration seemed to be the first to know about the new stadium, Eastside reached out to the administration for a comment about the story. To Eastside’s chagrin, all members respectfully declined.

Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Mr. Ted Burnhulme said, “I also did not hear about the news until the incredible Eastside coverage.”

Talk began circulating that the administration, along with the news of the new stadium, made a major announcement during that fateful morning.

Unfortunately, there were an estimated five people who reportedly heard what was said.

As a result, all kinds of crazy rumors began to fester in the school. The following quotes are examples of said rumors, gathered by Eastside reporters working in the field: “Did you hear the new football stadium will include an all-pink turf field? Lipman said East is changing its colors to pink and red, so that’s why,” said Robert Smith (‘16).

“That’s so cool that the football players will be playing in a 20,000-seat stadium next year,” said David Lay (‘18).

“Is it really true that the stadium will be named in Dr. Lipman’s honor? If so, then even Mr. [Tom] Vilogrova should have the

soccer fields named after him while he’s still coaching,” said Kim Blake (‘17).

“It’s so cool that they will be recruiting kids from all over the country to play football here. No wonder East is getting a stadium,” said Olivia Frank (‘19).

The seniors of this year’s football team took it into their own hands to quell all of the speculation. Spearheaded by Webbler, a group of five football players snuck into the Central Administration Building late yesterday night.

“We found the practice recordings Lipman makes every morning before performing the actual announcements,” said Webbler. “After listening, we found out that one of the rumors that was going around is actually true: the new stadium will really be named after Lipman himself. If anything, it should be named after me for leading the team to our football team’s first-ever win this season.”

Vilogrova said that when he first heard about the news, he was livid; however, after some time thinking about it, he realized that the situation was not so bad.

“I just really felt like the stadium should be named after me,” said Vilogrova. “I mean, I’ve done so much to build up our gym curriculum. I basically invented pickleball.”

But, Vilogrova admitted, it would be best for him to “let that anger go.”

Because of the football stadium rumors, East has been bubbling with an atmosphere of uncertainty. According to Webbler, the only evidence that East is really getting a new football stadium is the minute-long announcement Dr. Attorney Lipman made on the subject.

Lipman refused to corroborate his statement, saying that the question of a new football stadium would be a surprise.

“I really hope we do end up with a new stadium,” said Webbler, adding that the stadium can also be used for Frisbee Golf.

“A state-of-the-art Frolf team like East’s deserves a state-of-the-art stadium.”

Harsh feelings and misunderstandings aside, one thing is for certain: by the 20162017 school year, East will have an incredible new stadium for its football team to prance around... maybe.

SPORTS

April 2016

EASTSIDE: APRIL FOOLS’ DAY

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Boys’ tennis (supposedly) has its star of the future ■ By Jacob Borowsky (‘16)

Eastside Editor-in-Chief

It has been said countless times, but the cliché still holds strong: hard work and dedication will lead to success. This mantra rings especially true with tennis player Ian Visible (‘19), as hard a worker as they come.

According to East assistant tennis coach Mr. Jarvis Bugatti, Visible is looking to be the next great tennis player at East. While no one has ever seen him play, he is said to possess the finesse, power and stamina that all tennis stars need.

“Apparently, [Visible] practices from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. every single night.

Talk about dedication—this kid is going to be amazing, supposedly,” Bugatti said.

“It must be an absolute sight to see.”

Visible is described as standing 6’5”, with over 200 lbs. of pure muscle to his name. He is also said to have run a 4.36 40-yard dash time, along with a 3:57.14 mile time. With his sheer athleticism, it is clear as to why he is prime tennis-star material at East— and, incredibly enough, he is only a freshman.

“There have not been many student athletes at East with the ability and potential of Ian Visible,” said athletic director Mr. Robin Hurns. “So if I or any of the coaches at East ever get to see him, we will defi-

nitely videotape it. Heck, I don’t know why he doesn’t play track or football for us as well because I’m sure he would excel at those too.”

Visible’s talents in the sport of tennis are perhaps even more impressive than his raw athleticism. He ap-

ing nearly anything in play allow him to tire his opponents out and win with ease, supposedly.

“Thinking about [Visible] playing gets me excited. I have never seen a tennis player that good in my life. Literally. I still haven’t

“Visible is the type of player that makes his opponents tremble at the mere sight of him. He is so intimidatingly athletic that even the opponents playing other players on his team get scared because they

Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

Despite the plethora of rumors surrounding this legendary tennis player, information on Visible’s identity or his whereabouts are currently unknown. parently has a 121 mph serve, faster than anyone to ever play at East.

Tennis captain Jack Black-Brown (‘16) said Visible’s strong serves and uncanny knack for return-

seen him play!” BlackBrown said.

Coach Bugatti also said that with Visible on the roster, the boys’ tennis team is looking to be a serious contender for the state title.

think ‘maybe he’s taught these other players how to serve a bajillion miles an hour too.’ And I don’t blame them,” Bugatti said. “I have no plans of facing him in tennis if I get the chance,

either.”

Unfortunately, Visible could not be reached for an interview. No video of him playing tennis could be found either. In fact, there is no record of him going to East, or even existing.

“It keeps me up at night,” Bugatti admitted. “It’s just too good to be true, y’know?

But everyone talks about [Visible] all the time. He must be real.”

Although Bugatti has gone to intense lengths in order to find evidence of Visible’s existence, his search so far has come up empty-handed.

“He’s looked all over the place,” said Black-Brown, who shares Bugatti’s concerns. “He’s gone through the school database, looked at everything on the Internet... He even looked at the old newspapers and microfilm in the library, but he didn’t find anything.”

Despite the aura of uncertainty surrounding Visible’s very existence, he remains the talk of the tennis team. And, tellingly, his prodigious skill as a tennis player has never been called into question.

“It is an honor to have such a talented scholar and athlete at East,” said East administrator Dr. Attorney Lipman. “He is the type of student who deserves 10 minutes of praise over the intercom during first period classes. I hope I have the honor of meeting him in person someday.”

“Netflix marathoning” team watches its way to success ■ By Brooke Greenberg (‘17)

“It is really important to diversify the team into watching TV shows and movies that are out of their comfort zones. Once we get into the competition, we never know what type of movie or show The marathon: a tradition as old as ancient they might have us watch, so it is important to be Greece itself. The endurance and dedication needwell-versed in all the different types,” said Bamed to run 26.2 miles competitively cannot be unbino. derstated. Truly, the marathon is among the most East’s Netflix marathon team is relatively new difficult feats one can complete in any sport. compared to those of its rivals. The varsity, junior With spring sports in full swing at East, there varsity and freshman teams at Mission Northwest, is a new type of marathon that is making major Southeast and Northeast High Schools have all headlines: Netflix marathoning. While this sport had success in may sound easy and their Netflix amusing, it is actumarathoning ally a competition teams for over of power and endurthree years. ance. The team is led “It is not

by East’s Film Appreeasy coming ciation teacher, Mr. into a very Keith Bambino. competitive The way the sport game being is played is complichallenged cated. First, the playup against so ers gear up starting many other in mid-January by talented viewconsuming as much ers,” said Jujunk food as possible, nior Varsity including Schmosplayer Joseph titos Triple Cheese Pillsbury Chips, Yantie Yann’s (‘17). hot dog-stuffed pretDuring a zels and Hepperedge typical bingeFarms cookies. Once watching comthe players are at Rachel Becker (‘16)/ Eastside Photo Editor maximum weight, Henry Burger (‘16), the captain of East’s Netflix marathon- petition, team they are eligible to ing team, prepares for an afternoon of competitive Netflix members are locked in a participate. watching. room with a “The preparation 36-inch flat-screen TV. The movie or TV show is is really the hardest part,” said Varsity Team Capstarted, and the object of the game is to see who tain Henry Burger (‘16). “We are usually pretty can stay in the room the longest. No bathrooms healthy guys, and to be deprived of fresh fruits and are available. Different tasks are required during vegetables is hard.” the competition including summarizing various According to Burger, Bambino spends “countplotlines and playing charades in between scenes less hours” preparing for competitions by hosting or episodes. Points are given accordingly, and the parties every weekend to “psych up” the players. team with the most points reigns superior in the “We stay up all night watching Netflix,” said match.

Bambino. “Practicing like this is a big time comSo far, East is on a winning streak, with Burger mitment, but I think it’s really helped us grow as and Pillsbury leading the team to blowout victories a team.” against many nine local teams. The hard work, During these so-called psych parties, Bambino skill and determination put into every psych party plays different titles on Netflix ranging from the and match will surely help East rise to the top. entire series of “The X-Files” to Kingpin.

Eastside Community Editor

The Numbers

East’s Netflix marathoning team might be relatively new, but it already has a number of impressive statistics to its name. Here’s just a few of them....

Most hours spent watching “Grey’s Anatomy” during single marathon session: 182 - record held by Joseph Pillsbury (‘17) Most episodes of “Johnny Test” watched consecutively without cringing: 4 Average number of Dwight Shrute references made during team psych parties: 108 Most cans of cake frosting consumed during one psych party: 14 Average weight gained by team members during Netflix marathon season: 17 lbs. (7.7 kg) Average cholesterol count of Netflix marathon team member: 230 mg/dL Bat/Bar Mitzvahs, proms, Promhouse, track practices, weddings and Sweet Sixteen celebrations missed by the team due to “training”: 50 Number of times “Netflix and chill” occurred: 0