Eastside: June 2018

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 51 No. 11

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

Seniors celebrate the end of high school

Inside This Issue

June 2018

Photo by Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor and photo illustration by Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Delsea’s Drive-In Theater and more summer fun Community, Pg. 5

The Class of 2018 drives through space Superlatives, Pg. F and G

Athletes of the Year demonstrate drive Sports, Pg. 28

NEWS/FEATURES

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EASTSIDE

June 2018

Project Graduation projected to be a memorable night

90-plus percent of East seniors coming back to Project Graduation year after year on a night once known For most high school sefor risk and debauchery? niors, high school events As cool as the event’s door end with a formal graduprizes are, each senior gets ation ceremony. Hats fly, a small gift when they aremotions run high and the rive, and larger prizes like unity of the senior class computers are raffled fades to a pleasant memoff later in the night. ory. But for the last 27 Vogel believes there is years, Cherry Hill seniors a more emotional comhave taken the festivities ponent at play, due to further with one last ride the mystery and noswith their classmates — talgia that seniors asor as some see it, a first sociate with the night. class reunion — Project “Before I actually Graduation. went and volunteered Project Graduation be[at Project Graduagan in 1991, as a joint eftion], I didn’t really fort between Cherry Hill fully understand what Public Schools and the it was until I got there,” Cherry Hill Alliance on said Vogel. “Then I reDrugs and Alcohol to crealized what a great ate a safer atmosphere event it is for the kids, for graduates. and how much they ac“Graduation night has tually really enjoyed it, the highest amount of and enjoyed being with drunk driving accidents each other.” and fatalities,” said MiAt the end of the chelle Vogel, president Courtesy of Jenna Simons (‘17) and the Cherry Hill East PTA of the Cherry Hill East Novelty entertainment offerings, like the photo booths and inflatables available at last year’s day, the biggest draw of Project Graduation is Parent-Teacher Associa- Project Graduation, keep seniors engaged year after year. that it gives the senior tion (PTA) and a commitmittee heads takes place not begin until May. The them,” said Vogel. class one last easy chance tee leader for this year’s in mid-summer to discuss months of planning and As the head of the corpoto spend time all together.

Project Graduation. “So inchanges between years and preparation come down rate sponsorship commit“Everybody kind of gets stead of everybody going to form a budget. to a “walk-through” a few tee, Vogel woos donators together… seeing the kids parties and drinking, they Throughout the lengthy days before Project Graduwith the promise of adverthey went to eldecided to do this big party preparation process, Projation, where volunteers get tisement and ementary school for the graduates.” ect Graduation organizers in sync with CHHRC staff prominent with, possibly, Now, Project Graduarely on sustained outreach and plan the layout of the logo display and feeling a little tion is a highly anticipated to the school community night’s activities, followed during the bit like a Cherry Hill East tradition, in order to recruit parent by six hours’ worth of setup next year’s family,” which attracts over 90 volunteers. Vogel, now the on the night of.

P T A said Vopercent of the graduating parent of a senior at East, Perhaps the most immeetgel. class every year (Cherry remembers being contacted pressive bit of backstage i n g s Project Hill West sponsors its own by the then-leaders of the magic contributing to a n d Graduation version of the event, which East PTA when her daughProject Graduation’s sucthe is an intricate has no affiliation with ter was only a freshman, cess, however, is financial event that reEast’s). From 10 p.m. to 4 and some alumni parents wizardry. Student attendquires months of a.m., graduating seniors even come back to join the ees are charged 15 dollars careful work but take over the Cherry Hill fun every year. PTA memfor a ticket, but if the full Project ityields an unforgetHealth and Racquet Club bers serve as the executive cost of the event was split self. table outcome. Vogel to enjoy nostalgic party board, overseeing a mixed evenly, each student would T h i s and her fellow organizers activities, unique vendors, board of volunteers; all 21 of pay 75 dollars. Therefore, year’s biggest don’t predict that the tradigifts, snacks and live perthis year’s personnel mem4/5 of Project Graduation’s contributors, aside tion will stop anytime soon, formances. This year’s Projbers have been further split 37,000 dollars budget is from the Cherry Hill Eduso the Class of 2018 and ect Graduation will take into a series of committees, from donations, fundraiscation Foundation and the beyond are surely in for a place on June 19 and will which are each responsible ing and corporate sponsorCherry Hill Alliance, ingood time come graduation feature tarot card readers, for a specific aspect of the ship. The good news for the clude Shoprite and Subaru. night. video games, magicians, inevening and which have not committee is that by this So after such intense flatables, photo booths and Art by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Staff worked closely with each point, it has already idenpreparation, what keeps a room entirely devoted to ■ By Ilana Arougheti (‘19)

Eastside News/Features Editor

a giant version of Hungry Hungry Hippos, among others.

Although the night only lasts about six hours, preparation begins nearly a year in advance. The first Project Graduation planning meeting between com-

other throughout the year.

Vogel explained that while there is one central meeting every two months, different elements of the event are secured at different times; entertainers, for instance, are booked by December, while food purchase does

tified sources to reach out to for such large-scale cash collection.

“If it’s not repeat [sponsors], it’s usually a student’s parent in that grade… or if we have a contact at a company in Cherry Hill, we usually just go out and ask

Liebman’s German skills earn him an abroad study trip

■ By Ali Koenig (‘20)

Eastside News/Features Editor

What are your plans for the summer? Maybe you’re going to lounge on the beach in Margate. Maybe you plan to spend the vacation at sleepaway camp in the Poconos. But if you’re Matty Liebman (‘20), your summer looks different.

Liebman is one of only 44 American students who will be attending the American Association of Teachers of German/Pedagogical Exchange Service (AATG/ PAD) Study Trip Awards this summer, a four-week excursion to Germany. For two of the four weeks, he will live with a host family in either Kulmbach or Nürnberg and go to school with his host sibling, speaking only German.

For the remainder of the trip, Liebman will go to Berlin with the 450 students from around the world who won a similar award for their country.

Even better: the trip is allexpenses-paid.

“I’m looking forward to experiencing another culture,” said Liebman. “I’m

excited to be able to “So I was like, I’ll try it apply my German in and see what happens.” a way I wouldn’t be Liebman’s German able to in the States teacher can attest to his and experience life skills with the language over there, compared the past two years. to here.”

“Matty is a very intelBut this experiligent guy and a diligent ence certainly isn’t student,” said Mr. Anfor everyone. On Levdrew Graff, Liebman’s els Two, Three and German teacher. “But he Four of the 2018 Naalso possesses qualities tional German Exam, that aren’t so obvious. which is taken by He is a curious, active over 20,000 students, listener and reader.” those who score a Though Liebman 90 percent or above started out knowing can apply to be their “pretty much nothing,” chapter’s nominee for as he said, he greatly enthe abroad study trip. joyed the language and Having scored a 97 stuck with the class; he percent on the Level plans to continue with Two exam, Liebman German throughout high was eligible to apply school and into college. to be the nominee for As the school year the Southern New winds down and his Jersey AATG chapter. once-in-a-lifetime experiAfter filling out the Joshua Pipe (‘20)/ Eastside News/Features Editor ence draws nearer, Liebapplication, Liebman Liebman practices German in preparation for his summer trip. man looks forward to the was invited to an incultural enrichment that chapter’s nominee and soon rience with German. terview, during which the trip will provide, parafter, the AATG office noti“I had taken French a committee of high school ticularly the excursion to fied him that he had been throughout middle school, teachers and college profesBerlin. selected out of hundreds of but German was always sors asked him questions in Until then, he is eagerly applicants to attend. something I thought that both English and German. counting down the days Liebman began to study I’d be interested in learnA few days later, Liebman between him and his beste German when he came to ing, and I wanted to change received word that he was Sommer aller Zeiten — best East, having no prior expeit up a little,” said Liebman. the Southern New Jersey summer ever.

NEWS/FEATURES

Regan retires after 34 years in Q&A thewithdistrict Mrs. Regan June 2018

EASTSIDE

class and seeing their smiling faces for the last time.

Eastside Staff “Every year, as I am standing, funneling the students into their seats and seeing the gradCherry Hill East will lose uates, I am always so happy a very valuable member of its because in the four years that staff this year as Mrs. Margathey have been here, they have ret Regan’s 34-year East career accomplished so much and they comes to a close. are really on their way to a sucRegan’s teaching career becessful adult life,” said Regan. gan in graduate school, when Outside of East, Regan is she had to get extra courses an adamant member of Moms which propelled her to become a Demand Action’s South Jersey student teacher. In 1975, Regan Chapter, which began as a history is affiliated with teacher at East afthe Everytown ter she earned her gun regulation degree in psycholmovement. She ogy. At East, she believes gun taught multiple violence needs classes from world to be resolved history to psycholby adults and ogy and loved the students and diverse parts of believes in senhistory that she sible gun reform. was able to teach.

Alongside those Her span as an organizations, educator included Regan has picked working at variup golf, calling ous levels and at herself a “novice multiple places in golfer.”

Cherry Hill.

All of this diShe first verse history and worked one year involvement is at Cherry Hill Defne Alpdogan (‘20)/ Eastside Staff coming to a close High School West and then one year Mrs. Margaret Regan proudly poses at the desk she has now, though, as Regan will retire at Beck Middle worked at since 2001. at the end of this School, but she their transition to college. year. Regan’s work at East will loved teaching high school the “I am able to help advance be remembered as she moves most. them. I can help them academion to a new chapter in her life.

“I realized many years ago cally, socially, personally, and I Even though she has no set that high school was my preflike that,” Regan said. plans at this time, she finds that erence. I really like high school Regan finds that even as time the time to end the East chapter kids and I have been happy with flew by, the students at East of her life has come. my career,” said Regan. have always been enthusiastic “[East] has always been the Upon her arrival at East, she and maintained their poise and bedrock of my working world was impressed by the enthusitheir eloquence. Her most notaand it has expanded my friendasm she was met with, even as a ble experiences that she rememships and my knowledge of peonew, 22-year-old teacher. In Rebers are the ones in which she ple. It’s been wonderful,” said gan’s second year of teaching at is looking upon the graduating Regan.

East, she became a faculty mod■ By Defne Alpdogan (‘20)

erator for the African-American Culture Club. In addition, she began to contribute to the East community by volunteering at special events and doing SAT proctoring. Today, Regan can be found in A-wing, where she has worked as a guidance counselor since 2001. She still loves teaching; however, while working as a guidance counselor she was able to help more students with many different subject matters as well as aid students with

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Defne Alpdogan: Since you started at East, how has the culture changed?

Mrs. Reagan: The culture of East has changed more in superficial ways than in substantial ways. By that I mean that almost all of the kids are decent, nice working kids who are all here to get educated and make friends, and develop and move on. The things that have changed are specific, like no one had a backpack, kids often used lockers and would carry a book or two with them. There weren’t cellphones, there weren’t electronic devices, kids didn’t have laptops, kids didn’t have constant access to the internet. So for all of those things that have changed, they have altered the culture.

DA: How have students’ attitudes changed?

MR: Even though technology has changed, it has not changed the decency of personalities of teenagers.

DA: How has the building changed?

MR: Not much. In some ways not much, but in other ways, what were once small classrooms have been combined to make new labs. Labs have been upgraded and the air conditioning has been upgraded. But physically much of it’s similar still.

DA: How has Cherry Hill changed?

MR: Well, that’s a hard one to answer because it changes in the same way as the whole country and culture changes. But, physically, it looks an awful lot the same, not identical but a lot the same. I am going to say that maybe today’s kids versus those in the ‘70s and ‘80s are a little bit more aware of, not just their surroundings, but what is going on in the country, what’s going on in the world, and that’s a bit of change.

Generally, I would say that there is a lot in common with teenagers today and with the teenagers from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.

DA: How has East changed you?

MR: Well, I spent most of my adult life working here. So, I guess it’s changed me from that it’s made me realize the value of being part of a community, the value of doing something, not just for myself but for people, and how important that is. It’s helped me to grow up and realize the things that have been considered problems or annoyances in my life are relatively small compared to a lot of other people’s.

Campus Officers Faller and Hess authorized to carry weapons ■ By Joshua Pipe (‘20)

Eastside News/Features Editor

In wake of the February 14 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 dead and many more wounded, school security has been a subject of much debate throughout not only the Cherry Hill School District, but also the nation at large.

In late February, district officials came under fire for what some considered a lack of adequate security in the district’s 19 schools.

Concerns about security came from parents scared their children would not walk out of school alive and from students like Jessica Gurst (‘20), Mihoko Zhang (‘20) and Matt Merovitz (‘19), who voiced their concerns at a February town hall-style meeting with Superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche.

In response to these security concerns, the Board of Education assigned police officers to be stationed near the front entrances of district schools. However, some questioned the sustainability of using Cherry Hill Township overtime pay to continue the police presence. Cherry Hill’s solution? Allow the campus police officers already present at Cherry Hill High Schools East and West to carry weapons themselves.

“In light of the most recent... school shooting in

Parkland... I think [the Board of Education] had a little bit of a change of heart and decided to change the policy to allow us to carry firearms in the school,” said Campus Police Officer Kevin Faller.

The decision to arm the campus police officers at the high schools was weighed carefully by district officials, wanting to make sure that it was the best decision possible to ensure the safety and

security of students.

“It’s been an ongoing process,” said Campus Police Officer James Hess. “The Board of Education was reviewing it, our supervisors review[ed] it, the district superintendent reviewed it and then they notified us [of the decision].”

News of the decision traveled fast and rumors spread that Hess, along with his partner, Faller,

would go through a special arms certification training to carry weapons. However, Hess and Faller explained that was not at all the case.

In fact, arms and combat training has been a part of their annual recertification as police officers throughout their

careers, as required by the New Jersey State Attorney General.

“We have a state-approved course that’s twice a year, plus we have combat

training with the Cherry Hill Police Department,” said Hess.

“We were qualified to carry firearms; it’s just that the Board of Education at the time... their policy was not to carry firearms,” said Faller.

T h e training consists of classr o o m a n d active shooting components.

The latter is divided into what Faller de-

scribes as a day course and a night course, where police officers are tested on their accuracy in varying levels of natural light. Classroom training deals more with situational ethics and use of force. There’s also a fiveday school resource officer training that new CPOs

must go through to first become certified.

“You have use of force, when you can and when you can’t shoot people... we review the certain laws that have been applied to police... it’s just refreshers,” said Faller. “Just like anything else, it’s a skill. If you don’t use it for a while, you forget, and we’ve got pretty important jobs, so they don’t want us to forget.”

Both Faller and Hess believe that the experience of carrying a firearm in a school environment does not differ too much from the experience of a traditional armed police officer protecting a town. Faller describes firearms as “tools of the trade” and said that carrying one in his duties as campus police officer feels completely normal.

They do both feel, however, that it allows them to do their jobs better.

“It’s nice to know that you have something to back you up if something does occur,” said Hess.

Faller agreed.

“It gives me a little more peace of mind that I can be more effective if something should occur in this school than before,” said Faller.

“But, to be honest... if something happened, I would be in the middle of it even if I had a rock and stick, and Officer Hess is the same way.”

Art by Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor

COMMUNITY

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EASTSIDE

June 2018

Cherry Hill empowers adolescent girls with GRACE ■ By Nashita Ali (‘19)

Eastside Business Manager

When I saw someone recruiting volunteers for an organization called GRACE in the Mud on Instagram, I was immediately captivated. When I signed up to be a volunteer, little did I know that GRACE and its founder, Donna Marie Romani, would soon leave a lasting impact on me.

GRACE is a non-profit organization that strives to empower and inspire young girls as they transition from adolescence to early adulthood through character development and enrichment activities. Its primary focus is to reach out to underserved girls in the community by teaching them mindfulness, civil responsibility and positive identity formation.

In 2015, Romani resigned from her job as an education and behavior consultant in order to fully immerse herself into GRACE. The idea for the organization stemmed from one of her dreams, where she realized that countless women face trauma or other situations that inhibit them

trajectories for their future, especially in STEM fields.

Each day of the summer camp provides new opportunities for the girls, including yoga, culinary classes at a restaurant, robotics, engineering, singing and dancing lessons.

Last year, the camp was based in the Cherry Hill Performing Arts Center on Brace Road.

Nashita Ali (‘19)/ Eastside Business Manager As a volunGRACE participants put together holiday goodie bags containing teer, my main cookies for members of the Army. job is to serve as a mentor, from achieving success “Grace is, most simply or an “older sister” figure, later in life. Romani’s viput, an undeserved gift,” to the girls. We volunteers sion was to combat this by said Kimberly Rice, a memhave the greatest influence working with underserved ber of the board of trustees. on them due to proximity young girls, instilling grit “The concept of the name of age. The girls often look and perseverance within is that always, even at our to us for support; they want them from a young age that worst, when we are stuck in us to complete activities motivate them to pursue the mud, we can be open to alongside them, whether an education and actualize grace, both to receive it and it’s building a robot or their full potential when to share with others.” learning how to play guitar. the odds may be against GRACE holds an annual One of my favorite parts is them. two-week summer program building a relationship with She aims to provide the during which it partners the girls and seeing their girls with a safe learning with local businesses and genuine excitement when environment outside of the professionals to provide we walk into the room. classroom that brings the girls with real-life learning Every GRACE session becommunity together to best experiences that give them gins with the lighting of a serve the children’s needs. an inside look at possible

candle and spraying lavender oils on our hands to set the mood for a mindfulness activity. One of the lessons Romani wants the girls to take away is mindfulness, or being aware of one’s environment, senses and emotions. After lighting the candle, we hand out trackers to see our stress levels before and after mindfulness meditation.

“The most rewarding part is the moment when the children realize that you really love and care about them, that they feel understood, and they are able to tell you what that meant to them and how they want to pursue their goals,” Romani said.

After the camp is over and the girls have been exposed to a number of future career possibilities, many of them leave their GRACE experience with a greater sense of direction about what they wish to do in the future. GRACE provides a safe space for not only the girls who walk through the door but also their parents, who share the struggles they have encountered along the way.

Using her background as an educational and behavioral consultant, Romani is able to impart a greater impact on the families and provide guidance to best serve the children’s futures.

Cookie Dough Bliss introduces an unbaked café ■ By Chelsea Stern (‘18)

Eastside Community Editor

For those who just can’t help themselves from licking the bowl after baking a batch of cookies, Cherry Hill’s newest and sweetest addition is right up their alley.

Cookie Dough Bliss brings a new concept to Cherry Hill’s food-loving community: a dessert bar geared toward serving the great wonder of edible cookie dough.

Cookie Dough Bliss expects to offer a new weekend activity and dessert spot to the families of the community, but more specifically, the teens and East students of the Cherry Hill area. Opening up in Heritage Square on Route 70 in Cherry Hill this June, neighboring Mimi’s Pizza and Sakura Springs, Cookie Dough Bliss hopes to attract customers with the café’s originality in the area under the supervision of owner Mandie Morales. “[My family comes] from North Jersey originally,” said Morales.

“There was nothing to do there.

It was literally a 40-minute ride to the movies. I really just think [Cookie Dough Bliss] is going to bring a fun place for friend groups [and] families, a fun atmosphere with a creative concept to check out for dessert.”

Morales, now a resident of Cherry Hill, looks forward to presiding over Cookie Dough Bliss Cherry Hill while the franchise continues to expand into South Jersey from its North Carolina roots. She even plans on involving her children, students in the Cherry Hill School District, in the business.

“I was looking for an opportunity to do something in our community, and this is what I found to be a perfect fit,” said Morales.

Expanded north of its Ala-

bama, Florida and North Carolina franchise locations, Cookie Dough Bliss brings a few fan favorite flavors off of its menu, including but not limited to Samoa Cookie, Red Velvet Cream Cheese Swirl and Peanut Butter Paradise. Doughs like these will not just be found in their basic scooped form, but also in bars, ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, pies – the list goes on.

“We personally love our signature Bliss Ice Cream Bar,” Morales said. “That’s two layers of cookie dough with ice cream sandwiched in between.”

The term “edible cookie dough” marketed by Cookie Dough Bliss b e g s the question: What exactly makes the cookie dough edible?

While standard raw eggs are typically believed to lead to an upset stomach, Cookie Dough Bliss prides itself on its original cookie dough chemistry.

The edible cookie dough bar eliminates the risk of egg-related consequences, like salmo-

nella, by either completely omitting the raw eggs from some flavor recipes or using specialized ingredients for others.

“We use a pasteurized egg product...and the flour is treated, so that additiona l l y eliminates t h e risk of any foodborne illnesses,” said Morales.

The vision for the company’s Cherry Hill location, expected to officially open its doors by the end of this June, includes a storefront that turns an edible cookie dough order into an entire experience complete with a polished, pink atmosphere.

“It’ll have a little crystal chandelier in the dining area and all white countertops… It has kind of a modern chic look to it,” said Morales.

Aside from establishing a hotspot for trendy and Instagrammable desserts, Cookie Dough Bliss plans to make the company a household name when it comes to hosting events.

“We’re going to have a party room,” said Morales. “It’s a little bit different than what’s out there as usual right now. I am most looking forward to hosting Cookie Dough Bliss birthday parties and taking part in catering.”

As the construction process of Cookie Dough Bliss Cherry Hill commences its final stages, the community looks forward to welcoming a brand new stop for its sweet tooth-triggered hankerings for that unbaked cookie goodness.

Art by Chelsea Stern (‘18)/ Eastside Community Editor

Infographic by Elissa Cohen (‘18)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

COMMUNITY

June 2018

EASTSIDE

Page 5

Philly takes pride in LGBTQ+ acceptance The city parades for Pride Day ■ By Maddy Cicha (‘19) Eastside Staff

Philly Pride Presents (PPP), the gay pride organization of Philadelphia, will commemorate its thirtieth anniversary with its annual Pride Parade and Festival on June 10. The parade begins at 13th and Locust at 11:30 a.m., and the festival will be held at noon at Penn’s Landing.

June 10 is National Pride Day, and cities across the country will be joining Philly in celebrating with parades and festivals. However, Chuck Volz, the senior advisor of PPP and longest-existing Philly Pride coordinator, knows that Philadelphia is a special city for the Pride Parade and Festival e v e r y year.

“We’re p r o b ably one of 150 gay pride organizations [nationwide]...

Each organization takes on the specific flavor of its location,” said Volz. “We have a lot of performances in our parade — it is like the Mummer blood in our group.”

This year, for the celebration of 30 years of Philly Pride, the organization is anticipating an incredible turnout of 22,000 to 25,000 people.

“We have [about] 140 vendors and community groups down there, six hours of entertainment, and we sell out… We’ve reached capacity now for like six or seven years,” Volz said. “We can’t squeeze any more people in with a shoehorn.”

The Philadelphia community has served as the backbone of the event. Philly Pride attributes much of its success to the people and organizations who get involved in the parade.

“Every community group in Philadelphia participates in the parade or the festival, or both…

that’s what really makes us successful,” said Volz.

Additionally, holding the festivities in Philadelphia brings an even more valuable aspect to the day: history. After the Supreme Court ruling in 2015 to legalize same-sex marriage, PPP promoted the new acceptance at its own pride event.

“We deliberately set up our viewing stand at Independence Hall to get the historical [Philly] perspective,” said Volz. “We [once] married like 15 couples right there. We stopped the parade and they got married in front of Independence Hall.”

With the newfound openness of gay pride, there has been a welcomed influx in the community of young people, and PPP is sure to accommodate them.

“Pride’s out front and everybody sees it,” said Volz. “It’s a whole different feel now because people are very open. It wasn’t that way in the past. We deliberately try to keep the youth involved.”

Even within East’s own community, teens are involved in spreading pride and awareness through the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club. “[GSA] gives all the LGBTQ+ kids at East an outlet to go to and have fellow students that belong to that community… to just tell their stories and learn more,” said Hannah Scott (‘20), a member of the group. “[Pride] shows that there are so many other people out there… and that it’s okay.”

Through this club and events like the Pride Parade, teens are able to discover their identity in a safe and secure community.

Art by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Eastside Art Director Border by David Le (‘18)/ Eastside Underground Editor

Community center offers support ■ By Nafessa Jaigirdar (‘19) Eastside Webmaster

For David Fair, an alumnus of the University of Pennsylvania, learning to accept himself was one of the hardest lessons of his life.

Fair is gay. The only issue was that he was also married to a woman at the time. Not knowing what to do or say, Fair resorted to what seemed to be the easier option: ignoring his feelings altogether. He simply denied any attraction to the men he saw on the streets and in magazines. For some time, Fair’s plan seemed to be working. He almost even had himself convinced.

However, everything changed the day Fair attended his first peer counseling session at the William Way L G B T Community Center. Upon returning from his first session, Fair felt instantly transformed.

“For the first time in my 24 years, I suddenly was not alone,” he said. “Once I got up the courage to actually attend the group, I suddenly became free.”

The William Way Community Center gave Fair the courage he needed to love himself and to come out to his friends and family. And by no means is he alone.

Like Fair, many people in the Philadelphia area rely on the community center for the support and encouragement they need to embrace their own sexuality.

By providing social groups, networking events, counseling and support services, art exhibitions and cultural experiences, the center aims to reverse the negative connotations associated with the LGBTQ+ community and to provide people with an accepting environment in which they can be proud of their sexuality.

The center was founded in 1974

as the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Philadelphia. The State of Pennsylvania and the IRS recognized it as a not-forprofit organization in 1976, and it quickly leased its first home.

It wasn’t until 1997, after more than 20 years of renting, that the center finally bought the building at its current location, 1315 Spruce Street. It was then that it was renamed The William Way LGBT Community Center after William Way, a driving force behind the community center in the 1980s.

Thanks to the efforts of Claire Baker (second Executive Director) and Chris Bartlett (fourth Executive Director), the center was able to grow to its current calibre, offering an art gallery, the Archives, the Lib r a r y , volunteerb a s e d programs, peer counseling and an annual LGBT Inaugural Ball called the Indigo Ball.

Perhaps the most anticipated event, however, is the LGBT Jazz Festival, a tradition that first sprouted in September 2014 after the center received a grant of 200,000 dollars. The purpose of the festival is to explore the intersections between sexual orientation, gender identity and jazz music.

Ultimately, the center’s main focus is to foster a sense of unity and to promote awareness within the Philadelphia area. It celebrates diversity, encouraging people of all sexualities, genders and races to attend the center and to share experiences.

Eric Thomas, the Program Director at William Way, said, “I think everyone needs a community. Everyone needs to know that they are part of something bigger than themselves... Our program allows us to reinforce that idea: that you are not alone.”

Art by Danny Kahn (‘19)/ Eastside Staff

□ Rail Park: this High Line-esque park that turns three miles of unused Philadelphia rail lines into green space is opening in June. □ Arctic Scoop: this Philadelphia ice cream parlor serves artistic deserts and Hong Kong-style egg waffles. □ The Bourse Philadelphia: scheduled to reopen this sum-

mer, this renovated building will feature artisanal vendors and local businesses.

Wharton State Forest: explore the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

Bastille Day Festival: expect music, dancing and raining Tastycakes at the reenactment of the storming of the Bastille at the Eastern State Penitentiary on June 14.

Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll: find food, gifts and services from West Philly businesses for only one dollar.

Rowand’s Farm: pick your own fresh strawberries and cherries. Ánimo Juice & Burrito Bar: fuel up on the wholesome breakfast and lunch foods served at this Haddonfield hotspot.

Wetlands Institute: tour the institute to learn about coastal ecosystems and their conservation.

Delsea Drive-In Theater: go old-school and take in a film at New Jersey’s only drive-in movie theater.

Pizza Brain: its quirky decor and abundance of pizza memorabilia make this Fishtown eatery a feast for the eyes and stomach.

□ □ Community’s top picks for local things to see, eat and do — try to check them all off before summer kicks the bucket!

By Sophia Liang (‘19)/ Eastside Community Editor Art by Sari Cohen (‘18)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

□ □ □ □ □ □

OPINIONS

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EASTSIDE

June 2018

District made right decision in arming guards ■ By Jacob Graff (‘20)

Eastside Staff

In U.S. History, students learn how the Native Americans were nearly wiped out at the hands of western settlers. The tribes valiantly rode out to fight, armed with their bows and arrows, ready to defend their land from intrusion and death, only to be met with an onslaught of bullets, rendering their own forms of defense all but null and void.

What makes the situation with our unarmed school security guards any different? In essence, how would they be able to defend the students and staff, whose lives are in their hands in the case of a school shooting, if they are not armed at a level adequate for protection?

The Cherry Hill Board of Education recognized the conundrum it would inflict on the school security officers if they were to be prohibited from carrying arms, which include TASERs. That’s why, after the Parkland shooting, they announced that Cherry Hill East, along with the

other elementary, middle and high schools in the district, will now have stationed, “fully equipped officers” which include guns and/or TASERs. Both are better for taking down a potential murderer than a bear hug takedown.

Although there are inherently more dangers created with firearms in a public high school than without, including an increased risk of in-school events forcing the unnecessary discharge of a firearm, the potential harms that could come about as a result of the security team at East being under-resourced and outgunned during a firefight would result in unthinkable catastrophes.

Instead, let them be ready in advance and able to respond, if a situation did so occur, to an individual with a weapon who

seeks to effect a Parkland or Columbine-type situation.

The risk in removing arms from security specialists at the school is a case of redundancy: if officers are prohibited from carrying a firearm, what use do they serve in this particular situation, other than potentially calling the police?

Regarding this point, people opposed to arming school officers claim that extra defensive measures would suffice, citing options like giving body armour or Kevlar vests in place of TASERs and/or firearms. But the possibility of neutralizing a threat is naturally much less when you are focusing on how not to get shot rather than at-

tempting to shoot someone armed and dangerous. We should be putting people in the best position to succeed, not fail. Clearly, the only way to do so would be putting firearms in the hands of the people most qualified, not taking them away.

In a similar way, the idea of removing guns from trained security officers is misguided, because, as Scott Israel, the sheriff of the county in which Parkland is located, said after the shooting, the active shooter protocols require immediate confrontation of suspects. But, police arrived on scene of the massacre 47 minutes after receiving 911 calls, already too late in preventing the shooter from unloading, according to a USA Today report.

Having a trained, armedand-ready school security officer involved at the school would have ensured that security was available many minutes before police or FBI were able to get on scene, possibly saving lives along the way.

A common misconception in this debate is the confusion that exists be-

tween arming trained security professionals and teachers. Armed security guards at East would never be teachers in a classroom full of students. The latter would never have access to the firearms that are being inserted already.

Also, the concern of the school becoming a police state when armed guards come into existence is misguided at best. They exist for one reason only: your safety. Anything else is non topical to their purpose.

Another concern is the cost to schools; personnel are not being added. Therefore, the costs of keeping security staff on the payroll remains constant, and there is no need to spend money on assigning police officers to schools, like Cherry Hill has already done.

East should be using all resources at hand to best defend itself from threats.

Not allowing the security, whose job it is to do just that, to protect the school is a terrifying and dangerous mistake. School security must be armed.

office stating that I was not feeling well in the morning, it has resulted in an unexcused lateness.

When I asked a grade level representative why my lateness was not excused, I was told that my parental notes are not sufficient in proving that I was sick. It is not up to the administration to determine whether or not a student is truly not feeling well; that is the responsibility of parents and legal guardians.

An illness can be as simple as a lack of sleep. Camille Peri of WebMD wrote, “Sleep plays a critical role in thinking and learning.

Lack of sleep impairs attention, alertness, concentration, reasoning and problem solving.” Well-rounded students who participate in many after-school activities and have a rigorous course load tend to fall victim to this struggle the most.

They may end up pushing themselves to the point of severe anxiety, even vomiting over stress from mental breakdowns.

For this type of sickness there is no doctor’s note available, but it is a valid example of temporary deterioration of health. The decision regarding a student’s illness belongs to the parent or legal guardian, not the school.

In District Policy 5230, it references the fact that medical appointments are just one of the many excused types of late arrivals. As Policy 5240 states that students are excused for tardiness with illness, medical notes are, in effect, unnecessary unless the appointment

was scheduled as a well visit.

The major problem is that some of the grade level representatives do not adhere to the written policies for lateness. When I questioned the grade lev-

el representatives in early May about where I could find the written disciplinary policies for lateness, they were unable to point me to specific documents regarding this information.

The first response was that the policy is that three unexcused lates is a warning and six is a detention.

When I asked again to be directed to where this policy was written, I was told to check my planner.

However, this disciplinary policy does not exist in the planner.

I quickly responded that it was not listed in there and was once again incorrectly directed to District Policy 5230 that was pinned to the bulletin board amongst many other grade level notices. The reality is that the policy does not exist in writing and is directly contrary to board policy. The High School Code of Conduct does provide f o r

shocked me that neither of the representatives working at the time could point me to any written documents explaining the procedure for detentions or the reasoning for it.

In fact, they completely ignored, or were not aware of, District Policy 5240, which makes illness an excused tardiness, and cannot be subject to any discipline.

Another significant problem with the lateness system is that privileges are given to students who take the bus to school. Part of Grade Level’s concocted scheme provides when buses arrive after 7:30 a.m., the students riding those late buses are excused from a lateness marked on their attendance.

However, when students riding in cars are caught in the same traffic as the buses, even if they arrive before some of the buses but after the 7:30 a.m. bell, they are marked with an unexcused late.

This application is not supported by any district policy, nor does it exist in the student planner. As a result, as long as students who ride the bus are granted amnesty, all students should not be marked late until the final bus arrives.

Overall, East’s late system contains major flaws.

The system not only violates the Board of Education’s policy, but it is also unquestionably unjust.

Administrators need to reevaluate the application of this system in order to ensure fairness for all students, educate the grade level representatives on actual Board of Education policies and eliminate any further violation of board policy.

Art by Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Late policies at East must be re-evaluated ■ By Eric First (‘18)

Eastside Opinions Editor

H a v e you ever shown up to school on time with less t h a n five hours of sleep, heavy bags below your eyes and a cloudy, sleep-deprived mind, just because you feared getting another unexcused late? Have you ever arrived five minutes late to school only to have the bus-load of students stuck in traffic behind you receive excused late passes to class?

There are many flaws with the execution of East’s late policy that need to be addressed.

East’s administration has created its own framework for a school lateness policy that is inconsistent and unjustified under the Board of Education’s policy.

The Board has two policies related to lateness and tardiness, District Policy 5230 and District Policy 5240. Under District Policy 5240, it is written, “Tardiness to school or class that is caused by a pupil’s illness [or] an emergency in the pupil’s family… will be considered justified and is excused.” Illness is defined by the Oxford Dictionaries as, “suffering from an illness or disease or feeling unwell.”

The school policy for lateness to school listed in the student planner issued to all students at the beginning of the academic year states, “[students] are to present a parental note, stating [the] reason for lateness.”

However, each time that I have presented my parental note to the grade level

broad administrative discretion for infractions including tardiness; however, such discretion disregards d i s trict policy.

For an office that issues warnings and detentions to students frequently for lateness, it

Photo illustration by David Le (‘18)/ Eastside Underground Editor

OPINIONS

June 2018

EASTSIDE

Page 7

Class gift policies need immediate reform ■ By Louis Zimmermann (‘18)

Eastside Opinions Editor

S t u dent Government w o r k s tirelessly throughout the year, constantly searching for ways to consistently fund the activities of their respective class. As one of the vice presidents of the Class of 2018, I know this may already seem completely biased, but this constant effort to search a new venue from which to make a margin on food sold or prepare dozens of baked goods to sell to willing customers takes continuous time and effort. And with this, Student Government does not simply expect to make prom decorations better while reducing the price of tickets.

We expect to give back to East in the last hurrah that is known as a class gift, a way for each class to use account money to leave East with a thank-you.

Throughout the years, you may have noticed that class gifts have not been anything extraordinary; a picnic table, some new benches with the class of ____ inscribed on the side or a mural come to mind. You may see it as thoughtless and thrown together in the eleventh hour and blame it directly on senioritis (which is not inflammation of seniors for anyone that takes

human anatomy). However, implementing and deliverWith the power to give to due to accounting rules, the ing important reform efthe school, the limitations Cherry Hill School District forts to the school. Instead should be changed immedimust place a firm lockhold of opting for new security ately. on what can and cannot be measures or technological Each class should have bought with class account advancements, students the opportunity to be money for a senior gift. are pin-holed into merely thoughtful and timely with Throughout the Cherry using the money to renew their class gifts. Students Hill Public Schools’ Student aspects of the courtyard or should use class gifts to Activities Fund leave Handbook, limEast a itations regardbetter ing anything place pertaining t h a n to monetary w h e n transactions t h e y and funding first enare articulated tered in a few guidet h e lines. Specifibuildcally, under exing, to penditures, it fix the states, “Activills that ity funds shall accomnot be comp a n y mingled with East as District funds,” a whole. and shall not For exbe expended ample, for “equipment in the or supplies unfortufor curricular, nate day classroom or and age District use” of a conor “Salaries stant, or supplies reo v e r lated to curarchricular items.” ing fear Anything the concerndistrict should Louis Zimmermann (‘18)/ Eastside Opinions Editor ing the be funding can- Class gifts are used to beautify East. threat not be funded of active in the form of shootclass gifts. This limits the place three new benches by ers and unsecure school options of students drastithe student entrance. These grounds, students should cally. gifts that are opportunities use this fear to fund new It is evident that these to leave evergreen impacts security measures and relimitations force students on the school are evidently form East, whether that is to find themselves beautifynot being used to their fullthe implementation of seing the school rather than est potential. curity cameras, new doors

for old ones that do not lock properly or an additional security guard. In reality, East is far from where it should be concerning security measures. A gift such as the aforementioned one exemplifies a thoughtful, caring mentality and a way to leave East with a message saying, “I care about the future of this school and want to better it.”

With the funding of gifts that are more impactful, the class would most often succumb to a larger monetary amount. To fix this issue, different classes of East SGA should heavily consider combining efforts and money to contribute or add a new facet to the school that can truly make a change in the East and surrounding community.

One combined gift is better than being four benches and three murals deep into beautifying the school.

The magnitude of East class gifts can be much larger and impactful with new policies and thoughtfulness needed from the student representatives of each class. With the limitations set upon students in giving gifts to the school before graduation, it is nearly impossible to deliver a gift that is worthwhile and useful for the betterment of the school.

I strongly urge the district to work with accounting in an effort to create a history at East where class gifts have an everlasting impact.

sized prints of the same imto bring in our meals. This have any sort of monopoly age. To get a better idea of is not so for these senior on. If an individual desired what an average package services. Admittedly, this to take a photograph with a should cost, the “Classic” would be difficult in the camera owned by the school package, which comes with case of the yearbook, a sinin the cap and gown owned several more photos of difgular edition that has the by the school on the land fering sizes and poses, is same photographs and capowned by the school and $279. Because this compations for every student. But print the photograph him ny does or herh a v e self, he a moor she nopoly should on its be able prodto and ucts, would s o m e in all exceslikelis i v e h o o d pricing receive makes a prodsense. uct of At the similar s a m e quality. time, When t h e t a k school ing this district into achas the count, it responmakes sibility sense to try t h a t to get m u c h these of the services markup for stucomes dents at f r o m affordthe ina b l e ability prices of stuso that dents everyto find one can a viable Infographic by Joshua Sodicoff (‘18)/ Eastside Opinions Editor h a v e Senior portraits are more expensive than similar products. alternaaccess tive to to the Prestige same amenities. In that in the case of portraits, this Portraits that results in a way, it has failed. is a serious consideration. professional quality of phoAs much as we are anPrestige Portraits brings tographs. gered by the lack of good cameras, lighting equipAramark also does not variety in the cafeteria, ment and limited formalengage in price discriminathere is always the option wear, items that they do not tion based on grade. Yet, se-

nior portraits are orders of magnitude more expensive than school photograph packages from any other year, with the only difference in the final product being the clothing that the student is wearing. There is no way to justify the mark-up when the product has not changed.

So what are we, the captive market of these firms, to do? I propose two options: we take these tasks on ourselves and we push our administration to negotiate for the best deal possible. Microeconomic theory (thanks, Mr. Pierlott) says that if we reduce our demand for products from these firms, ergo reducing the quantity purchased, the price will also fall.

We have students and teachers with talent in photography, so it would only make sense to employ their skills to make up for some of the volume. At the same time, our district should use its size and fairly high socioeconomic status to bargain with the companies that provide these services.

In order to win a contract to work with this many students and make the associated profit, these companies should be willing to work at more competitive rates than they currently do.

If you are a senior, it’s far too late to try to negotiate down your prices. But for our other readers, it is not too early to begin the fight to make portraits affordable.

Prestige must lower the cost of senior portraits ■ By Joshua Sodicoff (‘18)

Eastside Opinions Editor

I am a senior.

This is my last article for Eastside.

Although I’ll often deny it, high school has been an incredibly pivotal experience in my life. Believe it or not, I’ll miss the majority of my classmates, the atmosphere of the school, even Cherry Hill. To commemorate my time here, I would like to own several graduation portraits and I would like to do so at a reasonable, competitive price. Prestige Portraits’ stranglehold on the market for these items makes that terribly difficult.

At East, we often complain about various groups’ monopolies (in reality government-issued contracts) over various aspects of student life, in particular Aramark in the cafeteria. However, it is tough to claim that Aramark deserves anywhere near the amount of vitriol it gets when compared to the company East hired to run senior portraits.

For example, although the food in the cafeteria is oftentimes close to inedible, it’s fairly cheap, clocking in at about three dollars for a meal. The most basic portrait package offered by Prestige, on the other hand, is $119, and includes four 4-by-5 prints and 24 wallet-

EDITORIAL

Page 8

EASTSIDE

June 2018

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

Cherry Hill High School East

Eastside names Mr. Semus Person of the Year

If you’re looking for a teacher with memorable lessons and a razor-sharp wit, Eastside knows just the man for the job. Standing outside C216 with a vibrant smile is none other than Mr. William (Bill) Semus.

Semus has been teaching at Cherry Hill East for 15 years, and the Math Department truly would not be the same without him.

In his time here, Semus has provided his students with countless laughs, memories and opportunities to succeed. He goes above and beyond both inside and outside of the classroom, making him an excellent choice for Eastside’s Person of the Year.

Semus has left a positive impact on East not just this year, but throughout all his years here — unbeknownst to him, he has been a finalist for the Person of the Year award several times in the past, and now it is finally his time to shine.

With his teeming passion and engaging teaching style, Semus turns math, an oft-hated subject, into a class his students enjoy as much as he does. His funny mnemonics and frankly impressive mental math skills keep the humor and energy levels high in his classroom, motivating his students to tackle the challenges he sets for them. While his practice of randomly calling on students garners quite a few abashed giggles, it allows him to hold each and every one of them accountable and to ensure that nobody has any lingering “questions, comments or concerns,” as he puts it.

He transforms intimidating functions and complex integrals into pithy mantras — ask his class “Zero over zero is our cue to do…?” and you’ll be met with a resounding chorus of “Algebra!” Semus’s exemplary teaching gives his students the tools to succeed, and his infectious enthusiasm makes them look forward to doing so.

Having first co-taught East’s Multivariable Calculus course with Mrs. Linda Heath, Semus took on sole responsibility for the course after Heath retired in 2010.

Cherry Hill West launched a self-contained Multivariable Calculus program this year, but for the last de-

Platinum The Rothkoff Family Sam and Debbie First Matt and Cheri Cohen Andrea Cohen and Dave Samuel Sherri and Ken Hoffman Deluxe Packaging Fran and Sid Fisch The Duffy Family Lois and Mitch Cohen The Fisch Family Jared Fisch

The Sodicoff Family Anne and Jerrold Fleisher Michael and Donna Koenig Melissa Gagliardi Michael Fleisher Linda Ross Lonnie Propass and Susan Ogul Ed and Lynne Cohen Marilyn DiCiurcio

and as a question writer.

Semus knows the test inside and out, from question patterns to common pitfalls. His expertise speaks for itself, as 95% of his AP students score a four or a five on the May exam, and the skillset he has acquired enriches his other classes’ learning experience as well.

It’s a common saying at East that the best part of the school day starts at 2:30. Semus takes this mantra to heart, working tirelessly and staying after school to help his students long after the bell rings. Additionally, while some math teachers offer morning review sessions the day of a test, Semus surpasses expectations for his AP Calculus classes around AP testing season. He offers extra AP review sessions four times a week for a month leading up to the test, totaling 18 sessions and about 16 hours of prep, completely on his own time. On top of all these extra undertakings, Semus also serves as an advisor for the Cum Laude Society, through which he stays very involved in school traditions like the Eastside dodgeball tournaments by playing on a team with his Cum Laude members and officers.

Eastside believes that Semus’s extracurricular commitment, coupled with the passion behind it, is commendable and inspiring.

From his early-morning math sessions to the personal rapport he builds with his classes, Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor Semus has a constant Semus displays his Person of the Year plaque, which was willingness to go the expresented to him in late May. tra mile for his students.

He makes math an unforgettable experience rathcade, Semus sacrificed an a decade ago as a reader er than just another class. incredible amount of time for the exam and has since Eastside thanks Semus for and attention to remotely worked his way up in the deriving so much joy from teaching the course at West standardized testing world his work and for being such through a combination of to serve as a Table Leader an integral part of the East Skype and commuting so who manages other readers community.

Silver

Rochelle Dashevsky

that students on the other side of town could also pursue higher-level math.

Semus’s love for his subject extends far beyond the classroom — he is also heavily involved with The College Board and the administration of the AP Calculus test. He began almost

Friends of Eastside Greg Rouen Sari Cohen Marilyn Koenig Sy and Florence Jerome Heidi Silverberg Bernice and Irving Kernis Kaitlyn Valladares Louis Zimmermann Christine Benedetto Ali Family Abbie Levine Elaine Yang Ben Zemele

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Eastside Online

http://www.eastsideonline.org

Publisher

School Paper Express Wappingers Falls, NY

Letters to the Editor

Submit signed letters to F087 Eastside’s Person of the Year is a four-stage process, which includes members of the Eastside Editorial Board voting at each stage.

The award originated in 2003 in order to recognize members of the school who have made a superior scholastic impact.

Recipients receive a personal plaque in addition to being listed on a plaque next to the Hall of Fame bulletin board.

Past Recipients: 2003: Mr. Matthew Carr 2004: Ms. Elizabeth McLeester 2005: Mr. Tony Mancini 2006: Ms. Marilyn DiCiurcio 2007: Mrs. Linda Heath 2008: Mr. Jonathon Strout 2009: Mr. Charles Musumeci 2010: Mr. Rick Friedman 2011: Mr. Gregory Rouen 2012: Mr. Pete Gambino 2013: Mr. Karl Moehlmann 2014: Ms. Gina Oh 2015: Mr. Tim Locke 2016: Mr. Joseph Dilks 2017: Mr. Bill Kovnat Ann Le Anthony Brocco Marc Pierlott Brian Connolly Lillian Halden Tim Hunter Dean Kenny Harel Tillinger Yash Menta Jacob Sokoloff Reid Hardowottam Erin, Neil, Sophie & Alex Levine Christine Lind

Eastside 2017-2018 Editorial Board

Managing Editor: Jared Fisch Editors-in-Chief: Elissa Cohen, Sari Cohen, Hope Rosenblatt Adviser: Mr. Greg Gagliardi

News/Features Editors Ilana Arougheti Ali Koenig Joshua Pipe

Community Editors Julia Benedetto Sophia Liang Chelsea Stern

Sports Editors Adam Dashevsky Jacob Kernis Sophie Levine

Entertainment Editors Harry Green Gregory Rothkoff

Opinions Editors Eric First Joshua Sodicoff Louis Zimmermann

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

Underground Editors Claire Joanson David Le

Contact the Board:

Photo Editors Jiseon Lee Dakota Rosen

Art Directors Sabrina DeAbreu Rose Ni

Video Editors Jonathan Calabrese Luke Shin

Webmasters Nafessa Jaigirdar Eli Weitzman

Multimedia Directors Adiel Davis Drew Hoffman

Business Managers Nashita Ali Abigail Richman

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.

(Note: There is a dash between “eastside” and “online”)

June 2018

SENIORS ‘18 EASTSIDE

Page A

Photo by David Le (‘18)/ Eastside Underground Editor Photo illustration by David Le (‘18) and Eli Weitzman (‘20)/ Eastside Underground Editor and Eastside Webmaster

SENIORS ‘18

Page B

EASTSIDE

June 2018

Seeing Double: Twins (and triplets) of East

Eastside asked the following questions to all of the Class of 2018 siblings:

1.How are you similar to and unique from each other?

2.What do you like to do together?

3.Who would win in a fight?

Photos by Jacob Kernis (‘20)/ Eastside Sports Editor, Sophie Levine (‘19)/ Eastside Sports Editor and Gregory Rothkoff (‘19)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor

The Boyarskys Elissa Cohen (left): 1. “We are the most similar in our physical features, a lot of people say we look alike. Our passions are different. For example, I am athletic and Sari has always been artsy.”

2. “We don’t have a lot of planned activities together, we just end up doing things together.”

3. “I would win. I know I would win.”

Sari Cohen (right): 1. “Our appearance, but we are different in our interests in school. Although we have both participated in similar activities throughout high school, we plan to study completely different things.”

2. “We spend a lot of time together at home and just hang out at home. We also have the same friend group.”

3. “I guess Elissa would win.”

The Donahues Hunter Friedman (left): 1. “We usually tend to do the same things and the same sports, even though I’m better than him at all of them.

We’re different because I’m cute.”

2. “We play sports and fight together.”

3. “Me, he’s weak.”

Jake Friedman (right): 1. “We have pretty similar friends, we’re outgoing, both loud and obnoxious.”

2. “We are going to college together, and honestly we just play sports, Fortnite and hang out together.”

3. “Me. I have better hand-eye coordination, I’m faster, and I throw a stronger punch.”

The Quays Abigail Richman (left): 1. “I think we are similar because we talk alike, dress similar and are interested in the same things. We’re different because we take a lot of different classes in school.”

2. “We love to go to camp together and we have been in the same bunk every year.”

3. “She’s more aggressive. I’m more of a walk away type person.”

Alexis Richman (right): 1. “ I think we are similar because we talk alike, sometimes we dress alike and we have the same friends. We are different because we each have different qualities.”

2. “We run errands on the weekends and hang out with our friends.”

3. “Me, 100 percent.”

The Seos

Mattea Boyarsky (left): 1. “We are both very social and athletic. We are both always studying, but we make time to have fun. We also have the same mindset about things. I’m more passive and he is more aggressive. He wants things and he will get them. He’s more book smart and I have more common sense.”

2. “We definitely like to play tennis together. It’s always nice to have him as a hitting partner. We also hang out and watch basketball together.”

3. “Yeah, I would.”

Elan Boyarsky (right): 1. “We look alike, sometimes. We are very chill and nice; anyone can come up and talk to us. I’m more athletic and Mattea is more social.

I’ll do anything to get what I need.”

2. “We like to complain about homework and just sit and hang out with each other. Mattea tells me about all her boy drama and we always have a good time.”

3. “My sister. It has happened before and I try not to hit her.”

The Cohens Sadie Donahue (left): 1. “We are not, I do color guard...”

3. “I’m out of it. Brian could physically take you down more than Alison could.”

Brian Donahue (middle): 1. “We are honestly not, we have different friend groups, hobbies and some people say we don’t even look alike.”

2. “I would drive them around and blast Christmas trap music.”

3. “Sadie would lose in every aspect. Not a chance. I’m bigger than Alison, but she fights dirty.”

Alison Donahue (right): 1. “Im in theater. We are all in very different activities, but we all have the same taste in food.”

3. “Me. I would win and I have won before. I’m stronger than you would expect and I also will mentally torture you.”

The Friedmans Erin Quay (left): 1. “A lot of people say that we have twinstincts where we finish each other’s sentences. Sometimes we don’t have to talk; we just look at each other and know what is happening.”

2. “Absolutely nothing.”

3. “I would.”

Kathryn Quay (right): 1. “Sometimes I need her to bring something to East and before I even say what it is, she knows. That’s a lie. I enjoy doing sports, but I have become more centered around music and performing arts, whereas Erin is centered around physical activity.”

2. “That’s a lie. We really like to watch movies and make food.

Erin doesn’t know how to cook, so I always make food for her and we eat it together.”

3. “Erin would.”

The Richmans Dawon Seo (left): 1. “We are not similar. Our characteristics and personalities are very different.”

2. “We like to play piano together in church. I play the main keyboard and she plays the other one.”

3. “Me. Verbally and physically I would beat her.”

Chawon Seo (right): 1. “We’re very different; she is interested in art and I am interested in medicine.”

2.“Yeah, we play piano together. Also, we like to eat dinner together at night.”

3. “Me. I would definitely win.”

June 2018

SENIORS ‘18 EASTSIDE

Page C

Eastside asked students from the Class of 2018 to tweet pictures of their college decisions using #CHECommits18.

To celebrate the seniors’ achievements, Eastside selected photos to be featured in this issue.

#CHECommits18 Congrats to the entire East Class of 2018! It has been a pleasure covering your stories for the past four years.

We know every one of you will continue to make stories.

-Eastside Editorial Board and Mr. Gagliardi

Congratulations to our twin EICs and the entire Eastside Class of 2018.

With Love, The Cohen Family

If you have not had the chance yet, go to eastside-online.org to check out Eastside’s map of college decisions from the Class of 2018.

Page D

SENIORS ‘18 EASTSIDE

Senior Perspectives 2018

June 2018

Seniors say goodbye to a monumental chapter in their lives as they look forward to the years ahead Katie Cotter

My time at East is coming to an end, and I wish I listened to my peers in previous years.

Freshman year I was told, “time flies by” and that I’d be a senior in a blink of an eye. Oblivious to reality, I nodded my head and laughed it off. For underclassmen, my advice to you is to go to the dance, go to the basketball game, go to whatever event that East is holding because as foolish as I may sound, you’re going to regret missing it one day. In my freshman and sophomore years, I missed out on some events.

I liked to socialize but wasn’t too “popular,” as some high schoolers like to call it. This usually meant that I’d often just hang out with a small circle. Eventually, high school matured me and taught me a lesson: treat others the way you want to be treated. I didn’t follow this unwritten rule and found myself in a hole for some time, until junior year, when I found a great group of friends that were all at one point in a similar situation.

I’ll never forget the day I started sitting with them at lunch. I often thought to myself that I would never hang out with these

Abby Calisterio

It feels like just yesterday I entered these doors for the first time. Crowded, heated, smelly hallways bigger than anything I was used to. Looking around, I saw so many people that seemed so much bigger and so much older than I was.

Right then, I knew high school was a completely different animal. Getting around the hallways was a nightmare. I couldn’t find my classes and everything felt like it was miles away.

Now today, I sit here reflecting on my journey as a Cougar, approaching the end of the road. From my first day to my last, no single day throughout these four years has ever been the same. Whether it be my first dance when all of the meek little freshmen awkwardly stood on the dance floor, scared to embarrass themselves, to prom, where my friends and I went crazy on the dance floor, things are different. Whether it be attending my first school basketball game, standing in the back of our packed student section, The Countrymen, fol-

During my time at East, not only was I able to excel in academics, but I was also able to experience the transformative power of various programs at East.

During the school day, certain teachers would never fail to brighten my day. Before meeting the teachers I had at East, I didn’t believe that I could be successful in such hard classes. I will never forget when Mr. Rouen first told me I was great in science. I will never forget the moments before a big test when Mr. Semus would tell me I had nothing to worry about and that I knew what I was doing. In my experience, the greatest teachers have been those who believed in me more than I believed in myself.

I was also lucky enough to be a part of a miraculous swim team. The team spirit, traditions and dedication give the team a family mentality. I will never forget standing on the block at our first state championship meet since 1999. But more importantly, I will never forget the bus rides, the pasta parties, the kids outside of school. But why did I sit with them on my free time if I didn’t want to hang out with them? That was “anti-social” me. We all hung out the first time together and I immediately enjoyed myself. We started talking more, laughing more, making more inside jokes, going to games and events, etc. This group of guys shaped me into who I am today.

They’ve taught me selflessness, faith and respect. Through my ups and downs with this group, I’m grateful that East gave me this opportunity to meet some of my best friends.

Fast forward a year to senior year, and I’m more active than ever. I’m going to every event, every dance, every game, every party, you name it. I’ve created so many more memories this year alone than my freshman and sophomore years combined. So go to every event that you can because you’re eventually not going to get another one. Moral of the story and an allusion to the 76ers: trust the process.

If you ever find yourself in the same or similar situation as I was, be patient. It will get better. It seems like it doesn’t at first, but it does.

I’m sure most of us have heard something along the lines of, “High school will be over before you know it.” When I was a freshman, I, for one, did not believe that one bit. But now that my high school career is finally coming to a close, that statement could not hold any more truth. Looking back on my years at East, I have a lot to be thankful for. However, my outlook on school wasn’t always like that.

When I started high school four years ago, I was anything but excited. Coming to East meant leaving behind a small private school of a couple hundred students, many of whom were my childhood best friends. Out of about 2,200 people at East, I knew one other girl going into freshman year, so needless to say, I was very overwhelmed. My expectations were low, my stress levels were high and my fear was very noticeable. But eventually, I decided that if I’m going to spend the next four years of my life at East, why not get involved and make the most of it? And that’s exactly what I did.

East offers a plethora of opportunities and lowing suit and repeating the chants of the seniors leading in the front, to this year when all of the young freshmen followed as I led The Countrymen, things are different. Whether it be attending my first Mr. East freshman year, enjoying it from the crowd, to this year when I got to play a role in two different acts, hopefully giving that same joy that I had once felt, things are different.

High school truly is what you make of it. I have tried to be as involved as possible and it has made this year the best year of my life.

To the Class of 2018, I couldn’t be more thankful for all of you and the time we have spent together. Just yesterday it feels like we entered a scary new world called high school and in just a matter of days we will leave these doors for the final time, unaware of what our futures hold. I will truly miss attending East, but more importantly, I will miss the people that make East what is. I couldn’t have picked a better school to one day call my alma mater.

I am a cougar ‘til I die.

swim practices and the cheering we all experienced together.

I am also very thankful for the amazing Music Department at East; it has grown me into a better musician and a more confident person. I know I will never forget the moment I stepped into the White House or the moment Barack Obama shook my hand, the moment I stepped onto the Kennedy Center stage with my instrument in hand or the moment Brian Stokes Mitchell walked into the East auditorium. The satisfaction of putting on a great performance for very special people in very special places after hours of hard work is unforgettable. Above all of these experiences, however, I know I will never forget the hours of rehearsals spent with my fellow Cougars, the trips we took together, the laughter we shared on bus rides and the smiles we created as we performed around the area.

East can be a large and daunting school to one person alone. However, when you find your passion, you instantly find a community.

Justin Tobolsky

clubs and there’s something for just about everyone. I became involved within the Vocal Department, the swim team and the Filipino Culture Society (FCS). If I were told four years ago that I’d be in Stay Tuned and place 4th at an international a cappella competition, that Cherry Hill East Girls Swimming (CHEGS) would make it to State Finals after an eighteen-year drought or that I would be elected to be an officer of FCS, I wouldn’t believe it. High school taught me many things over the years, but most importantly, it taught me who I am.

It gave me the chance to explore new interests, it pushed me well outside of my comfort zone and it showed me more of my potential.

I was nagged by my parents to get good grades, and I was told by teachers to get to class on time. But the one thing they all failed to mention was just how fun high school could be. If I could leave behind one piece of advice to the underclassmen, it would be to get involved. To the freshmen reading this, start as soon as possible. And if you’re a junior, it’s not too late.

Jake Swerdloff

June 2018

SENIORS ‘18 EASTSIDE

Senior Perspectives 2018

Elyssa Aronson

I will never forget my first day of high school thinking, “This is gonna be a breeze!” Meanwhile, I did not know that the “breeze” would overtake me. High school years are transitional for all teenagers but affect each of us differently. During my time at East I have experienced homelessness and a loss of family and friends, which proved to be one of the most difficult times in my life. Throughout this journey, these trials developed my character, integrity, wisdom and humility. I’ve learned to always spread positivity and happiness, even if that is not reciprocat-

“High school will be the best four years of your life.” I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard that. In all the movies and TV shows, they focus on the forever friends to make, the amazing parties and proms to attend and the experiences that will turn into lifelong memories. I made forever friends, and I had experiences I will remember forever. I just happened to swap the parties and proms for 6 a.m. practices on weekends and national regattas. To say the least, my experience has been different.

The last four years for me have been some of the best of my life. Reading through past perspectives, students made a point to mention that East was like a second home to them and their involvement with the school. While East has provided a great learning community and environment, my second home has always been on the water. My best memories in the last four years have happened not at school but when I was rowing. My high school years have been dedicated to the sport that taught me lessons that I can bring from the boat to the classroom and further into the rest of my life. Yes, there are times that I feel I have missed out on the

ed. Just be happy for you and your well-being.

I am very thankful throughout these major trials in life that I had great, supportive teachers and, most of all, my great, consistent friends.

I am very grateful for all of the difficult times because I believe it happened on purpose for my purpose in life. Always remember, if there are any trials in your life, they are there for you to learn from them. It will help you grow and stretch you to help you reach your full potential and lead you to your ultimate purpose. Whatever you do, always spread peace and love.

Allison Donahue

Every morning I come to school with the same saying on the tip of my tongue: “It’s another day in paradise.” There are many people that give me the same baffled yet amused look when I recite this because of my unbreakable positive attitude toward school. School is not something that most people burst with excitement upon the very thought of it; however, aside from waking up, I know that every day is truly paradise here at East.

Yes, I’m sure that there is always something that can easily be complained about; however, most students unfortunately don’t realize how lucky we are to attend this school. As a student who also attended Eastern for a year, I can assure everyone here that no matter where you go, you will always miss this school.

Looking back at my four years in high school, I

Kaila Crozier

All photos by Sari Cohen (‘18)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Page E

“typical” high school experience, but I truly would not trade my last four years for the world.

Fundamentally, high school is meant to prepare you for college. You are supposed to get good grades and participate in activities to improve your canidacy. We are supposed to leave these walls prepared to adjust to life at a university. It just so happens that new world happens to be inside a boat. During junior year, many kids were focused on getting the best test scores they could; I was focused on getting recruited and getting my 2k down. I know what people say about athletes deserving spots at colleges, but I can promise you that while it might not have been in the same place, I made sacrifices, I put in the work and I earned my place.

Just as no two people live their lives in the same way, no two people experience high school the same way. That’s what this is about: different students sharing their perspectives, and reflecting on what this school has meant to them and how it has shaped their life. But as an athlete with a sport that the school does not offer, I found my home and my people outside of this community.

Jaden Williams

You may not know me, but if you’ve ever attended a fall play, spring musical, Coffeehouse, Multicultural Day or most other East events for the past two years, I’ve been there right beside you. Or should I say — above you.

Since my junior year, I have taken on the position of Production Stage Manager for East’s mainstage theatre productions and numerous other East events. My job entails facilitating rehearsals, managing communication between cast, crew, production staff and parents, calling the show and so much more. In simpler terms: whenever the lights change, a sound effect plays or a piece of scenery moves, it’s because I said ‘Go.’ Throughout my time at East, I’ve called likely a few thousand cues over a combined 24 mainstage theatre performances. Each production presents its own unique challenges. Looking at the finished product, it’s hard to remember that it all began with an empty stage and a cast bent over their scripts.

Since I adopted this role, my high school experience has transformed immensely from your average East student. Designing a showcase, program or T-shirt has become almost co-curric-

ular. Running back and forth between offices to deliver messages and sending emails to nearly 200 people at a time has become my norm. Awing, D-wing, the auditorium and Mr. Weaver’s office are as familiar to me as my own home. As the first person to arrive and the last person to leave rehearsals, getting home from school at 7 p.m. is an early night for me. And even then, my job doesn’t stop when I leave the walls of East.

It’s hard to grasp the idea of breaking this routine as the “lasts” of high school continue to roll out.

I feel so grateful that the highlight of my high school career was helping to create an experience for audience members and having the opportunity to touch so many lives through theatre. Having the responsibility of making the process of a production easier and ultimately positive for everyone involved has been a true privilege and honor. For that, I have the Theatre and Vocal Departments, their teachers and every person I’ve encountered along the way to thank. I will forever be grateful for the endless support and the unparalleled foundation they have given me during my time here at East.

am not able to think of even one negative memory. I remember all of my favorite moments. From the many books and plays (nearly all of them are page-turners if given the chance) read in Mrs. Hoyle, Mrs. McCaffery and Mr. Gagliardi’s English classes, Mrs. Lampman’s sense of humor in math, watching some of the best films of all time with Mr. Gambino and, of course, the wacky and fun experiments in science with Mr. Duffield and Ms. Endres, my time here at East is something that I will forever treasure.

For the hundreds of freshmen coming to this school in a couple of months, consider yourselves all as winners of the greatest lottery on Earth.

With the right attitude and outlook on life, I have no doubt that each and every student here will find what puts a smile on their face every morning as they walk through the doors of paradise.

My middle school graduation opened the “East” chapter of my life. I was told to follow my passion in high school, but I wasn’t even sure what my passion was, let alone know how to follow it. A few months later, I shuffled into the doors of East as an apprehensive freshman in pursuit of discovering my passion.

Fast forward to 2018: as I prepare to close this chapter, I recognize that the idea of discovering my passion has evolved into an ongoing process which will continue in college and beyond. As a member of the East Color Guard for four years, I learned how to strive for not just ‘personal best’ but also ‘team best’. As a captain this year, I learned about persevering through disappointments, especially when we were one point away from winning ‘superior’ this year.

Through my time at East, I also became aware of how lightheartedness can positively carry optimism. Mr. Keleher modeled this by inspiring my appreciation for discipline in music and life. He modeled leadership by showing us

about honor, humility and humor. Additionally, my academic experiences at East have taught me that true learning goes beyond memorizing information we collect in class. Many of my teachers at East have demonstrated how to extend my learning using innovative thinking. I am especially thankful for Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Buote and Mr. Kovnat, who give students opportunities to add their personalities into their work by creating meaningful projects that excite us. My teachers have guided me to identify my passion of teaching students and instill innovative thinking.

Now, the door of East leads me to the next chapter of my life. Although classes will end, I will carry East’s positive impact with me for my entire life. I am so grateful that I have discovered my life passion during these four incredible years. I’ve learned that my passion is to become a teacher who perseveres, motivates and laughs. Thank you, Cougars, for the greatest years of my life. Stay calm and hold on to hope!

Pat Mendoza

Page F

EASTSIDE

June 2018 Most Athletic: Eric Sherman and Kayla DeGuzman

SUPERLATIVES

June 2018

EASTSIDE

Page G

Unsung Hero: Kevin Stankiewicz and May Chan

Best Actor/Actress: Harrison Smith and Courtney Bird

Most Enthusiastic: Justin Liebman and Jillian Rivera

d cee : uc ional S d to t ly ira r an ike t Insp dka L st os he Mo d M ad K rie an isha Oko N liet Ju

and air: real n H i a t Bes an Esc e Lev n i e l S de Ma

Most Tech-Savvy: David Burns and Allison Donahue

n : ed an olv erm ra v e n m st I im Riv Mo uis Z llian o L d Ji an

d: de d un in an o R te ell- kels cot st Wn Fin Cola o M aro ah A bek Re

le: nd rab ko a o em chod reu st M Pre eAb o n M sti a D Ju brin Sa

Most Ambitious: Ben Shore and Madeline Levin

Biggest Backpack: Eli Griffith and Amy Backal Most Likely to Pull an All-Nighter: Sean Min and Chelsea Stern

Biggest Book/Reading Fanatic: David Agosto-Ginsburg and Jayne Baran

Most Likely to Take Gym Seriously: Nate Greenspan and Abby Calisterio

Most Likely to Possess Random Knowledge: Alex Glass and Elizabeth Winslow

Best Singer: Harrison Smith and Courtney Bird

Best Musician: Alex Glass and Elizabeth Bishop

Best Writer: Jared Fisch and Sari Cohen

Best Female Look-Alikes: Georgia Gray and Grace Morrow

Biggest Music Fanatic: Ricky Iulliucci and Courtney Bird

Best Male Look-Alikes: David Chen and David Cheng

Most Studious: Nishaad Khedkar and Audrey Yeung Best Morning Person: Justin Liebman and Juliet Okorie Most Positive: Hyder Alikhan and Juliet Okorie

Class Clown: Justin Prechodko and Maliyah Allen

Most Approachable and Friendliest: Justin Liebman and Juliet Okorie

Most Avid Gamer: Vinny DeFrancesco and Gwen Robbins

Best Couple: Cade Zaris and Sabrina DeAbreu

Most Artistic: Jonathan Levy and Rose Ni Biggest Health/Fitness Fanatic: Daniel Gorenberg and Isabella Zebrowski

Prettiest Eyes: Harrison Smith and Samantha Greenbaum

Funniest: Ben Resnick and Maliyah Allen

Best Personality: Louis Zimmermann and Juliet Okorie

Best Laugh: Robert Rogowski and Marlee Beder Best Bromance: Jack Amon and Drew Hoffman

Most Talkative: Andrew Austin and Carly Greenblatt

Best Snapchat Stories: Jake Stofman and Julia Szpunar

Wittiest: Joshua Sodicoff and Hope Rosenblatt

Most Likely to Work at East: Hunter Friedman and Angelina Libbi Best Smile: Noah Kaminer and Anna Smith

Most Creative: Andrew Austin and Rose Ni

Best Vocabulary: Joshua Sodicoff and Jocelynne Doraton

Best Person to Follow on Twitter: Brad Coolahan and Jayne Baran

Best BFFs: Julita Krzton and Julia Szpunar

Best Facial Hair: Justin Prechodko

Biggest Heartthrob: Sean Escareal and Sabrina DeAbreu

Best Co-Ed Friends: Jon Calabrese and Jillian Rivera Person Everyone Wants to Be: Nishaad Khedkar and Sabrina DeAbreu

Most Likely to Become U.S. President: Joshua Sodicoff and Lauren Atkin Biggest TV/Movie Fanatic: Andrew Austin and Elizabeth Winslow

Best Dressed: Quinn Litsinger and Sabrina DeAbreu

Most Politcally-Savvy: Quinn Litsinger and Lauren Atkin

Biggest Sports Fanatic: Drew Hoffman and Elissa Cohen Best Person to Follow on Instagram: Louis Zimmermann and Julia Szpunar

Most School-Spirited: Brad Coolahan and Jillian Rivera

Most Likely to Save the World: Justin Liebman and Stephanie Nemeth

Most Opinionated: Ben Shore and Nandini Kuntamakula Most Outgoing: Justin Liebman and Jillian Rivera

Most Likely to Invent Something Unusual: Joshua Sodicoff and Gwen Robbins

Best to Bring Home to Mom and Dad: Aaron Finkelstein and Isabella Cammisa

Most Likely to Host a Talk Show: Drew Hoffman and Hope Rosenblatt

Art by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Eastside Art Director and Rose Ni (‘18)/ Eastside Art Director Photos by Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor and Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Photo Editor Photo illustration by David Le (‘18)/ Eastside Underground Editor

SENIORS ‘18

Page H

EASTSIDE

Most and least changed

MOST CHANGED:

LEAST CHANGED:

Kevin Stankiewicz

luca russo

lAUREN aNGELASTRO

jULIA bRIER

sean escareal

dYLAN hARDING

i Hong Moon = K

Lee

Ava Cosenza = Reese Witherspoon

Jared F

isch = L

ogic

Photos by Jiseon Lee (‘20), Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Photo Editors and Chelsea Stern (‘18)/ Eastside Community Editor Photo illustrations by Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Photo Editor and Chelsea Stern (‘18)/ Eastside Community Editor

w Garfield

= Andre Aaron Plaksen

Samantha Greenb

aum = Brittany Sn

ow

Celebrity look-alikes

Anthony

June 2018

June 2018

SENIORS ‘18 EASTSIDE

Eastside by the #s

# of times that Josh Sodicoff said Graig instead of Greg - 35 # of times that Eli mentioned his “job” - 3,377 # of times Jared gave the Eastside folder shortcut… again - 245 # of times the Opinions section has argued - 5 # of times David tried to bring back Eastside Humor’s section - ∞ # of relatives Mooch has - 23 # of pages in Gagz’s newest book, Twitter Scratch Paper - 100 # of boxes of donuts on an average layout day - 3 # of times Josh Pipe said, “yaaaasssss” - 4 billion # of times Adam advertised his rap career - 257 # of times sections needed last-minute art - 26,843 # of times Eric questioned an editorial - 25 # of times people questioned what Underground is - 877 # of times people used the back room as a storage room - 439,582,841 # of waffle makers brought to the White Elephant - 2 # of times Drew didn’t know what was going on - too many # of times Ilana roasted someone - 7 # of WhatsApp messages - 6,091 # of WhatsApp images - 352 # of times people confused Sari and Elissa during Mafia - at least 5 # of Eastside teams that qualified for Quiz Bowl finals - 4 # of Amazon stories rejected - 1,984,120 # of issues published this year - 11 # of “Eastsid” stools - 5 # of animal stories in Community - 6 # of times our Dallas driver missed the turn going to football game - 29 # of people subscribing to the Eastside Humor Feed on Echo: 226 # of jackets floating around the cabinets of F087 all year - 3 # of Eastside seniors graduating - 15 (See Pg. K)

Faculty Superlatives (voted by Class of 2018) Mr. Davis: Most School Spirited Ms. Dollarton: Most Parental Ms. Dorety: Most Organized, Funniest Mr. Gambino: Best Hair Ms. Heier: Best Substitute Ms. Jastrow: Most Active in Students’ Lives, Most Talkative Mr. Kovnat: Best Catchphrase - “Go cry in the corner in a fetal position.”

Mr. Locke: Most Energetic, Most Influential, Most Passionate, Most Memorable, Best Advice Giver Mr. Pierlott: Friendliest Mr. Semus: Most Intellectual Mr. Vann: Best Dressed Mr. Winegrad: Most Interesting Personality, Best New Addition

Jared Fisch

Page I Jared - What do we say at this point in time? The usual parent stuff we guess. You are smart, hardworking, a leader and a team player. You have loved school from the first day we dropped you off at kindergarten.

We taught you to be dedicated and you have certainly been that with both Eastside and Ice Hockey.

So we guess it’s time to let you fly.

On to the next of what will be many adventures. Taking your passion and east coast swag to MIZZOU. Work hard. Take advantage of every opportunity. Make every day count.

And most importantly, have fun!

And remember, “Trust the Process.”

We Love You! Love Mom, Dad, Jason and Oakley

Justin Anderson Rachel Levine, Congrats Div1 Congrats on all your Swimming next year!!

honors at East.

Good luck at Love, Mom and Dad xxoo Maryland.

GO TERPS! With love and pride, Mom, Dad, Josi, Sophia and Max Congratulations Rachel! We Love You. Fear the Turtle.

Love, Mama and Papa

SENIORS ‘18

Page J

EASTSIDE

June 2018

Eastside’s editors-in-chief and managing editor reflect on their time with Eastside

As a science-loving and only semi-creative incoming freshman, I never anticipated F087 as my home base for four years at East. With limited elective options for freshmen, I took journalism out of my older sister’s demand. For someone who does not particularly find pleasure in writing essays, I never expected to adore journalism as much as I did after just one week of Gagz’s class. I began my high school experience unsure and confused of which path I would ultimately take, but within days I felt a part of something bigger than myself.

I soon realized that my desire to perfect everything and my logistic mindset shone through in the editing process whereas my love and appreciation for sports gave me a reason to write. Eastside affected my life in ways that I never envisioned. From heightening my work ethic to inspiring me to make change, Eastside can be credited for my maturation and drive.

Although I am beyond eager to see what the future holds for me, I would do anything to be able to spend more time in F087. So, Ilana, Sophia, Nafessa and Ali, please appreciate the broken printer and awful air circulation in the room, but more importantly, do big things! Take risks to make Eastside bigger and better, earn more national titles and win more Quiz Bowls.

Hope, Sari and Jared, these past four years have been nothing less than a rollercoaster (with more ups than downs, even though that is physically impossible, but I promise I know the science). I am so proud of all that we have accomplished and cannot wait to watch each of you succeed in the journalism industry. Hope, I expect to see you as editor-on-chief of The New Yorker; Sari, I will record your news segments on CNN; and Jared, I cannot wait to turn on ESPN and hear your voice announcing the Sixers’ games. Despite the fact that I will not be a journalism major next year, I know storytelling and journalism will remain a huge part of my life.

I never expected my high school experience to play out like it did, but I would not trade it for the world. So, to Becca for forcing me to take Journalism I, to Gagz for his extremely intelligent lessons and his underlying jokes that I have now caught onto, to my Quiz Bowl teammates for losing with pride, to the rodents who give F087 more quirks, to the couch for eating phones, to Sari and Hope for stealing the good computers and to everyone else who has spent early mornings and late nights with me in F087, I owe you a huge thank you.

Sari Cohen: Editor-in-Chief

I enrolled in Journalism I freshman year, one, because my sister told me to and, two, because I loved to write. Nonetheless, I am not leaving East with a passion for journalism solely because of my sister and my love for writing. Rather, I am leaving East with a passion for journalism because of everything that has happened since then.

From the moment I walked through the door of F087 a week before freshman year, I was captivated. The room itself drew me in. It is not like any other classroom; it is different, it is filled with stories — literally. I wanted to read every story on each wall, I wanted to write a story that would be put up on the wall but, most importantly, I wanted to be a part of the stories that took place in that room every single day. I obviously knew I would be spending a lot of time in F087, but it was not until the first Eastside meeting I attended that I knew what I was going to do and with whom I was going to do it.

I am not quite sure how, but this year I was able to lead Eastside with some of my best friends. It was so incredible for me to share my passion and work alongside Jared, Elissa and Hope. At first, I was worried things could get crazy because we all had relationships outside of Eastside, but honestly this year could not have run more smoothly. Whether we were working on pages after school or leading an editorial discussion during Period H, the four of us always enjoyed ourselves — partly because Hope never failed to provide comic relief in times of stress. Nevertheless, I am beyond proud of our accomplishments and success in continuously striving to do the best we can possibly do. Yet, we would not even be remotely close to success without the wisdom Gagz imparted daily.

It will definitely be a difficult transition to leave F087 behind with my high school years because it has acted as both a newsroom and a place of safety and comfort for me. I have faith that even though in a different place, journalism will continue to provide me with a feeling of belonging and a sense of achievement. Although I will miss my time in F087 with all of the wonderful people who make up Eastside, I look forward to spreading the lessons I have learned through Eastside as I move on to my next chapter of journalistic storytelling and education.

I realized at a young age that the power of the written word can evoke deep emotions, whether it be fear, joy or sorrow. From my favorite books, I recognized that storytelling was an art, and I too wanted to tell stories. In high school, Eastside became the outlet through which I could pursue my passion.

As writers, we have the opportunity to to tell the stories of those without a platform. I have given a voice to the hipsters of the hallways, eager to refute their stereotypes. I have written about the challenges of cultural appropriation from the perspective of a theater director, and I have ventured into an apiary with only a net over my face to help a local beekeeper explain the dangers of colony collapse disorder. Yet, working for the school newspaper is not all bees and honey. Eastside has taught me to be persistent in the face of obstacles and to stand up for what I believe in. Fortunately, I was accompanied by some amazing friends and leaders along the way.

The first story I wrote in F087 was a profile on Jared. At the time, he was a stranger and I didn’t know how to write. Yet, there aren’t words to describe how grateful I am that I get to include him in my final F087 story.

Sari challenges me to think differently and in most cases, to think rationally. I am lucky enough to have worked closely with her for two years because I’m a better person for it.

Elissa always understands exactly what I’m feeling, whether it be during an editorial discussion, or when we are equally confused trying to work InDesign. She is a constant reminder that we are a team.

I am so thankful that Gagz gave me this chance four years ago. Under his direction, I have spoken at national conventions, competed for awards at the highest level, and lost Mafia in a lot of different states. He has helped mold me into the writer and person I have always wanted to become.

In the end, it is the people in F087 who truly make Eastside what it is. We are a group of people who could not be more different, but that is exactly what makes every single moment so special. I have gotten to work with the most amazing individuals this school has to offer and it is unreal I get to call these people my friends.

As I further my education, I am excited to know I will be challenged consistently. While journalism is a medium for storytelling, my pursuit of growth as a writer is a story that is just beginning. Thank you, Eastside, for helping me write these beginning chapters.

Jared Fisch: Managing Editor

Elissa Cohen: Editor-in-Chief

Hope Rosenblatt: Editor-in-Chief

The best thing I ever did in high school was muster up the courage to go to my first Eastside meeting back in 2014. As cliché as it sounds, that day changed my life. It opened a new door for me, one that granted me access to discover my true passion and calling. That door, physically the one that leads to F087 and metaphorically the one that has guided me to where I am today, has given me opportunities that I would not have found elsewhere, be it inside or outside the old walls of East.

As a member of the Eastside Editorial Board, I experimented with different forms of journalism, learning to record and upload my very own podcast called Fantasy Football Fridays where I engaged in informative dialogue alongside Ben Goldsmith (‘17) and Drew Hoffman (‘18). We recorded and uploaded 25 episodes to Soundcloud, garnering over a thousand views and later being awarded the title of Best Podcast in New Jersey by the Garden State Scholastic Press Association. Outside of Eastside’s lair known as F087, I produced video interviews with up-and-coming rappers Taylor Bennett and Mir Fontane, which can be found on YouTube.

Senior year rolled around and it was finally my turn to pilot the ship. I had so much fun being Eastside’s Managing Editor this year and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Although it may be stressful at times, the hard work paid off in the end... we published the most issues during one school year in Eastside history.

Now I sit back and reflect on my years at East and the first thing that comes to my mind are four characters...F-0-8-7. I spent more time in that room than I did anywhere else in the school. I get nostalgic thinking about leaving the home I discovered here.

Most importantly, I am beyond grateful for the bond I have formed with Mr. Gagliardi, or as we Eastside people call him, Gagz. Without you, my mentor, teacher, adviser and friend, I would not be in the position I am today. I want to thank you for all of the guidance you have given me over the years.

While I will not miss the temperature nor stench that radiates from F087, I will miss the feeling I get when I walked in there every day... it will leave a void in my life that cannot simply be replaced. Although I am leaving behind so much in that room, I am excited for my next step in my journalistic journey: the University of Missouri. I wish nothing but the best to the 2018-2019 Eastside Editorial Board... I know you will continue to conduct yourselves in the professional manner that cannot be found in any other high school newsroom across the globe.

Photos by Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Photo Editor

SENIORS ‘18

June 2018

EASTSIDE

Page K

CULTURE CORNER Eastside’s senior editors and adviser answer questions to reflect upon their time with Eastside.

Name

Photo

Photos by Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor

A headline I would write about the person above me:

The person below me would most likely get arrested for...

I have beef with (Eastside editor) because...

I wish my coeditor this year was..

Eastside confession:

Chelsea Stern

“Fun-sized senior holds record for most consecutive sneezes”

public nudity once Sherri (his mom) stops picking out his clothes

Elissa because she still scares me

David Le

I still accidentally walk into the Drafting room on my way to F087.

Drew Hoffman

“Local Syracutie caught stealing tofu from Shoprite, acceptance rescinded”

sneaking on “The Ellen Show”

Kernis because he claims he can beat me at 1v1 at the JCC

Kernis

I think I’m the reason Multimedia is going into extinction.

Hope Rosenblatt

“Multimedia director finally remembers Instagram password on the last day of school”

something I forced him to do against his will

Sari because I’ve never told anyone this, but I’ve always thought Elissa was my twin

Jon Calabrese

I actually like the yellow color of our shirts.

Louis Zimmermann

“Rosenblatt betrays Zimmermann in Mafia - and everyone falls for it”

stealing Hope’s heart

Josh Sodicoff because he always starts arguments, then deflects them to me and Eric, who then argue for hours #opinions

April Van Buren, or Hope

Up until January 1, I thought that Ali was Claire and Claire was Ali.

Jon Calabrese

“King Louis signs peace treaty with Eric First”

stealing jars of peanut butter

Hope because she always talking drama

Hope

I’m not a sinner. I have nothing to confess.

Elissa Cohen

“Calabrese mistaken for Sam Smith after getting a new haircut”

tweeting excessively about East Ice Hockey

Sari because I’ve never told anyone this, but I’ve always thought Hope was my twin

Josh Sodicoff

In F087, people call me “Sari” or mumble a name more often than they call me “Elissa”.

Jared Fisch

“Elissa Cohen leads girls lax team to 7-4 win over Eastern”

political propaganda

Drew Hoffman... no reason

Nashita Ali

I never understood why Gagz was so obsessed with monkeys.

Josh Sodicoff

“Logic reveals he is secretly still in high school”

having a varsity letter in too many East sports

Josh Pipe because he stole my name

Alon Goldfinger

I edited all of the opinions stories before Eric ever got to them.

Eric First

“Sodicoff’s latest rap number hits the charts”

not showing up to class

Josh Sodicoff because he starts unecessary arguments in our section

David Le

I edited all of the opinion stories for Josh.

Rose Ni

“First named the Trumpet Player of the Year”

taking the AP tests for Elissa

Josh Sodicoff because of his ability to ruin every single chem lab

Anyone; I like you all

I overslept on Distribution Day 9 out of 10 times.

Sari Cohen

“Ni gets recognition for artistic achievement”

dining and ditching

Hope and Elissa because they’re cliquey

Josh Sodicoff

I accidentally deleted the previous year’s Mr. East preview when working on it last year.

Sabrina DeAbreu

“Everyone goes the entire year thinking Sari is Elissa”

stealing monkeys from the zoo

The opinions editors because they request art at 12 a.m. and ask where it is 100 times

Eric First

Rose accidentally ate year-old candy she thought I left her in the art drawer for exit letters/ gifts.

Mr. Gagliardi (Honorary)

“Eastside art director draws attention by scanning F087”

illegal Photoshopping

Josh Sodicoff because he didn’t challenge me to a rap battle.

Our bus driver in Dallas

I have a Josh Pipe Finsta.

David Le

“Gagliardi’s new book, Twitter Scratch Paper, becomes an NYT bestseller”

running a Ponzi-scheme as Eastside business manager

Eli Weitzman because he keeps bragging about his job. We get it, Eli, you have a JOB.

um...

Mooch!

I’m secretly the Eastside “humor editor”. Unofficially, of course.

Abigail Richman

“Le revamps the humor section”

stalking

Eric First because he doesn’t like the way I talk or the comments I make.

Hope Rosenblatt

I never really understood the rules of Mafia.

Adiel Davis

“Second-semester senior jumps around”

going to sleep too late

Abigail because she didn’t invite me to her #SSS party

Josh Sodicoff

Louis and I have been secretly dating this entire year.

Sketch the person below you:

SENIORS ‘18

Class of 2018 college decisions Page L

The University of Alabama Brad Coolahan Lindsey Williams Alvernia University Claire Huynh American University Nina Kasdin Ben Shore Arcadia University Aimee Rouff University of Arizona Sarah Orlando Alexis Richman Art Institutes of Philadelphia Kriswel Rivera University of the Arts Courtney Bird Jon Hess Binghamtom University Evey Grika Boston University Sari Cohen Sarah Craig Cabrini University Anthony Frasca University of CaliforniaBerkeley Noah Kaminer Lily Yang Camden County College Jenica Degooyer Carnegie Mellon University Sean Min Vivian Sun Case Western University Sophia Damico University of Chicago David Chen Clark University David Agosto-Ginsberg Clemson University Sabrina DeAbreu College of Charleston Cate Venturini College of the Holy Cross Nick Dambra The College of New Jersey Olivia Bonanni Jonathan Calabrese Elizabeth Jones Eugene Kim Julita Krzton Ela Majkut Jake Swerdloff University of ColoradoBoulder Justin Adler Matt Petcove University of Connecticut Amy Backal Columbia College Chicago Jennifer Goldstein The Culinary Institute of America Maya Stein Timothy Welsch University of Dayton Jake Martin University of Delaware Lilly Checkoff Alana Cohen Samantha Gelman Bethany Jacobson Brett Kamen Seiji O’Brien Kathryn Quay Tyler Tedesco Jordan Tort Isabella Zebrowski Dickinson College Analisa Groble Drexel University Gabrielle Boiskin Jerry Cherian Nick Dacanay Brianna Doyle Jess Hofman Julia Holtzman Jacky Huang Madelyn Kim Jihee Lee Bridge Liu Alex McCormack Anna-Maria Petroiu Isaac Sung Allen Wu Kevin Wu

EASTSIDE

Congrats to the Class of 2018! This list was compiled based on posts in our Facebook college decisions group.

Duquesne University University of Minnesota Rowan University Justin Prechodko Josh Clayman Hyder Alikhan Danielle Allen East Stroudsburg University of Missouri Jack Amon University Jared Fisch Len Asari Sadie Donahue Sumaiyya Asim Emily Krupinski Montclair State University Isabelle Ban Hannah Dubois Sydney Breslow Eastern University Brett Fox Ava Cosenza Evan Frisby Victoria Komarova Batoul Friag Harrison Smith Jessica Haya Elizabethtown College Caleb Hong Ricky Iuliucci Carmen DeCosmo Mount Holyoke College Gwen Robbins Shivani Kamdar Elon University Thomas Klimek Min Stanwyck Muhlenberg College David Le Madison Palat David Levin Michael Martinez Emory University Carol Hou Neumann University Ian McClellan Victoria Trombetta Kervens Mezilus Erasmus University Robert Milner-Santiago Rotterdam University of New England Jennifer Necsutu Jef Adrieanssens Sarah Walter Erin Quay Shay Reynolds University of New Haven Justin Tobolsky Fairleigh Dickinson Emily Tran University Nathanael Jean-Louis Chad Weiss Kalyssa Nufable New Jersey Institute of Molly Watson Techology Maddie Wolf University of Florida Cade Zaris Amanda Seligman Justin Andersen Jonathan Andrade Fordham University Katherine Ji Rowan College at Julia Spzunar Gabriel Ritter Burlington County Eric Sherman Ana Akbar George Washington Melissa Posner University Northeastern University Rutgers UniversityHope Rosenblatt Emily Qiao Camden University of Georgia Northwestern University Lauren Angelastro Louis Zimmermann Elizabeth Winslow Lily Berrios Kaila Crozier Goldey-Beacom College The Ohio State University Kayla de Guzman Star Beasley Samantha Fry Michael Gvili Drew Hoffman Patrick Mendoza Gwynedd Mercy Hallie Levine Yen Nguyen University Nicole Wilson Semi Oh Kalei Helmetag Kyle Winter Pace University University of Illinois at Jordyn Deal Rutgers University-New Urbana-Champaign Brunswick University of Pennsylvania Nandini Kuntamukkula Marlee Beder Aaron Finkelstein Elan Boyarsky Indiana UniversityJennifer Luo Mattea Boyarsky Bloomington Jonathan Szeto Anna Busler Raghav Kalyan May Chan Pennsylvania State Jared Ohnona Caitlyn Chen University- Abington Gregory Cohler James Madison University Ryan Cummins Katherine Cotter Georgia Gray Bobby Grife Michaela DiFlorio Ryan Wong Sean Escareal Jefferson University Xueshan Xueshan Xia Yakir Eylon Michelle DiLullo Lauren Friedman Ben Lenoff Pennsylvania State Sudarshana Govindasamy Julianna Martinez University- University David Guida Park David Ha Johns Hopkins University Hailey Abrams Nicole Hammerquist Grace Lee Heather Abrams Akif Hoque Juliet Okorie Nathaniel Greenspan Yahya Jawad Justin Liebman Andrew Jung Juniata College Rose Ni Dean Kenny Alex Forlenza Michelle Kim Point Park University Claudine Laygo Korea Advanced Institute Allison Donahue Rachel Lee of Science and Technology Samuel Miller Saikat Das University of Pittsburgh Ari Nahum Rebekah Colacot Stephanie Nemeth Lancaster Bible College Jocelynne Dorotan Rohini Pandey Curtis Chance Nina Duong Nadia Qazi Jonathan Levy Ben Resnick Aaron Lin La Salle University Jillian Rivera Jacob Singer Katie Suarez Fariha Sheikh Madison Vogel Ann Siu Naomi Warszawski Lebanon Valley College Sophie Sklar Dan Gorenberg Hojun Son Princeton University Felix Chen Lehigh University Saint Joseph’s University Nishaad Khedkar Isabella Cammisa Jayne Baran Derek Poletti Maureen Garafano Maggie Hallinan Long Island University Purdue University Kiara Bell Kevin Stankiewicz University of the Sciences Ray Kress Marist College Quinnipiac University Manpreet Singh Claire Tremper Abby Miller Jessica Segal University of Scranton University of MarylandMorgan Snell College Park Ramapo College Jake Bernstein Andrew Abate Stephan Chan Seton Hall University Carissa Campbell Eric First Dienye Peterside Sidra Isenberg University of Rhode Island Madeline Levin University of Southern Madison Dautle Rachel Levine California Carly Greenblatt Jake Marcus Morgan Reid

Mercer County College Justin Brown Joshua Goldstein Merrimack College Hannah Vindick University of Miami Kiana Hollingsworth University of Michigan Elissa Cohen Shaunak Nadkarni Joshua Sodicoff Millersville University Justin Canale Adam Kriesman Jake Stofman Matthew Young

Rider University Faith Banfe Brian Donahue Nicole Harms Cameron Kunkle Rochester Institute of Technology Ejay Gray

Stevens Institute of Technology Kira Mahoney Carolyn Wang Stockton University Emily Crossley Saniyya Fitzgerald-Holmes Andrew Hudson Alexa Kelly Angelina Libbi Carly Lyons Rebecca Rimby Phoebe Rosica Stony Brook University Mirena Medina

June 2018

Syracuse University Sarah Deitch Ethan Diamond Anna Fleisher Anthony Moon Chelsea Stern University of Tampa Sydney Simmons Temple University Leon Adler Elizabeth Bishop Ben Bliss J.D. Carusi Rebecca Chafetz Katelyn Cliver Isabella DiAmore Alex Erlam Melissa Favors-Oliver Alex Glass Noah Gurshon Maansi Joshi Quinn Litsinger Cate Marcelli Avena Patel Jackie Rappaport Jess Santiago Anna Smith Jakob Sokoloff University of Texas - Austin Elyssa Aronson Andrew Austin Dylan Harding University of Texas- San Antonio Celena Pineda Towson University Hunter Friedman Jake Friedman Samantha Greenbaum Bailey Hamptom Michael Kenny Michael Marchetti Shannon Reiss Ariel Rosov Emma Roth Trinity College Jeffrey Teng Tulane University Tyler Esposito Elena Lotano Carlie Wiseman United States Navy Nicole Rossi Nicolette Warrington Vanderbilt University David Kwon Villanova University David Cheng Grace Morrow University of Virginia Lauren Atkin Edward Shen Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Mitchell Biderberg Andrew Curran School of Visual Arts Vivian Gao University of Waterloo Aditi Lohtia West Chester University Samantha Bourne Julia Brier William Paterson University Viktorija Komarov University of WisconsinMadison Adin Berger Abigail Richman Yale University Audrey Yeung York College of Pennsylvania Jason Cox

June 2018

COMICS

Shopping by Esther Levine (‘21)/ Eastside Staff

EASTSIDE

Page 21

stuDYING by Jeffrey Kaminer (‘21)/ Eastside Staff

Forbidden Love by Sarah Zheng (‘20)/ Eastside Staff

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ENTERTAINMENT

Page 22

EASTSIDE

Celebrities’ actions affect the media ■ By Harry Green (‘20)

Eastside Entertainment Editor

When students watch, listen or otherwise appreciate their favorite actors and musicians, they tend to consider the value of the art but not the artist. In the information age, students’ ability to know more about the creators of the art they consume forces them to answer new and difficult questions. In recent months, notable artists in music, television and film have come under fire for their controversial statements and misdeeds. In November, Oscar Awardwinning actor Kevin Spacey was widely denounced for allegedly making sexual advances towards a minor in 1986.

In late April, once-beloved television star Bill Cosby was convicted of sexual assault. Just last month, acclaimed rapper Kanye West insinuated in a TMZ interview that African slavery in America was a choice. These artists’ behaviors place the beholder of their ample talents in a moral conundrum: can one appreciate the art of an immoral or uninformed artist?

In this conflict, there are competing perspectives.

In one view, one can simply “separate the art from the artist.” Proponents of this view, presumably, can chuckle at reruns of Bill Cosby playing “America’s dad” unfettered by his status as a convicted sex of-

fender.

Nevertheless, others feel that no material can be separated from the person who created it. In this view, the taste of the fruit cannot be considered outside of the tree from which it fell. From this perspective,

he did something bad… it doesn’t take away from his music. His music is good music.”

Echoing these sentiments, Lucas Semon (‘19) said, “What I think is important is that we look at [art] and take it for what

Photo illustration by David Le (‘18)/ Eastside Underground Editor

Bill Cosby’s conviction has affected his perception by some students.

Kanye’s opinion on slavery is inseparable from his music.

Students in the East community expressed varying opinions of the topic.

Most students espoused a belief that art can be appreciated without respect to the artist.

Referring to controversial musician Kanye West, Omar Raja (‘20) said, “It’s whatever you want to listen to. It’s not just because

it is... people look up to these people and then they for some reason feel like their opinions are somehow greater or that they should be listened to necessarily, when these are just people too, and they have their opinions, but you should have yours.”

Furthermore, David Hunter (‘19) expressed his support for both Kanye West and Bill Cosby, saying, “I know what Kanye

charged [and bring] a portable charger,” said Lark O’Brien (‘20).

Of course, it is important to be able to carry everything that you will be bringing with you. “ A

mer, it gets really hot,” said Aviva Lerman (‘19).

Some other necessities include extra money, a change of clothes, hair ties, Advil and earplugs. It is also important to take the bad weather into account when making your plans.

“Never go anywhere without a poncho, it usually rains,” said Covert.

You have to make sure you dress the part; that means dressing for comfort.

“Wear sneakers [because] flip-flops can hurt your feet and they can fall off if you’re in a mosh pit,” said Lerman.

People usually go to concerts to listen to bands they enjoy. But it is also a

said, but I still listen to his music. I know what Bill Cosby did, but I still watch his show. I think that… they shouldn’t be marked as bad people just because of the actions they made even though what they did was wrong.”

George Parsons (‘21) exhoed a similar sentiment.

“I think everybody has the right to choose whether or not to consume the media. I think that even if it does tarnish the person, I can choose not to respect them, but I don’t think that affects the quality of the production,” said Parsons.

While many East students downplayed the importance of the artist in their work, this opinion was not universal.

Jean-Michelet Andre (‘19) shared his thoughts on both West and Cosby, saying, “I already stopped listening to Kanye. I wasn’t really a huge fan of him to begin with, but anything I liked about him is gone.”

Referring to Cosby’s sexual assault conviction, Andre added, “Doing something that harmful to people, it ruins everything he will do now, that he has done and will do in the future.”

As people become more aware of the personal lives of the artists that they follow, they will continue to be challenged. At least for now, it appears that some of the student body is content to appreciate art for its own sake.

Learn to survive summer music events ■ By Samantha Roehl (‘20)

Eastside Staff

As the days get longer and the air more humid, the time for concerts and crowded venues is growing nearer.

Though concerts can be fun, it is important to be prepared for them so they can be thoroughly enjoyed.

When planning to see a concert, you should first take into account how much you are willing to spend.

“Get the cheapest seats available.

Save money so you can buy shirts,” said Erin Hurley (‘19).

Before going to a concert, it is important to be conscious of your surroundings.

“If you’re skeptical and [the concert] is in [a potentially dangerous location], you want to be aware of what you might encounter,” said Carolyn Vargheese (‘20).

Additionally, be sure not to forget your phone, as it is important to be able to contact others if the need arises.

“Make sure your phone’s

fanny pack is an essential.

It is j u s t easier than a purse and… it’s on y o u r [body] so you don’t lose it,” said Lauren Covert (‘19).

Additionally, with the summer heat it is imperative that you don’t get dehydrated.

“Bring a reusable water bottle because you [can] fill it up… and it’s free...

[During the] sum-

good idea to research the opening musicians. “ Y o u should always know the artist, and if there is an opening act, you should listen to them so it’s [a] better [experience] when you get there,” said Hemma Boggi (‘21).

Most importantly, use your best judgement if you find yourself in a bad situation.

“Don’t do anything that you’re unsure of. If you’re questioning it, don’t do it,” said Kelly McCormick (‘19).

When concert season arrives, you will be ready to enjoy it. Just make sure you do not forget your tickets!

Art by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Staff

June 2018

■ By Eli Weitzman (‘20) Eastside Webmaster

Artificial Intelligence, more informally k n o w n as AI, has been around for a while. Well, at least the concept of it.

There was HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 from The Terminator and even a few examples in RoboCop. The film industry has definitely had a field day with AI, but what is it really?

Well, to start, AI is the idea that a digital ‘being’ can be created, similar and almost indistinguishable from a human. Very few have tried to make a sustainable version. Some, in part of the fear of AI taking over, like the views expressed in The Terminator.

Others point out the slow development of technology to make it.

While the growth of AI may not be fast, here in 2018, AI is gaining prominence in the tech world.

Google DeepMind, a suite of machine learning and artificial intelligence tools, was used in part to defeat the world champion of Go, a popular logic game. Just recently at Microsoft Build, Microsoft’s developer conference, it unveiled a plethora of machine learning, AI products and services for developers to use. And while no one yet has a fully-fledged AI that is comparable to humans, we aren’t that far off.

One thing that we now have to consider is the importance of AI for our future. Do we want AI in our lives? What will it do? Will it create a dystopia? We don’t really want a SkyNet, but we do have to consider its impact on humanity.

How would those deeply religious react to the creation of an artificial lifeform?

There is a lot to reflect on how AI could change us.

I personally believe that AI would be a tremendous accomplishment for us as humans. We would definitely need to keep it in check once it is created. But I think it should, if properly kept under control, be a new brick in the wall of human achievement.

So with that, I leave you to ponder those ideas. Since this is the last issue of the school year, I leave you with high hopes and great thoughts. This past school year, we’ve discussed quite a few topics, from phones being too much money to social media privacy. It has been so much fun this year, and I hope you continue next year, reading What The Tech?!

And with that, I leave you adieu.

Logo by Eli Weitzman (‘20)/ Eastside Webmaster

June 2018

ENTERTAINMENT EASTSIDE

Films elicit emotional responses ■ By David Le (‘18)

Eastside Underground Editor

Movies play a large part in pop culture. So much so, that much of the audience tends to develop an emotional connection to certain characters in the movie. This connection varies among viewers in terms of “emotional investment.”

It is common for people to laugh and feel shock or some semblance of sadness in appropriate parts of a film; however, some have a larger emotional involvement in characters and in certain events. But what causes this connection? It boils down to our own human emotional response and the portrayal of the characters The first and more prominent effect is the “TV show effect,” more accurately named the “This Is Us” effect. Much like TV shows, films also have the ability to elicit the same effect, especially if it is a series of films or a particular franchise (*cough* Marvel). Moviegoers and viewers follow the development of characters, whether it be emotionally or through hardships, as well as through their personal lives. The close and intimate association that moviegoers develop establishes a sort of attachment, which means the audience reacts emotionally to what are supposed to be fictional characters.

The reason this emotional bond exists is due to the fact that as humans, we are able to empathize or sympathize with almost anything. As a result, we are able to project our own emotional experiences onto this perceived character.

The audience develops an actual connection because of the ability to identify with or relate to the situation the people in the film are going through. Our own real-life experiences with other people establish the basis for understanding these characters and what they are going through; thus, certain fictional experiences resonate with us as a result of our heightened empathy.

lives of the characters in a film. Although some parts are left out or a story picks up in the middle of a character’s life, we unknowingly fill in the missing details of characters’ lives using our imagination and the hints dropped in the movie, often constructing some semblance of a backstory. To us, this makes them multidimensional and as real or as close as a friend.

In the film itself, the audience bases their reactions on the actor’s performance and how frequently they are exposed to a particular character. Actors must convince the audience that their characters are real people, with actual emotions and personalities of their own. Even though we ac-

Our tendency to sympathize is as important as our empathy, especially with death, grief or heartwrenching scenes. Moviegoers who have experienced loss can relate, to the point where a fictional event may remind them of actual past emotions.

Another substantial part in our connection with characters is our imagination. We as viewers, even though it’s for about two hours, essentially live the

knowledge in the back of our minds that these are actors, empathy and sympathy cause us to think of the situation as if we were in the characters’ shoes. We don’t see them as actors or roles in a film, we see them as they are shown to us, as seemingly real individuals. As a result, the portrayal of the character is also essential. A more likeable or relatable character resonates more with the audience and allows for an emotional connection.

The frequency in which a character appears is also a key factor. The longer a character appears on screen, the more likely the

ending that makes you feel good or excites you. Claire Coen (‘21) described the ideal summer blockbuster as one that “makes you excited to go to the movies as soon as you’re done with school.”

Coen looks forward to seeing The Incredibles 2 this summer, because she is a huge fan of Pixar. In fact, The Incredibles 2 is one of the most anticipated movies of the summer. Natalie Hay (‘19) chalked this up to nostalgia.

Hay said that she “has been waiting for the sequel since she was eight,” a sentiment shared by other students.

Hay said that the sum-

mer was a good time for this movie to be released, because she is too busy to pay attention to movies during the school year.

On the other hand, during the summer, Hay has more time than she knows what to do with and going out to the movies is a good way for her to get together with friends to have a good time.

Ashley Liu (‘19) is also in this situation, but is excited to be able to see Infinity Wars and Deadpool 2, given the fact that she is a selfproclaimed nerd as reasoning for this. Liu commented on the popularity of Marvel movies in particular during the summer, saying “because it’s such a large

audience will connect with him or her, as opposed to a minor character that has two minutes of screentime.

In the case of a franchise or a series of movies, the frequency of exposing the audience to a character triggers a sense of the character’s constant presence.

This constant presence, after enough time, proves to be comforting to viewers, more so to dedicated ones.

Relating back to emotional investment, the viewers have “more emotional stock” in characters that they are familiar with. The death of a character, in this case especially, indicates the absence of something that was constant in the audience’s lives. A loss like that, even if it is a fictional character, proves to leave some audience members feeling as if they are missing something important from their lives.

The prevalence of emotional connection with films proves to be one of the major factors in successful films today.

Like much of entertainment, we go to the theater to become engrossed in stories and be transported to a whole different world that is portrayed in film. We see the sights, we hear the sounds and most of all, we are introduced to the characters.

Sure, we may go for a interesting story or an amazing interpretation of the human situation, but we are always drawn to the characters. Because to us, real characters are the most amazing of them all.

Photo Illustration by David Le (‘18)/ Eastside Underground Editor

Looking forward to summer movies ■ By Henry Nolan (‘19)

Eastside Staff

Since the original summer blockbuster, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, large films have become a staple of the average American school break. In past years, films such as Jurassic World, Mad Max: Fury Road and about everything Marvel releases fall into this category. This summer has many such films on the horizon, including Deadpool 2, Antman and the Wasp and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

In general, a summer blockbuster movie can be characterized by high amounts of action and an

franchise, people want to be able to see all the movies.”

Audrey Yeung (‘18) also mentioned Solo: A Star Wars Story as a movie for which she was excited. Her comments on this movie reflected both nostalgia and hype around a franchise, as well as mentioning that she enjoys watching the Star Wars movies with her father.

Summer movies have become a great way to spend time with the people you care about during the summer months. With all the releases to come, this summer is looking out to be a good one.

Border by Nashita Ali (‘19)/ Eastside Business Manager

Page 23

UNDERGROUND Summer music destinations: Three lesser-known locations you should check out this summer

Page 24

■ By Claire Joanson (‘19) Eastside Underground Editor

EASTSIDE

Are you looking for a cool place to hear some new music and perhaps help you cement your status as the official holder of the aux cord? If so, you should check out these three local music shops that you may or may not have heard of to help you find some ultimate music that could be the soundtrack to a summer you remember forever.

Tunes New & Used CD’s

Claire Joanson (‘19)/ Eastside Underground Editor

The storefront of Tunes, located in Voorhees, displays signs in the windows.

Nestled between a shop called “Z-bags” and a storefront vaguely titled “Dentist” is Tunes New & Used CD’s, which is in the same development as Pancheros, and just a short walk from the AMC Voorhees 16 movie theater.

As soon as you walk in, you are greeted with a wall of album covers on your left and rows upon rows of alphabetized CDs directly in front of you.

Tunes focuses on all sorts of music, with a unique blend of old and new to satisfy all music lovers. The shop’s collection is continuously growing, updating frequently to accommodate newly released music. The comic

book lover can also find refuge in this shop, which sells the books to the right of the entrance.

A unique feature of Tunes is that it categorizes its collection online, which makes looking for that hard-to-find album a much easier task.

“I love how much variety there is at Tunes. I never leave empty-handed, because I always find at least one thing I can’t walk out without,” said Aynoor Terzi (‘19) , a frequent customer of Tunes.

Tunes has three different locations, with a shop in Voorhees, Marlton and Hoboken. Definitely take a spin by here to hear all the latest in music this year.

Record Museum If you search directions for this shop online and arrive at a furniture store: don’t worry. The Record Museum is a hidden gem within West Berlin, tucked above a Kettle’s Carpet furniture store, accessible by a flight of steps. The store features many different albums as well as record players for sale. The shop is open five days a week, staying closed on both Monday and Tuesday.

Record Museum features

June 2018

tough-to-find albums from the decades. Though not as organized as some other nearby record shops, Record Museum has lots of hidden gems that can be bought at a fair price.

Visitors can come to the store to buy music, as well as sell or trade with the shop and other music lovers. If you have a niche for vinyl music, see the Record Museum, what they call the “Vinyl Lover’s Paradise.”

Screenshot by Claire Joanson (‘19)/ Eastside Underground Editor

The Record Museum is located in West Berlin.

Inner Groove Records

Screenshot by Claire Joanson (‘19)/ Eastside Underground Editor

Inner Groove, located in nearby Collingswood.

This spot, found in Collingswood, has an atmosphere that can’t be found anywhere else nearby. Whether you are spending hours exploring the one-dollar album section or talking about music with the employees, Inner Groove is certainly an experience you won’t forget anytime soon.

The cozy shop is about a 20-minute drive from Cherry Hill East and features a stunning variety of music

that will certainly keep you entertained this coming summer. It also sells a variety of turntables for the aspiring audiophile.

Inner Groove sells a variety of used and new LPs at fair prices, as well as purchases vinyl albums you may want to have taken off your hands.

If you want to be made the friend with ubiquitous control of the aux cord this summer, check out Inner Groove.

Art by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18), Samantha Dayton (‘19), Jeffrey Kaminer (‘21) and Sarah Zheng (‘20)/ Eastside Art Director and Eastside Staff

We asked members of the 2017-2018 Eastside Editorial Board to submit just one song he/she thinks everyone should listen to this summer. Here are the results...

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Loving is Easy - Rex Orange County (Claire Joanson) Morning in America - Jon Bellion (Ilana Arougheti) Brand New - Ben Rector (Ali Koenig) Alone Together - Fall Out Boy (Joshua Pipe) Boblo Boat - Royce Da 5’9 (Jared Fisch) Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: Morning Mood (Eli Weitzman) 1985 - Bowling for Soup (Sari Cohen) Gloria - Laura Branigan (Jonathan Calabrese) Intro 3 - NF (Greg Rothkoff) 100 degree - Kyuss (Josh Sodicoff) Knee Deep - Zach Brown Band (Harry Green) Heroes - Alesso (Jiseon Lee) Good Nights -Whethan (Louis Zimmermann) The Other Side - Hugh Jackman (Sophie Levine) Done for me [Syn Cole Remix] - Charlie Puth (Dakota Rosen) Everything Else Disappears - Sister Hazel (Mr. Gagliardi) Jukebox Hero- Foreigner (David Le) In Too Deep- Sum 41 (Abigail Richman) Sit Next To Me [Stereotypes Remix]- Foster the People (Chelsea Stern) I Got a Name - Jim Croce (Eric First) The Middle - Zedd (Elissa Cohen) God’s Plan - Drake (Hope Rosenblatt) No Roots - Alice Merton (Adiel Davis) Live Well - Palace (Rose Ni) She Works Out Too Much- MGMT (Nashita Ali) Scan the QR code below to listen!

Logo by David Le (‘18)/ Eastside Underground Editor

UNDERGROUND Students should tackle these gadgets June 2018

■ By Sam Grossman (‘19)

Eastside Staff

Suntan lotion, water bottles and a towel won’t cut it for summer necessities this year.

Maybe if you lived in 1980 that would be all you need.

But this is 2018. There’s a variety of innovative products you can buy right now to set yourself up for a technologically advanced summer.

on the SolSol website and come in 13 different colors, including red, which should be the preferred color of East students even if you’re

EASTSIDE

are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. Everyone knows that applying sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful rays

Page 25

enough lotion. When you look through it, areas of

in your mouth. Well, like I said, this isn’t 1980 anymore.

With the StemGem Strawberry Huller, you can effortlessly bypass this problem. The tool penetrates the top of the berry and pulls out leaves, leaving you with a sweet, juicy strawberry.

For $7.99 you can exponentially improve your strawberry-eating experience. StemGems are sold from the Chef’n website, or reCourtesy of Vat 19 tail stores such StemGem Strawberry Huller removes as Bed Bath stems from strawberries. and Beyond or Walmart. your body that have sunTake that, 1980! 2018 screen will appear darker, has some pretty innovative, while uncovered areas will extremely useful and pracappear lighter. The more tical products for all your sunscreen in a particusummer fun. lar area, the darker it will SolSol Solar Hat appear. Those of all skin tones see an obvious contrast using this device. If you don’t have any friends to scan you, Sunscreenr can record up to 30 seconds of UV video so you can look at the playback. Sunscreenr is extremely durable, waterproof, sandproof and, most importantly, can be mounted on a selfie stick. For 119 Suncreenr dollars, Sunscreenr is well worth the buy to avoid sunburn. It is available for pre-order (releasing this year) from the Sunscreenr website.

SolSol Solar Hat “More than just a hat,” says SolSol’s website in big white letters.

Unlike your lame hat from 1980 that does nothing but protect your face from the sun, the SolSol Solar Hat has Courtesy of Novelty Street solar panels on The SolSol Solar Hat is commonly used to charge an iPhone. the brim that you can use to not allowed to wear it here of the sun. But how do you charge your phone or any in school. know you’re completely other device with a USB cacovered? Worry not. You ble. To be clear, this waterSunscreenr can buy Sunscreenr, a UV resistant hat does not conAccording to the Skin camera less than the size tain a battery like a power Cancer Foundation, more of a granola bar that allows bank does. The hat takes than 3 million Americans you to see if you’ve applied between 2.7 and 4 hours to charge a phone (assuming you start at 0% battery). It doesn’t look as stupid as you would think having a charger sticking out of your hat — it just looks like you’re wearing earbuds.

Aside from the fact that you need to be sitting uncomfortably in the hot sun for the hat to work, the SolSol hat is a good way to prevent your device from losing battery while you play Fortnite Mobile Courtesy of Laughing Squid on the beach. The hats Sunscreenr identifies places where suncreen was not applied. are sold for 56 dollars

StemGem Strawberry Huller Everyone eats strawberries during the summer, but nobody likes the leaves at the top.

Pulling them off can be frustrating, and eating around them is wasteful — not to mention the chance you might accidentally get one of those disgusting leaves

StemGem

How to Survive the End of High School (for seniors): “Just the don’ts”

■ By David Le (‘18)

Eastside Underground Editor

*Disclaimer: meaning of life will not be answered in this column* Seniors, let’s face it, you’ve pretty much given up by now. It’s almost certain. I’d give you the percentages, but I’m too deep in senioritis to calculate them. So just take my word for it, senioritis is in full effect. You’re just waiting for days to pass by until graduation, and you’re not getting out of school anytime soon. I mean, you could just not show up, but that’s besides the point.

“What IS the point?” you ask. Well, there. That’s exactly the point. Finding the

point now where you think there is no point. The real question at the moment is from the title, how exactly DO you survive the rest of high school?

Don’t worry, my young pupil, all will be answered soon, or in the next couple of seconds if you read fast enough. Keep in mind that since this is America (cue majestic bald eagle screech), I can’t tell you what to do, but I can tell you what NOT to do. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

Some Tips: Don’t come in carrying your entire bed supply.

A pillow, maybe. But, multiple pillows and a blanket? Why not bring your whole bed in while

you’re at it?

Don’t whine to your teacher about the “struggle” from your only other class that is still doing “work.”

Chances are, you still have less work than you would have had before. Deal with it.

Don’t “hang out” in the hallways.

In other words, don’t loiter for fun. If anything, it really clogs up the hallways for people going places.

Don’t pop into classes your friends have, where you don’t know the teacher.

When the teacher finally notices your presence, it gets really awkward, really quickly.

Don’t hunt for Pokemon on your Pokemon Go app, if you still have it.

This is pretty much selfexplanatory Don’t order food just because you “want” to.

Not on a whim is what I mean. Plan ahead, by at least a period.

Don’t hang around the cooking room hoping for food.

Who do you think you are, Oliver Twist?

Don’t peek into other classes and laugh at underclassmen, it’s just not nice.

Not to mention it’s distracting.

Don’t ask your teacher, “Are we doing anything today?” because that’s just asking for it.

It’s a psychological trigger. Trust me.

Don’t tell everyone you’re going to skip school, no one asked you.

I mean, no one’s going to

rat you out. But still, people get salty.

Don’t blame things on senioritis.

Not everything is the fault of senioritis. Essay is missing. Senioritis. Didn’t finish the math project. Senioritis. Fish died. Senioritis. Inability to finish reading this column. Senioritis.

The lesson is to never use senioritis as an excuse with teachers. They have plausible deniability and will constantly deny its existence.

Which means more work.

Besides these “tips,” it seems the best way to truly survive the last month of high school is to simply keep in mind that the end of high school is exactly that.

Art by Danny Kahn (‘19)/ Eastside Staff

Page 26

EASTSIDE

June 2018

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SPORTS

Class of 2018 Commits

June 2018

EASTSIDE

Division I Elyssa Aronson: University of Texas - Austin (Rowing)

Justin Andersen: New Jersey Institute of Technology (Swimming) Kiara Bell: Long Island University - Brooklyn (Basketball) Anna Busler: Rutgers University-New Brunswick (Cheerleading) Alana Cohen: University of Delaware (Track & Field)

Division II Star Beasley: Goldey Beacom College (Track & Field) Division III Danielle Allen: Rowan University (Track & Field)

Justin Brown: Mercer County College (Lacrosse) Carissa Campbell: Ramapo College (Swimming) Kayla DeGuzman: Rutgers University - Camden (Soccer) Evan Frisby: Eastern University (Baseball) Bobby Grife: Pennsylvania State University - Abington (Baseball) Analisa Groble: Dickinson College (Track & Field)

Page 27

Samantha Greenbaum: Towson University (Cheerleading) Nicole Harms: Rider University (Swimming) Shannon Reiss: Towson University (Field Hockey) Eric Sherman: New Jersey Institute of Technology (Lacrosse)

Viktorija Komarova: William Paterson University (Track & Field) Kervens Mezilus: Rowan University (Track & Field) Madison Palat: Muhlenberg College (Softball) Erin Quay: Rowan University (Swimming) Jake Swerdloff: The College of New Jersey (Baseball) Jeffrey Teng: Trinity College (Swimming)

A crew of rowers from East compete throughout the summer ■ By Allie Graham (‘20) Eastside Staff

Rowing is an intense and time-consuming sport.

Elyssa Aronson (‘18), Amy Backal (‘18), Sophie Gross (‘19), Caleb O’Neill (‘19) and Emily Mahaffy (‘20) are among those who share a common love for crew.

These athletes row all throughout the school year and the summer, leaving them little time for a break from the competitive sport.

Although the summer schedule differs from the other seasons, the athletes work hard every day in order to prepare for all of their upcoming races.

During the summer, practice can be very early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Some days, the athletes have practice twice a day. Typically the rowers practice Monday through Saturday and have Sunday off, unless they have a competition or a regatta, another name for a competition. Summer practices consist of stretching, running and many cardio exercises to properly prepare athletes to get on the water.

“Rowing is an extremely intense and cardiovascular sport, so it gets you in extremely good shape,” O’Neill said.

Waking up early in the morning is nothing new to these athletes. During the summer, all of the rowers are awake by 5 a.m. in order to get ready for their early morning practices.

the athletes to success.

Backal and Mahaffy are both coxswains. A coxswain acts as the other members’ eyes and ears while on the water, directing them on what to do and making sure

the win,” said Backal.

Mahaffy even said she typically carries wrenches in case something breaks on the water and needs instant repair.

Mahaffy said, “It’s crucial

Although it’s helpful to have other rowers helping to row the boat, there are single boats too.

In the month of August, Gross rows a single boat because she is a swimmer for most of the summer, so she does not row with her team.

Many crucial races take place over the year. Races like Head of the Charles and Youth Nationals are considered to be the biggest races in the fall and spring seasons.

Aronson, who plans to row at the University of Texas - Austin next year, said rowing involves a lot of traveling throughout the entire year, based on which regattas the rower is competing in.

The rowers are usually at the course for around six to eight hours. After their races, they stay to cheer on their friends competing in other events and hope Courtesy of Elyssa Aronson (‘18) they have a final A group of crew members go for a morning row before school. race later in the day.

These athletes are Each individual has his everything runs smoothly.

I have a good relationship determined to push themor her own job as a rower, “I get stressed right with my rowers because I selves harder and give and each boat consists of before races because I act not only as a support sysa little extra in order to different combinations have to do everything I tem, but I improve through benefit themselves and of abilities which leads can to get my [rowers] their feedback as well.” everyone around them.

East athletic accolades in the 2017-2018 season

Boys’ Basketball -Carl Gibson (‘19) was awarded First Team All Conference for the American Division in the Olympic Conference.

-Sam Serata (‘19) was awarded Second Team All Conference for the American Division in the Olympic Conference.

Boys’ Swimming -Jack Watson (‘19) placed tenth in 100 Freestyle at SJISA Invitational, fifth in Freestyle at SJISA Invitational, ninth in State in 100 Backstroke, Third Team All South Jersey 100 Backstroke and Third Team All New Jersey 100 Backstroke.

-Jackson Brookover (‘20) placed fourth in 50 Freestyle at SJISA Invitational, sixth in 100 Butterfly at SJISA Invitational, eleventh in State in 100 Butterfly and Second Team All South Jersey 100 Butterfly.

-South Jersey Group A Sectional Champions (tenth consecutive year).

-SJISA Invitational Champions (fourth consecutive year).

-NJSIAA Group A State Runner-Up.

Boys’ Lacrosse -Eric Sherman (‘18) reached over 100 goals and was the firstever East student to reach 100 assists.

Girls’ Volleyball -Sarah Pintel (‘19) was awarded First Team All Conference honors.

-Ela Majkut (‘18) was awarded with Second Team All Conference honors.

Girls’ Tennis -Aditi Lohtia (‘18) and Landen Tennenbaum (‘19) were awarded Third Team All Conference honors.

All information was provided by East coaches.

SPORTS Eastside’s Athletes of the Year

June 2018

Female Honorable Mentions: Star Beasley (‘18): Track & Field/ Volleyball Kiara Bell (‘18): Basketball Alana Cohen (‘18): Track & Field Elissa Cohen (‘18): Lacrosse

Rebekah Colocat (‘18): Tennis Maya Drayton (‘19): Basketball/ Track & Field Samantha Fry (‘18): Lacrosse/ Soccer Sarah Pierce (‘19): Cross Country/ Track & Field Sarah Pintel (‘19): Volleyball Lexi Schaffer (‘19): Soccer

EASTSIDE

Sophie Levine (‘19): How does it feel to win this award back to back?

Grace Yoon (‘20): It’s pretty exciting because I know how many great athletes there are at East, and it is a really big honor to be selected.

SL: How does not running cross country affect your performance in swimming?

GY: I was able to focus more on swimming, and I think it helped me. There were certain aspects of cross country that benefited my swimming, but I think being able to focus on one sport helped me.

The more specific training I was able to do for swimming helped me improve on certain things I really wanted to improve on.

SL: Why do you love swimming?

GY: The main thing that is really nice about swimming is the people that do it. The close bonds I have with a lot of my teammates makes it really fun. I always want to see them improve and see their genuine happiness. when I improve.

SL: What is your mindset going into each meet?

GY: It depends on the meet because some bigger meets I have to be more focused than others. However, I am nervous for every meet. When the meet is not as important, like a dual meet we know we are going to win, I am more relaxed.

Roni Schaffer (‘19): Soccer

Male Honorable Mentions: Oliver Adler (‘20): Basketball/ Cross Country/ Track & Field Mark Bashore (‘19): Baseball/ Soccer Jackson Brookover (‘20): Swimming Andrew Curran (‘18): Lacrosse Eric First (‘18): Lacrosse/ Ice Hockey/ Soccer Carl Gibson (‘19): Basketball Blake Impagliazzo (‘18): Wrestling Isaac Jean-Baptiste (‘19): Football/ Track & Field Sean McKenna (‘19): Baseball/ Ice Hockey Eric Sherman (‘18): Lacrosse Justin Whitney (‘21): Cross Country/ Track & Field Adam Yu (‘19): Tennis

Jacob Kernis (‘20): What does winning Athlete of the Year mean to you?

Jack Watson (‘19): I think it means a lot to the swim team. I feel like as a team we have been overshadowed over the past couple of years, especially for how successful we have been. I think this award shines some light on us.

JK: Why do you love swimming?

JW: I think the people you meet in swimming are some of your closest friends. I know I have met plenty of people from this area and from not this area that come from all over the country at meets and I think there is a special bond that you can have between yourself and other swimmers. I think that is very special. It is cool knowing you have a bunch of people that like the same thing you do and you can relate to.

JK: What is your mindset going into each meet?

JW: Just to race. Just to beat the guys next to me, especially high school swimming. I don’t take any race different than the rest, it’s always just go out and beat the guys next to me.

JK: How do you think you possess leadership qualities and abilities on the team?

JW: I just know the team has been looking forward to having me, probably since I have been in eighth grade. So I’ve been known throughout the Cherry Hill swimming community. I think that really helps just with people just knowing who I am. I think it helps with me approaching new swimmers on the team, and I think it helps out the atmosphere on the team. I try to be as...

SL: As an underclassman, how do you show your leadership?

GY: Well, obviously I follow the leadership of the upperclassmen because they have more experience than I do, but I also try to help out some of the freshmen who are newer than I am.

SL: What was your favorite moment from this past swim season and why?

GY: My favorite memory was probably getting to race my best friend from Bishop Eustace because it was fun to be able to race against each other in a friendly competition.

SL: What is your goal to improve even more next season?

GY: To have a good mindset because swimming is such a mental sport that it becomes hard mentally and physically, but having a good mindset is probably the most important factor.

SL: What do you think your best quality is and why?

GY: Probably resilience because if I have a bad day one day, I’ll try not to let it get to my head and I’ll try to keep going back. Also, not influencing other people around me negatively because if I am having a bad day, I try to still be really supportive to my teammates.

fun as I can, especially with the new guys.

I care a lot about the team, and I make that very clear throughout the season.

JK: Since you are a junior, how do you still look to improve next season?

JW: There are always things I can approve on about my stroke, even as the team as a whole we can always be more cooperative. I think that definitely we will try to get the team closer, make sure everyone knows everyone, and try to have fun on the team. You want the younger kids to know they have a place on the team.

JK: What was your favorite moment of last year and why?

JW: I would have to say sectionals. It was our tenth straight sectional title and that was really special. It was supposed to be a very close meet and we ended up blowing Egg Harbor out of the water. That was really fun and everyone got really excited. That was a pretty special meet for me.

JK: What do you think was your biggest accomplishment of last year?

JW: [Egg Harbor] was a pretty good accomplishment.

Our goal every year is to win a state title and we did fall just short of that last year. Our tenth sectional title in a row is really special and I’m sure there are not a lot of teams that can say that they have been that dominant for that many years.

Eastside’s Athlete of the Year honors were determined by a committee consisting of Adam Dashevsky (‘19), Jared Fisch (‘18), Drew Hoffman (‘18), Jacob Kernis (‘20) and Sophie Levine (‘19). All coaches were consulted to give feedback.

Page 28

Grace Yoon (‘20)

Swimming: 1st place finish in the South Jersey Invitational in the 100 breast and 200 IM Re-broke her own school records in the 100 breast and 200 IM Selected Swimmer of the Year by South Jersey Swimming Was a part of the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay that broke school records First team all-star in the 100 backstroke Photo by Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Staff

Jack Watson (‘19) Swimming: 10th in 100 Freestyle at SJISA Invitational 5th in Freestyle at SJISA Invitational 9th in State in 100 Backstroke 3rd Team All South Jersey 100 Backstroke 3rd Team All New Jersey 100 Backstroke 2018 Swimmer of the Year for CHE Swimming Cherry Hill Sun’s January Athlete of the Month Photo by Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Staff