Eastside: November 2021

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 54 No. 1

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

November 2021

The faces behind OUR masks

As the masked East community acclimates back into in-person learning for the first time since early 2020, the staff and students feel a range of emotions. With the daily drudges of early mornings, driving through the East parking lot, navigating the halls and staying up late to finish assignments, school has almost returned to the old “normal.”

Take a look at pages 12 and 13 to view how students at East drew their masked emotion about the 2021-2022 school year.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Melissa Vital (‘23)/ Eastside Art Editor

Dr. Perry Follow-Up Pg. 5

Global Vaccinations Pg. 11

E-Sports at East Pg. 24

NEWS

Page 2

EASTSIDE

November 2021

East implements changes for the 2021-2022 school year ■ By Bella Levin (‘22)

Eastside News Editor

As in-person schooling returned for everyone for the first time since March 2020, Cherry Hill East placed new COVID protocols and mandates in order to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

East principal, Dr. Dennis Perry, explained his objective for all students to have the most normal experience possible while maintaining safety.

Regarding contact tracing, East, as well as the district, plans to notify all students who were in contact for both ten minutes or more and within six feet of a COVID-positive student.

If in contact, an unvacci-

nated student is required to quarantine, according to guidelines, while a vaccinated student does not have to. The cameras in the school also assist with this contact tracing process, as well as the strict following of seating charts in classes.

“Teachers are all keeping very careful records of where students sit each day,” Perry said.

The cameras throughout East in addition to the various sectioning of students during lunch allows administration to contact trace even further.

Perry recently gave students the full hour back to either remain at lunch or sit in club homerooms, which he refers to as “Lunch and Learn.”

Students walk through busy East hallways masked. said.

Unlike contact tracing in Lunch and homerooms classrooms, where teachers are not the only problem have charts and can name facing East in the midst students, tracking during of COVID. The bathrooms “lunch is very tricky,” Perry

to come to our meetings, it definitely took more effort than it usually did.”

Garg emphasized the club’s effort in shifting all its meetings, advertisements and activities vir-

club leaders at East.

The President of Little Mentors, Armaan Gupta (‘24), shared a similar issue he had last year, saying “because of the pandemic, our club struggled to en-

Yena Son (‘22)/ Eastside Photo Editor

at East have been a great issue both before and during COVID. Now, students must scan into the bathroom and may have to wait depending on what the limit is. The bathrooms are also locked in between classes, preventing any student from entering without there being a record of use.

Although gym classes, Spirit Week and the homecoming assembly look extremely different this year and there are adjustments of school activites and classes, students are still able to participate in activities they enjoy. Even when times are uncertain, clubs are still meeting after school, the music program can practice and sports are running as normal.

School clubs return in-person after a virtual year at home ■ By Jiwoo Lee (‘24)

Eastside News Editor

Returning from a remote school year, Cherry Hill East clubs are planning and expecting events, meetings and activities in person, recovering from the pandemic. In the prior year, most clubs held online meetings, with some clubs even having to halt all activities due to the coronavirus. Ultimately, there was less participation and involvement from the student body compared to the past years, as they were unable to meet face to face nor continue their traditional events. Many clubs faced various challenges, finding ways to adjust and utilize the situation to their advantage.

Arsha Garg (‘23), the President of East UNICEF, said, “It was definitely difficult to come up with ideas [and] it was hard to be creative. Even to get people

Yena Son (‘22)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Voce meets to discuss their school year plans. tually after years of doing everything in person. However, this struggle was common among the many other

gage club members and maintain a consistent audience at our meetings and events.”

Little Mentors met a tough reality with online schooling, as they say they struggled to recruit new members and continue mentoring. Having to hold all meetings through an online platform, it was evidently difficult for clubs to expect great participation in activities or general involvement towards their clubs with the low, virtual awareness and communication to students about these clubs. Yet with the return of a normal school year, clubs positively look forward to a year of new and exciting opportunities.

With the success of theActivities Fair, in-person events and face-to-face communication available in school again, Garg expresses her bright view of being able to promote and advertise her club again, something she felt she was limited to doing virtually last year.

“In general, I feel like we’re very excited, the

whole board this year, to be back in person, have more events, be more active, be able to do in-person activities, and go back to doing what we did in the recent [years],” said Garg.

Gupta adds to his excitement and expectation as he envisions a significant growth of student engagement for Little Mentors.

Gupta awaits the anticipated year, wanting to “provide more meaningful content to our members.” He highlights the club’s focus on communication, content and activities, planning much for the months ahead.

As all East clubs return to the student body in person, many are planning with much expectation and enthusiasm. Now, the East halls and social media are decked in posters and announcements from activities and student organizations. Recovering from a remote year, East clubs are back and looking forward to an amazing year ahead.

NEWS

November 2021

EASTSIDE

Page 3

East students advocate for global change through new clubs ■ By Lauren Greenberg (‘24)

Eastside Administrative Assistant

The potential of a new generation brings excitement and opportunity to expand upon the horizon.

From adolescence into adulthood, individuals begin taking interest in making change for themselves, projecting a larger audience.

Whether it is on a community platform or global level, the role of the future generation drawing up support is crucial to set out for change.

Across the pond in Sweden, well-known activist Greta Thunberg cultivates her passion for sharing information and destigmatizing climate change to global leaders. On the local scale, students in the Cherry Hill East community are among many young adults making change. High school can be filled with pressure, trying to fit in yet staying under

the radar; however, the fuel for passion can drive the desire for change, especially as the new school year began this fall.

advocating about climate change. The experiences that shaped their initiatives to start LEAP include their joint contribution in a Model United Nations club, with renewable energy as the topic of interest.

Noh said, “I did not know what the topic exactly was, but when we started researching more in-depth, we learned about what climate change is and the detrimental impacts it has on our environment Jacy Dickstein (‘22)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief and on us.”

In the matters of speakThrough one initial ening out for something counter with a global isstrongly believed in, clubs sue, the tables have turned and organizations at East and interests developed in implement these fundasearch for an answer. How mentals into their everyday can we expand our problem lives. Some of these clubs, solving in math class to a such as Live Environmenplatform that establishes tally Active in the Present change in the world we live (LEAP) for Climate, foundin today? ed by Crystal Yeh (‘24) and As the face of the fuEllie Noh (‘24), strive to enture brings speculations courage their platform to be on how to tackle issues in more eco-conscious through the everyday lives of East

students, it is important to note that every small force of action is a contributive effort. For starters, all kids within the United States are granted the right to go to public schools. Whether it is a five-minute segment on the news or a whole history lesson, taking on the world can help create a beneficial change.

Every experience we live through puts into perspective a certain significance to us. In light of inspiring one another, as most peers reflect their lives during adolescence, Noh remarks on her journey to starting LEAP. Through her journey she hopes that more people, especially youth, can become youth advocates for climate change. Finding a passion for climate change, Noh said she is more conscious of being sustainable in her own life, particularly by participating in trail cleanups in the community, recycling more and researching new ways to help the environment.

Through the power of social media, LEAP’s platform through Instagram

and its website is an accessible way to spread awareness and educate others on climate change, renewable energy and more.

As the future generations thrive on social media, it is beneficial to learn from each other on a common ground such as Instagram. When putting ideas together into a consolidated plan, creating a list of goals, event ideas, research topics and designs, Noh said the best way to begin a startup is to break down all of the fundamentals. By getting other members involved in higher positions through a board, a contributive force of individuals can work together, bounce ideas off each other and achieve a common goal.

The role of students in the East community standing up for what they believe in is valuable, as the teenage population is influenced by each other. While the pressure of having the world in your hands may exist-and may be very real, it is valuable to the future by joining passion and determination towards advocacy.

their own interests?

Over the past year, East has implemented new science electives offered in grades 9-12. Among the electives are “From Climate Science to Action,” “Infectious Disease,” “Marine Biology” and “Intro to Engineering.”

All four electives focus on the application of various skill-sets learned in core science courses. Students enrolled in “From Climate Science to Action” can expect to learn about climate change and how it has evolved over years of atmospheric change.

Although “Infectious Disease” was not specifically created in response to COVID-19, students learn about emerging diseases and pandemics and how biological studies can be applied to further this study.

In the “Introduction to Engineering” course, students learn about the basic principles of engineering and work on hands-on projects

regarding material design, mechanical engineering and more.

Lastly, in Marine Biology, students learn about how oceans operate and the various animals that inhabit the ocean.

The new electives proposed by school staff and administration were made in hopes to push the boundaries of education for students seeking to expand their current scope of knowledge in new fields.

“When I came to Cherry Hill Schools years ago, I asked why we were only offering the four typical science classes, which started the ball rolling with the Malberg office of offering more classes. I saw a lot of students who were interested in science, but they didn’t necessarily know to what degree,” said East Vice Principal Dr. Matthew Covington.

Some students were aware of what they wished to major in, but were un-

aware of the specific subcategories of occupations that were involved within that major. Some of the electives proposed stemmed from neighboring districts that offered them. Teachers collaboratively worked with administration to ensure that the new electives offered were of students’ interests and of the teachers’ background and experience, some who worked in labs and others who pursued a career in that specific field.

Notably, one of the teachers at East is a marine biologist who specializes in that field. So far, the feedback from both teachers and students regarding the overall progression of these electives has been exceedingly positive.

Covington said, “Being a new course, the teachers have done well with the 9-12 scenario in which everyone has different educational backgrounds.”

Students also are ex-

pressing positive responses.

“I think marine biology was a good addition to our school, and I really enjoy the different and more fascinating projects we do and new material that we learn about,” said Jimmy Do (‘24).

The administration doesn’t plan on just stopping here as they are currently working towards furthering the curriculum on the entire spectrum.

“I do not foresee us stopping at just science. High school is supposed to be where students take classes that interest them as opposed to taking it at a collegiate level and disliking it,” said Covington.

After stepping foot into East for the the first time since March of 2020, there seems to be an abundant amount of excitement and optimism in the air.

All East students can look forward to new classes, new opportunities and a new and improved East.

Last year, Mr. Charles Davis, the Cherry Hill East Director of Activities, organized a committee of teachers to have discussions about reimagining and creating a new vision for the interior of East, including developing ideas for unique murals and artwork in the halls “This school is a living school,” Davis said, “[and] we don’t want the interior of the school to be the same as it was 40 years ago.”

In his vision for East, Davis hopes for the murals to include symbolism, and “things that reflect the character and diversity of the student body.

The mural projects will heavily involve partnership and input from East students and staff. In contrast to the recent mural painted in Cafeteria 1, which was

done by a professional artist, students will do the majority of the painting for future murals and artwork in the halls.

“If there’s no students, there’s no murals,” said Mr. Lou Papa, East Assistant Principal.

Davis said that he hopes a reimagined East will help give pride and a Heidi Kwak (‘24)/ Eastside Photo Editor sense of ownership and belonging to East presents the new mural in Cafeteria 1. students. artistic sector of the school painting projects will be One particular mural with bright colors and bomcontinuous and extend bewill go up at the back of Fbastic images representing yond the current students Wing, across from the lockthe courses taught in the at East. er rooms. wing. The mural is cur“As new classes pass As students and staff rently in a state of developthrough East, they will round the corner into the Fment. want murals that reflect wing, the mural will essenBoth Davis and Papa their generation,” Papa tially welcome them to the agreed that the mural said.

New electives allow students to explore future career interests ■ By Tharunika Govindasamy (‘22)

Eastside News Editor

What do you want to be when you grow up?

No, seriously.

On the surface, this question requires minimal thought as students are expected to recognize and pursue career-related opportunities and aspirations from a young age.

High school students who are interested in pursuing a science-based career are provided classes such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics as the core curriculum classes.

On the other hand, those who wish to pursue a career in the liberal arts field are encouraged to take electives such as Writer’s Workshop and Journalism.

However, what about the students placed in the grey area? What about the students who wish to explore various career paths and opportunities in order to recognize and acknowledge

East undergoes mural renovations to “reflect the generation” ■ By Sophia Liu (‘24)

Eastside Online STEM Editor

As students returned back to school this fall, many may have noticed the interior and exterior renovations occurring at East.

Not only has East recently introduced an eyecatching new mural in Cafeteria 1, which was donated by the recently graduated Cherry Hill East Class of 2020 and Class of 2021, but other renovations have also been made to the school over the past year.

Both cafeterias have been repainted, as well as the Annex, A-Wing and some F-Wing classrooms.

During these renovations, many of the old murals from the 1960s and 1970s were painted over and covered, and will soon be repainted with new artwork.

NEWS

Page 4

EASTSIDE

November 2021

Cherry Hill School District plans to re-open vaccination clinics ■ By Lalitha Viswanathan (‘22) Eastside Editor-in-Chief

The success of the Cherry Hill Public Schools’ decision to open up and partner with vaccination clinics for the district has prompted them to reopen in November 2021 for additional rollouts and regulations of the vaccines.

During the spring of the 2020-2021 school year, vaccines became more readily available for students to access.

When the eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine was still at 16 years old, the district provided buses for high school students to be transported to the Moorestown mega-site for vaccination.

However, when the age of eligibility became twelve years old, the district was motivated to set up a system for these younger, middle school students to feel safe, in their school en-

vironment, while getting vaccinated.

“We decided to set up clinics onsite for the middle school students to go to after school, one was at Carusi and one was at Beck to provide easy accessibility for both sides of the town,” said Superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche.

Meloche’s biggest responsibility and concern was to make sure that these clinics were as accessible as possible for Cherry Hill residents and students to take advantage of.

In order to raise awareness of this resource, the clinics were promoted primarily through CHPS’ social media accounts and weekly newsletters. Additionally, PTA members spread awareness to their families and friends to prompt a good turnout of students and district members.

Meloche said, “We wanted to keep it more exclusive

different clinics that they ran.

T h e r e were two clinics running during both the spring and the summer seasons, establishing four clinics in total.

Due to the overall success and turnout of Marcus Newman (‘22)/ Eastside Art Editor the clinics, the for the Cherry Hill commudistrict has reopened the nity and give them all of our clinics this late fall and resources first, especially coming winter season folif they are students in our lowing the approval of the public school system.”

Pfizer vaccine for children The vaccination clinics ages 5-11 at the end of Ocadministered about 200 tober. doses total from the four

Additionally, Meloche has been talking to local pharmacist Mark Adler about plans for the booster shot becoming more readily available and approved, and then providing students in Cherry Hill Public Schools to get the booster shot – the third of the series.

“We have three tentative dates scheduled for the week of November 15, and we are expecting to draw a huge turnout from that. With the age eligibility lowered, we expect to expand into more elementary schools, realistically not all of them, but to make [the clinics] even more local for the youngest children in our district,” said Meloche.

The only hope Meloche has for the vaccination clinics is for all Cherry Hill residents and students to take advantage of this accessible resource to keep our town and schools safe.

Schools require African American history course for graduation

African American Studnoted that they felt the cation teacher Ms. Taniies also highlights the need for students to become tra Rogers are teaching struggles of African Amerimore educated in terms of this course, following the cans not just in the United African American history. freshly-written curriculum.

The Cherry Hill Public States, but also in other Currently, African Many students taking this School District, including countries.

Students course feel grateful for Cherry Hill High School taking this course the opportunity to learn East, implemented a will also look at realabout African American new graduation requirelife examples and achistory. Even various ment for freshmen to complish research to sophomores, juniors and take a half-year African further their underseniors are taking it deAmerican history course, standing.The purpose spite it not being mandastarting Fall 2021. The of creating and retory for them. However, decision was heavily inquiring this course is there are differing opinfluenced by the efforts to inform students of ions. of the African American the hidden struggles Some students and Culture Club at East in of African Americans parents feel that adding 2021. in the United States. another course to the list The course of African Given the fact that of East-required courses American Studies was so much has hapis burdensome. written after the Board pened in the United Students point out of Education made the States regarding pothat East already redecision to add it as a lice brutality and inquires graduation regraduation requirement. creased discriminaquirement elective The course provides stution towards African courses such as one art dents with knowledge of Americans, African course, one 21st century the history of Africans Studies life-skills course, health, and their descendants in Yena Son (‘22)/ Eastside Photo Editor American Yena Son (‘22)/ Eastside Photo Editor different countries.

On Facebook, parents feud regard- is a course based on A parent adds their questioning physical education and Some examples cov- ing the now mandated course of Af- having difficult con- view, engaging in to a heated de- financial literacy. versations and allow- bate with another platform user.

The complaint is that ered in the course in- rican American History. ing students to unadding another course clude African civilizaderstand each other to the list hampers stutions before European nections between African in the Cherry Hill Public American Studies is in full dents’ ability to take eleccolonization, the relationAmericans in the context of School District. swing at East. Social studtives they are more intership between Africa and politics, economics and culMany leaders of the ies teacher Ms. Jennifer ested in, as space in their Europe, and Black comtural forces. making of this course also LaSure and special eduschedule lessens. munities both within and ■ By Vivian Rong (‘23)

Eastside Online News Editor

outside of the continent of Africa.

The course is designed to give students the opportunity to understand the con-

November 2021

FEATURES

EASTSIDE

Page 5

Five years of Perry: Principal reflects on half-decade tenure, looks forward

■ By Aiden Rood (‘23) Eastside Features Editor

Five years ago, Dr. Dennis Perry arrived at Cherry Hill High School East as its new principal. He had a plan, he told Eastside i n

his first in-depth interview, back in October 2016. Perry said he was here to stay. Today, the same is true. Perry entered his sixth year at East in a unique and challenging time for education. He once again spoke with Eastside about a wide range of issues, past and present, reflecting on his first five years while looking forward to his professional future.

Reflecting Back Perry’s first half-decade at East, especially in its earliest years, was largely characterized by growth and learning. When he arrived at the school in 2016, he wanted to respect the legacy of those before him while also looking for ways to make improvements. Today, he feels that he has succeeded with that approach.

Perry’s roots in education trace back to 1991, when he first started teaching math in North Carolina.

To this day, Perry teaches regularly; he is currently working in the University of Pennsylvania’s Master’s program for aspiring leaders as well as New Jersey’s

Leader to Leader program for school administrators.

Staying involved instructionally has guided his administrative approach over the last five years.

“I view myself as an instructional leader — a teacher of teachers,” he said, noting that he holds four faculty meetings per month in which he works with another teacher to provide a lesson to staff members.

That instructional

a p p r o a c h s h i n e s through in the way Perry describes the lessons he has learned at East thus far. The same way many teachers encourage their students to do, Perry has sought to break down his personal learning into themes and major upshots.

“There are really three big takeaways that continue to inform what we do now,” he said. The first was that learning is social.

Perry reiterated the importance of capitalizing on students’ natural tendencies.

Students learn best when they’re interacting with others, asking questions and engaging with the content; Perry has made that a point of emphasis. Second, Perry said that East needs to focus on cognitively engaging students.

“As a student I was guilty of this myself — I’m very good at appearing like I’m listening to you,” Perry said. As a response to this problem, he has worked with staff on ways to have students engage with their learning and make their thinking “more visible.”

Third and finally, Perry said, “All of our students [need] to feel as though they belong here at East…

At every graduation you

hear ‘Cougars for life,’ right? And I want that to mean something for all of our students.”

He explained that when students don’t feel they belong in a class, whether due to the presence of cliques or the approach of a teacher, they are not as “available for learning.” In response, he has asked teachers to work on developing relationships with their students and to look for those who may need help finding that sense of belonging.

“We learn when we’re calm. We learn when we feel comfortable,” he said, further emphasizing the importance of fostering a welcoming environment.

That idea of creating a welcoming environment played majorly into Perry’s reflections on key moments that occurred during his East tenure. Those included the 2018 events in which a conversation around gun violence combined with local issues prompted student walkouts and controversy in the community.

“That was a very tense time... it goes back to that need for belonging [and] relationships,” Perry said.

He added that the presence of many new administrators at the time created challenging circumstances, as students lacked the relationships needed to express their concerns in more traditional ways and to access accurate information. If a similar situation were to arise today, Perry believes it would play out “very differently.”

He also connected his three big takeaways to the latest events around social justice issues in the United States. Perry expressed pride in the leadership exhibited by students recently, from successful advocacy for a required African American Studies course to Asian and Jewish students’ efforts to fight increases in discrimination.

Student voice was a major focus for Perry in his tenure so far, with many of the accomplishments he hailed centering around the topic. In his 2016 interview, Perry said he would be a “cheerleader for the student body,” something he now says he has “done well.” His engagements range from meeting with students often to attending as many student events as he can, he said.

Another issue on which he credited student voice

with driving success was the opening up of lunch break periods to allow more flexibility for students in how they spend their time.

Overall, Perry feels that things at East are in a good place after his first five years of leadership. After much listening and learning, he hopes to continue translating the lessons he has learned into success.

Looking Forward

Despite the success he has had, Perry recognized that East is facing significant challenges going forward. The COVID-19 pandemic and over a year of mostly-remote learning set back some of the progress made in past years at East.

Speaking about the school’s culture, Perry said, “I’m very concerned, to be honest with you... that what we had here may not return.”

He said that 18 months of living differently had created different habits, routines and priorities for both students and staff. While he said that those things are not bad, he also recognized that they are going to pose challenges to the recreation of a robust program of extracurriculars.

“As the principal of a high school, I need people here,” Perry said, noting that he has made it a priority for staff to be at many school events and activities throughout the year. Reestablishing East’s culture will be a major priority in the year ahead.

As for other impacts of the pandemic, Perry said, “By-and-large, we are as normal-functioning as we can be in the school.”

The situation with assigned homerooms was one area in which Perry hoped to make change; since expressing that sentiment in his interview, Perry was able to make that change.

Overall, the state of affairs remains fluid.

Speaking about the everchanging nature of pandemic projections, Perry said, “What they’re projecting — sometimes I hear [and] I’m like ‘Oh, great!’ and others you’re like ‘Aw, jeez.”

The situation around COVID-19 is not the only thing changing around the East community, with Perry looking ahead to a variety of different developments. At the time of his interview, Perry was waiting on desk shipments to de-

liver much-awaited change to East’s seating situation.

With many students having spent the early weeks of the school year sitting in scattered chairs, on radiators and floors, or nowhere at all (instead standing throughout classrooms), the delivery of new desks marked a major improvement. Perry said that the situation was largely out of administrators’ control, with widespread shipping delays driving the issue.

While the desk problem has now been resolved, some potential changes remain open-ended. As Eastside first reported in June, traditional final exams will not return to East. The status of what type of final assessments will replace them, however, remains to be determined. Perry said that some kind of portfoliobased assessment will be used. The future of district assessments is also changing. Going forward, district assessments will move away from being traditional tests. Instead, performance-based assessments, in which students have an opportunity to more materially demonstrate their learning, will be used. This year, Perry said that a mix of traditional tests and portfolio-like projects will be used.

Ultimately, East faces many of the same challenges as other schools across the country. From the global pandemic to national and international social issues impacting East, students, staff and administrators alike are living in unprecedented times. The future of education may be more uncertain than ever before. Despite all that, Perry can hope that the work he has done over the past five years will allow for a successful return to the pre-pandemic East environment and culture he said he was building.

Make it a great future, or not — the choice will be Dr. Dennis Perry’s.

Photo by Yena Son (‘22)/ Eastside Photo Editor Art by Marlee Petkov (‘24)/ For Eastside

Page 6

FEATURES EASTSIDE

November 2021

Assistant Superintendent Morton makes a positive impact ■ By Lalitha Viswanathan (‘22)

Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Former Cherry Hill High School West Principal Dr. Kwame Morton is now an assistant superintendent for the Cherry Hill Public Schools. Morton’s entire life has been leading up to this job, and it could not have worked out more perfectly for him.

He began his journey from humble beginnings in Brooklyn, New York.

His mother was an elementary school teacher.

Morton spent

his childhood in his mother’s classrooms, forming bonds with her students and learning the ins and outs of teaching.

“I just love to help people… and I think being introduced at a young age to helping kids and living vicariously through them, I always thought that was what I was supposed to do,” Morton said.

He spent the rest of his childhood and adolescence fantasizing about being a teacher and working in a school full of bright-minded students.When he entered college, however, an obstacle arose as a blessing in disguise. He attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania in a rural part of the state. While initially majoring in elementary education, his mother unexpectedly convinced him to study small business administration.

He graduated from Clarion with his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration despite having intended to take the education path.

“I spent about a year in business and trying to work in management, and I hated it. I didn’t feel fulfilled.

I didn’t feel I was making a difference,” said Morton.

He went to speak to the Superinten-

dent of Brooklyn’s District 21, Donald Weber, and he was offered a position as a third-grade teacher at an elementary school.

Morton was in his favorite space: the classroom.

For the next four years, Morton continued to inspire young minds in hopes of making them fall in love with education. Soon after completing his fourth year as a teacher, Weber sat him down and inspired him to follow the path of educational administration.

“He saw something in me and believed that I could become more of a leader in school districts. He convinced me that education administration would encompass and utilize all of my talents and skills,” Morton said.

He went back to school at the College of Saint Rose to earn his Master’s in Educational Administration and Supervision, which he received in 2002. He continued to work as an assistant principal in city school districts, where the atmosphere was entirely different from that of Cherry Hill.

His desire to give his ten children a higher quality of life and education sparked his journey to Cherry Hill.

Morton and his wife came from entirely different household backgrounds – Morton from the city and his wife from suburbia.

Morton’s fascination with suburbia and its “hometown feeling” led him to

move down to South Jersey. normalcy. He hopes to creMorton and his wife took ate an environment that is this risk to find the perfect safe – not only physically community for them and safe, but also, more imporchose to live in Gloucester tantly, emotionally safe. He Township, with easy access wants students to be in the to Cherry Hill. best position possible before In 2008, Morton began embarking on their journey his new position as the beyond grade school. principal of Joyce Kilmer Morton has been workElementary School in Chering for this type of position ry Hill, where he worked for his entire life. It comfor about five years. bines his love for teaching “I fell in love with Cherry with his leadership skills.

Hill instantly; I remember All of these faccoming here once as a little tors came boy, and I was in awe of together people being able to have to make a lawn and a pool. I always Morton held Cherry Hill in a speCherry cial place,” said Morton.

Hill’s Morton moved along to newest Cherry Hill High School assistant West after Dr. Joseph superintenMeloche was promoted to dent. be Cherry Hill’s superintendent. Later, when the assistant superintendent position opened up, Morton realized that he would be able to make a greater impact on the Cherry Hill community by taking on that role.

“Being able to observe all of the schools and see children discover a love for learning makes me so much more passionate about this job,” Morton said.

Morton’s overall goal for this school year is to help students return to a sense of Yena Son (‘22)/ Eastside Photo Editor

tion to China, where she tutored English, and from her passion to learn more about languages.

“I visited some of the English tutoring sectors there because I was intrigued and I ended up speaking to a lot of the kids there… they seemed really interested in learning the language,” she said.

Li has past experience with tutors and managing a tutoring program because she and a partner led and created a program at her Chinese school last year for virtual volunteering.

During her journey, she ran into many gruelling challenges. These included tutors and mentors having trouble making adjustments, such as during the initiation and application process and a slower pace of work completion than was expected. Li chose members of the organization’s

board that were committed and resilient through these difficult situations.

“I feel like the board is absolutely essential

The community section includes the Event Coordinator Team, Moderator Team and the General Social Media Team. The program section includes the Trainee Team, the Lesson Coordinator Team a n d t h e

Angelina Li helps students “feel felt” with Felt Initiative ■ By Ellie Noh (‘24) Eastside Community Editor

Whether someone has learned one, two or any number of languages, becoming well-rounded within another is never easy.

Angelina Li (‘23) recognized this challenge and decided to take action by founding the non-profit organization, Felt Initiative. “Felt” stands for Foreign English Language Tutoring, and the organization aims to form a space for foreign students to “feel felt.”

“We want to teach skills that are applicable in real life. For example, we want to make sure [students are] prepared for any job interviews they do in the future or just if they travel to America or anywhere that speaks English,” Li said.

The inspiration for the initiative came from Li’s vaca-

to every organization and their success.

They’re the foundation of all organizations, and I really think there’s nothing you can’t accomplish with just a board of passionate and dedicated individuals,” Li said.

Along with the search for a board with strong characteristics, she planned her board to be divided into two different sections, the “community” and “ p r o gram” s e c tions.

Branch Coordinator Team.

Despite Felt being a young organization facing various challenges, Li has already recruited college and high school tutors throughout many foreign countries such as South Korea, Vietnam and China. Through the organization’s Discord server, its 120-plus members can communicate and form strong connections with one another, whether through learning new languages or on a personal level.

Also, Li’s successful launch has been recognized by parents.

“There’s a WeChat group that I’m in with a lot of the parents there and every single week they write a little

paragraph complimenting their tutors…hearing them is the best thing about it,” said Li. Li’s tireless efforts to create her organization have greatly paid off. She has made a significant impact on her community, and beyond, by making students “feel felt” through the common goal of forming bonds with the help of a single tool: language.

Heidi Kwak (‘24)/ Eastside Photo Editor

FEATURES

November 2021

EASTSIDE

Page 7

Chef Di takes culinary talents to Food Network ■ By Gia Gupta (‘24)

Eastside Features Editor

■ By Heidi Kwak (‘24) Eastside Photo Editor

Many underclassmen had only been inside the school building a handful of times before school started in September 2021. Sophomore Heidi Kwak shares her experiences.

Hey Heidi, how does it feel to be a sophomore?

Truthfully?

It feels like I’ve been jolted awake, and I’m consuming everything with half a mind. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that I am a sophomore, but if I don’t get it together soon, I’ll be behind. If the freshmen can find their way around the school, then I can, too. If this was the normal workload before Covid, then I’ll do it. I’ll do it all if it means I’m a normal sophomore.

When I look around, I think that we are all pretending so we can finally have a normal year. It’s a mutual agreement of sorts — if we don’t question the logic of the contact tracing, we can still eat with our friends and talk to each other. We turn a blind eye when someone takes off their masks to talk to their friends. We want normalcy so bad, and I’m no exception to the status quo. I want to have lunch with my friends and I’m tired of seeing people through a screen. That’s why I pretend my sophomore year is normal, because if I do it long enough, I’ll believe it.

Of course, I know “the only constant is change.”

And I won’t lie, wearing a mask has slowly become a part of my daily routine. I think if everyone took off their masks, I wouldn’t know who is who. But a part of me knows that the mask isn’t normal, and neither is my school year. I’m having the same experiences as a freshman: no knowledge of the school traditions, no school merch, having to ask an upperclassman for directions, and being new to school clubs. Meanwhile, most sophomores have positions in multiple clubs and already know their way to each class. Everything feels like a constant reminder that I’m behind, and I’m blaming myself for not catching up. Do I accept this as my normal?

Unfortunately, life is not a movie. Time won’t turn back nor will a magic spell transform everything back to its original state. Like others, I’ll briefly acknowledge the changes, then I’ll go back to adjusting. Maybe some things will change, maybe some will remain the same.

I just know, “normal” is a loose term to describe my school year.

Art by Lydia Cheng (‘23)/

For Eastside

Diane Fehder (‘98) wasn’t heading toward the culinary room when she was a student navigating the halls of Cherry Hill High School East. She was walking toward different places, different escapes: the theatre, painting classes, FOP meetings, and cheerleading practice. As she left East, she knew that she wanted to be a dancer.

Yet, if a student were to walk into F070 today, they would see her there. Even with a path that turns back to where it started, the way she describes it is entirely linear. Maybe because she knows that it turns with the force of a focus, a passion or, even stronger, a love for what she had.

“I love to bake,” Fehder said. Well, not Fehder. Chef Di, as students call her.

Though she originally wanted to be a dancer upon entering Montclair State University, Fehder switched her major to fashion in hopes for more stability. After graduating, she moved to New York City, a city that she knew could breathe life into her dream of making wedding dresses. Fully consumed with one dream, unbeknownst to Fehder, she was surrounded by another one. While working in the city, she was, perhaps by fate, present every day in the same building as the French Culinary Institute, now known as the International Culinary Center. It took her time, though, to discover a future in it.

“I was working in New York City, at a wedding magazine called The Knot.

And I realized I didn’t want to sit behind a desk anymore and that I wanted to create wedding cakes.”

She didn’t know how it was going to go; she knew she was taking a major leap. Yet, she knew that it was a leap backed by her utmost faith. Head first, she enrolled into the International Culinary Center.

In culinary school, she realized that she didn’t only love making cakes, she loved making everything.

A senior pastry chef instructor at the school, Chef Toni Lynn Dickinson, soon formed a close bond with her that outlasted Fehder’s graduation from the center.

“I think that she taught me time

management in the kitchen, with a firm, but nurturing attitude towards it…

Another thing she taught me [was] that if she didn’t know the answer to something, she would tell me she didn’t know and then she would figure it out,” Fe-

where they won first place.

“When I was on Sugar Dome, it was really cool because that was the first time [going on Food Network]. And then we won...

But the best experience was with my culinary instructor [Chef Toni] on...

Sugar Rush Christmas. Because she’s my mentor, my friend, and to ask her to be on the show with me was really really cool,” she said.

On Netflix’s Sugar Rush Christmas (Season 1, Episode 5: “Here comes Santa Claus”) Fehder and Dickinson made history on the show by being the first team to win all three competitive rounds.

Fehder said she doesn’t Heidi Kwak (‘24)/ Eastside Photo Editor handle timed Fehder teaches class in room F0-70. pressure very well but wants hder said. to be as prepared as she After graduating from possibly can be. Her friend the culinary center, Fehder from Sugar Dome is known was determined to grow as to tease her for having too a chef. She worked at Alice’s many lists on Google Docs.

Tea Cup in New York City “[With Food Network], and then moved to London, you’re not going to be able where she got experience to charge a million dolwith Peggy Porschen, a cellars for your cakes [and] ebrated cake designer from it’s not going to bring you the UK. tons of more business, or Fehder then came back even credibility, especially to New York City, where in the industry. It’s more she continued to build on about the people, the conher pastry techniques. After leaving the city, her direction turned to Cinnaminson, NJ. She began to work at The Merion, where she became the Executive Pastry Chef. F e h d e r knew that her path to becoming a chef was the most important thing to her. But once she was a chef, other opportunities came to light – opportunities on Food Network, for example.

In February of 2013, her team, Tre Artista, competed on Food Network’s “Sugar Dome,”

nections… it’s also a great water cooler conversation,” she said.

When someone takes the time to tell her they’ve seen her on Food Network, it is very humbling. It is also very exciting, especially when it comes from a student – a student that sees a future for themselves in her. In 2019, after realizing it was taxing on her family, she decided to leave her position as Executive Pastry Chef and start teaching at Rowan College at Burlington County in the Culinary Arts Program.

Two years later, she continues to combine her passion for culinary arts with teaching at Cherry Hill East, teaching Culinary Arts I, and next semester, Culinary Arts I and II. Fehder decided to stop making cakes with the start of the new school year so she can focus on making her course and curriculum special. She wants students to want to be in her classes.

When a student shows her what they have made, or when a student makes an entire presentation on why they want to learn how to make Portuguese egg cups, that is what is rewarding.

It’s when students have a fire – the same fire she has.

“Go seek out opportunities and don’t be afraid to do that. The greatest opportunities or learning experiences may not be here in Cherry Hill. I moved to London, I lived in New York City, I moved all over,” she said. “I chose to come back.”

Art by Gabbie Hart (‘22)/ For Eastside

(Top) Fehder attends cooking school.

(Middle) Fehder appears on “Sugar Dome.”

(Bottom) Fehder begins work at East.

OPINIONS

Page 8

EASTSIDE

November 2021

Guidance counselor training is important for mental health ■ By Brielle Lampf (‘23)

Online Opinions Editor

Coming back to school in-person has most certainly been a rather significant adjustment for many Cherry Hill East students.

Going from taking a test in your own bedroom to taking a test in a classroom filled with students is a nervewracking feeling, even for the best of test-takers.

Of course, it is widely acknowledged that East is a competitive school academically. However, in order to counter rising student stress levels, the guidance counselors have received new training that is mental health oriented.

This training began in early-mid October and all guidance counselors were required to take part. The training included 12 modules with 45 minutes to an hour of training. In addition to that, counselors received individual oneon-one coaching. Students have been asking for a

change like this, and it is important to recognize the positive changes that the district and the school are trying to implement for students.

Cherry Hill East Principal Dr. Dennis Perry said, “The catalyst really for [this training] was COVID and concerns around the social and mental health of our students.”

The hope for this training is for guidance counselors to offer more support for students and hopefully gain a better understanding of the realities of students’ mental health, especially with coming back t o school in person and facing all of the worries that come with it.

Coming back to school has been a tremendously difficult thing for so many students, and being able to provide assistance and a support system for Cherry Hill East’s students is the

most important thing that the administration can do right now.

East is not the only Cherry Hill school to be implementing this new training for guidance counselors. This training was mandated by the district as a way to combat the effects COVID-19

extended 90-minute lesson, and as the name suggests, labs. Basically, if someone’s lab was in LB1 on a specific day, they would stay in their science class as the bell rang for lunch and continue on until that lunch break ended. If it was in LB2, they would head over to their science class early as the bell rang and begin their science class from there.

The addition of these lab periods have brought negative effects in a variety of forms. Firstly, these extended 30-minute periods were used quite ineffectively more often than not, with a majority of the time used cleaning up from labs, talking with deskmates, and giving out homework.

These activities could have been finished up within the normal hour-long period, which is becoming evident as science classes adjust to the new normal this school year.

Also, these periods often held students from using their lunch periods in the most efficient way possible.

Many prefer to eat lunch after labs, they now have to destress and be more enwith their friends during a time to dewind. gaged in their classes. specific lunch period, study Science teachers and As much of an avid scifor an exam coming up in some others still argue that ence fan many students at the afternoon, or attend the removal of these periEast are, mandatory and a club meeting the other ods do not provide the adroutine lab-out periods lunch breaks. Labs can get equate time that students during lunch would not be in the way with those stuwould need to complete the best alternative to getdent endeavors, especially their tasks and that labs ting the work done, for it if a student takes multiple are essential in fully coveris important to consider science classes (and thus ing all of the course curricustudents’ overall learning more lab-out days). lums. and well being which propFor perspective, someone Although science teacher lunch breaks provide. taking three science coursers are faced with bigger Thus, it was a reasonable es this year would have to challenges, this removal initiative to remove lab-out devote three whole 30-minbrings out key benefits to periods during the lunch ute LBs during the six-day students’ mental health, breaks at Cherry Hill East cycle for additional lab giving students a chance to benefit all students. periods, which doesn’t seem manageable in the long run.

The removal of these labs also helps students to destress and recharge their energy fully during the lunch periods. Instead of scrambling to get to a cafeteria, buy lunch, and eat in less than 25 minutes left before or

Barbara Armstrong (‘25)/ For Eastside

loads filled with AP and honors courses.

There are frequent confusions resulting from unclear due dates, postponed assignments and scheduling errors. However, if teachers posted assignment lists for each semester ahead of time, it would minimize confusion, alleviate stress from students

classes. This will allow students to strategically plan their schedules and ensure that they will have enough time to complete all of their schoolwork in advance without having the pressure of seemingly endless due dates and deadlines.

Furthermore, having time in advance to do assignments will promote time management skills, which is essential for students that need to balance multiple extracurriculars at once. Learning time management skills will also prepare students for their lives and future careers that would require them to manage a busy schedule with limited time.

Lastly, posting assignment lists will not only help the students, but teachers as well. If the teachers

has been having on students nationwide.

Right now, the worsening of students’ mental health is becoming a pandemic of its own, and it is important that we commend the Cherry Hill School District for

taking a step in the right direction. Students have been pushing for a change for years as the mental health of our students has continued to worsen. With this new guidance counselor training, hopefully guidance counselors and the East administration will be able to finally recognize just how deeply students are affected by mental health.

Simply providing training for guidance counselors will not solve the problem of the rising rates of depression in students, or the anxiety that kids are facing walking back through the school doors. The academically competitive environment that East fosters will continue to invoke high anxiety levels amongst the students. Because of East’s high SAT scores, GPA’s, and number of AP classes, students continue to feel the pressure

not only from themselves but from the environment to be perfect in every class, at every level. However, it can provide some level of comfort to students, knowing that their guidance counselors are getting additional training that will hopefully facilitate not only their academic careers, but also personal life.

Perry noted that this training is helping guidance counselors to provide practical strategies for students and families. In this unique time and academic environment, this really is the most important thing: being able to access the resources that can make a difference for students’ well-being.

The mental health training is a good first step in the right direction, and hopefully it will not be the last in providing students with the resources they need to help manage their mental health.

Art by Emily Boyle (‘23)/ Eastside Opinions Editor

East is better off without a labbing out period during lunch ■ By Christopher Shin (‘23) Eastside Staff

Let’s rewind: the last somewhat ‘normal’ year was the first half of the 2019-2020 school year.

Back then, as the bell rang after the third period in the morning, over two thousand students raced to get to their lunch and homeroom periods. However, in each science classroom, around 30 students dismissed the bell, resuming their class in what were known as ‘lab’ periods.

But with the onset of COVID-19, these lab periods disappeared into thin air, never to return again to East’s normal routine. Although bringing out mixed pros and cons, this removal of the labbing out periods during LB 1 & 2 has also brought some key benefits for students’ overall wellness and success.

For those who are unfamiliar with the term ‘lab’ – labbing out periods were a certain LB during the Day 1-6 cycle chosen for science classes to have an

Teachers should post assignment lists each semester ■ By Anna Neubauer (‘23)

Eastside Staff

As the school year begins, many East students’ calendars are quickly filled with assessments, sports practices, club meetings, rehearsals and more. With these busy extracurricular schedules, it can be difficult to fit in demanding course

with busy schedules, promote time management skills and help teachers coordinate assessment dates.

Posting assignment lists ahead of time will allow students with busier schedules to plan ahead with schoolwork and help them balance school and extracurricular activities.

Assignment lists could include important dates, such as test days, projects or larger assignments in general.

At the beginning of the semester, students can check the assignment lists and coordinate with their own schedules, as well as with assignment Si Ying Chen (‘23)/ Eastside Staff lists from other

posted all of their major assessment dates ahead of time, it would allow them to coordinate with each other. For example, if several teachers of the same grade scheduled major assessments on the same day, they would be aware of it and may be able to consider changing the date of the test, especially if it’s far in advance before the date is approaching. It would also benefit the teachers because they would be able to have the schedules as well and plan ahead for lessons and assignments.

Ultimately, knowing all semester assignments ahead of time would be beneficial for the school community as a whole, and staff should consider implementing this valuable change.

OPINIONS

November 2021

EASTSIDE

Page 9

Goldberg’s mural should be addressed in more depth ■ By Crystal Yeh (‘24)

Eastside Staff

Cherry Hill High School East, a school with over 2,000 students from diverse cultural backgrounds, strives to create a space that is welcoming and respectful.

Though I was born and raised in the US, I have still been taught by my family to appreciate my Chinese and Taiwanese roots. When an environment contains imagery filled with racial intolerance, xenophobia and ignorance, it is no surprise when people react to it with discomfort.

So when East’s mural, painted by Eric Goldberg

(‘73), who has since animated for many major Disney films, gets painted over in white, of course there is controversy.

The legacy and intention of this mural are both a factor in how the situation should be addressed.

Painting over the mural completely, without any statement, would imply that this racism has never existed and does not affect us presently.

For Goldberg to paint those characteristics would mean that this idea of a Chinese man was normal back in 1973.

Since 1973, thousands of students have passed by this mural and never thought to report it, whether out of fear that their discomfort would be overlooked by administration,

or out of ignorance about the underlying meaning of the illustration.

Even today, others do not understand why it is seen as racist and would continue to perpetuate stereotypes against all Asian Americans.

Questions arise like “How else would a Chinese man be depicted?” or “He is simply wearing cultural attire, isn’t this cultural appreciation?”

It does not take more than a simple Google search or discussion to find that these claims are rooted in ignorance of Chinese culture. The illustration depicted a man with a Manchurian pigtail (called a Queue), a generic Asian robe and Japanese wooden slippers.

This inaccurate and

outdated depiction presents Chinese people as exotic and unmodernized.

We have a culture that should not be generalized as “Asia.” We are Chinese, not Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese.

The popularity of Queues in China fell drastically by the 1920s, which was decades before Goldberg painted the mural. And finally, no, we do not have slits for eyes.

The mural situation should still be handled, as it was not done properly.

The mural, which was primarily targeted at Asian Americans, should have been discussed with the Asian cultural groups and Student Government Association before going forth with their decision to completely paint over it.

Since it is already painted over, it would be redeeming to have the mural replaced with another either painted by Goldberg himself, or one that accurately conveys cultural appreciation of Chinese Americans.

An email, social media post or even a message from administration would show recognition of this underlying racial prejudice.

Disney has also released these types of disclaimers before its features of Tom and Jerry and other shows with references to ethnic and racial prejudices.

We should all turn this situation into an opportunity for Cherry Hill East students to learn about justice and equality, in order to prevent instances like this, especially in our diverse school.

Eastside Archive Photo

The mural, before it was painted over in April 2021, depicted a Chinese male with generic Asian clothing, confused by the radio.

More students should attend Board of Education meetings

speak in bimonthly BOE meetings about new policies, whether it be COVID-19, academic or community related, are either current parents of students in the Cherry Hill Public School System, parents of former students or lifelong members of the community.

Though it is very sensible for parents to be concerned with the way budgeting, education and new policy affects their children (especially those in elementary school and middle school), adults should not Yena Son (‘22)/ Eastside Photo Editor be the only ones Board of Education meeting on September 28: BOE members sit on stage and follow agendas; caring. audience seats are almost completely empty. Attendees can sit in chairs or make public comAn exception to ments through projected Zoom calls. when student voice important notifications. clined to work with student ■ By Ziv Amsili (‘22) is heard in BOE High school students voices even more so than meetings is when a group Eastside Opinions Editor at East who want to voice adults. of student activists speak Recently, the talk in the their opinion on a specific For example, last year about a specific issue at the hallways has been about irtopic, or have concerns rethey supported the initiabeginning, but those smallritation with no changing in garding current policies, tive to start an African er groups have usually had the locker rooms, the qualishould attend BOE meetAmerican History course a few precedent meetings ty of our school lunches and ings regardless of predisfor the Class of 2025 onand came as a group with the danger of driving out of posed student gatherings wards. one common goal. the school parking lot. in order to represent themThis year, they have deIt is very beneficial for There are a lot of deciselves in our community. cided to work more closely these student leaders to sions to be made about the For one, residents of the with the students advocatgarner student opinion way our administration district listen to student ing for later start times, about certain topics, but plans for the progression opinion during BOE meetand say that there are prosthe problem arises when of students’ academic year, ings and may agree with pects of starting the high high school students are and the way that in which your comments. school start time later in confused or unaware about they decide to update the In fact, members of the following years. updates that may be relcommunity in regards to Board of Education are inNext, most people who evant to them.

Though some may say that attending these board meetings take up a lot of time, a good idea would be to look at the board’s agenda ahead of time and join when they can make public comments, or when Dr. Meloche presents more information about schoolrelated updates.

If more students were to attend BOE meetings, either online or in person, they would have less questions, as most of them are either answered by presentations made by current members of the board or by Cherry Hill Public School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche.

This would allow students to make their opinion about a policy or change made in our schools early on and may even elicit an incentive to speak on a topic that they are concerned about right away.

Page 10

GLOBAL COMMENTARY

EASTSIDE

November 2021

America fails to live up to its humanitarian ideals ■ By Asher Boiskin (‘24)

Eastside Global Commentary Editor

In May 1939, the MS St. Louis, a German cruise liner, departed from Hamburg, Germany, packed with Jewish passengers fleeing the horrors of the Nazi regime less than one year after Kristallnacht (November 1938), and six years after the inauguration of the first concentration camp, Dachau (1933).

After reaching the shores of Cuba, the boat was refused permission to dock, causing the Jewish refugees to desperately reach out to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in an attempt to receive asylum within the United States. President Roosevelt never responded.

The passengers also reached out to the United States State Department but received a response they were not looking for: Wait your turn. This trip was later nicknamed the “Voyage of the Damned” because nearly a third of the ship’s 937 passengers were later murdered in concentration camps after forcefully being returned to Europe. Here, America messed up; it has the blood of those who died trying to escape the nefarious Nazi regime on its hands.

Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it: let’s hope our na-

tion does not.

In recent weeks, the terrorist organization, the Taliban, took over Afghanistan, causing a deluge of Afghan citizens wanting to leave the country and fearful for their lives. The world watched as Afghans fell mid-air to their deaths, while clinging onto the outside of US military planes

mans trampled over them.

When she rose to her feet, she searched for her daughter and found her dead.

“I felt pure terror,” the woman said to Zucchino in a phone interview.

However, there were others who faced the wrath of America’s botched evacuation from Afghanistan as well.

as they took off from Kabul International Airport.

A New York Times article by David Zucchino describes the trauma of pushing through Kabul airport for one anonymous woman, a former interpreter for an American company. As she traveled through the airport with her family, including her two-year-old daughter, a stampede of hu-

Zucchino also interviewed a 39-year-old former interpreter for the U.S. military and Western aid groups. The interpreter had received calls from the Taliban threatening him and his family, saying the consequence for working with America is death. The man told Zucchino that the failure to effectively evacuate people from Afghanistan

makes him believe he may have to “accept the consequences.”

The remaining Afghan citizens are left with an undemocratic, sexist and totalitarian government.

Under the Taliban’s rule, women are forced to wear head-to-toe coverings and cannot go outside without an accompanying male guardian. The Taliban has also barred women from attending schools by threatening them with inhumane punishments, such as public executions, whippings and other forms of torture, (The Washington Post).

Despite the logistical nightmare of evacuating US troops and allies and giving up control of Afghanistan to the Taliban, America views itself as the global moral authority that supports religious tolerance and women’s civil rights.

The desperation of the many Afghans fleeing their country parallels that of passengers on the MS St. Louis.

While the situations are not the same, they are both humanitarian crises that deserve attention and require quick decisive action from countries suited to help. America should have pooled its vast resources and organized its military faster to help those who helped us. America had the opportunity to be on the right side of history, saving

after calling on a reporter from Bloomberg News.

This insinuates that there are people behind the scenes controlling the number of questions Biden answers and who he calls on.

He has also made several other jokes about getting in trouble with his staff if he took more questions.

porter to ask a question until the very end of the press conference, when chaos ensued.

When journalist Ed O’Keefe, a Senior White House Correspondent, was called on, White House officials abruptly ended the press conference.

O’Keefe tweeted, “As we

Psaki.

The lack of transparency between Biden and the press has been an ongoing issue since the start of his presidency.

Reporters previously complained that he rambles on frequently and his communication skills do not meet the standard nec-

Ilanna Bernstein (‘25)/ For Eastside

Afghans flee the Kabul Airport amid crisis.

innocent Afghans from untimely deaths at the hands of the Taliban.

The US government needs to make it easier for people fleeing humanitarian crises to enter the borders legally and seek refuge in the United States. These are requests that are realistc for the United States and should be a priority.

How else are we supposed to live up to the words of the “New Colossus,” Emma Lazarus’s poem that adorns the Statue of Liberty, called by the poem the “Mother of Exiles”: “‘Give me your tired, your poor,/ Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,/ The wretched refuse of your teeming shore./ Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,/ I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’”

is under strict instructions regarding what to share with the press and how to conduct himself.

When these accusations were brought up to Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, he vehemently denied any censorship of the president and assured the public that Biden was the one making all final decisions regarding the media.

Nonetheless, someone in the White House does have the ability to cut off the president’s microphone when answering questions, although it is unclear who has that power.

In light of these recent events, the media is on a witch hunt to find Biden’s puppeteer. Former President Donald Trump chimed in on his social media account with an extremist conspiracy theory: “People in the dark shadows” are controlling Biden.

The discovery of whether President Biden’s actions are being controlled will most likely never come to fruition. What can be solved, however, is the lack of open communication between the president and the press. This would give citizens a better understanding of Biden’s future plans.

It would also feel like Biden was trying to connect with Americans, rather than his team just sending out official reports.

The Biden Administration, as a whole, needs to begin working on giving the press and the public an unfiltered glimpse at Biden’s presidency to gain a true understanding of who is leading this nation.

Biden’s interactions do not meet press corps’ expectations ■ By Lauren Winslow (‘23)

Eastside Online Global Commentary Editor

The President of the United States serves the nation as the head of state and government. One of the president’s duties is to act as a spokesperson for the country, in charge of determining White House press releases and organizing press conferences with the help of their Press Secretary. In the past few months, President Biden has not fully fulfilled his duty as the mouthpiece of the nation. In fact, American citizens currently face a major issue; the people’s spokesperson might be controlled behind the scenes.

During several press conferences within the past few months, journalists from the United States press corps have reported that Biden’s interactions with the media have left many public questions unanswered.

For example, while addressing the media on September 13, President Biden was cut off by the White House administration before he could fully provide a briefing regarding wildfires in the western United States. President Biden also told the press that his senior staff instructed him to only call on specific journalists. They also instructed him when to leave press conferences.

Even more concerning is that on June 13, at a press conference following the G-7 Summit, Biden said, “I’m sorry, I’m going to get in trouble with the staff if I don’t do this the right way”

Courtesy of ABC News

President Biden speaks about the anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic.

When any leader of the country fails to be able to conduct a press conference without major interference from his administration, one might question their overall leadership abilities.

More recently, on September 18, during a press conference with the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, White House officials removed reporters from the Oval Office when they tried to ask questions. Throughout the entire event, Biden never called on a single U.S. re-

[journalists] were leaving, I asked the president for his reaction to the situation on the southern border. Due to shouting by White House aides, the noise of everyone leaving, and the president wearing his mask, we could not make out his answer.”

After the commotion in the Oval Office, journalists from the White House press corps, who are members of the media assigned to report on White House events, filed a formal complaint to United States Secretary of the Press, Jen

essary of a president.

Even Psaki admitted in May during a podcast interview that the White House administration members do not recommend for Biden to field questions from reporters and oftentimes specifically instruct him not to take questions.

People such as Psaki should always have some form of involvement with how the president interacts with the media. However, total control means that Biden may not be thinking for himself, but rather

November 2021

GLOBAL COMMENTARY

EASTSIDE

Page 11

Digital currencies will change economic future ■ By Batul El Barouki (‘23)

Eastside Global Commentary Editor

In many countries around the world, the demand for paper money is slowly diminishing because of the advantages digital currencies present. Digital currencies, called cryptocurrencies, are an online

useful. Cryptocurrencies’ market values are growing at high rates and are helping countries to deal with inflation. This allows for the growing popularity and use of digital currency. So, why are third-world countries benefiting from using cryptocurrencies?

Cryptocurrencies are becoming legalized in mul-

Joachim Schwartz (‘22)/For Eastside

form of payment used to buy goods and services as well as store money on smartphones. Low fees on international transactions and the ability to make payments on most devices make cryptocurrencies very

tiple countries in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The investors in such nations are primarily benefiting from digital currencies because all that is needed is the internet and a device to use it.

■ By Julia Boehning (‘22)

bly.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has supersized glaring inequalities,” Guterres said.

His speech criticized the Group of 7 (G7)—the seven countries with the world’s most advanced economies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US)—for not doing enough to help underdeveloped countries.

“In third-world countries, we are seeing the take-up of Bitcoin. If you look at Bitcoin volume growth, it’s massive,” said CoinShares investment strategist James Butterfill.

Bitcoin is one of the world’s largest programs for digital currencies with a market value of over $180 billion.

It is no surprise that cryptocurrency has wiggled its way into many thirdworld economies, especially due to its immense market value. In Nigeria alone, trading volumes have increased by 128% and in Brazil exploded to 2,247% within the past year, according to data from digital assets provider Kaiko.

Inflation, the decrease in the value of paper money, is being avoided with digital currencies because they have a limited supply of coins, which helps to resist inflation. Venezuela, where rapid price increases are prominent, is using cryptocurrency as of recently. Bitcoin trading volumes have increased by 833% in the past twelve months. Digital currencies, like Bitcoin, are designed to combat inflation, which further benefits the economy.

Major digital currency companies–Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin–have concluded in studies from

the 2015 “Bitcoin Standard” written by Saifedean Ammous, that cryptocurrencies will benefit developing countries even further, because they ensure better financial inclusion and tracking of transactions.

Cryptocurrencies are used as quasi-bank accounts in developing nations and to save money, as well as record daily transactions without having a merchant trading account. This traditional finance is growing in developing countries that did not have as easy access to global undertaking.

Digital currency methods are growing in popularity because the cost of sending money internationally has greatly increased–by 6.9% since 2019–according to The World Bank, an international financial institution.

Distant family members in wealthy countries sending cash via mail often incur expensive shipping fees. Transferring money virtually also has its benefits with convienience.

For example, in 2015, Ammous found that sending cryptocurrency abroad was more efficient than sending money because “transaction costs are massively reduced or are even eliminated” with digital cryptocurrency transactions.

Digital transactions are much cheaper, largely due to low exchange rates and a lack of transaction fees.

Additionally, no intermediary institution is needed to send cryptocurrency abroad digitally.

The financial benefits of cryptocurrency allow growth in the international financing world and the economy of third-world countries because of the speed and convenience of digital payment transfers.

Third-world country citizens are impacted by the uptake of cryptocurrencies, as they are finally able to engage in international commerce with the ease that first-world countries already have.

Furthermore, cryptocurrencies help to create a financially inclusive world in addition to providing users with the ability to make transactions without any fees simply, using just their fingertips and a device.

Cryptocurrencies allow for financial convenience and accessibility for developing countries with citizens who want to participate in international trade.

Digital currencies could soon be the money of tomorrow, especially as countries around the world open doors to new digital economic possibilities more and more every day.

to developing countries.

According to a White House press release, this past August the US donated over 100 million doses over 60 countries. However, many countries that donate COVID vaccines also purchase millions of doses for themselves, rendering it difficult for COVAX to supply them to developing countries.

adult populations.”

In the G7 countries specifically, there are problems with vaccine surpluses: excess numbers of unused doses that have spoiled, rendering them unusable.

According to the CDC, the US has wasted approximately 15 million doses of the COVID vaccine

vaccine, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) expects there to be yet another vaccine surplus within the year. If G7 countries reduce spending and donate doses to other countries, they can avoid wasting excess vaccines and aid developing countries in providing access to them.

“We passed the sci-

G7 countries need to assist in vaccinating the world Eastside Online Features Editor

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 50 percent of United States citizens are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Another 65 percent of United States citizens have received one dose of the vaccine.

Based on this data, one would assume the world is much closer to the longawaited return to normalcy. However, the vaccination rates in other countries do not reflect this optimistic outlook.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 90 percent of Africans—who make up over 15 percent of the global population—haven’t received a single dose of the vaccine yet.

Meanwhile, President Biden said in his Public COVID-19 Action Plan that he plans to start distributing booster shots—another vaccine dose to increase immunity—in the United States as soon as they are authorized.

To many, it seems contradictory that the US has enough vaccination resources to begin distributing booster shots while other countries are struggling to get people vaccinated in the first place. The United States and other wealthy countries should be doing more to help developing countries with their vaccine rollout and distribution processes.

United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres addressed this issue in a speech at this year’s UN General Assem-

Guterres said he plans on forming various initiatives to ensure the UN reaches its global vaccination goals but needs the support and resources of wealthi er nations to meet them.

Many wealthier countries contribute to organizations addressing global vaccination issues. Since April of 2020, the WHO’s COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) initiative has received hundreds of millions of dollars in donations from some of the wealthiest countries in the world. Furthermore, many of these countries donate COVID resources directly

According to a UN report, COVAX was 190 million doses short of its distribution goal for June—citing the G7 countries’ mass purchasing of doses as one of the reasons for this delay. The UN said G7 countries will soon have enough doses to donate 20 percent of them to developing countries “without significant delay to current plans to vaccinate their

since March 2021.

US states cannot donate excess vaccines directly to third-world countries, so unused doses go to waste.

Also, declining interest in the vaccine contributes to the surplus of unused shots from the states that received more vaccines than the public demand.

With the possibility of an upcoming booster shot and increased production of the

ence test, but we are get- t i n g a n F in Eth- i c s , ” Guterres said, seeing the COV I D - 1 9 b a s e d wealth inequality as a moral failure.

While there are no simple solutions to this pandemic, ensuring every country is on the path to recovery should be a top priority. Wealthy countries continue to dominate vaccination rate statistics, yet they still have many vaccines left over.

G7 countries should consider using their resources to help developing countries in their COVID recovery process. By choosing to help with vaccine rollout, wealthy countries can ensure they help rectify this inequality, and the world can finally begin to “return to normalcy.”

Art by Marcus Newman (‘22)/ Eastside Art Director

Page 12

EASTSIDE

November 2021

SPECIAL

Eastside asked East students and faculty to draw how they feel about returning to school wearing masks.

Take a look to see how your classmates and teachers feel about an in-person school year after learning online, at home and through the hybrid model last year.

Photos by Jacy Dickstein (‘22), Max Gaffin (‘22), Lalitha Viswanathan (‘22) and Jessica Levin (‘22)/ Eastside Editors-in-Chief and Managing Editor

November 2021

EASTSIDE

Page 13

Page 14

EDITORIAL

EASTSIDE

November 2021

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

Eastside encourages the district to make PSAT optional for sophomores Every October, sophomores and juniors at Cherry Hill High School East take their seats in front of a Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) pamphlet, a Scantron bubble sheet and wooden pencils.

Teachers recite the same College Board-certified monotonous instructions and then, the test begins. Nearly three hours later, the students plummet through the East halls, excited to leave early. East freshmen and seniors end their superfluous class activities.

The PSAT is a standardized test to evaluate the preparedness of high schoolers for the SATs, college and the rest of their educational careers.

This test has been in circulation since 1959 with the intent to select the National Merit Scholars, an exclusive award rarely won by even the most intellectual students.

Cherry Hill East promotes the PSATs as a chance for juniors to earn scholarships and to gain

recognition for their high scores. Yet, only about three to four percent of the 1.5 million junior test takers receive either a Letter of Commendation or a National Merit Semifinalist recognition.

However, only juniors can receive these titles.

Sophomores are not even eligible for these awards. The College Board distributes the PSATs to sophomores to give them a glimpse into a standardized test with a format very similar to the SATs. The PSATs used to be very popular in the East population, as the test gave students a gauge into how they would perform on the regular SATs. This is an incredibly outdated measure; there are hundreds–if not thousands–of resources for any student to use for free, including practice tests from the College Board, test prep with Khan Academy and the Princeton Review book tests.

In the past, every SAT score that a student took

in high school was sent to their colleges.

This rule has changed now, as both the College Board and most colleges allow students to send only their best score or superscore their test results.

Therefore, the PSAT is unnecessary for East students to take, as the first standardized test they choose to take can be the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) instead.

At East, the competitiveness in academic performance has increased tremendously in the past ten years. Considering this, people are taking the SATs earlier in their high school career to “get it out of the way.” This includes high school sophomores and freshmen. With this in mind, the PSATs are unnecessary for these students because they already have knowledge of the SAT. Additionally, the students who have been preparing for the SAT since the beginning of high school will most likely be the stu-

dents who achieve high scores, both on the SAT and PSAT. East spending money for these students to take the PSAT in their sophomore year is a waste.

For comparison, in the early 2000s, most students took their SATs only after they got their PSAT scores in their junior year.

Eastside feels that the PSATs are unnecessary for the East sophomore class to take. Each test costs $18 for students, and there are about 500 students in each grade.

This means that East is spending approximately $9,000 for a test that sophomores a) do not have to make an effort on, and b) does not impact their standardized testing future.

The Cherry Hill School District pays an additional $7,200 for Cherry Hill High School West sophomores to also take the test.

Districtwide, the test costs around $32,400 for all sophomores and juniors to take. The district eliminating the tests for sopho-

mores will save a significant amount of money that could be directed towards other district needs.

Sophomores are still able to take the PSATs at other testing sites if they want to do so. The PSATs are administered on the second Wednesday of October in schools (what East does) and the Saturday of that week. Many schools in our area offer the PSATs on that Saturday for students who want to take this exam.

Finally, it is important to note that not all students want to participate in standardized testing, even for college admissions. Test scores are becoming less important for more and more colleges. Therefore, students are less inclined to dive into the standardized testing world, whether it is the American College Testing (ACT)–which is a rising trend among high school students–or the SAT. As a result, the district should stop paying for all sophomores to take the PSAT.

Benefactors

Jen & Ed Winslow

Noah Cohen (‘09) Rachel Cohen (‘15) Rhona and Sandy Cohen Brett Dashevsky (‘16) Raquel and Robert DeAbreu Jake Fischer (‘12) Amanda Hymson (‘06) Paige Hymson (‘10) Joe Guide Sy and Florence Jerome Karen L Jerome Gabrielle Kains (‘12) Ali Koenig (‘20) Gayle Lampf Maria Levin Abbie Levine Louis Levine Sophie Levine (‘19) Sophia Liang (‘19) Habin Ling Anju Mandani

Nate Mulberg (‘10) Amy Myers (‘11) Don Pullano Jessica Reitano (‘89) Gupta Institute for Pain Wellness and Rehabilitation Molly Reiniger (‘04) Classical Rhythms LLC Zackary Rosenblatt (‘09) Amanda Rosten Mr. Greg Rouen Judy Solomon Ethan Tinkelman (‘16) Jia Wang Jordan Wohl (‘11) Mei Zhang The Zhang Family Sarah Zheng (‘20)

Contributors

Judy Benefeld Dana Bookbinder Xiufang Chen Sally and David Finkelstein Michael and Donna Koenig Sameer Jain Stacy and Andy Levin Fang Liu Melissa Merovitz Melissa and Sloan Rosten Jonathan Sobel And Fara Sobel Judy Solomon Connie Tang Mia Gagliardi Matt, Cheri, Becca, Elissa and Sari Cohen Ava and Ben Tolin Krupa and Rajesh Viswanathan

Friends of Eastside

Sponsors George and Rosemary Dolnycky David and Melanie Goodstadt Jill Greenberg Karen Jerome and Jon Eig James Kwak Steven Oppen Shantha Subramanian

Patrons Caroline Babula (‘09) Boiskin Family Christina and Brian Boyle Jordyn Brandman Jarrett Brotz (‘06) Brielle Clearfield (‘15) Jesse Cohen (‘07)

Naomi Bereketab (‘21) Stacey Carusi Abhilasha Chawdhari Carol and Dennis Crosson Rani Emandi Marguerite Guide Brooke Greenberg (‘17) Sky Kwak Marilyn Koenig Minwoo Lee Collette Plaquet Jake & Max Sobel

Advocates ​​Carly Hans Jiseon Lee (‘19) Zachary Pasternack

Eastside 2021-2022 Editorial Board

Managing Editor: Jessica Levin Editors-in-Chief: Jacy Dickstein, Max Gaffin, Lalitha Viswanathan Online Editors-in-Chief: Alexa Atlas, Nicole Vital, Angelina Witting Adviser: Mr. Greg Gagliardi News Editors Tharunika Govindasamy Jiwoo Lee Bella Levin

Community Editors Jillian Koenig Lily Lazarus Ellie Noh

Features Editors Gia Gupta Aiden Rood Alena Zhang

Culture Editors Jamie Bookbinder Ziva Davis Katherine Li

Opinions Editors Ziv Amsili Emily Boyle

Sports Editors Amanda Merovitz Scout Pullano Abby Yu

Global Commentary Editors Asher Boiskin Batul El Barouki Art Directors Marcus Newman Melissa Vital

Photo Editors Heidi Kwak Yena Son

Online News Editor Vivian Rong Online Features Editor Julia Boehning Online Opinions Editor Brielle Lampf Online Global Commentary Editor Lauren Winslow

Business Managers Spencer DeAbreu Alex Levine

Online Community Editor Julia Rosten Online Culture Editor Inesa Linker Online Sports Editor Shayna Oppen Media Editors Natalie Finkelstein Karina Gupta

Administrative Assistant Lauren Greenberg

Editorial Assistants Ella Goodstadt Izzy Sobel

November 2021

SHOUT-OUTS

EASTSIDE

Page 15

Sam & Grace: Can’t believe you are both in HS now?! So proud of the amazing humans you are! Enjoy your “Pat Benatar rides” together this year!

Emma and Ari - it’s back to school. Here’s to a great year for both of you! We know you’ll do great.

To all East students, Bring Change to Mind wishes everyone a happy and healthy start to the school year!

Don’t forget to put yourself first!

Welcome to high school, Max Foley! We know you will do great things! We’re so proud of you!

Love, Mom, Dad & Shana Stav, best of luck at East, in both academics and soccer! We are so proud of you. Love Mom, Abba, Asher and Matan Hey Carter!! Mom & Dad wish you luck in your freshman year! We love you!

Caleb & Jake, have a wonderful school year! We’re so proud of both of you! M&D Good luck, Roman and Cole! Hope you have a great year! We love you, Mom, Dad, Jake and Emmy Have a great school year to both Lindsay Batzar, Class of 2022, and Matthew Batzar, Class of 2025!! We love you! Love, Mom and Dad Danny, have a great year! Paige & Mina will miss you. xoxo, Mom & Dad Bobby, hope your senior year at East is the best! I hope you know how proud you make me! Remember, work hard-play hard! Love you, Bobby Hawkinson! Love, MOM Eli - we can’t wait to see you succeed in high school!

We are so proud of you! Have a great sophomore year, Danny Guzman!

John - senior year! Daniel - sophomore! Laugh often, dream big, reach for the stars, keep your feet on the ground! Love you more! Mom To Max R. - Good luck in your first year at East! We are all proud of you! Love Mom, Dad, Jack, and Dianne Juliet, Fiona, and Niva (& Bridget) ~ study hard, play nice, & keep being awesome. Love, Mama Sue Wishing Lauren Troost a fantastic Senior Year! We love you <3 Congrats, Marcus Newman... you made it to senior year! Enjoy your final days at East! We love you... Mom, Dad and Lea Have an amazing year, Frannie!! We know you’ll do great and powerful things! LYSM xoxo To Brett Mooney: Dear Brett, may your sophomore year be as fun and full of opportunities as you hope it to be.

Happy Sophomore Year! Luck to my son! Love, Mom Wishing you a great year, Julia Rosten! Good luck in 10th grade! Love, Mom, Dad and Amanda Levi, no matter how hard high school may be, we know you are going to excel. Proud of you!

Have a great year!! So very proud of you, Nick P! To THE FAVORITE 3.0: Have fun making new high school memories! - Mom & Bear Dear Jakob: Keep taking on challenges, trying new things, and making it all look easy! With love & pride, Mom & Dad To Michael - Glad you’re back and happy. Have a great Junior year!! xoxo To Kelvin and Iris: Always dream big and try your best! Dad and I are proud of you both!! Enjoy your highschool life!

Christian, hope you have a great senior year and it brings you everything you want. Love, Mom, Dad and Rachel Nicole, we have watched with great pride as you’ve grown into the person you are today. With your talent and determination, the sky’s the limit!

We hope all students, teachers, and staff will have a safe and enjoyable year! - The Noh Family Sarah Adams! It’s your Senior Year! Congratulations on becoming a Field Captain for the Marching Band/ Color Guard! Enjoy every moment! We are so proud of you and we love you so very much! Love, Mom, Tom, Jason, Buddy and Snips

Page 16

COMMUNITY EASTSIDE

November 2021

Sweet T’s Bakeshop sells gluten-free treats for dessert lovers ■ By Nysa Chawla (‘24)

Eastside Staff

Are you gluten-free but looking or a dessert that doesn’t taste gluten-free?

Sweet T’s Bakeshop in Haddonfield, NJ, has got you covered.

Sweet T’s Bakeshop is owned by Toni Marie Wal-

ton, who works closely with her sister Christy Walton.

Toni Walton loved to bake as a child and earned a fine art degree in illustration and graphic design at the University of Hartford.

She interned with the Cake Boss himself, Buddy Valastro.

Walton and her team can

Jacy Dickstein (‘22)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Sweet T’s Bakeshop decorates fall-themed cakes for its seasonal products.

be spotted on season one and two of “Cake Boss.”

The little shop is at the center of town in Haddonfield, just a fourmile drive from Cherry Hill East.

Their artistry is beyond comparison.

They offer a wide selection of choices, including cupcakes, muffins, scones and salted caramel bars. They also sell what they call cake bombs, a delicious mix of cake and frosting mix dipped in chocoDickstein (‘22)/Eastside Editor-in-Chief late and sold for Sweet T’s Bakeshop decoratesJacy halloween-themed cupcakes. two dollars a pop.

When pre-ordered, Sweet T’s cakes for every occasion With a talented team of can accommodate all food possible. Satisfying their bakers working five days allergies: vegan, peanutcustomers’ every need, they a week from 10 a.m. to 4 free, gluten-free, dairy-free, are perfect for birthday parp.m., Sweet T’s is known for you name it! ties with allergy-restricting their wild cake decorations.

The “Champagne White guests.

Any image or design online Chocolate” and “Blueberry It’s important to be accan be replicated if given Velvet” cakes and cupcakes commodating to anyone’s enough notice. are the number-one best needs, and this is how a Anything from sculpsellers, with endless good small business grows into a tures to hand paintings can reviews on their website. booming business. be done on the surface of They even have a selecToni Marie Walton startthe cake. tion of gluten free products ed as a young girl with a Whether it is to stop by in their store on a daily balove for art and cakes, and and catch a whiff of the sis. ended up working with the baked goods, or to indulge This bakery offers cusCake Boss and eventually in a delicious cupcake, it is tom-made cakes with hand starting her own bakery worth making the trip to sculpted and hand painted which has won South JerHaddonfield to Sweet T’s options. They have made sey Best for their brownies.

Bakeshop.

COMMUNITY

November 2021

EASTSIDE

Page 17

Income-restricted apartment community built in Short Hills ■ By Jillian Koenig (‘24)

Eastside Community Editor

Within the past year, Evans-Francis Estates, a new housing development, has been built on Evesham Road in Cherry Hill, NJ. Evans-Francis Estates is located at 5 Evans Francis Estates Blvd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003.

The development near the Short Hills development includes 54 apartment units along with amenities for the residents such as a computer lab, an education center and a “tot-lot” (playground).

Evans-Francis Estates

is an income-restricted community. It is targeted toward households with incomes as low as 20 to 60 percent of median income.

Fair Share Housing Development (FSHD) is the non-profit organization behind the Evans-Francis Estates project.

This is the second lowincome housing development they have created in the suburbs of New Jersey.

FSHD also built Ethel R. Lawrence Homes in Mount Laurel Township, NJ, in the year 2000.

Peter J. O’Connor, founder and Executive Director of FSHD, formed the

Heidi Kwak (‘24)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Back-view of Evans-Francis Estates.

organization in 1986 in an effort to create affordable housing for low-income families, senior citizens and people with disabilities in the South Jersey area.

O’Connor was inspired to start FSHD after fighting for affordable and accessible housing for all in Camden and Mount Laurel during the 1970s.

Since the formation of the organization, FSHD has created five housing developments (including Evans-Francis Estates).

The organization also plans to construct three new housing developments in the next few years: a senior citizen housing development and a 36-unit family development in Mount Laurel, along with a 120unit family rental development in Woolwich Township.

Although it may seem brand new, Evans-Francis Estates has been in the planning stages since 1997.

It wasn’t until 2018 that New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, Sheila Oliver, finally approved the project.

A variety of factors

Heidi Kwak (‘24)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Construction site of Evans-Francis Estates. caused the delay, including for formerly homeless peoappeals from the commuple. nity and lapses in the projThe development will ect’s approval. also provide various assisAfter finally being aptance to residents, which proved in 2018 and soon afwill give them access to ter beginning construction, tutoring and homework the project was once again assistance, college prepadelayed, this time due to ration classes, parenting the coronavirus pandemic workshops, wellness proin 2020. grams/exercise classes, fi24 years later, the connancial and digital literacy struction is almost finished programs, and other social and residents will be movservices. ing in soon.

The website for EvansEvans-Francis Estates Francis Estates, evanswill provide 16 one-bedfrancis.com, provides poroom units, 22 two-bedroom tential residents with floor units and 16 three-bedroom plans of the eight different units. apartment types available Within the 54 apartalong with the option to ments, five will be reserved book a tour of the facility.

The Edge Fitness Clubs opens up new franchise in Voorhees spot has it all.

During the week after the grand opening, Edge offered VIP tours of the club As public places continto show potential customue to open with the spread ers what the gym has to of coronavirus decreasing, provide. Edge Fitness has The Edge Fitness Clubs many other locations in the announced their opening South Jersey area, includof a new location in Vooring one in Cherry Hill. The hees, NJ. The gym officially other local locations are opened on September 18 , in Delran, Woodbury and 2021, and replaced a GenuSewell. ardi’s Supermarket. The This gym franchise was supermarket closed in 2010 created in 1988, and first and the space has been started as The Fitness empty since then — until Edge. Until 2017, the gyms now. The gym is located in were only located in Conthe Echelon Village Plaza. necticut around Fairfield From fitness training to County. As the gym contina protein shake bar, this ued to grow, they decided new and popular workout to move to the greater Philadelphia area.

Edge Fitness has many great assets that continue to attract new members.

Inside the gym, one can find a full workout area including a women’s only section, protein shake bar, sauna, locker rooms, turf, kids section and much more.

The women’s only section at Edge Fitness is unique to other gyms in the South Jersey area. They also Jillian Koenig (‘24)/ Eastside Community Editor offer group exOffers at The Edge Fitness Club. ercises which in■ By Sam Nisenzon (‘24)

Eastside Staff

Jillian Koenig (‘24)/ Eastside Community Editor

The Edge Fitness Club sits at the former location of Genuardi’s Supermarket. clude yoga, zumba, cycling and pilates.

Three payment plans are available when looking to purchase a membership at Edge Fitness: the Edge Red Membership, Edge Fit Membership and Edge Total Membership. The Red Membership is the cheapest, and the Total Membership is the most expensive. The prices range from $9.99-$32.99/mo.

There is also an included enrollment fee. Any member can bring one person with them as a guest every time they visit the facility. However, each guest is only permit-

ted to come once every six months. For a guest to work out without any fees, they must be state residents (shown with an ID).

Currently in this specific gym, there is a no mask mandate while inside the gym. However, this could potentially change based on the gym location and the status of coronavirus.

A blog can be found on their website (theedgefitnessclubs.com), which includes recipes for healthy foods and snacks (based on the time of the year), workouts and lifestyle stories.

For example, in October the

blog particularly focused on Breast Cancer Awareness Month related stories.

The Edge Fitness Club provides members with many different classes, activities, lifestyle tips and more. Since opening in September, this gym has been a huge success, and it continues to gain more popularity and members.

If you are looking to join a gym that offers it all (unique workouts, group lessons, great snacks, a sauna, women’s only section, and lots more), then this is the perfect gym for you.

Page 18

COMMUNITY

EASTSIDE

November 2021

New Jersey Taco Festival takes place after COVID-19 impact ■ By Zachary Pasternack (‘24) Eastside Staff

Taco enthusiasts travelled from near and far to this year’s sixth annual New Jersey Taco Festival.

If this seems unusual, think about how people nickname Tuesday as “Taco Tuesday.”

While it wouldn’t be wrong to eat tacos on Wednesday, tacos have been present in most families’ weekly dinners.

Having the annual taco festival each year promotes the American fan favorite: delicious tacos. This Mexican-influenced dish dates back to the 18th century when the ancient Mexicans used fresh corn tortillas and wrapped them with fish or cooked organs.

As the exact story of the taco is still undetermined, many say it was influenced by those in the silver mines, who wrapped gunpowder in

pieces of paper to crack the rock. Today, tacos are eaten for dinner, celebrations, and even inspires taco festivals like the one in Sussex County, NJ. Whether you prefer your taco with a hard or soft shell, filled with beef or chicken, the NJ Taco Festival is a place to explore your wildest taco fantasies.

According to the festival’s website, “The NJ Taco Festival features the best local restaurants, food trucks, and taco specialists.’’

Other businesses included in the festival are Cold Stone Creamery and Arctic Dog, among others.

The day is full from the moment you enter. Starting at 10 a.m., on September 11, people had the opportunity to check out each taco truck and explore the interesting flavors like barbeque tacos.

Periodically through-

out the fair, bands such as The Press and Defending Chain made an appearance. Something you may not know about the festival is that wrestling is its most popular activity. Men and women dress in multicolored face coverings and fight to the death, putting one another in headlocks till the referee blows that whistle.

At 1 p.m., a Margarita Mix-down took place, where the grand prize of $500 was awarded to the winner who drank the most margaritas in a certain period of time. The fair also presented the Chihuahua Beauty Pageant. The dogs were dressed in little outfits to present to the three judges.

The NJ Taco Festival is annually full of wonders and delights that are sure to spark a connection between taco fans. Any type

of taco imaginable could be found, thanks to the fifty local vendors that came to show off their signature dishes. Though COVID-19 has affected daily lives, it did not stop people at the NJ Taco Festival from eating their favorite dish.

There is a

students coming home from school looking for a refreshing snack, or adults looking for something sweet to take their mind off of things after a long day of work.

Not only do they have brain-freezing dessert options, t h e y a l s o have several different

ers, including The Ice Box, which according to their website, primoswaterice. com, is “a party room for families and all to enjoy.

[They] have the latest video games. Play free games in the Ice Box! [Their] games include PS3 & Wii U.” They also offer a free movie night where they allow customers to suggest movies to watch by contacting the owner, and summer bike contests for those who wish to participate. In addition to these free events, they offer other selective events, such as fundraisers, corporate events and face painting that vary in prices.

Primo Water Ice may be known for their incredible ice cream flavors, but they offer kosher ice cream options as well; they also allow customers that are members at the local JCC to show their member card to receive a discount on their purchase. Other incentives that they include are a frequent visit card during your

tenth visit, and if you save your cards you can redeem ten fully finished cards for half off a party bucket.

And, if you come in with your team in your uniforms, you are in luck! Primo offer a team discount of ten percent off the team’s entire order as long as the team is in their uniforms.

Lastly, something one may not find many other places is their MTB card, which is exclusive for only pregnant women.

According to primoswaterice.com, “this card is special and only for a pregnant women who is at least 8 mos. pregnant. [They] receive some wonderful treats, just ask for a MTB Card [they] can only receive one card per pregnancy.”

With approximately 21 water ice flavors, 14 cream water ice, 29 soft serve and over 15 hand-dipped ice cream flavors to choose from, there is no doubt a flavor for everyone. They also offer ice cream cake as an option in addition to

greeting meaning to this soft or hard shell, filled with a variety of meat. This special combination brings happiness and joy to this small town in northern Jersey.

With so many options of events and tacos to choose from, there is no doubt this festival is a must-see each year.

If you have a chance next year, come enjoy the fair, where your everlasting taco dreams will come alive.

T a c o Tuesday just got a little better f o r e v eryone.

Marlee Petkov (‘24)/ For Eastside

Primo Water Ice opens in the Short Hills Towne Center ■ By Lily Lazarus (‘22) Eastside Community Editor

In the past few years, there have been several different restaurants and stores inside and out of the Short Hill Towne Center; however, more recently, a new dessert place has opened up and has been booming ever since.

Primo Water Ice is already a very well-known water ice brand, existing since 1996 with an original location in Westmont, NJ. Open several hours of the day, from 1 p.m. to

Marlee Petkov (‘24)/ Eastside Staff

9 p.m., they attract several customers, whether that be

events available to customers. For example, they offer three free events for all custom-

To Tomer and James: This is your time to shine. You set goals. Keep yourselves focused.

Be peaceful and feel content.

these incredible ice cream flavors.

“Primo Water Ice is extremely convenient and the prices are extremely reasonable. Whenever I am craving cookies and cream ice cream or a mango water ice, I am there in seconds,” said Ethan Farber (‘22).

Even though Primo Water Ice is fairly new, there is no doubt they have made their mark and will continue to thrive.

CULTURE

November 2021

EASTSIDE

Page 19

Teenagers starting to prefer online-thrifting ■ By James Kwak (‘22)

Eastside Staff

Why should you choose online thrifting? Well, it might have a little to do with COVID-19 and its limiting effect on in-person shopping. Or it might have to do with Amazon.

But it’s mainly attributed to Generation Z making online secondhand clothing purchases very popular through social media and social shopping apps, like Poshmark and Depop.

Ninety percent of Depop’s users are below the age of 26, according to Rachel Swidenbank, vice president of marketplace at Depop.

What is the reason for online thrifting’s dramatic rise?

Gen Z wants to avoid wearing the same looks and outfits as others while also being sustainable. By buying secondhand clothing,

you recycle and resell older products instead of buying newer clothes. On the flip side, there are also people that want to make a business or side hustle by selling these clothes to eager customers looking to score good deals.

Additionally, vintage fashion has a big part to play in online thrifting.

This is due to more people searching for vintage clothes in 2020 according to Lyst’s annual report last year. And because younger generations are looking to reduce their carbon footprint, companies are adjusting and listening to their wants. For example, Urban Outfitters will open Nuuly Thrift this fall, which will act as a partner to Nuuly Ren. But there are already so many online thrifting hotspots besides Poshmark and Depop. ThredUp is one

of the many popular go-to places for cheap, vintage, sustainable and trendy looks. Other popular stores are Swap, Real Real, Tredasy, Vestiaire Collective and many more.

But what are the benefits of shopping online instead of in-person?

Obviously, we’re not in lockdown anymore, so you can drive to Goodwill and thrift in-person. There are clear advantages to shopping in-person, such as being able to touch and look at the clothes in person.

However, there are also many benefits to thrift shopping online. First of all, there’s a large inventory, and it’s easy for you to find what you specifically want. There’s also good descriptions for items to know what material you’re buying, and you can also return things that you might not like on some websites, like

ThredUp. However, the biggest positive is the wide variety and the sheer number of items that a website or company has in comparison to your average Goodwill. The practicality and easy use of online shopping makes it much more convenient and favorable for the majority of people.

Before rushing to these websites and buying anything, there are some things you need to know.

Make sure that you know what size you are before you buy anything. You can message the seller for Depop and Poshmark for exact measurements. Check for any disclaimers or notices. Be aware of the condition of these clothes. Use the sorting features to look through a section of clothes that might be of most interest to you, like sports, jewelry, vintage, etc. Most online stores have search

bars to help narrow down the choices that show up on your screen. Doing this will help you save time while you are online shopping. There are tons of filters on these websites that can help you narrow your search and help you find something that you really want, to help save you from wasting time.

In today’s world, online thrifting makes total sense - especially for high schoolers who might want to wear something different at school without having to spend too much money or being confined by the small number of options at your local thrift store.

Online thrifting is not only convenient, but it is cost effective as well. If you want to expand your wardrobe selection and experiment with different styles, online thrifting is a great option for you.

Observing the controversies with in-person thrifting ■ By Katherine Li (‘23) Eastside Culture Editor

TikTok,YouTube,Instagram and Pinterest—if you have used social media at all in the past few months, you may have stumbled across a piece of media concerning the phenomenon of thrifting or fast fashion. About one in five Americans will shop at least once in a thrift store during the year. However, you may remember that thrifting was not popular or something to be proud of a few years ago; how did we get here?

Second-hand trade has been around since the 1300s. Ever since the creation of modern thrifting in the 1900s with the rise of Goodwill and the continued works of the Salvation Army, the very definition and purposes of thrifting have shifted along with them.

It has gained so much traction that events like “ThriftCon” have even started popping up around the nation. “ThriftCon” is a convention where people can purchase tickets to buy second-hand clothing from a number of vendors. Its essence is similar to that of a flea market.

Walking around, shoppers can find one-dollar racks, five-dollar racks and ten-dollar racks, though it is stated on the ThriftCon website that attendees should not anticipate “thrift store” prices—which seems ironic to many in its very nature—however, the explanation is that the items take a hefty amount of time to “discover and curate.”

As one may guess, as t h e s e events have bec o m e m o r e popular around the nation, they have g a r nered a storm of controversy. They raise debates on whether the creation of events like these proves that thrifting has become a hobby for the wealthy, which defeats the entire purpose of second-hand stores providing for lower-income

families.

The biggest argument of distrust surrounding the thrifting trend is that it gentrifies thrift stores. To them, when people who can afford to buy from independent brands bulk buy to resell for retail price, it takes away from low-income individuals who actually rely on second-hand shops for items and clothing.

Due to the latest influencers participating in the trend and the onset of bulk buying from thrift stores, it is speculated that in some areas, the price of thrifting has already gone up.

Additionally, skeptics have more points to raise specifically regarding the issue of ethics. For example, is it okay to sell a refurbished (but thrifted) top for three times the price online and is thrifting really—in the words of one Twitter skeptic— “taking from the poor in the name of trend?”

On the other hand, in the perspective of those who support this thrifting wave, there are many less-fortunate resellers out there who buy, clean up and resell this clothing as their only source of income—not to mention the fact that the supply of these clothes might never run out.

Furthermore, thrifting is also argued to be sustainable and good for the environment because it reduces the chemical pollution that comes with buying new clothes.

The world bank estimated that the fashion industry is responsible for 10 percent of annual global carbon emissions.

That exceeds the footprint of all international flights and maritime shipping combined.

Also, synthetic f i bers, which are used in the majority of the clothes that we wear, are made from fossil fuels.

This causes production to be much more energy-intensive than it would be if most of our clothing was

made with natural fibers instead.

Thrifting offers a way for people to buy new and unique clothing, while reducing their carbon

footprint a n d even supporti n g their community. The world bank encourages people to purchase clothing that has been made with environmentally friendly materials or purchase secondhand clothing.

It’s eco-friendly, cheap, and to many, a fun and enjoyable activity.

For many, the beauty of thrifting is that it gives people the opportunity to express themselves through their own unique and individual style. Also, it can be exciting to never know what to expect when you walk into a thrift store.

Customers are able to find high-quality items for inexpensive prices. Thrifting has always been

around for both the less fortunate shopper and the enjoyment of the everyday citizen.

However, with the mass bulk/ haul thrifting (and reselling) that comes with the trend, it is expected that many feel iffy with its effects and what it might mean for lower-income communities in the future.

Some people worry that there w i l l not be enough clothing for the people who need it the most.

As fastfashion continues to take off in our society, it looks like the thrifti n g

trend might be here to stay. There is also controversy over consumers purchasing items not in their size. While some people prefer wearing larger/ smaller clothing, others argue these individuals taking these items from those who actually fit into that size comfortably.

This has been a prominent topic of conversation in the media. Ultimately, your decision to thrift online or in-person is yours to make.

From left to right: Lauren Greenberg (‘24) thrifted this shirt and then tie dyed it for her business.

Yena Son (‘22) thrifted this outfit from the thrift store Red White & Blue.

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America recognizes mental health as a critical issue ■ By Jamie Bookbinder (‘22)

Eastside Culture Editor

With many individuals returning to their workplaces or schools this past September amidst an ongoing pandemic, mental health awareness is more important than ever. In fact, to help raise awareness and promote conversation, National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month took place in September.

Additionally,September 5 through September 11, 2021, was National Suicide Prevention Week, and September 10, 2021, was World Suicide Prevention Day. Because suicide is a national and international crisis, celebrities, private individuals, organizations and governmental offices all devote substantial time and money to prevent needless loss of life to suicide.

Suicide is more common than one might think, and the number of incidences has been increasing. According to data published by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), suicide is the second leading cause of death among Americans age 10 through 34, and according to the Centers of Disease Control

and Prevention (CDC) the 10th leading cause of death overall in the U.S. Forty-six percent of individuals who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition.

This is not only an American problem, however. CNN reports that the World Health Organization estimates that more than 700,000 people die by suicide each year. That is a suicide committed every 40 seconds.

Despite more public awareness as well as efforts at prevention, the statistics have been increasing overall during the last few decades. The CDC reports that the U.S. suicide rate has increased by 35 percent since 1999.

Caucasian men comprise the largest group of suicide victims, although Native American men have an excessively high rate among their population. Women are more likely to attempt suicide, but men are much more likely to die by suicide and account for 78 percent of all victims of suicide.

Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide, according to NAMI, and transgender adults are

nearly twelve times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population.

The National Institute of Mental Health posts that the majority of suicides involve firearms, which President Biden in a proclamation on suicide prevention issued September 9, vowed his administration will address.

Suicide afflicts populations regardless of financial status. Celebrities such as comedian Robin Williams, CNN show host Anthony Bourdain, fashion designer Kate Spade and pop musician Kurt Cobain all died due to suicide.

To combat suicide and the particularly strong effect it has on the LGBTQ community, The Trevor Project was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1998 in West Hollywood, California, to focus on suicide prevention efforts among LGBTQ youth. The organization operates The Trevor Lifeline, a confidential counseling service.

Many celebrities have supported the project, including Miley Cyrus, Ann Hathaway, Daniel Radcliffe, Elton John, Hillary Clinton and President Barack

Obama.

Data confirms that news of highprofile suicides contributes toward increased suicide rates among vulnerable individuals. When news media provides details of the victim’s state of mind or precise method of death, these factors tend to spawn more suicides. In addition, implying that a suicide was used to fix a problem increases the risk for individuals who may choose to emulate the victim’s actions. The news media is supposed to follow best practice guidelines for reporting on suicide to avoid this reverberating effect.

Suicide Prevention efforts are coming from the highest levels in the U.S. government. In his recent proclamation of suicide prevention, President Biden said, “I have made veteran suicide prevention a top priority.”

The proclamation also states that the administration seeks to earmark millions of dollars to fund suicide prevention programs with a particular focus on drug abuse and mental health services as well as programs to prevent suicides by military veterans.

Local and national orga-

nizations are also active in supporting prevention efforts. Organizations such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and NAMI hold walks throughout the country.

Cherry Hill township recently posted support for prevention on the township Twitter feed. The Township lists the New Jersey Hope Line as the first on its website list of hotlines. The NJ Hope Line is at 855-6546735.

Anyone who is thinking about suicide and those who are aware that a loved one is considering suicide should seek immediate help at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The Crisis Text Line can be accessed by texting HOME to 741741. The TrevorLifeline, supporting the LBGTQ+ community, is at 866-488-7385.

The recent Presidential proclamation announced that beginning in July 2022 there will be a new Mental Health Crisis Line 9-8-8 available.

It is important to know there are resources available for anyone in this position.

beginning of the concert it felt weird, but as it went on, it made me forget about the terrible stuff happening in the world for two hours.”

Neuwirth said the prerequisites to attend a concert require everyone to either be vaccinated or have taken a COVID test within 72 hours with a negative result.

Though masks were not required in this outdoor concert, many people still chose to wear them. Similar to the experience of walking into a store, it appears to be optional.

Edie Doobinin (‘22) went to the Machine Gun Kelly concert on September 13 in

New York City.

Doobinin said, “There was a vaccinated only policy. Security checked vaccination cards and IDs. Even though masks were not required, I chose to wear one.”

That same Friday, Ella Goodstadt (‘24) and Julia Wolfson (‘22) went to the Harry Styles concert held at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. In that outdoor concert, requirements were a little bit different than those of the Kesha concert.

“Masks were mandatory and everyone was wearing them at all times. It was the best night of my life,” Wolfson said.

In addition to wearing masks, those attending either had to show proof of vaccination or proove that they had a negative Covid test.

Goodstadt said, “It felt surreal to be at a concert.

We were surrounded by thousands of people and I haven’t been around celebrities or large groups of people for so long. It was definitely hard to process, but it was a nice return to normalcy.”

Ultimately, many students are taking advantage of the fact that there are multiple opportunities to enjoy themselves in social settings and are willing to

cooperate with regulations of concerts.

Melissa Vital (‘23)/ Eastside Art Director

East students attend concerts again since the start of COVID-19 ■ By Ziva Davis (‘22)

Eastside Culture Editor

As mask restrictions have been slowly decreasing across the country, many people are starting to attend large events and gatherings again after a year and a half wait. Concerts are a great way to bring people together, and East students in particular have attended a variety of concerts this past month during this transition back to normalcy.

Sophie Neuwirth (‘23) went to Stone Pony Summer Stage to see Kesha perform.

Neuwirth said, “At the

November 2021

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Looking into the detrimental environmental footprint that East students generate within the Cherry Hill community

■ By Jacy Dickstein (‘22) Eastside Editor-in-Chief

To what extent should East students be aware of the environmental impact they create? This question set the tone for the premise of the research collected during the week of September 20, 2021. The hunt to obtain information about East’s environmental trends began directly at the source, Lauren Perry (‘22), the president of East’s Environmental Club.

“In the past the Environmental Club has been a little goal-less. But I think what we are trying to do now is try to focus more on reducing the school’s waste, and trying to teach our community about the impact we make,” said Perry.

She went on to say that in light of the current environmental crisis with the Gulf Stream, now is the best time to start caring about the way you treat the Earth.

“A report came out that the Gulf Stream might collapse, and that can cause billions of people to become food insecure, which is on a catastrophic level. This is a big tipping point in climate change because if that stream collapses, then it won’t recover,” said Perry.

With these events already beginning to unfold, the Environmental Club hopes to worry the East community enough so that they spur into action. For example, telling students to simply take shorter showers or brush their teeth with the water off will only provide insignificant changes to more worldly problems. Perry said she, along with the members of the Environmental Club, recognize these faults are not in the hands of the individuals, but

rather big contributors such as the U.S. government, corporations and other countries that emit lots of adverse effects to the environment. However, there are some ways to reduce the amount of trash we produce while physically in the East building. For one, students can opt for more digital assignments over the traditional pencil and paper method.

“The way we grow paper right now is really inefficient,” Perry says.

Perry adds it could be beneficial for students to take a quiz called “Footprint Calculator” to see how many Earths it takes to sustain your individual lifestyle. The quiz calculates the average number of Earths that would be required to exist if all seven billion people on Earth lived life in the same manner as you. According to Perry, the average American scores around a 3.1 on the quiz.

Nevertheless, Perry u n d e r stands that the

amount of student waste produced correlates to the nature of the school itself: “I think schools are structured in a way that encourages lots of waste.”

The main cause for this would be American consumerism. During lunch time, most students pull out prepackaged snacks or meals to consume and eventually throw away.

As disposable packaging has become popularized through convenience factors and manufacturing marketing techniques, the school’s waste production has risen as well.

Perry warns against the trending “haul”

content c r e ation.

While w e b sites such as Shein, Fashion Nova, and Aliexpress have become popularized even within the East commu-

Juliana Shin (‘23)/ Eastside Staff

nity, it is best to steer away from large consumption of fast fashion. YouTube channels designated to posting haul videos (speaking about the large order of clothes they purchased from one company) could be detrimental to the amount of trash students produce, being that high schoolers are the prime target audience o f

these types of cont e n t .

Perry recommends shopping for secondhand clothing to avoid these issues altogether.

“If protesting isn’t your thing, you can always talk with your dollars in choosing where you want to shop,” she said.

Oftentimes, companies try to mask the effects of their environmental impact through slapping on a “eco-friendly” sticker or through other insincere marketing tactics, which is referred to as greenwashing.

In a small, yet representative random selection of 40 East students, nearly half said they use a HydroFlask throughout the school day.

Admittedly, while collecting this data, it became clear that the survey did not prompt the amount of responses that were originally anticipated; this instead revealed that East students do not feel inclined to report on their environmental habits. The survey was sent to the Google Classroom of the entire Class of 2022 as well as the Google Classrooms of multiple other mixed grade level electives. However, out of the 40 students who responded, nearly 25%

admit to using plastic water bottles. Just over 57% of respondents prefer digital assignments to written ones.

“I think schools are structured in a way that encourages lots of waste.”

- Lauren Perry (‘22)

Furthermore, Lululemon, Garage, American Eagle and Adidas seemed to be among the top shopped stores of East students.

Good On You Directory has received a positive reputation due to the wide scope of blogs it publishes in regards to the true environmental impact of popular clothing companies.

Good on You Directory rates Lululemon a two out of five (five being the best) for its impact towards people, planets and animals.

Garage received a one out of five for its impact on the planet, a two out of five for its impact on people, and a four out of five for its impact on animals. American Eagle, like Lululemon, received two out of five across the board. Adidas, however, has a four out of five for its impact on the planet, and a three out of five for its impact on both people and animals.

The survey revealed students’ top clothing websites to be Shein and Amazon.

With Shein being a fast fashion source, it was no surprise Good On You Directory rated the company a one out of five for both its impact on the planet and people, and a three out of five for its impact on animals. Amazon received a one out of five for its impact on people, but a two for its impact on animals. The survey showed that 48.5% of East students bring Tupperware for school lunches, with the remainder using either prepackaged snack bags or plastic utensils and ziplock bags.

While this data may not be completely representative of the entire East community, it is important to track these types of trends in order to control the impact made on an everyday scale. If you are interested in learning more about how you can reduce East’s enviornmental impact, contact East’s Environmental Club’s advisor at goh@ chclc.org.

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November 2021

Patrone brings a new attitude to the varsity field hockey team ■ By Angelina Witting (‘22)

Eastside Online Editor-in-Chief

Ms. Lisa Patrone, East school nurse, shares her love for field hockey as the new East Girls Field Hockey Varsity coach. Playing since she was young, Patrone, along with her siblings, loved field hockey.

Patrone played for Washington Township High School and continued her field hockey career at Rutgers University. Years later in her new position, Patrone hopes to change the East Field Hockey program for the better.

Rather than strictly focusing on improving the team’s record, Patrone has been putting her efforts into reshaping the team’s attitude.

“Two things I always try to bring are urgency and heart,” said Patrone. “We can control our effort and our attitudes, and those are two things I try to harp on.

Nobody should be working harder than you or wanting this more than you do.”

Patrone also brings her high energy and passion for the sport to daily practices and games.

“If I’m not like that, how can I expect my team to come like that?” said Patrone.

Not only is she trying to create a positive attitude among the team, but she is trying to create excitement through both high school and local middle schools to get into field hockey.

“I want people to be excited to be part of East Field Hockey and that’s part of the whole culture change I’m trying to shoot for,” said Patrone. “You make so many friends right off the bat; by joining a team of fifty girls before the first day of school that’s fifty people you know. Even if it’s just a ‘hey’ in the hallway, that ‘hey’ makes such a difference.”

In order to grow out on practices for other that excitement events. about joining East’s That said, Patrone team, Patrone has emphasized how she gotten involved with tries to make practice local youth programs fun with new activities for the sport and has and drills. begun arranging “If it’s not fun and expractices with Beck citing, I don’t feel like students as well as I’m doing my job correcthaving Beck stuly,” said Patrone. dents come to one of Though the team’s reEast’s games. cord has not seen much “The girls that are improvement since last here are excited to be year, Patrone explains here, they’re proud that the other teams in to be here and put in East’s conference are the work,” Patrone very good. said.

They have traditions Patrone celebrates and feeder programs the disappointment that East does not. These following a loss be“powerhouses” have Yena Son (‘22)/ Eastside Photo Editor been around for years cause she feels that proves the team cares Patrone smiles during practice. and it may take East time and wants to see to get to that point. and goals set, and they are change for the work Patrone’s approach meeting those,” said Pathey are putting in. Howto coaching has not only trone. ever, with some teams she helped reshape the attiSome of the expectations has coached in the past, tudes of the team, but also are to come to practice on that disappointment was grow excitement for incomtime, prepared, doing what not there. ing students and current is asked and not skipping “There’s expectations students to join the team.

Girls’ Soccer seniors leave their legacy on the field

Madeline Dold (‘24)/ Eastside Staff

Seniors on the girls’ varsity team pose on senior day with family members. The senior girls are pictured from left to right: Kelsie Johnson, Mary Phillips, Sophia Truran, Danielle Janicki, Carly Drumm, Lalitha Viswanathan, Emma Greenberg, Lily Lazarus, Katie Quarry, Kaylin Maher, Isabella Masino, Briana Viscount, Sara Rozengarten, Caroline Perry, Jaclyn Burmood, Laura Eyre, Olivia Reganata and Isabella Levin.

■ By Amanda Merovitz (‘22) Eastside Sports Editor

As the Cherry Hill East soccer season has recently ended, the seniors on the Varsity team have made their final mark on the field. Eighteen senior girls played this year varsity soccer team, meaning next year will be a new team.

One of the varsity captains, Lily Lazarus (‘22), said, “These past few years have been so fun playing with all 18 of the girls in my grade and of course the other girls too. It’s going to be so different not having these girls by my side on the field.”

Considering there are many seniors on the Varsity Girls’ Soccer team, the members of the team from the Classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 said they have all been positively influenced by all of the senior play-

ers. Alyssa Perez (‘25) talks about the impact that the seniors have left on her on and off the field.

She said, “The seniors taught me how to be stronger on and off the field. At the beginning it was intimidating, but we are now all best friends.”

Their friendship is shown on the field as they work together to connect passes and score.

Kate Pierlott (‘23) also reflected on her friendships with her teammates, a bond that started in her freshman year.

“The idea of them leaving makes it feel like it’s the end of an era, and that we are all grown up. I made some of my best friends on this team, Bella Masino and Lalitha Viswanathan, and because they are seniors the only time I can spend with them during school is when it’s soccer

season,” Pierlott said.

The Girls’ Varsity Coach Mr. Conor McVeigh talked about the important role for these seniors on and off the field. McVeigh has had an expectation of these girls to be role models for the entire team, in the classroom, in the halls, in the cafeterias and also outside of school.

Looking back on their season, it is clear that the seniors did an amazing job leading their team, especially during their thrilling 1-1 draw against Cherry Hill West. It was an extremely fun and exciting environment to play in with a huge student section cheering on the Cougars.

Isabella Masino (‘22) has conflicting emotions about leaving the team.

“My experience has been fun and exciting, and I feel sad about leaving both the girls and the program, but I am ready to start fresh with

a new team,”said Masino.

As the season finished up, McVeigh cherished every moment he had left with these 18 athletes.

“I was the freshman coach when the current seniors were freshmen. It has been an incredible experience to coach them when they were freshmen as well as seniors,” McVeigh said.

He also explains how the four years went by extremely fast due to COVID-19.

Lazarus, Masino, and the other seniors are looking forward to closing their high school soccer career with a team banquet.

Lazarus said, “Playing soccer at East has been an incredible experience and I can’t wait to finish it out with the other seniors and players by my side.”

Pierlott feels torn about what playing next season will be like. She shared that the 18 seniors have

been very impactful for the team.

“Many of them have been with me from the start, and many of them are family.

It will feel odd not having them here because they have been so significant to my soccer experience since freshman year. I believe truly that those 18 girls have been the heart and soul of the team since I got there,” said Pierlott.

All of the Cherry Hill East Girls’ Soccer freshmen, sophomores and juniors will be losing 18 dynamic and unique players who each brought something different to the team.

“Watching the bonds that these seniors have and seeing how fun their four years have been together makes me excited for my journey. They were the older sisters I never had, and we all have big shoes to fill next year,” said Perez.

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Owens looks back on overseas basketball career ■ By Scout Pullano (‘22)

Eastside Sports Editor

As everyone knows, Cherry Hill, just as other school districts, has many English teachers, but one in particular is hard to ignore.

This man is Carusi Middle School’s Mr. Kevin Owens, who stands at around 6’10”.

Only playing varsity basketball his senior year at Camden Catholic High School, Owens managed to quickly develop and ultimately ended up playing collegiate basketball at Monmouth University.

Even though Monmouth basketball was not a nationally ranked team, Owens gained recognition because of his dominating presence making it to the G League–the National Basketball Association’s official minor league basketball organization.

He played at the OLeague for nine years. This

gave Owens the opportunity to professionally play the game he loved overseas.

Year-by-year contracts allowed him to travel across four continents, to countries such as Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, and Estonia.

“Honestly, a part of your ego plays a role in terms of playing and knowing you can make a pro-basketball team.

You keep chasing better leagues, new places, more money and better competition. It keeps driving you to never stop playing,” said Owens.

In his overseas basketball career where he familiarized himself with many different cultures and faced many new experiences, a friend of OwCourtesy of Kevin Owens ens’ suggested blogging. Front cover of Owens’ book Owens decided, why not, experiences and his passion considering his humorfor words and writing. This ous approach towards his

was his first documentation of his “travels and tribulations.”

After his retirement at age 31, Owens took his writing a step further by writing articles for FB Nation and Slam Magazine that eventually got featured on Fox Sports and NBC Sports.

However, when Owens was focusing on starting a family, he decided to put writing on the backburner.

Recently, with all of his writing experience and more time available due to the pandemic, he made the decision to put all of his stories together and publish them into one singular book, titled Overseas Famous.

“All of the stories were so interesting, and it was crazy because no one else was writing about it,” said Owens.

Overseas Famous is nev-

er too serious; its intention is to be a funny recap of the ridiculous events happening while playing professional basketball overseas.

Owen says the uniqueness of the book lies in being a very normal guy, not a crazy egomaniac, not a typical pro athlete. Owens’ book demonstrates a very dynamic character contrasting who he was and who he became.

“I was never too high or low on myself. The voice of my book is being a pro athlete and everything but a normal, average guy who is experiencing it all.”

Owens offers a piece of advice to current high school basketball players: “Where you are now, won’t be where you are in a few years. Go day by day, if you want to be really great.

Grind every day to be a good high school player, college player, and professional player.”

pick up throwing easily, of a greater plan for him, his sophomore year at Cofthe highs of his career were however, as he planned on feyville. Additionally, he not until he graduated. joining a junior college and won second in Coffeyville Jackson trained with his eventually transferring to for hammer throwing. For sister’s coach, his larger awards, Celeste, who he broke the JUCO helped guide weight throw record him through and broke the Cofthe college feyville school record training profor weight throwing cess and led and hammer throwhim to coming. pete individuMeanwhile in ally in US2015, he finally ATF events made the transfer up until he to LSU and started was eighteen competing in 2016. years old.

While at LSU, he “ C o a c h was under the teachCeleste was ing of Coach Derek absolutely Yush, a well-known amazing for track and field coach me in not only Courtesy of Johnnie Jackson (‘12) in the South. encouraging Johnnie Jackson (‘12) celebrates his award.

“I also won the me to compete Glen Slatts Male professionally for throwing, a big name school, in JackAthlete of the Year in 2017, but making me believe in son’s case being Louisiana the Perseverance Award in myself as an athlete and State University (LSU).

2017, and the Male Field reassuring my confidence,” At Coffeyville, he won Athlete of the Year in said Jackson. numerous awards and acco2017, which honestly are After high school, Jacklades for the Kansas junior the most important ones to son attended Coffeyville college. me,” Jackson said.

Community College in More specifically, he won These awards are very Kansas to practice track a JUCO (junior college) significant to Jackson beand field. This was part weight throwing event in cause it shows him how far

he has come in his throwing career. And, it does not even stop there.

Jackson’s passion has grown so much that he intends on becoming a throwing coach for college athletes in the future. In fact, he was asked to coach throwing at East, but he is looking for something to catapult his career in the Division I direction.

Jackson’s life has been completely changed by his amazing throwing career, and he credits his success to a few.

Although he was not influenced by many people early in his life, he would like to extend his advice to those looking to commit to a Division I sport, “You always have time, and it mostly depends on the sport. It is important to keep grades up, at least above a 3.0, and you will pretty much be eligible that way to go to a Division I school. Just look into the future and keep going. Always trust yourself,” Jackson said.

Jackson reflects on prolific collegiate throwing career ■ By Lalitha Viswanathan (‘22)

Eastside Editor-in-Chief

It is never too late to try something new. These words could not be more true for Johnnie Jackson (‘12), who began his prolific career as a thrower only in his sophomore year at Cherry Hill East. While he was always a football and basketball player growing up, his sister, Jonessa Jackson (‘11), quickly turned him towards the track and field world.

“Jonessa was absolutely amazing at track and field, she was our family’s track star. I was considered a late bloomer when it came to my throwing career. But hey, better late than never,” said Jackson.

In his sophomore year, Jackson was directed by Coach Mr. Mike Surrency, who asked some of the linemen to join the track team.

His true passion was not discovered until his junior year, when he took the sport seriously.

Despite his ability to

If you want details on how to place a holiday shout-out, please reach out to lauren.greenberg@eastside-online.org

November 2021

SPORTS

EASTSIDE

New E-Sports competitive team becomes popular at East ■ By Max Gaffin (‘22)

Eastside Editor-in-Chief

As the increase of video gaming and technology rages across America, Electronic Sports – also known as E-Sports – have taken over competition online, on social media, and now at Cherry Hill East.

During the pandemic, many students at East expressed their desire to play E-Sports competitively with their peers. The E-Sports t e a m founder and President, Stefano Sul (‘22), winning a tournament called “Clash” in the popular game League of Legends, was motivated to make his hobby of E-Sports an activity for all students to enjoy.

In spring 2020, when the team went into takeoff, they were a part of The Garden State E-Sports League. East competed against other New Jersey teams in video games like Valorant, League of Legends, and Overwatch, winning awards along the way.

“The feeling of working your way up a bracket and winning prizes through your own effort was an ex-

hilarating thing for me and I hoped to bring it to other people, too. I was very enthusiastic about making the club, especially after learning that some students attending East at the time were nationally ranked in certain games… meaning they were basically

tured high school E-sports environments, harnessing talent and helping students develop new skills.

The new league offers different gaming opportunities than what Sul, Graff and the rest of the team experienced last year. Now, they can play Smash

Katherine Li (‘23)/ Eastside Culture Editor

[ranked] in the top 10% in America,” said Sul. According to Mr. Andrew Graff, the club’s advisor, the Cherry Hill Public School District had the initiative to make E-Sports a larger part of their daily activity. This discussion has been going on for a while at both Cherry Hill East and West, as well as the Cherry Hill middle schools.

Now, the club is a part of a different national league – ​​ the Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF). The EGF provides safe and struc-

Bros. and Rocket League, competing individually or in teams.

Graff is excited to be working with the club again, especially in person.

They previously competed and connected over a Discord server. For years, East students had connected over Discord to play video games; however, just recently did the students involved in the school-wide Discord server push to create an East team.

As E-Sports has become

tem that goes all the way around the courts to help drain the water off.

The courts were supposed to be completed be-

fore September 2; however, the progress took a setback because of supply chain issues around the world due to Covid.

so popular and many people tend to watch others play video games in their free time, Cherry Hill East made the club a part of its athletic department.

As for whether E-Sports is a team or a club, Sul said he is not too sure himself, but he hopes that they will be able to work as both in the future.

“I want to bring the feeling of competition to not only the students ranked highly in the nation, but also to the normal gamers in the school,” he said.

“After a successful first year for the club, I definitely hoped to push the club in the direction of the athletics department.

I hope that this push will be enough to keep the ESports Club going for years to come,” Sul said, excited for the club’s future a part of the East athletic department.

Outside of the team, ESports has helped teens with scholarship and college searches. Considering the helpful and fun aspects E-sports provides to students, this actitvity is projected to stick around not only at East, but globally.

East tennis courts continue with ongoing renovations

Covid had slowed down the delivery of certain supplies. The fencing, the fourThe renovation of the inch posts, the gates and tennis courts has been the concrete were all in, but underway since because of the supply February 2020, issues, the contractors making the total did not have the corner amount of time posts. Once they came spent on the projin, the construction reect a year and nine sumed on September months. Although 30. Beirao is hopeful it has been a long that the tennis courts and complicated will be completed this process, the East fall. tennis teams and “Right now our bigthe Cherry Hill gest enemy is the temcommunity will perature,” said Beirao. soon be able to en“If it begins to get too joy the new and cold below 50 degrees, improved courts they are going to have for years to come. to wait and paint the Mr. Michael courts in the early Beirao, the Direcspring.” tor of Athletics, The renovation of overlooks athletic the tennis courts is a activities in the real investment costHeidi Kwak (‘24)/ Eastside Photo Editor Cherry Hill School What the tennis courts looked like on October 1. ing close to half a mildistrict. He is relion dollars. sponsible for the The new courts will hiring of coaches have an asphalt surand staff, schedulface, very similar to ing events, workhow the courts are at ing out transEastern Regional High portations and School. This asphalt maintaining the surface is expected to facilities. last for 20-25 years. As “There are a for the time of complelot of things that tion, the East courts go into putting on will hopefully be ready an athletic event by this coming spring that people don’t for the East Boys’ tenrealize, and there nis season. is a cost associ“It is a worthwhile ated with it,” said investment because Beirao. “But it’s our kids deserve to really great work.” have the best faciliThe tennis ties available,” said courts have been Beirao. “Athletics is a taking longer than real sense of pride here anticipated. The and we are excited for plan is to install a Heidi Kwak (‘24)/ Eastside Photo Editor the project to be comnew drainage sys- What the tennis courts looked like on October 29. pleted.”

■ By Abby Yu (‘23)

Eastside Sports Editor

Page 24

2021 Cherry Hill East Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees The Cherry Hill East Hall of Fame Committee is please to announce the 2021 inductees into the Cherry Hill East Athletic Hall of Fame. The induction banquet will be held on Saturday, November 27, at 11:30 a.m. at the Indian Spring Country Club in Marlton, NJ.

Dan Beaney (‘89) Soccer Marcus Bullock (‘00) Basketball Nancy Davis (‘80) Basketball Jay Dillenschneider (‘87) Football, Baseball Crockett Gilligan (‘76) Field Hockey, Lacrosse Ed Kornberger (‘72) Football, Basketball, Baseball R. Mike McBride (‘70) Football, Basketball, Baseball Lori Miller (‘81) Tennis Jessica Naumann (‘99) Swimming Brad Pomeroy (‘77) Cross Country, Track Jeff Presant (‘80) Tennis Teneacia Smith (‘93) Track Wayne Streibich (‘80) Tennis Coach Karen Fitzpatrick Field Hockey, Lacrosse Coach Fred Knouse Swimming Ed Branin Contributor Those selected for the Hall of Fame were chosen from athletes who graduated Cherry Hill East between 1970 and 2011. The list of all nominees not selected are kept on file for future consideration.

Inductees are selected based upon their excellence in one or more sports while attending East and have been out of school for a minimum of 10 years.