Eastside: February 2018

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 51 No. 5

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

February 2018

Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Taking notice of recent events worldwide, Eastside decided to focus this issue on sexual assault and harassment. Eastside intends to inform the student body and faculty of what can be done on school grounds and what can be changed to better educate and aid the East community. See pages 12-13 for more information.

Inside This Issue

Ready, Aim...Axe Community, Pg. 4

Old Games Find a New Home Entertainment, Pg. 18

DiDonato Skates to Success Sports, Pg. 23

NEWS/FEATURES

East laces up to stomp out heart disease Page 2

EASTSIDE

■ By Nafessa Jaigirdar (‘19)

Eastside Webmaster

Responsible for an estimated 17.7 million deaths per year, cardiovascular disease has been ranked as the leading cause of death globally for well over 80 years now. With that in consideration, it only makes sense that the disease demands not only the attention of people ages 4060 — who are most prone to contract the disease — but the attention of all people.

And so, to raise awareness on the expansive impacts of heart disease, organizations such as the American Heart Association (AHA) and The Heart Foundation celebrate Heart Awareness Month by providing activities and challenges for students at participating schools to complete.

Currently, the AHA has recruited well over 30,000 schools to take the pledge to make hearthealthy decisions, including multiple Cherry Hill elementary and middle schools.

Throughout February, students participate in programs such as Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart, in addition to learning how the heart functions in their gym classes.

Though commonplace amongst elementary and middle schools, events like these have yet to exist at the high school level. Upon realizing this, Nurse Ms. Joy Atkins, with the help of local AHA members, resolved to start a hearthealth program at Cherry Hill East.

As County President of the Camden County School Nurse Association, Atkins

organizes a meeting every three months or so to discuss professional development with other nurses from around the region. At the latest meeting, Atkins met with a representative from the AHA. Together, they discussed holding a fundraiser at East to support heart health.

“This is the first time [the AHA is] holding a heart awareness event in a high school environment, so really, we are the trial run. Still, it’s so exciting because teachers and students will be involved in the process,” said Atkins.

After much planning, the two settled on the concept of a shoe-decorating competition

Jastrow.

In addition to creating flyers to hang around the school and reaching out to local businesses for prize contributions and gift baskets, the members are focusing a great deal of their attention on experimenting with social media. They hope to engage the whole community by providing direct links to donate and access to more information on h e a r t diseases through Faceb o o k pages such as ‘What’s Up in C h e r r y Hill?.’ Jastrow is also encouraging competing teachers to campaign for votes by making their own pages publicizing their shoes with links to donate.

A lot is riding on this fundraiser, as its outcome determines the continuation not only of this event at East, but also the AHA’s decision to expand and organize similar fundraisers in other high schools.

“I’m hoping we as not just a school, but as a community, come together to make this event successful. Students need to be involved so as to raise their awareness as well as to break any stigmas they might have about heart disease,” said Stephanie Nemeth (‘18), President of

the Interact Club.

More than anything, this event is about awareness and about showing people that heart disease is not as controlling as the statistics make it out to be. Though the leading cause of death, it is also one of the most preventable diseases. By fostering knowledge and by making heart-healthy decisions early on, society can put an end to heart disease once and for all.

“I hope to form a partnership with the Heart Association, and really get people involved because heart health is really important.

I think the y o u n g e r you are, the more you think it doesn’t affect you, but there are young people who can have heart disease. It is good to be aware of the signs of heart disease and impacts things you put in your body now can have later in life,” said Jastrow.

And so, in February especially, take time to consider your heart and reflect on your choices. And of course, be sure to stop by the Library Annex any day from February 12 to February 15 to cast your vote, earn the chance to win prizes and “stomp out heart disease.”

morning. During the night, Grover and his team take shifts so that every team member gets some reprieve from work at various points during the night.

“School starts at 7:30… We’re maybe expecting an inch or two of snow, so come in at 2:30,” said Grover.

However, the most stressful part of snow removal is not the unconventional working hours, according to Grover. He describes the period of time closest to the start of school—whether Joshua Pipe (‘20)/ Eastside News/Features Editor that be 7:30 or Grover fires up his snowplow, kept in the E-wing garage, 9:30 a.m.—as the in preparation to battle the snow. most rushed and tense part of the job. opened up, and the Board of in the event of a major “When you’re out there…

Education hired Grover to storm. On the mechanipushing salt around and fill it. As the chief and sole cal side, Grover is aided buses are showing up, it’s member of the crew, Grover by three tractors, which definitely like ‘go, go, go;’ is responsible for maintainare kept in the garage at it’s definitely a bit of an ing the property, including the end of E-Wing and are adrenaline rush,” said Groathletic fields upkeep and, equipped with snow plows. ver. of course, snow removal. “[The garage is] where In his everyday work, Grover, however, cannot we keep the majority of the Grover works very closely accomplish the gargantuan equipment… Then in F092, with Mr. Michael Bierao, task of clearing every single there’s a big storage area,” the district’s Athletic Direcsnowflake from East’s massaid Grover. tor, to assess needs in athsive property by himself; he On the night of a storm, letic field maintenance, as receives help from the cusGrover may be called upon well as Mr. Lou Papa, one todial staff, as well as from to spend the night at East of East’s assistant principersonnel from Marlkress, or come in early in the

pals and the administrative overseer of the building’s grounds crew.

Though the long hours and massive responsibility undertaken by the grounds crew director may seem an unforgiving job, Grover loves being outdoors and enjoys every minute of his work. “[The best part is] being outside. As a kid, I always wanted to play outside. I was never a kid that was hooked on electronics…

I always wanted to be outside on my bike or playing sports with my friends, even on cold days,” said Grover.

While Grover enjoys all of his work outdoors, he has a soft spot for the snow.

“I love snow, it’s a change of pace… I love anything to do with snow,” said Grover.

So, as forecasts of ‘snowmageddon’ hit Cherry Hill, Grover aims to keep East’s grounds pristine and East’s students safe.

among the teachers.

The campaign is called “Stomp out Heart Disease; Use your art to heal a heart.” Essentially, each competing staff member receives a blank pair of white canvas sneakers.

Their task is to decorate the pair of shoes to the best of their ability, using paint, jewels or whatever else they see fit. The completed shoes will then be put on display in the Library Annex from February 12 to 15 for students to admire.

By purchasing a raffle ticket, students will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite pair of shoes, as well as be entered into a drawing to win prizes. All funds from the raffle will go towards financing the AHA’s research to better understand cardiovascular health. Additionally, all the shoes will be donated to Footsteps, a charity providing shoes to underprivileged children in Africa.

Already, around 25 faculty and staff members have signed up, promising an entertaining and fierce competition. To get more students involved, however, Atkins enlisted the help of Secretary of Activities, Ms. Debbie Jastrow.

“Ms. Jastrow has more student contact and connections, especially through the Interact Club. I know they are working hard to spread the word,” said Atkins.

Jastrow first introduced the idea to Interact Club on December 20 by inviting a representative from the AHA to come in and speak. The club members embraced the opportunity, excited by the possibility of starting a new tradition at East.

“Our club was really pumped after that meeting.

We all want to make the event successful so that we can continue it in the future and maybe even expand to other schools. Hopefully, we can make it so that one day, both students and teachers can decorate shoes for the competition, as opposed to just teachers,” said

February 2018

Shoe decorations courtesy of Mrs. Debbie Jastrow and Mrs. Bernadette Calnon-Boute

Grounds Crew Head Grover breaks the ice at East ■ By Joshua Pipe (‘20) Eastside News/Features Editor

It’s an afternoon in early February. The annual forecast of a ‘snowmageddon’ blares from the local news forecasts. Anticipation looms in the winter air as students await the arrival of an inevitable and much-coveted snow day.

The sky is expected to open up at 11 p.m. three nights from then and continue until the proceeding morning. It is in this moment that Mr. Alex Grover, the director of East’s grounds crew, receives a call from the district’s grounds crew headquarter at Marlkress, informing him that he is to stay the night of the storm at East.

“I’ve spent the night here before, many a time. Last winter we spent the night; the winter before that, we spent a couple nights…

When they call for heavy, heavy snow, you have to stay on top of it,” said Grover.

In April of 2015, Grover was hired as a temporary member of Cherry Hill East’s grounds crew. After about a year, the position of grounds crew director

Logo by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Eastside Art Director

February 2018

NEWS/FEATURES EASTSIDE

Transitioning to East:

Students new to Cherry Hill Public Schools reflect on their experiences

Liron Algrably: From private school to the public eye ■ By Aden Savett (‘19)

Eastside Staff

Students at East who have been a part of Cherry Hill’s public school system since grade school are unfamiliar with the transition to the district from private school. They simply move from building to building, maintaining their friends and community. However, there are members of the East community who don’t have these experiences and have approached the school with a cautious curiosity.

Liron Algrably (‘21) transferred to East from Kellman Brown Academy, a Jewish private school, in September.

“I like that there are a

lot more kids at East than at is hard to get to class quickKellman,” she said. “When I ly... the hallways are always was at Kellman, it was hard crowded,” she said. to make new friends and Algrably said the size of meet more people because the student population is there were the biggest differonly 10 ence between East kids in and Kellman Brown, my grade. explaining that “all At East [her] classes were in I get the one hallway.” chance to Adapting to the meet new school’s layout is not people.” the only thing necesH o w sary in order to fully ever, that adjust to East. ParDakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside opportuPhoto Editor ticipating in afternity has a Liron Algrably (‘21) school activities and drawback. taking a class or two Algrably expressed her frusin D-wing provide great optration at the main caveat of portunities to settle into a large student body.

East.

“Because there are so Algrably found her niche many people at this school, it in the Theater Department.

“I think the theater program is a lot better at East,” she said. “It is more organized than at Kellman.”

She also noted that another perk of the East Theater Department is the large auditorium.

“At Kellman, a small stage was built in the middle of the gym,” she said, adding that the sets at East are also better than at her previous school.

As Algrably’s experience makes clear, although a transition from private to public school initially can be frustrating, the variety of academic and extra-curriculars provides new students with more opportunities than they would have at a parochial school.

I was being engulfed by a sea of people. There are a lot more students here than my previous school; [East] has two times as many students,” said Ji. Just the sheer size of the school was a shock to him.

With approximately 2,200 students, East’s population is nearly triple the national average of students per high school and double the New Jersey average.

“I was really scared that I would get lost since this school was incredibly big and seemed like a maze, but I had a student ambassador who really helped me,” he said.

Although the size of the school was something he had to get used to, it was not difficult for Ji to adjust to the academic curriculum.

“My old school was near

last for everything,” Ji said with a laugh.

Despite disliking East’s constant construction, bad traffic and questionable lunch food, one thing Ji really liked were the dozens of extracurricular activities that are available to students. These opportunities make it easier for old and new students alike to make like-minded friends.

He also commented on how friendly people were toward him; several people offered to show him around, which made him feel welcomed to the school.

School is already hard enough, but having to transition into a new school is a whole new challenge. Luckily for Ji, besides the confusing hallways, becoming an East student wasn’t too much of a challenge.

Ji transitions to East from the Hoosier State ■ By Karissa Murray (‘20)

Eastside Staff

The majority of East students become members of the student body when they step through the doors and frantically search for their classes on the stressful September day known as the first day of high school. A few, however, transition into the class later.

One sophomore, Davvy Ji, did just that when he moved to Cherry Hill from Indiana in January of his freshman year. Needless to say, he was not sure what to expect at East.

“Something that really stood out is the traffic here; when my student ambassador was guiding me through the C-Wing intersections, it felt like

a college campus [and] a lot of the professors’ kids were in the same grade as me, so as a result there was very fierce competition,” Ji said. “[It] had finals at the end of each semester instead of at the end of each year… I do feel like the kids here are as competitive, but the school’s testing system is not as bad as in my old school.”

Cherry Hill East may have a reputation for being a tough academic school, but compared to where he came from, Ji feels it has a more relaxing and less stressful atmosphere.

One area in which Ji feels East is lacking is school spirit, which is something a majority of students and staff agree the school could use more of.

“I’m part of the sophomore class, where we have been

Sisters make East a home away from homeschool ■ By Ish Panwar (‘19)

For Eastside

“Casual, less stressful, and selfpaced” is how Mariam Bouch (’21) and Hayley Bouch (’19) describe their homeschool experience through their elementary and middle school years.

However, they are not the only ones: about 3.4 percent of the school-age population in the United States are homeschooled.

“We never considered public school,” Hayley said. “Everywhere we moved, the public schools were so bad that it just was never an option.”

However, upon moving to Cherry Hill, everything changed.

“Finally, I was in a town where the public schools were good, and I could begin to take that into consideration,”said Hayley.

To Hayley, the idea of going to public school thrilled her. It was a place she felt she would thrive with her extroverted personality and her desire to build connections with others. Her sister, Mariam, hoped to experience something similar when she began public schooling. The girls described a typical day of homeschooling to be very

self-determined. They were free to wake up leisurely, then decide on the subjects they wanted to study before rushing off to co-op activities with the homeschooling community or to various instrument lessons.

Co-op, as Bouch describes, was a day of the week on which various homeschoolers of an area would gather with experienced parents to gain exposure in a classroom setting, allowing them to form long-lasting friendships and connections with other kids of similar situations. But for Hayley, public school was a riveting experience awaiting her.

“It wasn’t until Hayley left that I began to feel more lonely without her there, and she would tell me about her experience and I began to want that too,” Mariam said.

Nevertheless, the experience of public school for both was exactly what they expected. While they noticed more structure to public school with its set deadlines and due dates, it was also a diverse community and new interactions that excited both girls. At the same time, it also took some adjustment.

“In public school, I had to get used to new teachers and their expectations of me,” Mariam said. “There was also so much diversity in the kinds of people I

was meeting, something that I didn’t get much of when homeschooling.”

Now, the girls say they enjoy public school much more.

“It’s really the stud e n t teacher relations h i p s and the network of help availIsh Panwar (‘19)/ For Eastside able to me that Mariam Bouch (‘21) and r e a l l y Hayley Bouch (‘19) makes [public school] worthwhile and enjoyable,” Hayley said.

Considering how East has changed them, the girls describe gaining intelligence and maturity from exposure to the diversity East has to offer.

Now, Hayley and Mariam Bouch hope to take advantage of the skills East has taught them in pursuing future endeavors.

Border by Hope Rosenblatt (‘18)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Page 3

COMMUNITY Rosa’s Fresh Pizza pays it forward Page 4

EASTSIDE

■ By Sophia Liang (‘19)

Eastside Community Editor

Customers who step into Rosa’s Fresh Pizza in Center City, Philadelphia, are immediately enveloped by the aroma of melted cheese wafting from hot, freshlybaked pies. But while its dollar-a-slice pizza is delicious, Rosa’s is more famous for its walls—the small shop is covered from floor to ceiling with hundreds upon hundreds of colorful Post-it notes.

Rosa’s is no ordinary restaurant. It’s the home of a unique pay-it-forward pizza program that its founder and owner, Mason Wartman, created in 2014.

“One day a customer walked in…and he offered to buy a slice for the next person in need who maybe didn’t have a whole dollar,” said Wartman. “So I ran out and got a Post-it note and put it up to keep track [of the prepaid slice].”

And thus, the pay-itforward program began.

Under this system, customers can pay in advance for slices of pizza for homeless people who are unable to afford a meal. Since its inception, the program has exploded in popularity, garnering national media coverage and even a feature on “Ellen.”

Now, the restaurant provides around a hundred

February 2018

slices per “ I ’ m day to friends Philadelw i t h phians in some of need. Its [the peocustomers ple we’ve have dohelped] nated over on Face150,000 book and total slicI like to es to date. keep in Wartt o u c h man had a n d to stop uswatch ing Postt h e i r its to keep p r o g track of ress,” prepaid Wart s l i c e s m a n once the said. “A program gentlegrew too m a n large, but named the first E d d i e few hunused to dred notes c o m e remain in and up on the get free w a l l s . p i z z a Adorned because with meshe was sages to living the homeon the less that streets… r a n g e [ n o w ] from Bihe has a ble verses job and Sophia Liang (‘19)/ Eastside Community Editor a to Harry great P o t t e r A homeless man thanks Rosa’s for its pay-it-forward pizza. connecquotes to tion with remindhis famis vital to many homeless ers such as “You are loved!” ily. He’s doing well.” people trying to get employthey serve as symbols of paSuccess stories such ment, find new housing and trons’ generosity. as Eddie’s are the reason recover from addiction in The meals and words of Wartman loves managing one of the poorest big cities hope that Rosa’s provides his restaurant, which he in the country.

founded after quitting an unfulfilling job in finance on Wall Street.

“I get to meet and speak with different people from all over, all the time. It’s so much more engaging than any other type of work I’ve done before,” said Wartman. “I think it really does help to build bridges and build the community.”

More recently, Wartman has expanded Rosa’s philanthropic reach by hiring homeless people to work.

“They are all punctual and positive and have a great personality and are hardworking,” he said. “It’s important to give [them] the chance to improve their lives and to get out of the shame that they might not want to be in. Everybody deserves an opportunity to succeed and to follow their passion.”

For the future, Wartman is focusing on promoting the second Rosa’s location, which he opened in University City last summer, and continuing to help the less fortunate overcome some of the obstacles they face. Over time, he hopes to break down the stigma and fear surrounding the homeless.

Brimming with good food and even better company, Rosa’s Fresh Pizza demonstrates that a simple hot meal and kind heart have the power to unite a city.

Bury the Hatchet brings axe throwing to Cherry Hill ■ By Hope Rosenblatt (‘18)

Eastside Editor-in-Chief

As someone who still gets nervous in the presence of large scissors, it’s shocking that I managed to find joy in one of the newest recreational activities in Cherry Hill: Bury the Hatchet.

Bury the Hatchet brings a unique activity to the forefront of entertainment by mainstreaming the practice of axe throwing. The company makes it so you don’t have to be a tall, flannelwearing lumberjack to throw an axe at a wall for an hour (although I’m sure it helps).

According to Jon Asher, the regional manager for Bury the Hatchet, participants ranging from ages 15 to 70 have found success in the short time the facility has been open.

In my own group, we were led to the first of the many throwing ranges by our “axe-master” for the night, a staff member there to guide us through the motions and keep track of scores once we began to compete.

During a practice round, in which my nerves got the best of me, my hatchet found itself striking the floor, above the board and once almost in my partner’s target. Feeling defeated, I would be lying if I did not mention the safety concerns that crossed my mind in that moment.

“Yes, you’re dealing with something that has the potential to be dangerous, but if you’re a mature and responsible adult, that’s never an issue,” said Asher.

However, once the competition started, I began to feel more at ease with each throw. Even if only at Bury the Hatchet for a night out with friends, there is an aspect undeniably powerful in seeing the 1.5-pound axe stuck inside the bullseye of a wooden dart board.

“It’s a great form of stress relief,” Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Photo Editor said Asher. “There’s also the team An axe thrower aims for the bullseye at Bury the Hatchet.

building and competitive aspect.”

Both larger corporations and smaller businesses have found Bury the Hatchet to be an alternative, yet entertaining, way to work on attributes necessary in a professional setting, such as bonding and teamwork.

Bury the Hatchet was created

by Howard Klotzkin, the owner of many Amazing Escape Rooms, an activity in which groups work together to unlock clues and solve mysteries before time runs out. In fact, Klotzkin was on an Amazing Escape Room business trip to Canada when he first witnessed the concept of axe throwing as a recreational activity.

“He’s an entrepreneur in finding non-traditional, adult nightlife entertainment venues, and this was something that appealed to him, so he took it and ran,” said Asher.

The hatchet sessions are structured to give participants the opportunity to face off against each and every person within their group.

The trained “hatch-perts” keep track of scoring, which is counted by the spot in which one’s axe sticks on the dartboard. The session ends with a competitive tournament, complete with a hatchet bracket.

Despite not winning the tournament within my own group, I did manage to find success during my time at Bury the Hatchet, and I am looking forward to redeeming myself sometime soon.

Maybe one day I will find the opportunity to join the individual seasonal leagues offered by the growing franchise.

I still don’t trust myself with scissors, but next time you’re looking to unleash your competitive spirit, or simply spend a night out with family and friends, Bury the Hatchet might be axe-actly what you need.

COMMUNITY

A month of black heritage

February 2018

EASTSIDE

Page 5

The focus of Black History Month is oftentimes narrow, minimized to only include the few figures taught in elementary school, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass. However, this perspective devalues the vibrant social and cultural contributions that black men and women have lent to our country over the generations. This February, our community pays homage to the countless citizens working to honor the African American past and build its future.

Restaurant serves heart and soul (food)

■ By Chelsea Stern (‘18)

Eastside Community Editor

As we enter the 28-daylong cultural celebration of Black History Month, we must scope out the most heartwarming and bellysatisfying component: soul food. With the heavy influence of African American roots and inspiration from Italian cooking styles, Aunt Berta’s Kitchen opened up in Haddon Township in 1998 to bring its homestyle cooking to a local spot where every customer can be served and treated like family.

The restaurant’s name honors its founder, Alberta Ferebee, known as Aunt Berta, who has a passion for spreading love through her homemade meals.

“Actually, Berta learned to cook at a very young age and started working in an Italian restaurant at a young age. The inspiration for the business…is [our] desire to serve others through food,” said Berta’s daughter and restaurant manager Estella Gale.

“Most of the time when you come in you’ll see her. She is very visible, very handson and she loves to interact with the customers.”

The business prides itself on running success-

fully for its twentieth year as a welcoming soul food hotspot. It’s evident that Aunt Berta’s success stems from its casual atmosphere paired with its wide selection of freshly prepared comfort food options, which quickly turn first-time customers into regulars.

“It is very family-friendly and all of our customers become our family after visiting the first time,” said Gale. “In comparison to a lot of the [other soul food restaurants] today, our food is all homemade, all fresh.”

With food from scratch that keeps the restaurant a South Jersey favorite, there is one dish that truly defines Aunt Berta’s Kitchen, the star of the show: macaroni and cheese.

“Our award-winning mac and cheese [is the most popular]. We have won several awards with that mac and cheese,” said Gale.

Especially during Black History Month, Aunt Berta’s Kitchen tailors its menu to offer a traditional African American cuisine.

“There are things on our menu that are definitely considered African American culture…like black-eyed peas and soul succotash, which is made of okra, corn and tomato,” said Gale. “We will feature

some special menu items such as pigs’ feet. We’ll have some ribs specials and collard greens, of course.”

Aunt Berta’s Kitchen, although having started small with two dine-in and take-out locations, has expanded and soon hopes to take the restaurant’s most beloved menu items even further out into the South Jersey area.

“We provide catering… for any event and we also are looking to launch our barbecue sauce in supermarkets,” said Gale.

Through and through, Aunt Berta’s Kitchen plans to continue providing New Jersey with good food and good people, just as it has done throughout the past 20 years. Ferebee and Gale work side by side to maintain their religious faith and bring a smile to their customers’ faces.

“Everything that we do is to give honor to Him first and just being consistent for our customers,” said Gale.

As the African American community celebrates its rich culture this February during Black History Month, the Aunt Berta’s Kitchen family will celebrate 20 years of proudly presenting the cultural staple, homestyle soul food, to the South Jersey area.

Art by Carmen DeCosmo (‘18)/ Eastside Staff

Philly teaches history lessons

■ By Adiel Davis (‘18)

Eastside Multimedia Director

Throughout February, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia will host many different programs to honor Black History Month, to inform audiences of all ages and ethnicities of the crucial events that occured in African American history.

From year to year, locals seem to make their visits to the Constitution Center more frequent as the themed exhibits fill the museum.

“The numbers of visitors are overall increased into the spring season due to civic holiday celebrations,” said Merissa Blum, the Communications Manager at the Constitution Center.

The exhibits are known for their interactive way of teaching historical events.

A specific highlight is “The Story of We the People” exhibit, which teaches key milestones in African American history. In order to ensure that the audience is engaged, there is a challenge in the style of a game show where people can test their knowledge at the center’s giant game board activity.

Additionally, visitors can learn about the most famous moments of Ameri-

can history that mark the progressive movements of the African American community.

The “Decoding the Document: Emancipation Proclamation Document Workshop” teaches about the Emancipation Proclamation, the Civil War and the background of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.

Visitors are also welcomed to take a self-guided tour and go through the timeline highlighting important events in history, which feature signed copies of the Thirteenth Amendment and Emancipation Proclamation as well as some artifacts from President Obama’s inauguration.

The Constitution Center welcomes its visitors to experience the events honoring African American leaders and civil rights history throughout the entire month of February. The general admission is 13 dollars for students, so it is suggested to bring a school ID. The National Constitution Center hopes to take full advantage of these next 28 days to educate the public about the African American contributions that have shaped our American history.

Cherry Hill committee fosters diversity ■ By Maddy Cicha (‘19)

Eastside Staff

Cherry Hill Township, under the orders of Mayor Chuck Cahn and the town council, has formed a Human Relations Committee that had its first meeting on April 5, 2017, in the hopes of creating a space where citizens of all different backgrounds and roles in the community can talk freely about pressing issues and provide inclusive representation for the people of Cherry Hill.

Cherry Hill residents are encouraged to come forward and contribute a personal anecdote or concern, according to the committee’s Facebook page, which says, “Tell us your story, and share everyday acts of kindness. All are welcome here!”

The council itself is comprised of 21 initial members, meaning those citizens who were directly contacted by the mayor’s office and asked to represent some part of the community during committee sessions. These members include representatives such as the mayor himself, Township Council President Dave Fleisher, Police Chief William Monaghan, Superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche, eight diverse religious leaders and three citizens of different cultural organizations.

According to the United States Census Bureau, as of July 2016, Cherry Hill is a community of over 71,000 residents, containing citizens of seven different races in over 26,000 households. Having both ethnically and religiously

unique committee members helps to ensure that almost every Cherry Hill resident is able to find a leader that he or she can identify with and who can make sure that his/her voice is heard within the community.

The committee was formed last spring due to some problematic events occurring in town at the time of the initial discussion. “[The formation] had to do with some of the challenges going on…not just in our community, but in the world,” said Meloche.

The Human Relations Committee’s main purpose is to bring together a sample of the different types of people throughout Cherry Hill, in an effort to provide a place where diversity and unique perspectives can be celebrated.

“It was really [formed] to

have a forum and a place within the township to have people of varying backgrounds…talk about timely issues and things that, at times, can be of challenging topics…especially when it comes to religion and race,” said Meloche.

While citizens may not see an immediate change within their daily lives or the local politics of the town, the committee intends to better the lives of every taxpayer through representation, which will benefit the entire Cherry Hill community.

“It provides another structured format [as]... an opportunity for productive dialogue...for community folks to…support their neighbors,” said Meloche.

As for the East community and the students of Cherry Hill, Meloche is in-

cluded in the commitee to represent the incredible diversity across the district of about 11,300 students.

“There’s a huge variety of languages, religions, ethnic backgrounds and life experiences that our children and families involved in the school district have,” said Meloche. “Our experience, in terms of what we do [for the committee], is very important… We [as schools] work on cultural diversity, cultural proficiency and character education.”

Ultimately, this committee will do the most to help serve the future of Cherry Hill and the development of a culturally inclusive space for citizens and children.

“I believe that if we can help support our kids,” said Meloche, “we’re going to have a much better world in which to live.”

COMMUNITY

Page 6

EASTSIDE

Krav Maga self-defense class empowers women

February 2018

■ By Shir Goldfinger (‘19)

women are more pected and susceptible to unwanted attacks, so we attack on One in every five women have a high perthe street in the United States will centage of womby somebe raped or sexually asen that come in one who is saulted at some point in here and train.” probably her life, according to the Melnick also bigger than National Sexual Violence stressed the [us]. So [our Resource Center. With sexneed to hold program] ual assault so prevalent in classes catered teach[es] the U.S., it is crucial that specifically to people how women of all ages learn the women in orto react knowledge and the techder to encourquickly.” niques required to defend age and support The numthemselves in a threatenthem rather ber of paring situation. And L.A.C.E., than intimidate ticipants in or Ladies’ Awareness, Conthem. the program fidence & Empowerment, “I wanted to each month is a women’s self-defense have an envivaries, with program that helps do just ronment where some months that. [women] could having as Cherry Hill’s Israeli be a little few as five or Anthony Palma (‘20)/ Eastside Staff six students Krav Maga program holds more comfortTwo women practice a Krav Maga defense technique and others the L.A.C.E. class on the able [getting] second Wednesday of evstarted,” said as part of the L.A.C.E. program. having as ery month from 7:45 to Melnick.

“It’s many as 30 classes. For example, the 9:15 p.m. at the Cherry Hill just designed to help keep or 40. The program is not December 2017 class foTraining Center. The class women safe. It’s so high up a long-term commitment, cused on holiday party safecenters around teaching on my priority list and it’s meaning that women can ty. Participants learned to women how to instinctusomething that is just very go only once to get a feel defend themselves against ally respond to an attackmuch needed in the word for the class, or they can atoffenders in party er without tend every month. environments, “freezing” “It would be good for where they may or “shutting all of us [women] to learn be intoxicated, down” in the this just in case. I hope to the offender may stressful sitbe more prepared in case be intoxicated, uation. someone tries to do someand the room Don Melthing [to me],” said Nicole may be crowded. nick, the Burkhardt, a participant in But no matter owner of the program. the theme, the the Cherry Overall, the L.A.C.E. L.A.C.E. program Hill branch program is a great way for always emphasizof Israeli women to inform themes women’s menKrav Maga selves and feel protected tal and physical and the inon campus, at work and in safety at its core. structor for their everyday lives.

“We are focused the class, Melnick said, “I want on instinctive, said, “One women to have a sense of reactive self-deof the most confidence and empowerfense. That’s it,” important ment, [to walk] around with Anthony Palma (‘20)/ Eastside Staff Melnick said. “It’s things, for Participants of the class gain confidence by learn- not sport tournaa sense that no one’s going me, because ing how to defend themselves against attackers. to mess with [them]— and ment competiI have two if they do, they are going to tion, not training daughters, is regret it. I just want people to get in a ring women’s defense. I think today.” to...feel comfortable, feel with someone who [we’ve] it’s very important. I think Every month, the confident, [and] feel safe in been training to fight women need this more L.A.C.E. program chooses their everyday lives. That’s against. [We] are training than guys do. I think that a different theme for its my goal.” to defend against an unexEastside Staff

Eastside Community Editor

The Philadelphia Suns, a Chinese community group dedicated to athletics and charitable service, hopes to set the Lunar New Year off to a roaring start by performing its signature lion dance in Chinatown’s annual Chinese New Year parade.

As they have done every year since the organization’s inception in 1972, the members of the Suns will don lion costumes and dance through the streets of Chinatown, stopping to offer well-

wishes at the doorstep of each business.

They will be joined in the parade

by local residents ranging from martial arts performers to representatives from churches, who will hand out cookies and balloons to the crowd.

According to Harry Leong, who has been the president of the Suns since 1989, the lion dance is a performance steeped in tradition. Each aspect, from the booming music to the vibrant costumes, has significance within Chinese culture.

“It’s a ceremonial dance and a blessing,” Leong said.

“Historically, it was used to scare away evil spirits. The drumming is supposed to be the heart of the lion, so as the heart beats, the l i o n

moves…[and] everything from color to styling of the lion [is symbolic].”

To ring in 2018, the Year of the Dog, the Suns’ dance

will begin at 10:30 a.m. on February 18 at 10th and Spring Streets and slowly make its way across all of Chinatown. Paying a visit to each business in the area is no small feat, let alone while performing acrobatics under a giant lion head.

“It’s such a strenuous dance that we have a lot of subbing,” said Leong.

“There are two people dancing in each lion and five or six lion heads…All in all, we have approximately 150 members who come out [to the parade]. There are some as young as seven or eight…and [as old as] guys i n their sixties. It’s a family event for us.”

The lion dance is bold, bright and loud, bursting with hissing firecrackers and thundering gongs—the perfect way to celebrate the biggest holiday in China. Traditionally, Chinese families hang lanterns, hold feasts and exchange lucky red envelopes filled with money to wish each other a xin nian kuai le. “[Chinese New Year] is kind of like Christmas and New Year’s combined,” Le-

Eastside Community Editor

ong said. “It’s like a party.

It’s celebratory. It’s about family and friends getting together to enjoy the festivities.”

However, the cultural connection the dance provides to members of the Suns is even more important than the celebrations, according to Leong, who visits schools to speak to as many Chinese-American children as possible about the importance of carrying on their culture and ensuring it does not die. “[Many Chinese-American kids] want to be Americans,” he said. “There’s a part of us that wants to run away from our culture when we’re younger—the ‘I want to be American’ or ‘I want to be white’ type of thinking.”

Leong’s goal is to end this sense of shame. He wants the work of the Suns, including the production of the lion dance, to instill cultural pride within Chinatown’s next generation.

“Without maintaining culture, we have nothing to hold onto,” he said. “Without maintaining culture, we’re not as full as we could be. Be proud of who you are.”

F o r many East students, weekends are spent relaxing and catching up on lost sleep after an exhausting week of school. While many enjoy the comfort of their own bed over the weekend, that doesn’t stop some from venturing out into the community and finding various activities to partake in, challenging South Jersey’s “boring” reputation. There’s something to do for everyone, which poses the question: Where is the best place to go with friends on the weekend?

Jake Ober (‘18) likes to gather up his friends for a series of competitive, yet friendly, bowling matches over the weekends.

“I feel like everyone thinks that bowling is something you only do when you are younger, but it’s really fun and we always have a good time,” said Ober.

Ober and his friends go to The Big Event, a bowling alley located in the Ellisburg Circle Shopping Center. It features 36 bowling lanes, pool tables and a game arcade, plus a grill pub.

Tattiyanna George (‘20) prefers to leave the familiar suburb of Cherry Hill and travel across the bridge into the city for a night out.

“My friends and I like to get all dressed up and go into Philly to get dinner. We also like to walk through the parks like Spruce Street Harbor Park, which normally has those cool hanging hammocks,” said George.

Neighborhoods such as Northern Liberties, Old City, Rittenhouse Square, Penn’s Landing and Center City all provide a wide variety of fun restaurants and shops.

“It’s only a short train ride away, so it’s really easy to get there,” said George.

While some may enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, others prefer to stay closer to home on their days off. In fact, some weekend activities commence just around the corner.

For Jerry Belsky (‘19), the best place to go with friends is the Jewish Community Center, located on Springdale Road.

“I always go to the JCC to play basketball on the weekends,” said Belsky.

“All of my friends also go there, so it’s a place where we can all meet up and put together some games.”

Whether it’s spending the few days of rest in bed or out with friends, East students continue to explore the suburb of Cherry Hill and its surrounding area to make the most out of their long-awaited weekends.

Art by Rose Ni (‘18)/ Eastside Art Director

Logo by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Eastside Art Director

Philadelphia Suns prepare for Chinese New Year parade

■ By Sophia Liang (‘19)

■ By Julia Benedetto (‘19)

February 2018

EASTSIDE

Page 7

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OPINIONS

Page 8

EASTSIDE

February 2018

The Trump Administration, after one year

Eastside takes a look at the actions and policies of President Trump on the anniversary of his inauguration

Trump’s support of Israel is a step forward for our country ■ By Eric First (‘18)

Eastside Opinions Editor

Praiseworthy and commendable… these are just a few words to describe President Donald Trump’s recent stance on Israel. President Trump’s support of Israel is unparalleled among recent administrations, and it is a major step in the right direction in relations between the two countries.

On December 6, 2017, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. For years, presidents have balked at opportunities to take a stand to back Israel. In fact, in 1995, Congress overwhelmingly voted to pass a bipartisan bill to formally recognize Jerusalem as the capital.

It passed in the Senate with a 93 to 5 vote and it also passed in the House with a 374 to 37 vote.

President Clinton pusillanimously declined to sign the bill, allowing it to sit until it became law. Despite this law, each president since Bill Clinton had postponed movement of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem every 6 months for the past 22 years. By moving the embassy, Trump is not only acting upon a bipartisan decision, but he is acknowledging the capital that the Israeli people themselves and the Knesset have recognized for many years. He has also fulfilled his campaign promise. This action is long overdue, and it is a much-needed act of support for the world’s only Jewish state, and the only true democracy in the Middle East that respects the rights of all of its citizens.

In late December, following a 128 to 9 vote in the United Nations ( U N )

against recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, Trump took another important stand. In response to the vote, he orchestrated a $285 million cut to UN funding for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. This sent a strong message to the world that the U.S. is not bluffing in its support for Israel; Trump fully stands behind the country. This cut in funding is also a wake-up call for member nations of the UN, as the U.S. has consistently been the UN’s largest financial contributor, consisting of 22 percent of the over-

all budget in 2017. It is a firm reminder of the United States’ leverage on member nations of the UN and a clear notice that Trump does not take his stance on Israel lightly. This is extremely important after President Barack Obama allowed relations between the United States and Israel to deteriorate. In December 2016, President Obama abstained from UN Security Council Resolution 2334, allowing it to pass. This appalling decision allowed the UN to acknowledge that there were Israeli settlements occupying a Palestinian territory. Trump’s open support of Israel on the world stage is a great step forward in comparison to his predecessor’s abhorrent stance.

Trump also deserves praise for pulling the United States out of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). UNESCO has expressed anti-Israel sentiments over the years and improperly recognized Palestine as an official entity. Congress had previously enacted legislation to cut funding from any organization that officially recognizes Palestine. In 2011, Obama misguidedly tried to overturn this funding restriction on UNESCO but failed. Trump is correct in not only continuing to withhold all United States’ funds from UNESCO, but also formally withdrawing its membership as a result of UNESCO’s anti-Israel bias.

It is refreshing to once again have a president who strongly supports the state of Israel and defends the Jewish state against the virulent antiSemitism that exists throughout the entirety of the world.

Immigration policy threatens liberty and order ■ By Claire Joanson (‘19)

Eastside Underground Editor

In 2016, Donald J. Trump ran for U.S. President and won on a platform that promised to enforce U.S. immigration laws. He wanted to build a wall projected to cost over 25 billion dollars on the southern border of the country. He wanted to ban all people from seven Muslimdominated countries. He wanted to remove all 11 million undocumented illegal immigrants in the country. And in 2017, his administration attempted to meet those ambitious, if not morally ambiguous, goals.

Just five days after taking office, the President issued executive orders strengthening laws at the border and within the country. He punished “sanctuary cities,” creating strict regulations in the places where immigrants and their families found refuge. Recently, he ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which according to the Washington Post protected over 700,000 young immigrants from deportation, a move that raised eyebrows even among Republicans.

In past years, presidential administrations, such as that of Barack Obama, placed emphasis on deporting illegal immigrants that had committed crimes in the country and were considered “dangerous” to American citizens. The Trump administration, however, does not discriminate.

Trump’s immigration policies run on a basis of fear, even for those who cannot remember liv-

ing anywhere but the United States. In Trump’s America, no immigrant is able to feel safe. Those who are considered “good” immigrants (long-time residing and law-abiding) are at just as high of a risk for deportation as flagrant criminals. The focus

is on sheer numbers, which allows Trump’s administration to loom over immigrants, a stormcloud of deportation always hanging over their bowed heads.

Although supporters of the President parade his brazen actions, his policies have shown to be both ineffective and expensive. The influx of deportation cases due to the immigration overhaul has flooded courts with cases, hindering judges from

giving them the attention they deserve. The issue of immigration is a complex one, with no blanket solution for each individual case. However, to combat the crippled speed of current deportations, the administration has hired more judges and proposed “numeric performance standards.”

This way of evaluating judges based upon how many deportations they have created would endanger judicial independence. How can a judge act in an objective course when he is being professionally judged based upon the decision he makes? It is a worrying precedent for a president to set.

In order for Trump to carry out his promise to deport the 11 million illegal immigrants, the government would need at least four times its current deportation rate, which would be difficult to fund, especially with Trump’s team still pushing for its multi-billion-dollar wall. The current President’s proposed and current policies need immense funding to be possible, and even if the money could be given, there is no reason to believe they would even be effective.

2017 was a worrying year for government policy within the United States, particularly in regard to the real issue of illegal immigration.

Trump’s immigration strategy, while determined, did little to ease the nation’s anxiety over the problem. Hopefully, in 2018 the administration will curtail its current policies, but it seems even less likely than Mexico paying 25 billion for a useless wall.

Corporate tax reform will bolster American competitiveness ■ By Aaron Kopew (‘19)

For Eastside

An outdated tax code has haunted America for years. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law on December 22, 2017, and will affect Americans in the fiscal year of 2018. An average $1,128 will be saved by an average American family. By taking a step back, it is clear this bill will help both the most disadvantaged individuals and the American economic system as a whole. With a bill that will cut tax revenue by this much, it is important to also grow the economy simultaneously. According to many economists, this bill in congruence with the deregulation of the Trump administration should supplement the decrease in tax revenue. This does not mean that the deficit will not increase or that the tax revenue will not decrease, only that the deficit will not grow as drastically as with a first glance.

This is principally done by two things: the numerical lowering of the tax brackets with five of our seven brackets seeing a decrease and a doubling of the standard deduction. This deduction is the one normally claimed by people. And this standard deduction is not small; currently about 70 percent of Americans use it. This number could

rise to up to 84 percent after the bill is passed, according to some estimates. This change is a major shift from current numbers and can help both the IRS with enforcement and simplify the taxes of many Americans.

But the more controversial parts of the bill are the changes to the corporate tax. The drastic decline of the corporate income tax from 35 percent to 21 percent will incentivize more development in our economy. Having the highest corporate income tax in the world is not conducive to business. But lowering our tax should incentivize companies to take their offshore cash back to America. This is in combination with the change from a world tax system to a territorial tax system (the corporation no longer pays its taxes to twice), which also incentivizes

those companies to incorporate in America, allowing more new companies in America.

A case study for this can be seen in countries like Ireland, which witnessed a staggering 26.3 percent growth to its GDP at its highly competitive 12.5 percent corporate tax rate. To sum up, lowering the corporate tax rate will increase investments with increased revenue, which leads to higher growth.

This should offset some of the loss in tax revenue, decrease incentives to avoid taxes and encourage multinational companies to invest. With new investment and capital, companies can increase hiring and lower the unemployment rate more. It is important to have a competitive corporate tax rate because it incentivises growth and brings money kept in tax havens back to our shores.

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

February 2018

OPINIONS

EASTSIDE

Page 9

After-school busing should be restored to all five days clubs they can join. When a new club is approved, they face the challenge of not just recruiting members, On some qualitative but rather taking students scale, the scope and extent from other activities or by of student participadrawing tion has decreased. from stuIt’s easy to point to dents who phones and say that are curstudents prefer apps rently not over clubs, or instead involved. say that our more This prescompetitive society ents an means that people artificially would prefer to spend low ceilless time with their ing on the peers. There is, withoverall exout question, at least tracurricuone factor that has lar scene at negatively impacted the school, involvement, and it given that is not the fault of the there are students. two other Currently, Cherry school days Hill East offers late in a week. buses on only TuesT h e day, Wednesday and school canThursday. For undernot hope classmen, this comes to increase as a shock because at extracurour district’s middle ricular inschools, late buses are volvement offered every day. Alif people though this has been are relying the status quo for on underseveral years, busing Jeremy Sitnick (‘20)/ Eastside Staff classmen to was previously of- Students wait to board the late bus outside of the Library Annex. obtain rides fered every day of the home or week. The decision walk long to switch to a three-day many students have had problems.

Already, so distances as a result of club schedule was made at the difficulty arranging transmany clubs are condensed meetings on Mondays and school level and resulted in portation to and from into those three days. As Fridays. Already, inertia the reallocation of funds to school. When late buses a result, students are limis strong behind not holdother priorities. are not offered, students ited in the total number of ing activities on those days

because the seniors, who can now provide their own transportation, could previously not attend on those days. The longer we go without restoring the time for after-school activities to its previous level, the closer we get to accepting the current situation as normal.

After-school activities deserve a higher priority in the hierarchy of funding than they currently have.

Extracurriculars offer students the chance to develop their skills and knowledge in areas beyond what can be taught in a class. Some programs, like Robotics, Debate and Science Olympiad, offer more hands-on experiences than students typically receive in a class.

Others, like the Political Discussion Club and Ethics Clubs, offer the school a chance to learn through interaction. And, of course, clubs look good for the school itself. We wouldn’t show incoming freshmen a long list of clubs if we didn’t want to impress them with the number of options and after-school vibrancy.

If our administration truly cares about student involvement and not the impression of involvement, it will consider reprioritizing its spending and bringing back funding for late buses on Monday and Friday.

■ By Louis Zimmermann (‘18)

protect our depleting environment by abstaining from partaking.

M a n y people believe in the phrase “let kids be kids,” but in the society we inhabit, there are so many opportunities for kids to effectively learn about the meaning of Valentine’s Day without the use of Candygrams.

Students should participate in arts and crafts surrounding the theme of the holiday while collaborating with friends.

Drawing hearts or depicting Cupid taps into a students’ creative minds and allows them to retain the purpose of Valentine’s Day. This can also be accompanied by an interactive game where students give compliments to one another.

In this day and age, the teaching style concerning the controversial Valentine’s Day is outdated, obsolete and, overall, misrepresented.

Valentine’s Day is more than romantic movies and boxes of chocolates; it is a day to show love to one another for the relationships one has with friends and family, a concept that cannot be taught by the overuse of candy and cheap cards.

Let’s teach the new generation that love comes and goes, that it does not equate to material items and that the environment is more important. Let us reform February 14 in schools.

■ By Joshua Sodicoff (‘18)

Eastside Opinions Editor

I think it goes without saying why late buses are so important. Due to the unwalkable nature of our town and the time at which after-school activities end,

who would like to stay after must still take the 2:30 p.m. bus.

For activities attempting to gain membership, this configuration causes

School Valentine’s Day traditions must change Eastside Opinions Editor

As you sit at your desk patiently waiting for your name to be called, you tape your brown paper bag to the side of your desk, virtually a mailbox for candy.

Now called, you stand up transforming into the next classroom Cupid as you begin placing Candygrams into your classmates’ socalled mailboxes.

It is certain that most kids grow up with this Valentine’s Day tradition of exchanging small candy gifts relating directly to love, the purpose of said holiday.

And if they do, there is a strict no alienation rule in schools that prevents kids from giving candy and cards solely to their friends. The verdict: give to everyone in your class or forget the holiday altogether. In turn, kids learn from their schooling systems that everyone loves everyone, that everyone should love everyone.

In reality, this is far from the truth. As these kids grow older, they learn about what true friendships and relationships are, that it would be nearly impossible to remain best friends with everyone despite devoting time to them, t h a t e v eryone virtually cannot love everyone. This ultimately places a negative connotation on not having a boyfriend or

girlfriend come Valentine’s Day, being lonely. By confining students into giving to everyone on Valentine’s Day, the value of love and kindness dilutes and becomes utterly unimportant.

Not to mention, when students are given bags of candy from classmates, the cards become unimportant a n d the

candy dominates the entirety of a child’s mindset. Society clearly teaches elementary school students wrongfully about Cupid’s holiday.

Yes, one may argue that

giving cards with phrasing relating both to the candy and the holiday of love teaches kindness at a young age. However, kindness cannot and should not be taught through one chocolate-fuelled day. Rather, it should be taught

throughout the progression of a student’s academic year, an ongoing theme throughout the lessons

taught. This tradition of giving candy as a sign of affection for one another is skewing the perspective students have concerning true kindness and love. The media and schools teach students that it is about material items, that kindness only comes in a square box of candy.

Valentine’s Day also evidently impacts the environment. Spread throughout the realms of the United States lies 64,000 public elementary schools, most of which partake in said tradition.

According to slate. com, with an average enrollment of 478 students at each public elementary school, more than 750 million Valentines are exchanged amongst students.

The idea of the handwritten cards is personal and teaches penmanship; however, these letters frequently land in the trash. By exchanging cards, the environment is overlooked for any importance. Ending the tradition of sending out cards allows students to learn rather of how they save the trees and

Art by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Eastside Art Director

OPINIONS

Page 10

EASTSIDE

February 2018

Teachers must discipline disruptive students ■ By Eric First (‘18)

Eastside Opinions Editor

You have ten minutes left to finish your test with one set goal in mind: earning an A. You try to battle through the home stretch of your assessment when suddenly, a student who is finished obnoxiously begins talking across the room.

Disruptive students are commonplace in Cherry Hill East classrooms.

A survey conducted of 100 East students across all four grades shows that 94 percent of students are in classes with peers that they consider disruptive to the

learning environment.

Teachers at East need to control the behavior of unruly students in their classrooms. Currently, the quality of education of too many hardworking students is put in jeopardy by the failure of teachers to effectively deal with disruptive students and implement appropri-

ate disciplinary measures.

In the student handbook that is given out to every student on the first day of school, it is written, “when a teacher… has a

con- c e r n about [a student’s] behavior, the teacher will fill out a white disciplinary card and send it to [the] grade level principal.”

However, only nine percent of students indicate that their teachers have formally punished students, who take away valuable class time, by writing white cards or sending them to the office.

While some teachers do not formally discipline their ill-behaved students, 53 percent of students said that their teachers

do “somewhat” address the issues through stern warnings. These so-called “stern” warnings, however, do not solve the problem nor prevent repeat offenses.

On a scale of how effective these talks were in quelling the disruptiveness i n classes, students gave teachers a failing grade of 35 percent for their lackluster efforts. Teachers cannot continue to give a few attention-seeking nuisances the opportunity to continuously interrupt lessons, putting all of the students in the class at a severe disadvantage with the lost learning time.

For the 38 percent of students who said that their teachers choose to completely ignore taking action against troublesome students, the situation only gets worse.

These students graded the disruptiveness in their classes at an astoundingly high rate: an average of 6.6 out of 10, with 10 being most disruptive.

Teachers cannot allow student disruptions to escalate on a regular basis with absolutely no response or

punishment. When a teacher fails to discipline these students, the rest of the class is punished for something that is completely out of their control. Negative repercussions include lost classroom time, greater amounts of written homework from classwork that could not be completed, as well as the need to learn information at home that students in other periods were taught in class. This is unfair to the majority of well-behaved students who are interested in learning.

While it may be easier for the teachers to avoid issuing formal write-ups for students and dealing with school mandated disc i plinary procedures, it only continues to harm the greater student body when teachers fail to complete their duties.

The district has the correct procedures in place to be able to deal with disruptive students; however, it is incumbent upon the teachers to enforce these procedures, and they must be held accountable for maintaining order in their classrooms.

Art by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Staff

East clubs should diversify fundraisers ■ By Defne Alpdogan (‘20)

Eastside Staff

Cherry Hill East is a school that encompasses more than 2,000 students during the school year.

With students from different backgrounds, traditions, ambitions, goals and virtues, each individual paints the halls of East, creating the diverse community East has to offer.

Reflecting said diversity, there are many clubs that set out to help students fit in and find an activity that genuinely interests them.

However, for a club to prosper, raising money becomes a necessity. Keeping in mind the saying “money makes the world go ‘round,” clubs have utilized several methods of fundraising, the most popular being restaurant fundraising. Restaurant fundraising not only helps a club raise money in profits, but it also benefits the restaurant and creates a social interaction for club members. However, restaurant fundraising is not efficient for all, nor is it the perfect plan that everyone assumes.

Typically, restaurants take a percentage of the funds. For example, Chipotle takes 50 percent of the proceeds, and places like Panera have a profit based on the number of people that show up and buy from them. For twenty people, Panera will give 10 percent of the funds back to the club. This limits the initial intake of the club’s earnings, rearranging the club’s focus on its profits into a free-for-all group dinner.

The primary concern of the issue is not the clubs

that take advantage of restaurant fundraising opportunities and have a great turn-out, but instead the less active clubs following in their steps. The high turn-out is favorable for both the clubs and restaurants, leading to an increased amount of profit.

However, less active clubs that are trying to receive money are struggling to make a dent. This is problematic, as certain restaurants are less likely to engage in repeat fundraisers with East clubs when less active clubs do not receive high attendance.

The basis of the detrimental fundraisers come from the absence of advertisement, the community response and differentiation of restaurants. Bridge Tutoring is an example of just one of many clubs that does in fact hold successful fundraisers. Having the upper hand with active members, as well as advertising to the middle schools, Bridge Tutoring had its fundraiser announced on the daily announcements and on its Facebook page; it ensured that members were aware of the event by promoting it constantly.

Ultimately, this allowed for an enormous turnout.

Every club in its term has the right to create these types of relationships with the restaurants. However, poor turnouts can lead to the businesses not wanting to continue the established enterprise in the long run.

The lack of student support or the lack of time length for a club to thoroughly advertise can lead to the business turning on the club, and even the school as a

whole, for the insufficient the day, how much Chipotle The congregation of partnership. can a person really eat? clubs will bolster each othA proposed solution In the final result, stuer and thwart any kind of would be to unite different dents are supportive of consequence. We are all a clubs, small or big, to proeach other and their clubs, part of one school. We need mote larger fundraisers. if given a purpose. If playto unite our clubs in order In this manner, not only ing a 50/50 chance, restauto make all fundraisers sucwould conglomeration of rants can either help or cessful for the East commuclubs allow more social inhurt this support. nity. teraction, but more people could go, and this w o u l d end the risk of the loss of business.

On top of that, a change in venue may lead to the success of the fundraisers.

People are tired of having the same fundraising, and they want s o m e thing different.

Deviating away from the commonality of Chip ot le will appeal more to the student body of East and encourage the effort for the fundraiser. At Available on Amazon and wherever awesome books are sold. the end of

Finally, an end to Twitter mistakes.

SPECIAL

February 2018

EASTSIDE

Page 11

Students show passion through coffee and wings

Adiel Davis (‘18)/ Eastside Multimedia Director

Adiel Davis (‘18)/ Eastside Multimedia Director

Trevor Iacono (‘18) and Hunter Hilerio (‘18) play guitar.

Adiel Davis (‘18)/ Eastside Multimedia Director

Jack Granite (‘19) and Cassie Cuddihy (‘19) perform a duet.

Claire Tremper (‘18), Abby Calisterio (‘18) and Evey Grika (‘18) sing at their last Coffee House.

Adiel Davis (‘18)/ Eastside Multimedia Director

Jake Hoffman (‘19) supports the Coffee House fundraiser.

Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Mr. Winegrad adds extra hot sauce to his wings.

Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Roberto Sul (‘19) celebrates his victory in the Wing Bowl.

Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Brad Coolahan (‘18) holds wings in both of his hands.

Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Mason Bulicki (‘21) finishes a plate of wings.

Page 12

East Speaks

Eastside surveyed the student body.

226 students responded.

Here are the results:

EASTSIDE

NEWS/FEATURES

BREAKING THE SILENCE:

February 2018

EASTSIDE

Page 13

The Process of Reporting Sexual Assault at East Y

ou are not alone. The year 2017 flipped the stigma surrounding sexual assault*, creating an atmosphere where survivors of sexual assault are beginning to share their stories. From the growth of the #MeToo campaign over the summer, to the ‘silence breakers’ gracing the cover of Time’s Person of the Year issue, national and global attention has finally been drawn to the issue of sexual assault. While sexual assault dominates headlines around the world, what does this mean for survivors of sexual assault in Cherry Hill? A recent survey of 226 East students revealed that 78 percent feel they are unaware of the resources the Cherry Hill community offers to survivors of sexual assault. 52 percent feel it is important to address these issues in a school environment. To give students a better idea of what happens when sexual assault is reported in school, Eastside traced the process of a report, speaking to several people closely involved with the process.

89%

are unsure of who is responsible for helping students after they have been sexually assaulted.

4%

feel they are aware of the resources East offers to victims of sexual assault.

58%

feel that East does not do enough to support victims of sexual assault.

14%

How it Begins: Reporting to the School “We’ll take the case no matter where it is. We have a 24/7 policy, so it doesn’t really matter what happened because we’ll help in any way,” said Mrs. Jennifer DiStefano, the anti-bullying specialist at East.

DiStefano is the designated specialist in charge of setting a report in motion once it lands on her desk. Any student who is a victim of sexual violence should file his or her report with her, but only 11 percent of students know that she is the one to whom they should report. DiStefano said that some students report assault to a favorite teacher or trusted nurse at first, but the case always winds up on her desk in the end. DiStefano follows the stringent policies set by the district for handling sexual harassment and assault cases, which can be found on the district website under Policies and Procedures. If students from other schools are involved in the assault, DiStefano then contacts those schools accordingly.

The report is then generally sent to the Cherry Hill Police Department (CHPD) for legal investigation and action.

Speaking Up

would As DiStefano put it, “[Sexual assault] is a real sensitive feel comfortable going to East topic right now, and it’s the trend to make reports.” personnel if they were sexually In this age of newfound confidence, professionals urge assaulted. reluctant victims to come forward in order to best receive assistance and closure.

One must understand, though, the reasons why many victims stay silent.

“I think sometimes they feel scared that everybody’s going to be judgemental or make judgement on them, because they might think that they’re at fault in some way,” said DiStefano. feel they have not been taught Many victims may also wish to retain complete confidenenough about sexual assault in tiality, which, for safety reasons, is impossible in a school school. setting.

“If they are hurt in any way, shape or form, I cannot keep it confidential,” said DiStefano. “I must report it. We’re like mandated reporters.”

All the same, speaking up is necessary for a comprehen-

72%

“[Sexual assault] is a high priority. It’s probably one of the most serious cases that we handle, and thankfully for us, it’s not something that happens very often.

But when it does, it is a high priority,” said Detective-Sergeant Jason Snyder of the CHPD. “It is something that not only we at the Cherry Hill Police Department, but also the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, take very seriously, and take care of immediately the very best that we can do.”

After the police are contacted, the victim is then referred to the Services Empowering Rights of Victims (SERV) branch of the Camden County Department of Family Services.

Once the victim has been referred to SERV, though DiStefano and East’s guidance counselors may check in and follow up with the victim, they are not allowed to provide support services.

sive investigation to take place. Snyder explains that the more information is known, the more effective the police action will be.

“Don’t

b e afraid to report,” said DiStefano. “If you want something to stop, let us help you. If we don’t know, we can’t help. If you feel like if you tell it will just get worse, I think that means it’s already worse. Let us intervene and see what happens because for the most part, it’s going to stop or something’s going to happen. We’re going to make it stop eventually, somehow, some way.”

Witness Advocacy

61%

want sexual assault to be included in the curriculum.

14%

February 2018

feel the most instances of sexual assault occur on school grounds.

One service often utilized by East is Services Empowering Rights of Victims (SERV).

“We provide free, confidential services for survivors of sexual violence in Camden County,” said Jonel Vilches, a prevention specialist at SERV. For all survivors over age 12, SERV offers a variety of specific services including typical counseling and therapy, forensic examinations in a hospital setting and advocacy directed toward hospitals and news services. Organization staff are divided into teams designed to tackle each

Art by Ali Koenig (‘20)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

aspect of a sexual assault case, including a response team and a prevention team.

“Everyone here at SERV, we all play a different role,” said Vilches.

After taking on each individual case, SERV obtains pertinent case details and seeks out permission to speak with the guidance counselor involved with the case.

An intake meeting is then set up at the school where the SERV representative, guidance counselor and survivor can all speak in a safe setting.

“Normally, we just go in,” said Tery Netro, who works at SERV. “Whoever has the release of information knows to expect us and they have the room set up.”

The meeting focuses on creating a plan for the school to best support the victim going forward. “We don’t do evaluations, we go over red flags, we go through…classes, where we discuss safety planning, red flags... if we can’t get through them all, we would extend services; if they want to continue services, we always would, but it’s really up to the victim,” Netro said.

All stories by Ilana Aroughetti (‘19), Ali Koenig (‘20) and Joshua Pipe (‘20)/ Eastside News/Features Editors

The Police Investigation

All sexual assault investigations in Cherry Hill are handled either by the Special Victims Unit of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office or directly by the Investigative Unit of the Cherry Hill Police Department. Each specific case, while confidential in nature, is handled differently depending on the age and maturity of the victim, according to Snyder, who works in the Investigative Unit full-time. For example, very young survivors are asked to describe their experiences us-

ing anatomically correct dolls specially designed for sexual assault investigations.

“Ideally we prefer to only conduct that interview once, so that we don’t retraumatize the victim every time they have to retell their story,” he said.

Officers are primarily concerned with gaining a true and concise understanding of each specific situation so that they can best pursue suspects. Snyder explained that this can be accomplished through review of the victim’s cell phone and computer data or so-

The Hotline

cial media communications, as well as any fingerprint or DNA evidence left on the scene. After the investigation is well underway, the Investigative Unit refers victims to separately run services designed to help them heal.

“The office of Victim Witness Advocacy and the Special Victims Unit have programs in place to offer assistance to victims aside from the criminal justice system, whether it be for mental health, or just with social programs,” said Snyder. “There’s a lot of damage that’s done, physically, mentally and emotionally, when someone has to go through this.”

Not all people come to SERV through referrals. SERV maintains a 24-hour hotline to provide immediate assistance to those victims who reach out directly.

“Every person that calls that hotline is different…we try to get the information, but if they don’t even want to disclose, we’re fine with anonymous calls,” said Netro, who walked Eastside through the course of a typical call. “We just want to make whoever’s on the other end comfortable. We answer our phones within one ring because on the other end it’s two rings. We do what we can to make sure we’re available for the survivors, and make sure they’re comfortable... What they do is they take down some initial information, basically name and address, maybe possibly what occurred so we have a general idea if English is your primary language…so we can hook up

the right counselor; then we would schedule an intake at the school. We would definitely have to go through the school at some point, we would try not to disclose why, but… everyone’s down to confidentiality that we would speak to, whether it’s the school nurse or the school guidance counselors, or SACC counselors.”

National hotlines like the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) hotline are also wellknown resources where victims can easily seek support.

Merely supporting victims after the fact of assualt is not enough.

An essential part of the process is conducting outreach programs in order to educate others in the hopes of preventing future instances of sexual violence.

At the district level, the antibullying specialist from each Cherry Hill public school utilizes the first in-service day of each school year to train faculty and staff members on how to handle “reporting and signs

and symptoms – what to look for if somebody should say these words to [them], what do [they] do,” according to DiStefano.

Similarly, prevention specialists at SERV, like Vilches, go to Camden County schools to educate students on sexual violence.

“I go to school to talk about… healthy relationships and sexuality; I have a curriculum called SheLiteracy where we go and analyze media on… gender-based norms and how that influences some sexual assault,” Vilches said.

Educating Others

*The Cherry Hill Public School District defines sexual assault as sexual contact or penetration when there is an age or power differential between the victim and the perpetrator. For more information, see the district website under Policy 2415.06 on the Policies and Procedures tab.

Infographics by Ali Koenig (‘20)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

Page 14

COMICS EASTSIDE

February 2018

A Modern Romance by Sari Cohen (‘18)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

New Year’s Resolutions by Sarah Zhang (‘21)/ Eastside Staff

Reality by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Eastside Art Director

A Kickin’ College Tip: If you have a word count, make your words count!

When writing your college essays remember to Go Big, Go Bold or Go Home.

Now go kick those apps into gear!

COMICS

February 2018

EASTSIDE

If Lockers Could Talk in High School by Sean Gabaly (‘20)/ Eastside Staff

Trying New Hobbies by Esther Levine (‘21)/ Eastside Staff

Senior Slump by Abigail Richman (‘18)/ Eastside Business Manager

Math Help

Math Enrichment

Test Prep

Homework Help

NING WAR UR CHILD YO COULD BECOME

Crazy about math

Mathnasium of Cherry Hill

(856) 874-0050 mathnasium.com/cherryhill 1892 Marlton Pike East Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Page 15

EDITORIAL

Page 16

EASTSIDE

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

East must engage in the national conversation on sexual harassment In the age of #metoo and “locker room talk,” as high school students, we must recognize the horrors of sexual harassment. Eastside fears that students have become desensitized to the subject as celebrities, politicians and familiar faces make news headlines every day for their inappropriate indiscretions behind the scenes and aggressive advances after hours.

It is all happening so quickly. This normalization is allowing the truths of sexual harassment to become a blur, especially in the high school setting where students often lack a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Eastside believes change starts with the students, who should begin to recognize and respect the personal space, whether communicative or physical, of their peers. Yet, the problems start with students too.

Students continue to make inappropriate comments throughout the school day, claiming they are just teas-

ing or flirting, despite the increasing awareness of sexual harassment around the country.

We hear it every day, but do we really know what it means?

Unwarranted remarks or advances of a sexual nature fall under the definition of sexual harassment, different from sexual assault, which is unlawful contact or physical interactions. It is not uncommon for the topic of sexual harassment allegations to appear in East classrooms as a result of its recent presence on our news and social media. However, Eastside feels these classroom conversations have not held their intended weight in educating students on such a taboo topic.

Unfortunately, East students do not receive an adequate education on sexual harassment until near the end of their high school careers, when they are taking health as second semester seniors. The deliberate effect of this, rightfully so, is

to prepare seniors for college, where sexual harassment is alarmingly common. Yet, Eastside believes other teachers can begin doing their part in increasing awareness on the matter before senior year by incorporating it in class discussions, as sexual harassment is present in high school as well.

Over the years in English class, students have read books that touch on the matters of sexual assault and/or harassment.

Freshman year’s Ellen Foster and junior year’s Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and The Great Gatsby all include scenes of either sexual assault or harassment. As done last year to educate students on the offensive language in Ragtime, teachers should implement lessons to incite meaningful academic discussion on the matters recognized in these pieces of literature.

Eastside proposes that East teachers bring closer attention to the instances

of assault and harassment when the opportunity arises each year, but this requires responsible and mature behavior on behalf of the students in class, as immaturity may have previously prevented teachers from doing so.

However, in order to do so, administration and faculty must be given the proper training on how to handle issues of such nature. In fact, when students have a problem regarding sexual harassment or assault, they are often directed to sources outside of the school. Eastside urges administration to help educate all faculty within Cherry Hill Public Schools on how to identify and handle problems arising from sexual harassment.

As sexual harassment is not simple, neither is the effort to raise awareness.

Both students and teachers must make an effort to recognize the effects of this recently publicized epidemic in order to overcome the stigma of speaking up.

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

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

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Chelsea Stern (‘18)/ Eastside Community Editor

Students struggle to keep up with the prominence and truths of sexual assault.

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

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Eastside 2017-2018 Editorial Board

Managing Editor: Jared Fisch Editors-in-Chief: Elissa Cohen, Sari Cohen, Hope Rosenblatt Adviser: Mr. Greg Gagliardi Photo Editors News/Features Editors Community Editors Ilana Arougheti Julia Benedetto Jiseon Lee Ali Koenig Sophia Liang Dakota Rosen Joshua Pipe Chelsea Stern Sports Editors Adam Dashevsky Jacob Kernis Sophie Levine Opinions Editors Eric First Joshua Sodicoff Louis Zimmermann

Contact the Board: Art Directors Sabrina DeAbreu Rose Ni

Video Editors

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Business Managers Nashita Ali Abigail Richman

Entertainment Editors Jonathan Calabrese Nafessa Jaigirdar Harry Green Eli Weitzman Luke Shin Gregory Rothkoff Underground Editors Claire Joanson David Le

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

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

February 2018

EASTSIDE

Page 17

ENTERTAINMENT Old games transition to new mediums Page 18

EASTSIDE

the newer games.”

Another mobile game Eastside Staff which was very popular a couple years ago is Pokémon Go. Recently, many nostalgic Pokémon Go required games have been available players to leave to download on the their houses and Apple App Store walk around and Google Play. their towns, colClassic games such lecting Pokémon as Mario and Pac as they found Man no longer rethem. It shares quire a video game the same conconsole, for versions cept of recruiting of the two can be fictional creaplayed on phones. tures and using Tomb Raider, them for battle originally released against other ficin 1996 for Sega tional creatures.

Saturn, Playstation In Pokémon Go, and Microsoft, has players compete been made availagainst other able in full in the players for conApp Store. trol of “gyms,” The entire game, buildings the once only availgame selected able on consoles, specifically. can now be played The Pokéby players riding a mon video game train, riding a horse franchise has or even in the bathbeen around room. since 1996, and The App Store was originally description states released for the that the developers Gameboy. have “not messed It currently about with it, so it’s has a four out the full, unedited, of five in the unadulterated exApp Store with perience from the 23,000 ratings. classic release.”

Nam Vu (‘19), Players can enwho played the joy this game in its original Pokéoriginal glory for 99 mon games, said cents. It currently that Pokémon has a four out of Go “does not live five rating on the up to the origiApple App Store. nals because Dylan Moskovitz you’re more (‘19), a long-time limited in what Tomb Raider fan, you’re allowed said, “It would be Photo illustration by Eli Weitzman (‘20)/ Eastside Webmaster to do compared an interesting exto the Gameboy perience to play The most popular nostalgic game in the App Store is Super Mario. games.” the game on my Phone owners iPhone.” can expect to see Emre Ozbas (‘19) December 2016. This adas a free demo, but requires of five rating in the Apple many more adaptations of offered a differing view, aptation of one of the most a purchase to play the full App Store with 9,885 ratclassic games, but whether saying, “[I prefer] console popular video game frangame. Most games nowaings. the mobile releases can re[games] because I like the chises of all time is unlike days are free but riddled Lucy Warburton (‘19) capture the feeling of the feeling of holding a controlthe original Mario games. with microtransactions. said that the “old games originals remains to be ler.”

It is a side-scrolling endless Super Mario Run is the have more substance than seen.

However, most games ■ By Sam Grossman (‘19)

are not the same as their original versions. Many phone owners may remember Nintendo’s Super Mario Run, which was released for iOS and Android in

runner, whereas other Mario games are level-based platformers.

Super Mario Run is also different from most other mobile games as it is offered

February 2018

fastest-growing app in iOS history after more than 50 million downloads in its first week and 200 million by the end of 2017.

It currently has a 3.9 out

Students share views on Valentine’s Day ■ By Henry Nolan (‘19) Eastside Staff

Valentine’s Day has become a major recognized holiday in the world. It is the holiday of February, as St. Patrick’s Day is to March and Halloween is to October. It is known to cause much distress in those to whom this holiday applies.

Couples always rush about, trying to one up their significant other in a competition to prove their love and devotion.

This tradition can be seen in the hallways of Cherry Hill East. The school’s Cum Laude Society even puts on a rose sale for the students to express their feelings to their peers, in both a platonic and a romantic manner.

From this, one might conclude that the students of East must have a particular taste for the cultural traditions and

expectations that are commonplace for this holiday. But when discussed, many East students do not actually feel thrilled about the idea of Valentine’s Day. Most East student couples with whom this was discussed have something planned for the day: some sort of date or other plans that are intended to show their affection.

However, none of these couples have planned anything that is out of the ordinary from what they would do on any other date. They are just going out to dinner, seeing a movie or any other normal date idea.

In general, they said that they were just happy to spend time together.

Adorable, right?

But if this is enough for couples, then is Valentine’s Day even necessary? According to many East students: no, it is

not needed.

Sofia Monaco (‘18) said she feels that people should just do things as they wish. They shouldn’t change their behavior because society feels that way. Some people do not feel that there should be a specific day for showing your significant other how much you care for them.

“Time and days are just a human concept,” said Brendan Casuscelli (‘21). “Why should only some of [them] be assigned for certain emotions?”

Other people think that the idea of Valentine’s Day may even have a detrimental effect on certain people, or the population as a whole.

Arri Bicking (‘19) said, “In theory [Valentine’s Day is] nice, but I… don’t have the money for what is expected.”

Bicking feels that, like many modern holidays, it has

become an excuse for consumerist values to take over with a mass sale of cards, flowers, chocolate and more.

Sam Hershman (‘20) said he feels that Valentine’s Day is “just an excuse to make single people sad.” While intending to make people in relationships happier, it actually just makes those who aren’t feel alone.

Hershman and others explained they feel being alone is not an issue, whether by circumstance or by choice.

As long as one is happy, that is all that is needed, and there is no need for a day that makes people feel bad for the way they are.

Who are we to judge people for being in a diferent situation?

Border by Sophia Liang (‘19)/ Eastside Community Editor and Nafessa Jaigirdar (‘19)/ Eastside Webmaster

ENTERTAINMENT

February 2018

EASTSIDE

Consumerism victimizes BHM ■ By Samantha Roehl (‘20)

Eastside Staff

In February, many brands and corporations acknowledge Black History Month in different ways.

Some, such as Nike, have a clothing line specifically for Black History Month. Others, like Macy’s, have created deals that bundle the products of black artists with purchases.

Though many brands sell special items for Black History Month, not everyone at East is alright with the usage of Black History Month for a perceived corporate gain.

“I’m not very happy with [brands profiting off of Black History Month], because I feel like they’re taking our achievements, black people’s achievements, and making money off of them.

So they’re kinda drifting away from what the month is all about,” said Obinna Okorie (‘20), one of the leaders of the African American Culture Club.

Additionally, some be-

lieve it is wrong for a company to use Black History Month for monetary gain due to the significance of the month.

“I think it’s wrong because black history is very serious, they shouldn’t use that to make money,” said Joshua Radjavitch (‘20).

Some East students think that Black History Month should not be used to make money due to its cultural significance.

“It should be more a cultural aspect than for monetary gains. It should be above business,” said Hyder Alikhan (‘18).

However, some have no issue with companies profiting off of Black History Month, as the nature of a company is to make money.

“It’s just like any other companiy profiting off of any other history day or celebration,” said Jakob Michel (‘20).

While some believe it is either completely right or completely wrong, others view brands differently with their different uses of

Black History Month.

“It would depend if they were just promoting a new item for the sake of raising awareness for Black History Month… and they’re not driven by profit, that’s fine.

But… if they know they’re making a profit out of it, and that’s what motivates them to do it… that’s almost a fake appreciation of what Black History Month is, [because] they’re getting something in return,” said Juliet Okorie (‘18), another leader of the African American Culture Club.

Some East students said that it is not the selling of a product that they have a problem with, but the lack of respect for the history surrounding Black History Month.

“It becomes bad when they’re undermining the actual meaning of Black History Month to sell their item,” said Devin Holmes (‘18), another leader of the African American Culture Club.

However, many feel that if the company is using

funds from its Black History Month items to help the black community, it is alright.

“I think it would be nice for companies to kind of promote Black History Month… to help with the furthering of African Americans,” said Obinna Okorie.

Though beliefs about the treatment of Black History Month can be polarizing for East students, some chose to give companies the benefit of the doubt.

“You don’t know their true motivation, you don’t know their true intention for advertising in that way… You don’t know what’s behind the scenes,” said Alikhan.

Though the holiday season is most often ridiculed for its over-consumerism, it is not the only time of year that East students feel has been over-commercialized; many students believe that it is important to remember the history behind Black History Month before helping a company turn a quick profit.

weaponry. In addition to displaying an advanced society, the movie itself takes advantage of an opportunity often missed in cinema; the casting of ethnically diverse actors for an ethnically diverse film.

For the first time ever in a blockbuster superhero film, the vast majority of the major roles are played by actors of African descent. The movie includes star talent with the likes of Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael B. Jordan and Forest Whitaker, among others. In addition, these actors do not portray the stereotypical roles those of African descent have often been cast in twentieth-century television and film.

Instead, the actors exemplify power a n d re-

spect. Chadwick Boseman’s “T’Challa” is the future king of one of the most advanced countries in the world, after all.

The importance of Black Panther and the broader discussion of Afrofuturism is apparent in East’s population. Jameel Worthy (‘20), a fan of the Marvel universe, describes his feelings about the upcoming film as fulfilling “a sense of pride.”

Worthy went on to voice his particular interest in the futuristic setting in which Black Panther exists. He emphasized that being able to see an African country “more advanced than anyone could ever believe… excites me.”

Moreover, Elijah

together” despite the film industry’s attempts to discriminate against the African diaspora.

Humza Hussain (‘20) also voiced his support for the diversity evident in Black Panther, saying that “anyone can be a superhero… [they] don’t have to be dependent on race.”

However, some feel that the racial diversity portrayed in the new film does not go far enough.

Shana Chen (‘20) said that “I think it’s pretty cool, but it still hasn’t happened for Asian people.”

Furthermore, Liam Vasey (‘19) said the film industry is “trying to bring diversity into [film] too much,” and that it should “bring in... races other than black and white.”

Nevertheless, the East population is optimistic about the future of diversity in the film industry. Mr. Pete Gambino, who teaches Film Appreciation at East, said with regard to diversity in film,“it’s an exciting time and hopefully it’s a taste o f things t o come…

It’s a v e r y positive change and whether or not it’s forced [doesn’t matter] as long as it’s happening and… will continue to happen.”

The East community would do well to pay attention to the impending release of Black Panther. In so doing, we may get more than an action-packed superhero movie. But rather a glimpse into a future with heroes of all shapes, genders and races.

Black Panther molds afrofuturism ■ By Harry Green (‘20)

Eastside Entertainment Editor

Afrofuturism is a term unfamiliar to many, including students at Cherry Hill East. But perhaps not for long.

Afrofuturism refers to a historical and cultural philosophy which utilizes science fiction and other genres to comment on the the Black experience. In this regard, it highlights and attempts to address these concerns. Recently, Afrofuturistic messages can increasingly be found in novels, paintings, pictures and movies. It has done far more than simply reveal the Black community’s challenges. More importantly, it has held up its heroes.

Marvel’s Black Panther, which will be released on February 16, identifies one such hero. The film is set in modern-day Wakanda, a fictional African country heavily isolated from its neighbors.

While outsiders speculate that the mysterious land must be a primitive “third world country,” in reality it boasts some of the most advanced technology in the Marvel universe.

The nation is filled with advanced cities, spaceships a n d

A d k i n s ( ‘ 1 9 ) v o i c e d feelings of gratification regarding the film. “[Black Panther] shows what we can do as one race,” he said, “showing us working

Art by Jeffrey Kaminer (‘21)/ Eastside Staff

Page 19

■ By Eli Weitzman (‘20) Eastside Webmaster

J u s t recently, Apple released a stunning statement that you may have heard. We all know that family member who complains about their phone being slower than it used to be. Well, they were right.

On December 28, Apple announced to its customers that it was intentionally slowing down iPhones as they aged, after rising tensions surfaced concerning various groups performing speed tests on the phones.

In the statement, Apple elaborated on its reasoning, stating that “First and foremost, we have never — and would never — do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades.”

Why would a major company, with a profitable device, intentionally slow it down in order to compel customers to purchase upgrades? If it were, that would be ultimately unethical and potentially dangerous for the company’s future. However, it does lead to the question, why was Apple slowing down phones in the first place?

In the statement, Apple explained that it throttled phone speeds as a means to not wear out the battery.

While many would believe this to be completely unnecessary, it makes sense.

Apple designed the iPhone battery to have a large energy capacity. This leads to it wearing out faster due to standard wear of the device. So, Apple slowed down the phones after one year via an iOS update.

However, Apple could have prevented the whole issue by being more open with its customers in the first place.

But now Apple has come to renew itself. It has offered a 29-dollar battery replacement for iPhone 6 models or newer. Also, it has promised an iOS update in early 2018 that will give better insight into device battery life.

However, we must also remember that Apple held on to this information for a while, for which we cannot forgive it. In light of these recent events, other popular phone manufacturers, like Samsung, LG, HTC and Motorola, have released statements stating that they never have, and never will, throttle or slow their phones for any reason. Hopefully, this small incident will lead to more transparency among device manufacturers on hardware and software decisions, and your phone may not be slowed anymore.

Logo by Eli Weitzman (‘20)/ Eastside Webmaster

UNDERGROUND

The Trash Academy paints a bright future for students

Page 20

Eastside News/Features Editor

many different groups in the South Philadelphia community, the project’s home base. In fact, the

February 2018

trips and field studies into bring to events such as something we can then block parties, street fairs share with other people... and other events of the like. so, the youth under 18, The Trash Mobile seeks to As the forerunners of a and a couple above collect information on trash new generation 18, they’re really the management in Philadeland a new age people that’[re] on the phia and spread it, and is in world politics ground…engaging largely based on the philosand human bepeople about trash ophy of educating the pubhavior, the curand trash managelic through play and interrent high school ment.” action – a focal point of the student body Youth involvement Restored Spaces initiative.

– more than at is not limited to after“The students along any other time in school programs durwith a couple artists…dehistory, perhaps ing the summer, but signed the Trash Mobile…”

– is often subalso is manifested in said Williams, “during ject to pontificathe form of summer that same summer class tions about their programs. is also when the students unique propensi“Mural Arts partdesigned their first set of ty to change the nered with PYN, the games…and activities that world. For better Philadelphia Youth teach about recycling.” or for worse, the Network and we were The Trash Academy pressures of creable to hold a…sumteam takes great pride in ating solutions mer employment proits use of sidewalks and to the issues gram at South Philastreet-corners as educawhich plague the delphia High School,” tional tools, which allow world at large said Williams.

Philadelphians to ponder rests squarely on By way of collabothe impact of trash habthe shoulders of ration, Trash Acadits on their streets. “We this generation. emy has been able to wanted to create these…

One such isaccomplish a lot, both sidewalk interventions to sue is the gradin beautifying the help…mitigate litter,” said ual increase in city and educating Thome. global pollution Yet another facet of Photo Courtesy of Mural Arts Philadelphia its population on the and trash conimportance of trash Trash Academy’s multifacsumption; accord- A Trash Academy bin is made from recycled material in Philly. literacy. One of its eted approach is the decoingly, Mural Arts ration of in Philadelphia, ect’s inception, Mural Arts Mural Arts website even the city’s through its Restored Spacsought out the issues most describes the project as a t r a s h es initiative, has created important to Philly resi“‘collaboratory’ between c a n s .

Trash Academy, a project dents. They got two clear community members in W h e n with heavy youth involveresponses: the most popuSoutheast Philly, artists, walking ment centered around litlar response was the ameenvironmental activists in Philaeracy in and action toward lioration of Miffin Square and high school students delphia, global issues such as landPark – a project which from all across the city.” the facefill overflow and litter.

Mural Arts completed in For the aesthetic end lift of the The tagline of the proj2015 – but the second-most of Trash Academy, Mural city’s “big ect, “[w]e have a right to popular response was to Arts brought in artists spebelly solar a clean city!” illustrates address the city’s growing cializing in restored art and compacwhat Mural Arts hopes its trash problem. the usage of recycled matetors,” as melding of activism and “We were just in and rial. To this end, as well as they are art-forms will accomplish, around that area…doing the end of education on the called, is and also doubles as the some creative mapping topic of recycled art, Mural evident. name of its comprehensive and…understanding what Arts partnered up with the “Over pamphlet on Philadelphia’s people’s priorities were, Recycled Artist in Residenthe sumtrash resources. and we actually learned cy (RAIR) program. mer, in “Everything is really vithat trash was people’s “[RAIR] had the materiaddition sual, everything teaches second priority…” said als that we built the trash Photo Courtesy of Mural Arts Philadelphia to doing the students artwork and Williams. “And after that, cans and planters out of,” reRAIR artists use recycled materials for the it’s designed to…have a conwe had the opportunity to said Lucia Thome, a RAIR search on planting. versation about serious ispartner with a science class artist. “We did a tour with landfills sues because trash is pretty with South Philadelphia some of the people [from masterpieces is the Trash and recycling in Philadelserious and it does impact a High School…and through Mural Arts]. When Mobile, a piece of mobile art phia, the students also crelot of people in some pretty we could lend which Trash Academy parated designs for these big that window ticipants bellies…” said Williams. [into the world “It’s really great to have of recycled art], their artwork featured it seemed like in such a public way, an appropriate and it’s also very much partnership for aligned with the goal us.” of Trash Academy, The real powwhich is to…create er of the project, opportunities to have however, lies in its conversations about students. Student trash and to get people participants in Trash together to collectively Academy attend events understand and address and after-school prothat issue.” grams to learn more By combining aesabout the various trashthetic art forms, semantic centric issues plaguing art forms and environmenthe city and create edutal activism, Trash Acadcational videos which lay emy continues to reach the out these problems and citizens of Philadelphia, their solutions in the form educating them on the imof poetry. portance of managing their Students also are at the trash. forefront of the project’s So, as the news continPhoto Courtesy of Mural Arts Philadelphia outreach campaign, and ues to blare proclamations Trash Academy decorates a solar compactor. have reached many people. of environmental doomsday “Most of our students are and as adults continue to that class we were able to under 18, I’d say…90 perpontificate about the promnegative ways,” said Ciara do even more neighborhood cent; they’re…the creative ise of the up-and-coming Williams, an instructor for research about the issue of force behind Trash Acadgeneration, Trash Academy Restored Spaces, “but our trash.” emy, they really are…” said continues to work against goal is to create…a fun way The building of Trash Williams. “Their main role the former, and to support to…enter into those conAcademy involved many is turning all of their rethe latter. versations for our kids and Art by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ layers of involvement from search and all of our field also adults.”

Eastside Art Director ■ By Joshua Pipe (‘20)

In the truest sense, Trash Academy began with Philadelphians. Back in 2015, the year of the proj-

EASTSIDE

UNDERGROUND

Take note of new “studyblr” trend February 2018

■ By Sophia Liang (‘19)

Eastside Community Editor

Conventional wisdom associates studying with tattered loose leaf shoved into folders, puddles of drool on textbooks and assignments scribbled in last-minute chicken scratch.

But recently, students around the world have begun to challenge that notion by taking up the hobby of decorating their notes, devising personal organization systems and collecting cute school supplies— in short, making studying beautiful, and even (dare I say it?) fun.

This “studyblr” trend is a portmanteau of the words “study” and “Tumblr,” the social media platform where it originated.

On #studyblr, users share their favorite studying techniques and post photos of lecture notes transcribed in impeccably neat handwriting, frequently amassing thousands or hundreds of thousands of likes and shares.

EASTSIDE

Page 21

The fad has store,” said Ji. “You since expanded can personalize it on to Instagram, your own [and] work YouTube and, of on it at your own course, the East pace. I have about student body. two years down in Katie Cotmy bullet journal ter (‘18) began right now.” implementing Studyblr also has a color-coding a large focus on colsystem in her lecting unique school notes to keep supplies, particuup with the dellarly the adorable uge of material and colorful writing she faced upon utensils produced by entering high many Japanese staschool. tionery companies.

“There was Cotter and Ji love just so much using pastel marker/ to learn, so I highlighter hybrids started writing called Zebra Mildlin[different topers and gel pens from ics] in different the store Muji, both colors. It helped Courtesy of Shina Park (‘19) of which are made in me organize The notebook of Shina Park (‘19).

Japan. things,” she “I like to decorate said. “It started my notes with cerimprove her studying habas something I did to help tain colors, colored penits. me study…now I do it becils [and] pretty pens,” Ji It inspired her to start cause I enjoy it.” said. “It really makes the taking pretty notes and to Similarly, Katherine Ji studying process fun and it create a “bullet journal,” a (‘18) discovered the studymakes me want to learn.” custom do-it-yourself planblr community in her freshThe studyblr trend isn’t ner. man year when she was just about aesthetics, ei“It’s not a regular planlooking online for ways to ther—while improving ner you might find at a

one’s grades by surfing the web seems counterintuitive, its proponents report that putting more care into their schoolwork has improved their academic achievement.

“Usually when I’m taking tests or studying, I picture my notes in my head,” said Cotter. “So when I spend a long time writing something in a particular way, it helps me visualize it better.”

Others find camaraderie, motivation and clarity in sharing advice and experiences with fellow students.

“What I think is incredible about this community is that they’re inspiring each other to work harder,” said Ji. “[It’s] helped me get things done and understand what my goals are.”

Only time will tell if studyblr marks a revolution in teenagers’ work ethics or if it is merely a passing craze.

But hey—if it makes going to school a little less miserable for students, who’s to complain?

Hoping to explore odd spots in NJ?

Check out the Gingerbread Castle and Neon Rocks

Courtesy of Cory Seamer

Courtesy of Sterling Hill Mining Museum

Ogdensburg, New Jersey, displays fluorescent rocks.

The Ginger Bread castle hides in the small-town of Hamburg, New Jersey. tel. building that holds an imdance of radiant colors. kids in the STEM field, we ■ By Jamison Amistoso (‘19) Bennet hired Austrian pressive reputation.

“We blast the minerals run astronomy programs, Eastside Staff Joseph Urban to create the Located in Ogdensburg, with high energy [or energy and we provide teacher candy dreamhouse in 1928 New Jersey, the Fluoreswaves], and as a result, the learning programs to help New Jersey has been using materials that recent Rocks of Sterling Hill rocks radiate different colnew teachers with their caaround since its creation on sembled actual candy. The Mines excavation site and ors,” Kroth said. reers.”

December 18, 1787. With attraction site remained museum offers the experiDepending on how strong The staff is amiable tothe state’s 230 years of expopular from its release in ence of traveling through a the energy waves are, difwards anyone, and the acistence, there are bound to the 1930’s, but it gradually location of dug-up rocks, as ferent colors will come out. tivities help students learn be facts in which the majordeclined in popularity durwell as touring a museum.

Fluorescent Rocks is more about the science ity of its citizens are still ing the 1980’s.

Bill Kroth is the CEO, more than just a company. field. Students can experiyet to recognize.The abanToday, the remains now President and Executive Workers and managers ence fun while they learn at doned Gingerbread Castle, resemble a gothic sort of arDirector of Fluorescent there have more important the same time. located in Hamburg, New chitecture with signatures Rocks. He has been rungoals than just profit.

Any student wanting to Jersey, exhibits realistic of little children scribbled ning the industry since its “Our structure is like a further his or her knowldesigns depicting candy all over the stairs and walls debut in 1991. He explains school or church. We strive edge on a variety of suband fairytale characters. of the area. The only places how the industry’s mines not only to make a place for jects and experience NJ’s This run-down, deserted that remain open for public are like no other. money but primarily for enzany culture should visit castle was once an imagitourism are the front gates, “Our mines are super tertainment. We want kids these interesting hidden, nary fairy-tale paradise dethe parking lot (which constrong and permanent,” to learn about science,” said and somewhat odd, gems signed for kids back in the tains a Humpty-Dumpty said Kroth. “We primarily Kroth. within the state.

20th century. The idea of statue) and the inside of mine the material zinc. It’s The 65-year-old CEO The Gingerbread Castle inventing a castle for kids the castle. With its spooky incredibly rich.” remains optimistic about is located at 50 Gingerarose from a man named looks, the castle may apZinc is not the only the future of Fluorescent bread Castle Road, HamFred Henry Bennet. The pear intimidating at first, source of attraction at the Rocks. burg, New Jersey. inspiration for making the but visitors often experimines. As tourists visit, “We emphasize educaThe Sterling Hill Mines castle came from watching ence awe. they are accompanied by tion. We have programs are located at 30 Plant St, the movie Hansel and GreIt’s interesting to see a rocks emanating an abunthat give scholarships to Ogdensburg, New Jersey.

SPORTS

Page 22

EASTSIDE

February 2018

JCC offers students a convenient option for exercise ■ By Adam Dashevsky (‘19)

Eastside Sports Editor

What do many students do after the bell rings?

Some go to after-school clubs, some participate in sports and some rush to the parking lot to beat the busses. Although East offers a lot of different activities after school, just across the street from East at 1301 Springdale Road is the Betty and Milton Katz Jewish Community Center (JCC).

The JCC offers many students at East the opportunity to work out, play basketball and work with kids. It even holds swim practices for a portion of the swim team. The convenience of the JCC is its most significant appeal, offering all students the chance to do many different things in such close proximity to the school.

The newly renovated fitness center in the JCC possesses everything from free weights and Olympic bars for lifting to treadmills, ellipticals and bikes for a cardio workout. If a student who is new to the JCC were to stop by and view the gym, he or she would see numerous peers grinding it out in order to stay healthy and get stronger.

Jake Swerdloff (‘18) said, “The JCC is so convenient. I can walk there from school.

When I go to the gym, I

work out, and after that, I will play some basketball with my friends.”

Whether it is 90 degrees outside in June, or even if it is 30 degrees out in January, anyone driving on Kresson Road can see a line

team. This is why many students participate in the Martin Tepper Memorial Community Teen Basketball League. Students with seven to ten of their friends join together on Wednesdays to engage in an or-

school make their trip to the JCC and wait for students in kindergarten to fifth grade to arrive in busses. From there, the East students do many different activities with the kids such as gaga, karaoke, arts

Emily Saidel (‘19)/ Eastside Staff

Michael Marchetti (‘18) lines up to attempt a free-throw. of kids taking the five-minute walk to the JCC. The JCC also offers two basketball courts where a member can see countless East students waiting to play a game of pick-up basketball with their classmates. In an athletic and competitive sports town such as Cherry Hill, not everyone can make the East boys’ or girls’ basketball

ganized basketball league with real refs and team shirts.

Mikey Gvili (‘18) said, “[The JCC] basically gives us an opportunity to play in a league with friends and people from other friend groups. It’s very fun and I can’t wait for this season.”

The JCC also offers jobs for high school students.

Many East students after

Gym class should have the same activities each year

■ By Michael Poulshock (‘19)

Eastside Staff

Despite common misconceptions about gym activities at East, most students enjoy playing volleyball, basketball and badminton throughout their time at East.

These activities have become units that students look forward to during the school year.

From freshman year to senior year, every student gets the opportunity to play activities they would otherwise not play out of school. Having recurring sports in gym allows students to build on newly learned concepts and develop skills to perform at a high level over the years. For example, freshmen at East will learn how to serve in volleyball, eventually leading to a tournament where their knowledge and skill of the game are put to the test.

Over the next few years, the basic concepts are built on to increase the skill level of the students, making tournaments more competitive across all recurring sports in gym. By junior year, students understand how to execute the basic skills. This leads to them making fewer mistakes, which makes the game competitive. Students feel confident in themselves and their ability to go up and spike the ball and enjoy playing their peers in sports.

If gym activities were constantly changing, a student would not be able to develop the skills necessary to play competitively. Continuity

allows students to develop their skills because most of the sports that are played in gym class cannot be played outside of gym class due to a lack of organized leagues.

We should continue to have the same gym activities in order to familiarize students with sports they do not usually play outside of school and build a friendly, competitive environment.

Share your thoughts with us on Twitter: @EastsideOnline

and crafts and more.

Justin Tobolsky (‘18) said, “The JCC is right down the street, so I never have to be worried about being late to work. The JCC is like a family. I’m friends with everyone, from my coworkers to my bosses.”

Additionally, Kaela Segal (‘19) said, “Working at the JCC is a very good job for people in high school.

We can just walk over, and working with the kids is very fun.”

As mentioned before, the JCC is also home to part of the East swim team. Although many of the East swimmers practice with their club swim teams, some come to the JCC throughout the week and swim in the Olympic-sized pool. Boys’ coach Mr. Joe Cucinotti and girls’ coach Ms. Anita Bowser genuinely appreciate the JCC and its accessibility.

Cucinotti said, “Having the JCC right here and the time they give us, it allows me to really identify the swimmers who don’t participate in club. I can see where their strengths lie and where their stroke needs development. Having it right here allows us to get in right after school, get right in the pool and get to work.”

Phillip Roncace (‘19) said, “We can get a ride from the seniors and go directly [to the JCC]. We can use the flippers there, we can use the kickboards and we can use the pads between the legs.”

The JCC offers a plethora of different activities for East students, and they promote a healthy lifestyle and a strong work ethic for those who decide to take advantage of the many opportunities provided there.

Gym class should not have the same activities each year

volleyball and definitely not everyone wants to do track and field.

Most gym sports will elicit competition among the students for the Unfortunately first week or so, but that competifor students entive nature quickly fades as many rolled at Cherry students watch from the sideline as Hill East, physical they talk to their friends. education classes Students need a variety of activiare repeated each ties to avoid boredom. It is not fair year. Not everyone to the students who do not enjoy wants to play basknock-out to watch from the sideketball, not everyone wants to play line and get no physical activity in during their class. For this reason, it is important that the physical education curriculum adds new gym activities each year. There are many new options that East can incorporate into the physical education curriculum.

For one, East has multiple ping pong tables in its possession and they remain relatively unused year in and year out. It is time we put the tables to good use.

Additionally, in the spring semester, flag football is a feasible option that is never organized and played. If neither of those seems appealing, I believe that indoor hockey would make for some great competition.

After all, rolling around David Le (‘18)/ Eastside Underground Editor on a scooter with a ball, or playing only racket sports is bound to call for some necessary changes. Given these points, gym activities in the school should change and rotate to avoid boredom and repetition. Students need exposure to a diverse collection of sports and activities. In a class where the point is to allow kids the chance to participate in physical activity, it is time that gym class has enticing options.

■ By Ross Cogan (‘19)

Eastside Staff

February 2018

SPORTS EASTSIDE

Page 23

DiDonato jumps into action on the ice skating rink ■ By Jiseon Lee (‘20)

Eastside Photo Editor

“I went to my friend’s birthday party and I saw one of the higher-level figure skaters and I went ‘I want to do that! I want that to be me!’” said Tabitha DiDonato (‘21).

DiDonato is a student at Cherry Hill East who takes a half-day schedule to pursue her dream of competing at the World Figure Skating Championships.

DiDonato started figure skating at the age of four after being inspired by professional figure skaters. When her parents first found out she was interested in becoming an ice skater, they were very supportive.

“My mom skated when she was little...so she supports me a lot... I love that,” said DiDonato.

Four may sound like a very early age to begin ice skating; however, according to DiDonato, this is not the case.

“I started [ice skating] late. I’m like the underdog.

All of my friends that are younger than me that up my level started when they were about three,” said DiDonato. “They get [several] lessons a week... I only get a few lessons a week.”

Although she does not obtain the same number of lessons as the other skaters, she explained how that does not affect her accomplishments.

“I’m advancing past the students that are getting

lessons every single day,” said DiDonato.

Every day before school, DiDonato attends her figure skating practice for three to four hours.

“I get [to the ice skating rink] really early and then I’ll warm up off ice and then I’ll do jumps,” said DiDo-

I’m doing and he’ll put me on the harness to show me new stuff so that I don’t fall and break anything,” said DiDonato However, DiDonato does not let figure skating interfere with her education.

With the help of online classes, she is able to com-

es, sometimes at ice skating rinks.

“I’ll do [online classes] at the rink... I have a short break so I’ll sometimes do it then or I’ll do them after school with my homework,” said DiDonato.

DiDonato is very passionate about ice skating, but she also participates in cross country at East.

She expresses her affection for cross country and explains how much she enjoyed the idea of having a team. She loved cross country and found it a great experience for her.

Because ice skating was such an individual sport and very isolating for her, having a team for cross country felt amazing.

“Skating is really isolating and you don’t really have a team per se,” said DiDonato. “So when I did cross country at East, [the school] Photo Courtesy of Tabitha DiDonato (‘21) worked with me so DiDonato practices one of her moves on the ice skating rink.

I could come and do cross country.”

DiDonato also nato, explaining her daily plete all of the classes that earned a varsity letter for practice routine. are necessary. In school, cross country which she is “I’ll do just edges and she takes geometry, biolvery proud of. stuff to get my body warm ogy, French and English.

“I couldn’t have done and then I’ll start jumps The rest of her classes are it without my team and and spins and footwork. taken online, including coach.” said DiDonato, who And if I have a lesson, then health and World Civiligives thanks to her coach my coach will come and zations. She finds time to and her cross country team. help correct me on what squeeze in her online class“Coach Maniscalco was

great. And my team...it was a great feeling having a team,” said DiDonato.

DiDonato would definitely join winter track if she did not have several injuries this past cross country season. Cross country has not only made her physically stronger, but it gave her the team aspect she had never experienced before as a figure skater.

DiDonato competes in several ice skating competitions. Some of the competitions are regionals and sectionals. However, she enjoys more local competitions such as competitions held in New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and New York.

Not only has she competed in all of theses competitions, but she has won many awards as well.

“I’ve won awards for choreography and my jumps…

I get medals every competition I go to,” said DiDonato.

Medals are not the reason DiDonato continues to ice skate. She enjoys the fact that ice skating is a way for her to make her own accomplishments and to learn from her own mistakes. She likes the idea of accomplishing and achieving success on her own. But that is not her only reason.

With the help and support of her family and friends, DiDonato has been and will continue to reach to achieve her goal. She will strive to step foot on the ice of the World Figure Skating Championships and work hard to win the title.

Mahoney and Trombetta fly down the snowy mountains

comb in British Columbia, hours, bonds were made.

Skiing and snowboardCanada, where her family We were all blasting muing are unique skills that has taken a few vacations. sic… It was a lot of fun,” many people never learn in “[Whistler Blackcomb] said Trombetta. their lifetime. Being able A mountain full of white is beautiful. It’s my favorAll of the students who to share that experience dusty powder. The temite place to ever be,” said went on the trip shared the with both old friends and perature a frigid 32 degrees Trombetta.

Fahrenheit. Your black, Similarly, Mahoney heavy North Face jacket learned to ski when she is zippered up high as you was in kindergarten. stand on top of the mounHer parents taught her tain, gazing down to the how to ski, and little bottom. It would be quite did she know, a feat to skiing would t r a v e l become one of down that her passions. mountain She brought safely. that passion to T h a t Killington, Vermountain mont, her favoris where ite place to ski.

Kira Ma“[Killingh o n e y ton’s] season is (‘18) and very long… Any Victoria weekend or long T r o m weekend we betta (‘18) have I go there,” find themsaid Mahoney. selves in Both of the their natgirls are part of ural habithe East Outtat. Madoors Club. honey, a Photo Courtesy of Kira Mahoney (‘18) Mahoney, a Mahoney and her friends enjoy the East ski trip. skier, and member since T r o m freshman year, betta, a and Trombetta, s n o w member since passion of skiing and snownew friends was priceless boarder, Photo Courtesy of Victoria Trombetta (‘18) a sophomore year, boarding, which allowed for for Trombetta. Her favorite look for- Trombetta snowboards down a mountain. both went on the ski bonds that will last forever. part of the trip was being ward to trip that the club This trip was different from able to do what she loves their time ers learned how to snowtook last Martin Luther any other ski trip the girls with other people who love on top of that mountain evboard, which prompted her King Jr. weekend in Januwent on. it too. ery winter. That mountain to learn how to do it as well. ary. The club went to KillMahoney’s favorite part No mountain, no matis a place where Mahoney At around twelve years ington, Vermont, to hit the of the trip was her time ter how tall, will scare and Trombetta can forget old, Trombetta first made slopes and have some fun. spent on the slopes with Mahoney and Trombetta. about all of the drama gothe switch from skiing to The club experienced a lot her friends. She described Standing on dusty white ing on in their lives and snowboarding. She has not of bonding through skiing, the experience as somepowder in below freezing focus on their passions: skilooked back ever since. Her bowling and long bus rides. thing totally different from temperatures is what Maing and snowboarding. favorite place to hit the “When [I was] stuck on any trips her family would honey and Trombetta call “You are just focusing on slopes is Whistler Blacka bus with them for eight take. their home. what you are doing. [Snow■ By Sophie Levine (‘19)

Eastside Sports Editor

boarding] just gives you so much freedom,” said Trombetta.

Trombetta uniquely learned to snowboard. She first started by skiing, which she learned from her father. Trombetta’s father taught her and her two brothers when she was four years old. Throughout the years, Trombetta’s broth-

February 2018

SPORTS EASTSIDE

Impagliazzo perfects his craft through years of hard work and determination

■ By Jacob Kernis (‘20)

Eastside Sports Editor

eighth grade, he was not one of the best. He wrestled all three years of middle school, but still was not at the top of the pecking order. Every offseason Impagliazzo worked to improve his skills, but it did not immediately translate into large success. However, the lack of success did not continue in his freshman and

school to run practices as well as conditioning. Impagliazzo lifted three days a week at the weight room in East.

He competed in teen tournaments throughout the summer as well as practices with different clubs. During the fall, he joined Combat Wrestling, a year-round wrestling club

The sweat-stained mats.

The heat-filled room with the foul odor from the bodies of teenage boys using all their might to defeat their opponents. The constant physical strain put upon the wrestlers themselves.

As wrestling captain, Blake Impagliazzo (‘18) exits the locker room of the East basement into his first practice for the last time as a Cougar.

Unlike most that would dread the work for the upcoming season, he relishes in it.

Impagliazzo, a fouryear wrestler at East, has consistently enhanced his skills as a wrestler throughout his years in the Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Staff sport. During his four years at Blake Imagliazzo (‘18) takes down his opponent in a match.

East, he has had drastic increases in sophomore years at East. at Scanzano Sports Center. wins, going from 7-17 as a He did not have one As well as all the training, freshman, 4-12 as a sophoof the best records on Impagliazzo ate as much as more (out for the first half the team, but as a young he could to gain weight for of the season due to a knee wrestler, there was potenthe season. injury), 20-13 as a junior tial in his athleticism. As Impagliazzo is constantand 21-3 as a senior. The a junior he made a giant ly trying to improve work ethic put forth every increase, quintupling his his game from offseason after years of failwins from four to twenty. the last ure translated into major During his senior year in y e a r , success on the mat. the 170-weight class, he is and his Around the age of nine, leading the team in wins work like most younger siblings, and by example through ethic Impagliazzo wanted to be his work ethic. comhis older brother.

Despite hours of train“I wanted to be like my ing during the season, Imbig brother and do what pagliazzo’s real improvehe was doing,” said Impament last year came in the gliazzo. offseason. Last spring, ImHis brother, four years pagliazzo and the team creolder, wrestled at East for ated a new club outtwo years. Watching his side of older brother start a journey led to Impagliazzo eventually being the top wrestler at East but it began as a struggle.

At Carusi Middle School, in sixth and seventh grade before transferring to Rosa in

bined with his great coaching has molded him into a great wrestler.

During all four years as a wrestler, he has been surrounded by great coaches.

As well as Mr. Mike Brown, East head coach, all of his assistant coaches worked with Impagliazzo during his four years to help him improve.

“I think they help me a lot. If I was at any other school, I wouldn’t be as much of a help [to the team],” said Impagliazzo.

Impagliazzo, one of three seniors on the team, has also taken more responsibility to help an inexperienced team. The team lost most of its roster in last year’s senior class, and Impagliazzo lost all his wrestling partners.

The current team consists of mostly freshmen and sophomores.

“There are a lot of new kids that haven’t even wrestled and they are trying to adapt as much as they can. It’s hard to push them because sometimes if they can’t do it, it can be frustrating but it’s [about] understanding,” Impagliazzo said.

For the remainder of his senior season, he set a goal of a 25-win minimum. He looks to finish his last year with a much better record than all of his previous seasons.

“I don’t plan on losing [for the rest of the season], but losses come and go,” said Impagliazzo.

As his wrestling career as a Cougar is coming to an end, he has received multiple offers from different schools, but it depends on his career path and his major.

“When I started out I was pretty bad, and I think it was just my athleticism and my work ethic as well as all the offseason stuff…

As a freshman I wasn’t that strong and throughout high school I have moved up five weight classes,” said Impagliazzo.

It took immense work every offseason to refine his skills, as well as having the discipline to continue to challenge himself throughout years of pain and hard work. Impagliazzo uses his work ethic and strong influences around him to be greatly successful throughout his East wrestling career.

Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Staff

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What’s “Drew” in Sports?

■ By Drew Hoffman (‘18)

Eastside Multimedia Director

R o l l Tide.

Go Bucks. We Are. These slogans are not just sayings heard worldwide. They are new persuasion factors for application rates at different schools. While academics are the number one reason to attend a university, a lot of schools have gained popularity through the success of their athletic programs. Whether they are a football juggernaut like Alabama or an unlikely eight seed making it to the Final Four, the legacies left by these schools have caused many soon-to-be applicants to reconsider their options.

Take UCF as an example. It is nationally known as a huge party school while also boasting the second-largest undergraduate enrollment. However, its recent 13-0 season has turned heads and will provoke more applicants than ever before. The university now has a competitive football program, a huge appeal for many applicants who want that in their college experience.

The success of college teams does not just help with appeal, it also helps the college academically.

A championship will raise application numbers, and with that comes a lower acceptance rate because the school can only take a certain number of students.

According to The Atlantic, “schools that perform unexpectedly well in the NCAA Tournament net more prospective students the following year.” As college teams continue to become more competitive, so do admissions.

There are schools that have always been popular destinations for their sports. Alabama, Michigan and UCLA are just some of many schools that have a long, cherished history of Division I sports. Then there are schools such as Florida Gulf Coast, a school that made a Cinderella run to the Sweet 16 as a 15seed. FGCU’s application rate boomed after that run, because it became a popular, more household name.

I grew up knowing that I always wanted to attend a school where sports are part of the lifestyle. Some want a smaller, less spirited school. Others choose to go my route. As the years go on, however, many formerly competitive programs change based on the level of talent on their rosters.

After this year’s college football national championship and upcoming March Madness tournament, watch the championship contenders experience a boost in applications in 2018 and many years beyond.

It always happens.