Eastside: May 2016

www.eastside-online.org

East bids farewell to Dr. Chapman

Vol. 49 No. 8

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

■ By Ashley Cooper (‘17) and Courtney Finnegan (‘17)

Eastside Underground Editor and Eastside News/Features Editor

On February 26, Dr. Lawyer Chapman met with the East faculty for what would be one of his last times. There, Chapman delivered a statement at the meeting that notified the staff that his time as principal would end soon.

The statement read, “It is with mixed emotions that I announce to you today that effective July 1, 2016, a new principal will be assigned to East. My season and my work here will be done. Our days of working together are numbered.

We have about four months, or 80 school days remaining. I will be going back to Malberg as a ‘principal on special assignment.’”

Thus, as the close of the 2015-2016 school year quickly approaches, East will have to say a farewell to Dr. Chap-

May 2016

pal at Cherry Hill West, and dedicating himself as the assistant superintendent of the entire Cherry Hill School District.

Nonetheless, out of all of his experiences, Dr. Chapman considers his time at East his most fulfilling.

“I feel that the sky’s the limit here.

I think the kids here, the scholars here, are just so wonderful,” said Dr. Chapman.

And many of the East “scholars” feel the same about Dr. Chapman, too.

On June 16, 2016, Dr. Chapman will recite his iconic morning greeting for the final time. Dr. Chapman describes East as “a caring community of scholars with a lifestyle of respect, kindness and gratitude and service to others, while striving for excellence in all that we do,” a statement that has evolved tremendously since he first said it back in September of 2013.

“My heart will always be with you. I am an East scholar and Cougar forever.”

-Dr. Lawyer Chapman man. For three years now, Dr. Chapman has led the East community into an era of award-winning success. Ranging from World Championships in Robotics to attaining a national ranking of 85 in the country in Newsweek, it is clear that East has made great strides over the past three years.

During the 2016-2017 school year, Dr. Chapman will assume the role of principal at Cherry Hill’s own Alternative High School, Malberg; therefore, although Chapman is leaving East, he is not parting from the school district altogether. While at Malberg, Dr. Chapman will be overseeing Cherry Hill’s character education and culture proficiency programs. Dr. Chapman first hopes to familiarize himself with the faculty and students at Malberg and “get to know what is going on there,” he said.

Dr. Chapman said, “[I hope to] continue the positive things that are going on and then identify what else needs to be done.”

Prior to East, Dr. Chapman has had a plethora of experience in education. For over 20 years, Dr. Chapman has dedicated himself to educating others. His previous experiences include working in the Philadelphia School District as an administrator supervisor and teacher, having leadership roles in the Cherry Hill School District as a principal at Thomas Paine and an assistant princi-

Dr. Chapman has purposely used this phrase repeatedly, in hopes that it will positively influence the East community.

“I have learned that if you have a message, and you make it very clear, and you repeat it over and over and over again, it will sink in,” said Dr. Chapman.

“And by my continuing to say and talk about us being a caring community, and that we strive for excellence in all that we do, I just feel that that’s happening all around me. If you look around and you see the accomplishments that our scholars are making, it’s fantastic, and I will carry that with me wherever I go.”

Even after his departure, Dr. Chapman hopes that the school continues to be “a caring community of scholars where they all strive for excellence in all that they do,” he said.

“I really want to see that continue,” added Dr. Chapman.

Though he is leaving East this year, Dr. Chapman wants to assure students that he “will forever be grateful for the past three years,” he said.

“This became my dream job, and I loved every minute. My heart will always be with you. I am an East scholar and Cougar forever,” Dr. Chapman said.

Undoubtedly, Dr. Chapman is a figure whom any East student from the past three years will never forget.

Visit eastside-online.org for special coverage on Dr. Chapman

Inside This Issue

Jacob Borowsky (‘16)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Society of Scholars News/Features, Pg. 2

Breakfast of Champions Underground, Pg. 18

Sport of Love Sports, Pg. 20

NEWS/FEATURES

Page 2

EASTSIDE

May 2016

Art Department transforms East Gym into an Enchanted Forest ■ By Jenn Pacitti (‘17)

Eastside News/Features Editor

Approximately five decades ago, the Performing and Visual Arts Society (PAVAS) began at East, creating a tradition of recognizing students’ talents and hard work in a variety of art forms.

Members of PAVAS, as well as many other departments, annually join together to showcase these talents in the form of an art show.

On May 18, the East Art Show will once again occur along with the 2016 PAVAS inductions.

This year’s theme is Enchanted Forest, which will come together as a culmination of artwork, music and food.

Around 1,000 contributors from Photography, 3D Art, Foundations of Art, Small Engines, Graphic Design, Drafting, as well as several other classes, will bring their pieces to display. From photos, to paintings, to architectural models, art of all forms will be showcased.

“Everybody has the opportunity to display some artwork. Some kids may only display one piece, and some may take up an entire wall. 3D will have their pieces on display in the middle of the room where it will be on a table. We will also have artists that will be working on paintings and drawings and so forth,” said Mr. Bill Kovnat, photography teacher and co-adviser of PAVAS. “Mr. [Cecil] Leonard will also have an area where he will demonstrate the rocket cars, so he has

that going. The cool thing is we also have... Leonard and his band playing, so we have music supplied by our department as well.”

Set-up for the show will begin the day before in the East Gym. Each art class will come in one at a time to set up its art in preparation for students and teachers to visit on May 18 during the day or that night.

The Art Show is one of the only opportunities many have to show off their hard work and talent throughout the year.

“If you think about it, the other arts, like music, they have their evening. They have… all sorts of showcases, in which to show what they are doing,” said Kovnat.

“No one really knows or sees w h a t we do in our Art Departm e n t except for that one evening.”

The show is especially important t o those to be inducted into PAVAS. This society consists of seniors who have taken at least two years of any art class at East. These students are nominated by their teachers.

“To be inducted into that society, you really need to show a whole lot of creativity. You need to be able to have a really open mind and think outside the box and do things people don’t normally expect,” said Alyssa Bohem (‘16), co-president of PAVAS. “It’s really an hon-

or… It’s just kind of saying addition this year in the For many, the recognito the students that the form of its Instagram page. tion from being featured in teachers see you, they see Students’ art is featured on the Art Show or on the Inyou doing a great job with the social media account stagram page is the result whatever you do, whether in order to showcase the of their work in developing it be theatre, whether it work they have completed skills and discovering talbe 3D Art, whether it be throughout the year. This ents. Many students have photography, whether it be band. It’s a recognition that they have seen what we do.”

As part of PAVAS, students are given the task of designing their own mask, including their personality and creativity into the design.

“The tradition [is] that each student is given a mask, and they are to Courtesy of @eastart08003 create some- The East Art Department posts photos on its Instagram account in thing with it preparation for the Art Show display. which shows something of their arts, of their talents, of their backway, those outside of the been working hard on their ground, of their experience, Art Department can remain pieces since September. of something,” said involved in the progress of Bohem said, “The art Kovnat. “What is the various art classes up show is really important bereally interestuntil the Art Show at the cause it gives the students ing is if someend of the school year. a way to show who they one really does “It’s called EastArt and really are and to express the mask well, can be searched as themselves, and it is really people should ‘eastart08003’… The great to show the types of be able to purpose is to bring our talents these kids have… recognize artwork to a broader And these kids are insanely part of them audience and to show stutalented, I work with some in the mask… dents that their artwork of the great photography It started back is relevant to the outside students, and some of the in theatre. They world. The possibility of stuff is just mind-blowing. have the comcommunication through It is just really good to have edy and tragedy this medium is incredible,” them express themselves.” masks, and it said Mrs. Cathie Morgan, The East Gym will transevolved into the fine arts teacher and coform into an Enchanted masks we have adviser of PAVAS. “Every Forest Art Show on May today over the day, I find awesome work to 18 throughout the day and years.” post. Unless you are in the will also be open from 6 to Along with preschool, you would never see 8:30 p.m. paring for the Art this work. Hopefully, the Art by Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Show, the Art DeEastArt page will change Eastside Art Director partment had a new this.”

the induction, 10 percent of the junior class and 20 percent of the senior class will be called forth to be given an accolade.

ductees, a ballot is put out to the students to select staff members to be given distinction during the event. This year, Mr.

Cum Laude inducts its newest class of students and teachers this honor,” said Dilks.

Part of the responsibilEastside Editorial Assistant ity of Cum Laude, however, East math teacher Mr. is functioning as a peer William Semus, his fellow tutor. Tutoring occurs in Cum Laude advisor Mrs. both the library Jodi Rinehart and their and in C225 student-run board have on Tuesdays, been preparing for one of Wednesdays and the most hectic parts of Thursdays. Yet the year for their orgaanother onus of nization. On May 12, the a Cum Laude Cherry Hill East Cum member is aidLaude Society will host ing in planning its annual induction certhe induction emony to recognize the ceremony. top achievers in the junior “We’ve had and senior classes, as well to arrange for as several East staff meman honorary inbers. ductee to come “It’s a great honor to in, getting lots be one of the advisors for of paperwork Cum Laude because the out, in terms of students are really fanletters to the tastic students all the way students inaround, and it’s a great dicating that opportunity for me to be they’ve been acinvolved in the school in cepted into Cum Madeline Bowne (‘16)/ Eastside Video Editor a way that’s not strictly Last year’s Cum Laude class stands proudly at inductions.

Laude, having as a teacher,” said Semus. meetings with “Some people are really both the seniors good at coaching, they’re “I’m really happy I’m Joseph Dilks, Mrs. Peggy and the juniors to get them athletic. That’s not really in [Cum Laude], and it’s Hager, Mrs. Marilyn DiCiorganized for the induction me to be perfectly honest. something I can really be urcio and Mr. Bob Hulme ceremony,” said Semus.

This is a way to give back proud of,” said Alyson Skwere chosen.

Juniors are required to the school a little bit.” loff (‘17), an inductee and “It’s an honor for anyto aid in one of the three Cum Laude acts as both co-chairperson for the Rebody to be selected as an preparation committees: an academic society and as freshments Committee. honorary inductee. I’m decorations, refreshments a service organization. At As for the honorary ingrateful to be thought of for or robes.

■ By Joshua Sodicoff (‘18)

Lauren Hurley (‘17) cochairs the Refreshments Committee, which is given the task of getting donations of food from businesses.

“I had to call businesses and ask to speak to their managers, but they often didn’t believe who we were.

We drove around to businesses and gave them a letter requesting their donation, and organized a time to get the food,” said Hurley of the work done thus far.

Even a few days after beginning the search, Pizza Fresca, Diane’s, Norma’s, Hong Kong Fusion and Dunkin Donuts had already shown interest in donating.

The committee did, however, have the extra benefit of a list of businesses that donated last year.

The other committees began their work closer to the date of the actual event, though all preparations needed to be done by May 1.

With all of the hard work and dedication being put in by all groups involved in the induction, this year’s ceremony should be as much of a success as the inductions of years past.

NEWS/FEATURES

May 2016

EASTSIDE

Students receive honors at People’s Choice Awards

■ By Sari Cohen (‘18)

Eastside News/Features Editor

For the last five years, the People’s Choice Awards retained positive feedback from those at East who were familiar with the event. With the popularity of the event rising amongst East faculty members, the Sixth Annual People’s Choice Awards is receiving greater recognition in the East community.

In the first three years of its existence, Mr. Darren Gamel ran the ceremony at East. For the past two years, Ms. Jennifer DiStefano and Ms. Sarah Cervo have co-hosted and advised the awards, as they will do this year on April 27.

“I believe that [the program] has gotten larger.

However, it could be even bigger,” said Cervo.

The People’s Choice Awards allows East faculty members to nominate students each year to receive an award, but each member can generally give out no more than two awards.

Faculty members use this opportunity to highlight students who stand out to them, whether it be in class, on the sports field or at an after-school club.

DiStefano said, “[The award] has to exemplify character, resiliency, just overall goodness of their daily lives.”

The award also gives student recipients an opportunity to feel good about themselves, according to DiStefano, as it delineates that the faculty is paying attention to the effort a student allots into his or her

work. riety of students re“Some ceive nominations kids know for awards. about [the The awards tend awards] to focus not solely and some on one group of stukids don't dents like athletes k n o w or those who excel anything in academics, but about [the instead attempt to awards],” grant recognition to said DiSthose students who tefano. fall somewhere in O n e between, or even to problem a student who exthat DiSemplifies the overtefano and coming of hindrancCervo enes in school that a countered teacher or other facis lack of ulty have noticed. participa“Oftentimes tion by the [students are] recEast facognized for good ulty. The grades, being a idea that good athlete,” said in order Cervo. “However, to give an sometimes stuaward, dents don't realize the faculty that teachers notice member that you struggle has to be with things and present at when you overcome the cerCourtesy of Mackenzie Iacona (‘16) them.” emony has Brooke Godorov (‘16) and Mackenzie Iacona (‘16) The students who c a u s e d won awards at the 2016 People’s Choice Awards. earn awards genervarious ally have a feeling faculty of excitement, acaward. DiStefano recogmembers to skip out on cording to DiStefano. nized Mr. Bob Hulme, Ms. this opportunity due to alThe staff members who Susan Nicolazzo and Mr. ready busy schedules. Last present awards also leave Robert Menta as staff who year, approximately 30 facthe ceremony with the adstay loyal to the People’s ulty members out of about vantage of feeling accomChoice Awards year after 150 chose to participate by plished and feeling as if year. nominating a student for they made an impact and “It can change a person,” the award. a difference, according to said DiStefano. “Think “There’s not a lot [who Cervo. about it, somebody who’s participate]… but I think Cervo said, “[Teachers] been really struggling, and it’s nice. It’s a small cerdo make a difference ev[a teacher] notice[s] that [he emony, and we always do a ery day whether we realor she is] doing really well, reception afterward,” said ize it or not, and I feel like it can lead [him or her] on DiStefano. this is another opportunity the path of continuing to do Despite this lack of parto make a difference in well. It can change someticipation, certain faculty someone’s life because this body’s path.” members tend to nominate award could go a really long In addition to a variety students every year for an way for someone.” of staff participation, a va-

World Language Department welcomes Honor Society ■ By Kaitlyn Boyle (‘17) Eastside Managing Editor

On Tuesday, May 17, the World Language Department will induct its first class of students into the World Language Honor Society.

“We wanted to have something to reward those who excel in language where they don’t normally excel in other areas,” said Ms. Rachel Boswell, the head of the Spanish branch of the honor society. “Lang u a g e courses are basically every single course in another l a n guage.”

In addition to Boswell, M r s .

Kristen P h i l lips and M r s .

Carmela Griffo are the heads of the French branch of the society, Mrs. Ann F e i n l e i b is the head of the German and Mrs. Nora Smaldore runs Latin.

The society was also created in an attempt to encourage students to take a language class all four years in order to wear a special cord at graduation, as well as to bolster their transcripts.

“Since the school has decided to offer seniors half days, we lost a lot of our 5A [students],” said Boswell.

Students who qualify for the honor society must be enrolled in a world language c l a s s l e v e l 3H and up for French a n d Spanish and 2 H a n d u p for German and Latin, with an A in the honors and A-level classes and a B at the AP level. Members must also complete 15 hours of community service or world language related activities each year; however, since the society was just announced this year, inductees this spring only needed

to submit five hours.

Boswell said that the 15 hours will not be difficult to obtain. The world language teachers plan to have homerooms where members can earn hours tutoring in their languages, in addition to choosing student leaders to help run cultural nights in the community.

The extent of the work u l t i mately d e pends on the participation of the students.

“We also intend to have a whole bunch of events.

There’s a lot that we are thinking of doing,” said Boswell. “We have to see the interest level.”

Luckily, many students seem extremely enthusiastic about participating in the society, especially those who excel in foreign languages.

Lia Yamamoto (’17), who is currently enrolled in Spanish, German and French, has always loved

learning other languages. “ I t takes a lot of work to be successful in world l a n guage classes, so I think it is great that East i s recognizi n g certain students and their work ethics,” said Yamamoto.

“Also, more personally, I feel like a world language honor society is more appropriate for me.

I'm not involved heavily in any science or business programs because my interest has been in foreign languages. So it will be cool to have a large, respected program that I really fit into.”

Yamamoto said, “The honors society will be a way for ‘language-lovers’ to be part of something extracurricular besides the culture clubs.”

Photo Illustration by Jacob Borowsky (‘16)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Page 3

The Boyling Point

■ By Kaitlyn Boyle (‘17) Eastside Managing Editor

High school graduation is not only one of the proudest moments of any parent’s life, but also an incredible personal accomplishment for all seniors. After four years of laboring over textbooks and putting in countless hours at after-school activities, graduates should not be blamed for wanting a bit of recognition for their hard work. One small, yet gratifying visual representation of these endeavors is the privilege of donning a cord or stole while walking at Temple University in June.

Cum Laude members showcase a golden stole, DECA Nationals qualifiers boast a similar stole in blue and, more recently, other groups have been attempting to gain approval for cords. The World Language Honor Society, for example, which is holding its first induction ceremony on May 17, has promised its inductees a cord. With an increasing number of honor societies and organizations attempting to showcase their accomplishments, some may wonder whether a restriction should be placed on the right to embellish the red or white robes. But why should only certain clubs get to share their hard work?

If DECA students have been permitted to wear a stole in the past, then other accomplished groups should also have the right. It is true that DECA has been one of East’s most successful programs, with students making it to Nationals every year; however, other groups such as East Robotics have competed in prestigious competitions, such as Vex Robotics World Championships. Both of these groups are equally deserving of a stole or cord.

On the other hand, there is also the potential of creating too much of a color splash at graduation. Thus, only certain, established clubs should have the honor of showcasing their feats. Requirements such as years active and accomplishments during those years could be used to determine those worthy of additional attire.

Similarly, if one department of the school decides to hold an honor society, then others should have the right to do so as well, so long as there are passionate students willing to be inducted. If the cords and stoles do become excessive to the point of frivolity, many honor societies can continue to offer other, less conspicuous adornments such as pins, while Cum Laude, which encompasses all subjects, could continue adorning members with the traditional golden stole.

Nonetheless, East students should be proud of everything that they do and have a right to share this with their peers and family members on June 16.

NEWS/FEATURES

Page 4

EASTSIDE

May 2016

Prom changes tax onto the cost of tickets ■ By Danny Naddeo (‘17) Eastside Staff

For many years, the Senior Prom has been held in Philadelphia in many venues throughout the City of Brotherly Love. However, this could be subject to change as the Senior Prom is no longer being considered tax exempt, resulting in the event becoming more expensive if it is held across the bridge.

While this fact will not affect the location of this year’s prom, due to the venue being booked before the change, it now poses the question of where the Senior Prom will be held in the future.

The issue of the increased cost is one that has yet to be seen in full effect, and so predicted impact that it will have on the attendance of the proms varies between SGA members.

Maddie Phillips (‘17), Junior Class President, thinks that the increase could be something that has an effect on next year’s Senior Prom, which is going to be held at Vie in Philadelphia.

“There’s a lot that goes

into figuring out a prom ticket price and trying to make it as low as possible,” said Phillips. “I think that if it raises a few dollars that it might have an impact, just because they’re already pretty e x pen-

sive.

[The cost is] a lot to ask for people to pay… It just really depends on where it is.”

To contrast with Phillips’s opinion, Grace Shen (‘16), Senior Class Vice President, feels that the

Senior Prom Locations 2013-2016

2013: Crystal Tea Room 100 E Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA

2014: Please Touch Museum

4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA

2015: The Vie

600 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA

2016: National Constitution Center 525 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA

Photos by Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor, Meghna Kothari (‘15)/ Former Eastside Editor-in-Chief and Abby Hoffman (‘14)/ Former Eastside Opinions Editor

bump in ticket price will have no effect on the students of East.

“I don’t think [the increase is] a very significant amount,” said Shen. “Prom tickets have, in the past, been around a hundred dollars. I think, since it’s such a big event, some people might be like, ‘Oh, why’s it a little more expensive this year,’ but I think a lot more people will still be willing to pay seven dollars [more] for the end of their senior year.”

One possibility that has been raised is to not have the Senior Prom in Pennsylvania anymore, as the prom will be tax exempt in New Jersey.

While some may find issue with this, Han-

nah Yankowitz (‘16) does not see this as a problem.

“I think it's really cool that Philadelphia is so close that we can use it to our advantage for the amazing places it has to offer,” Yankowitz said, “but New Jersey does have a lot of really great places that could be just as cool and cheaper as well.”

Ruby Goldstein (‘16) thinks that while having the prom in New Jersey would not be a problem, it would take away from the experience of Senior Prom.

“It’s inconsequential,” said Goldstein, “but staying in New Jersey would diminish the magic of Senior Prom a little bit. New Jersey is okay, but Philly is much cooler.”

Another way to combat the problem of the ticket price instability, and an idea that has been raised several times in the past for both the Junior and Senior Proms, would be to make a contract deal with a venue for a certain number of years at a time.

This would mean that for a set number of years, the Junior and Senior Proms would be held in the same place, and would allow SGA to negotiate a constant price for hosting prom in that venue.

However, it would also mean that future classes would have no say in

where their prom would be held, as the prom would have to be at that one location until the contract runs out.

Another issue is that there are plenty of students that go to most, if not all the dances, regardless of the class of the student. If a five-year contract were to happen in someone’s freshman year, and he or she went to the Junior Prom every year, that student would be going to that same location for four Junior Proms, as would someone who came to East in t h e class after him or her.

Adam Kriesman (‘18) is one of the many that would be affected by this, should a potential multi-year contract be put into place. “[The same location] would get old after a while,” said Kriesman. “I would like some variety, so it would be special every year.”

The issue of the contracts also extends into

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

the SGA, with Charlotte Montgomery (‘16), Senior

Class Vice President, raising some concerns of her own.

“I think it almost takes away from a lot of the power that the Student Government gets,” said Montgomery, “because part of our whole experience is going to these locations, finding what’s good about them, what’s bad about them, and I think that we really get a good say in deciding what our specific class wants.”

Senior Class President Lee RosenSwell (‘16) concurs.

“You don’t want monotony,” said Rosen-Swell.

“Every prom should be different. It shouldn’t be the same prom five years in a row…

It should be something new and special every time.”

One final option to counteract this problem of the ticket price is something that the SGA feels almost every student is against: hosting Senior and Junior Proms at East. However, Mr. Greg Gagliardi, Senior Class Advisor with Mrs. Katie Kelly-Radbill, thinks that having the prom in school would not be a terrible idea.

“There are a lot of [schools] in Pennsylvania...where having prom in school is a tradition that they love,” said Gagliardi, “because they have parades, they have the promenade in the gym, and they would never think of having prom anywhere else. If you have your prom at school, you save so much money because you’re not paying to have a rental, so you can do so much more with your money.”

Regardless of what SGA decides to do in the future, the Senior Prom this year will be at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and will not be tax exempt.

Now, the question that all students planning on going to the Senior Prom must ask themselves is: am I willing to spend several more dollars to go to promevery year?

May 2016

COMMUNITY EASTSIDE

A Global Phenomenon:

Page 5

Thai-Style ice cream rolls into Philadelphia

year and a half now, and it every single cup will be ina delicious confection by Checkoff (‘17), has been is finally being put to action credibly fresh. being mixed and kneeded with Billig since the start of Eastside Community Editor in Philadelphia. his Sweet “It was hard managing C h a r everything and a social life lie’s enWhat is now a barren, and school work there [in deavor. desolate building at 711 Arizona], but just like evCheckoff Walnut Street in the Washerything in life, you have was presington Square section of to make sacrifices. You give ent for Philadelphia will soon be and you get,” said Billig. the betransformed into an ice Billig has always been ginning cream paradise within the entrepreneurial and used stages of next few weeks. Proprietary to have many businesses the comowner and East graduate, growing up, including Chalpany and Kyle Billig (‘15), is opening lah delivery and snow reis still a up his first ice cream shop, moval. This project is by far big moSweet Charlie’s, which will the biggest one Billig has tivator specialize in Thai-Style ice created. The name, Sweet for Billig cream.

Charlie’s, was an easy decitoday as The Thai-Style ice cream sion because of Billig’s love another trend is a brand new global for his dog, Charlie. reason phenomenon. What is most “I just want to get through to work unique about this style of this one summer to start, hard to ice cream is that everything and we are working with succeed is “hand rolled” and made other entrepreneurs and in busifresh right on the spot, franchising at this point,” ness. which is why Sweet Charsaid Billig, whose end goal “Even lie’s will not have a freezer is to be able to expand his though anywhere in its shop. company and end up open[Billig] An entrepreneur from ing more locations. is in Aria young age, Billig has alSweet Charlie’s will be zona, he ways had an active, creative different from any other ice still inmind and is always ready Courtesy of Kyle Billig forms me cream shop in the region. to take on a new challenge.

The product is fresh and Billig proudly stands outside Sweet Charlie’s, just weeks before opening. of all the The original brain child behandmade without any ardetails of hind the shop actually came tificial preservatives, stabiOnce the ice cream has with metal spatulas in only his ice cream shop, which from Facebook. the ingredia matter of minutes. Sweet is very interesting,” said “I was ents, it is then Charlie’s only has one basic Checkoff, who is an entrescrollhand-mixed flavor, but many add-ins preneur himself and views ing down together unare encouraged and recomBillig as a motivator and a my Facetil it is able mended to make the treat mentor for pursuing a cabook feed to be spread unique. reer in business. “As a busiabout a thin and then Created flavors include ness person, you have to year and “rolled” with “Campfire,” which is comkeep your eyes open. Think a half a spatula prised of graham crackers, about how this all started. ago, and to finally be toasted marshmallows and He saw a video on Facebook I saw a served “roll Hershey’s chocolate. Anand look where it is now.” video of style” in a other flavor which is sure to After the grand opening this ice cup with the be a hit is “Off Duty,” which of Sweet Charlie’s, Billig cream bedesired topis made with premium cofwill be attending a business ing made. pings. fee grounds and doughnut school in Philadelphia, so I was in“From a holes. Of course, one can alhe can have a close watch trigued, health standways add in his or her own on the business while being and I point, it is toppings to this sweet treat able to continue his busiw e n t healthier including fresh fruit, candy ness education without hava h e a d because it and even sea salt. ing to constantly fly back a n d and forth looked up from Ariwhere in Courtesy of Kyle Billig zona to A m e r i c a The Thai-Style ice cream is hand-crafted. Pictured above Philly.

I could is the ice cream in its early stages.

Billig try it also is in out, and lizers and emulsifiers, which has no prethe proa year and a half ago it did keep the ice cream from goservatives, cess of not hit the American maring bad. The ice cream also zero grams setting up ket yet,” said Billig. contains zero grams of lacof lactose franchise Throughout the past tose, which is uncommon and no trans opportuyear and a half, other Thaito find in a traditional ice fat,” said Bilnities for Style ice cream businesses lig. “It is a business opened up across the counlot healthier owners try, and they were all very than your who are successful. regular inter“ I run-ofested in hopped the-mill getting r i g h t i c e involved into it,” w i t h Billig Thai ice said. “ I Courtesy of Kyle Billig cream.

B i l deThai-Style ice cream rolls are ready for consumption. lig ancidticipates e d cream.”

Other exciting flavors that Sweet Charlie’s will be i t Flavor include “Acai Berry,” compopular due to the set-up of w a s possibiliposed of the base flavor, the shop and having close t o o ties are acai berries, banana and customer interactions since good of endless granola and “Banana Nuthe ice cream is made right an opin the tella,” which is the base flabefore one’s eyes. portunity realm vor, bananas and Nutella.

Aside from franchising, to pass of ThaiThe acai and Nutella are in the future, Billig plans up, and I Style currently very trendy inon owning and operating started to i c e gredients, which could be a two more locations, one in work with an engicream. huge success when the shop Marlton and one in Marneer and develop a Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director T h e opens. gate, to make the ice cream machine [for the ice catch is All of Billig’s flavors are more accessible to people cream] and found a cream shop. These addithat there are no proprietary to Sweet Charwho are unable to come to nice little space.” tives are unnecessary be“set” flavors for this type lie’s, which also makes Philly to try this unique Billig, a freshman at cause the ice cream is creof frozen dessert. All of the them unique as opposed to confection.

Arizona State University ated in two minutes, and it ingredients are combined standard ice cream or froBeginning in early May, in Tempe, Arizona, has does not sit in a freezer for together on a metal slab bezen yogurt.

Philadelphia is about to get been planning his business extended periods, ensuring fore being hand-crafted into Long-time friend, Cole rolling. across the country for a ■ By Brooke Greenberg (‘17)

COMMUNITY

Page 6

EASTSIDE

May 2016

Ott’s opens its doors in new Voorhees location

exactly the same... The formula works, so why change it?” said Barsel.

The restaurant will funcAn exciting new edition tion on all of the same printo the Voorhees area, Ott’s, ciples, being a “family-run opened its doors on April business, kid-friendly 14, 2016. The Voorhees restaurant. It’s all famrestaurant is Ott’s sixth ily,” said Barsel. location. The other five For Ott’s atmosphere locations are in Mount and cuisine, it is a mix Holly, Delran, Medford, between a sports bar and Washington Township family restaurant. Some and Berlin. The sixth, Ott’s locations include in Voorhees, will be liquor stores adjoined to sure to cover all bases the restaurant. of South and Central Similarly, all locations Jersey. have the same menu, The restaurant’s including items such as original founder, DonHawaiian Nachos as an ald Bigley, purchased appetizer, Buffalo Bleu the first location in for the main dish and 1987, subsequently a Brownie Sundae for opening the next four dessert. Ott’s includes locations.

Brothers a full beverage menu, a Todd and Craig Bigley seasonal menu and speare now the owners of cialty drinks. the business, following The bar and grill is their father’s passing in open from 11 a.m. to 2 June. They plan to take a.m. Mondays through it to a whole new level Saturdays, and from 11 with this most recent a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunaddition. days.

The Bigley brothers Friday and Saturday decided on the new lonights feature live percation in the Ritz Cenformances from local ter, partly because “it’s bands, as well as weekly a great location. There specials and discounts [are] restaurants and on menu items. movie theaters,” said Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor Ott’s Restaurant Ott’s Delran co-manag- Ott’s opened its sixth restaurant in the Ritz Center in Voorhees. hopes to make a name er Steven Philips. for itself in the South The shopping cenhome of the long-standing a lot of bars anymore,” said ized.

Jersey region and add to ter boasts many successful restaurant chain, FriendTom Barsel, a lead employSimilar to other Ott’s the many thriving small shops and restaurants, inly’s. Friendly’s, in business ee at Ott’s’ Delran location, locations, the Voorhees businesses in Voorhees and cluding Pancheros Mexican for many years at that locawhich is a main reason for restaurant “will be almost Cherry Hill.

Grill, Coffee Works, Car■ By Sidra Isenberg (‘18)

Eastside Staff

mike Cinemas and many more. Also, a little bit down the road is the Flyers Skate Zone and a Marriott hotel.

Many people may know the location as the previous

tion, closed its doors a few years ago. Renovations for the location’s new inhabitant began months ago.

Additionally, the South Jersey area “doesn’t have

Camden’s favorite team finds a new home in CT

According to Philly.com, Camden County officials are working hard to have a Major League affiliated team move to Camden.

Baseball season has begun all “Moving forward, as the city conaround the country, but for the first tinues to grow with unprecedented time in 15 years, America’s national new investment, we want to ensure pastime will not be played profesa viable and stable tenant in Campsionally in Camden. In October 2015, bell’s Field for the foreseeable futhe Camden Riversharks baseball orture and make sure we are looking ganization announced that it would at all options,” said Camden Counbe ceasing operation due to its inabilty Freeholder Louis Cappelli in an ity to agree with the Camden County interview with NJ.com.

Improvement Authority on a Although the Riversharks new lease for its stadiwere never associated um, Campbell’s Field. with any Major League In an interview Baseball organization, with Philadelthey were still very phia Magazine, popular among Lindsay Rosenresidents of the berg, the gensurrounding eral manager area throughof the team, o u t said, “We their don’t want 1 5 to move. y e a r We want run. Acto stay in cording to Camden, an article but it’s out of on NJ.com, about our hands.”

3.5 million fans packed The Riverinto Campbell’s Field dursharks were ing their time in Camden, and a former member of the team often had various types the Atlantic League of promotional nights. Postgame of Professional Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director firework shows were Baseball, and always among the most had been playpopular of those promoing in Camden since 2001. There are tions. currently eight teams playing in the The team said as part of a stateleague, and the New Britain Bees, ment posted on its website when a brand new organization located it announced the news, “We did in New Britain, Connecticut, will everything we could to keep affordreplace the Riversharks starting in able, family entertainment alive 2016. and well in Camden.”

Campbell’s Field, a beautiful 6,700-seat ballpark located right next Riversharks’ Win-Loss Record to the Ben Franklin Bridge on the (2001-2015) Camden Waterfront, does not have a professional team to call it home as 945-1033 of right now, but that could change.

■ By Brandon Weinberg (‘16)

Eastside Staff

the restaurant’s opening in this area. After the construction of Ott’s in Voorhees, further plans to add an outdoor seating area are in the works, but not final-

COMMUNITY

May 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 7

Collingswood reopens seasonal farmers market ■ By Greg Rothkoff (‘19)

Eastside Staff

Nestled under the Collingswood stop of the PATCO Hi-Speedline and next to Haddon Avenue resides a place that some locals like to call their “Saturday morning ritual.” This place is officially named the Collingswood Farmers Market.

In 2000, local resident Pam Ciervo began the market as a project of the civic group Proud Neighbors of Collingswood. Though Ciervo no longer runs the market, and the market is now the project of the Borough of Collingswood, it still has flourished for the past 16 seasons and stands as a big tradition.

Laura Yaghoobian of Wild Flour Bakery, one of the participating vendors, has participated in the market since 2007. “[The market] is a great outlet to reach retail consumers who are interested in locally sourcing their

food and quality ingrediing apple pie and peach pie market in 2006. Waldron ents being used in the food contests. Allowing shoppers sells an assortment of over they are eating,” said Yagto get involved is definitely 25 different types of dog hoobian. a component of why the treats. Many of Waldron’s In a world where the market is such a big traditreats were developed for middle man of shopping for tion. customers who could not food is always in the way Erin Waldron of La eat store-bought brands beof freshcause of dietary needs. ness, the Therefore, most of Walmarket dron’s treats cater to does a food restrictions, like great job being wheat and sugar of creatfree. Through the profing inits made, Waldron supteraction ports local shelters, dobetween nates to international producer animal protection funds and conand even fosters two elsumer. ephants in Africa.

T h e “I chose the Collingmarket swood Farmer’s Market does not because it has a great only supsense of community to port local it,” said Waldron. “At vendors. the time I became a L o c a l vendor, I was a Collingmusicians swood resident, and it perform really helped me netCourtesy of Yelp.com work within the comt h e r e e v e r y The Collingswood Farmers Market is open every munity for business as w e e k - Saturday from May to Thanksgiving. well as socially.” end. The The market truly shoppers can also get inPooch Patisserie, a particidoes have a sense of comvolved with events includpating vendor, joined the munity to it. Rain or shine,

the market is always packed with local supporters. Many of the vendors participating in the market are local business owners who want to spread their names through a big tradition.

However, one should not put an emphasis on the “farmers” part of the name.

As harvest season winds down and the holidays start to draw near, a wide array of vendors supporting assortments of handmade crafts start to appear.

This is part of the market’s Handmade Holiday event, where different local craftsmen appear on a rotating basis.

Yaghoobian and Waldron agree that without a customer basis and people who respect locally grown foods, this market would not be possible.

As the market likes to put it, the hours and dates are Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, from May to Thanksgiving.

Each year, the Earth working at the festival are Day Festival appeals to all paid, the profit earned from people with its wide variety the festival goes towards of displays and entertainfurther programming withment. Eric Abrams (‘19), in Sustainable Cherry Hill, who volunteered at the fesenvironmental organizatival for its third year, said that there was “a ton that everyone can relate to.”

In addition to educational presentations and stands on display, there were also prizes to be won, games played and amazing performances that took place at the extremely inviting festival.

Abrams said that when he volunteered with Beck Middle School last year, the Environmental Club “made games to draw kids in…

They could win organic lollipops and make arts Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director and crafts out of recycled materials.” tions and two annual scholThe Beck club had also arships. made bracelets, and the Anything promoting the proceeds made were given environment’s wellness is towards helping an endanan amazing thing; howgered species. ever, “without the kid parAs only a few people ticipants, this would just

settes and Close Harmony, also attended the event.

As Jorett explained, an ultimate hope of the festival is that every single person who attended “can come home with one thing that [he or she] can want to change” in order to make a difference.

Jorett, along with Chen and Abrams, said that it is truly amazing that this festival draws the community together so well.

No matter what someone does to help the environment, Jorett said, it will make a difference when everyone pitches in.

“That is the beautiful thing about sustainability,” Jorett said. “What we do now affects our children, our grandchildren, our grandchildren’s children.”

By going to the festival and making a small difference every day, people can ensure a happier and healthier future and environment.

The Earth Festival went from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a family fun bike ride took place at 8 a.m.

More information can be found at sustainablecherryhill.org.

Cherry Hill continues to celebrate Earth Day at Croft Farm ■ By Rachel Mirsen (‘19)

For Eastside

On April 30, the annual Earth Festival took place at Croft Farm. The event, run by Sustainable Cherry Hill, has improved and expanded each year. It began in 2009 as a small event, where a few volunteers set up stands at their venue.

Now, the producer of the event, Ms. Brenda Jorett, said that “there are over 100 stands...with at least 85 total volunteers,” and the event has grown to become a well-known “collaboration with the township” as well as the rest of South Jersey.

Jorett had been volunteering at the festival since its start seven years ago, and she has been coordinating it for the past three years.

According to Jorett, this year’s festival was better than ever; not only were the vendor slots completely sold out, but there was also a new addition of bicycle parking, which encouraged people to be environmentally friendly before even reaching the venue.

be another festival,” Jorett said.

In addition to all the other volunteers and performers at this event, groups from every school in Cherry Hill run stands every year at the venue. Whether volunteering individually, like Abrams, or running a stand with East’s Environmental Club, many students from Cherry Hill and East are making a difference through their involvement with the festival.

The opportunities do not end with running a program, either; many Cherry Hill students performed at the upcoming event.

Nicole Chen (‘19), along with several other East students, performed with Kempo Family Fitness Center. Other students and people from all over Cherry Hill and nearby towns also performed various acts.

Happy Feet Dance Studio and Artists in Motion Dance Studio performed, along with bands, such as Carusi’s Jazz Band. Several choral groups, including Rosa Middle School’s Ro-

New exhibit pops in the Philadelphia Museum of Art ■ By Sara Messinger (‘17) Eastside Staff

Now on view at the Philadelphia Museum of Art is the International Pop Art Exhibit. The much-anticipated exhibit showcases 150 works from more than 80 artists and 16 countries, utilizing different mediums including sculptures, prints, collages and films.

Strolling through the exhibit is like walking through years of pop culture. The museum includes many historical pieces which depict the attention of the media in the 1930s through the 1970s. Most notably, Mao (1937) by Thomas Bayrle draws a parallel between Communist China and West Germany in the 1930s.

“The other exhibits seem simple, but this one had hidden meanings,” said Tuesday McDonald (‘16).

Also on view is Andy Warhol’s famous acrylic, Sixteen Jackies (1964). The painting was created following President Kennedy’s assassination in November 1963. Warhol captures the emotional impact and echoes the endless droning of the

media following the assassination through the many pieces repetition of Jacqueline Kennedy’s four most photographed images in the media. The museum’s inclusion of Sixteen Jackies displays the public’s timeless fascination with the Kennedy family, demonstrated by the large crowd gathered around the iconic Sara Messinger (‘17)/ Eastside Staff piece of art.

Derek Boshier’s Special K is displayed in The exhibit the Pop Art exhibit at the Philadelphia Mualso includes seum of Art.

depicting iconic products of specific time periods.

In Tom Wesselmann’s Still Life #35 (1963), Wesselmann features iconic consumer goods in America during the 1960s. Also a crowd pleaser at the exhibit is Roy Lichtenstein’s famous Look Mickey (1961). Artworks similar to Look Mickey help make the exhibit a joyful and appealing experience for those of all ages.

“Even if you’re super not into art, [the exhibit] would still be very enjoyable... I would tell all my friends to go,” said McDonald.

Admission to the exhibit is included in the price of general admission to the museum.

Guided tours of the Pop Art exhibit are available on Wednesdays and weekends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The exhibit opened on February 26 and will continue to pop in Philly until May 15.

Page 8

EASTSIDE

May 2016

May 2016

COMICS EASTSIDE

Lauren, will you go to prom with me? by Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

Come to Eastside’s Spring Dodgeball Tournament on Tuesday, May 24, at 7 p.m.

See our upcoming preview for more details.

Page 9

Field Trip by Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

Page 10

EASTSIDE

SPORTS

May 2016

May 2016

What is a “sport”?

EASTSIDE

Page 11

To many people, sports have a particular importance in their lives, whether it is a uniting factor, a physical challenge or simply a fun activity. The label “sport” traditionally implies physically demanding and strategic competition between two or more parties. Thus, the title of “sport” is a relatively exclusive label that many groups are challenging. The question remains: what is a sport?

Mock Trial

■ By Alon Goldfinger (‘17)

Eastside Editorial Assistant

The thought of “I have to keep getting better for next week’s match” repeats like a broken record in his head.

He is nervous. He spends hours practicing and perfecting his skills; but he is not preparing for a football game or a tennis match. In fact, he is getting ready for a Mock Trial competition.

The Cherry Hill East Mock Trial team is an after-school activity in which teams prepare from September to January for a series of simulated trials. Much like other sports teams, the Cherry Hill East Mock Trial Team competes against other schools in hopes of climbing up to first place.

One big similarity between the Cherry Hill East Mock Trial Team and conventional sports teams is the structure of the Mock Trial competition. Much like how East’s sports teams go

against sports teams of other schools, East’s Mock Trial Team also competes against other schools in a series of “games.” The Mock Trial Team also has its own coach in the form of attorneycoaches. Attorney-coaches, like other sports coaches, advise the team on what strategies it should use and tell it how to improve. However, structure is not the only similarity between the Mock Trial Team and other East sports.

When people think of sports, they think of competition. Contrary to what some may believe, Mock Trial brings with it a great deal of competition. Students spend hours of analyzation and practice to prepare for the trials in January, much like how sports players spend hours of practice to prepare for a game.

Many believe that Mock Trial should not be considered a sport because it does not consist of physical activity. Instead, it fits in a cat-

Chess

■ By Maryia Oreshko (‘17)

For Eastside

Sports enthusiasts roll their eyes when they hear the words “chess is a sport.”

True, chess, doesn’t involve running after a ball or building the body up to physical fitness. However, it has several key elements that make it as worthy of the label as swimming or football.

Sports are an amalgama-

■ By Joshua Sodicoff (‘18)

Eastside Editorial Assistant

As a non-physically inclined member of the East community, I’ve always found myself at a disadvantage when it came to competitive achievement. Most activities don’t get the same credit as football, basketball, baseball or even bowling.

When I joined the Cherry Hill East Debate Team last year, I thought I had found a sport that I could really dig into. However, between that season and the most recent one, I’ve come to find that our Debate Team, arguably one of the best teams at East, hav-

Marching Band

egory which can be called “academic sports.” Academic sports are, clearly, the academic equivalent of sports.

The main difference between the two is that the more conventional sports require physical activity, whereas academic sports do not.

S o whether a student is getting ready for a football game or a Mock T r i a l co m p e tition, the stud e n t should be recognized as an athlete.

■ By Erin Hurley (‘19)

From being baked in the sun to being bitten by icy winds, marching band pushes people to the edge as countless hours of practice are condensed into a mere fifteen minutes.

The Oxford definition of sport is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” In all ways possible, the marching band fits that definition. The marching band requires just as much physical exertion, if not more, than other sports.

Physical exertion can be defined as “the activity of exerting one’s muscles in various ways to keep fit.” Marching is actually quite a physical workout. Carrying a large instrument or flag exerts arm and upper body muscles. Standing at attention (standing completely straight and not moving at all for what feels like an eternity) takes a lot of strength. Everybody must march correctly and in unison.

If even one person marches improperly, the entire marching

tion of exercise and teamwork. Chess develops mental fitness, not physical, though it is true that the fingers may experience an increase in flexibility. A successful player has a regimen that includes strategy, tactics, opening sequences and endgame patterns. He or she must train every day, just as an athlete should exercise every day with a variation of exercises.

Moreover, the players of a chess team train, play and travel together just like the members of a traditional sports team. They celebrate success, suffer through losses and sleep through long bus rides. It is possible to play chess individually, like many seasoned players or young prodigies; for them, chess is not a game

but a war.

Like for all sports, though, its best qualities shine through when one is competing for the trophy with his or her teammates by his or her side.

ing achieved third place in our division in the last season, receives little to no recognition. It’s preposterous, of course, because debate is a true sport.

As a member of the South Jersey Debate League, the manner of competition for the team has always been set in a very similar way to those of other sports. There are several varsity positions, as well as junior varsity, which I happen to be a member of, and members of each division compete against those of similar levels in weekly meets. Records, over the eight-week season from late

November to early February, build up and eventually lead to a championship between the top two teams.

Despite the sport-like structure, many people I have come across say that activities lacking strong physical components can not be considered true sports. Indeed, the Random House Dictionary states that a sport is “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature,” seeming to discredit a speechbased competition. However, at closer inspec-

tion, ‘athletic,’ the main word going against my narrative thus far, is defined as “involving the use of physical skills or capabilities, as strength, agility, or stamina.” Debate participants know the immense strength, agility and stamina involved in a debate.

At any point, an opposing argument could completely derail a winning plan, and only with quick work and on-thespot judgement can this be solved. As the affirmative, my definitions stand unless they can be proven false by the negative. Any rebuttal?

Debate

For Eastside

■ By Tobi Friedman (‘17)

Eastside Staff

My sweat drips onto the floor as I move with distinction. My toes ache under pressure as I hold a relevé on pointe. My muscles quiver under me, as the day becomes the night.

What is a sport? Ignorance dictates that a sport only requires physicality and athleticism. Ignorance dictates that dance is not a sport. Although ignorance is bliss, a wake -up

Dance

call must ring out proclaiming that dance is a sport. A sport does not only include physical ability, but also the mindset of being determined and hardworking, and being able to put blood, sweat and tears into every minute of practice.

When most people think of dance, images of reality television shows, glitter and costumes may come to mind.

Although dance incorporates theatrical qualities, it is far more than just a show.

Many may claim dance is not a sport, but rather an art.

Yes, dance is an art. Dance is a combination of physicality, athleticism, aesthetic sensibility and theatrics.

No, we do not have games.

Nor do we have matches or meets. We have competitions.

We have a stage that becomes a battleground in which we can prove ourselves as athletes and as dancers.

Six days a week. Up to 312 days of one of

Earth’s beautiful pirouettes around the sun. I accumulate 20 hours a week in the studio. This rigorous schedule is not for the weak-hearted and undedicated. Physical strength is not enough. One must establish and continuously improve stamina, flexibility, technique and core strength, among other attributes, in order to be a “good” dancer. When all of these elements come together, a single performance has the chance, the mere possibility, of being simply good.

Nights spent conditioning, hours spent rehearsing and everything, all the work and all the practice, culminates in a great performance.

A football player can crumble under the flood-

band could be subject to another full run-through of the show or a lower performance rating at a festival.

Anybody who doubts that marching band takes skill has obviously never been to a football game. From the band side of the marching band, memorizing eight or more minutes of music is quite a feat. Playing that music while marching in drill (where each member of the marching band should be at each point in the field show) takes a high level of skill. The color guard is required to memorize eight or more minutes of flag work and, similar to the band’s music, perform it while marching in drill.

Moreover, the marching band does, in fact, compete against other bands. In October and occasionally November, the marching band travels to marching band festivals to perform the field show and receive a rating from the judges. Entertainment is defined as “the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment.” While not everyone may be entertained by a band’s performance, one could say that about any sport.

One person may not be entertained by marching band, while someone else may not be entertained by football. But this does not disprove football from being a sport, and it does not disprove

marching band from being a sport.

Clearly, the marching band exemplifies exactly what it means to be a sport. Furthermore, Cherry Hill East partially recognizes this by giving the members varsity letters after two years and varsity pins each year after that. Varsity letters are used specifically for varsity sports, so the fact that members of a marching band are given them indicates East’s recognition of this activity as a sport. ESPN, the self-proclaimed “worldwide leader in sports,” even broadcasts the Marching Band World Championship.

So if it meets the definition, is qualified enough to be a varsity sport and is a competition featured on the “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” is there even a logical argument for why marching band is not a sport?

lights. A soccer player can shrink under the eyes of all the people watching. A dancer must remain resolute in composure and technique under immense pressure. One slip, one mistake, can ruin a full r o u tine and months of sweat a n d tears. We train. We compete.

We win.

We play a sport. We dance.

Chess art by Jennifer Dong (‘17)/ Eastside Staff Track art by Tammy Stahl (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

Go to eastsideonline.org to vote on what you consider to be a sport.

EDITORIAL

Page 12

EASTSIDE

May 2016

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

Eastside welcomes future principal Dr. Dennis Perry to East

Dear Dr. Perry,

Welcome to the East community! Many of us are familiar with your work as the principal of Beck Middle School, and we are ready to hear your daily words of wisdom once more. We hope you are prepared to translate your experience as a middle school principal to fit the high school environment. We are no longer timid children, but ambitious teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, unique in our wants and needs.

One of the many great things about East is its diversity. We are diverse in culture, ethnicity and interests; however, many of us share similar opinions regarding the characteristics of an ideal principal.

Foremost, we feel that the leader of our school should be educated on all school matters. This not

only includes a knowledge of events such as Mr. East and Spirit Week, but also an awareness of the concerns of both students and faculty members.

We desire an approachable, open-minded principal to whom we can present our opinions and suggestions.

Too often, students feel as though their opinions go unnoticed and unacknowledged, or are swept under the rug of bureaucracy. We ask that you not only listen to our concerns, but also take them into consideration when making important decisions that affect us as a student body. Through our firsthand experiences at East every day, we have a firm understanding of the potential effects that various decisions may have on our school.

One way to obtain the opinion of the students is to periodically hold open

forums in which we can discuss not just how we are spending our time at East, but how to improve our school. We understand that a principal must maintain a balance between the interests of the administrators and the students, but we hope to actively contribute to the dialogue in order to achieve a better solution for all members of our flourishing community.

Furthermore, Eastside looks forward to establishing a strong relationship with you throughout the course of your time here.

Our duty is to inform the student body, inspire conversation and challenge the status quo. We have an influential presence in the Cherry Hill community, and your unwavering support will allow us to continue on as the voice of the students. Nevertheless, as a nationally award-winning

journalistic institution, our constituents are best served by an independent press.

Eastside and other wellestablished clubs benefit most from an administrative relationship founded on trust rather than direct interference or administrative changes.

We ask that you do not carry the shackles of your job title. We desire not just a principal, but an advocate, a supporter and a fan who will cheer on our student body in all endeavors. We appreciate the passion that you demonstrate for your profession, and we want to work with you to make your time at East productive, rewarding and, overall, great.

But remember, the choice is yours.

Sincerely,

The Eastside Board

Editorial

Cherry Hill High School East 1750 Kresson Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Phone: (856) 4242222, ext.

2087 Fax: (856) 424-3509

Eastside Online

http://www.eastsideonline.org

Publisher

Fort Nassau Graphics Thorofare, NJ

Letters to the Editor

Submit signed letters to F087

Letter to the Editor: Teachers clarify position The April edition of Eastside focused on some of the after-effects of the recent contract negotiations and the impact on extracurricular activities at Cherry Hill East. Several teachers, many of whom have advised such clubs in the past and many who continue to do so, were a little concerned about some of the information that was not conveyed in the front page article and the staff editorial included in this edition.

The front page article by Courtney Finnegan (‘17) included some discussion of Model UN, an activity that the World Affairs Council ran for 11 years. The article stated that Model UN has been “inactive since the beginning of the 20142015 school year;” however, the organization did continue meeting at

the beginning of the year, attended a one-day conference in October of 2014, and a four-day conference in March of 2015. The decision to proceed with the four-day conference, which involved traveling to Washington, D.C., was made after union actions suspending such activities were implemented. We, in agreement with the leadership of the teachers’ union, felt that canceling this trip would be detrimental to the students who intended to attend this conference. As neither of us was approached by Ms. Finnegan or any member of Eastside’s staff, we were not given the opportunity to provide the correct information regarding the activities of the club last year.

Like many club advisers, we did not receive a stipend for advising

this club. Likewise, the other clubs mentioned in the article as having suspended their activities were also run by advisers who did so on a volunteer basis. The distinction between activities and organizations that receive a stipend, and those that do not is unclear in this article; nor is this distinction made clear in the editorial included in this same edition. In fact, the editorial “commends” the students who kept their clubs running, but includes the Robotics team, for which there is no stipend, and the Debate Team, for which there is a stipend, in the same sentence. It uses the Fraternal Order of Police Christmas party as an example of a club that continued to meet due to the “dedication put forth by the members,” but does not specify that this is an activity

run by the Activities Director. This distinction is public record which can be accessed through the district and could have clarified the editorial.

The issue of these stipend allocations is one that needs to be addressed by the union and the district, and the students of East should not be put in the middle of this issue. Nevertheless, without clearly acknowledging or explaining the difference between paid and volunteer positions, the front page article and the editorial give the impression that certain advisers abruptly suspended their clubs’ activities.

Meghan Mikulski and Jennifer Dolan Social Studies Department

Eastside and Eastside Online among best in nation In mid-April, Eastside Online was named one of 25 National Online Pacemaker Award winners by the National Scholastic Press Association, a distinction considered the high school equivalent to the Pulitzer Prize. In late April, Eastside was named the best newspaper in the country in the 1701-2500 student population category by the American Scholastic Press Association.

The 2015-2016 Eastside Editorial Board is proud to share these distinctions with the student body and staff of Cherry Hill East, particularly those who have supported us throughout the year. It is the board’s desire to continue a standard of excellence and to always strive to do even better.

Eastside 2015-2016 Editorial Board

Managing Editor: Kaitlyn Boyle Online Editor-in-Chief: Sonia Kim Editors-in-Chief: Jacob Borowsky, Julia Rothkoff, Liza Rothkoff Adviser: Mr. Greg Gagliardi News/Features Editors Sari Cohen Courtney Finnegan Jennifer Pacitti

Community Editors Brooke Greenberg Matt Kains Jenna Myers

Sports Editors Elissa Cohen Samuel Greenberg Luke Hinrichs

Underground Editors Ashley Cooper Jared Fisch

Opinions Editors Shari Boiskin Matt Nussbaum Hope Rosenblatt

Photo Editors Rachel Becker Emelia Keller

Art Directors Tammy Stahl Sydney Steele

Video Editor Madeline Bowne

Webmaster Gabriella Friedman

Entertainment Editors Allison Grossman Leah Korn

Multimedia Directors Brett Dashevsky Ben Goldsmith Steve Mirsen

Humor Editor Lanxi Li

Radio Manager Ethan Tinkelman

Business Managers Drew Meklinksy Priya Mistry Editorial Assistants Alon Goldfinger Drew Hoffman Josh Sodicoff

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

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

ENTERTAINMENT

May 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 13

Instagram accounts make one’s taste buds water ■ By Abigail Richman (‘18)

Eastside Staff

Scrolling up and down Instagram, one is bound to see a mouthwatering food post that automatically grabs the attention of the taste b u d s .

Whether it’s a five-layer chocolate cake dessert, or a tiedye bagel with confetti icing, seemingly every food picture is compellingly eyecatching.

One of the most w e l l k n o w n and most popular food accounts is “foodp o r n daily1” directed and controlled by Sydney Burger, a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. With

over 100,000 followers and 2,900 posts, the popularity of her account has grown immensely over the year.

“I was always taking pictures of my food, so I decided to make an Instagram just to make a collection of all my pictures.

It kind of started out as a joke between me and my friends,” s a i d Burger.

These food posts are more than just pictures, though.

They are people’s g o - t o sources for restaurant advice in certain cities.

With the ability to put a location on every Instagram photo, more and more restaurants attract more consumers with their

exotic varieties of foods.

“I have been doing this since February 2013, and I added four of my friends on in March of 2014. At first we gained popularity through word of mouth, then I started using hashtags like #foodporn and #foodporndaily1, so that if anyone searched these tags, all of our pictures would come up,” said Burger.

When controlling a huge account like this, managing it is the hardest part.

In order to reach as many followers as possible, the pictures need to be high quality. Burger also needs to post often, or else her account will just fade into the background due to the heavy competition from other food accounts.

According to gearpatrol. com, “posting pictures of food online has become so common that it’s becoming a cliche.” With other food accounts such as “@foodintheair” or “@the_daily_ bite,” foodporndaily1 has many competitors that post similar pictures.

“I started posting more and more each day because the more we posted, the more we would show up on the popular page, which helped promote us,” said Burger. “Gaining followers also occurs exponentially,

so as we get more and more, one sees a delicious picture they come in faster and of food he or she has never faster.” seen before, that person will As big as social media most likely have a burning is today desire to and the travel to large that reseffect it taurant. has on “ I teenthink it’s agers’ so populives, lar beposting cause we pictures post resof differtaurants ent food from all worldaround w i d e the coununites try, so people a lot of under t h e s e a complaces m o n are easlove of ily accesf o o d . sible for Followpeople,” ers are s a i d the base Burger. of the N o whole longer do a c people count, have to so when research there online a r e which Screenshots by Leah Korn (‘16)/ r e s t a u m o r e Eastside Entertainment Editor followrants they ers, more pictures are ofshould go to while in a certen posted. These pictures tain city. Food Instagram usually grab the attention accounts offer an easy and of followers to research the instantly satisfying source website or the recipe of the for every type of food imagastonishing looking food. If inable.

New app takes dining experience to a new level the greens was a little too sweet for my taste. I gave it four out of five stars.

For my main course, I ordered the Four-Season Scrolling Salad. The salad was nice through any and fresh with pears and social media Craisins. However, the corn platform— did not really fit in with the Facebook, fruitiness of the other inInstagram, gredients, and the portion Twitter—users will find picsize was tures of food. too large. I A relatively gave it four new app, out of five Wine ’n Dine, stars. is Instagram For any for foodies. users faUsers simply miliar with take pictures the format of their food, of Instaand followgram, Wine ers can like, n’ Dine is comment very simand click on a ple to navismiling face gate, since if they “wanits display na try” the and filters food. When are very a user posts similar a picture, he to Instaor she can gram’s. tag the resHowever, taurant at the foodie which he or angle of she bought Wine ’n the meal and Dine disrate it out of Screenshots by Julia Rothkoff (‘16)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief tinguishes five stars.

As a foodie The interface of the Wine ‘n’ Dine app is easy to navigate, it from Inwho always and it allows users to share their food wishes with their s t a g r a m .

The ability laughs at followers. to review people who the meals take picwas very excited to try this is also a great feature of tures of their huge steaks, dish. When it arrived at my Wine ’n Dine. If a user sees I decided to step into their table, I took a picture of it a five-star-rated meal postshoes for a night and try to post on Wine ’n Dine. ed by someone, then he or out the “food porn” trend.

One negative of Wine ’n she can add the food to his On a nice Saturday, I tried Dine is definitely the looks or her “wanna try” list. out the app. the users get from people.

With Wine ’n Dine, usI started out my day by Especially at a nicer restauers can look at food all they going to lunch at Champps rant, it is a little out-of-place want and instantly know Americana in Marlton. My to whip out a phone to take from where to order it. The Buffalo Blue Chicken Sanda picture. After tasting my Wine ’n Dine app can be wich posed for the camera, octopus, I really liked the downloaded from the App and I posted the picture on texture, but the dressing on Store for free. my account. After taking ■ By Julia Rothkoff (‘16)

Eastside Editor-in-Chief

a few bites, I decided that although it tasted good, it was too greasy for me. I gave the meal three stars out of five.

For dinner, I decided to try out the app at Toscana in Cherry Hill. For my appetizer, I order the Grilled Octopus. Octopus is one of my favorite seafoods, so I

Celebrities to follow on

Wine ‘n Dine

Gigi Hadid

Username: ChefBoyarGi

Kim Kardashian Username:

KimKardashian West

Joe Jonas Username: AdamJoseph Screenshots by Leah Korn (‘16)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor

Page 14

ENTERTAINMENT EASTSIDE

May 2016

Music festivals pose dangerous risks for the public

Courtesy of Lollapalooza Chicago

Festival goers stand in dangerous, large crowds at Lollapalooza Chicago. This type of crowd is typical of music festivals.

■ By Leah Korn (‘16) and Jenna Simons (‘17) Eastside Entertainment Editor and Eastside Staff

It is all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

Everyone has heard this famous quote thousands of times growing up. This saying can apply to countless situations: a rough game of basketball, an innocent game of Truth or Dare or even music festivals.

Attending a music festival is one of the best experiences a person could have.

The music and the friends all make for the perfect atmosphere to unwind. People flock to music festivals from all over the country— even the world—to enjoy the unique environment with new people.

While these music festivals are usually thought to be a fun day spent with friends enjoying good music, music festivals can also be extremely dangerous. One of the first words that pops into many people’s heads when they think about music festivals is “drugs.” Music festivals are notorious for their attendees’ use of a wide assortment of drugs.

Marijuana, LSD, MDMA, mushrooms and alcohol are some of many used at music festivals.

To avoid the use of illegal drugs at music festivals, some festivals are placing an amnesty box at the entrance. This box gives concert goers a chance to give up any illegal substances they have on them without fear of legal repercussions.

Due to the different environment and the influx of new people, people tend to be more reckless at music festivals than they would otherwise be in real life.

In fact, a poll from MSN UK asked 2,000 music festival-goers about their true intentions when going to a music festival like Ultra, Coachella or Bonnaroo. Forty-seven percent of people confessed to doing something at a music festival that they would “never consider doing outside of the music festival environment.” Twenty-one percent reported using illegal drugs

while at the festival, and a mere fortyfive percent of people said that they attend music festivals solely to listen to the music.

The O n ion, a satirical news website,

an active participant in student government and his fraternity at the

Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director

mocked the reputation of music festivals when it published an article called “New Music Festival Just Large Empty Field to do Drugs in.”

DrugAbuse.com recently released an infographic detailing the number of times certain drugs were mentioned in Instagram posts at certain music festivals.

Molly/ecstasy was most associated with electronic music festivals. Out of all the posts mentioning Ultra Music Festival in Miami, a total of 38 percent of those posts mentioned molly.

At Ultra Music Festival this past March, Adam Levine, a student at University of Miami, died of a seizure, which is assumed to be due to a drug overdose.

Levine was from Virginia, attended URJ Camp Harlam in the Poconos and was

hibited at Ultra, the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education stated, “if you ask 100 audience members to pee in a cup in exchange for a Dunkin’ D o n u t s gift card, 80 just might test positive for drugs.”

T h e large volume of people that attend festivals can also cause

University of Miami. Although drugs are pro-

problems. Primarily, concert attendees can injure other guests while in the midst of dancing in a dense group of people. The large amount of people that attend festivals can also be hard for police and security guards to maintain, resulting in illegal activity and fights.

As sexual assault cases are rising on college campuses, they are also rising at music festivals. In August of 2014, a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted at a rave in Michigan.

Later that year, a man at Coachella was spotted wearing a shirt that read “Eat Sleep Rape Repeat.”

Months later at another popular music festival, Lollapalooza, a man was seen wearing a shirt that read “Rape Your Face.”

There have also been numerous reports of people being drugged at festivals in the middle of mosh pits.

It is difficult for police to pursue sexual assault cases from music festivals because of the large mass of people that attend them.

While music festivals may have a facade of being nothing but a good time, there is more underneath the surface.

Music festivals have the potential of being the best

couple of days of a person’s life; but without taking safety precautions, music festivals can have some dire endings.

The art to the left notes the physical effects many of the drugs taken at music festivals have on the body. Many of these drugs can cause high blood pressure, seizures, lung, liver and kidney damage and many more health complications.

Popular drugs taken at festivals:

MDMA, Molly, and Ecstacy-43% Marijuana-38% Cocaine-12% Mushrooms-7% Statistics courtesy of billboard.com

OPINIONS

May 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 15

Being overly politically correct hurts America and I don’t think it should happen.”

However, there is a clear line that needs to be drawn between political incorrectness and racism. When someone is openly stereotyping According to a Fairleigh Dickinson Unia certain race, gender or religion, the issue versity survey on political correctness, 68 moves from political incorrectness to racpercent of Americans believe that being ism. overly politically correct is an important Chen contested that the line between problem in the United States today. This racism and politically incorrectness is clear: begs the question: Can one be too politically whereas generalized statements about correct? a group of people tend to be racist, statePolitical correctness is when a person or ments of statistical fact are not politically organization tries to behave in a way that incorrect. does not offend anyone.

One area where this line has been crossed One main issue with political correctness is in politics. is that it refrains politicians from openly In his campaign, Donald Trump continugiving their opinions. There are countless ously gets away with racist expressions by examples in politics where a politician using the excuse that he is being politically wants to bring up an issue, but he or she incorrect. does not because it will not reflect well on For example, Trump has been known to his or her image. stereotype by classifying all Mexicans as “If you are trying to bring up legitimate drug addicts, Jews as negotiators and womissues … and you want to stifle yourself en as overly emotional. with this so-called political correctness, I However, while Trump does have his don’t think that’s a good thing,” said Jamin supporters, many people are starting to see Chen (‘17). the racism in his behavior.

One policy in which political correctness “I don’t really have a problem with using is disrupting progress is when politicians Jacob Borowsky (‘16)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief phrases that people don’t like, but if you say claim to understand both sides of the cli- While politically incorrect novels like The Adventures of something that generalizes about the charmate change “debate” when all of the scien- Huckleberry Finn should not be banned, hate-speech like acteristic of the people you are describing, tific community agree that climate change Trump’s perhaps should be. then that becomes a problem,” said Matis real. Because politicians do not want to thew Oberstadt (‘17). offend climate change deniers, they pretend Thus, while people in general should be to understand both sides and have a debate about “People are trying to ban [The Adventures of less politically correct, they must not slip into the a non-debatable issue.

Huckleberry Finn], but that’s part of our history,” habit of mistaking political incorrectness for racToday, political correctness is becoming more said Aaron Young (‘17). “That’s happening now, ism.

■ By Alon Goldfinger (‘17)

Eastside Editorial Assistant

and more prevalent in schools with the recent effort by some school districts to ban the American classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Sixteen-year-olds should be able to vote ■ By Shari Boiskin (‘17)

Eastside Opinions Editor

cans’ knowledge of US history, only 34 percent of those polled knew that the line “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men were created equal” comes from the Declaration of Independence. Only 47 percent knew what the

Whether it’s about Trump and his wall, Hillary and her emails or Bernie and his socialism, the upcoming presidential election has the entire country buzzing. Political slogans such as “Feel the Bern”— and eventually an e n t i r e D e m o c r a t i c debate— have even m a d e their way onto the stalls in one of the girl’s bathr o o m s at East.

Y o u n g people are politically Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director charged.

Teenagers are sometimes more educated about political matters than adults.

It is most l i k e l y should be given the right to vote. vote. Research shows that voting is because Bill of Rights One of the reasons is a particuhabitual and data from countries the world was. Only 58 larly important one: “Sixteen- and with lower voting ages than that of crafted by percent even 17-year-olds have a stake in the the U.S., like Austria, shows that current knew the name game, and politicians must pay at16-year-olds vote at higher rates— politicians of the national tention to them… They also work and continue to vote at a higher will be anthem.

The without limits on hours and pay rate—than those who start voting the one results of the taxes on their income, can drive in later. in which poll were based most states, and in some cases, are Voting is not a multiple choice today’s on over 1,008 tried in adult courts,” Vote16USA’s test, where it is sometimes okay to y o u n g interviews with website states. just guess B and hope for the best. people Americans of If I committed a heinous crime, Voting is imperative to the survival will have 18 years and in the United States, a court of law of the United States as a democrato spend older. These are could try me as an adult and send cy, and it is a right and a privilege. the rest of people who are me to prison for the rest of my life; Thus, every American high school Cara Stein (‘16)/ For Eastside allowed to vote. their lives. yet, in the United States, I am not student should be required to take a However, A debate written on an East girls bath- It is beyond me allowed to vote because I am not an Civics or US Government course, in often when room wall demonstrates student inter- that people who “adult.” It is not fair that the U.S. addition to the already required US f r i e n d s est in political participation. do not know the cherry-picks when to treat teenaghistory course, as a precursor for get really three branches ers as adults. I have a job, and I pay voting. This requirement would crefired up of government taxes on my income. Yet, I have no ate a level playing field and would when talking about the candidates, (which 43 percent of Americans say in what is done with my hardenable all of those who would chose an adult often says something like, cannot name) can vote, but I canearned money. to vote to do so in an educated way. “oh, it’s okay, you won’t even be votnot, purely because I am younger.

A habit is formed by repeatHaving the voting age at 16, after ing.” That is infuriating. Someone There is an organization called ing something for at least 21 days. the taking of a Civics or US Governwho is politically competent and Vote16USA, organized by GeneraWhile we don’t vote every day, but ment course, would empower teeneducated on world affairs should be tion Citizen, that campaigns to lowrather every few years for different agers as citizens of our country to able to vote, as should all 16-yearer the voting age from 18 to 16. On local and national governmental pobecome more involved and aware olds. the organization’s website, it lists sitions, starting people voting early of our very important political proIn a Gallup poll about Amerifive reasons for why 16-year-olds could raise the number of those who cess.

OPINIONS

Page 16

EASTSIDE

May 2016

Standarized testing at East is no walk in the PARCC ■ By Steve Mirsen (‘16)

Eastside Multimedia Director

For the American public high school student, Scantrons, test booklets, essay questions and various acronyms have become all too familiar. The advent of increasingly competitive college admissions has made standardized testing a standard experience for students at East or at almost any other public school in the nation.

An issue occurs when, ironically, standardized tests infringe upon students’ apprehension of the very learning these exams are supposed to be evaluating. The shining example of this has, unfortunately, been East’s implementation of PARCC testing since last year.

Disappointingly, the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness and College and Careers (PARCC) has arguably made students less ready for their futures by detracting significant instructional time from students.

Last year, the computerized testing took place over eight weeks; this year, it has been taking place over six weeks. Other schools, however, have gotten the test done in two weeks, or in some cases two or three days. This disparity appears to derive from East’s preparedness to accommodate testing demands on the computers.

According to Ms. Carly Friedman, East’s PARCC coordinator, technological difficulties have not been a problem this year, an improvement from last spring’s round of testing.

However, inefficiency and inconvenience are still prevalent as a result of

the testing. The number of to the other section of one students’ performances on computers available slows of my AP classes. That to the test. the testing process down. me is disproportionate and “When one class gets an As a result, computer labs is really a problem.” extra three hours of instrucare restricted during testThis disadvantageous tional time and the other ing periods, preventing difference in instructionclass is going to be lacking classes from using them. al time comes less than that three hours, that’s a Had the school schedule not a month before AP tests. problem,” Rosenberg said. been modified, “[Students] testing would are going to take even feel, rightlonger. fully so, that W e e k s they’re not consisting as prepared of three Day [for the AP Fives and Sixexam] as they es create an should be.” abundance of Colleges issues alone. certainly “We have take AP test some classes scores into that are two more considhours long, eration than and that can PARCC perbe a rather formance, so daunting it seems paintask to come fully ironic up with activthat the test ities to keep should serve students atas a debilitentive and tating factor engaged,” to students’ said East hiscollege readitory teacher ness and acMr. Thomas cessibility, Rosenberg. instead of ac“There are curately meaalso other suring it. Exclasses that tremely high are relatively opt-out rates brief, that are this year and less than an last year prehour… The vent the test other problem from providis that if you ing a holistic take a look reflection of at the schedEast’s perforule, like, for mance on the example, I test, which is teach three supposed to US History be its main 2AP courses. purpose.

By the end In RosenKevin Chen (‘17)/ Eastside Staff of the PARCC Compared to other schools, East takes an excess of berg’s opinrotation, one time to finish PARCC. ion, tightenof my AP ing up the courses will test’s durahave had about an addiRosenberg is spending the tion is plausible as well as tional three hours of innext three weeks on exam advisable. structional time compared prep, which is essential to “There are other schools

that are the size of Cherry Hill… like Shawnee, Cherokee, Lenape, that are doing it in, like, nine days,” said Rosenberg. “If every other school in the region, regardless of size… can do it in nine days or less, we absolutely can. The question is, why don’t we?”

The Cherry Hill Public School District is required by the state to use the electronic method, as only a limited number of districts are permitted to use the non-computer version.

“I think if we also did it with pen and paper, we’d be able to get it done much faster,” Rosenberg said.

Time, however, is not the only incentive to switching to pencil and paper.

An Education Week article published in February indicated that students who took last year’s test on the computer scored lower on average than those who took it traditionally.

Since purchasing more computers would waste money and serve as a detriment to students’ performance, the only viable option seems to be switching to a paper test. This is something that would essentially help schools nationwide.

As the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) was taken in less than a week before its replacement caused no apparent problems in comparison, East students will benefit academically as well as in comfort and satisfaction with fewer discrepancies between classes. Saving time, money and unnecessary complications will undoubtedly benefit students, teachers and the district alike with no comparable drawbacks brought about

by PARCC’s electronic implementation.

Break the ‘rules’ and start wearing white clothing in school ■ By Louis Zimmerman (‘18)

Eastside Staff

Whether one is returning from a vacation in paradise or snapping back to reality after two free months of brainless activity, summer must come to a close.

Here in the United States, the summer ends for many on the first Monday of September, which is a holiday known as Labor Day. Although the holiday is known for being among the last cherished days of freedom before school, fashion fanatics seem to think differently.

Fashion moguls and ordinary people alike follow the trend that one should not wear the color white after Labor Day, as the holiday is seen as the endpoint of summer fashion. In fact, those who exaggerate may even call it a crime to do so.

In the early 1900s, air conditioning had not yet been developed. Therefore, men and women wore the color white, as it does not attract the smoldering sun.

However, men and women returned back to their nonsummer lives by wearing darker colors to suit a more

formal look.

This piece of fashion advice takes away a color that represents bright and positive ideals. School is already viewed negatively because of the amount of

feel to the school year attire, students’ progress may be obstructed.

“If we can’t wear white, and we should only wear fall and winter clothing during school, it makes

Alex Catalano (‘17).

According to tellwut.com, an online survey creator organization, 68 percent of people believe that it does not matter what one wears after Labor Day. The rule

Megan Rose (‘17)/ Eastside Staff

Students are seen wearing white pants in the East hallways during school despite the summer fashion rule. stress and work that it makes students manage, so by implementing a darker

school a bit more depressing, as everyone is wearing such dark clothing,” said

has now also become prevalent because fashion magazines in the 1900s showed

what fashion editors truly wore during the differentiating seasons.

By continuing the fashion trend of white during the summer, people used that style to fit their own customs and so carried on the tradition until today.

The tradition of not wearing white after Labor Day should remain in the past, for it does not do anything to enhance the world. Everyone has his or her own personality and style to assert for himself or herself.

Whether one follows this fashion mode or decides to venture his or her own way, everyone should feel absolutely comfortable wearing what he or she wishes. Although Labor Day means the conclusion of comfortable summer days, one should not feel obligated to throw all white clothes in the closet.

Although to this day the white fashion trend focuses primarily on no white jeans after Labor Day, one should not feel bad about wearing any white article of clothing after the holiday. Even though steering clear of white after Labor Day may be popular, some things are meant to be left in the past.

UNDERGROUND

May 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 17

A splash of East can be found in Kado Mysteries ■ By Ashley Cooper (‘17)

Eastside Underground Editor

Kathleen Rhoads Carpenter: retired East teacher, grandmother of six, author. Multi-talented and eclectic, Carpenter’s talents are like none other.

During her 28 years (1971-1999) at East, Carpenter was able to make a profound impact. A Cherry Hill East English teacher, Carpenter taught a variety of literature courses while at the school, ranging from English I to Creative Writing. But Carpenter did more than simply teach English; she helped initiate several programs and afterschool clubs, which would eternally influence the East curriculum and community in its entirety.

“I started Public Speaking, Broadcasting I and Broadcasting II,” said Carpenter. “I also advised the debate team, was a panelist for Junior Miss and was the National Honor Society adviser.”

In addition to those classes and activities, Carpenter also singlehandedly “brought Cum Laude Society to our school,” she said.

“That was very hard [to get] because they’re so geared toward small private schools. We finally did get approved, though, and we were the first public school in New Jersey to have a Cum Laude Society,” said Carpenter.

Some may wonder why Carpenter, now in retirement, did not take a break. Why would one begin publishing mystery literature after 28 years of teaching a class so full of writing? But for Carpenter, the decision was easy, as writing has “always been something [she] enjoyed.”

“I especially wanted to [write] because I really didn’t have that much of a chance while I was teaching,” said Carpenter.

Specifically over the past two years, Carpenter has seen her writing efforts turn into success. She has been able to self-publish two full-length novels as part of her Kado Mysteries Series. Carpenter’s initial novel, Fall of Indian Summer, was released on November 12, 2015, and her second, Winter of Berry Discontent, on January 21 of this year. And these aren’t your

typical realistic novels; no, instead, ing the killer to justice.

Carpenter prides herself in writing Kado continues her fight for justhriller mysteries full of suspensetice in Winter of Berry Desperation, ful, even murderous, action. Despite when she helps unravel the recent their intense and at times dark nadeath in her community of none ture, Carpenter describes her two other than Berry Township’s maypublished novels or, Albert Lee. as “cozy mysterIn both of her stoies.” ries, Carpenter In Fall of pulls heavily Indian Sumfrom her exmer, Carpenperiences ter introduces while at the series’ Cherry protagonist, Hill East Kado, a 60for inspiyear-old retired ration.

By teacher. When having these Julie Dalton, real-life expea young, Berry riences in her Township Engmystery novlish teacher, is els, Carpenter found murdered feels “more in the school’s depth and befield house, lievability” is Kado is asked added to her to return to work. the school and Further take on Daladding to this ton’s classes. validity is Kado, of course, Carpenter’s is a reflection book cover of Carpenter artist, Sandra herself, and the Reilly. Reilmade-up “Berly “usually ry” Township [doesn’t] do is based on our book covers.” very own CherBut for Carry Hill commupenter, Reilly nity. was willing Throughout to give it a her time as a shot, as she replacement for has known Dalton, Kado Carpenter for is contacted by such an extenGeorge Clews, sive amount one of her forof time. mer students.

Through this Now the Police time knowChief of Berry ing CarpenTownship, ter, Reilly has Clews tells Courtesy of Kathleen Carpenter gained a great Kado to keep Carpenter’s most recent novel, Winter deal of esteem her eyes and of Berry Discontent, is the second of for the retired ears open for the four total Kado Mysteries which teacher, not info surround- Carpenter plans to write. only as a pering Dalton’s son, but also murder. One as an intellecnight, Kado actually does come tual mind. across information, which may help “[Kathy’s] a very interesting perin solving Dalton’s murder, and son. She’s very intelligent, and she thus, with the help of Clews, emhas a lot of knowledge in a number barks on a daring mission of bringof different areas,” said Reilly. “She

was an amazing school teacher.”

Reilly was able to finish the cover artwork for both Fall of Indian Summer and Winter of Berry Discontent in a mere hour.

“I did my own individual watercolors, and then I just scanned them in after consulting with [Carpenter,” said Reilly.

Reilly claims the quick pace of her artwork came due to her having known Carpenter “for many years now.”

“Our children were little together. I’d say I’ve known her for 35 or 40 years,” said Reilly. “Once [Carpenter] told me a little about her story and what she was trying to portray, it was easy.”

But Reilly was not the only one to aid in the creative component of Carpenter’s novels. While in his senior year at East, Bogdan Vitoc (‘16) also helped Carpenter in her self-publishing process. Throughout November and December 2016, Vitoc “stitched together some paintings” from Reilly and “tuned the colors to look better,” he said.

Mr. Rick Friedman also has worked closely with Carpenter.

Though the East technologist, never had the pleasure of working with Carpenter while she was a teacher, he still venerates Carpenter for all that she’s done throughout her life.

“She’s just such a nice lady,” said Friedman. “I hope when I’m at her age, I move around like that.”

Like Friedman, Vitoc speaks highly of Carpenter, and further commends her for “keeping herself so busy in her retirement.”

“Apart from writing a book series, she tutors a lot of kids,” said Vitoc.

“She’s a nice lady, and honestly, she is remarkably adept with technology. She writes, formats and publishes books digitally by herself.”

“I helped with both her books, Fall of Indian Summer and Winter of Berry Discontent,” he added.

In the future, Carpenter plans to continue her passion for writing by publishing additional stories in her mystery series. Despite her 1999 retirement, Carpenter continues to be an active part of East to this day as a bedside tutor.

Carpenter said, “I will always, without a doubt, love East.”

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

Out of the Vault: Webkinz bring in the KinzCash ■ By Josh Sodicoff (‘18)

Eastside Editorial Assistant

I was called powerhorse1. My army was vast and strong. Together, all under my plentiful and rich roof, we grew stronger, every day bringing greater achievements, greater KinzCash and more swag in my room. Those were the glory days, but now digital Babylon is on the edge of complete annihilation for the sin of unfettered expansion. That was my time in WebKinz.

In 2004, Facebook came into existence, and with it rose the wave of social media, a tool for using the internet for interaction and entertainment. This new breed of website left out one major audience, however, and thus, the market ached for a product to fill the void. On April 2 9 , 2005, the Canadian company Ganz sired the world of Webkinz. Ganz, a Canadian corporation founded in the 1950s with the singular purpose of producing lines of plush merchandise, combined a brand of stuffed animals with digital networking.

The concept behind Webkinz was simple yet

innovative. At toy stores across the United States and Canada, children could buy miniature plush creatures with two distinct features: an embroidered “W” and a tag. With a parent’s supervision, an eight-digit code from inside of the tag could be used to validate the creation of an account on the Webkinz site. The account created with the code was represented by an animal, similar in appearance to the plush toy purchased.

An avid fan could participate in a variety of online activities, including getting a job, playing games or using a prewritten chat dialogue.

However, in this utopian setting, there lay one dark flaw. In order to keep an account active, meaning to be both playable and to keep all items and achievements, the player had to buy a new plush every year. If this time period passed without the ransom being paid, all of one’s hard work would disappear, and the child w o u l d be left with the Sisyphean task of rebuilding his or her work. Admittedly, this system was a necessary part of Ganz’s business plan. Without the incentive of continually restoring a well built-up community, the player would only need to give a one-time fee. Thus, for die-hard WebKinz fans, the path to growing their cliques of pets ad infinitum was clear.

In 2006, a year after the site opened, Ganz reported profits in excess of one hundred million dollars and a growth of one million accounts.

From its initial success, the company grew the

WebKinz line to include a toddler-friendly WebKinz Jr., as well as a teen version, called Tail Towns. However, several threats to the long-term growth lay just under the surface and would soon bear their ugly faces.

Club Penguin was born seven months after Webkinz. Featuring a similar, though slightly less restrictive interface, Club Penguin also had a free play option, taking away valuable customers from Webkinz. Webkinz was again marred with scandal when it began putting up advertising for outside services.

Parents complained that the indoctrination of their children occurred in what was supposed to be a safe space. Thus, the fall of Babylon began.

To write this article, I ventured again into the ruins.

With a new character, Journalistic Avenger, I searched through the hallowed halls of the Arcade, the Career Office and the Club House. What had once seemed to be a new and revolutionary experience, today feels more like a collection of loosely connected Flash games. I miss the experience of discovering a new and exciting world of electronic enjoyment, but after viewing the outcome, I know WebKinz must be put back into the vault.

Logo by Sydney Steele (‘16)/ Eastside Art Director Photo by Ashley Cooper (‘17)/ Eastside Underground Editor Webkinz logo courtesy of Webkinz

UNDERGROUND

Page 18

EASTSIDE

May 2016

Wheaties covers continue to feature all-stars ■ By Ben Goldsmith (‘17)

Eastside Multimedia Director

There are a few signs that indicate that a person has “made it.” One of these achievements is making the front of a Wheaties box.

For over 75 years, Wheaties cereal has featured a drove of deserving athletes on its boxes. Much like appearing on a famous magazine cover, those who have held a spot on the cover of “The Breakfast of Champions” are part of a long lineage of legendary athletes.

From Babe Ruth to Stephen Curry, only the greats hold this honor.

The first athlete to grace the front cover of the box was U.S. Olympic track and field star, Bob Richards, in 1956. He remained the official Wheaties “spokesperson” until 1970.

Since Richards, tons of athletes from various sports have made the box.

Most recently, Ryan Dungey, professional Motocross champion, was printed on the cover in 2016.

Over the years, buyers began recognizing the cereal by knowing to look for a bright orange box, and some decided to start collecting them as memorabilia.

Wheaties box collector Larry Neely, 50, archives one of the largest and most eclectic Wheaties box collections in the U.S. He posts pictures of them on his Facebook page (Wheaties King) and website (WheatiesKing.com).

“I never heard of anyone else who collected [Wheaties boxes], so I figured I would start to collect them,” said

Neely about his 1988 Los Angeles Lakers box.

With over 1,200 boxes— all of different sizes and variations—in Neely’s arsenal, he does not plan on stopping any time soon.

Not only does he possess distributed containers of the cereal, but he also owns “phantom” boxes as well.

These “phantom” boxes are the championship team boxes that never make it to the shelves, as the team displayed was defeated. Instead, the winning team’s boxes get distributed. Nonetheless, these phantom boxes still remain of peak interest to collectors.

Neely said, “The first one [of my collection] was the 1987 Denver Broncos box.

The Washington Redskins won the Super Bowl that year, and some guy at a grocery store opened up a case of boxes to put on the shelves and poof, one Broncos box.”

Oftentimes parts of the “Wheaties” logo got covered up by the box-front photo, intentionally, in order to give the brand a magazinelike style.

In addition to the cover photo, athletes often have small blurbs written about them, or their career statistics, displayed on the side or back of the box.

Most collectors are drawn to the more rare and famous editions. These rare boxes can have resale prices ranging anywhere from 90 to 250 dollars. That is a lot of cash for a box of cereal that orginally cost $4.99.

Among Neely’s band of friendly collectors, there is not any sparring over who has the biggest collection.

“We don’t mind helping each other out because there is no competition...

We’re all just kind of chasing the same thing,” Neely said.

Most collectors, Neely said, actually form partnerships in order to round up the most boxes.

Although not worth as much as the rare containers, the 18 different boxes showcasing basketball legend Michael Jordan are among the most famous and sought after by collectors and fans. Jordan currently holds the record for most appearances on the cover of Wheaties and is a big front-runner, as he is the only one in the double digits.

Wheaties sees it is only right for Jordan to have this exclusivity, as the company wrote on its website, “On many publications’ lists, he has been named best athlete of the century.”

In 2012, as a tribute to Jordan’s Wheaties legacy, Emmanuel Golden, an aftermarket shoemaker, customized a pair of shoes from the basketball player’s sneaker line, “Air Jordan.”

“I made them in the midst of making an ‘Air Jordan Endorsement’ pack of three shoes. Each shoe was to represent one of Michael Jordan's biggest endorsement deals outside of the Nike/Jordan Brand.

There was supposed to be a Coca Cola shoe, a Gatorade shoe and a Wheaties shoe,” Golden said. “I always strive to do something different that I couldn't imagine someone else doing, so I decided to do the Wheaties shoe first since it felt like a

fresh concept.”

Not only did the creator use the Wheaties logo colors, but he also included actual Wheaties cereal in a side pouch of the shoe.

Further, he also put a paint mixture to resemble cereal milk on the tongue of the shoes.

The array of sports chosen by Wheaties has gone through a plethora of changes. Want to know when a certain sport was popular?

Just check which sports Wheaties covered the most during certain years. It was baseball’s glory days from the early ‘30s to the late ‘50s. From there, it was a mixture of Olympic athletics, football and basketball.

Wheaties selects who it believes exhibits the qualities of a champion. The brand also recognizes the standard meaning of the word “champion” is evolving.

Wheaties has grown especially over time in which sports it chooses to feature athletes from.

The brand has given the cover photo to boomerang throwers, high wire performers, power walkers, coaches, wheelchair road racers and white water canoe slalom racers, among others.

Wheaties has even included nine-year-old female football star Samantha Gordon on the packaging. She is the first, and currently the only, female football player to be on the box.

Despite not being ultrafamous celebrities, these athletes still served the purpose that Wheaties set out to inspire.

Who is meant to grace the

box changed when Wheaties realized its goal was to teach children, who consumed the General Mills’ cereal every day, to always strive for the best.

“The coveted role was now about being a national role model,” Wheaties wrote on its website.

It became more of a spokesperson’s job, not just that of a legendary athlete who shows up to take pictures and leaves. The select individuals on the box campaign join “Team Wheaties,” a title received when one has made the cover.

Founded in 1958, the Wheaties Sports Federation keeps these athletes together, spreading ideas of healthy living with physical activity amongst the children of America.

Earning the tagline, “The Breakfast of Champions,” Wheaties has the difficult job of picking who makes it on its cover, for the definition of a “champion” is everchanging.

Although the brand has made several changes over its several years of business, it still manages to stay true to its roots. This is much due to the fact that since the accidental spill of wheat gruel onto a hot stove by a health clinician in 1921, the formula for the cereal has virtually stayed untouched.

As long as Wheaties adapts to the meaning of “champion,” it plans to inspire children and adults based on whom it chooses next to grace the cover.

To read the full story, visit eastside-online.org

Photo courtesy of Wheaties

UNDERGROUND Drone-Off: A side-by-side comparison May 2016

EASTSIDE

■ By Jared Fisch (‘18)

Eastside Underground Editor

Page 19

being lightweight, but the only downside is its maximum flight time, which is only 22 minutes.

Nikola Kosaric (‘16) was lucky enough to work with the Parrot Bebop at the PennApps XI Hackathon. Kosaric and his team attempted to take this drone and make it follow the user in an autonomous state.

While Kosaric and his team failed to bring their idea to life, he

Legal or not, drones are taking over our air space. In recent years, personal drones, capable of being flown by the “average Joe,” are rising in popularity.

While laws surrounding the flight of these flying objects are said vague, that amateur “ i n cinemasimply togracontrolling the phers drone for encan take tertainment… advanit performed t a g e pretty well.” of the The DJI “bird’sPhantom 4, e y e Courtesy of Casey Neistat on the other view” hand, is a comt h a t The DJI Phantom 4 is Casey Neistat’s go-to drone. pletely differthese ent drone. The drones display. Two drone models stand out: BePhantom 4 is a heavier aircraft that weighs in at bop Drone and the DJI Phantom 4.

1,380 grams, 980 grams heavier than the Bebop.

The Parrot Bebop, a wonderful piece of techAlthough much heavier, the Phantom 4 packs nology and a camera in the sky, weighs in at only a punch considering its maximum flight speed 400 grams and can fly at speeds of up to 13 meis 20 meters per second. This drone is not only ters per second. This drone has the advantage of

faster than the Bebop, but it also has a longer battery life. The maximum flight time of the DJI Phantom 4 is approximately 28 minutes, which, compared to the Bebop, gives the user six more minutes to capture that perfect shot.

While the Phantom 4 has some more appealing specs than the Bebop, consumers might be scared away by the price. The Parrot Bebop is a slim 400 dollars compared to the Phantom 4, which sells for a price of an astonishing 1,000 dollars more (1,400 dollars).

“I feel like the [Parrot Bebop] is more of an entry-level-based drone, while the DJI Phantom 4 is more of a professional-based product used for video creation,” Kosaric said.

Clearly, if one is thinking about getting into the drone

game, he or she has some thinking to do. Both of these drones are solid options, but truly it comes down to the price. Does one want to pay a lot for a great drone, or does one want to pay a lot less for a decent drone?

Kosaric has the answer.

“If you want to get into using drones, the Bebop is a much better [choice], especially because of price. However, if you are [already] into drones, then the DJI Phantom 4 is better for video creation,” said Kosaric.

No matter which drone is used, it is up to the pilot to capture the moment.

Drone photo courtesy of Parrot

Underground Sports History: UNKNOWN HOLIDAYS May Day The uneventful history of the May 1 May 3 Lumpy Rug Day 10-foot basketball net

■ By Jacob Borowsky (‘16) Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Sports, like any longlasting tradition, undergo changes to their rules and regulations in order to stay relevant and interesting.

Oftentimes, these changes have significant and permanent effects on the game.

Basketball is no exception; the addition of the threepoint-line to the NBA game in the 1979-1980 season has produced a generation of three-point marksmen that are breaking three-point records every season.

Among the many considerations that went into designing the sport of basketball, one would think the height of the basket would be, perhaps, the most scrutinized aspect of the game.

Yet, the height of basketball nets is one regulation that has persisted since the sport’s creation. Basketball’s creator, James Naismith, invented the sport while teaching at Teachers College, located in Massachusetts, in 1891. When Naismith assembled the court, he hung each basket 10 feet above the ground, a decision that has remained crucial to the game’s dynamic ever since. Naismith did not

consider the impact that this decision would have; in reality, he hung each basket at 10 feet solely because that was the height of the railing that surrounded the gym in which they played.

And that was it; the game has kept this crucial regulation in place ever since.

Interestingly enough, the NBA actually did play one single game with rims adjusted to 12 feet. This experiment was conducted in response to detractors from the 10-foot rim, who claimed that Naismith’s choice of putting rims at 10feet was thoughtless. Some claimed that Naismith’s choice even made the game boring, as the height is too easy for the tallest players to reach. Thus, in 1954, the Hawks and Lakers partook in a game using 12-foot rims. However, the experiment only disproved those who were in favor of taller rims, as in truth, the taller rims gave the taller players an even bigger advantage over undersized shooters.

The 10-foot rim is an aspect that ultimately made basketball the graceful, beautiful game it is today. East’s girls basketball coach Mr. Kevin Owens,

a former professional bas-

ketball player who stands 6’10”, knows first-hand the advantage that the 10-foot rim gives taller players.

“It was definitely an advantage. One of the things that’s different [in basketball] is, with the athleticism today, some of the guys today can be 6’1” or 6’2” and really be able to jump. If you’re athletic, the rim is whatever height you want it to be at,” Owens said, “Some of the [taller] athletes today are so athletic that even if the rim was 11 feet they’d be able to get up there. [Changing rim heights would] help big guys who can get more arc on their shot, but [there would still be] guys who can still go up and jump if the rim were higher.”

Still, Owens concurs that having a taller rim would hurt shooters and thus halt the game’s progress toward a shooting-centric game.

“I think it would definitely hurt shooters, but I think the game is definitely evolving toward shooting anyway,” Owens said. “The game is evolving toward the athlete, and nothing is set in stone.

Sports art by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Eastside Staff

May 4 Star Wars Day May 6 No Diet Day May 6 Space Day May 11 “Twilight Zone” Day May 12 Limerick Day May 13 Leprechaun Day May 14 National Train Day May 16 Love a Tree Day May 17 Pack Rat Day May 22 World Goth Day May 23 Lucky Penny Day May 25 Tap Dance Day May 28 Internatl. Jazz Day May 30 Water a Flower Day Make sure to celebrate at least one of these lesser known holidays during the month of May! Tweet @EastsideOnline if you do.

SPORTS

May 2016

EASTSIDE

Page 20

Tennis’ youth complements its experience

came ready to compete. “[Yu] pushes me Since the 2014 tennis harder than any season when Rahul Golother teamcudas (’17) earned himmates have in self the first spot on the the past,” said varsity tennis ladder Golcudas as as a freshman, the unhe explained derclassmen have been that his goal dominating East Boys’ since the beTennis. ginning has Golcudas been to continues mainto hold the t a i n number-one first spot on the on the ladder, for ladthe third d e r consecuf o r tive year, a l l but close four Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor behind him of his Rahul Golcudas (‘17) and Adam Yu (‘19) bring out the best in each other during practice. are freshmen years Adam Yu (’19) at East. and Kevin Golcuclassmates. a lot of controversy about all nearly the same level.”

Hu (’19). Yu das looks at Yu Hu said, “It has been who was going to be first, DeWolf emphasizes the currently as competition, tough because as a second and third because of importance of team unity plays second whereas Yu said freshman, nobody Adam Yu.” for these players, as it is crusingles for that his biggest really knows Head Coach Mr. Greg cial that they win the “best East’s varworry is himself how good you DeWolf explained how the of five” matches in order sity squad, and his skill level on are.” talent level of the underto secure a playoff position and his any given day. Yu’s With incomclassmen has helped to up and have the opportunity classmate, position on the lading talented the level of competition not to advance to the Group IV Hu, teams up der was not as imfreshmen, the only in practice, but also championship match. In adwith Jesse perative to his seaolder playamong the entire team. dition to the coaching staff, Dubrow (’16) son, and he believes ers had Their competitiveness the entire varsity squad in the second that Golcudas most a lot to has also allowed Golcuhas high expectations for doubles podefinitely deserves the look fordas to feel more content this postseason, as DeWolf sition on the number one position ward to with the team and each said this has been the most ladder. on the ladder. in the beplayer’s position. competitive season that Getting The only freshmen ginning “There has been boys’ tennis has had talentto where on the varsity team, of the pressure as I am first wise to date. they are Yu and Hu have been season; singles, but this year I “This year I now has playing together for a there was don’t feel as much presfeel like our not been majority of their tenalso much sure as there has been team is more easy for nis careers. To be able competiin the last two years. I feel talented than the boys’ to come to East and tiveness confident in my role beit has been tennis compete together among the ing the best player on the in the past team. has been quite players to team,” said Golcudas. few years and T h e the experience earn one All three of the singles I have takp r e for these teamof the sevplayers, Golcudas, Yu en on a season mates. Yu said en spots and also Elan Boyarsky leaderhad a that the two on the (’18), relate in regards to s h i p lot to practice tovarsity skill level, but the facr o l e team. tor that sets Golcudas that In reapart from his teamwill gards to mates is his mindset. prohis classAlthough none of the vide mate, Hu three have four years u s said, “There of experience at East, with were a lot of Golcudas has the stronbigger really close gest mindset and confioppormatches to dence in comparison to tunities to decide the his younger, less experiwin,” said ladder beenced teammates.

Golcudas. cause of DeWolf said, “[GolOverall, t h e cudas’s] experience will this spring closely help him compared to season, the skilled their youth and inexpeboys’ tenplayrience. However, now nis team at tell as Golcudas just mangether every day, and their ers… practices have gone up East looks aged to maintain his place close bond generates a level there in the level of competito advance in first and the freshmen of competition between the w a s tion for him.” further into DeWolf said postseason that he respects play and uland appreciates the timately have work ethic and pasone of the most sion that the younger successful players bring to the seasons that team; both of these East has seen qualities are imporunder DeWolf. tant assets to have as These goals can an athlete. be reached with Together, as a help from freshteam, the players men Yu and have shown balHu and also ance and unity Golcudas. so far this seaD e W son despite the olf takes tension that pride in came with the his players preseason comwho seem petitiveness. to really push themselves “We are all good at day in and day out, an imour positions; nobody pressive trait to have as a is extremely weak varsity team of mostly unor strong, we are all derclassmen. Though they balanced,” Golcudas are young in age, their age said. is dishonest to their decepYu added, “Everytively fine-tuned skillsets. one is competition to Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor me, everyone on the Profiles by Emelia Keller (‘17)/ team is really strong First Varsity Doubles team of Jesse Dubrow (‘16) and Kevin Hu (‘19) rally at practice.

Eastside Photo Editor so I think that we are ■ By Elissa Cohen (’18)

Eastside Sports Editor

Rahul Golcudas

I have both young, raw talent and older, experienced seniors… These young guys, playing against seniors and juniors at other high schools, have been a lot of fun to add to the mix.”

- Coach Greg DeWolf

Adam Yu

Kevin Hu