Eastside: March 2017

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 50 No. 5

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

March 2017

East turns fifty

Photo and Photo Illustration by Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor Cherry Hill East teachers Ms. Dobromilski, Ms. Hinrichsen, Ms. Kelly-Radbill and Mr. Kovnat join alumni Toby Lightman, J.D. Roth and Amos Lee, as well as East students, in celebrating 50 years of both Cherry Hill East and Eastside.

Commemorating 50 Years of Eastside

Pages S1-S8

Teachers reflect on their years at East 50 Years, Pg. S2

Opinions stay same throughout the years 50 Years, Pg. S4

Battle of the Bands once a staple at East 50 Years, Pg. S7

NEWS/FEATURES

Page 2

EASTSIDE

March 2017

Unique classroom set-ups improve learning room interactive, including desks Eastside News/Features Editor formatted in a horseshoe shape, a School can be couch, and seats all considered a stuaround the room dent’s “home away with computers. from home,” espeThe most promicially when he or nent of the seating she spends over six arrangements is hours a day for five the horseshoe fordays a week in the mation, as no other building. Although class in the school it may not seem takes on this spetruly important cial approach. to some students, The survey conclassroom environcluded that 64 perments and designs cent of students can significantly like the affect the desks arcomfort, and ranged in a the success, horseshoe of students. formation Particularly compared at Cherry to normal Hill East, rows, rows English facing each teacher Ms. other, or Noreen Cungroups of ningham desks. Some and English students jusand journaltified this by ism teacher mentioning Mr. Greg Gathat the forgliardi hold mation forctwo of the Louis Zimmermann (‘18)/ Eastside News/Features Editor es students most unique Cunningham’s room features an inventive layout with English posters and murals lining the walls. to interact, classrooms and interacthroughout tion leads to the school buildcrease in engagement. next to it,” said CunningAll the way in F-wing lies retainment of inforing.

“I like arranging the ham. “This year we want F087 and Gagliardi with mation.

Seating ardesks in rows facing each to see if we can get permisthe unique classroom he Although teachrangements, comother with a walkway in sion to do something Asian has put together throughers may be nomads, fort, wall decorathe middle because it feels like the ‘Books of Beijing’ or out the years. Gagliardi others who have tions and special more community-like, and the ‘Stories of Sydney,’ like has covered every inch of one permanent representational this way I can move around a play on world literature the room with Eastside isroom have potential items are all asand get closer to the kids,” since I mostly teach world sue pages from the past 50 to make their classpects to create said Cunningham. “I hate literature.” years and a multiplicity room their canvas. the perfect learnthe idea of bland discusCunningham surrounds of awards that have been It is evident that ing environments. sions where I just say someherself and her students gathered throughout the the concept that B247 and F087 thing and then call on anwhere her passion lies: lityears that represent the students must be possess not only other kid. I would like the erature. Scattered all across hard work of Eastside stuseated in normal one of the aforestudents to be looking at the room, posters and mudents since 2000. rows is becoming mentioned feaeach other and interacting rals embellish B247.

Gagliardi also arranges archaic. tures, but present with each other.”

A survey on learning his room with several seatArt by Sarah Zhang it in distinguishCunningham does not environments was given to ing options to make the (‘20)/ Eastside Staff able ways.

■ By Louis Zimmermann (‘18)

However, Cunningham takes pride in her room for the multiple murals, posters from famous novels and films, framed puzzles and, of course, a special seating arrangement organized in the best interest for the students’ education.

A survey conducted by Steelcase Education Studies concluded that 84 percent of students indicated that when a room was arranged in an interactive way, rather than the standard, old-fashioned rows, they had an exceptional in-

stop at a unique layout for her room. She has painted multiple murals on the walls surrounding her room with the aid of two East students, Kauly Almonte (‘17) and Emma Wooten (‘17).

The two students painted the first mural in Cunningham’s room, a view of the old and the new London skyline entitled “Literary London.”

“When they were painting it, they just looked like they were having so much fun and so then I painted the New York skyline right

100 East students to compare what learning room qualities students see as most effective compared to what teachers actually do with their rooms. The survey indicated that 55 percent of students believe that the most important quality of a room can be classified as wall decorations.

Cunningham’s English III student, Jessica Hofmann (‘18), said, “[B247] definitely gets you into the English mood because you are fully surrounded by English-related items.”

Del Valle’s joyful attitude goes beyond the stockroom ■ By Jenn Pacitti (‘17)

Eastside News/Features Editor

tary took him anywhere from Fort Lewis, Washington, all the way to Germany by the end of his service.

Eventually, he moved to Philadelphia as a single father of four kids and worked as a business agent

them out of trouble, got them better benefits, got them contracts, took care of them… that was a job you dream about.”

In 2007, Del Valle moved to Pennsauken and now works at East, where he

Everyone he interacts with notices the effort and enthusiasm he holds for his work at East.

“Going to Carlos, and picking up robotics parts and getting to experi-

“I have the best job in the whole district,” said Mr. Carlos Del Valle, East Stock Clerk.

From detailing cars at a young age, to serving in the military, working for the United Steelworkers Union, and now working in the East ence the joy stockroom, and hard Del Valle work he has done it brings to the all. job, going Born in beyond what Puerto Rico, he has to do, Del Valle is inspiring,” moved to said Keith New York in Babitz (‘17).

1959 at the W h i l e age of seven. his typiAfter finishcal days ining school, volve filling he began his orders, he nine-year service to Liz Lee (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor also makes an effort to the military Del Valle takes stock, surrounded by items he has collected from his past. reach out to working unfor the United Steelworkers spends his time trying to students and other faculty der the title of Supply SerUnion, where he remained brighten the days of others. members. He gives advice geant. for 21 years.

“I joke a lot, I try to make to students when he can, “The best thing for me Del Valle said, “I reprepeople laugh, I don’t like and does his best to give was when I joined the milisented members… when seeing people feel down,” them encouragement. tary,” said Del Valle. “Full members had problems said Del Valle. “I try to put “I try to go to the games of travel, and people that I with their job, I went in and a little life in them… I hate when they have tournamet along the way.”

I represented them, kept to see kids cry.” ments and stuff like that Del Valle said the mili-

because it shows support, and a lot of the kids need support,” said Del Valle.

While he reaches out to students, he also makes an effort to build relationships with other members of the faculty and staff.

“We love him, he is the best, the nicest… he loves to come to the main office and give us lyrics to songs to guess the name of… and comes in and says, ‘Good morning, hardworking ladies of Cherry Hill East’,” said Mrs. Patricia McCarthy, a main office secretary.

While Del Valle has been many places in his life, he said that he likes Cherry Hill, the school district and the students here.

“I like talking to people, I talk to everyone in the office, I try to make the day better,” said Del Valle.

“Time goes by quicker, and work gets easier when you are having fun, when you enjoy what you’re doing, and I enjoy what I’m doing here... I really do.”

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

March 2017

NEWS/FEATURES The ultimate unsung hero EASTSIDE

Anonymous teacher gives food packages to low-income East students

■ By Jenna Simons (‘17)

Eastside News/Features Editor

Cherry Hill is perceived as a very affluent suburban town. The Census Bureau’s 2006-2010 American Community Survey reported that the median household income in Cherry Hill was $88,183. The national median household income was only $49,445.

However, there are still families in Cherry Hill that struggle day to day to get by. Some of these families have children who attend Cherry Hill High School East. There are currently nine students at East who receive free lunch.

For some of these students, the daily meal that they receive at school is a guarantee that they will eat that day. When these students are not in school, such as on weekends or over breaks, uncertainty of their next meal haunts them.

One East teacher, to be referred to as ‘The Teacher’ using male pronouns throughout the article, can relate to the struggles that these students on the free lunch program face, as he used to be one of them. The Teacher grew up as a poor kid in Cherry Hill and now gives back to the less fortunate students of East by donating packages of groceries to students in need over school breaks.

The Teacher was born into a family with less than ideal circumstances. His father was a painter and mother was constantly sick.

He had one elder brother by 12 years.

Due to the family’s adverse situation, it received government aid in order to keep its head above water.

The family relied on government disability checks, because of his mother’s sickness, and Section 8 Housing.

“Section 8 Housing is if you can’t afford to live anywhere, the government subsidizes you. So, depending on how much money you make, that’s how much you pay. We paid like $100 for a three-bedroom [apartment], we were so poor,” said The Teacher.

The Teacher lived in what used to be the Cherry Hill Apartments across from the Cherry Hill Mall.

The apartments have since been renovated into a new complex.

The Teacher recalls the living conditions that the family was subjected to under Section 8 Housing as nearly unbearable. Frequent problems with the living situation included lack of hot water. On some days, The Teacher relied on the help of friends to provide him with a place to take a warm shower. Eventually, the complex stopped taking new residents.

“Once you got in there, probably by the time I was in fourth or fifth grade, maybe like third or fourth grade, no one else moved in,” said The Teacher.

“They basically shut the place down for people mov-

ing in. Because it was just a terrible place to live.”

In order to keep some amount of food on the table, the family relied on food stamps.

Additionally, the family received support from the Cherry Hill community.

The Teacher received a free present around the holidays from the church organization CCD, or Confraternity of

The family was placed in a hotel for a couple nights before being relocated to Summerset Apartments.

After graduating high school, The Teacher enrolled in college, working part-time while attending school. The Teacher went to college for free, as the family had no money to pay tuition. He credits his aunts, brother and grandparents for their emotional support and guidance along the

Christian Doctrine. Their church also gave Art by the family a basDanielle Shoshany ket of food around (‘17)/ Eastside Staff the holiday season. way.

When The Teacher In December of The turned 12, his life took an Teacher’s senior year of colunexpected turn for the lege, he returned home for worse. The Teacher’s mom holiday break. His father passed away, leaving the gave $60 as a gift, money struggling family with one that had been saved all parent. The Teacher strugyear, so that The Teacher gled with the passing of his could buy a present for himmother, but never got off self. track academically.

That Christmas Eve, The Moving towards high Teacher woke to find his faschool, The Teacher played ther’s bedroom door wide a Varsity sport and took open, and his father lying honors-level classes. The dead on the ground. He had Teacher was deterred from endured an aneurysm and taking some high-level hit his head on the night courses once judged by a table. teacher for being a “jock,” The Teacher called the as well as poor. police, who took the body to In high school, The the hospital. The Teacher Teacher got his first job had to stay behind to be working at McDonald’s at questioned, as the death the age of 15. Some of the was so violent the police money made from this job had to ensure that he had went directly to helping no part in the death of his pay the family’s bills. While father.

The Teacher never had As soon as The Teacher the coolest clothes or nicwas financially capable, he est cars, his father always knew that giving back to made sure that the family the community was neceshad food. sary. The Teacher chose the When The Teacher was monetary amount of $60 to going into his senior year spend on the food packages, of high school, the family in recognition of his father found itself without a place who saved $60 for Christto live. After numerous atmas. tempts to move out of Cher“I graduated college and ry Hill Apartments and bethen I said ‘I’m always going ing turned down, they were to give back,’” The Teacher abruptly told one day that said. “Because my pops the apartments would be saved for $60, so I want to condemned. The family was be able to give $60.” instructed to collect their The Teacher has been valuables and leave the donating food to families in apartments immediately. the Cherry Hill area since

2004. Mrs. Yanell Holiday, student advocate at East, coordinates the donation and delivers the food. This year is the first time that the families found out who donated the food to them.

“Too many people give to let everybody know they give,” said The Teacher. “I don’t want the glory, I just do it.”

Throughout his youth, Cherry Hill Public Schools never held The Teacher to a different standard from any other student. The Teacher applauds the district for always holding him accountable despite the financial situation of the family.

“Cherry Hill never said, ‘Well, we feel sorry for you, we’re not gonna expect things of you.’

I had to take every punishment they gave me.

When my mom died, they gave me support…but they still held me accountable for everything... they had a standard for me,” said The Teacher.

N o w a days, when The Teacher sees teachers excusing students because of their financial situation, he will be quick to inform the teachers.

The Teacher does not want excuses to be made on behalf of students because they are less fortunate, as they still have access to the same education as everyone else in the district.

The Teacher said, “I call teachers out, I’m like, ‘You’re just being nice because he’s poor. He’s not dumb, he’s poor, there’s a difference. That kid can do his homework.’ Knowledge is free.”

The Teacher doesn’t want recognition for his efforts; he is simply hoping for awareness in the community. Some students at East are ignorant to the financial situations of the students around, assuming that everyone is in the same financial situation as them.

“People should know that this is happening,” said The Teacher.

It might seem odd to some people that one would donate food to people in Cherry Hill, which is exactly the reason that The Teacher does it.

“People forget that… there are people in Cherry Hill that are broke. That’s why I want to give here.

Like it sounds crazy, you’re giving in Cherry Hill, but there are people that need it.”

Photo illustration by Jenna Simons (‘17)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

Page 3

The Boyling Point ■ By Kaitlyn Boyle (‘17) Eastside Editor-In-Chief

I feel proud to be a part of the Class of 2017. Not because we were (finally) able to win Spirit Week this year, but because I know that I am a member of a group made up of many strong young adults who are not afraid to fight for change in our school. Our class has made its presence heard at Board of Education meetings. We have expressed our opinions at town hall sessions with superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche. We have been leaders from even our early years of high school. This class consists of students who truly care about the future of East, our community and our world.

But who will follow in our footsteps? After we toss our caps in June, after we clear out of the hallways and classrooms, who will be there to step up as the next confident student voice? Who will challenge any potentially detrimental plans in place by the Board of Education?

Recently, I have had a few underclassmen reach out to me looking for information and advice on how to present and defend some of their own opinions.

This step is a small glimmer of hope; however, it is nowhere near the amount of support necessary to replace the void that will be left by the graduation of the Class of 2017. East’s student population cannot afford to weaken over the coming years. Underclassmen must quickly begin rising to the challenge.

Previous advances made by the senior class must not go to waste. The Class of 2017 established a voice for the student body that cannot be diminished in any way. The rising classes are fortunate; they do not have to start from scratch. Rather, they have a foundation to build off of, to grow and to nourish, in order to establish an even more powerful voice of high school students in the district.

Change is not instant, and it certainly is not easy. I say this from experience. It may take weeks, months or even years. Perhaps it may even take the combined efforts of multiple graduating classes. But that doesn’t mean that we should give up. Seniors: we must keep fighting until our very last days here. The presence and voice of the students is too important of a situation to neglect due to a serious case of senioritis. Juniors, sophomores and freshmen: please do not wait until we are gone to begin speaking out for what you believe in.

If you think there should be a change, don’t wait for someone else to speak, because there is always a chance that nothing will happen. Do it yourself. Ask us for advice. We are here to help you, but only for a few more months.

Cherry Hill East, the time is now.

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COMMUNITY South Jersey hosts an array of unique competitions EASTSIDE

March 2017

Pinnacle Parkour Academy offers intense challenges ■ By Sara Messinger (‘17)

Eastside Community Editor

Pinnacle Parkour Academy hosted a Grip Medley Competition in Cherry Hill on Saturday, February 4.

Creator of the competition, “American Ninja Warrior” finalist and Pinnacle Parkour coach, Jamie Rahn, hosted the event to challenge Parkour competitors.

Rahn created a one-of-a -kind competition with various grip-intensive tasks to test one’s “grip strength.”

The participants received points after they successfully completed each grip challenge, and the competitor with the most points at the end was the victor.

“The competition [was] a lot of lifting weights, pulling weights and dead hangs. A lot of different creative grip strength tools [were] used and a lot of Coach Jamie’s ninja type exercises [were] going on,” said Phil Pirolo, a coach at

Pinnacle Parkour.

The event was divided into two competitive groups: adults and teens.

The challenges did not alter based off age group.

Both teens and adults were challenged to lift, pull and move the same weights and forms in the competitions.

“We’ve got a big teens program. A lot of teens come to the classes... The big attraction for teens to work out at a Parkour gym is that it is an interesting way to move around and learn to be creative and explore your environment,” said Pirolo.

Pinnacle Parkour introduces students to a whole new way of exercising.

With the simple goal to inspire people through movement, the Parkour Program offers safe and progressive methods, ensuring both physical and mental advancement through the discipline of Parkour.

Through the Grip

Strength M e d l e y Competition, Pinnacle allows for students to show off their skills to spectators that are interested inseeing what exactly the gym is all about.

“A lot of grip training, like holding heavy weights for a long time, a lot of dead hangs and trying to extend your time... That’s Fred Kim (‘17)/ Eastside Staff really the best way to A man works out at the Pinnacle Parkour Academy. prepare for classes, Pinnacle offers a pete in competitions like sure,” said Pirolo. fun way for teens to get acthe studio’s Grip Medley With an assortment of tive and maybe even comCompetition.

up to Vermont and New York down to Wilmington and Pennsylvania [who enter the exhibition], but most are from New Jersey,” said Philip Carroll, Curator of Exhibitions at the Perkins Center for the Arts.

There is a $10 entry fee per submission, and each artist may submit up to three pieces of artwork. All entries must be framed and cannot exceed the dimensions of fifty inches long by fifty inches wide. This year 97 different artists submitted about 254 pieces of art.

The pieces of art will be

showcased in the gallery for seven weeks and will be judged by Sarah Stolfa, who is the juror for this exhibit.

Stolfa is the founder and executive and artistic director of the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center and has also taught both in the museum and academic circles, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Yale University Art Gallery, Drexel University and currently at the University of Pennsylvania.

“You're looking at the quality of the photographs and you're looking at how

The Perkins Center of the Arts captures photography exhibit ■ By Julia Benedetto (‘19)

Eastside Staff

The Perkins Center for the Arts has been hosting its thirty-sixth annual Photography 36 Exhibition since Saturday, February 4, and will continue until Sunday, March 26. The Photography 36 Exhibition is a judged photography exhibit located at the Moorestown Gallery. The exhibition is open to anyone over the age of eighteen for participation.

“It's kind of a mix, we get everybody from all the way

they are printed since a lot of the submissions today are digital, but you're also looking for how clear the image is and whether there is a lot of manipulation from Photoshop and things of that nature,” said Carroll.

Peter Barberie, who is the curator of Photographs for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, will select one piece of artwork and that piece will be placed in its permanent collection. The maximum payment that goes to the actual artist, funded by the Perkins Center, is six hundred dollars.

Three more artists will be selected by the Perkins Center’s curators to be included in a future exhibition at the Collingswood Gallery in 2018.

“I would love to showcase my work and have professionals and everyday people critique my work,” said East photography student Nicole Perez (‘17).

The Perkins Center for the Arts invites people of all ages to see the art on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

All one thousand seats sold to participate in the comMeloche, Marjie Major, out and the show was a petition. On the day before Lisa Geiss and Bruce Curhuge success. the show, a dress rehearsal less will judge the acts this Ms. Susan Nicolazzo-Doltakes place to put the final year. larton, a math teacher at touches together. Then it is People can pay to vote Cherry Hill East, first startthe big day. for their favorite act on ed performing in the show Starting in 2012, Nicolazthe Cherry Hill Education when she Foundation was apwebsite, proached cherryby Stofhilleducaman. tionfounda“I grew tion.com, up dancnow.

An ing, so for opportume it was nity to vote exhilaratwill also ing and take place a great during intime. You termisspend all sion. The of that first place t i m e trophy is training awarded to and prethe act that paring raises the for the most money big night throughout and then voting.

Courtesy of David Kappler Photography w h e n Contestants at the 2016 awards ceremony celebrate. This In adthat night year’s competition will feature past winners. dition to a comes, first place giving it trophy, your all is the best part,” zo-Dollarton has performed acts will compete for a trosaid Nicolazzo-Dollarton. in three of the shows, one of phy in the Best Dance Act, Once partners are placed which she won first place. the Most Creative and the together, practice starts She had to decline her inviBest Technical categories. five months in advance. tation to perform this year, These awards will be adDuring that time, partners she said. ministered based on the raise money for their act Superintendent Dr. Joe judges’ discretion.

“The event brings the whole community together by including families, businesses, township representatives, school personnel, students and senior citizens for the purpose of supporting our schools and enjoying an evening together,” said Stofman.

Stofman credits the expertise and professionalism of the people who produce the show in making it such a big success. From the director, Drew Molotsky, to the East musicians and the hundreds of people who have volunteered over the past nine years, Stofman cannot thank them enough, she said.

Tickets for the show can be bought on the Cherry Hill Education Foundation website, as all 1,004 seats have sold out the past nine years.

“I grew up in Cherry Hill, I’ve been a resident here since I was six. For me, I definitely have that dedication to Cherry Hill.

Having the opportunity to give back to the foundation is awesome because the foundation makes so many sacrifices and gives so much back to our schools,” said Nicolazzo-Dollarton.

Dancing with the Cherry Hill Stars returns for a tenth year ■ By Gregory Rothkoff (‘19)

Eastside Community Editor

On Sunday, April 30, over thirty dancers will grace the stage of the Cherry Hill High School West Auditorium to perform in the tenth annual Dancing with the Cherry Hill Stars.

Hosted by the Cherry Hill Education Foundation, the event donates all proceeds to the Cherry Hill Public Schools in the form of funded grants. Dancing with the Cherry Hill Stars has featured local dancers each year except the third, in which talents were showcased in Cherry Hill’s Got Talent.

President of the Cherry Hill Education Foundation, Eleanor Stofman, started the event after realizing the need for fundraising activities. Combined with the popularity of the hit television show, “Dancing With The Stars,” the first event was held in May 2008.

The first show featured a group of sixteen dancing couples that were made up of school principals, teachers and community members who were matched with professional dancers.

COMMUNITY Local coffee shops have indie appeal March 2017

EASTSIDE

tors like Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. You could get something from Starbucks, but it’s nothing to The cold, write home about. That’s frigid air why we try to go the extra of winter mile,” said Andrew. should not Its open mic nights combe the only plete the cozy ambience of thing grazthe coffee shop. The atmoing against lips this season. sphere is truly homey; I Winter is the perfect time truly felt welcome and comfor lattes, peppermint mofortable at Coffee Works. chas and hot chocolate.

My next stop was Although Starbucks gets Jersey Java in Haddonall the coffee hype, I had field. My experience at the amazing opportunity Jersey Java was great, but to visit local coffee shops different from my experiin the area. I took a friend ence at Coffee Works. Jeror two to venture to three sey Java was a little more unique coffee shops: Cofpacked than Coffee Works, fee Works, Jersey Java and so my experience was not Grooveground. Each of the as personal or intimate as coffee shops that I visited it was at Coffee Works. was far better than StarThe décor at Jesey bucks. It was the perfect Java was more simplisindie exploration for the tic: wooden high tables, winter season. a few couch seats with The first coffee shop I vislow wooden tables situited was ated by the windows, Coffee and drinks served in Works mason jars. It was a in Voordifferent type of feel. h e e s .

The coffee shop was I fell jammed with people in love hunched over their with the laptops, deeply conplace as centrated on their soon as work. I ordered an I walked Italian soda, cinnain. Soft mon toast muffin and t w i n an iced coffee. The k l i n g Italian soda was marlights velous. I loved the mix of w e r e fizzy bubbles and fruity hung all tang, and yet surprisaround, ingly it wasn’t too sweet. a small The muffin was fluffy, stage set tasted homemade, and up,and very delicious despite dim, low the overpowering cinnaBethelly Jean-Louis (‘17)/Eastside Staff mon and sugar. The iced lighting gave Coffee Works provides weekly entertainment. coffee was phenomenal. I the coffee could tell that the coffee shop a certain ambiance. sion. was well brewed.

Coffee Works is the right “We really do try to excel Jersey Java is one of the combination of cozy and in what we do so that we few specialty coffee shops chic. The place has a “coffee can compete with competiin South Jersey using high■ By Bethelly Jean-Louis (‘17)

Eastside Staff

shop” feel, different from Starbucks. I ordered a peppermint mocha and cappuccino, and I was pleasantly surprised. The coffee in the cappuccino tasted real.

Not only was the taste authentic, but I could also tell both of my drinks were well crafted.

“We have our own way of doing everything. Everything is home styled and old-fashioned,” said Andrew, a barista at Coffee Works.

Coffee Works opened in 1998. Its busiest time of the year is the wintertime, especially Christmas season. Coffee Works takes pride in menu and preparation of meals. All of its coffee is roasted on premises, eggs are freshly cracked, and meals are made from scratch. The most popular items are its smoothies, especially the Oreo Obses-

Page 5

grade coffee. High-grade coffee has very little defects, thus the quality of the coffee is better. The beans are all handpicked and are sourced from batches in Philadelphia. Specialty coffee has specific notes of flavors that go unnoticed in the lower grade brews offered at Starbucks, Wawa and Dunkin Donuts.

“Our coffee is ethical

and you can trace it all to the bean farmers who handpicked them, that’s what makes us different from Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks and Wawa,” said Gabrielle, a barista at Jersey Java.

Jersey Java is an independent family-owned business established in 2009. The place is very coffee-centric, but coffee is not the only good thing on

the menu. Its pastries are also an amazing accompaniment to any espresso beverage, and the Italian Soda it offers is fantastic.

I also had the chance to stop in Collingswood to visit Grooveground. Grooveground was the most unique coffee shop I visited. There was vinyl on the wall, a massive CD collection and DVDs. I felt like I was in a record store more than a coffee shop. There was a rack of clothing, jewelry, mugs and soaps were all for sale.

Though I was tempted to buy a cute pair of earrings, I decided to order a chai tea latte, apple crumb muffin, café au lait and cherry Danish instead. From my first sip, I could tell both of my drinks were excellently brewed. I enjoyed the wide variety of choices in the menu.

“I think we’re unique because we aren’t just a coffee shop. We have such a wide variety in the menu and sell local goods as well,” said Colin, a barista at Grooveground.

Grooveground was established in 2001. The coffee shop is unique, but some menu items stood out. Its hot chocolate bar features seven different flavors, with toppings including s’mores, peanut butter, salted caramel and Mexican hot chocolate.

I enjoyed the different aspects from each coffee shop.

It broadened my horizons, for I am more open-minded to try other local coffee shops instead of Starbucks.

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

The hidden history of Philly’s Boathouse Row

a hub of action for both beginning and experienced rowers.

For Eastside The houses have gone through Living in New Jersey, it is someminimal changes with only minor t i m e s repairs e a s y w h e n to fornecesget that sary. The there are lights on a pleththe waora of ter are historic regarded sites, as one of r a n g the most ing from beautiful dueling sights in grounds Philadelto battlephia, and fields surmany of rounding the clubs the state. offer proS o m e grams for of those rowers. historic Along

Photo illustration by Ilana Arougheti (‘19)/ Eastside Community Editor w i t h sites, t h o u g h Despite heavy renovation over the years, Philly’s Boathouse row remains a recognizable community staple. boating, e a s the housily recognizable on sight, have rich es are rented out for events. Boatfour-time Olympic rower and elder (founded in 1961) was the first to histories that the East community house Row has also been used as brother to actress Grace Kelly. The represent America in a European may know little about, as is the case a backdrop in films such as Rocky UBC went on to produce multiple race and won the first Women’s Nawith Boathouse Row. Olympic gold medalists. tional Rowing Championship. and its many sequels, or any other Boathouse Row can be found in One of the 12 boat clubs, the VesIn fact, Boathouse Row was movie filmed in Philadelphia. any listing of Philadelphia attracper Boat Club (founded in 1870) named a National Historic LandSometimes, history can be made tions, with a picture of the lit-up won the first men’s eight gold medal mark in 1984 and was added to the by a small group of people and a silhouette of the century-old houses in 1900 (a competition at the OlymNational Register of Historic Places rowboat and can grow into 15 housreflected in the river alongside it. pics with eight men to a boat), and in Philadelphia. es and 12 rowing clubs that are In addition to being one of the most won it twice more in 1904 and 1964, Today, this historic place is still home to Olympic athletes and the beautiful sights in Philadelphia, it is and a pair from the Pennsylvania home to the 12 rowing clubs along first women to represent America also the home of 12 amateur rowing Barge Club (founded in 1861) won with aspiring Olympians and comin Europe. clubs that make up the Schuylkill gold in 1932. petitions on the river. The Schuylkill The simple things in life don’t Navy.

Along with those gold medalRiver remains a popular place to have to be overlooked, and BoatIts rich history began when in ists, many others from the clubs row, and Boathouse Row remains house Row deserves attention.

■ By Samantha Roehl (‘20)

1858, the University Barge Club (UBC) formed on the east bank of the Schuylkill River on Kelly Drive, named after John B. Kelly Jr.,

have participated in the Olympics and numerous other rowing competitions through the years. The Philadelphia Girls’ Rowing Club

Page 6

EASTSIDE

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OPINIONS

March 2017

YES

EASTSIDE

Are legacy connections fair in college admissions? to judge “fit”. When choosing students, admissions officers are concerned with creating a class that will be active on the campus, in addition to academically outstanding.

Having a longstanding connection, no doubt, enhances one’s “fit” and makes the student a more attractive candidate for admission.

We can go on about how unfair legacy is and how schools need to be more meritocratic. Yet, we forget that we are only referring to private universities. Barring mea-

Page 7

NO

control over where his or her parents went to college, and extended legacy should not offer any advantages or disadvantages to being adWhen building an incoming College applications are univermitted into a university. freshman class, colleges take sal in their measurement of basic Giving large donations to univermany things into consideration. scholastic achievements; however, sities has also increased chances of There are the obvious factors, such some applicants will be considered admission. At many elite universias grades, extracurriculars and for admission based on other facties, admissions officers are given community service. Demographic tors, such as having legacy at the a list of “development cases,” the factors, such as race, family incollege, coming from a family that names of applicants whose famicome and geography also play a has donated money to the institulies have contributed large sums of part. Even when factoring in every tion or knowing someone with conmoney to the university. metric already listed, however, a nection to the college.

In Daniel Golden’s book The Price school may be missing a factor of Admission, he explains intrinsically difficult to meathat being a development sure: one’s spirit. case is equivalent to scorLegacy, giving the children ing about 500 points higher and grandchildren of alumni on the SAT when being conpreference, has been a part of sidered for admissions at an the admissions process since elite university. the 1920s. Although at first the According to The Wall system was meant to discrimiStreet Journal, Duke Uninate against applicants of lower versity admitted to acceptsocietal status or of varying ething about 125 students per nic backgrounds, it has shifted year based on their wealth. more toward preference than Caroline Diemar, a student prejudice. Statistics show that at Duke, explained that he applicants with legacy have a was admitted to Duke, de45 percent greater chance of spite his 1190 score on the being accepted than others on new SAT, because of a recaverage. ommendation letter from a Despite its past, legacy family member who was a serves the purpose of buildlarge donor. This situation ing up a strong and dedicated demonstrates how privilege alumni network for a school. can beat hard work.

For top universities, the servicHaving connections with es provided by their network of the right people can help one graduates—including job placegain admittance to top uniment, events and marketing— versities. According to the act as one of the potential hooks student-run Stanford Daily, for the school. the Faculty Senate’s ComAdditionally, colleges can mittee on Undergraduate also develop a campus culture Admission and Financial Aid through the use of legacy. Keephas the ability to determine ing certain lineages prevalent criteria that would allow an

Fred Kim (‘17)/ Eastside Staff in a school allows for traditions Legacy connections can lead to preferential treatment in the college admis- applicant to be given considto continue over decades and sions process. Such connections have caused debates over the years. eration. This includes being even centuries, which would oththe relative of a staff member. erwise die if left uncared for.

It is frequently asked on colEndowments also necessitate In 2011, Michael Hurwitz, a surable discrimination against cerlege applications whether a student the development of strong family graduate student at Harvard Unitain groups, which can no longer has a relative who works at the unities to a school. Harvard currently versity, conducted a study among be said of legacy due to the diversiversity; if this was not a factor that has an endowment of 37.6 billion 30 elite universities around the fication of college students, schools colleges considered, then it would dollars, which is used for the fundcountry. In his study he found that are free to pick and choose from apnot be asked. ing of its top-tier academic proapplicants with legacy have a sigplicants as they see fit. In most, if Additionally, knowing someone grams. Alumni expect a reward in nificant advantage over those who not all, cases, schools will only pick who has a “pull” in admissions can return for their support, and legado not. In fact, applicants with qualified students to attend, and help a student get into a univercy is an excellent way of providing primary legacy at a college were that should be enough. sity. Whether it is the admissions for that. found to have a 45.1 percent higher It is challenging enough to get officers themselves or someone who It is also easy to forget the imchance of admission and applicants into colleges today, truly. But, we knows an admissions officer, this is pact of endowment on those who with secondary legacy at a college need to consider the other side of a factor that should not be put into would otherwise not be able to were found to have a 13.7 percent the coin: colleges are tasked with any admissions decision either, as pay a college’s high tuition. With higher chance of admission. Overthe near-impossible choice of creit does reward merit. enough money in the bank, many all, applicants with legacy were ating the best experience for their When considering an application, top colleges can afford to make sure found to have seven times the odds students. Legacy is a component admissions officers should only conthat anyone has the means to atof admission than applicants withof designing a strong class and sider factors that demonstrate the tend. Endowments can also ensure out legacy. should be allowed to continue as applicant’s personal merit. Donafunding to ongoing research, a core When considering an applicant, a factor for college admission. And tions, connections and where one’s part of the work of many American an admissions officer should only in the most extreme case, an indifamily went to college do not speak universities. be looking at the applicant’s pervidual has preference at one or two to anyone’s credit and, therefore, In an inestimable way, legacy sonal merit, not that of his or her selective schools: it is nothing inshould not be looked at during the also enhances a college’s ability relatives. It is out of an applicant’s credibly harmful. admissions process.

■ By Joshua Sodicoff (‘18)

Eastside Multimedia Director

■ By Holly Seybold (‘17)

Eastside Staff

Teachers tutoring prompts breach of ethics at East ■ By Ezra Nugiel (‘17)

Eastside Opinions Editor

Cherry Hill East is a public high school; however, there is quite a lot of private enterprising that goes on between teachers and students.

Some students, through paid tutoring, have access to teachers whogive them an unfair advantage over other kids who do not.

Although teachers cannot privately tutor kids from their own classes, they still may tutor kids who are in the same level and subject area. Teachers should not be allowed to tutor any students in their same course level for money.

Some students say they prefer tutors from their own school because they know the exact way in which the curriculum must be taught.

They say that if a teacher does not

tutor his or her own student, then it is not a conflict of interest. But that is the critical problem.

For example, in some academic departments, there are teachers who tutor students who are not in their class but take the same level. While each class moves at a separate pace and each teacher explains concepts differently, the tests remain the same for every class.

An East student once showed me the notes taken after a tutoring session. After general theoretical overview, the last page of notes had two example questions with detailed exemplar answers.

On the day of the exam, the exact same

questions appeared on the open-ended section of the test.

It turned out that within several of these tutoring sessions, there were examples that were very similar, if not exact, matches to questions on the test.

This behavior is unethical and is contrary to what teachers are supposed to be teaching their students. There is a breach of ethics when you provide information to students that give them an advantage over other students.

Information provided during tutoring sessions should be solely based upon students’ questions. In no way does giving students

exact answers increase their learning potential or understanding of curriculum.

Every student is in a competition with one another in a variety of areas. Should students really be encouraged to pay for special treatment from their own teachers?

What about kids who cannot afford it? This type of mindset is immoral. There are a multitude of gray areas when it comes to private tutoring from teachers affiliated with the school.

The only way to level the playing field is to eliminate tutoring from East teachers entirely.

While kids can still receive tutoring from other sources, it is much more ethical and genuine if aid is coming from a source outside of the very school they attend.

Art by Jennifer Dong (‘17)/ Eastside Art Directior

OPINIONS

The F-word isn’t so bad after all

Page 8

EASTSIDE

not socially acceptable for a woman to lack obedience Eastside Sports Editor and assume a higher or equal role of men. Therefore, Sit up straight, they when women resisted, and say. Roll your shoulders protested, and challenged backward and push your these degrading principles, breasts forward. Look delithey were “justly” regarded cate, look pure, look wholeas “feminists,” “complainsome. Smile. Only speak ers,” and outwardly “rewhen spoken to. Appear bellious.” intelligent, but do not eduWomen such as cate yourself too much. Do Alice Paul, Susan not stand up, do not speak B. Anthony, Betty out, do not overstep the Friedan, Elizaboundaries that have been beth Cady Stananchored to you. Sit down. ton, Eleanor The physical and biologRoosevelt and so ical structure of a woman’s many more now body has predetermined regarded as inspiher place in society since rations for all women the earliest stages of huector with respect and Dir Art ide sts Ea 7)/ Jennifer Dong (‘1 mankind. A woman’s geadmiration were netic differences in size and white womonce chastised, arrested, strength from men and her an’s pay is compared to a aim to acquire basic equalalienated and deemed inability to carry and nurse white man’s. According to ity for women in all aspects credibly unfavorable in infants have created spea study by the National of society. their time for overstepping cific “duties” for her.

Partnership for Women Without the vital coursociety’s restrictive boundWomen were long considand Families, there is a age of feminists of all genaries. ered naturally weaker than large gap between erations had to possess in It is time for both womm e n , the average wage order to stand up and reen and men to embrace squeaearned by white ject conforming to the male feminism, and it is time to mish, and women and midominance of society to act support gender equality unable to nority women. submissive and obedient, without being afraid to call perform Hispanic women women would still not have yourself a “feminist.” work remake on average some of the rights they do Do not sit up straight, quiring only 55 cents on a have in America. Although just because they tell you it muscular white man’s dollar. those women were ostrais most proper. Do not roll or intelThe same study cized, criticized and negayour shoulders backwards lectual revealed that Aftively deemed as “femiand push your breasts fordeveloprican American nists,” they passionately ward if you feel uncomfortment. women make 60 held onto their values and able doing so. Do not look In most cents on the d e l i preinwhite man's c a t e , dustrial dollar, and pure or societies, therefore wholedomestic earn 40 pers o m e chores cent less solely to were relthan white attract egated to The m e n .

Maddie Armstrong (‘20)/ Eastside Staff men. w o m e n , Women march with signs in Washington, D.C. National Smile leaving Partnership because "heavier" are “complaining” for fefor Women and Famyou are labor such as hunting and male equality are simply ilies study also found genuplowing to men. This igill-informed regarding the that Asian American inely nored the fact that caring rights concerning women in women make on avhappy, for children and doing such the Constitution. erage 84 cents to the not betasks as milking cows and While the Constitution dollar. cause washing clothes also redoes give women the right To put those stasomequired sustained labor. to vote and to legally have tistics into perspecone told Maternity, the natural abortions, it does not give tive, according to y o u biological role of women, complete human rights to a study by the Nathat you has traditionally been rewomen. In fact, The protional Women's Law should.

Maddie Armstrong (‘20)/ Eastside Staff S p e a k garded as a woman’s major posed Equal Rights AmendCenter, the gender social role as well. Thus, ment (ERA), which states pay gap causes the At the Women’s March on Washington, people wore even if the resulting steaverage white wom- apparel with messages of female empowerment. no one reotype that "a en to lose $430,480 over a morals to create progress spoke to you first. Appear woman's place 40-year career. Again, the and change for aspiring intelligent, because you are is in the home" losses are unsurprisingly women of the future. intelligent. Never sit down. has largely deterfar greater for minority It is evident that it was Stand up. Speak out! mined the ways women. Hispanic women in which women lose an absurd $1,007,080 have expressed over a 40-year career, Afthemselves and rican American women the ways in lose $877,480 and Asian which they have American women average been treated by $365,440 in losses. society.

In addition, to address These norms those who believe that femchanged drastiEzra Nugiel (‘17)/ Eastside Opinions Editor inists just wish to domically after the At the Women’s March on Washington, nate and elevate women c o u n t e r c u l t u r e women raise their fists with empower- above men in society are movement of the ment. strongly misinterpreting 1960s and 1970s, the values of goals of genuwhich introduced an influx that the rights guaranteed ine feminists. In fact, the of liberal ideals and issues. by the Constitution apterm “feminism” originatThis movement, also known ply equally to all persons ed from the French word as the sexual revolution, regardless of their sex, “féminisme,” first used in included protests for birth was introduced to Con1837 by the French phicontrol and abortion and gress by suffragist leader losopher Charles Fourier. rejected traditional views Alice Paul in 1923 after Fourier wanted to improve of sexuality. the 19th Amendment, asthe status of women in sociAs a result, viewpoints serting women’s right to ety, but he did not advocate concerning feminism bevote, was ratified in 1920; equality between the sexes. came increasingly polarized however, when the AmendThe first English definition since the movement trigment was finally passed by of “feminism” appeared in gered such an adverse reCongress in 1972, only 35 the Oxford English Dictionaction by conservatives. In states ratified it, which was ary in 1895: “advocacy of other words, people’s negathree states short of the 38 the rights of women (based tive views toward feminism required to put it into the on the theory of equality of were caused by the “conserConstitution. the sexes).” vative backlash” against the Second, women still do As the waves of the Womliberal issues surrounding not receive equal pay to en’s Liberation Movement women’s rights in America. their male-counterparts, passed in the nineteenth ■ By Courtney Finnegan (‘17)

These public denouncements of feminism are part of the reason feminism is generally misinterpreted as a negative term. Many people attempt to diminish the importance of feminism by labeling patriotic participants as “whining complainers” who protest for equality since women in society are “already equal.”

Others argue that feminists wish to elevate women above men in society. This argument is often used by those who unujustly claim the top rung of the social ladder in order to break the rungs beneath their feet, making it impossible to climb up.

I believe it is well overdue that both misconceptions are corrected in society’s collective consciousness.

Perhaps those who do not understand why feminists

which further supports the argument of existing inequality of women in America today. For instance, a white woman working the same job as a white man makes 79 cents to every dollar he makes.

The disparity in wage grossly grows when a non-

and twentieth centuries, feminism began to assume the meaning with which it is associated in present-day American society: “the theory of political, economic and social equality of the sexes,” according to the MerriamWebster Dictionary. Thus, feminists

March 2017

OPINIONS

March 2017

EASTSIDE

Page 9

Mindfulness should be integrated into East curriculum ■ By Brooke Greenberg (‘17)

Eastside Opinions Editor

​Mindfulness, the practice of being aware in the present moment, is a growing trend in today’s evolving society. While it is a common misconception that mindfulness is simply a waste of time, is too hard or is simply just straight meditation, it is actually one of the easiest ways to rid one’s body of stress and tension. ​We live in an extremely high pressure society, where stakes are high and ambitions are even higher.

Social stressors are plentiful, making it difficult to find a way to clear one’s mind and start living in the present moment. According to Psychology Today, the practice of mindfulness is not to relax, but to have a “cultivation of awareness.”

That cultivation of awareness is found through being present in the moment.

Right here, right now. ​Cherry Hill East is a topranking, high-achieving school in New Jersey. East offers many challenging classes, and there is high pressure to get into a top university.

“You do see trigger responses within kids, escapism type of behavior, some

kids will become fidgety and withdrawn, so you do see those trigger symptoms in students that are becoming overwhelmed," said East History Teacher Mr. Tim Locke.

Locke has found using mindfulness as a cathartic way to release tension in both his World History AP class and as a personal form of therapy for himself.

As someone who has struggled with anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Locke has kept mindfulness as an integral component of his leading a successful life in and out of the classroom setting.

“I have found a lot of anxiety in a lot of students as a result of the curriculum.

The fact that we do offer so many AP-level courses, also comes along with the curriculum standards of rigor and anxiety for students,” said Locke. ​However, the practice of mindfulness has not only helped Locke himself with dealing with mental health, but it has also helped a great number of his students within the classroom.

It is imperative that the practice of mindfulness is integrated into a classroom setting of either Sci-

ence or Health. While the Mind and Body course is offered as an elective, all students should experience a similar curriculum at some point throughout their high school years, especially since those that need it most may not initially realize it.

T e a c h ers should be trained to

help students live in the present moment and practice mind-

fulness within the classroom setting, and to enjoy the current content they are learning in class and to enjoy the company of their peers in a neutral, less competitive enviornment.

Practicing mindfulness has been linked to increased cognitive flexibility and focus, along with decreased depression and symptoms of anxiety.

Additionally, practicing mindfulness on a regular basis is linked to a stronger prefrontal cortex in which it reduces activity in the limbic system.

Those stronger connections help students to make more informed decisions like self-regulation and selfreflection.

It is proven that students brains are unfit to learn, according to Mindful.org.

If we can take the effort to teach financial responsibility through the Financial Literacy course, there is no reason that administration should not

take action to teach mental responsibility including the topic of mindfulness. ​Locke has been pushing to spread the utility of mindfulness throughout the East community, starting with his own classes.

Locke firmly believes that a course in mindfulness and meditation should be offered at East.

“I think that if we can teach about financial literacy and responsibility, we can teach mindfulness and meditation and mental well-being,” said Locke. ​Practicing mindfulness is something everybody should take advantage of.

“Mindfulness is a tool to put into your toolbox to reduce stress and anxiety [and improve learning],” said Locke.

While mindfulness should be practiced multiple times every day, it does not have to be practiced for long periods of time before it becomes practically second nature. It is not something that one can buy, it is simply something you give to yourself. East needs to implement mindfulness not simply as an elective, but as a core value in every single class.

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

Are multiple honor societies necessary at East?

Some have proposed that East should get rid of this diverse honor society system, claiming that the school will be better with a single honor sociIsaac Newton is known for his ety celebrating those who do well scientific prowess, not his linguisin all subjects. However, with all tic skills. Alexander Dumas and of the facts presented so far, it Miguel de Cervantes are known is quite apparent that the world for their strong command of the does not agree with this mentalFrench and Spanish languages, not ity. The world knows that people for their mathematical competency. should embrace those who speMost people have a greater affinity cialize in certain subjects. The for one area of study; that is why world acknowledges the fact colleges provide majors and minors. that one does not have to So why shouldn’t our honor do well in all subjects societies mirror these to succeed. The idea specialties? of having honor soUnder Cherry cieties celebrates Hill East’s curthe hard work rent system for of students in honor societies, various substudents who jects rather are especially than just strong in one holding them specific subaccountable ject can find an for being “wellhonor society rounded”. that caters to Other critics that strength. For of East’s current example, a student system believe that who has never lost a East students are alScience Olympiad ready being represented competition has Courtesy of Deviant Art through the various clubs the ability to earn a and teams. However, what spot in the National these critics fail to account for Science Honor Society, even if that is the fact that, while these acstudent is underperforming in tivities give students awards for English class. Likewise, a student their individual competitions, who has won first place in Certahonor societies reward students men (quiz bowl) for three years in for their overall efforts in a cera row has the ability to subscribe to tain field. For example, winthe National Latin Honor Society, ning an award for the National even if that student does not take French Competition says that an honors math class. Essentially, the winning student performed having different honors societies well on the National French allows students who are academiCompetition test. However, becally diverse be recognized. ing accepted to the National Having a diverse range of honor French Honor Society awards societies creates a realistic Cherry the student for his or her work Hill East; an East that recognizes in French throughout the entire that having an affinity towards a year, and even their entire acacertain subject is not a bad thing. demic career, just not based on In fact, the working world has its the results of one exam. own edition of honor societies. For Under its current multi-honor those who are especially talented at society system, Cherry Hill East mathematics, the world offers the is able to celebrate the Isaac Fields Medal. For those who show Newtons, Alexander Dumases a strong command of a certain lanand Miguel de Cervanteses of guage, the world offers the Nobel this school.

Literature Prize.

■ By Alon Goldfinger (‘17)

Eastside Business Manager

because they are useful or enjoyable, but because everyone else I know is also involved. I fear falling behind in achievement, and honor societies have become a component of how we think East is a school that—generalcolleges and scholarships view us. ly—promotes hard work and scholOf course, if honor societies proarship. We as students meet this vided a service, they would be worthexpectation in many ways, through while. Yet, most of them, including our strong academic programs, our the language honor societies and the successful extracurricular groups, Science National Honor Society, have and our culture of determination. performed little to no tutoring We have attempted to leave this year. Instead, behind many of their leaders the social and were elected economic to have but benefits that another qualifihave historication listed becally caused side their names. inequality. Yet, These societies as we work to usurp power from achieve the milethe clubs that prestone of creating viously supported a perfectly meritofun and useful cratic school, one meetings and road-block stands events and put in our way: honor it in the hands of societies. far less interested I must give two characters. disclaimers: first, Even if these I am a member of new societies tuthe Latin Honor tored, they would be Society, and gave a redundant. Cum Laude, speech at the language the general honor socihonor society induction last Courtesy of Deviant Art ety, populated by the top year. I also intend to join ten percent of the class Cum Laude and Science Najunior year and the top twenty pertional Honor Society in the near fucent senior year, has since its incepture; secondly, I do not believe that tion been a reliable source of academic every honor society is detrimental aid. Although they are mainly known to the progress we have made as a for their math help, Cum Laude offers community. resources in a variety of subjects. BeHonor societies are, by and cause the Cum Laude organization is large, a method of inflating college a useful part of the East Community, applications and egos. From expeit ought to continue to offer accolades rience, I know that the only real reon top of the high academic standing quirement to become a member of its members already have. a language-based honor society is Two solutions could resolve the useto have a decent grade in the class. lessness of honor societies. In either While getting good marks in a class case, East’s Activities Office would should be reward enough for effort, complete an audit of the work and membership in the honor society plans of each society and determine layers on in a completely meanwhether or not each one meets certain ingless way. At the same time, it criteria in its service to the student creates an even greater disparity body at large. However, after that, between students getting low A’s, ineffective societies could either be rewho would be eligible for membermoved or forced to reform. I personally ship, and high B’s, who would not. believe that it would cause less headThey also expand the extraache and more good to take the second curriculars arms race. I feel compath. pelled to join honor societies not ■ By Josh Sodicoff (‘18)

Eastside Multimedia Director

EDITORIAL

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EASTSIDE

March 2017

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

Board of Education assists issues in district Over the past few years, students have stated their grievances claiming that the Cherry Hill Board of Education (BOE) has not listened to their concerns; students felt that their presence at in-school Town Hall meetings with the superintendent and BOE meetings went unheard and unrecognized. In light of recent actions from both the BOE and Superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche, students have expressed appreciation for the increased open-mindedness and consideration of the Cherry Hill Public School District’s administration. Eastside would like to both recognize and thank Meloche and the BOE for their assistance in district issues.

To begin with, over the past two years, members of the East community fought to prevent the removal of the additional 30-minute lab period from all science classes. For students, the lab is beneficial to their learning experience, and with the loss of them, students would lack hands-on science experience. This past January, the BOE announced that the periods would not be removed, demonstrating that they did listen to the concerns of the Cherry Hill East community.

Furthermore, PARCC testing windows have been an ongoing issue for the East population. Testing periods have stretched for excessive periods of times, even as long as six weeks, in the past two years. Many hours of instructional time were lost as students were pulled out of classes for testing, thus halting the entire curriculum. Teachers also had unequal time distribution between two classes of different periods, allowing certain students an advantage. Parents, students and teachers announced their dissatisfaction and called for change in the schedule. Finally, voices have been heard by the board and the PARCC schedule has been shortened immensely. This year, per suggestion by Dr. Dennis Perry, Meloche and the Board have approved a three-day half-day schedule in which freshmen, sophomores and juniors will test, while the seniors will participate in alternative activities. The sophomores and juniors who refuse the PARCC testing will also participate in these alternate Platinum Lorie and Steven Goldsmith Dolores Birnbaum @Ben_Gold_ Susan and Lonnie Propas Ron and Nancy Stearn Robin and Richard Pacitti The Rothkoff Family Sherri and Ken Hoffman Eddie Cohen and Matt Cohen (Pro World Inc.) Brett and Robin Messinger Christy Marella Mario Scaturro Sandra First Maria and Ben Levin Rosemarie and George Dolnycky Richard Rosenblatt Jeanne and Joel Arougheti Veronica Kelly Scott Kessler Diana Hochman Jerold Rothkoff Debby Kennedy James Finnegan Mohammed Z. Hussain PayDay Payroll Resources Pat and Al Naddeo Brittany Finnegan Finnegan Family Trust Thomas Wall Your Child’s Very Own Dentist Raquel-Robert DeAbreu Linda and Tom Plaskota Brian and Christian Boyle Mukund Lakshman Gilda Cooper Gold Benjamin Braufman Jared Fisch (‘18) The Fisch Family Sterm Orthodontics

Gregory Rothkoff (’19) The First Family The Greenberg Family The Simons Family Hope Rosenblatt (‘18) The Maitin Family Elissa Cohen (‘18) Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18) The Nugiel Family The Messinger Family Matt Cohen Andrea Cohen Sari Cohen (‘18) Joe Levin (‘17) Louis Zimmermann (‘18) Abigail Richman (‘18) The Chen Family Finally the Perfect Gift Cascia’s Pizza Kickin’ Apps King of Pizza Linda Ross Steven Davis Staci and Jonathan Boiskin The Myers Family The Dong Family Joanne Gaev Campbell (‘08) Scott Campbell (‘08) Body Issue Founders, Mike Davis (‘10) and Nate Mulberg (‘10) Avra Bossov Eric Thompson (‘14) Diane Casey (‘04) Rockhill Restaurant Pay Day The Cooper Family The Pacitti Family The Black Family Eric First (‘18) Jenna Simons (‘17) Cheri Tolin Linda Ross David Samuel

Cherry Hill High School East

activities; freshmen do not have the option to refuse the test. Eastside would like to thank the administration for acknowledging the flaws in the previous schedule and working towards implementing an improved system.

In addition, the growing concern regarding unsafe amounts of lead in East’s water source has finally been clarified thanks to the board’s transparency regarding the water tests. After the water testing was completed, the Board was very open about the results, something that it has been criticized for avoiding in the past. A letter was sent to the East community, outlining all of the at-risk water sources and the amount of lead in parts per billion. Furthermore, Meloche wrote a letter to the entire district regarding the plan of action, and all of the testing results were published on the district website. Eastside would like to acknowledge everyone who participated in both the testing and the informing of the township. In the future, Eastside hopes that the board will continue with this project to ensure the safety of the students and faculty.

Finally, Eastside would like to commend the board for listening to the opinions of the community members in regards to East’s spring musical, Ragtime. The possible censorship of Ragtime created an uproar throughout the community and even gained national recognition; however, after dozens of students, parents and community members spoke at the board meeting in January, the previous proposal to censor Ragtime was overturned. The reversal demonstrates that the administration is truly listening to what some students have to say.

A strong relationship between the faculty, students and BOE is essential for a district as large as Cherry Hill. Eastside thanks Meloche and all of the BOE members for their efforts to improve our district. We hope to continue fostering a connection founded on understanding in the future.

Despite the huge strides, strides which Eastside greatly appreciates, there is still much work to be done. This can only be accomplished with the input from all parties involved.

Friends of Eastside The Goldfinger Family The Hinrichs and Forbes Family Foot and Ankle Specialists of Delaware County The Keller Family Mark and Rachel First Scott and Cindy Matte Elinoar and Eytan Sella Danielle Duffy Jill Greenberg Linda Kanter The Sukinik Family Talia Friedman Matthew Chilewich Ted Fisch Sid and Fran Fisch Lauren Greenberg Greg deWolf Sandra Rothkoff Karin, Adam, Jed and Perry Sherrie Cohen and Family Liza Rothkoff Mehlam and Rashida Shakir Youji Howng Teri and Neal Nover Lois and Paul Davis Jenny Chen Sprains Strains and Fractures Paul Simons Barbara Rosenblatt Bill Kopitke The Doshi Family Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman Heidi Silverberg Tina Ruocchio Steven Farber CabinetTree Design Studio Lisa Beaubaire Tom and Jane Keller Sari Mintz and Tom Mirsen Ben Levin Ilene Naddeo Susan Keller and Alana Homan

Paul Davis Denise Weiss Chris and Jenny Naddeo Silver Greg Rouen Jay Shaughnessy Eric Abrams George and Rosemarie Doinycky Debra and Anton Cohen John Happ Arlene Rionard Glazor Sam and Debbie First Larry Fisch Mitchell Cohen Stacy Ackerman Bonnie Richman Lois Cohen Scott Nover Rona Walters Mrs. Gagz Mooch Monkey Jake Fischer Terry Visconto Thasin Jaigirdar Molly McNerney Mohammad Kabir Tina Wescott Bill and Dottie Black Robin Aronson Susan Manion Yazhen Chen Carol Marks Lori Elkan Mei Wong Brenda Cohen Brian Kehoe Eunjin Lee Elizabeth Wells Jenn and Mike Dolnycky Faisal Aziz Robin Pacitti Rick Pacitti

Eastside 2016-2017 Editorial Board

Managing Editor: Jenna Myers Editors-in-Chief: Kaitlyn Boyle, Ashley Cooper, Luke Hinrichs Adviser: Mr. Greg Gagliardi

News/Features Editors Jenn Pacitti Jenna Simons Louis Zimmermann

Community Editors Ilana Arougheti Sara Messinger Gregory Rothkoff

Sports Editors Elissa Cohen Courtney Finnegan Drew Hoffman

Underground Editors Shari Boiskin Eric First Jared Fisch

Opinions Editors Brooke Greenberg Joe Levin Ezra Nugiel

Entertainment Editors Sari Cohen Asher Maitin Hope Rosenblatt

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

Eastside Online

http://www. eastside-online. org

Publisher School Paper Express Wappingers Falls, NY

Letters to the Editor Submit signed letters to F087.

Mohammed Aziz Phyllis Hoelsworth Phyllis Pignuola Angela Tosti Dr. Jahangir M. Kabir Mohammad Kabir Gregory McGann Ken Robinson and Sara Suman Alison Davis Jane Chilewich Uncle Lou and The Mighty Kanters Bronze The Green Family Michael Comber JoAnne Negrin Nate Spencer Sugar Dolnycky Melanie Goodstadt The Zimmer Family The Edelman Family Tina Catrambone Abby Hoffman Isabella Levin Tim Hunter Giana Boyer Miku Fujita Robert and Judith Messerman Jenna Simons Tracey Charlesworth Robin Boyle Sara Safarian Danielle Fox Alex Faye Diana Simons Emily Boyle Angie Pacitti Hannah Goldberg Susan Nicolazzo-Dollarton Dina La Voe Kevin Chen

Contact the Board:

Photo Editors Emelia Keller Liz Lee

Art Directors Sabrina DeAbreu Jennifer Dong

Video Editor Luke Shin

Webmasters Gabriella Friedman Nafessa Jaigirdar

Multimedia Directors Ben Goldsmith Josh Sodicoff Humor Editor Danny Naddeo

Business Managers Alon Goldfinger Abigail Richman Tech Director Kevin Chen

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: alon. goldfinger@ eastside-online.org.

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

March 2017

FIFTY YEARS EASTSIDE

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When Cherry Hill East opened in March 1967, Eastside was ready to print its first issue, as the students were already preparing the material for it dur-

ing their time at Cherry Hill West. A visit to the archives in F087 provides the full history of Cherry Hill East. The newspaper has been at East to cover the highs and lows of the past 50 years, and we have been using the printed issues this year, our Twitter account and Eastside Online to highlight some of these moments, including those on the following pages.

Eastside is proud of its 50 years of coverage and also proud of the Eastside alumni who have worked in all facets of professional journalism, from broadcast to print to social media. We know that our alumni now working in the media industry will continue to make us proud and will continue to take Eastside, in one way or another, with them wherever they go.

Emelia Keller (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;17)/ Eastside Photo Editor At the location of distribution, editors hold up past issues to represent 50 years of informing, challenging and inspiring the community.

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FIFTY YEARS NEWS/FEATURES

March 2017

Teachers reflect on their years here at East In honor of East’s 50th year, teachers reflect on their favorite memories and how things have changed over the years.

They were asked: 1. How long have you been working here?

2. What has changed the most since you started working here?

3. What is your favorite memory throughout the years?

4. Has the experience of working here changed? If so, how? `

Ms. Helena Dobromilski 1. “Since 1975.” (42 years).

2. “The block scheduling, and everything became more centralized...so what you do is not of your own making, it comes from Central Adminitration. Back in the day you do things more creatively, you were more in control of your lesson plan... I call it the Wild West, the good old days, it was fun. It is fun now but a different kind of fun. I feel proud and privileged to work here. I have grown and continue to grow, I am as much a learner as the students. What has helped me here is the students. They are the best part of it.”

3. “My favorite memory is when they voted me into Cum Laude. It caught me totally by surprise. I was thrilled. It took 22 years. I didn’t think it would happen.”

4.“It has changed with the times.”

Jenn Pacitti (‘17)/ News/Features Editor

Mr. Bill Kovnat 1. “28 years.”

2. “For some reason the staff has gotten younger and I don’t know why. I used to be the baby around here and now I’m the old guy.”

3. “My favorite memories are the students that I have met through the years and relationships I have created.”

4. “When I first started, I was like a big brother, now I have evolved to being their father, so I have changed. And I am teaching a lot of my students who are children of my former students. One Back To School Night I saw six former students whose kids I am teaching, it was more like a reunion than a Back to School Night.”

Photo courtesy of Mr. Bill Kovnat

Mr. Lee Troutman 1. “This is my 39th year at East.”

2. “I think the academic rigor has changed immensely and I would credit that with the common core curriculum standards of ‘No Child Left Behind’. I think the Cherry Hill community had to adjust their courses and their expectations to that of the country and that of the state, and that really hurt the academics in the building.”

3. “The things that I like the most are when I get messages from students from years ago, so it is nice to see those messages down the road.”

4. “The schedule we are on now affects many things. It changes the interrelationships between students, but it also has that same effect on teachers. We used to have a full-service cafeteria where the teachers could sit down for the full 44 minutes and actually socialize with colleagues from other departments. To me that is a sad change that has taken place.”

Louis Zimmermann (‘18)/ News/Features Editor

Mrs. Linda Wander 1. “23 years and I went to high school here.”

2. “Technology.”

3. “The relationships that I’ve made with students and how many of them keep in touch with me and let me know how well they’re doing.”

4.“Absolutely. I think technology is the major thing, and it’s worked in good and bad ways. I love being able to put grades into the computer and have it calculate a marking period grade, whereas before we used to have to keep it all on paper and do it all with a calculator. Now, we just push a button and it’s done. I like being able to communicate with parents and the students with technology, but the downside is the severe issue of cellphones in the classroom. It’s really a major issue for me.”

Jenna Simons (‘17)/ News/Features Editor

Mrs. Nancy Hinrichsen 1. “Since 1996... it’s my 21st year here.”

2. “The schedule. We used to have an eight-period schedule... see everyone the same period every day.”

3. “I don’t know that I have a favorite memory... but Florida was a great time, I had a great time going with the seniors.”

4. “No...I still enjoy working here, still enjoy teaching.”

Jenn Pacitti (‘17)/ News/Features Editor Interviews by Jenn Pacitti (‘17)/ News/Features Editor, Jenna Simons (‘17)/ News/ Features Editor and Louis Zimmermann (‘18)/ News/Features Editor

March 2017

FIFTY YEARS COMMUNITY

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Locals maintain involvement in activism throughout time ■ By Sara Messinger (‘17)

Eastside Community Editor

Eastside asked Cherry Hill residents...

What was Cherry Hill like when you were growing up?

“It was a little more rural than it is now, I could ride my bike a little more safely to places. There were more fields... other than that, it’s pretty much the same.”

- Fred Dold (‘89)

Asher Maitin (‘17)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor On February 28, 2017, peace activists rallied outside of the Katz JCC following a wave of bomb threats at local Jewish Community Centers. Activists also gathered for peace in 2005 as seen in the Eastside comic.

Rallies and protests are becoming more prevalent than ever given the political climate we are living in today. People of all ages, races and religions have been gathering at demonstrations across the nation, calling out for peace.

The local Katz Jewish Community Center is just one of the many JCCs across the nation receiving bomb threats in recent months. In response, over 200 people gathered for a peaceful rally in front of the Katz JCC on February 28 following the bomb threat that the Center received the previous day.

The protesters made their message clear to the community, “Hate has no home here.”

The Cherry Hill rally is one of many in recent months that have occurred in the Philadelphia and South Jersey region.

In 2000, Eastside reported on the rallies occurring in the community concerning the tense situation in the Middle East. Fast forward 17 years, and the community’s objective has not changed. The community advocates peace and solidarity through these rallies and protests. The only difference now is that there is a growing concern involving the peace right here at home. One message remains clear from the protesters of 2000 and 2017: whether overseas or at home in Cherry Hill, there is no place for hate in this world.

Cherry Hill classics: Some things never change

“It was a lot less congested, a lot less developed. The school was newer, it didn’t seem to have physical issues at the time... we used to go to Olga’s, which is no longer there... We used to go to Vito’s for pizza... Springdale Road was one lane, it was a lot quieter. Everywhere you look, now, they’ve built up.”

- Nora Downey (‘88)

Leslie Fabello (‘99)

Diane’s Water Ice has always been the go-to place in the latter half of the school year.

What do you like about Cherry Hill?

“When my children were young , the schools were great. Now that I am older, I love the sense of community in Cherry Hill.”

- Janice Feinberg

Art by Annie Shing (‘00)

Through the years, Color Me Mine has remained a favorite attraction for locals of all ages to test their artistic talents. From birthday parties to a fun afternoon with friends, Color Me Mine never disappoints.

Nikki Bucalo (‘97)

Although now under ownership by Carmike, the movie theater in the Ritz Complex in Voorhees, NJ, is still a popular place to watch a movie.

FIFTY YEARS

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OPINIONS

March 2017

As time goes by, the people who write the opinions may change, but some of the opinions do not...

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March 2017

FIFTY YEARS COMICS

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Maria Stolyar (‘01): April 2001

Robert Wolf (‘73): January 1973

Joel Greeenspan (‘13): February 2012

Greg (No Last Name or Year): October 1982

Craig Malamut (‘08): April 2007

FIFTY YEARS

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ENTERTAINMENT

March 2017

Former East students achieve success in the entertainment industry Matt Bush (‘04)

Bush said East gave him practice for the long auditioning process needed for movies and TV. “You have to audition in front of everyone [for the school plays],” he said.

“Nothing is scarier than having to do a monologue with 75 of your peers watching. That’s good training.”

- Courtesy of Eastside March 2011

Adam Goldworm (‘96) (Producer of film, television and theater)

Cristin Milioti (‘03)

JD Roth (‘86)

(Actress and singer on Broadway and television)

James Beradinelli (‘85)

Courtesy of Burlington County Times

This East graduate moved on to critique more than just movies in his head; Beradinelli became an American film critic for a living. At the top of the charts, he is a member of the Online Film Critics Society and is a Rotten-Tomatoes approved critic. Beradinelli writes a blog titled ReelThoughts; check it out at Reelviews.net.

- Sari Cohen (‘18)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor

Eric Goldberg (‘73)

(Animator, director and voice actor at Walt Disney Animation Studios and Warner Bros.

Animation.)

“[Roth’s] school day finished at 12:50 p.m. so that he could catch the 1:50 [p.m.] bus to New York City, where he either spent the day working or auditioning... After graduation, Roth found the defining moment of his acting career: ‘Fun House,’ a kids television game show.”

- Courtesy of Eastside April 2011

Toby Lightman (‘96)

“I think that after high school I was able to put myself in a situation where I could be a little more open-minded and well-rounded as a singer. After that, I just played out a lot; I played at open mics and different bars and I had a band.”

- Courtesy of Eastside December 2004 Courtesy of IMDb

Amos Lee (‘95)

After his years at East as Ryan Anthony Massaro, Massaro changed his name to Amos Lee and attended the University of South Carolina. He later became a singer-songwriter. Lee has released five albums to date and has toured with artists such as Jack Johnson, Bob Dylan and Adele.

- Asher Maitin (‘17)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor

Lawrence Bender (‘75)

Following his graduation from East, Bender became a film producer and has since produced films such as Good Will Hunting and Pulp Fiction. His films have been nominated for 29 Academy Awards and have won 6. In his free time, Bender is a social and political activist.

- Asher Maitin (‘17)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor Courtesy of MTV.com

FIFTY YEARS

Battle of the Bands

March 2017

UNDERGROUND

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Believe it or not, East used to host a Battle of the Bands competition, which saw its dominant years in the ‘90s and slowly faded away in the mid 2000’s. Read below to learn about its lasting impact on the competition itself and the band subculture at East.

Battle of the Bands: buried at East ■ By Shari Boiskin (‘17)

Eastside Underground Editor

It’s simple. Sign up, fill out a profile, post your logo and enter some music samples. Judges will then check out your profile and give it a rating. From there, you might just gain the opportunity to play the official Battle of the Bands tour in front of thousands of people.

Playing in front of thousands of people is not everyone’s forte, so luckily, for decades, the concept of Battle of the Bands has been adapted for local, state, as well as college settings. These are even more simple. Rather than trying to garner attention online, bands enter to play a set at a concert.

There are judges watching the performances, who at the end of the concert with help from the audience—often in a voice vote— pick the “best band.” A voice vote is a vote taken orally by way of the crowd saying aye or nay.

Battle of the Bands competitions primarily tend to attract bands that play rock and metal music, but there are also bands involved in a variety of other genres that participate.

In the 1960s, along with the popularity of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the rise of a prosperous middle class, garage rock was born. Electric guitars were inexpensive, and playing rock music did not require a music teacher—just practice. This type of music was at first modeled after the style of the Beatles, but grew to encompass whatever types of music people were able to make themselves. Many of these early garage bands were cover bands.

What makes it “garage rock” is that it is typically played or practiced in the garage of one of the members in the band. This was a large contribution to the trend of the rise of local bands—one does not need a studio, a professional manager or an agent to play mu-

sic. These types of local bands are the type of bands that play in Battle of the Bands competitions.

The concept of the Battle of the Bands is a popular one. Even if one has never been to a Battle of the Bands, it is present in popular media. A good example is the movie and musical “School of Rock,” where a teacher prepares his class to play in a Battle of the Bands. It is also often included in television shows, such as the Disney Channel show “Good Luck Charlie,” which had an entire episode dedicated to the competition. In addition, there are a multitude of shows, including the aptly named “Battle of the Bands,” that are essentially Battle of the Bands competitions.

There are Battles of the Bands competitions held throughout the Delaware Valley. There were a couple held in Philadelphia in Fall 2016, and there is one coming up in April 2017 as well. East used to host Battle of the Bands competitions both in the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2007, East had seven bands participate; in 2008, there were four. Prizes were awarded to the winners. In 2008, it was a 200-dollar gift card to Guitar Center and a golden trophy. There are East Battle of the Bands videos on YouTube dating back to 2003, one of which includes Cristin Milioti (‘03), who later starred in “How I Met Your Mother” as the mother.

Many Battles of the Bands are hosted and sponsored by large companies or coporations. The car company Honda hosts a battle of the bands every year. Colleges across the country also host the competitions.

Battle of the Bands is an excellent showcase of local, or even international, talent. Although there are no longer Battles of the Bands at East, they are still part of a worldwide trend that has yet to go out of fashion.

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

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FIFTY YEARS SPORTS

March 2017

In honor of Eastsideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fiftieth year, we compiled some of the best East Athletics moments of the past 50 years.

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SPECIAL

March 2017

EASTSIDE

Let’s Dance:

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Freshman Dance and Sophomore Cotillion kick off 2017 dance season by going under the sea and then to Greece

Elissa Cohen (‘18)/ Eastside Sports Editor

Seniors Sam Berman (‘17), Elise Goldstein (‘17), Jordan Shapiro (‘17), Rachel Cogan (‘17), Ryan Savitch (‘17), Maddie Phillips (‘17) and Josh Snyder (‘17) enjoy one of their last dances as East students.

Elissa Cohen (‘18)/ Eastside Sports Editor

Students enjoy a dance circle at this year’s Sophomore Cotillion.

Elissa Cohen (‘18)/ Eastside Sports Editor

Students, both upperclassmen and underclassmen, smile for the camera during their “Night in Athens.”

Elissa Cohen (‘18)/ Eastside Sports Editor

Adam Dashevsky (‘19) jumps around at the dance he helped plan.

Jenna Simons (‘17)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

Priya Kavuru (‘17) poses at her final Freshman Dance.

Jenna Simons (‘17)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

Freshmen feel excitement “Under the Sea.”

Check out more photos from both Under the Sea at Freshman Dance and The Sophomore Cotillion: A Night in Athens on Eastside’s Facebook page!

Jenna Simons (‘17)/ Eastside News/ Features Editor

Freshman SGA advisor, Mr. Jason DeFuria, amuses students with his shark costume at the Freshman Dance.

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COMICS EASTSIDE

March 2017

Secret Admirer? by Rose Ni (‘18)/ Eastside Staff

Just a Little Bit Longer... by Kevin Chen (‘17)/ Eastisde Tech Director

In Theory by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Eastside Art Director, Gabriella Friedman (‘17)/ Eastside Webmaster and Abigail Richman (‘18)/ Eastside Business Manager

The Mystery of G by Jonathan Calabrese (‘18)/ Eastisde Staff

Do you love drawing comics? Have a passion for illustration? Find yourself doodling in class? Do you want to see your art appear in issues of Eastside?

Talk to Sabrina DeAbreu or Jennifer Dong in F087 during LB1 or email them at art@eastside-online.org to sign up!

UNDERGROUND

Underground Music Genres

March 2017

EASTSIDE

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Growing bored with mainstream music? Are the familiar sounds of the “Top 50” playlist bland to your eardrums?

These three alternative music genres could be the cure to your humdrum jams...

Indiependent: a genre full of subgenres ■ By Sidra Isenberg (‘18)

Eastside Staff

For many, the indie genre of music remains unknown, hidden under the guise of other genres, like pop, rock or hip-hop. Unlike these other genres, indie artists desire independence from any major record companies.

The movement first began in the 1970s but did not gain momentum until the eighties and nineties. It began because many artists wanted to differentiate themselves from other popular genres. The overall genre of indie is divided into many subdivisions, including indie pop and indie rock.

Back in the ‘70s, artists like

Toots and the Maytals and The Velvet Underground were notable indie rock artists. Nearly 50 years later, indie rock bands have evolved into a more indie pop genre.

However, indie music as a whole is still very prominent in the music industry today.

In fact, nowadays you can hear the latest indie pop songs like “Brazil” by Declan Mekenna, “Oh My Heart” by Night Riots and even “Color”

by Finish Ticket. Although these songs aren’t necessarily

on the radio as much as other music, their music often gets recognized from opening up for more popular bands like Twenty One Pilots.

Even though their music slowly gets more popular, such bands help shape the future sound of indie music.

One strong point of the indie genre is the artist’s ability to concentrate

strictly on their music. Many indie artists are not keen on joining record labels or sponsoring huge concerts. Indie singers and bands demonstrate do-it-yourself attitudes.

Given these points, many indie artists, like local band Judah and the Lion, perform at small venues, cap concert ticket prices, finance their own tours and sell homemade merchandise.

Comprehensively, there isn’t one definition of what “indie” music is.

In essence, it consists of a multitude of different types of music. It is sometimes virtually unknown.

These qualities succeed in setting this music genre apart from others, and make indie independent, as the artists had hoped.

Gospel Rap drops the beat... on religion ■ By Joshua Pipe (‘20) and Samantha Roehl (‘20)

Eastside Staff

There is a very short list of common rap topics in society and they are pretty stereotypical: weed, other drugs, money, sex and… Jesus? Gospel rap has surprising depth and intrigue as a genre, but some artists exemplify this more than others.

Gospel rap is best when it tackles deeper issues such as avariciousness and is aware that religion has its faults.

One of the genre’s most popular artists is Lecrae, a 37-year-old from Houston with a lot of soul and a deep love for, you guessed it, Jesus.

However, Lecrae shines in applying love to a host of present-day issues such as shallowness, life after death and having faith. Lecrae has released ten albums since 2004. Some of his most wellknown songs include “Don’t Waste Your Life,” “Tell the World” and “God Is Enough.”

Another shining example of the genre’s selfawareness is “Dear Mr. Christian” by Derek Minor, a lyrically stunning rebuke of only embracing the convenient parts of religion and using religion to judge others. The song focuses on a troubled man with a lot of history who is pleading with members of his faith who disagree with

his life choices to pray for him or help instead of just ignoring the problem and blaming him.

Minor hits home with lyrics such as, “and next time you pray maybe I might get a mention” and “daddy told me I was nothing but a problem/ I don’t need to be judged by you and all of your wack friends.”

There are, of course, the classical gospel themes you would expect. “Over the Edge”

by Mc Jin is an anthemic piece about how Jesus keeps him from going “over the edge.”

The song tells the tale of a man completely lost in the world who finds solace in Jesus’s unconditional love. The message is expressed with lyrics like, “lately I ain’t been sleeping, staying up all night, contemplating, trying to figure out just

what is life.” It is revealed in the song that Jesus is the only reason he’s alive and the song turns to reverence of that allimportant connection in his life.

“The Invasion (Hero)” by Trip Lee talks about a broken world that only Jesus can fix, told through the eyes of a journalist coming to God. The song mostly details how broken the world truly is, with evil growing in size every day. The broken world is described in lyrics like, “with all these weighty problems that ain’t shrinking they just growing.” However, the song stays hopeful, affirming that the world can be fixed with a little bit of faith and a little bit of Jesus.

Ultimately, gospel rap is not as basic as it seems. In fact, the genre is as nuanced and diverse as the religion from which it stems. Complete with themes and ideals true to both religion and its people, gospel rap is a beautiful testament to the ideals of the religion and a genre that can be respected by everyone, regardless of one’s faith (or lack thereof).

New-age music: the genre for all ages ■ By Jenna Myers (‘17)

Eastside Managing Editor

New-age music is often referred to as a musician’s artistic and spiritual inspiration put into a song with the idea that it will help listeners relax and mentally heal themselves. Because of this genre’s general usage of instruments and soothing vocals, new-age musicians creatively form songs that make people feel like they’re in a peaceful environment.

The genre’s goal is to produce calm, harmonious tunes; it was—and still is—used for stress management. In fact, the music was mainly used in the late 1900s for meditating, doing yoga, reading and helping people fall asleep… and its purpose is still useful today.

Inspired by meditational music and natural soundscapes, new-age music emerged in the early 1970s to create a more spiritual genre that would help listeners get in a better state of mind. New-age music is mainly composed of musical styles from European and Asian culture, combined with acoustic instruments such as flutes, harps and background synths. In a majority of new-age songs, vocals are included.

When they are included, the pitches of the voices change slightly over time to make it easier to listen to.

All together, these key components create serene tunes.

New-age is different from other genres of music, such as folk, because separate elements are com-

bined in every song. For example, one song can pair the sound of the ocean’s waves and a flute, while another song can play the organ alongside a sitar. Obscure instruments are played together, making every song sound completely unique.

Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, new-age artists innovated the genre by incorporating more electronic sounds and vocals to the songs. New-age artist Enya, for example, has established a remast e r e d sound of the genre.

I n 1989, Enya r e leased a song, “Orin o c o Flow,” which not only includes a fast beat, but also overlaying vocals and a large selection of electronic synthesizers.

Most of Enya’s songs, like “Orinoco Flow,” “Only If” and “Caribbean Sea,” made her take on new-age music different from other new-age

artists because she made her songs more upbeat and fast-paced. However, Enya’s music was not only different in the new-age genre. Since her music is more unique than other songs on the radio at the time, a lot of her singles quickly appeared on music charts, giving new-age music a lot of attention. In 2016, Enya’s new album, Dark Sky Island, is heavily pianobased and her lyrics are more dominant than they were about 30 years ago.

Although her music has continued to change over the years, she is still a notable n e w age artist committed to altering the general sound of the genre.

Another artist, Enigma, takes an experimental twist on newage music. Lead singer, Michael Cretu, approaches new-age music in a different way than Enya does by making his music more upbeat

and slightly creepy. Cretu incorporates different drums and adds a lot of synthesizer effects into his music. For example, “Sadness (Part I)” starts off with gospel-like vocals and the drum beats sound like something that would be in a ‘90s rap song. As the song progresses, random chimes and xylophone notes come in and out, making the song completely polar to what the typical new-age artist would release. In another song, “Return To Innocence,” drums, guitar and woodwinds are playing more than anything, which makes the entire song sound like a new-age rock song. Enigma’s inclusion of different styles, even creating sub-genres, shows how much Cretu is willing to advance the sound of new-age music.

If you are the type of person who would give enigmatic music a chance, definitely give new-age music a listen. There are plenty of different surprises that come when listening to it. You never know what instrument will play next or what quirky sound an artist will throw in. Personally, if you enjoy relaxing, doing yoga or reading, put on a classic Enya song like “Caribbean Blue” since her music is sedated and overall beautiful. If you’re one for more experimental songs, Enigma has a lot of hidden unexpectancies and approaches to new-age music that sound a lot better than you would ever think.

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

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Out of the Vault: Starbury shoes come out of retirement ■ By Eric First (‘18)

Eastside Underground Editor

Ever since Nike signed Michael Jordan to a shoe deal in 1984, the world’s largest sports apparel companies have robbed fans who want to sport the same basketball shoes as the professionals, charging hundreds of dollars for a single pair. In 2006, two-time NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury waged a revolution against the big-name brands, allowing basketball enthusiasts to purchase replicas of his iconic Starbury shoes for an affordable $14.98.

The inspiration for Marbury’s shoe line came from his childhood, growing up in the housing projects of New York City. When it came to shoes, Marbury never considered spending large sums of money.

In a 2016 ESPN short documentary directed by Spike Lee, Marbury said, “200 dollars for some sneakers, my mom was like, ‘That's groceries for the month.’”

While playing for the New York Knicks in 2006, Marbury brought his idea to the Steve & Barry’s

retail clothing company. Steve & Barry’s agreed to manufacture and sell the shoes for Marbury.

Instead of signing a multi-million-dollar deal with the company, Marbury took no money upfront, only making a profit based on the success of the shoe.

In September of 2006, the shoes were released in Steve & Barry’s stores across the nation. The shoes were a major success, and Steve & Barry’s sold out of two months of inventory in the first three days.

While many people were skeptical of the quality of such a cheap shoe, there were no distinct differences between the Starbury shoes in comparison to sneakers costing over 100 dollars. In a 2007 study for performance, professor of shoe design at the New School’s Parsons School of Design, Howard Davis, cut a pair of Starburys and a pair of Air Jordans in half.

When compared to the pair of Air Jordan sneakers, the inside of the Starburys were constructed virtually the same way. There was no evidence that the Air Jordans could provide any greater support than the Starbury sneakers to improve a basketball player’s experience.

Since the shoes debuted in 2006, Marbury has worn them in every game he has played. Currently playing for the Beijing Ducks in China, Marbury continues to wear the Starbury brand to promote the quality of the shoes.

“I’m putting my foot in the same exact shoe

everyone is spending their money on,” Marbury said on a 2007 segment of ESPN’s “20/20.”

In 2009, the Steve & Barry’s company went bankrupt and was forced to close all of its stores.

As a result, the Starbury shoe line was discontinued. For nearly six years, Starburys were no longer sold.

In Sept e m b e r 2015, Marbury made an announcement on I n s t a gram that he would revive his shoe line.

Marbury now sells h i s shoes directly through his website, starbury.com. Due to the fact that his only distribution outlet is his website, there are only a few styles available for sale, most of which are more than the original $14.98. Yet, even though the price of Starburys has risen, none of the shoes sell for over 50 dollars. Marbury has maintained his pledge to sell quality shoes for an affordable price.

Logo by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)/ Eastside Art Director Photo Illustration by Liz Lee (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Underground clothing brings style for a cause ■ By Sophie Baer (‘17)

For Eastside

Originality may seem like a foreign concept in today’s society. Social media passes around information and trends faster than most people can keep up with. Some of the trends today intimidate me and frankly are way more expensive than a high school student can afford. This year I made it my mission to find companies that I connect with and products that I feel comfortable spending my money on.

The first company I found was a shoe company called BANGS. BANGS is a company started by its CEO, Hannah Davis. Davis got her model for BANGS Shoes from the workers’ boots that she saw many of the farmers wearing while she spent time teaching English in China. I can tell you from personal experience that BANGS are incredibly comfortable, multi-purposed

and go with absolutely everything. pany’s message through social meHowever, the best part about this dia and connect with other Bangs company is that Ambasit takes 20 persadors to cent of its profits discuss and invests in how the entrepreneurs compain impoverished ny can countries. For make a these entrepregreater neurs, access to differbanks and loans ence in within their commucountries are nities extremely limitaround ed. BANGS has t h e already investworld. ed in over 400 A n entrepreneurs other worldwide. The compaBANGS slogan ny that is “Your Advendoes an Sophie Baer (‘17)/ For Eastside ture Helps Othamazers Find Theirs,” BANGS shoes invests 20 percent of its ing job and I am proud profits in entrepreneurs in impoverished of giving to contribute to countries. back is this message as a Lead Ambassador a clothing company called Serengefor the company. My job as a Lead tee. Serengetee is a clothing comAmbassador is to promote the company that incorporates fabrics from

over 25 countries into its designs.

From every purchase, Serengetee donates 10 percent of the proceeds to a charity or organization connected to the fabric that was bought. Every purchase comes with a pamphlet explaining where the fabric was bought and what cause it represents. The fabrics are absolutely gorgeous, and being able to wear a sliver of a foreign country’s culture is a truly unique experience.

I bought a T-shirt with fabric from Russia; I was adopted from Russia when I was very young. This company has given me the opportunity to wear a part of my culture, which is an incredible experience for me.

Both companies have excellent customer service and do everything they can to make each purchase personal and worthwhile. I wish more big-name companies followed in these smaller companies’ footsteps and decided to give back. Bigger companies have a lot of power over society, and if they used that power to make a difference, the world would be better off for it.

TV podcasts give viewers a take on favorite shows ■ By Joshua Sodicoff (‘18)

Eastside Multimedia Director

As often as great shows are premiering, thanks to the growth of cinematic television and services like HBO, the shows of the past often remain appealing. Whether in the nuance used by the actors, or the topic of the show, discontinued series compare to or exceed many modern counterparts. A downside to a preference of classic television is lacking an audience at the same place in viewing, awaiting the same twists of fate. Fear not, rewatch podcasts can give fans the experience of feeling the development of the show as part of a community.

Podcasting, episode-based internet media, traces its roots back to several well-known digital phenomena. Blogs, allowing for users to publish and host written text, democratized content generation. Internet radio further moved audio content from the airwaves to the world-wide web. The propagation of iPods also put greater control over audio listenership into the hands of the public.

Although the most distant forefather of the podcast traces back to the 1980s, the modern podcast has only become prominent in more recent years. According to the Pew Research Center, 36 percent of Americans have heard a podcast, and regular listenership has more than doubled over the last eight years to 21 percent of the population. This jump can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the permeation of

smartphones, a growth in the variety of podcasts available and popularity of shows like “Radiolab” and “Serial.”

Rewatch podcasts use the for-

mat of episodes in order to cover shows chronologically. Generally, podcasts of this type have a review episode dedicated to each episode, and do not mention information given later in the episode. One prominent and simple example of this is “West Wing Weekly,” hosted by Hrishikesh Hirway and former member of the show Josh Malina. Before each recording, they rewatch the episode to be discussed and go through a full criticism. This includes the writing to the references, as well as the actors to memories from the filming.

“West Wing” is not everyone’s favorite show, but fear not, there is also “Gilmore Guys,” about the show “Gilmore Girls.” Although both podcasts share a genre, they could not be more different. “Gilmore Guys” episodes frequently go off-topic in interesting and quirky ways, leading to three-hour episodes, whereas “West Wing Weekly” strays little from the episode, keeping each show within an hour. “Gilmore Guys” also relies on the dynamic between the hosts, one of which has been a long-time fan and the other watching the episodes for the first time.

There’s a lot to love about a good rewatch podcast. Diehard fans understand things that a first-time viewer might not pick up on. The podcasts also keep television communities alive and sustain viewers from rough patches in otherwise fabulous shows. Start following shows about shows now, because with the rapid growth of Photo Illustration by Liz Lee (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor podcasting, what is today underground will In recent years, TV podcasts have grown in tomorrow be a pop-culture explosion. popularity.

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Atkins brings history to life, projecting it in 4D

courage” through means of knack for storytelling. my blogs to give my readers her writing, Atkins hopes When not writing or givmotivation to do something for her biographical work ing speeches, Atkins parand also give them better All too often historical to act as a means for soticipates in more writing understanding of the world figures are glorified to such cial change within society. we live in,” an extent that we no longer Through the interdisciplinsaid Atkins. think of the figures as huary act of integrating a sto“In today’s man beings but rather as ry of the lives of historical times, which statues of reverence which figures, how they beat the are often cannot be related to. For odds, challenged the stamore diviinstance, many know of tus quo and stood for sive than Abraham Lincoln’s heroic justice, Atkins is able ever before, work as an abolitionist, to unveil the human it is so imbut few know of Lincoln’s qualities within historiportant to impressive wrestling recal figures. have a globcord which earned him “I love providing al awareenshrinement within the readers with insights ness. If I’ve Wrestling Hall of Fame. to enlighten their own provided my Yet, it is these idiojourney,” said Atkins. readers with syncrasies that connect us In addition to crafting even just an as humans; they must be new literary texts, Atounce of that emphasized in order for us kins continuously commits awareness to truly grasp a full underherself to outreach efforts by the time standing of history. Writer throughout the local comthey have and self-professed historian beings in order to allow for munity. Atkins’s prior apfinished Ann Atkins understands our ultimate success. pearances include nationreading my this need for the personAtkins said, “Stories of wide speaking engagements blog article, ality of historical figures’ courage guide us to our own at the National Press Club, listening to lives to be unFox News TV and Intermy lecture, veiled. Dedicated national Women’s Day or reading to the initiative in Washington D.C. one of my of bringing histoIn addition to these books, then ry to life, Atkins larger engagements, I have actirelessly works Atkins has spoken at a complished chronicling stovariety of universities, my goal.” ries of important library lectures, book In the fuleaders of the clubs and civic groups ture, Atkins past. around the United has no plans “I’m reachStates. In December, to stop her ing beyond 3D Atkins gave a detailed writing enCourtesy of Ann Atkins deavors. She stories of ‘who, lecture to the Cherry what, and when,’” Hill East Women in Sci- The cover of Atkins’s biography of Golda hopes to consaid Atkins. “I’m ence Club. The lecture Meir. tinue writpressing to the centered around Marie ing biogra4D of ‘why’ the Curie’s significance to on her own personal blog. phies of courage to inspire a story is relevant the scientific field and On her blog, Atkins covers society of forward-thinkers. to the audience. how female students a variety of topics; rather Hopefully, in Atkins’s purCurrently, Atcan use Curie’s prior than limiting herself to suit for a daring message, kins has three accomplishments to merely literary discussion, our society will become conCourtesy of Ann Atkins continue growing even full biographical Atkins allows her blog to cerned with the dynamism works published In 1960, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to this day. delve into realms which afof learning over the absowhich chronicle Golda Meir, danced with Mrs. Jomo Kenyat“I try to allow my aufect her readers on a daylutism of knowing. the lives of El- ta, the first Kenyan first lady, in Kenya. diences to feel the value to-day basis. For instance, “The future is in your eanor Roosevelt, of their own destinies,” Atkins’s blogs often have a hands,” said Atkins. “HisGolda Meir, and her most rendezvous with destiny.” said Atkins. current event focus in order tory is your map.” recent work detailing the Allowing others inside During her speeches, to educate her readers.

Logo by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18) / Eastside Art Director life of Marie Curie. Atkins access to these “stories of Atkins relies on her great “Most importantly I want ■ By Ashley Cooper (‘17)

Eastside Editor-In-Chief

specifically chose these three female leaders of the past due to their daring natures. More so than anyt h i n g , Atkins believes that this daring spirit is what is needed in human

Logo by Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18) / Eastside Art Director Photos by Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor and Shari Boiskin (‘17)/ Eastside Underground Editor

The Underground editors asked four questions to random East students.

Each question had to do with the stories included in Underground this issue.

What do you think of when you hear “indie music?”

What do you think of when you hear the genre “new age?”

What do you think of when you hear the genre “gospel rap?”

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Cultural, very upbeat

Lively, variation

Preaching

Rosa Parks

Hippie

Evolution

Church hip-hop

Einstein

Tame Impala and Passion Pit; really chill music that is similar to alternative.

The current genres of music that use more computergenerated sounds (GarageBand) than actual instruments. Also electric music.

Chance The Rapper’s new album Chance 3. It’s a mix of choir and rap. Usually talks about religious ideas.

Leonardo da Vinci because he is revolutionary both in arts and the Renaissance.

Very broad

For an older audience

An odd combination

George Washington

Sydney Faria (‘17)

Eric Sherman (‘18)

Jacob Berkowitz (‘19)

Jacob Levi (‘20)

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Independent artists emerge in today’s music industry ■ By Asher Maitin (‘17)

Eastside Entertainment Editor

Music services offer many examples of new music that transfer directly from artist to listener: SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Mixcloud.

Amateur musicians can record their own songs and upload the content.

In today’s world of music, anyone can be an artist.

Yet among the millions of artists that make their music available to users of the aforementioned applications, several big-time artists have reached fame throughout the past 50 years without the need for a record label— Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails and Chance the Rapper, to name a few.

They are referred to as “independent artists,” meaning that they are independent of a label and are therefore not bound to any contracts. While the latter two of the previously mentioned artists were once signed to a label, it is the music and success after the break from their respective labels that truly deem them “independent.” The 2016 year of music saw an increase in independent artists, a number that continues to rise.

“They’re not in it for the money or fame,” said Kaitlyn Johnson (‘17), who listens to Chance the Rapper and independent artist Hoodie Al-

len. “They genuinely enjoy making music for their fans. Signed artists are more about selling albums on iTunes, so there may not be a lot of places to find the music without having to buy it.”

The decision for music quality over money is not the only reason young artists choose to be independent.

“I feel like it’s a pride thing,” said Brad May (‘17), who listens to music from a wide array of artists.

“If [artists] sign with [a label], the record label would dictate how the artists sound. Young artists don’t want to change how they originally intended to express themselves.”

The allure for young artists to sign deals with record labels lies on

the business side of the industry. Those who work for big-time labels are essentially masters of the industry and, therefore, understand marketing, timing and maximizing profits. Yet profits are often where problems arise. Artists, particularly young ones, can be swindled into unfair contracts that give monetary advantages to the record labels.

“Artists sign with labels because they think it’ll be easier for them to become famous,” said May. “They often don’t realize the potentially damaging long-term effects of their

Take a chance with independence ■ By Jared Fisch (‘18)

Eastside Underground Editor

2016 was an interesting year. The killing of a gorilla took over the internet, Donald Trump was elected President and independent rap artists took over the hip-hop/R&B industry. One of those independent rap artists was Chance the Rapper.

Chancelor Johnathan Bennett is a 23-year-old from West Chatham, Chicago. Unlike most Chicago-raised rappers, he grew up in the middle class. His father was surrounded by politics, working as an aide for thenSenator Barack Obama.

Bennett was immersed in the realm of hip-hop early on, starting a duo with a friend as a freshman in high school. His earliest influence came from rap icon Kanye West. In fact, West’s debut album, The College Dropout, was the first hip-hop album Bennett purchased.

Before he got into hip-hop, however, Bennett grew up listening to jazz. Hints of his jazzy flow can be found in his first mixtape, 10 Day, in April of 2012. This got him off the ground, even earning him connections with producers. But Chance the Rapper did not make a name for himself until he released his second mixtape, Acid Rap, a year later.

This mixtape took off, even getting nominated for Best Mixtape at the 2013 BET (Black Entertainment Television) Hip Hop Awards.

The entire album is gold. “Chance,” as many abbreviate his full stage name, combines his silky verses with trumpets, choirs and other Chicago rappers including BJ The Chicago Kid. 2016 saw the explosion of Chance The Rapper. Besides co-writing and appearing on Kanye West’s album, The Life of Pablo, Bennett released his third mixtape, Coloring Book.

The mixtape features a number of

well-known artists including none other than Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Future, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Young Thug, Lil Yachty and more.

From the very first song, “All We Got,” Bennett gives listeners that trumpet-infused, lyrical masterpiece in which he exclaims that “music is all we got.” He even incorporates the Chicago Children’s Choir to keep in touch with his roots.

Following “All We Got,” Bennett takes a shot at record labels. In “No Problem,” Bennett stands up for his independence as an artist and chants, “you don’t want no problem, want no problem with me.” This is undeniably the most popular song from the mixtape and took radio stations by storm. If Bennett wanted to send a message to record labels, he did so on a pretty big scale.

Continuing with his message of independence, Bennett comes hard with track seven, “Mixtape.”

In the song, Bennett asks, “Am I the only [expletive] still care about mixtapes?” Chance the Rapper is a different breed of artist. He wants no part of big record labels. He justs want to independently release his mixtapes.

This award-winning mixtape, which helped Bennett haul in three Grammy’s, makes him one of the most successful indepnedent artists ever.

Besides his music, Bennett makes a difference in his home city of Chicago. In “Angels,” the eighth track on Coloring Book, Bennett says that he wants to “clean up the streets, so [his] daughter can have somewhere to play.” Bennett also uses his voice in politics. He took to Twitter during this past presidential election to voice his opinions. He even performed a free “Parade to the Polls” concert in which he led fans on a march after.

Chance the Rapper proves that independent musicians can make a difference both in the music industry and in endeavors bigger than music.

decision.”

The late Prince, who passed away in April 2016, notoriously had years-long conflicts with Warner Brothers, the label that signed him in 1977 when he was only 18 years old.

In 1993, conflicts led to Prince publicly claiming his relationship to Warner as “slavery” and changing his name to a symbol. Before his death, Prince had issued a warning to young artists about the dangers of binding to a label’s contract.

Obviously, Prince didn’t have the resources that twentyfirst century artists have today. But it comes with a cost—due to the ease of using the services, millions of users can upload content. There’s also potential danger for the music industry if songs are no longer purchased.

“I feel that independent artists won’t ruin the music industry because there’s always going to be new people looking to be signed so they can become something big,” said Johnson. “They’re able to have their own freedom of what kind of music they’re producing... I like that [they’re] in charge of [their] music and what’s done with it.”

In 2017, independent artists will continuously rise in popularity, so keep a lookout for them.

Art by Danny Kahn (‘19)/ Eastside Staff

Chance the Rapper at the Grammys 7 Nominations 3 Awards Won: Best New Artist Best Rap Performance, “No Problem” Best Rap Album, Coloring Book

CHECK OUT JARED’S LIST OF HIS 25 FAVORITE CHANCE THE RAPPER SONGS ON WWW.EASTSIDEONLINE.ORG

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Phone add-ons replace professional camera gear ■ By Eugene Kim (‘18) Eastside Staff

Over the past decade, photography has shifted from digital cameras to smartphones. As soon as the first commercial digital cameras hit the market in 1990, companies such as Kodak, Nikon, Fujifilm and Canon joined the race to create an affordable highquality camera that was both light and portable.

However, a camera that fits all these requirements can be found in the smartphone sitting in your pocket.

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center based in Washington, D.C., 92 percent of smartphones users around the w o r l d use their phones to take pictures and 80 percent use their phones to share pictures.

In 2004, digital camera production doubled smartphone production. Just ten years later, smartphone production was about 32 times greater than digital camera production. Looking at today’s vast array of social networks, these numbers make sense: digital cameras do not lend themselves well to sharing images with friends.

Mr. Bill Kovnat, East photography teacher, said that he even often uses his phone’s camera.

“The phone camera’s ease of use, portability, vastly

improved quality and enhancement tools are a big plus,” said Kovnat. “I [take] photos with my S6 phone and [am] impressed by the quality of the images.”

Kovnat added that although phone cameras are becoming increasingly advanced, absolute perfection can only be

achieved by a highend digital single-lens reflex, or DSLR. Nick Rochino (‘16), a current photography minor at Rowan University, explained a major difference between phone cameras and digital cameras. “[Many phone] cameras produce pictures that lack quality, preciseness and perspective because they do not have articulating lenses,” said Rochino.

However, neither Rochino nor Kovnat had ever used the Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens Set, one of the relatively unknown phone accessories that help improve mobile photography.

Phillip Weinstein (‘17) described the functions of the set, a device he uses to enhance photography on his phone. The device is a

single clip comprised of four different external lenses: a fisheye lens, a 10x macro lens, a 15x macro lens and a wide-angle lens.

The fisheye lens creates a distorted, circular panoramic image that zooms into the center. The wideangle increases the scope, perfect for spacious landscapes.

The macro lenses make it possible to photograph very s m a l l things with great precision and stability.

Olloclip also makes the Macro Pro Lens Set, which includes a 21x macro lens and the Active Lens Set, which includes a telephoto lens that allows extreme magnification, doubling the phone camera’s zoom capabilities.

Some other accessories from different companies include the Photojojo Pocket Spotlight and the Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod. The Pocket Spotlight acts as an external flash device; 51 LED bulbs provide adjustable lighting, which is useful for selfies and dark settings.

T h e Mini Trip o d holds p h o n e s steady for taking pictures and videos.

These accessories elevate

phone photography, bridgi n g the gap between phone cameras and digital cameras. This is only the beginning of smartphone camera accessories, as new devices a r e continuously being developed with even greater capabilities.

“Pictures taken with the Olloclip lenses are very high quality,” said Weinstein. “Although my phone camera is already pretty good by itself, this device makes it feel much more like a professional camera.”

N o w , phone cameras go beyond taking selfies.

A s the use of smartphone accessories becomes widespread, people will depend less on digital cameras and more on their phone cameras for powerful shots.

Photos by Emelia Keller (‘17)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Page 25

TECH KEY ■ By Asher Maitin (‘17)

Eastside Entertainment Editor

Self-driving cars: they just don’t seem possible. In this edition of TechKey, I’ll make an argument in favor of self-driving cars.

Self-driving cars, or autonomous cars, are cars that have sensors that allow them to understand and respond to their environments. The most up-to-date autonomous car technology includes algorithms known as SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) algorithms that relay data to the car’s main data collection system. SLAM algorithms collect data from sensors, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and integrated maps, to allow the system to understand its approximate location.

The purpose of autonomous cars is to eliminate motor vehicle accidents caused primarily by human error. Don’t think these accidents occur very often?

The International Organization for Road Accident Prevention states that over 90 percent of road accidents are largely caused by human mistakes.

Autonomous cars have the capability to eliminate this fear, but only if every other car on the road is autonomous as well, for even autonomous vehicles cannot react to certain sudden changes primarily brought upon by human error.

Indeed, autonomous cars bring with them the fear of a world taken over by technology. But technology is smarter than man, and unlike man, has the ability to connect in different mediums. There’s a reason that an increased number of car companies have developed technology that automatically stops when subject to a sudden dangerously close bump. When cars have the capability of communicating with each other and the environment surrounding them, accidents are far less likely.

And yes, drivers have the ability to escape potential danger, but self-driving cars would rid the streets of any initial danger.

Therefore, drivers would not find themselves having to swerve out of the way of any unsafe accidents.

According to Tesla Motors, a leader in autonomous car technology, there is a driver fatality every 94 million miles for all types of vehicles in the United States. The first death recorded using Tesla’s autopilot technology was recorded on May 7, 2016, which was the first death using Tesla technology in over 130 million miles driven by Tesla autopilot users. That’s a 38 percent increase in millions of miles per fatality.

Due to the many safety improvements from the decreased risk of human error, autonomous cars and vehicles will be the future of transportation.

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Social media live: stream directly to followers ■ By Louis Zimmermann (‘18)

Eastside News/Features Editor

Whether singing a song in front of an audience or acting in a play, people associate activities in front of a “live” audience with stress; however, with the daily updates in social media platforms, one can now go live from the comfort of his or her living room.

Although applications such as Periscope and YouNow have always been associated with live videoing, the periodical updates in widely used social media applications have promoted the use of live videos.

Facebook, Instagram and YouTube all have one thing in common: their high numbers of users. Therefore, the launch of a livestreaming feature on the aforementioned platforms draws attention to the new development.

Livestreaming acts as a service for the direct communication of important information to friends. Instead of calling or texting people, one can livestream to a broad group of people with an ephemeral direct message.

“I also use livestreaming to give my aunts and uncles, who are out of the country, the opportunity to know what I am doing and to communicate with me,” said Bruce Neal (‘17), a

user of both Facebook Live and Instagram livestreaming. .

Also, livestreaming allows people to become journalists by creating breaking news from their camera lenses when broadcasting important moments.

With the service in social media platforms, people have access to both watch and create livestreams.

“I use livestreaming to communicate with people I have not spoken to in a long time or seen since childhood,” said Neal.

Facebook was the first social media platform to become a member of the multiplicEmelia Keller (‘17)/Eastside Photo Editor ity of apps to An East student watches Facebook Live.

use livestreaming, launching the feature on April 6, 2016.

Facebook Live differentiates from the other l i v e s t r e a m services by saving the live videos afterwards for others to view. Instagram followed this trend shortly after on December 12, 2016.

N e a l s a i d , “People w a t c h Facebook live videos, [I] believe the people want to actually see you live and communicate with you about what they

are seeing.”

According to livestream. com, a website that details the world’s best live streaming platform, of the people who watched live streams in 2015, 81 percent more internet and mobile audiences watched more live video in 2016 than in 2015.

“I think that livestreams are on the uprise because pictures are simply a timestamp that indicates an event in time,” said Isabella Zebrowski (‘18), Instagram Live enthusiast. “Videos, on the other hand, are over a period of time and they give your followers a more personal look into what you are doing.”

Businesses benefit from livestreaming on social media platforms. For example, ABC and CNN use the feature to show the behind-the -scenes events before the live broadcasts occur.

Zebrowski said, “I think that the other applications that focus solely on livestreaming, such as YouNow, will eventually die out because most people already have social media apps that have livestreaming, and these people will not want to download excess apps.”

Some broadcasters have the opportunities to report breaking news live to the public; all are now able to share the information they wish with the click of a button.

The film club offers its views on award show season

it’s hard to be able to tell what really deserves the award. For example, Best Director went to Eastside Editor-in-Chief Damien Chazelle for La La Land, and while he did a great job, I felt personally there was much They debate new movies with a brilliant demore substance and character, so to speak, in the gree of care. On Thursdays you can find them afdirecting of Kenneth Lonergan, who did Manter school in the Little Theatre. They are the East chester By The Sea. By substance and character, I Film Club. mean like you can tell it was more directing... But Led by Dylan Harding (‘18), Liam Burke (‘17), the particulars of the story itself and stylization Justin Accardi (‘17) and Joey Roberts (‘17), the of the movie all go into play, so it’s hard to tell East Film Club strives to do more than simply what deserves something like Best Director.” produce great films; it aims to produce the next Prior to the Academy Awards, Catalano said, great filmmakers. An es“I think Moonlight was so... sential component of this good, it was honestly amazprocess is debating the ing. Acting was great, plot quality of films currently was great and it deserves dominating the movie the win for Best Picture, but world.

I think that because of the “Movies tend to have a hype, La La Land will probbetter chance of winning ably win best movie, but I [awards] when they’re fairthink that would be awesome ly popular. A lot of what as well because La La Land goes into a film getting a was so good,” nomination and a win from Harding similarly agreed the Academy is campaignwith Catalano that Moonlight ing, which is basically a deserved the win for best film very long, elaborate and exin this year’s Oscars Awards. pensive way of advertising “I feel that Moonlight, your film around awards written and directed by Barry season and marketing it Jenkins, absolutely deserves specifically to members of the award for Best Picture. It the Academy,” said Film was so intoxicatingly flawless Club President Harding. in its execution and was quite “Any time a great movie frankly one of the best films gets snubbed from the OsI’ve seen of the 21th century cars, it’s more often than so far,” Harding said before not been because it didn’t the Oscars. have the budget to successBurke added before watchfully campaign for a nomiing the Oscars, “On one hand nation nor the buzz to get what I think will win is Moonits name out there.” light, but I think La La Land In the future, the East is going to win. I’m really Film Club members hope to hoping I’m wrong, though, watch an increasing numPhoto Illustration by Emelia Keller (‘17)/Eastside Photo Editor Moonlight without a doubt ber of movies to increase The film club watches the Grammy’s together. deserves Best Picture over their film experiences.

La La Land, albeit a great “I think it definitely movie, but the hype over it is made me watch movies I wouldn’t necessarily The Film Club enjoys both the Oscars and the way too ridiculous.” watch in the first place,” said Film Club member Golden Globes.

According to several members of the Film Alex Catalano (‘17). “And it’s made me see movies Burke said, “I actually really enjoyed the GoldClub, popularity of a film can sometimes outshine in a different light. I recently saw Hell Or High en Globes. I thought everything that won defithe quality of a film in terms of awards decisions.

Water, and it personally wasn’t my cup of tea, nitely deserved it. Of course La La Land swept However, although La La Land was heavily prebut I could see why it’s nominated because the them, but it was a great movie. Its competitors dicted to win by experts outside of school, the plot was good and the acting was really amazing, were pretty solid, too, though, and sometimes East Film Club outshined this group.

■ By Ashley Cooper (‘17)

Chris Pine killed it.”

As members of the film club, each member supports the other members. Harding particularly inspired Catalano’s care for the film industry.

“He’s really amazing with these sorts of things and has a lot to say about movies. He was the one who started pointing stuff out and then I started to understand more behind the scenes. We also have our own film festival and some of us took place in One Acts last year, which also helped with the technicalities and what goes on backstage,” said Catalano.

SPORTS

March 2017

EASTSIDE

East athletes commit through club

the fourth grade.

A prospect day is a day solely for “The travel team is a lot better recruits to be seen by college coaches for recruiting than high school beat a specific college. St. Joe’s offers cause you get exposure For Evan Campbell (’17), playing from national coaches,” boys’ lacrosse for Cherry Hill East Campbell said. was not enough to intrigue college reFrom a school coach’s cruitment. His road to Saint Joseph’s perspective, it is not all University travels far from the fields that great. of East.

“It can have a negaCampbell committed to St. Joe’s lative impact on other procrosse on November 24, 2015. grams [at] your school, “Lacrosse is the most interesting as it drains the pool of connection because it’s the earliest athletes,” East Football that grade-wise you’ll see kids comCoach Mr. Tom Coen mit,” Campbell said. said.

This is why Campbell needed to be Coen says all the elnoticed promptly as he embarked on ements necessary to his high school career, playing midget recruited can be field for lacrosse and point guard for done apart from travel boys’ basketball. He said students even teams. commit to college lacrosse “as early as “Most of these organifreshman year” of high school. zations are money makCampbell is more than a Cougar; he ers,” Coen said. “If you also calls himself a Braveheart. The are a high school athlete travel lacrosse team merges local lawho wants to play footcrosse players to compete on the road. ball at the next level, one He has been on the same team since of the best things to do is to begin to market Photo courtesy of Priya Kavuru (‘17) y o u r s e l f Priya Kavuru (‘17) runs down field during a game to colleg- for her summer team, the South Jersey Devils. es. This can be done easily by sharing game film two prospect days a year, according with college coaches, atto Campbell, and hundreds of high tending a variety of colschool students sign up hoping to be lege-run football camps seen playing. where you can work out “They get you in live scenarios, in front of college coachfull-field games and full-field drills to es from all levels.” see how you play under pressure and Other than the travel coaches,” Campbell said. team and the connecFor students just entering high Photo courtesy of Evan Campbell (‘17) tions coaches have, school, Campbell recommends making Evan Campbell (‘17) dodges his defender during prospect days, Campbell a highlight tape. a game for his summer team. said, are equally vital.

Making a highlight tape is imperative because it captures the skills you possess in a short clip without having coaches travel long distances to go to all your games,” Campbell said.

Jordan Madrid (‘17), East girls’ soccer center and outside midfield, has been committed to Caldwell University since May 2016. Madrid also plays for the Princeton Soccer Academy and credits her college recruitment to just that.

“I travel with my team to tournaments in Virginia and North Carolina,” Madrid said. “The [college] coaches watched me play multiple times.”

However, Madrid does recognize high school soccer as a way to grow within the sport.

“High school soccer did not necessarily contribute to my recruitment, but it definitely helped me to become a better leader and player,” Madrid said.

For Priya Kavuru (’17), the travel team was not the reason she got recruited to play lacrosse for La Salle University.

“Not necessarily,” Kavuru said, “but it definitely showed me the process of having to send a ton of emails to contact coaches and the competitiveness of getting noticed.”

Kavuru plays midfield for East Girls’ Lacrosse and the South Jersey Devils.

“I got injured sophomore year and was out a whole season,” Kavuru said, “so by then I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to play in college, but when La Salle found me, it re-sparked my interest.”

By accident Kavuru got hurt and then by accident she was discovered.

“La Salle came to my high school game [junior year] to watch us play Middle Township,” Kavuru said. “A girl from that team was already recruited and the La Salle coach was watching her play and saw me.”

Whether going for a high school or a travel team, Kavuru has advice for those who know they want to continue sports at the collegiate level.

“Definitely try not to lose hope,” Kavuru said. “The process is long and time-consuming and it may feel like you’re wasting your time, but it’s worth it in the end.”

■ By Ben Goldsmith (‘17)

Eastside Multimedia Director

Page 27

What’s “Drew” in sports?

■ By Drew Hoffman (‘18)

Eastside Sports Editor

In the age of social media, National Signing Day has evolved into a much more unique process. Back before Twitter and Facebook, college recruits would sit at a table in their school, with hats of their top college choices in front of them. They would choose the hat of the school they planned to attend, and that was that. In this day and age, it is much more complicated and special. Many athletes who sign their Letter of Intent have already made their decision months, even years, in advance. They have posted on social media showing their commitment, whether it be through a simple tweet or a complex video made for the occasion. However they choose to showcase their commitment, it has ruined the surprise that Signing Day used to carry and has brought a twist into the system.

The practice of sitting at a table with college hats is still in effect today, but there is no surprise involved. The build-up to the old Signing Day used to be electric, as fans and the media were dying to know where the top recruits would be headed.

However, that has been extinguished due to the presence of decision-making on social media platforms beforehand.

The most common way to decide prior to Signing Day is to verbally commit through Twitter. This is when recruits state that they have committed to a certain school for a certain sport in a tweet or post.

For those who like to be different, they choose to announce their decision in another fashion: a video with a build-up and the final announcement at the end.

For example, D’Andre Swift, a four-star running back from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, made his decision through a video. He reenacted Rocky’s infamous run through Philadelphia, having people close to him join his trek along the way.

At the end, everyone on the run made a circle around Swift, and the University of Georgia logo appeared in the middle of the circle.

This video gained a lot of attention on social media and contributed to the new Signing Day practices.

As the saying goes, “Out with the old, in with the new.” The new method of tweeting and videotaping one’s commitment has gone viral and has replaced the old methods, bringing a creative twist to a long-standing tradition.

SPORTS

Boys’ swim team wins state title again March 2017

EASTSIDE

■ By Kaitlyn Boyle (‘17)

Eastside Editor-in-Chief

The East Boys’ Swim Team has been a popular topic around the halls of East, and not just because of the athletes’ bleached heads. The team secured an amazing 94-76 victory over Bridgewater-Raritan High School on Saturday, February 25, at the state championship meet held at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).

The team finished its season undefeated, and continued to build up momentum until achieving its peak at the championship meet.

“The team really started to achieve at a higher level at the right time. It all kind of just came together at the right moment at the right time,” said Coach Mr. Joe Cucinotti.

Cucinotti also attributes

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the major one state successes title unof the team der their to the eight belt, and seniors, inthey are cluding caphungry tains Kevin for more.

Gillooly (‘17) A d d i and Aaron tionally, Schiff (‘17).

Cucino“Normaltti bely with the lieves senior class that the you see a junior little bit class will of a dropstep up off,” said to lead in Cucinotti, the 2018 “but these season boys...peras they formed at a seek out higher level third Nicole Perez (‘17)/ For Eastside a than they Boys’ swim competes at the state championship against title. p r o b a b l y Bridgewater-Raritan. “ I performed d o n ’ t has much to look forward to in all four t h i n k in the coming years. The years.” keeping the momentum team boasts 13 ambitious Despite the loss of the talgoing is going to be a probfreshmen who already have ented seniors, the team still lem,” he said.

Coaching such a talented group of athletes does bring some additional challenges.

“You want to make sure everyone who’s earned the chance to perform and demonstrate their abilities gets an opportunity to demonstrate their chances, while you’re not slighting someone else,” said Cucinotti.

Nevertheless, the multitalented swimmers allowed Cucinotti to place his team members in a wide variety of events without having to worry whether or not they would succeed. The team approached each meet differently, determining how their own strengths and weaknesses would compare to those of their opponents.

The boys’ swim team has a lot to look forward to over the next few years. With no shortage of talent, the team may have another title in the near future.

Boys’ bowling advances to the state level ■ By Elissa Cohen (‘18)

Eastside Sports Editor

For two consecutive years, Coach Mr. Ken Smith has had the opportunity to take his team to compete at the state level. In the 2016-2017 season, the Cherry Hill East Bowling team finished second in South Jersey Group IV and advanced to the state championship.

“We finished second to Shawnee, and we were only 26 pins behind them,” said Smith.

Both East and Shawnee were able to represent South Jersey Group IV at the state finals among eight other New Jersey teams. East finished its season by earing fourth place at the state finals.

Smith said, “Of the four top teams in the state, we were all within 60 pins of each other, so it was very close. Shawnee finished six points ahead of us.”

In the regular season, the Cougars had an astounding 14-1-1 record. They only lost one match

to Lenape and tied Shawnee. Shawnee ended with the same exact record of 14-1-1; however, the Renegades won the division because the ranks are based upon points, not records. As few as six points stood between East and the division title.

“In our division, we lost ten points total, Shawnee lost only seven,” said Smith.

Smith believes that the team earned its way to compete at the state level because of its consistency.

Although only one team member qualified to bowl individually at the state level, each bowler stepped up to gain statewide recognition.

Smith said, “Even if we had a down game, my kids were good enough that somebody would have a good enough game to pick us up and get us past that… they never gave up.”

With the graduation of three seniors from last year’s team, Smith could add three new faces into his line-up. One of the additions was Anthony Ma-

this (‘20), who qualified for the state finals individually, putting him against the top 70 bowlers in the state. Mathis was a 220 bowler for East, so he was able to increase the team’s average score.

Smith said that Mathis, based upon statistics, is the best freshman bowler in the state.

“Bowling has an individual tournament, and [Mathis] was the only one who qualified for individual… out of the 70 individual participants, he ended up in seventh place,” said Smith.

Mathis, with the help from seniors Adam Crognale (‘17) and Emerson Levy (‘17), led the Cougars to states. Looking forward to next season, Smith hopes Mathis and Kyle Winter (‘18) will continue to pull the team, but he still has three spots to fill. Smith said next year, he will need players to step up and bowl as well as the athletes who are graduating.

“To get as far as they did, it’s fun… It’s fun when you win like this… and [the boys], they all have fun together,” said Smith.

Girls’ swim loses in the state semi-final ■ By Sabrina DeAbreu (‘18)

Eastside Art Director

For the past 15 years, Coach Ms. Anita Bowser has led the East Girls’ Swim Team to many victories. This past season was exceptional. The girls team made it as far as state semifinals, which took place on February 22.

“The girls knew they would have to step it up,” Bowser said regarding the state semi-finals meet.

After working vigorously all season, each swimmer did well. Although the girls did not move on to the state championship, the team left extremely proud of its accomplishments throughout the season. They watched Grace Yoon (‘20) win the 100-yard breaststroke at the Meet of Champions; she earned her first victory at the state level with a time of 1:03.46.

Bowser credits the girls’

success the swimmers to their inspired unclose-knit derclassmen bond. The who aided in girls’ swim the team’s sucteam or cess.

- as they After a seacall themson full of selves , wins, Bowser “CHEGS”can only expect m a k e s a fantastic seaan effort son next year. to have With motivatpsych pared girls, the ties bepossibilities fore most are endless. meets and New swimdinner afmer on the ter. team Yoon “ T h e brought her key to doA-game and ing well is broke three rebeing on Nicole Perez (‘17)/ For Eastside cords throughthe same Girls’ swim competes at the state semi-finals and cheers out the season. p a g e , ” on Grace Yoon (‘20) as she wins her race.

Along with Bowser Yoon, Bowser said. said to watch pared to win and knows When each girl has the out for Karolyn Merch (‘20). what they must do, they are same mindset, everyone Merch and Yoon will both a force to be reckoned with. excels. Bowser knows that be back next year ready to The winning streak and when the team comes preaccomplish more. sense of friendship among

The graduating seniors were role models and their presence will be missed by the rest of the team. Even so, next year’s seniors Nicole Harms (‘18), Clarissa Campbell (‘18) and Nicolette Warrington (‘18) are upperclassmen to look out for in the 2017-2018 season.

Bowser said, “The highlight of the season was both making it to state semi-finals and watching the girls improve.”

Based on the swimmers from last year and the new additions this year, Bowser knew it was bound to be a great season.

This past season’s success has brought both boys and girls teams together.

After the girls’ season came to an end, they continued to keep the spirit and camaraderie up while cheering the boys’ swim team on at states on February 25 at The College of New Jersey.

Boys’ Basketball

Wrestling

Girls’ Basketball

The boys’ basketball team found success in the winter season. The team came out of the seaon strong with admirable statistics. Ending the season 17 - 11, the team made it to the second round of playoffs in which they lost to Lenape.

The wrestling team finished its season behind Ryan Swenson (‘17). The team did not advance to playoffs and ended its season with a 1015 record, 1-5 in the conference.

The girls’ basketball team ended the season 7-19. The girls advanced to the first round of playoffs but were defeated

by Cherokee. Top players of the season included Nicole Hammerquist (‘18), Kiara Bell (‘18), Maya Drayton (‘19) and Yanelli Villegas (‘20).