Eastside: March 2019

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 52 No. 5

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

March 2019

BEYOND THE CURTAIN CALL

This month, Eastside took a behind-the-scenes look at a schoolwide favorite: the Multicultural Day dances. See page 12-13.

Photos and Design by Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor Photo Illustration by Nashita Ali (‘19)/ Eastside Community Editor, Ilana Arougheti (‘19)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief, Maddy Cicha (‘19)/ Eastside Community Editor, Zoe Culver (‘19)/ Eastside Culture Editor, Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor, Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor and Aine Pierre (‘20)/ Eastside News Editor

Inside This Issue

Hypebeast trend Multiplies at East Features, Pg. 6

Mora opens prom culture to low-income teens Community, Pg. 10

Eliminate lab day for non-AP science classes Opinions, Pg. 17

NEWS

Page 2

EASTSIDE

March 2019

Annex Exodus:

East implements a new study hall policy

■ By Liam Reilly (‘20)

Eastside Staff

Effective the start of the second semester, Cherry Hill East has made considerable changes to the way that study hall is run.

Prior to the changes, students taking study hall were randomly placed into different classrooms or the cafeterias. Some periods had only three study halls, while others had closer to

school less positive, as students were stressed that they weren’t able to print out assignments or meet up with others to work on projects.

“Now, you can work on a group project, be able to print or you can even grab a bite to eat at the kiosk,” said Perry.

Some students, like Theo Rudderow (‘22), love the new policy.

“It gives people the op-

print out papers.

“We want students to be safe and learning, and we feel that the old study hall structure didn’t allow that as much as this one will,” said Perry.

As for supervision, teachers who previously would have run a study hall class report to the library, and the number depends on the number of study hall classes that period. The librarians are in place to support

system would check a student’s whereabouts to make sure they are not skipping a test at a given time.

The new system allows students to meet with their friends in the Annex, thereby preventing students from cutting to meet with their friends. Students who choose to leave sign out only at the Annex, which is monitored by a teacher.

The administration uses this system to check if stu-

Dakota Rosen (‘19)/ Eastside Business Manager

Students are now required to report to the Annex at the start of their study hall period; some stay all period. portunity to hang out with six; meanwhile, E-block the study hall students and dents signed into the nursfriends, choose between sihad 12 study halls running teachers. Attendance and es’ office or Guidance in this lent and non-silent study at the same time. Only a discipline fall under these time, or if they are skipfew students from each hall and go to the library, teachers’ responsibilities. ping, and can take approstudy hall class were perinstead of just a few stuSome students have priate disciplinary actions. mitted to go to the library. dents,” said Rudderow. complained that a portion The administration is Under the new policy, all Regarding the library, of study hall time each peaware that the primary students begin study hall in the Annex is kept as it norriod is wasted signing in problem with implementthe Library Annex and can mally is during the lunch and getting to where they ing the new policy deals choose to stay there or go to breaks. Students are thus want to learn. In response, with controlling the noise a classroom or the library’s able to talk to their friends the administration is trying level in the Annex and main room to study; for Eand decompress. The lito create a system for stuother places, a factor with Block, the sole exception, brary’s main room is kept dents to sign in directly to which many students seem some students will go to quiet for students who prethe classrooms if they want to agree. classrooms first. fer a more traditional study to study there.

Forest Burton (‘19) said “Part of the challenge environment.

FurtherPerry said that the adthat the policy is “a step [with the old policy] is that more, each study hall has ministration “recognize[s]... back in the administration’s only three students could one specific classroom that that signing in has taken dominion, but it seems to go down [to the library],” students can go to if they up 20 percent of their study open a bigger door for the said East Principal Dr. prefer the previous struchall time away when they school’s social climate.”

Dennis Perry. “So if you’re ture of a study hall within go to the classroom.”

Nick Cinaglia (‘20) the fourth or fifth student a classroom. Students are “Once we get into the agreed, saying that as a to get to your study hall able to choose whatever opswing of things in about a result of the new policy, class, you’d be out of luck tion they want and are not week or so, you can go distudy halls are louder, but and could feel more stress locked into any one choice. rectly to the classroom, but he was still able to get more or anxiety because there This means that a student we are not there yet,” said done under the new system was a rule preventing you can choose the Annex one Perry. compared to the previous from using your study hall day and a quiet study the Perry is considering difsystem. period in the way that you next. ferent systems for students Because all the study needed it.”

New Chromebook carts to make up tests and ashall changes are still fresh, Early in the year, Perry were purchased for the lisignments during study what study hall in the Litalked with students about brary, as well, in order to hall. One way involves a brary Annex actually entheir frustration with not meet the large influx of student being signed into tails is constantly changbeing able to go to the listudents needing technolstudy hall by a teacher to ing. The idea will evolve as brary. He saw that it was ogy to complete projects, do avoid potential misuse of the policy continues to take making their experience at research for homework and the free period. Another effect.

UPDATE

■ By Julia Langmuir (‘19)

East BOE Representative

One of the greatest complaints from the public on the action of the Board of Education has been the lack of participation from the BOE in social media discourse. This discourse is especially relevant in that it has driven public discussion and helped to develop strong public opinions on the topics presented by the Board.

Facebook groups like “What’s Up in Cherry Hill” (11,000 members) and “Cherry Hill United” (5,800 members) frequently ignite public discussion of local issues and concerns.

These discussions likely increase public participation in local politics, as seen by the high turnout at Board meetings promoted online when groups planned to discuss popular issues.

Leading up to the December 2018 Special Election on the proposed bond referendum, multiple Facebook posts garnered hundreds of comments as voters shared their opinions on the bond.

Despite what would seem like a beneficial opportunity for the public to be informed and involved in social media discussions about public issues, the discussion that occurred online at times seemed to be driven more by passion than by facts.

The school district only has one Public Information Officer, Mrs. Barbara Wilson, and to expect one person to monitor and respond to hundreds of social media comments would be an unreasonable effort for the Board to take on. Although Superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche and other staff are actively involved on social media and have made themselves available to the public to discuss these issues, they were not capable of tackling the public discussion that flooded Facebook pages in December.

One of the main points that almost every Board member expressed in the early discussion of the developing 2020 Bond election was the necessity for increased discussion between the BOE and thepublic. Although it is unlikely that Board members will respond to every Facebook comment in future discussions, they are already actively working to ensure that the public sees their ideas and their opinions reflected in the new bond referendum. In order to accomplish this, the BOE is already promoting public forums, developing plans for committees and sending out surveys. It hopes that the public will have the opportunity to be more supportive of a referendum which they believe accurately represents their own opinions and ideas.

Logo by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

NEWS

March 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 3

Seniors give language biliteracy tests a trial run ognized positively among their peers across the state and country,” said Mr. Due to a new district Scott Goldthorp, supervisor initiative, senior world lanof curriculum and instrucguage students were ention for the district. couraged to take a test to Students cannot get the obtain a Seal of Biliteracy Seal of Biliteracy if they on their diplomas. do not take the STAMP or Students who take SpanALIRA tests, as they need ish, French, German and to obtain a set minimum Chinese completed the score in order to get the Standards-based Measureseal on their diploma. ment of Profi“You can reciency (STAMP), take the entire while Latin stuSTAMP test dents took the until you sucAdaptive Latin ceed, or you Interpretive can retake secReading Assesstions,” said Alment (ALIRA). pizar. “The idea The STAMP and is to get to an the ALIRA are intermediateadaptive tests, mid, so that the meaning the students can questions change earn the Seal of in difficulty Biliteracy.” based on the acThe same curacy of a stuis true of the dent’s previous ALIRA. responses. The Overall, Classes of 2019 the district and 2020 could hopes that the take these tests, STAMP and which were given ALIRA tests from January 31 will help stuto February 7. dents get recogThe STAMP nition for their is a web-based achievements test that assesses in world lanthe foreign languages. guage proficiency “If students of students. The successfully questions asked demonstrate are based on the needed everyday situalevel of profitions, testing a ciency to earn variety of skills the Seal of BilJiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor iteracy through including reading, writing, If students pass the literacy exams in their target language, they will receive a seal on their diploma. the use of the speaking and lisSTAMP astening through “I think the STAMP test dents trying and taking guages by high school gradsessment, I would like to timed sections. is good practice for this the ALIRA, but it does not uation. Having the seal can continue to offer this opThe STAMP is intended year,” said Alpizar. “We seem to cover what we’ve also help students on their portunity to students,” said to track students’ learning have done really no preparbeen doing in class,” said college applications.

Goldthorp. progress and how efficiently ing for it, so the students Latin teacher Ms. Nora “Taking the assessment, The goal for next year, the topics are being taught. are like the guinea pigs.”

Smaldore. “What we learn earning a score of interaccording to teachers in Just like any standardized The ALIRA is very simiin class is different than mediate-mid or higher and the world language departtest, there are different levlar to the STAMP, but only what’s on the test.” achieving the Seal of Bilitment, is to allow juniors to els representing how well a Latin students take this The STAMP and the eracy allows the soon-to-be take the exams; this way, person did. The five levels test. It is an adaptive asALIRA will become more efgraduates of Cherry Hill the seal can be listed on a are novice-low, novice-mid, sessment taken on the comficient in the years to come, Public Schools to be reccollege application.

■ By Alexa Atlas (‘22)

Eastside Staff

novice-high, intermediatelow and intermediate-mid.

According to Spanish teacher Ms. Esther Alpizar, teachers did not do anything to prepare their students for this year’s STAMP and ALIRA tests, since they knew nothing about it themselves. The first time the teachers saw these tests was when the students were taking them.

puter, tracking students’ ability to read for comprehension. For this test, students are given Latin texts of different lengths and are expected to answer multiple-choice questions about them in English. The students have 50 minutes to complete 11 questions about current events for the ALIRA. “I am okay with my stu-

but this year was more like a practice run.

The main reason this test has suddenly been given out is so the students taking the STAMP and the ALIRA can receive a Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma, an award given to students who have studied and achieved proficiency (intermediate-mid level or higher) in two or more lan-

Cherry Hill School District makes AP Honor Roll ■ By Aine Pierre (‘20)

Eastside News Editor

The Cherry Hill School District has been named to the ninth annual AP Honor Roll by the College Board.

According to the College Board website, the honor, which the district has obtained for the second year in a row, is given to schools that increase the number of students taking Advanced Placement (AP) tests by four percent and increase or maintain AP pass rates among “underrepresented students,” all while maintaining or bettering the same level of performance on AP tests that the district had in 2016.

The Cherry Hill School District is one of just over 400 districts to make the Honor Roll and one of only 39 in the state of New Jersey.

“That’s impressive...to have more students take the assessments and have more students score higher…,” said East Principal Dr. Dennis Perry. “The reason that a metric like that is so impressive…[is that] we’re still maintaining the

level of rigor and the level of achievement that we had when [fewer] students were taking it.”

Cherry Hill East itself, according to a College

higher) of 83.6 percent.

East was also able to maintain a mean score of 3 or higher on all tests among students in all racial demographics for which data was

students took and passed multiple AP tests).

Furthermore, East has added a new AP class in each of the last three years: AP Research, Seminar and

Next, East will add AP Environmental Science to its lineup of classes for the 2019-2020 school year as it strives to be on its third AP Honor Roll in a row.

“We’ve added more AP courses to encourage more students to take the tests,” said Perry.

However, the administration notes that the school’s dual enrollment program with Camden County College might decrease the number of students taking AP tests, as college credit becomes availJiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor able for more courses.

The plaque signifying the district’s placement on the AP Honor Roll hangs in A-Wing.

For now, however, this Board report given to Eastavailable. 467 tests earned Computer Science Prinis more of a musing than a side by Perry, had a pass a passing score among 230 ciples in each of the last concern for the district, acrate (score of 3 out of 5 or non-white students (some three years, respectively. cording to Perry.

NEWS

Page 4

EASTSIDE

March 2019

PTA grant to help East greenhouse grow

“East is known for doing a lot more [than] the bare minimum and is also credThe greenhouse at Cherited for being the most susry Hill East has failed to tainable district according be used for the past to Sustainable Jersey for 20 years due to lack of Schools,” said Mr. Jason renovations. The greenDefuria, who teaches bihouse was originally ology and Environmenused in Protocol Landtal Studies at East. “[I scaping, a class once am] hopeful the district taught at East. Protowill let us spend its moncol Landscaping was ey or will send someone removed several years to do repairs...Two years ago because the district ago we received a grant felt that since West did and the grant was givnot teach it, the course en; however, the money should not be taught at cannot be accessed. We East either. The greentried throughout 2017 house then fell into disto 2018, but the vendor repair. was not approved by the When the greendistrict.” house was last renoAccording to Defuria, vated, a heater was put once the greenhouse is in. However, the heater repaired, there will be a was not functional, as possibility of adding new it was too large. Havelectives that would utiing the right size heater lize the greenhouse as a is important, since the focal point. purpose of a greenhouse “New electives would is to secure a reasonbe offered to students able amount of heat such as plant experiand water vapor so that ments,” said Defuria. warmth and humidity As the greenhouse are maintained. Now, a undergoes the necessary Maddy Costello (‘20)/ Eastside Staff new grant from the Parrepairs, there is room for ent Teacher Associa- The greenhouse, which has fallen into disrepair, will be repaired with a PTA grant. the student body to learn tion (PTA) will assist in and grow. Teachers will making this and other house, and a PTA grant will greenhouse will most likely Additionally, the recontinue to determine how pay for part of it,” said Mr. happen over the summer. vampment of the greenthe newly renovated greennecessary repairs to the greenhouse. A 2,000-dollar Lee Troutman, an East bi“The idea is to get it up house would bolster East’s house can be integrated grant is also currently in ology teacher. and running and do a lot record for sustainability into East science courses in use for a new door for the If the bidding process of different things with it,” and environmentalism. future years.

■ By Asa Williams (‘20)

Eastside Staff

outside, as well as for new glass.

“There is a budgetary process for funding the new renovations for the green-

is completed, a company would have to come in to change the size of the heater. Troutman believes the process of renovating the

said Troutman. “Environmental Studies and the Environmental Club would benefit a lot by helping out [in] the greenhouse.”

Multicultural Day to include old favorites and newcomers

“We want to showcase a on a day-to-day basis, and days that we look forward performance that emphait’s natural to assimilate to every single year because sizes the hidden beauty in into one uniquely American it’s so much fun, and it’s reBy just walking through Korean culture,” said Jisculture. With Multicultural ally important.” the halls of Cherry Hill East, eon Lee (‘20), a choreograDay, students are presentEven though most clubs it is easy to see the diversipher for the Korean Culed an opportunity to honor are sticking with tradition, ty within the student body. ture Club (KCC). “We want the things about them that some are changing their apE a s t to engage people proach to students that are not familiar MCD. reprewith Korean culture For insent a through our booth stance, vast vaand really show while the riety of them how different African cultures, yet similar we really American b a c k are.”

Culture grounds These feelings Club is a n d are not exclusive s t i c k origins, to KCC. All of the ing with and East clubs this year will its hairboasts interpret and exbraiding, over a press the theme d a n c e dozen through their entire and food, different dance and display. the Musculture“The theme is lim Sturelated unique this year dent Asclubs. because it’s telling sociation These a story of how evhopes to culture erything all began,” give facts Lisa Gorbati (‘21)/ Eastside Staff Lisa Gorbati (‘21)/ Eastside Staff c l u b s said Sophia Nufable a b o u t come to- ICS prepares for its annual dance. (‘20), a member of Breakdancing Club prepares to bust a move.

Muslim gether Filipino Culture Soculture once a year to participate posed of cultural booths in ciety. “It’s important to me make them individuals and religion to the East in East’s Multicultural both gyms showcasing all because it’s representing and define their identities, community.

Day (MCD), which takes aspects of whatever culture my culture and makes me which ultimately leads to As a new addition to the place the day before spring they represent, a better underdances this year, Latinos y break. Some of the culture from food to standing of one Amigos hopes to bring its clubs that present at MCD games to music another. culture and flair to the East are the Muslim Student and everything “It’s really community.

Association, Latinos y Amiin between. important to “There are so many subgos, Chinese Student AssoEvery Multihave a day cultures that a lot of people ciation and Indian Culture cultural Day is that can celdon’t see,” said Eve Rosado Society. defined by the ebrate all the (‘20), Secretary of Latinos y This year, the celebragiven year’s different culAmigos. “I think this year tion begins after school on theme.

This tures that are is going to be a really good April 17. That night, those year’s theme is at our school,” opportunity for us to...show culture clubs that have preHidden Identisaid Waliya what those are and prespared a dance will get the ties. Clubs are Rahman (‘20), ent a more rounded idea of chance to perform for parencouraged to president of what being Latino means,” ents and the community in go deeper than the Muslim As the theme of “Hidden the dress rehearsal for the ever before in Student AsIdentities” inspires new much-anticipated dance showing what sociation.

“If clubs to join MCD and old Lisa Gorbati (‘21)/ Eastside Staff you assembly, which happens their culture just go culture clubs to refine their the next day in school, on has to offer, FCS poses with some of its props for the dance. around…there visions, see Eastside Online April 18, the last day before including perare so many for continuing coverage, spring break. spectives, history and stowho I am.” cultures that you probably and check out pages 12-13 This East tradition has ries that people may not East’s many different culwouldn’t even know exist for insiders’ perspectives on been around for almost two know about. tures tend to melt together at our school. It’s one of the the big day.

■ By Karissa Murray (‘20)

Eastside Features Editor

decades, and it has changed over the years, moving from fashion shows to cultural workshops, all the way up to the MCD students have come to know and love.

Currently, the day is com-

March 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 5

FEATURES

Page 6

EASTSIDE

March 2019

Streetwear resale reigns Supreme at East

■ By Sam Grossman (‘19) Eastside Features Editor

There are two things in this world that drive me crazy.

One, when the only available snacks are “whole grain,” and two, when people complain about getting a bad grade when they actually have a good grade.

There’s always that one kid who scores better than most people on a test and still exclaims, “Ugh, I did so badly on this test!” Save it. Those of us who actually didn’t do well don’t need to hear how “bad” your 91 is while we’re absorbing our 65. Similarly, a lot of people like to say that they failed when they most certainly did not fail. I don’t mean in the joking way right after the test. This is after the grades have been entered on Genesis and the person knows what they scored.

The conversations tend to go as follows: Me: “Hey, how did you do on the English quiz?”

Person: “Man, I totally failed.”

Me: “Oh, that stinks.

Was it at least a high F?” Person: “What? I got a B.” An A is not an F. A B is not an F. A C is not an F. A D is not an F. An F is not an F. Oh wait, an F is an F. I ask people how they scored so I can gauge how well I did in comparison. That’s the only reason anyone ever asks. So if you’re giving the wrong answer, it could give me the false sense that I’m doing well, and the false security that it’s okay that I did poorly because the class in general did poorly anyway. Also, the hyperbole doesn’t work the other way.

You never hear anyone say “I aced that test!” when they get a C. We call those people liars.

Personally, I’d prefer it if more people would just show off their A and be genuine about it. If you paid attention, studied hard and performed well on an assessment, you deserve to brag — in a classy way, of course. Not in the fishingfor-compliments way or the “I’m so great at this, look at me” kind of way. Lying about an F doesn’t make you cooler. And that’s coming from Sam Grossman (interpret that how you will). At the end of the day, nobody cares what grades you get, only how you react to them.

One of my favorite teachers, Mr. Marc Pierlott, throws a mini award ceremony after every unit test and gives out certificates to those who scored an A, complete with graduation music and everything.

Honestly, however silly Pierlott’s test tradition is, it pushes me to try harder.

Who knows? Maybe if more people were vocal about their A’s, it would inspire the real failures to do better on their own.

Logo by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Four of East’s most well-known Supreme resellers, (from left to right) Lucas Tran (‘20), Yianni Fifis (‘20), Matan Malka (‘20) and Matt Tran (‘20), flex the clothes that they kept instead of selling.

■ By Giana Maccarella (‘20) Eastside News Editor

Cherry Hill East is branded with the colors red and white, on lockers, jerseys, merchandise and more. Nowadays, however, these school colors are more often seen on the shirts sporting the famous Supreme logo than actual East apparel.

The streetwear brand is so popular that the Class of 2019’s senior T-shirts are a parody of the brand, with “Senior” replacing the word “Supreme” in the brand’s iconic red box logo. As with any popular clothing brand, Supreme merchandise has a resale market. Unlike many other brands, however, Supreme has its own group of resellers at East, and business is booming.

Every Tuesday, East’s Supreme resellers will try to register for a spot in line at one of New York’s Supreme stores, located in New York City and Brooklyn. The spots are limited and signing up is extremely time sensitive.

“On Tuesday at 11 [a.m.], I’m at school on a computer or my phone, and I sign up for Supreme,” said Lucas Tran (‘20), a Supreme reseller. “And when I sign up, it’s not even a guarantee.”

If they get a spot in line with a good time, the resellers find that it is easier to purchase in store than online, where items may sell out in minutes due to their popularity.

“Good times [in store] are any times under 3-ish,” said Matan Malka (‘20), another prominent Supreme reseller. “If you get an 11 [a.m.] spot, then that’s

really good because then you’re sure to get what you want.”

If someone fails to secure a spot in line, they have the opportunity to try to purchase online. Each week of the seasons (spring/ summer and fall/winter), Supreme releases its items for that week at 11 a.m. on Thursdays, and once something is sold out, it is gone.

Some weeks, Supreme will collaborate with other popular brands such as North Face, Comme des Garçons and Stone Island, which attract a similar base of young clients and promoters. On these weeks, it is especially hard to purchase the desired items, as collabs are extremely popular and more valuable. To help beat the competition and maximize efficiency, buyers may even download bots that autofill their information on the website so they don’t have to waste time doing it manually.

Specific sizes are also harder to purchase than others. The hardest size to buy is a size small, because that is the most desired size and limited in quantity as a result. The easier ones to cop are mediums and larges. Extra large is a hit or miss depending on the available stock.

Along with collaborations and sizes, certain designs are also more desired and thus harder to obtain than others, such as box logos. Box logos are a staple of the Supreme brand. The design is simple enough: the word Supreme with a box around it. This logo comes on shirts and hats alike and is one of the most desired designs.

Once buyers get their hands on the product, oftentimes they resell it for a substantial profit. StockX, Grailed and Ebay are three of the sites people use to buy Supreme. Another way people buy and sell Supreme is in person.

“Sometimes [I sell] in person so I don’t have to pay fees. That’s the best way to do it, straight cash,” said Tran.

On average a Supreme T-shirt ranges from 36 to 54 dollars in the Supreme store or on site, but the same shirt can have a resale value of up to 1,000 dollars.

This high markup is the result of limited quantities of clothing and acts as the major motivator for East students who sell Supreme.

It takes commitment and dedication, but the payoff can be huge, and for some, it definitely beats any normal high school part-time job.

“At Supreme, retail, I would spend 148 [dollars] and then flip it for like 600 [dollars],” said JT Hinds (‘21).

The popularity of these items and those that wear them can be defined by the term “hypebeast.” A hypebeast is someone who wears Supreme just to say that they are wearing Supreme, to show off or to “flex” it.

Some hypebeasts even go to the lengths of wearing a fake knock-off just to flex.

However, those that know what they are doing believe that fakes are easy to spot, as the tags and material of the item can be telltale signs of a fake.

According to Yianni Fifis (‘20), Hinds, Malka, Matt Tran (‘20) and Lucas Tran,

they would not be caught dead in a fake. As five of the most prolific Supreme dealers at East, each began buying and selling Supreme in different ways, but now work together.

Malka started with the help of Matt Tran’s influence.

“I started in the summer of eighth grade,” said Malka. “I would see that my friend Matt would be into this stuff so I thought I’d start going to New York with him and make trips.”

Since eighth grade Malka has progressed from purchasing to profiting.

“So far, all together, my total profit is around 8 or 10 thousand dollars,” said Malka.

Malka is not the only one to do so; many other East students profit from their purchases as well. One of those students is Lucas Tran, who has spent thousands of dollars.

“The most I’ve ever spent, in store, was about 1,500 dollars. I basically bought everything and that day I waited like four hours,” said Lucas Tran.

Many of the East students who profit off Supreme can’t help but keep some of their favorite pieces for themselves.

“Usually I buy stuff to resell, but when I get it, I like it too much and I don’t resell it,” Fifis said.

Whether buying or selling Supreme, these “hypebeasts” are doing it for more than the hype. On top of the financial motivation, these students genuinely enjoy the clothing, the business and being a part of the underground, but quickly growing, culture.

FEATURES

March 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 7

Mickey Mania: The evolution of the senior class trip

as an option,” Davis said.

“And every The Magic Castle. Mickyear we take ey Mouse. Warm weather. a survey of Expedition Everest, Space the kids when Mountain, Mad Tea Cups we get back and more. Every year, and just ask, around the end of March, ‘What did seniors have the opportuniyou like and ty to go on a trip to Disney what did you World and Universal Stunot like?’... dios in Orlando, Florida, for The first year five days and four nights.

I ran the trip Many students have been we took 212 looking forward to going on kids, and now the senior trip with their we’re up to best friends since freshman 329, so it’s beyear, but few are aware of coming more the trip’s long history. popular.”

Mr. Fred Belchikoff, a Another Courtesy of Devon Weiss (‘92) former Activities Director more recent The Class of 1992 poses on Main Street during the park’s 20th spring. who taught math at East addition to of Terror; I really like that miles away from home is no for 16 years, is the reason the trip was ride,” he said. “A close seceasy task, but to Davis and East has a senior trip. Afthe option for parents to ond would probably be Soaother staff, the job is well ter Cherry Hill West took start paying for it during rin’.” worth it. its senior class of 1981 to their child’s sophomore Florida for the first time, year. This allowed more a couple of East students students to participate, acrecommended the trip to cording to Davis.

Belchikoff. From there, BelHowever, although the chikoff was determined to trip is meant to be the expemake the trip happen. His rience of a lifetime, things perseverance led to about can always go wrong. three hundred kids from “We have had some isthe Class of 1982 going to sues where students have Disney. It was a stressful had to return home not by undertaking, but it paid off. their own volition,” Davis “We had an absolute said. “And I don’t mean discipline issues… But we’ve had times where we had to be in a hospital until 3:00 in the morning.”

These situations are very rare, but students and parents should prepare for any kind of emergency. The school makes every effort to be proactive by sending a nurse, two administrators, Davis, Mrs. Jennifer DiStefano, security, class advisors and several other chaperones on the trip.

Davis himself has gone Courtesy of Susan Gurst Berzon (‘82) on the trip 13 times, so The Class of 1982 poses in front of Cinderella’s castle. he knows how to prepare The trip’s legacy and tra“When kids get off the for every situation and dition is part of what makes bus at the end and they what to look for when he it so special to go on. Planthank me, and you know is there. But he likes to ning the senior trip and they just had a great time, Courtesy of Mr. Charles Davis have some fun, too. taking charge of three hunthat’s just the most reward“I would say my faThe Class of 2018 unites for one last group photo. dred students hundreds of ing part, I think,” he said. vorite ride is the Tower ■ By Amanda Merovitz (‘22)

Eastside Staff

blast. It was great,” Belchikoff said. “And that’s how it all started.”

The trip took off thanks to the amazing feedback from the seniors who went that first year. Generations of students have followed them, and the Orlando trip is now a highlight of an East student’s high school experience.

While fun for students and teachers, the trip has always required a lot of planning that goes into it to make it possible.

“The hardest part [about planning the trip] was finding faculty members that wanted to chaperone,” Belchikoff said. “I can’t tell you the amount of people we went to that said, ‘Are you out of your mind? You want to take three hundred kids where?”’

The trip has changed since Belchikoff’s time.

For example, when it first started there were no cell phones, so it was harder for parents to keep in contact with their kids. Mr. Charles Davis, the current Activities Director, is now in charge of the senior trip.

“We never used to go to Universal; we added that

Bui makes a name for herself in graphic design ■ By Samantha Roehl (‘20)

Eastside Features Editor

In seventh grade, Valerie Bui (‘20) was in tech class playing around on paint. net, a free online editing software, when her teacher told her that she could not use the site for graphic design.

Her determination to prove him wrong has spawned a graphic design hobby along with two Instagram accounts.

“I made it work and I proved him wrong,” said Bui. “And it just evolved.”

Bui has since moved on from paint.net to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, which she uses to make designs and logos. In the summer before her freshman year, she started her Instagram account, @valbuiofficial and began advertising her designs. Recently, she has started another

account, @valslogos, specifically for logos. On these accounts, she has hundreds of posts that range from East-related designs to fake Converse ads that she makes for fun.

During her time at East, Bui has designed logos for the Vietnamese Culture Club, Filipino Culture Society, M u s l i m Student Association, Korean Culture Club and Science Olympiad, along with the last two years’ Spirit Week T-shirts.

“Designing for East clubs [is] very enjoyable because it makes me feel like I contributed to something,” said Bui. “It makes me feel so honored that so many

people are wearing the shirts I design.”

Bui describes her art style as a mixture of retro and vintage combined with aspects of modern art.

In addition to designing for East clubs, she has been commissioned by a couple of celebrities.

She has made designs for Jace Norman, the star of the Nickelodeon show “Henry Danger,” as well as Chase Liefeld, the son of the creator of “Deadpool.”

In addition to logos and designs, Bui recently sold 50 hoodies with her logo (a stylization of her initials, VB) to friends and family.

“I was intending on getting a shirt for myself, and

then I ended up sharing [the design] and people wanted to get that kind of merch too,” she said. “If you walk somewhere [in East], you’ll probably see my hoodies.”

B u i wants to take graphic design in college, possibly as a second major paired with computer science. The most crucial thing for her, though, is that people like her designs.

“I like making people happy; when I finish the design, they’re like, ‘oh yeah, this is amazing,’” said Bui. “I like their final expression, because they’re always like ‘oh my gosh, I’m so grateful to have you design this for me’...[I can give] people a voice that they can’t really put in words through a logo.”

Logos courtesy of Valerie Bui (‘20)

FEATURES

Page 8

EASTSIDE

March 2019

Multilingualism grows amongst student body ■ By Jaclyn Kim (‘21)

Eastside Staff

Increased salary, better problem-solving skills, and a more worldly view — these are just a few of the benefits of multilingualism.

For those with a passion for learning new tongues, East, with its curriculum including five languages, isn’t a bad place to start.

Although taking more than one language can be challenging, the aspiring polyglots at East are interested in and dedicated to learning more about different cultures and languages.

Some students take more than one language because they enjoy the thrill in being able to communicate with others when travelling to different countries, and others simply want to create bonds with people around the world with no language barrier.

Mrs. Carmela Griffo, a French and Spanish teacher at East, said that as a polyglot, she is “able to access information in multiple languages for [a] better picture of world and national events.”

Griffo can speak Italian in addition to the languages she teaches, and works as a

translaTo those who tor and are hesitant interabout takpreter ing more in the than one lanc o u r t guage, Voit system said, “Try in South something Jersey. out.

You In her won’t know opinion, until you try, knowing which was a variety what I did.” of lanNow, afguages ter delving can help into both students languages, in the Voit can even future sometimes because find it hard it opens to separate up more them. job op“Someportunitimes in Gerties. man class, “The speak Photo Illustration by Karissa Murray (‘20)/ Eastside Features Editor I m o r e Sean Voit (‘20) and Sam Hershman (‘20) practice their pro- French, and languag- nunciation in multiple languages. in French es you class, I speak teacher is to give students learn, the more you exerGerman,” Voit said. “Both the opportunity to become cise your brain, opening it teachers don’t know what global citizens.” to abstract concepts,” Griffo I’m saying.”

Sean Voit (‘20) takes said. “There are innumerSam Hershman (‘20) is French and German beable positives of knowing one of the most passioncause he plans to visit several languages. For exate polyglots at East, takGermany and to help his ample, any other language ing three honors language sister with French by havyou study only increases classes: Spanish, German ing conversations with her. the value of your own lanand Mandarin. Hershman Voit finds that the benefits guage when you learn ansaid that he always had an of his studies have been other language. The reainterest in other languages general as well as personal. son I became a linguistic and even looks forward to

majoring in linguistics in college. That was why he has chosen to learn seven languages outside of school, even accidentally teacbing himself the whole Spanish curriculum in seventh grade.

“There are many benefits to being able to speak [multiple] languages because the multilingualism can open up the mind to different ways of thinking,” said Hershman, who believes it “connects the bridge to other people’s minds.”

The interest in learning languages has increased over the years at East, evident through the addition of courses in Mandarin.

Students like Hershman have used these opportunities to cultivate their existing interest.

“Everyone has their own hatchet and this is mine,” said Hershman.

In the era of Google Translate, it may seem that dedication to learning other languages is growing obsolete, unworth the known rewards. But as the world grows into more of a global community than ever before, there’s no better way to understand someone new than knowing the language that they speak.

East students and staff work towards a healthier lifestyle

plan and stick to it,” he said. “Shop indoor cycling program. enough to prep meals, find healthy “I was way...happier with myself cheats, have a plan whatever your after losing weight and I was able to The routine is set: every January cheat is, exercise five to seven days get a girlfriend,” said Ascalon, who close to half of the American popua week… even if it’s walking, find continues to keep watch of his diet lation makes a New Year’s Resotime to exercise.” and make sure he exercises each lution promising to eat healthier, Brocco also encourages people week. exercise more and hopefully as a who want to result, lose weight. But inevitably, lose weight as the weeks of the new year crawl to make the forward, most people slowly give gym a priorup on their New Year’s Resolutions ity so that and tell themselves their “summer it would be body” can wait until after the slice harder to fall of cake in front of them. off track with By contrast, every year there the workout seems to be a strong few who reroutine. fuse to give up “ Y o u and persist to get want to the healthy, fit over plan body they want. so if someDeciding to folt h i n g low through with comes up a certain diet and you can go exercise routine more days on top of the presbecause sures of everyonce you day life can seem miss once, like a mountain it’s easy much too difficult to miss to climb, but for twice,” several East stusaid Brocdents and teachco. ers, their hard Zaiden work and dedicaAscalon tion paid off. (‘20), anLakshaye other stuAnand (‘19) redent who cently lost around lost a sub60 pounds over stantial the course of a amount year. Anand had Courtesy of Lakshaye Anand of weight, gained a lot of Lakshaye Anand (‘19) before and after losing 60 pounds. was also weight while livvery deing in India when termined at the age of 15, he broke his knee amount of weight. to get into and tore his cartilage playing socHowever, Brocco eventually deshape. cer. cided enough was enough, and was “I was “Since I was injured, I was beddetermined to change his diet and tired of beridden for two years, and I realized lose weight, he said. ing fat and I once I had a doctor’s appointment, “I started watching what I ate,” wanted to be the doctor had told me I was really Brocco said. “Every Sunday was my healthier,” overweight and that I needed to cheat day and I would go nuts that said Ascalon. lose weight,” Anand said. day.”

Ascalon At the beginning of the weight When asked if he had any adwent runloss process, Anand wanted to give vice for anyone who wanted to lose ning whenevup. His new diet and workout rouweight, Brocco gave a set of steps er he could. tine was something foreign to him, that especially helped him in the He also went but eventually, it went from someprocess. to SoulCycle, Infographic by Ali Koenig (‘20)/ Eastside Managing Editor thing he dreaded to something he “You have to have a reasonable which is an ■ By Asa Williams (‘21)

Eastside Staff

enjoyed, and his body began to shed the extra weight.

“I changed to a high-protein diet and worked out every day,” said Anand.

Mr. Anthony Brocco, a math teacher at East, also had his struggles with maintaining a healthy amount of weight.

“When I was in high school I ate whatever I wanted, but I started to gain a ton of weight in college and I wanted to be healthy,” said Brocco.

After tearing his ACL, Brocco was also unable to do the proper amount of exercise for six years, leaving him to gain a substantial

COMMUNITY

March 2019

EASTSIDE

Earth Angel offers alternative medicine

■ By Defne Alpdogan (‘20)

realized the beneficial aspects and wanted to offer this type of alternative medicine to others.

“I learned Reiki and other learning modalities, and that’s how I started, and it helped

in the body and the chakras, and Troupe sees herself as the provider of a channel that helps the healing energy to flow through her and onto the clients she is working on.

“Reiki is universal

light force energy,” said Troupe, “so all it is, is me channeling energy through my body from the universe, and then it flows out of my hands and into the energy field of anyone that I am working on whether it is myself, an animal or another person such as my clients.”

Earth Angel Healing also offers courses in Integrated Energy Therapy (IET), which uses universal energy to heal someone or something.

Besides these two methods of alternative healing, Troupe teaches classes on the usage of crystals and their healing properties.

Troupe finds that alternative healing can help one with their medical treatments and be another source of healing if used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments.

“I would never deter someone from [standard] medical treatments,” said Troupe, “because I myself go get my physicals and do all of that… I believe that there are many tools in the toolbox for you health wise and physically, mentally and emotionally.”

■ By Jacy Dickstein (‘22)

a year just for fun, but they have received such an unbelievably positive response so far.

Later, Wu ran an ad in a local newspaper and started teaching private music lessons to students. He now teaches a minimum of 50 students per week.

Eddie Eizner (‘22), one of Wu’s guitar students, said, ”When I first started learning with him, I saw his

or six until about high school, and when you’re with someone for ten years once a week, you become family to them,” he said.

Wu said his mother forced him to play instruments as young as three or four, but he is now eternally grateful because music is his best skill to date.

Antonio Bentivogli (‘21), who has taken guitar lessons from Wu

Eastside News Editor

After working in the corporate world for 25 years, Michelle Troupe spent a period of unemployment studying Reiki, a type of Japanese emotional, physical and spiritual healing. After learning Reiki and administering it to herself, she

me heal my own medical issues, and it bettered my health, and I wanted to go do that for others,” said Troupe.

Troupe founded Earth Angel Healing in 2013 by offering clients services and classes based on alternative medicine, ranging from Reiki to crystal healing. Reiki is a method that removes blockades

Defne Alpdogan (‘20)/ Eastside News Editor

Earth Angel Healing provides relaxing spaces.

While these practices may help medical treatments, there has been no approval by the government or by the scientific community.

The practices that are applied at Earth Angel Healing may not have more than a placebo effect but can be a different method to combat an ailment.

By applying these practices and seeing the results, Troupe understands that with alternative healing, people can move through grieving, stress and physical ailments. At times, she said, the people who have medical ailments can be released from their pain due to the underlying cause being the built-up emotional and spiritual energies in their lives, like stress.

“There are many of you who are dealing with stress and anxiety on many levels and it is different than ten years ago or fifteen years ago,” said Troupe. “But there are a lot more of you that are sensitive.

You are sensitive to energy, to other people’s energy, electronics, your bodies, your energetic bodies are just really sensitive.”

Ex-rockstar becomes local music teacher Eastside Staff

Reggie Wu (‘80) knows that passion is the key to piano playing. Formerly the guitar player, keyboard player and background vocals for the successful metal band Heaven’s Edge, the East alumnus now teaches Cherry Hill students how to play the piano, guitar, bass and drums.

Wu said, “Music has played such a big part in the person I am now because it became all I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Anyone who knows me thinks of my connection to music.”

After graduating from East, Wu started searching for record deals but had no luck. He then pursued a career in music with his Heaven’s Edge bandmates. Wu said that in the Courtesy of Mid-Atlantic Rock Reviews early stages of Wu rocks out during his time their careers, in his band Heaven’s Edge. the group members seemed to gravitate towards one band had a large folanother in “a magical lowing, which made me way.” feel even more trust in Heaven’s Edge was his musical abilities.” primarily popular from Wu has been teach1987 until 1993. Howing for 26 years, and ever, in 2013, the five he has built many longband members united term relationships with to perform for 3,000 his students in that people in Europe. Wu time. said the band only per“A lot of students I forms a couple of times start teaching at five

today. Though he has previously dealt with traumatic experiences including a near-death experience of a band member, suffering from testicular cancer and worrying about his wife diagnosed with breast cancer, Wu has maintained a hopeful outlook on life. His personal challenges have served as motivation for him to continue to pursue his music career with a positive mindset.

“Getting cancer made me realize I’m not invincible and I can be the one to get it,” said Wu. “It was truly an eye-opener.”

Luckily, Wu said his cancer was found early and treatable, whereas his wife had more of a struggle, but she managed to overcome it. “[Wu] is very motivated by music and has everyone's best interest at heart,” said Bentivogli. “He never wants to see anyone suffer, nor does he ever give up on Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor his students.”

For today’s asWu demonstrates his new, piring musicians, calmer lifestye.

Wu said it is important to put yourself for three years now, out there every day in said, “His teaching style some way, whether that is very open and he inis by marketing or praccorporates humor into ticing. his teachings, which is Wu said, “The best a different way of learnadvice I ever got was to ing that other people write songs if your pasmay pick up easier.” sion is in songwriting.

Wu’s optimistic atDon’t just sing covers, titude and attachment because people want to music has made to hear your original him the person he is songs.”

Page 9

Flower show returns to Philly ■ By Kartik Pejavara (‘20)

Eastside Staff

Have you ever been told to “stop and smell the roses”? Well, what better place to do it than at the Philadelphia Flower Show?

Founded by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) in 1829, this year’s Flower Show took place from March 2 to March 10. The show displayed the newest plant varieties, gardening techniques, designs and sustainable practices.

The Flower Show also hosted competitions in gardening and floral arrangement, attracting the best horticulturists from around the world to add to its highly decorated exhibits. The show has received the honor of being “the best event in the world” by the International Festivals & Events Association.

Each year, PHS selects a theme for its exhibits and competition.

This year’s theme was “Flower Power.” Competitors and visitors were encouraged to “explore how flowers convey a wide range of emotions and messages in a universal language that transcends cultures and borders,” according to the Flower Show’s website.

Those who walked through the exhibits felt as though they were transported to another world. The show displayed the power of the flower to not only improve our planet, but also, as PHS stated on its website, “enrich our lives.”

The Philadelphia Flower Show included a wide range of exhibits for visitors to experience. In fact, right when you entered, you were already standing in one of the biggest exhibits, the Entrance Garden. With 8,000 flowers of about 85 varieties, the Entrance Garden was one of the most diverse areas of the show. Pods showcased floral arrangements and designs. Vines hung from the ceiling decorated with flowers, plants and interpretations of butterflies. “The Meadow,” a hanging display, was suspended 25 feet in the air, boasting floral and grass stems over 1,200 square feet.

Other popular exhibits included Garden Tea and Fine Wine & Good Spirits, where visitors enjoyed food and beverages while appreciating the artistic displays around them. The Flower Show even offered some interactive areas. At Make & Take, visitors could craft their own floral designs and take them home as souvenirs. Workshops and demonstrations led by experts allowed gardeners to take their skills to the next level.

Perhaps one of the most unique exhibits at the Flower Show was “Butterflies Live!”

The attraction featured over 1,000 butterflies of more than 20 different species, and it provided visitors with education about the role of butterflies in pollination.

This year, the Philadelphia Flower Show also hosted the Florists’ Transworld Delivery World Cup, an event that had not been held in the U.S. since 1985. It is annually “one of the world’s most prestigious floral design competitions,” according to the Flower Show’s website. Coming from 23 different countries, the world’s best horticulturists engaged in intense floral design competition for the honor of being named the Interflora World Cup Champion. The competition lasted for three days and took place in the Entrance Garden. Visitors were welcome to watch the designers create their magnificent arrangements.

The Flower Show was held at the Philadelphia Convention Center, located on 12th and Arch Streets. Tickets ranged from 30 to 34 dollars for adults and 17 to 21 dollars for children. The show started around 11 a.m. and ended around 9 p.m. each day.

Courtesy of Lancaster Online

The 2018 Flower Show was full of floral displays with extraordinary colors.

COMMUNITY

Page 10

EASTSIDE

March 2019

Mora Salon gives all girls a chance at prom

■ By Sophia Sitnick (‘20)

Eastside Online Editor

Prom may be one of the most anticipated events in the life of a high school student. When thinking about prom, gorgeous dresses, flawless hair and makeup and sparking smiles are some of the images that come to mind. But imagine the disappointment of a girl who learns that the high cost of purchasing a prom dress is not within her family’s budget.

That’s when Wanda Mora, owner of Mora Salon on Haddonfield Road in Cherry Hill, steps into the shoes of real-life fairy godmother to make prom dress dreams come true for hundreds of South Jersey high school girls.

Mora spent the winter months working magic within the community, requesting prom dress donations from clients and local merchants so that she would be ready to outfit more than one hundred

girls for the spring prom season. She is quick to point out that this event would not be possible without the support of the community and the tireless effort of her friend, Lisa Dvorkin, who personally collects all of the dresses from local boutiques.

“I posted on our social media and we get a really nice response,” said Mora.

“Everybody comes together as a community and donates the dresses.”

Dress donations were accepted through February 10. After that date, Mora and her team got to work organizing the dresses and transforming Mora Salon into a fabulous dress boutique with mirrors and fitting rooms. The pop-up boutique brings to mind

Participants look through the several racks of dresses.

the iconic scene from “Cinderella” where the fairy godmother waves a magic wand, says bibbidi-bobbidiboo and turns a pumpkin into a carriage, mice into horses and Cinderella’s raggedy dress into a beautiful ball gown and glass slippers.

After advertising the dress boutique on a variety of social media and contacting local schools to inform their students about the event, Mora Salon took reservations for dress shopping appointments. On Sunday, February 17, for the third time in four years, Mora Salon opened its doors as the site of a one-day gratis prom boutique. All participants were treated like VIP’s and allowed to select the prom dress of their dreams.

“We set up racks by size with the dresses. Then we set up jewelry...shoes… and we set up dividers… and the volunteers help the girls pick a dress,” said Mora.

Girls are also outfitted with shoes, costume jewelry and accessories. As all items are donated, there is no fee to participate in the shopping event. On prom day, Mora Salon offers specially priced hair and make-up packages for the girls, including a generous number of free prom day beauty packages.

Mora’s mission to outfit girls for prom was fueled by her own junior prom experience. She puts a lot of hard work into creating a lovely day for the girls, taking great pleasure in making sure that no girl has to forego prom due to financial reasons, and she believes her efforts have truly paid off. In fact, this year’s February event was so successful that she plans on hosting another one on March 17.

“My mission is to put smiles on the girls’ faces and have them able to enjoy one of the most memorable and important nights of their lives,” she said.

tooth for Caramel deLites and Thin Mints, according to People Magazine.

You have most likely seen young troop leaders around the neighborhood trying to sell as many boxes as possible. The girls who sell the most boxes do not walk away empty-handed. The first place winner receives a plethora of different prizes.

These include sweatshirts, blankets, necklaces and, if a Girl Scout manages to sell over four thousand boxes of cookies that season, she can even win a trip to Hershey Park. As an extra bonus, they not only receive the prize for their sales level, but also every prize offered to Scouts with lower yields.

Girl Scouts are not only about selling cookies, though. The Girl Scout organization partners with and organizes a large number of programs and events such as The African

Library Project and One Warm Coat drive. The girls can get different patches for the tasks they complete, encouraging them to help their community.

Although the cookies sold by the Girl Scouts are more delicious than most cookies on the market — even ancient family recipes — this is not completely true. There are multiple knockoff brand Girl Scout cookies by companies such as Keebler and Trader Joe’s that stock their shelves with Keebler Grasshoppers, Keebler Coconut Dreams and Nice! Peanut Butter Fudge. These names might not sound as familiar as Thin Mints, Samoas or Peanut Butter Patties, but they are flying off shelves all over the country, according to the website Thrillist.

Although they sell the same flavors as these other well-known companies, the

Girl Scouts have no problem selling millions of cookies each year. The main reason for this is because of what the organization stands for and what it has done for the community.

“The point of selling the Girl Scout cookies is to teach the girls not only teamwork, but entrepreneurship,” said Joanne Hewes, who serves as Assistant Troop Leader for a Cherry Hill troop.

The Girl Scout brand also does well because people want to support an organization that helps people worldwide. The organization is helping kids as well as raising money for other foundations and charities with the earnings.

The Girl Scouts only sell their cookies for a short amount of time each year, from January through April. When the season ends, consumers are left

with only the knockoff brands.

When buying Keebler’s cookies, the surplus goes to an already rich and successful company, not an organization like the Girl Scouts, whose main purpose is to empower girls who make the world a better place.

Girls Scout cookies are part of the American way of life and a tradition that has been shared through the Girl Scouts for over one hundred years, and they show no sign of stopping.

“The cookies are loved by everyone, making it unnecessary to market them and also making them easy to sell,” said Hewes.

Buying Girl Scout cookies — even though they may taste very similar to the off-brand versions now stocked by their competitors — can make a difference, or at the very least make a little girl smile.

delphia. It was a quintessential startup story: they met freshman year of college, became best friends, they moved into a house together with a couple other buddies, and Yakir, one of the founders, was the only one in the house with a car.

So he was constantly running errands for everyone in the house… Ultimately, he and Rafael sat down one day and just decided that it probably wasn’t best to spend fours years of college running errands for everybody and that there had to be a way to bring all of these conveniencetype products to customers whenever they needed it, at whatever time they needed it.”

Now five years old, goPuff has expanded to 61 locations around the country with about 500 employees. Every market has its own centrally located goPuff warehouse, where the inventory is bought di-

rectly from distributors and product manufacturers. “[goPuff] delivers everything,” said Folkman, “From snacks, ice cream, drinks... home essentials, personal care items, in 20 to 30 minutes, 24 hours a day for a flat $1.95 delivery fee…We’ll actually fulfill those orders directly to the customer’s door through our network of drivers, who are independent contractors.”

So, how does the goPuff app work?

Folkman explains that customers can download the app through the Apple Store or via Android.

If apps are not your thing, you can also use its website.

You sign up for goPuff using your phone number and can pick from a variety of items, from paper towels

to pints of ice cream. After confirming your order, goPuff will deliver your items within half an hour.

As goPuff is a Philadelphia-based company, word travelled by the Ben Franklin Bridge into the South Jersey region, leading goPuff to launch its Cherry Hill market about six months ago.

Folkman.

Although goPuff was originally developed to cater to college students, it can also be a convenient service for East students who have limited free time and lack their own car.

“Instead of having to go to the local store, you know you can order from the app and by the time you get home [from school], you have snacks at your door,” said Folkman.

And some East students seem to agree.

Sanjana Doshi (‘20), who has used goPuff several times for afterschool or latenight snacks, said, “Every time it’s pretty fast delivery, faster than the expected delivery time, and always correct...

I use it all the time. It’s just really convenient.”

Courtesy of Mora Salon

Girl Scouts promote leadership with cookie sales ■ By Julia Wolfson (‘22)

Eastside Staff

Although the holiday season is over, a different kind of season has arrived which has something in common with the holidays.

This similarity is none other than an American favorite: cookies! Girl Scout cookie season is in full swing and has been hugely successful so far.

The Girl Scouts are a nationwide organization that has been around since 1912. This organization encourages and teaches young girls to be leaders through various programs and activities, but it is most known for selling Girl Scout cookies.

The famed cookies come in a variety of flavors and are sold by Girl Scouts of all ages every year. Every state has its favorite cookie, but New Jersey has a sweet

GoPuff delivers snacks and more to your door

■ By Emily Mahaffy (‘20)

Eastside Staff

The bell finally rings at 2:30 p.m., signaling that the school day is over and that you can finally go home. It probably has been four hours since you ate lunch, and you want something sweet to celebrate the end of the day.

Daniel Folkman (‘08), goPuff’s Head of Business Development and Operations, can relate.

“I remember when I was in high school… and after school wanting to get snacks, you know, ice cream and things like that,” said Folkman.

From this need came goPuff, a digital convenience retailer born quite literally out of convenience.

“Our co-founders, Rafael [Ilishayev] and Yakir [Gola], started the company in late 2013,” said Folkman.

“They were both students at Drexel University in Phila-

“We’ve seen great growth so far…our customers seem to be really excited about the service. [We’re] evaluating other areas in New Jersey that we can launch,” said

Art by Danny Kahn (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

COMMUNITY Government shutdown affects and inspires Cherry Hill residents

March 2019

EASTSIDE

■ By Maddy Cicha (‘19) and Shir Goldfinger (‘19) Eastside Community Editors

The folding sign outside of Perk’s Place Barber Shop of Haddon Township, NJ, reads “Furloughed Employees: Get cut now. Pay later.”

Local businesses begin to lose their regular customers. Federal employees, some living paycheck to paycheck, have their lives turned upside-down. Revered historical landmarks are closed not only to visitors, but also to revenue. Nationwide security withstands setbacks and hardships.

For 35 days, citizens of the nation and the South Jersey community were faced with these calamities and more. The longest government shutdown in American history, from December 22, 2018 to January 25, 2019, not only brought adversity to locals, but also inspired individuals to take supporting their communities into their own hands.

The Affected Jen Hart, a lawyer for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, noticed a great impact on those around her during the shutdown.

“We were told, once we went [further into the shutdown], where we didn’t have any more money, we weren’t allowed to take any time off,” said Hart. “So we had to go to work, not get paid and not take any time off, so people who already had plans for time off weren’t even able to use it.”

Hart was, luckily, financially stable at the time of the shutdown, so her lifestyle did not suffer huge losses. But not everyone was so fortunate.

“Some of my younger colleagues were pretty worried because they can’t get by, necessarily, if they miss a paycheck,” said Hart.

Along with its employees, the courthouse itself had to scrape by with what little funding it had during the shutdown.

“At the courthouse we have our own funds… when cases are filed, and that money was actually being used to stay in our operations during the shutdown, and we were constantly getting notices saying, ‘Okay, we are going to run out [of money] next week’…Finally they said, ‘we’re done,’” said Hart.

When that money ran out, the real struggles began. Hart and her colleagues, along with employees in numerous other federal agencies, had to come into work, knowing that the American people were counting on them. All the while, they were not getting paid.

“At that point, the essential employees, and I was one of the essential employees, we were all going to have to go in to work, but we were not going to get paid,” said Hart.

On a more local level, for the Flying Fish Brewing Company of Somerdale, business hit a sharp stop.

“We have approximately 600 cases of beer that were supposed to start heading out to consumers by now but are instead sitting in a warehouse waiting for approval,” said Gene Muller of Flying Fish.

During the shutdown, the largest brewing company in New Jersey, originally founded in Cherry Hill in

Page 11

gage to pay, they have families, they have to pay [often] for daycare for their young children but won’t be getting any money in.”

The Inspired While some members of the community were reeling from their losses and sudden financial burdens, others saw the shutdown as an opportunity to lend a true helping hand. Scott Soffen of Cherry Hill offerred meals to anyone in the area who found themselves unable to provide for them or their families after being furloughed.

“I do little things because I have

“I will be okay for some time, but some of my coworkers will not be okay. They have a rent or mortage to pay, they have families, they have to pay often for daycare for their young children but won’t be getting any money in.”

— Jen Hart, U.S. District Court lawyer

1995, could not release its new beer to anticipating customers.

“When the shutdown occurred, the TTB [Tax and Trade Bureau] was reviewing labels submitted on December 13. Our label was submitted December 18, which normally would give us plenty of time to release a new beer on February 1,” said Muller, as of January 30.

“Instead, everything is now backed up and we — and all other brewers — have no idea when they will start approving labels.”

While the longest government shutdown in history has ended, the threat of another haunts federal workers, local businesses and their families.

“Everyone is committed to getting all the work done… I will be okay for some time, but some of my coworkers will not be okay,” said Hart. “They have rent or a mort-

the ability to do it… I like doing things for people,” said Soffen. “It was out of my pocket.”

Purchasing from local restaurants and attracting many volunteers, Soffen knew that he needed to do something — and that desire to help came from a genuine care for the community.

“I didn’t have any motivation; I felt bad for people,” said Soffen.

“You don’t put your finger on specific motivation… other than a lot of people were stepping up to try to help because these are our neighbors; these are Cherry Hill people.”

After noticing his friend and client step up to aid the community, Frank Ellis of Marlton was inspired

by Soffen, and he offered free services for furloughed and struggling families from his company, Pest Free Solutions. “[Soffen is] always offering when

he has extra to give to people, so every time I see that, it inspires me to do something nice too,” said Ellis.

Ellis, like Soffen, feels a commitment not only to the community, but also to do anything he can for those in need.

“If I have the time to do it and I can afford to do it for free and people need it, it’s not just during the shutdown. I would help people anytime,” said Ellis.

The president of the Erlton North/Windsor Civic Association, Greg Bruno, along with the help of Dawn Higgins and other members of his board, facilitated a food collection for families in need during the shutdown. “[We collected] bags and bags… it wasn’t truckloads but it was still nice,” said Bruno. “My motivation was just to, well, to help people, but to do more than just sit by and hear about stories of people suffering.

Just random acts of kindness… and while these were hardworking citizens, they found themselves poor…

We were looking out for community members that… had no other options.”

While many individuals did step up during the time of need, some businesses as a whole offered discounts for their community customers. Perk’s Place Barber Shop allowed those affected by the shutdown, like furloughed families, to get a haircut when they needed one and pay when they could.

“My husband is a federal worker… [he] works with a lot of people who are raising children, and they really felt the crunch of not having a paycheck for a month,” said Debi Fischer, owner of Perk’s Place. “I’m a firm believer in giving back to the community, because the community has always been good to us…

We’ve been [in Haddon Township] for forty years, and how nice it would be just to give people the opportunity to get a haircut now and then pay later.”

Fischer shares the beliefs of many others in the area, giving up her own time and resources to help out any way she can, no matter how small it may seem.

Fischer said, “I just feel like it would make them feel better if their heart wasn’t feeling good because of being unemployed...at least their hair would look good!”

Soffen, Ellis, Bruno and Fischer, while all eager to aid their neighbors, understand the hardships of a shutdown and recognize the fear of yet another in the future.

“I know individuals were badly affected,” said Soffen. “I would imagine it has affected a lot of people and they won’t bounce back.”

Photo Illustration by Eli Weitzman (‘20)/ Eastside Webmaster

Page 12

EASTSIDE

March 2019

SPECIAL

March 2019

EASTSIDE

Around the World in a Single Day:

Eastside takes a look at the “hidden identities” of Multicultural Day

Page 13

On the day before spring break, the wafting smell of cultural foods, the ambient sounds of ethnic music and the colorful sights of traditional garb fill the halls of Cherry Hill East. Multicultural Day (MCD) is a tradition rooted in the appreciation of the diversity of students and staff who make up the school’s population. While the cultural education and celebration that have come to define MCD change as new staff takes over the event and graduating classes come and go, the day remains a constant reminder of the different stories that form the melting pot of Cherry Hill East. The theme for this year’s MCD is Hidden Identities, a testament to the untold and often unknown stories of various cultures. Perhaps it is fitting, then, that MCD itself contains many stories unbeknownst to the majority of those who enjoy the event every year. Thus, in honor of “Hidden Identities,” Eastside takes a deeper look at some of the lesser-known stories of MCD to bring you the hidden stories of a beloved East tradition.

Prior to coming to East, I was the biggest American-Born Confused Desi, ABCD for short. b Even so, my sister urged me to join the Indian Culture Society f By ry ong Clu o (ICS), recalling how much fun she had. But for some reason, since I t s i Emi Hi kdanc st was from Bangladesh, and not from India, I was convinced I wouldn’t l ea at Ea Kiminn r fit in, despite the two cultures being very similar. My concerns B (‘22) weren’t exactly reassured when on the first meeting, an upperclassBy man came up to my nervous freshman self and said, “Oh, I’ve seen N you in middle school and was sure you were Mexican.” Perfect… It The Ja afessa igird was a rough start, to say the least, but the most worthprevious culture ar (‘ while things are often the most difficult. The past three 19) club exits the East stage. years have been chock-full of hide & seek and By The auditorium falls silent. Suddenfreeze tag in the winding halls of the Indian A ly, techno music reverberates through the room as a ndrew Although I Cultural Center, stressful stage rehearsBui (‘ new group of student dancers begins its performance: the Breakdancing Club identify most heavily with specific c u l t u r e s 19) als and endless tears following our final (BDC). BDC participates in Multicultural Day each and every year to express its and organizations, such as the Vietnamese and breakperformance as we sent off our seniors. members’ love for their craft, but it remains the only club in MCD not affiliated with an ethnic culture. dancing community, I still associate myself with othWedged between late-night choreogra BDC in itself is a different type of culture from the other culture clubs here at East, because it is a club that welcomes er culture clubs (Filipino Culture Society, Latinos y phy sessions and Chipotle nights, ICS those who do not belong in any of the others. It can be considered a “melting pot” of different kinds of people coming together to Amigos, Chinese Student Association and Indian sleepovers and sore bones, I found my famexpress their passion for dance, according to BDC Officer Arya Amaro (‘19).

Culture Society). I myself am not ethnically part ily. Bonding with kids over “This club unites everyone. . . those who share a common passion for dance and overall fun,” said BDC Officer Andrew of these cultures, but I still joined these clubs t o childhood Hindi movies, Bui (‘19). participate. All of my friends are part of these I’ve finally transformed Some say that BDC is not a cultural club because it is just a club dedicated to a dance style. However, breakdancother clubs, and I feel honored to be able to supfrom an ABCD to an ing originated in New York City and Japan, and there are different people worldwide who have transformed it into a port them. I hold a sense of joy and pride to be able to American-Born form of art and culture. demonstrate the multiple cultures within our school.

CONFIDENT BDC was able to join MCD because at the time, MCD was only starting to gain popularity at East. There weren’t many The activities we partake in range from simple meetDesi! cultural clubs back then, so BDC was invited to be a part of the event, and more importantly, the dance competitions. ings to large performances. I enjoy going to as many cul“It is a dance competition and, us being a breakdance club, it is only natural we are in it, and it is our forte,” said Amaro. tural fundraisers as I can. It is important to support all Because of the culture that breakdancing has created over the past few decades, BDC officers believe that it should be a part of MCD. cultures and not just my own. There are also the dances “Why can’t it be a culture? Korean[s] for example, have [specific] things they do as a culture, so why can’t BDC be like that too?” asked of Multicultural Day. Being allowed to, or even asked to, BDC Officer Matt Lee. dance for other clubs is a privilege. I see it as a chance Brian Lore (‘19), another club officer, agrees with Lee, citing the commitment and artistry breakdancing requires. y t to learn the similarities and differences between cultures e m r “Dancing requires a different type of passion other than nationality,” said Lore. e ) and dance styles and to show everyone the hard work and Sh en(‘19 BDC has never won any of the competitions in MCD, leading some people to assume that the club is not allowed g dedication it takes for each club to truly demonstrate its y yu B to win because they are not an actual “culture club.”

N heritage.

“It is a myth. We checked with the association that runs MCD, and they said themselves that I have also learned that one does not need to we are eligible to win the dance competitions,” said Lee. identify with a certain culture in order to celPeople will still argue that simply dancing is not a culture, but it is, for one, a ebrate it. The color of one’s skin or the race type of pop culture which is considered an authentic culture. Breakdancing, in of one’s parents does not determine which W e fact, originated in the South Bronx of New York City in the early 1970s and culture clubs you can be in. What’s all feel obliwas particularly popular amongst African-American and Latin-American important is to portray the digated to commit to youths as part of the growing hip-hop movement. versity and culthe clubs in which we “Culture is a way that people connect. . . dance is [more] repretural unity hold positions. As a fellow cultural club sented in the world than any other type of culture,”said Lore. we have at leader, I truly understand the responsibility East. and dedication required to compose an incredible performance that not only entertains the auB dience but educates them. However, I do not see the Ay rya limitation of only participating in “your” club.

A To be completely honest, I’m 100 percent Vietnamese, ma but my first Multicultural Day performance was with the ro (‘19 Chinese Student Association (CSA). Practicing and per) forming with those amazing people changed my world forever. They taught me how to socialize, how to be confident — especially on stage — how to work in unity, how to be MCD a leader and, most importantly, how to dance. I would abhas always solutely not be the person I am today if I did not join CSA been a day of in my freshman year of high school. Over the years, great stress and I’ve put countless hours into choreoexcitement for all graphing dances and teaching my ey involved in the event. effr (‘21) peers as well as learning from J After being involved in many the upperclassmen. Therefore, By aminer culture clubs in my four years at K my biggest piece of advice East, I think it’s safe to say that I’ve is do not hesitate to join a seen the best and the worst that MCD has different culture club just to offer. My first Multicultural Day was a because you are not of that hectic but memorable one spent with the Many specific culture. It’s not Indian Cultural Society. In succeeding believe that culturabout what you are but who years I also participated in the Koal clubs are only for people you are and what you can rean Culture Club, Filipino Culture of the specified culture. However, this is learn by branching out and Society and Breakdancing Club. not the case. Anyone with the desire to learn about the being a part of something Getting to East at 5 a.m., getculture can join the club. Just look at me! In my case, my new. Always remember ting into a car crash the morninterest in cultural clubs, specifically the Chinese Student Asthat clubs are not meant ing of MCD and still getting sociation, was inspired by my older brother, Noah Kaminer (‘18), to be selective, but colon stage to perform, who contributed to the Indian Cultural Society all throughout his high lective, and ultimatechanging backstage school career and served as treasurer his senior year. ly, MCD is all about in between clubs I would come to the MCD celebrations and parent night performances with my famtogetherness and while people hold ily every year and watch my brother and many others dance and celebrate different culunity. up towels, and lasttures. Coming into high school myself, I wanted to be a part of this great society of cultural minute practicing clubs. Contrary to the belief of many, I did not join the club to “look good on college applicaare all just normal tions”; I just wanted to have some fun. For me, picking the club to join was the hardest decision, aspects of MCD as they all seemed so different. In the end, I chose to join CSA because of the new friends I made for me at this at East. Many of them were already a part of this club, so joining didn’t feel as foreign to me. I point, and I grew very close to all the members of this club and had a great time learning the dance for last can’t wait year’s MCD. It was a great learning experience as well, introducing me to a whole new culture Scan the QR code to check to see that, for many East students, is a part of daily life. I did not want the fun to end there, so to out video previews of this w h a t this day I am continuing to enjoy my time in CSA so much so that I t h i s year’s MCD dance am also considering joining more cultural clubs in year the future. CSA taught me the performances, a timeline of brings. importance of branching out the history of MCD and so from time to time to explore much more! cultures both familiar and new to me.

Layout by Nafessa Jaigirdar (‘19)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief, Ali Koenig (’20)/ Eastside Managing Editor, Aine Pierre (‘20)/ Eastside News Editor and Samantha Roehl (‘20)/ Eastside Features Editor Photo Illustration by Eli Weitzman(‘20)/ Eastside Webmaster and Nafessa Jaigirdar (‘19)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Page 14

COMICS EASTSIDE

March 2019

True Value by Sarah Zheng (‘20)/ Eastside Video Editor

Molecular Gym-ometry by Shir Goldfinger (‘19)/ Eastside Community Editor

Old School vs. New School by Craig Schrager (‘19)/ For Eastside

International Women’s Day by Ali Koenig (‘20)/ Eastside Managing Editor

Interested in drawing for Eastside or contributing in other ways?

Come to F087 during LB1 or LB2.

EDITORIAL

March 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 15

Cherry Morning announcements must be revamped Hill High School East Editorials represent the views and opinions of the Eastside Editorial Board.

Each morning, East students start their day with the daily announcements. During these first few minutes of the school day, important information is shared with the East community. While the announcements are an opportunity to reach the entire East population, Eastside believes this daily procedure can be improved with a few simple modifications.

Eastside believes that one of the best ways to make the announcements more successful is to increase student engagement. On most days, Dr. Dennis Perry, East principal, presents the daily announcements. Eastside believes that having a variety of people, including students, teachers and administrators, would be beneficial. For instance, students enrolled in public speaking or club leaders could be given the opportunity to read the announcements, similar to how students currently read the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Utilizing a variety of members of the East community to deliver the announcements would help engage listeners. Eastside is not suggesting that administrators should completely stop giving announcements; rather we recommend that administrators share that time with students.

While Eastside realizes that in a perfect world, everyone would be silent and attentive during the announcements, certain circumstances like tests and other time-sensitive activities may make it impossible for the announcements to be heard. Currently, teachers often talk over the announcements because announcements cut into instructional time. One possible solution is to reallocate one minute from each scheduled class block to be used during first period for announcements.

While it would involve reconstructing the school’s schedule, it would eliminate the conflict with time taken from instruction.

The 3-5 minutes added to first period would account for the time the announcements usually take up, allowing for everyone to listen without interruption.

In an effort to clearly inform the entire East community of important events, administration should consider posting a version of the announcements online. This platform will benefit those who arrive to school late and those who missed a

portion of the announcements as well as parents. Eastside believes that the best solution is to post the announcements on both the Cherry Hill East website and on Google Classroom.

By posting a written version of the announcements online, viewers can check the posted announcements throughout the day, refer to the various categories of information, and make informed scheduling decisions for their day. For example, categories could be named "Sports," "Events" and "Club Meetings,” which will make it simple for students to be informed about activities that day.

Eastside recognizes and appreciates the changes which have already been put in place pertaining to the announcements. In prior years, the announcements were presented while students were traveling between classes and at the end of last period. The prior system for making announcements was ineffective because it was difficult to hear announcements while traveling through noisy hallways. In addition, announcements made at random times or at the end of the day did not allow students adequate time to schedule their day. Now, the announcements are held at the beginning of the day, when classes begin, which is a practical and useful time.

The beginning of first period seems like an ideal time to present the daily announcements, especially in comparison to the prior method of presenting announcements between periods. Many agree there are still some distractions that occur with the current system, which prevent students from hearing the announcements, mainly from the voices of their classmates and teachers. A written platform will help bridge that gap.

Although East’s changes to the prior announcement procedure were helpful, there are still methods that can be implemented to improve the system for the benefit of the East community. Perry feels that the announcements are an opportunity to bring the community together, so we should use this platform to be sure that the message is received by as many members of the East community as possible.

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OPINIONS

Page 16

EASTSIDE

Finals grades should be split with midterms

■ By Maddy Kagan (‘20)

Eastside Staff

It’s 11:30 p.m. the week before finals. You are sitting at your desk trying to figure out how you are going to prioritize your studying. On the right side of your desk are three freshly sharpened pencils.

You have a large iced coffee, the glue that is holding you together. Your calculator, Post-it notes, two binders and three notebooks are scattered across the rest of the desk. You have four days of finals in up to eight classes that cover all the information from the beginning of the year until now. One hundred and eighty-two days worth of lesson plans and units all for one test — four semesters’ worth of material all crammed into 90 short minutes of examination time.

Stressful, right? Many students at East feel that studying for cumulative finals can be too demanding.

One solution to this problem is splitting the weight and topics of a final into two equal tests, a midterm and final. This way, students don’t need to retain as much information from the last 10 months.

Mrs. Susan McKee, who teaches history to freshmen and sophomores, is one teacher who has already found this philosophy successful. She gives a final exam on topics from the second half of the school year.

“It seems that having a final in every class,” but balancing up to eight study double the amount of mateshe feels that it is “worth it guides and reviews can be a rial to study, as well as that in the end” because she is challenge.” in other courses, would not able to compare what she Finals do seem to serve be manageable for many retained from the beginas a way to see what you freshmen and sophomores,” ning of the year. have learned, but you can McKee said.

However, while it can easily see your progress in Another way to solve show your improvement a two-part final. This way, the problem of cumulative over the course of the year, students aren’t pulling out finals is to slim their hair trying to down the number manage all of the of topics assessed studying in the time on the final. span of two weeks.

Some teachers Naturally, the huonly put certain man brain tends to topics on the final remember the inforexam. For exammation that it was ple, Mr. William taught most recentSemus tests his ly. Teachers usually Precalculus H talk about a topic students on a set for a certain period list of specific topof time and then ics. His final only the lesson is never consists of four brought up again out of the seven for the rest of the major topics covyear. Therefore, stuered during the dents go 10 months year. Semus exwithout reviewing plained that havthe first lesson they ing seven units learned. There is a on the exam simple solution to would be a more this. By having the difficult task for final split between his students to the two semesters, handle. students will be able “I would rathto retain more inforer students spend mation, which could their time studyresult in a higher ing those topics grade. which are going Photo Illustration by Eli Weitzman (‘20)/ Eastside Webmaster If all of the teachto be most benefiers at Cherry Hill cial to their future success most students feel that balEast who give cumulative in the subsequent course, ancing eight finals in one finals split the exams beAP Calculus,” said Semus. week is not enough time for tween first semester and Some students do feel preparation. second semester, there will that it is more beneficial “[The class] usually rebe a strong reduction in the to have a cumulative final. ceives the study guide two stress levels of the students Lauren Kahn (‘21) said that weeks prior to the final and help to increase their “studying for finals can be exam week,” said Manish grades on their major exvery stressful since we have Thirumoorthi (‘21). “But ams.

East must do more to eradicate the mice

■ By Naomi Bereketab (‘21)

Eastside Staff

Almost every Cherry Hill East student has heard the jokes fellow students and staff make about the rodent problem at East. These jokes have been ongoing for many years now, to the point where certain mice have earned nicknames — say hi to Mickey and Algernon next time you’re on the first floor — despite the fact the rodent issue has never been fully addressed.

Behind all the laughs, though, there is a serious problem.

An infestation of rodents in the school poses major concerns for students, and it needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.

T h e school’s failure to fully address its mouse problem with haste and effectiveness creates a dangerous environment and frankly may evoke questions about how much the school cares for its students’ safety.

“These rodents in our school show a lack of care for the students’ health in the building,” said Emely Gelman (‘22).

Not only does this problem affect students, it affects the large staff that

works at this school, whose lessons can be interrupted by rodent sightings.

The school, to its credit, has recently installed Schooldude, an application that allows staff to report mouse sightings to supervisors. But when students are the ones who primarily see mice scurrying through the hallways and trash cans, is this staff-only pro-

gram being used to its most effective capabilities?

A school like Cherry Hill East is a very likely place for potential rodent infestations because with so many students, it’s easy

for trash to not be in trash cans and to have food lying around that attracts these animals. They are opportunistic eaters that eat whatever is available to them without much preference. Now, while the food in the school is certainly not from a five-star restaurant, any pickings the rodents get their grubby hands on only incentivises them to keep coming back into the school. “[The mouse problem] shows unsanitariness and lack of cleanliness at this school,” said Sydney Rowan (‘21).

The blame here falls mostly on students, as it is lunch time that creates so much trash in the building.

Teachers also need to ensure their habits, too, are preventing the mouse population from multiplying and enforcing restrictions on what food and when can be eaten in their classroom.

This would help restrict the area where mice could feed on food scraps from classrooms to the hallways and cafeterias.

Cherry Hill needs to take action against this problem efficiently, while disturbing students’ learning the

least.

The most effective way to get rid of this problem in such a large building is using chemical methods. The school should do this after the year is over to prevent illnesses caused by chemicals to the students.

After removing the mice already in the school, East must take preventative measures; this can’t be a recurring issue. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation released some very effective tips for reducing rodents in schools that Cherry Hill can take notes from. They mention minimizing clutter in the classroom, sealing all electrical conducts, heating ducts, pipes and pipe chases and more helpful tips.

Many common techniques are already in place at East; these include utilizing traps (East uses more than a hundred), restricting food (staff meetings have been organized for information on this) and custodial communication (their feedback helps to determine trap location). But as none of these have eradicated the problem, more needs to be done. Chemical usage is a possible escalation from these tips that would kill the mice once and for all.

There are many simple moves that can ensure a rodent-free life for everyone at East, even if these programs will take cooperation from everyone involved. At this point, East just needs to act fast.

Art by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Art Editor

March 2019

Grade dances must be for one grade only ■ By Jacob Graff (‘20)

Eastside Opinions Editor

E v e r y freshman knows the drill; sometime in early December, they have to nervously approach a sophomore or upperclassman and meekly ask them if they would go to “frosh” with them. I did it too, and although it turned out alright for me in the end, the underlying stress and pressure placed on the shoulders of newly-minted high school students is not worth keeping the tradition of taking different-grade students to East’s class dances.

I was lucky that I knew my date ahead of time. Our families were kind enough to make it easy on me, and we were friendly beforehand. Most kids don’t have that with their dance dates.

In fact, it is not uncommon for some freshmen to meet their date for the first time at pictures, drive with them to the dance, say “bye!” and not see them for the rest of the night while they party with their friends.

Why make it such an uncomfortable experience when it could all become so easy by only allowing freshmen into the Freshman Dance, sophomores into Cotillion and juniors and seniors only into their respective proms? In this way, people spend their night with close friends, not random acquaintances.

People might disagree with me, citing relationships with people in different grades from them. But consider that “Frosh” is for freshman, “Sophcot” is for sophomores, and “Jprom” is for juniors. Typically senior prom is for seniors too, in case it was hard to figure out.

There are dances for each grade to enjoy a night out with their classmates; it shouldn’t be a badge of honor, as it is now for some people, to attend up to all the main class dances in one year. Those are the people who take advantage of what the night is supposed to be about, and they should not be allowed in any dance but their own.

East provides alternative options for students to attend dances with people who aren’t in their grade.

Homecoming is a popular dance among students welcoming them back to school in the new year. Other dances East puts on during the year include Halloween and Festival E. On the whole, though, we need to consider as a school why these traditions exist and whom they benefit. For the vast majority of students, it’s more a restriction than a freedom.

Revert back to the norm and give each grade level a great time with their friends, not some random, unknown upperclassman.

March 2019

OPINIONS

EASTSIDE

Page 17

Lab periods should be eliminated for non-AP classes ■ By Gregory Rothkoff (‘19)

Eastside Opinions Editor

Though frequent changes to students’ daily schedule and routine have become the norm at East, there is one thing students know all too well about the current scheduling system.

On days when students have their lab periods during lunch break, there is a good chance they are not actually doing a lab.

In reality, the lab portion of science classes frequently occurs instead on days 5 and 6. So why keep the lab periods during lunch break at all?

In New Jersey, high school students are required to take at least 15 credits in a laboratory-based science class. At East, these guidelines have been interpreted as one lab period during one lunch break a cycle per science course.

According to East Principal Dr. Dennis Perry, New Jersey schools widely differ in the way they designate their lab periods. For example, some schools conduct the lab period during phsyical education or health class in order to not impact core classes.

However, it makes much more sense to set up all lab equipment during a two-day span rather than keep it out for the four days

when lab periods occur.

Fortunately, teachers have been doing this for quite a while, but timing requirements have not changed to fit the ideal convenience already identified by teachers and students.

Ironically, lab periods during lunch break often do

science class has for doing lab on days 5 and 6. Students would not be losing any time to conduct labs with this change.

Instead, students could be using the time during lab periods more valuably for other classes. For students taking two or even

from science. Getting rid of lab periods during lunch break would allow students to have more time for other classes.

Although lab periods during lunch break may be free of any lab equipment, there are some cases where the lab periods should defi-

Danny Kahn (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

not involve the lab which the name would suggest.

Rather, these periods are frequently used as additional time for typical instruction.

A lab period during Days 1-4 of the cycle takes about an hour and a half. This is the same amount of time a

three science courses, the time spent in a lunch break lab period without actually doing a lab adds up fast.

With the rigorous academics at East, lunch breaks are a valuable time for students to make up tests and talk with teachers in other classes aside

nitely stay in place.

Advanced Placement (AP) science classes have a very heavy workload.

According to East Chemistry teacher Mr. Alexander Falat, AP science class must have the laboratory period in order to meet the AP science requirements.

Many of the AP science classes are so pressed for instructional time that teachers must give takehome tests.

In this case, the near half-an-hour of instructional time provided by the lab period during lunch break is vital in preparing students for the AP test.

That being said, all other non-AP science classes have about an additional month of instructional time before giving the final exam. This instructional time could be enough to equate to getting rid of lab periods during lunch breaks.

Similarly, according to Falat, missing a lab period at East is equivalent to cutting a class. When spending much-needed time with friends during lunch break, it is too easy to forget about lab on a particular day.

Of course, students at East should be mature enough to remember when they have a lab period on a particular day of the cycle, but having the same repercussions as skipping a class when this time is a “freeperiod” seems unfair.

Clearly, the lab period during lunch break has lost its primary use to students and teachers. Therefore, the East requirements and guidelines on lab periods should change for all nonAP science classes.

OPINIONS

Page 18

EASTSIDE

March 2019

Reassessment policies need to be updated

homework should not be able to be reassessed. The reason behind this distinction comes from the prinMost concepts learned in ciple behind reassessment: classes at Cherry Hill East reassessment of the former and schools across the nalist provides the ability to tion are evaluated for stucheck comprehension of a dent comprehension with set of topics; the latter is an end-of-unit test. From putting in time and doing the students’ standpoint, assignments. this allows them Additionally, to evaluate themit needs to be selves based required that upon the grade students show they achieved on effort in preparthe assessment. ing for reassessFor example, if ment. This ara student gets ticle represents an A or even a the belief that B, it is clear they reassessment have attained should be a part proficiency. The in every course; opposite apif this benefit plies for lower is offered, it begrades. In this hooves teachers way, students (and students) show themselves to mandate that and their teachstudents and er how familiar teachers create they are on that a plan to stay subject through for extra help, testing. answer practice Delve a little problems and deeper, however, generally work and a system towards profithat has been in ciency before the place in educareassessment is tion for years is taken. In this shown to have a way, the opportufew fatal flaws. nity is not wastAt East, what ed. happens beFinally, it foltween a teacher lows to only aland a student if low students to the grade on an reassess major exam is not to assessments they the expectations failed on their of either individfirst try and raise ual? Without an their final grade opportunity for up to and includreassessment, Isabella Witting (‘20)/ Eastside Staff ing a 70 percent. the student is left Different teachers’ reassessment policies often vary, even between periods of the same course.

This reduces the out to dry, so to incentive to not speak; the matereal world works and that teacher thinks that a condegrees of reassessment, study for tests and rely on rial is never learned by the it might be unfair to stucept should be mastered ranging from nonexistent the reassessment for a satstudent, and the teacher dents who were able to be by. If a case arises where it to reassessing up to the avisfactory grade. It also has and class simply move on ready by the test date and is evident that it isn’t, the erage grade, among others. the effect of forcing stuwith the course. Because of received a good grade on student should be given an This needs to be remedied, dents to put in the work to this, students remain conthe common timeline. But opportunity to achieve comas it does not seem fair if take advantage of reassessfused when the material they are wrong; in New prehension. one teacher offers reassessment, and even so, capping is built upon in the future.

Jersey, kids have the abilIf lawyers pass their bar ment while another does the grade so other students This is, unfortunately, a ity to take their driving test exam on their third try, not for the same course. don’t feel slighted. rather common situation the day they turn 17. Most it doesn’t mean they are The best solution would It’s incumbent on Cherry for many students. That is people pass it on their first only allowed to practice on be mandating that each Hill East to recognize its why, at the minimum, evtime, similar to the grade Wednesday mornings. They course needs to have a set failures in this area and ery class needs to have a distribution for any typiare fully licensed, proven to reassessment policy that promote policies that alform of reassessment availcal exam. But some kids do be knowledgeable and cais applied to all classes in leviate them. Through the able to students. Through not. For one reason or anpable in their field. If drivsaid course. To keep it fair widespread introduction of this, teachers can help turn other, a failing grade was ers and lawyers can reasfor passing students and all the foundations menfailures into successes and given. But there is no rule sess in the real world, why the teacher, though, reastioned above, this school help students who strugthat restricts young drivers shouldn’t students be able sessment should only be can do its best in educatgled to learn the material from attempting the test to in high school? applied to major tests and ing its students in a way for the test date prove their again. In fact, 17-year-olds Furthermore, instilling assessments. District asthat minimizes failure and proficiency. are allowed to retake the a common practice of ussessments, benchmarks promotes learning in a fair Simply put, if the goal of test in two weeks to prove age of reassessment would and unit tests would all be and equal fashion. After all, teachers is to educate their mastery of the skills necesbenefit East students treincluded in this category; isn’t that what education is students, they should give sary to be on the road. mendously. For this to reading checks, quizzes and all about? students the opportunity ■ By Jacob Graff (‘20)

Eastside Opinions Editor

to get educated. This goal does not, or, at least, should not end at the test date for a unit. It extends until a student achieves proficiency in the unit.

Some students and teachers might disagree, claiming that the previous statement is not how the

Extrapolating this further, it is clear these two situations are analogous.

The DMV does not care when the skills are mastered, only that they are.

Teaching should be regarded in a similar way. A test date is arbitrary; it’s nothing more than when a

work for both students and teachers, though, a compromise needs to be reached on what form reassessment will take. Currently at East, the degree of reassessment offered varies tremendously, up to the point where teachers in the same course have differing

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CULTURE

March 2019

EASTSIDE

Saint Whose Day is it anyway?

■ By Henry Nolan (‘19) Eastside Culture Editor

Many holidays in the modern world have been accused of being commercialized. Halloween and Valentine’s Day are both examples of holidays that are heavily affected by the consumerist society that we live in. Even religious holidays such as Christmas have become means for companies to make money.

But perhaps the holiday that has become most dependent on commercialism, and most detached from its origins, is Saint Patrick’s Day. Opinions on this subject

reach both extremes and every point between, but several East students are just happy to have a chance to celebrate Irish culture and the impact it has had on their lives and heritage.

The origins of Saint Patrick’s Day are very much rooted in religion, as suggested by it being the day of a saint. The original Saint Patrick is known in IrishCatholic lore to have drawn all of the snakes in Ireland out of the country, preventing a famine, all the way back in the fifth century.

Traditionally, Saint Patrick’s Day is honored with a family dinner in the evening with Irish folk music playing in celebration of the anniversary of the miracle of Saint Patrick.

Alyssa Hughes (‘19) said that, in today’s world, “people use Saint Patrick’s Day to drink Guinness and party.”

Some may see the use of Saint Patrick’s Day as an excuse to drink alcohol and put on parades, etcetera, as a result of the commercial-

ization of Saint Patrick’s Day, like numerous other popular holidays.

Hughes said that she agrees with the statement that Saint Patrick’s Day is commercialized in today’s society. However, she also said that she found this to be “not nearly to the extent of Christmas, Easter or the like.”

“The last time that Saint Patrick’s Day was celebrated [traditionally] was when Saint Patrick was still alive,” said Hughes. She expressed her sentiment that the evolution of the celebration of this holiday was actually to the benefit of not just this holiday, but the continuation of Irish culture in general.

Another East student who feels close to her Irish heritage is Jackie Cotter (‘19). She remembers in her younger years she was able to dress up as a leprechaun before going to school, and do everything to go all out for Saint Patrick’s Day, in order to honor her family ancestry. She said Saint

Art teacher Ms. Bernadette Calnon-Buote has watched Baran grow in confidence as an artist.

“Macey’s always been experimental, but her willingness to try new things has improved,” Calnon-Buote said. “She’s a fast worker, but is careful about her choices.”

Joyce Wu (’19) started taking art classes before she was an East student.

In fifth grade she started taking an art class at Beck Middle School on weekends as one of her electives after Saturday Chinese School.

Her main focus as an artist is to create realistic art in pencil and watercolor.

Calnon-Buote has been impressed with Wu’s development, and said as a senior Wu is “on a whole different plane conceptually and creatively” than as a freshman.

Mikey Pierce (’19) wanted to be an artist since he was in elementary school.

He has always enjoyed drawing, and gets inspiration from watching detailed p e n c i l drawings on an art YouTube channel.

“When I see his art I think, ‘Wow, I really want to make stuff like that,’” Pierce said.

“I like creating things that are interesting to look at.”

Pierce enjoys practicing his drawing skills and watching them improve. Calnon-Buote has noticed his progression as well.

“His technique has improved,” she said. “He comes up with more creative solutions to problems.”

East students are encouraged to take classes outside of school in order to further develop their identity as an artist. CalnonBuote recommends students for programs at local colleges and universities such as the Philadelphia University of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Art and Moore College of Art. There are also summer art programs all over the country, including the Chicago Institute of Art, where Calnon-Buote recently participated in a program.

Taking art classes helps her as both a student and teacher of art.

“It gives me better insight into what my students will enjoy,” she said.

“I don’t like when someone tells me what to do, but to tell me where to look.”

Calnon-Buote has since

Patrick’s Day is her “little day to remind [her]self of [her] love for Ireland and how thankful [she] is to have [her] Irish family.”

As Cotter grows older, and she becomes more independent from her family, she still has this day to remember where she came from.

The culture of any one specific nationality or religious group is hard to be reflected within a school, and Hughes and others said that they saw this culture reflected more at home, especially given the religious overtones of Irish culture, which clash with the secular environment of public schools. Even so, the Irish Culture Club and the commitment of many people to the preservation of Irish culture reveals that the customs of Ireland are just one more part that make up the melange of traditions that influence daily life in America, in Cherry Hill and at East.

Logo by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Art Director

East artists remember their artistic origins ■ By Claire McFadden (‘19) Eastside Staff

Art is one of those special pastimes that can last a lifetime. From drawing with colored pencils in preschool, to high school art classes, to the wide multitude of career paths in art, the opportunities are endless. Art can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be; pick up a tool of your choice and the world becomes your canvas.

Cherry Hill East’s art program encourages students’ passion for creativity while developing them into artists of deeper thinking.

Macey Baran (’20) has taken Commercial Art, Foundations of Art, Advanced Foundations of Art and AP Studio Art at East.

She loves acrylic painting because of the vibrant colors she gets to use.

“I got into art because I really liked colors when I was little,” Baran said. “Art has been a good outlet to get away from the stress in life.”

applied her experiences to her teaching in the classroom.

The goal for an East art student is to develop a deeper pattern of thinking than to just use the materials they are given. Many East alumni have gone on to pursue art in college and professionally. CalnonBuote has kept in touch with students who now create illustrations for books and video game animations. Another East alumnus is now an art director in California for an advertising company.

From the very beginning of a person’s life, art can make a huge impact, and as a student grows as a person, so does his or her creativity. East and other programs provide many opportunities for young artists and enable students to take their art to the next level and share it with the world.

Art courtesy of Joyce Wu (‘19)

Page 19

■ By Eli Weitzman (‘20) Eastside Webmaster

Fortnite.

It’s been the new craze for a while now, and many people all a r o u n d the world love to play it. It meets the perfect criteria for any viral video game.

It’s entertaining, free and is available on all the major platforms. Fortnite has radically and extraordinarily invaded culture and become an iconic video game in the span of only a few years. It’s simply amazing to see how gaming leagues, merch and even coaches have become a thing for this simple game.

Fortnite is on the rise and I kind of like it.

Fortnite started out with a more basic scheme, originally called Fortnite: Save the World. This game mode ecame obsolete very quickly when a new battle royale game called PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds started to gain traction in the gaming community, Fortnite evolved, and the Fortnite Battle Royale was born.

Battle Royale is probably Fortnite’s most popular game mode and has aken the gaming scene by storm. It came out the time that I had first heard about Fortnite, and honestly, I was not impressed at the time. I found the concept of “emotes” laughable and ridiculous, and when kids started re-enacting them in public, being the type of person to hate new trends, I started to loathe the game. But all of a sudden, something interesting happened.

In mid-2018, Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite, rolled out a new gamemode, called Playground. This is what really interested me. I’m an introverted person, typically.

I don’t enjoy playing video games with people I don’t know, and I feel discomforted with online communication. Playground mode, in contrast, pits a single player (or network-attached group) in the same, original Fortnite map and allows them to have free reign for an hour. This, to me, seemed tempting. So, I started to try it out. It was an introvert’s paradise. No one to talk to, no getting shot at, and unlimited resources to build. So, I frequented that game mode as often as I played. Then, Epic Games rolled out Fortnite Creative, and I knew that I’d start to love this game. And so, my interest in this game grew.

Today, I enjoy playing Fortnite maybe once a week. It’s a fun game, I can now admit. I still don’t understand the viral craze of Fortnite dances, or Ninja’s game streams, but what I do understand is this: Fortnite is an extremely fun game that I enjoy playing.

CULTURE

Page 20

EASTSIDE

March 2019

Try the perfect dips for National Chips and Dip Day

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

■ By Angelina Witting (‘22)

Eastside Staff

March i s Women’s H i s tory Month.

T o honor and appreciate women, the Eastside Culture editors have compiled a playlist of songs made by strong, influential women with motivational messages. “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”

by Aretha Franklin “The Boss” by Diana Ross “Break Free” by Ariana Grande “Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

Chips and dip is a timeless dynamic duo that has been an essential part of parties and other celebrations for years. With endless combinations, it is a pairing worthy of wowing all and any consumers.

Whether you’re sitting on the couch watching your favorite TV show, at a family gathering or hosting a party, chips and dip are the ultimate snack.

While some people prefer to buy their dips at their local Shoprite, others enjoy the process of making their dips at home. However, don’t be fooled — dips as good as these have no problem being the talk of any gathering.

In recent years, dips have branched out from their conventional use, becoming toppings for things like burritos and salads. As a result of recent versatility, guacamole has appeared to be taking over the dip game. Still, other dips that are less mainstream are praised by local families.

Sam Clark’s (‘20) family loves sharing its homemade guacamole with neighbors

during summer functions and other times as well.

Bill Clark, Sam’s father, frequently cooks various delectables for his swim club in the summer. Some of these delectables include Mexican food and breakfast sandwiches. But, as most people know, most Mexican food is never c o m plete without a delicious guac a mole t o

guacamole is a must at their swim club. Nothing beats homemade dip on a warm summer night.

Sophia Howard’s (‘21) family has been making its Texmex Corn Dip for around forty years.

“My family makes it together and eats it together at every holiday,” said Howard.

They enjoy making it for family

pair it with. This is where Clark’s dip comes in. Raved about by neighbors, this

events and holidays like Thanksgiving. Howard said the dip is special to her because of the cheese and the tradition

of making the dip. Through the years, the recipe has been passed through generations starting with Howard’s grandma and going to her mom, then her.

Erica Bocco’s (‘20) family has been making its onion dip for around ten years.

“I bond over the dip because I usually have it when friends are over, and we eat it while talking,” said Bocco.

Although her mom is the one who usually makes the dip, Bocco enjoys having it as a snack when she hosts company. When asked why the dip is so special to her, she said, “it tastes really good, and since I don’t have it that often, when I do it’s nice.”

Families like the Clarks, the Howards and the Boccos have been able to bond over something as simple as their dips. There’s nothing quite like having something that makes your party extra special.

With National Chips and Dip day on March 23, crack open or make your favorite dip, open up a bag of chips, and share with whomever you want, or don’t — no one will judge.

Art by Samantha Dayton (‘19)/ Eastside Art Editor

“Strong Enough” by Cher “The Greatest” by Sia “The Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga “Express Madonna

Yourself”

by

“Run the World (Girls)”

by Beyoncé “I’ve Got to Use My Imagination” by Gladys Knight & the Pips “Emotions” Carey

by

Mariah

“Respect” Franklin

by

Aretha

“Stronger” Spears

by

Britney

“It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” by Whitney Houston

Students model female empowerment at East

“Doo Wop (That Thing)”

by Ms. Lauryn Hill “Valerie - Version Revisited” by Mark Ronson, feat. Amy Winehouse “Come Rain or Come Shine” by Judy Garland “Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keys “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner “And I Am Telling You”

by Jennifer Holiday Scan below to check out our playlist on Spotify!

Infographics by Zoe Culver (‘19) and Claire Joanson (‘19)/ Eastside Culture Editors

CULTURE

March 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 21

Out of the Vault: Webkinz, Poptropica, Club Penguin, oh my!

■ By Zoe Culver (‘19)

Eastside Culture Editor

It’s 3:42 p.m. on a cool day in 2007. You get off the school bus; your mom is right in front of you. You run past her, making sure your bright green Crocs (filled with Jibbitz) don’t slip off, and you rush back to your house. You take a seat in the office chair of your family room, old slow desktop in front of you.

Silly Bandz off...it’s game time. Only one thing is on your mind: you must check on your Golden Retriever Webkinz, or your Poptropica world or your Moshi Monsters message board.

The days of online gaming seem like the good ol’ days to kids who grew up in the early 2000s. To those who are unfamiliar, online gaming sites like Webkinz, Club Penguin, Poptropica and more were platforms for kids to play games, create their own worlds and interact with others.

The sites mainly consist of mini-games to keep kids engaged and characters for suers to take care of, keeping them logging on each day. The characters are able to interact with other users, giving the websites more of a social aspect unlike other games.

When these games were at their height, kids simply couldn’t wait to go home and log onto the computer.

They combined all of the best elements of other toys and games, bringing them onto one platform.

While it may seem more clear now, many in the Webkinz generation never really thought at the time

about why these sites were so popular; rather it was just something that everyone did.

“I don’t even remember why it was so popular,” said

ing back on this time of growth in online gaming, it’s clear that one thing set them apart from the games that had entertained children in past generations:

reason it appealed to a lot of younger kids was because it was not only easily accessible, but it was also a nicer way of exploring a different reality and interacting with

Photo illustration by Eli Weitzman (‘20)/ Eastside Webmaster

MacKenna Durbin (‘19).

“All I know is we would all go on and play for hours and hours.”

Online games such as these had a huge appeal for large numbers of kids across the globe. Now, look-

these were personalized and each kid was completely in control of his or her experience. Justin Walker (‘20) was one of those kids.

“When I was a kid, I played a lot of Poptropica,” Walker said. “I think the

other people in a cute kind of world.”

As a child, you aren’t in control of many parts of your life. However, these games gave kids a place where the world was exactly what they wanted.

Webinkz seems like a thing of the past to some who used to go on as kids.

However, in an effort to connect to their old childhood ways, some students have even jumped back in and started to play these games again. Sadly some characters and games do not keep up with current times, usually because they have not been taken care of for close to ten years, but some students have still been able to log-in and reminisce the days when playing was a daily occurrence.

As this generation has, for the most part, grown out of these games, it has flocked to a new type of online entertainment: social media.

With the era of social media at its peak, it’s hard to ignore the connections between the kids that used to play these games and those who use social media today.

When kids would log onto online games, they wanted to socialize with friends, find new people and escape their current world, which is exactly how people use their social media today.

Both social media and online games have consumed hours and hours of time from children and adolescents alike.

Overall, the impact of these games that at the time seemed just like a regular part of daily life is tremendous. Looking at similarities between online gaming websites and social media, it seems that the development of kids and kids’ digital personae has been impacted by these websites, and could have affected the way they grew up in the age of social media.

SPORTS

Page 22

EASTSIDE

March 2019

Senior baseball commits seek Cougar prosperity ■ By Max Gaffin (‘22)

Eastside Staff

Babe Ruth once said, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”

Following this mantra, the seniors of the Cherry Hill East Baseball Team are starting to prepare for another successful season, as with every mistake comes a chance to improve.

These players are determined to work hard and conclude their years on the East team in walkoff fashion. Three seniors plan to continue playing baseball after the season ends and have committed to play baseball in college.

Steven Lombardi (‘19) will continue his journey at Immaculata University in Chester County, Pa. Lombardi committed in early September to the Division III school, as he knew his heart yearned to pursue the sport he loved. Lombardi said changing from a Cougar to a Mighty Mac will be tough.

“I can’t wait [for] college baseball, but all I’m really worrying about right now is this high school season,” Lombardi said. “I went up to the campus and played in a game there for my summer team, I talked to the coach and he just got me really hooked on his program and his school.”

Joining Lombardi at Imonship [for East] this seafriends both on and off the maculata is his friend and son. We push each other field. teammate since seventh to work harder, and we all “[Starting] on the freshgrade, Joey Wright (‘19), have a lot of respect for man team… showed me who committed in late each other, which helps our [how] to work much harder, October. and ever Wright, since my who bats sophoan avermore year age of I’ve been .360, said p i t c h he caning for not wait to varsity,” play baseLombarball at his di said. new school “It’s been — he is eaa great ger to play experithis spring ence...we at East have a and then lot of talget decked ent on our out in team.” white and Baseblue for ball Head ImmacuC o a c h lata in the Mr. Jason fall.

Speller has “The baseball, coached all the the coach and the committed seniors academics seemed like since they joined varsity the best fit for me,” Wright their sophomore season. said.

“This year we have a Taking a different route, very talented group of seEllis Schwartz (‘19) has niors... We have [three] committed to commits due to Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor the talent and Stony Brook University for Ellis Schwartz (‘19), Steven Lombardi (‘19) and dedication the Joey Wright (‘19) lead the Cougars this season. baseball. players have “I am reput into their ally excited,” craft,” said Schwartz said. “I have alchemistry.”

Speller. ways wanted to play DiviThe three team leaders Speller also said how he sion I baseball and I think have all been playing with is proud of how far the seit’s going to be an awesome each other for years, from niors have come. He said challenge, but I’m focused Little League to middle they are hard workers and, on winning a state champischool to East. They are more importantly, they are

leaders that underclassmen can look up to.

“Having a good team bond pushes us to play the best we possibly could every game,” said Wright.

Nevertheless, Speller said that the players take it upon themselves to prepare and reach their offseason goals during the time that they do not play regularly.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to be around student athletes such as these young men,” Speller said.

“From day one, all they wanted to do was embrace the game of baseball, learn the ins and outs and continue to improve. When you have a group of seniors like we have this year, it just sets the tone and tempo for the program for years to come. The younger guys can build from what they learn and continue the tradition.

I wish them well in their future and look forward to following their careers at the next level whether it be academic or sports oriented.”

Looking back at their years playing at East, the boys have all had some truly amazing accomplishments. Lombardi remembers in detail a game his sophomore year where he came in to pitch not letting any runs in.

The Cougars are ready to pounce into their season opener this spring and hopefully take the championship.

Greenspun and Miller prepare for a golf season full of success Miller often tries to get in more work.

Physical education teacher Mr. Ryan James Picture a golfer. Your has been the coach of the first thought is probably an East golf team since 2006. image of an old man playing James said that Greensat the local country club. pun and Miller were the However, golf best aveage scorers from is in reality the 2018 season, when the primary Greenspun averaged 42.7 sport of sevand Miller averaged a 40. eral East athThe practice season letes — and is usually the month of they love it.

March, and the team N o a h practices from 3 p.m. to Greenspun 6 p.m. on Mondays to (‘20) and SiThursdays. mon Miller The team practices (‘20) are East’s and competes together, co-ed golf but on days East doesn’t team’s stars. have practices, the playThe two juers are expected to pracniors started tice on their own. their golfing Golf is not the most careers in difpopular among students ferent ways. at East — according to Greenspun the American Golf Corbegan golfporation, the average age ing about four of golfers is 54 — and years ago and Greenspun and Miller tried it out often get different reacbecause he tions when they tell othlives on a golf ers about their sport. course.

He Greenspun said, “Peoinstantly fell ple are usually a little in love with surprised when I tell the sport. them I play golf, but I Miller, on the think it is because most other hand, people in high school has been surdon’t play golf.” rounded by Miller, however, regolf for his ceives much more enthuentire life. His siasm. grandfather He said, “The usual and cousins reaction I get when I tell play, so one Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor people that I play golf day he decided to try it Noah Greenspun (‘20) hits a ball up the for East is mostly that they’re jealous because himself.

He fairway, hoping for a hole in one. they would love to play started taking an itch to keep on playing.” golf, but it takes a long time the sport seriously at the The duo practices four or to get good.” beginning of his freshman five times a week at WoodGreenspun and Miller year. crest Country Club, and are both experienced playMiller said, “[What] rewhen the weather is nice, ers, and they are also acally got me into it was ■ By Lalitha Viswanathan (‘22)

Eastside Staff

when I got really sick with pneumonia in the spring of eighth grade, and it took me a while to get back into basketball shape. I started going to the driving range to waste some time and got

complished.

Greenspun won a second place trophy with his team at the Camden County Tournament about a year ago. Miller goes to tournaments with his East team and by him-

yet to win one,” Miller said.

While there are team qualifications for golf, there can also be individual qualifications. The team shows up together, but if one team member’s scores are really good, the individual can qualify and participate in the individual competition.

Greenspun and M i l l e r both admit that at times, golf can be flustering but rewarding.

Miller said, “My favorite part about playing is that in order to be great, you have to really think before every shot. I’m the type of person that likes to think before every move I make.”

Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor Based Simon Miller (‘20) practices his swing in on their preparation for the 2019 season. skills, devotion and self. love for golf, Greenspun “I got third place twice and Miller hope to do amazin GAP [Golf Association of ing in the upcoming season Philadelphia] tournaments while continuing to get betover the summer but have ter at golf.

SPORTS

March 2019

EASTSIDE

Page 23

Boys’ Track unites for the Girls’ Track hopes to build upcoming spring season on last season’s successes practice as they want at home before the official preseason. Jumpers may attend clinics throughout the In its upcoming season, the Boys’ year in order to get ready for the Spring Track team is preparing to season. uphold its tentative title as the best Key athletes to look out for this sprint and distance teams at East in season are Oliver Adler (‘20), Kyle school history.

Krell (‘19) and Justin Whitney (‘21).

Distance Coach Mr. Anthony Adler served as one of the co-capManiscalco, who is now in his tenth tains of the cross-country team this year coachpast seaing spring son, so he track, said feels wellthis season equipped will be very to help lead interestthe track ing due to team in the the many spring. changes “One of he plans my goals to implein helpm e n t . ing to lead Maniscalco the team and his cois to bring coaches, the differMr. Jeffrey ent areas Bramnick of the team and Mr. togethMike Surer,” Adler rency, are said. intently A c planning cording m a n y to Manisworkouts calco, the that they coaches believe would also will prelike to unipare their fy the difathletes ferent parts for the seaof the team son. These to help all workouts athletes are specific succeed. to each It can be event, and frustrating even to inAndrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor having 14 d i v i d u a l Elijah Adkins (‘19) and Kyle Krell (‘19) run in d i f f e r e n t athletes. events but the 800-meter race during a 2018 meet.

“It is a only three lot of work; a lot of science goes into coaches. the workouts,” Maniscalco said.

In terms of physical improvePreparation for the season is done ments, Maniscalco said he wants to in many ways because there are so see all of the athletes become stronmany different events that athletes ger throughout the season and decan participate in. Long-distance velop better technique in their sperunners work to build up their stamcific events. ina before the season begins, and Some changes for this year are during the season they run up to 70 the elimination of dual meets and miles per week. Eventually, these the addition of batch meets. athletes taper down and decrease The change in structure is going the amount they run as a technique to make it easier for schools to host, to improve their times. They do this and participate in, events. so they do not work themselves too A dual meet involved two teams hard before a big race. Many runners competing against one another, also prepare for the season by runwhile a batch meet will have five ning winter track at East. schools competing against each Sprinters are encouraged to get other at a central location. out on the track and practice for at Maniscalco is very excited for the least three days a week before the upcoming season, and he is ready season begins. Surrency focuses on to see all of the hard work the athtraining the sprinters and hopes that letes have been putting in during they will be prepared long before the the off-season pay off. season starts.

Maniscalco said, “The most reSome throwers, who are led by warding thing to see is when workBramnick, have purchased their outs correlate with good times and own equipment so they get as much distances.”

■ By Allie Graham (‘20)

Eastside Staff

team will have a lot of potential. She hopes the incoming underclassmen will be strong competitors and win The Cherry Hill East Girls’ Track some races. team’s season is running in quick.

Drayton said, “If we all push ourWith new girls joining the team and selves and each other, execute and accomplished runners coming back, focus, we will be very competitive.” the team is looking forward to an exDrayton trains outside of school citing and successful season. Coach and wants the team to remember to Mrs. Yanell Holiday is prepared to keep pushing even when it gets hard train her girls so they are able to exbecause, through her experience, ecute what is necessary for the team she knows that the outcome of a win to pull out wins this season. Holiwill be worth it. Drayton had a great day must season last reassess year, along her team, with the knowing rest of the that she team, and has lost a both Holigood numday and ber of seDrayton niors from look forlast seaward to son.

She what the feels that upcoming the more season has the girls in store for are willing the girls. to try new T h e things, the long-dissmoother tance runthe upcomners are ing season also lookwill run. ing to have “It’s reanother ally about successtesting ful seaother athson.

Led letic girls

by Sarah to try other Pierce (‘19) and new and Dani events,” Lazarus Holiday (‘19), the said. girls hope H o l i to work day began together coaching to improve track after upon last running season. hurdles Lazarus Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor in high Erica Tran (‘20) jumps during a spring meet. said, “As a school and senior and college. She went to an all-girls this being my fourth season running Catholic school, where she was a spring track, I think it is really imbasketball player. One day, her portant that the underclassmen ... nuns suggested that she try runand the entire team treats the sport ning track, and she has loved it ever as a team sport instead of an indisince. She was self-taught and even vidual sport. I want to finish my last ran in the Penn Relays, which often season strong and would like my attracts the best young runners in teammates to be right there with me the world. Although she fell while breaking their own records too.” hurdling during the Penn Relays, Erica Tran (‘20), a long jumper she uses that as a learning experiand a high jumper, has an optimistic ence for her girls. outlook on this season. She looks to This season, Holiday wants to continue her success from last seafocus more on the girls’ health, and son, and, in order to do so, she set a she stresses the importance of keepcouple of goals for herself. ing the team injury-free. Holiday “My goals are to PR 4’8’’ for high said that she would try to have wajump... and I hope to PR 15 feet for ter on her at all times to help keep long jump,” Tran said. the girls hydrated and healthy.

With dedication and hard work Maya Drayton (‘19), who has comfrom the team, the Girls’ Spring mitted to Georgetown University for Track team should be looking fortrack, is also excited for what this ward to a successful season. season has in store. Drayton is a “This season will be a journey,” sprinter and feels that this season’s Holiday said.

■ By Jessica Levin (‘22)

Eastside Staff

Pickleball gains popularity among student body ■ By Ross Cogan (‘19)

Eastside Staff

What started off as a children’s backyard pastime has now become a competitive sport that over three million people in the United States play.

One reason for its success is that pickleball is one of few sports that the older population can enjoy and compete in despite their limited mobility and risk of injury. Another reason is its catchy name, pickleball, which was adopted quite arbitrarily. The unique combination of badminton, tennis and table tennis in pickleball reminded some-

one of the process of selecting crewmen from the pickle boat in crew — thus came the name “pickleball.”

The game is quite simple and only requires a few items: an open space, a net raised about three feet high, a wooden paddle and a wiffle ball. The game can be played by two or four people at a time (one or two to each side of the net) and is relatively inexpensive as well. The sport is quite analogous to tennis, as opposing teams rally the ball over the net until one team fails to do so, and then a point is awarded to the other team. Thanks to its simplicity and accessibility,

the sport is now so popular that it has become one of the Cherry Hill East student body’s favorite activities in physical education.

“Pickleball is a great sport and I wish we played it for more than just two weeks [in gym],” said Josh Apell (‘19), who won the pickleball tournament in Mr. Mike Melograna’s Block A senior gym class.

In physical education, there are six courts set up at once, which means that over half of the entire gym class can be playing at the same time. The physical education teachers rotate games between courts and organize the tournament

at the end of the pickleball unit to ensure the competition runs smoothly. No student sits out for more than 15 minutes at a time, so everyone has playing time each class. “[Pickleball] is indoors— it is competitive and [it] allows for a lot of competition in a small amount of space,” said Melograna.

“Nobody really has the clear advantage [at the start],” said Jacob Rose (‘19), who won the pickleball tournament in Melograna’s Block F senior gym class. “Everyone has a chance to win, and it gets intense.”

Many tennis clubs and

recreational sports venues catered to the rising demand of pickleball by converting tennis and basketball courts into pickleball courts and by providing the members with the proper equipment to play. Cherry Hill has taken great steps toward providing its residents with a safe place to play the sport. There are now six courts at the Decou Park where anyone can play at any time. On weekends, you may even find upwards of twenty people surrounding the courts playing in a community tournament, a clear sign that pickleball has grown tremendously and is here to stay.

SPORTS

March 2019

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Valladares brings diving program back to East ■ By Sophie Levine (‘19)

Eastside Sports Editor

Cherry Hill East is known for its dominating swim team, which has won championship after championship ever since East opened in 1967. However, with the swim team getting all of the spotlight, most people are not as familiar with the East diving team.

These days, the team, which was once cut from East altogether, consists of just one member: Gabi Valladares (‘19).

Ever since Valladares was about three years old, she has had a passion for diving. Her mother, who was a Division I diving coach at Drexel University, influenced her to start diving. From there, it was all hard work, determination and lots of getting soaked, as Valladares continued to perfect her craft.

“I was basically born on a pool deck,” Valladares said.

After years of diving, Valladares knew she wanted to represent East on the diving board. However, she did not know how much of a challenge that would end up being. Years ago, East used to have a diving team coached under the helm of Mr. Keith Kovalevich, a physical education teacher.

In recent years, the team dwindled down to only a few members without a coach. Now, Valladares is the only diver on the team, and she does not have a diving coach. She instead

reports to Ms. Anita Bowser, the girls’ swim coach, for information. Additionally, Ms. Debbie Barr, the

removed her from all sports for most of her freshman year, but it also caused her to become more focused on

ent story.

“They came to me and said, ‘we are cutting the program since you are our only diver and we don’t have a coach…it’s not really a team, so we are cutting the program,’” Valladares said.

At the time, Valladares was devastated. She was forced to sit out her junior season because the program was cut. She would not take no for an answer, though.

She stood up for what she believed in and started the process of reforming the team for her senior season.

“I wanted to dive in high school again because it would help my chances in recruiting,” she said.

Valladares wanted a change, Courtesy of Gabi Valladares (‘19) so she did someGabi Valladares (‘19) dives at the South Jersey Invitational. thing about it. She got a waiver policy activities coordinator secrecompetitive diving. She to be able to finish out her tary at East, is one of Valstarted diving all year senior season on the diving ladares’s biggest supportround for her club team. board for the Cougars. She ers. She comes to many of This allowed her to practice did not disappoint, as she her meets. a lot more. placed second in the Six For her freshman seaValladares’s sophomore Dive Championships and son, Valladares was sideseason was the start of her fourth in the Eleven Dive lined due to a back injury East diving career. She Championships meet that she obtained from particidove all throughout the Valladares competes in on pating in highly competiyear. Unfortunately, her the high school level. She tive gymnastics. The injury junior season was a differalso qualified for the New

Jersey state competition. In addition, Valladares holds the South Jersey Diving Association records in One Meter and Three Meter diving.

“I hope to beat my personal record this year at States,” she said.

After high school diving, Valladares hopes to compete for a dive team in college. She is not sure at which level she would like to compete; she has been recruited by a few Division III schools and has been in contact with a couple of Division I schools. She feels that if she attended a Division I school, she would have to fight just to stay on the team, while at a Division III school, she would be one of the top divers.

Valladares loves diving for a plethora of reasons.

For one thing, she does not like to be the center of attention during social situations, but diving is a way for her to express and validate herself.

“When I get to go up and perform something that I’ve worked very hard on and then nail a dive that maybe I hadn’t done as well on in practice before, it’s just a really good feeling of proving to everyone that I worked really hard to get here,” she said.

Valladares’s hard work and determination to salvage East’s dive team shines through, as she has done everything in her power to continue competing in a sport she loves.

Meyers feeds lacrosse roster with youth program

in an article featured in the Cherry Hill Sun. Eastside Staff According to Meyers, As morning frost melts it is important to get the into spring dew on the freshword out because lacrosse, ly cut and newly painted once a relatively unknown fields, the Cherry Hill East sport in the United States, lacrosse season is quickly is still not as familiar as approaching. The beginsoccer or baseball to ning of a sports season parents who are looking is always exciting after to sign their children up weeks of anticipation, for sports. However, labut training begins long crosse has exploded in before the first practice interest across the naor game. For competition. The U.S. National tive high school sports, teams have been gainathletes are expected ing prominence as their to have begun preparmatches have become ing years earlier, and televised. The game has the East Boys’ Lacrosse also grown internationcoach, Mr. Justin Meyally; lacrosse now has ers, is committed to proits own World Cup and viding opportunities for is expected to have its them to do so. own tournament in the Meyers has been runOlympic Games as soon ning free winter lacrosse as 2028. clinics for kids from preMeyers runs the clinkindergarten to eighth ics with other local lagrade in order to promote crosse coaches, includthe growth of lacrosse in ing East Girls’ Lacrosse Cherry Hill. His first Incoach Ms. Katie Boyle. troduction to Lacrosse Boyle has watched inClinic was held in the terest in the sport rapDiBart Gym last Novemidly grow in as little as ber, and just under one five years. hundred boys and girls “Lacrosse is making from pre-kindergarten its move in the Cherry to eighth grade showed Hill community,” Boyle up to participate. The said. kids completed a series East lacrosse has conof stick work drills that tinued to attract an exhelped them practice ponentially larger numscooping, throwing and ber of participants each Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor shooting, which are all season, and every year basic skills needed to ef- Members of the Cherry Hill Youth Lacrosse program greet the East lacrosse team at the more kids show up with fectively play lacrosse. boys’ lacrosse team’s Senior Day celebration during the 2018 East-West lacrosse game. previous experience at Agility and footwork drills “Coach Meyers has had a young age. Meyers hopes dents interested in lacrosse either the township or club were also incorporated in many different clinics for his clinic will encourage about the sport and how to level. The success of Meythe form of zig-zag movethe youth, and he devotes kids to participate in youth be a good teammate. The ers’ clinics promises a fuments and relays. almost every weekend to Cherry Hill Club Lacrosse clinic was also promoted ture of talent ready to join “We tried to keep it lighttraining young people,” throughout elementary and through social media and the East program.

■ By Claire McFadden (‘19)

hearted and fun for kids of all athletic backgrounds while introducing the sport,” said Meyers.

Meyers was motivated to run the clinic in order to spark younger interest in lacrosse in Cherry Hill.

said Chris Lembo (‘20), who plays on the East varsity lacrosse team.

It is beneficial to have players coming into the East program who have already mastered the fundamentals of the game by

middle school.

“Hopefully, more kids pick up a stick and sign up for spring lacrosse,” he said.

Meyers visited ten out of the twelve Cherry Hill elementary schools with other local coaches to teach stu-