Turn to Turf page 6 to check out the the Athelete of the month!
Turn to Buzz page 9 to see some of Summit’s own models!
October 1, 2016
Volume XVII Issue 1
Summit High School 125 Kent Place Boulevard Summit, NJ 07901
Hello Mr. Steffner! Meet the new assistant principle.
By Emma Rosenzweig Production Editor Meet Mr. Nicholas Steffner, the new assistant principal. He began working at the high school over the summer and oversees co-curricular activities, safety, security, scheduling, and discipline for freshmen and juniors. “I love him. I think it’s amazing how he came to watch our Dress rehearsal, it was really kind and he is really
Safety first! Livingston Police Officers convene at Livingston High School to discuss the school’s safety precautions.
Check this out! The new design for 2016 Friday Night Lights.
This year the Friday Night Lights Committee sponsored a contest for the design for the front of the 2016 FNL t-shirt. The committee was comprised of the Friday Night Lights co-chairs, members of the SHS Boosters Board of Directors, and the captains of the SHS Varsity football team. They ultimately selected Ms. Annmarie Cahill and Mr.
This month’s Verve.... Globe....................2-3 Opine....................4-5
friendly,” said Senior Keegan McManus. Prior to working at Summit High School, Steffner was a school counselor at Edison High School. As a counselor he worked with the students transferring into the high school and into college, as well as helping them with any social, emotional, or family problems. When Steffner joined Summit, he was impressed with the strong sense of community.
FNL t-shirts Steve sneak peak Meyer’s design from a
By Sam O’Sullivan Art Editor Photo credit: “Tap Into Livingston”
Livingston High School is working with local police on threats made towards the school over social media on Sept. 11, 12 and 13. Posts were made from a young woman’s Facebook account over three consecutive days beginning on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 11, threatening to “shoot up” Livingston High School. The post claimed that the student had been severely bullied and that this would be “Judgment Day.” More threats were issued the following Monday and Tuesday. The threats were not credible by the Livingston Police Department. According to Superintendent Christina Steffner and Principal Mark Stern, these actions did not come from a current Livingston High School student. Authorities arrested an 18-year-old Hackensack resident allegedly behind the posts on Monday, Sept. 19. He faces multiple charges and five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison if found guilty, according to prosecutors. Although these threats were not deemed credible, police officers were still outside of the school as of 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The school had a two-hour delayed opening that day to brief the staff and set up the process to institute security precautions. About 85 percent of students reported to school on Tuesday. Back to School Night, that Tuesday, was postponed until Oct. 6.
The school opened on time on Monday and Wednesday. Livingston High School was notified of the threats by students and parents who saw the post online and shared screenshots with the administration. According to Steffner, the school then convened their crisis team and was in contact with local law enforcement agencies and took direction from them. Livingston High School junior Ross Coleman said, “It is not easy to keep an entire high school in a full day of school after a situation like this, and [the administration] did it with ease. They also took all of the necessary precautions.” Steffner and Stern released a joint statement to Livingston families following the threats, reassuring and updating them on the situation. Summit Superintendent June Chang and Principal Stacy Grimaldi stated that Summit would have proceeded in a similar manner. “Anytime a situation happens, we try to be as aware and as well educated as possible. We definitely don’t try to make assumptions of something that’s happened outside of our realm, but with the information that we have, we have a discussion about what we can do and what we can look out for,” said Chang. After this event, Livingston is setting up text messaging capabilities so that they can be in contact with parents and staff.
Picture credit: Mrs. Klaschka
By Delaney O’Dowd Metro News Editor
Picture credit: Mr. Steffner
Livingston High School Steffner named assistant principal He noticed a large investment from parents and students toresponds to threats wards education.
pool of about 20 entries. Cahill wanted her design to embody the spirit of Friday Night Lights. “ I knew before working on the design that this year the shirts would be black, so decided to use the Summit colors and incorporate the black uniforms that the player’s wear specially for the FNL’s game each year.” Shirts will be on sale Oct. 10, 11, 13 from 10:30 to 12:00 outside the SHS cafeteria. They are also available at Mondo during the week of Oct. 10.
Lets go! Summit faces off against Immaculata. Picture credit: Mr. Fusco
Steffner said, “I want to continue to build on success and student pride and spirit.” “I think he has made a seamless transition. He is a great addition to our staff,” said Principal Mrs. Stacy Grimaldi. His favorite activities include skiing, fishing and playing football. Steffner has even gone helicopter skiing in Utah. He said, “Skiing is one of my biggest passions. It’s something my entire family does so it has always been something I really love.” Steffner played football at The College of New Jersey as a linebacker before coaching for another eight years. Steffner is looking forward to meeting new students and faculty throughout his first year at SHS. He was able to meet many of the staff and students throughout the summer months. Steffner said, “I am still getting to know more students everyday and look forward to meeting as many as possible. If we haven’t met yet, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself.”
Farewell Mrs. Liberato!
By Davis Hausman Special Projects Editor Media specialist Mrs. Deborah Liberato will be leaving the high school on Oct. 21. She was loved by all for her charismatic nature and willingness to help students whenever possible. Prior to working in Summit, Mrs. Liberato worked at Paterson, New Jersey as a media specialist. When asked what Liberato liked most about Summit she said, “Everyone here is so friendly. It is like the midwest.” Liberato will miss the kids of Summit High School the most, but her work is not over. She plans to work in another district after leaving Summit, continuing in her mission to help students however possible.
Upcoming Events: Turf........................6-7 Buzz.......................8-9
October 3: Rosh Hashanah Screen & Sound....10-11 October 14: Friday Night Lights New Teachers.............12 October 31: Halloween
Globe
Verve 2
October 2016
Local students aid Syrian refugees By Will Freeman Globe Editor
Tens of thousands of Syrian refugees have immigrated to the U.S. due to the war in their home country, with nearly all facing hardship and struggle. But this past summer, Summit students did their best to ease the burden by helping the beleaguered immigrants. Junior Leila Esposito learned that dozens of recently immigrated Syrian refugees were living in Elizabeth, about 20 minutes away from Summit. Leila, whose mother is Lebanese, began helping the child refugees at the Masjid Darul mosque, which has temporary ESL classes and nurseries. She then reached out to junior Amanda Michaels and Donell Williams and senior Mimi Feteiha, who joined Leila at the mosque. The students helped teach basic English to young immigrants, who range from small children to college-age teens. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first went to help the refugees, but it was more fun than I ever thought it
know only Arabic. In fact, the students found that younger children who had little experience with Arabic learned English faster than older children, who had spoken only Arabic all their lives.
Many of the kids have not had any education due to the war in Syria, but they still have huge personalities and so much positivity.” - Mimi Feteiha
would be. While it was difficult to teach English and our culture to people from a very different background, especially to older children who have only spoken Arabic, it was very rewarding and enjoyable,” said Leila. “It’s one thing to talk about the refugee issue, but it’s an-
other thing to work with the children, and see what they’ve gone through, and what they’re still going through. Many of the kids have not had any education due to the war in Syria, but they still have huge personalities and so much positivity,” said Mimi, who is of Egyptian and Jordanian descent.
“I was happy to help the children, and it gave me a whole new perspective on the refugee issue, because these children have seen horrors that we could never imagine.” Mimi and Leila both acknowledged that the language barrier was difficult to overcome, as most of the refugees
“The sad thing is that not only do these children come to America with no knowledge of English, but nearly all are illiterate in Arabic also. It is an uphill battle to better the lives of these refugees, because they have very little skills or abilities to escape poverty in America,” said Mrs. Wafa Esposito, Leila’s mother and a frequent volunteer at Masjid Darul. The bleak situation of the refugees means that volunteers like the ones from Summit are needed and appreciated.
causes the baby to be born with an undeveloped, smaller brain. With that in mind, expectant mothers have been advised to stay clear of mosquitos and take precautionary measures to avoid infection. Although Florida was the prime spot for Zika in the United States, there have now been reported cases in New Jersey. According to NJ.com, there are over one hundred reported cases of Zika; but, this number keeps growing. A majority of the cases are from the northeastern part of New Jersey. There are six cases of Zika in Union County,
11 cases in Hudson and nine cases in Bergen County. However, all these cases are due to transmission of the disease, while the cases found in Florida are local mosquito borne. Sadly, the first baby born with birth defects related to Zika was delivered in Hackensack University Medical Center, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Due to the pressing issue of Zika in neighboring towns to Summit, Dr. Robert J. Rubino, from the Rubino OB/ GYN medical practice, hosted a panel discussion on Sept. 28 about the prevalence of Zika in New Jersey and how residents
should better equip themselves to stay clear of the virus. According to Rubino, Zika causes illness in one out of five infected individuals. For New Jersey residents, the main risks are travel and sexual contact. People should be especially wary because New Jersey is more susceptible to Zika than other states. The summers in New Jersey are getting warmer, longer, and more humid, and a lot of individuals who have been in Latin America travel to or through the New York City area. The panel also briefed the
audience on the specimens of Zika in neighboring hospitals. “We’ve drawn 600 specimens for Zika, and two were presumptive positives. One of them delivered and the baby tested negative. The other is still pregnant at 26 weeks and is being monitored,” said Dr. Leon Smith, Junior MD. Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine at St. Barnabas NJ Perinatal Associates. Luckily, the virus is not here yet and the winters help to ward the mosquitoes off, but residents should be careful. Staff Writer David Naiman contributed to the article.
Sophomores Donell Williams and Leila Esposito (blue shirt) help teach young Syrian refugees in Elizabeth, NJ Photo credit: Leila Esposito
Zika virus continues to spread in New Jersey
By Ellie Rogoff Metro News Editor
Over the last few months, Zika has made headlines as a deadly virus, and is now spreading in New Jersey. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this virus is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. The major concern with Zika is that it can be passed along to a woman’s fetus. An infection during pregnancy can result in birth defects; one such birth defect is known as microcephaly. Microcephaly
Local leaders disappointed by bridge closure By Nick Hausman Staff Writer Gov. Chris Christie shut down hundreds of transportation projects in New Jersey on July 8, 2015, including the Morris Avenue Bridge, after failing to reach a deal with the New Jersey State Senate on replenishing the Transportation Trust Fund, which provides funds for roadway projects around the state. The problem arose after Christie’s proposal to raise the gas tax and reduce the state’s sales tax was rejected by the State Senate leaders, who argued that the sales tax cut would put a hole in the budget.
Mayor Nora Radest speaks on the bridge closure at a press conference. Picture Credit: Nick Hausman
The project is now delayed in- 2017. definitely, like many others “It is disappointing to say around the state, and might not the least, that between now be completed until September and (July), we seem no closer
to a common sense solution in Trenton,” said Summit Common Council President Mike McTernan. One concern stemming from the bridge is public safety. With the bridge closed, emergency vehicles are having to take alternate routes that were not constructed with these large vehicles in mind. Summit Fire Chief Eric Evers said, “When the bridge is closed, it delays emergency response time to residents, businesses, houses of worship and schools.” Additionally, the bridge closure has affected traffic levels around the city. Morning and nightly commuters use the
bridge to travel between the main parts of the town and the north side of Summit, which includes the high school. With the bridge being unusable, parents and students of Summit High School have had to funnel to the school through secondary streets. “One time the line went all the way up High St. and past New England Ave. That took about 12 minutes to get through,” said senior Ethan Barsh, who drives to and from school every day. As time ticks on, all residents are having to accept and adjust to what Mayor Nora Radest called a “major disruption.”
Globe
October 2016
Summit joins BLM movement
By Lucy Adams Staff Writer To combat racism, the Unitarian Church in Summit (UCS) raised a Black Lives Matter banner in partnership with the Fountain Baptist Church (FBC) on Sept. 25. A march supporting the cause was also held in Summit, and roads were closed to accommodate the crowd. These symbolic acts are a few steps that the Summit community has taken to support the Black Lives Matter movement, along with the Black Student Union at SHS. According to the church’s website, “UCS voted to take a stand in response to the disproportionate loss of Black lives in encounters to symptoms of systemic racism, including with police… Fountain Baptist raises a Banner in order to invite others to join with us in creating a more equitable, just and non-racist society.” The movement began when 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black male, was shot by George Zimmerman in 2012, sparking a flurry of tweets and outrage. Thousands of protesters took to the streets in over 100 U.S. cities. BLM quickened after the murder of 18-year-old Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, and kept accelerating as more unarmed black men were killed (by police officers). Last school year, the Black Student Union (BSU) was created by students for students who wanted a safe space for dialogue about current situations. Their accomplishments included meeting with the Poetry Club and holding a Privilege Walk, which consisted of participants standing in a line and stepping forward or backward to signify aspects of their privilege. In honor of Black History Month, the club also hosted Sankofa. This event incorporated poetry performances by members, as well as a guest panel “answering questions about how to change the perspective of African-American cliques or groups,” BSU member Zephaniah-Lang Davila, a junior, said. Sankofa was held to “bring everyone together as a unity, or in a sense of one whole, one people.” Though BSU is just starting up, and elections have not yet taken place, one of the club’s goals for this year is to break boundaries. Contrary to what some students at SHS may think, BSU is “a group of unity… [BSU is] for everyone to join and I encourage them to,” Davila said.
Verve 3
Improvements to come with New ELL coordinator hire By Sabrina Fleischman Opine Editor Hopes are high for the Hispanic community this school year as Ms. Lynette Diaz fills the new position of Hispanic and ELL Academic Outreach Coordinator for the district. Diaz has been working in higher education for the past six years. She was previously the Assistant Director in the Office of Admissions at Kean University where she taught Hispanic students and their families about the university and aided them in the application process. Guidance Department Supervisor Mrs. Laura Kaplan, who delineated the roles and responsibilities of the position with World Language Supervisor Ana Ventoso and Assistant Principal Lorena Dolan, said, “We anticipated that the position would be an addition or an enhancement to some of the services we already do.. that it would be able to provide more targeted services, programs, and experiences for students who… receive ESL services for any home language.” Diaz stresses the importance of being accepting and openminded in order to get the most of our warm community. “It’s very important that as a community, we’re open, and take the time to hear our students’ stories and help them transition from a world they knew, to a foreign place, they
Smile! Members of Union Hispana pose for a picture. Photo Credit: Sabrina Fleischman now call home,” said Diaz. Among her many goals for the year are providing educational workshops and establishing a student ambassador program for the high school’s ELL and Hispanic students “in which they will serve as leaders in the school community service group at the high school, interact with the school and interact with those students Diaz has begun to work with.” Hermo expects this year to be the best yet, noting that having Ms. Diaz available in the school will have a positive impact. Hermo’s favorite thing about
the Hispanic students in the Summit community is “la lucha- the fight they have in them to keep going is so admirable.” “That’s why I love working with these kids and families. I see them growing so much ...in such a short time,” she explained. For senior Gricela Zamora, who moved to the United States when she was nine, learning English was a challenge. However, the ESL and high level language classes and resources provided by the district are valuable in helping these students strengthen their
make students more sensitive and less willing to learn about different ideas and expand their horizons.” While Rachel’s conclusion has validity, some students disagree. Junior Emily Pommier said, “If there are people who have actually gone through actual traumatic experiences and have anxiety or something like that, then trigger warnings are the nice thing to do in consideration of their mental health.” The University of Chicago joins a small group of American colleges that have instituted official policies concerning the use of trigger warnings, which allow professors to give students a warning before delving into potentially disturbing topics such as domestic abuse, sexual assault or extended accounts of torture. Last year, NPR Education conducted a study of 829 in-
structors, finding that while 86 percent understood what the term meant and 56 percent knew a colleague who had used them, only about 1.8 percent reported that their respective institutions had official regulations concerning their use. In fact, in most cases it was the professor who took the initiative to issue a trigger warning, anticipating that some students would not want to take part in the discussion. History teacher Ms. Andrea Laquerre said, “Whether I give a warning depends if the students are juniors or freshmen, and if it’s a historical event or a recent happening. If a subject came up organically, then I would most likely try to limit the discussion more as opposed to if it was a part of the curriculum.” Literature also may prompt some teachers to warn their students in advance.
English skills. “After I learned the language I was able to communicate more with people and make more friends,” Zamora said. Among these friends is senior JC Carvajal, who said the best part of being in Unión Hispana is “helping someone’s dream to go to college come true with the scholarship we fundraise for.” According to Carvajal, the club and their entire Hispanic community “feels like a family,” which will only get closer as Diaz’s influence on the school becomes stronger and stronger.
Trigger warnings receive mixed reviews at schools By Christina Guo Globe Editor This June, the University of Chicago issued a letter to its students announcing that they no longer condoned trigger warnings and safe spaces. The letter defended this change by emphasizing how allowing certain students to “retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own” was a violation of other students’ First Amendment rights. Trigger warnings are statements that alert individuals of potentially distressing material. Safe spaces are a place where students can go to express their opinions without fear of being made unwelcome as a result of their gender, race, socioeconomic status, religion, or sexual orientation. Senior Rachel Blume said, “I think trigger warnings, while I get the point of them, can be dangerous because they
Warning! Sensitive subjects are everywhere. Photo Credit: Christina Guo English teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Buettner said, “Any book has potential to be upsetting because most good literature deals with difficult subjects.” The debate over whether trigger warnings are a violation of free speech or a necessary means to protect certain students from reliving traumatic experiences is sure to preoccupy schools.
Opine
Verve 4
October 2016
Absence Taking a knee against social injustice Emma Cahillane and Jordan Goldberg policy poses By Specials Pages Editor and Special Projects Editor problems Pro Con for students By Mimi Laws Staff Writer Imagine tripping over your sports equipment on the way to school, spraining an ankle and taking a trip down to the nurse. Consequently, you get written down as absent for having to miss class. For years, the school’s policy has stated that a tardiness of 15 minutes or more counts as a full-period absence; however, up until only recently has this been strictly enforced. It is time to address this attendance policy and the circumstances that qualify as an absence on a student’s record. According to Principal Mrs. Stacy Grimaldi, these attendance rules have been instituted for the good of the school and the students themselves. “We need to hold students accountable… We believe it’s important for students to be here and to learn,” said Grimaldi. While Grimaldi makes a valid point, there are many students who have had to miss class for reasons pertaining to school, such as guidance or college visits. In fact, these school-related visits ensure the emotional, medical and academic well-being of a student. Senior Kacie Yip said, “A 15-minute visit to the nurse’s office should not count against you… a student might really be hurt. They don’t plan it.” According to the student handbook, once a student reaches 20 unexcused absences in a class, regardless of the circumstances, that student might not receive credit for that course. While I recognize the good intentions of this policy, modifications have been suggested so that a student’s full needs are taken into account while still enforcing the need to be in class. “If [the administration] truly feels that they need to mark you for being [late], the most they should do is a tardy,” said sophomore Daniel Drafta. Having a more understanding attendance policy will simultaneously enforce the need to be in class and acknowledge students’ schedules. After all, medical and emotional needs must be met before a student can actively learn and be truly engaged in class.
- Kaepernick is standing up for himself and people of this nation who do not see all of their freedoms represented in the American flag. - His protest is within his First Amendment rights and there is no legal or league protocol surrounding the national anthem, therefore he is not breaking any laws. - He is calling out police officers who have not done their jobs appropriately and asking they be held accountable, especially in the Bay Area where police brutality is prevalent. - The U.S. military fought for Americans to have freedom, including the freedom to choose whether or not to stand for the national anthem. - His protest is sparking conversation and positive reform. The 49ers have donated $1 million to Bay Area projects that promote racial and economic equality.
- Kaepernick has managed to offend many citizens of the United States. - The widespread protest that has sprouted from Kaepernick makes the nation look disunited. - If the 49ers’ organization wanted to cut him due to his underwhelming skill level, they would receive great amounts of criticism due to many people seeing it as an act of hate and racism. - The kneeling shows disrepect towards those in the military and police force, even if it is not intended to do so. - The police who guard Levi’s stadium (where Kaepernick plays) threatened to stop coming to games and protecting the stadium due to Kaepernick’s actions.
From the fallen ashes rose a community By Liam Galligan Buzz Editor Fifteen years ago, on Sept. 11, catastrophe hit the nation as terrorist group Al Qaeda bombed the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and attempted to bomb the White House. About 3,000 people tragically died on this horrific day in history that sent the nation into a wave of shock and fear. Summit was hit hard. As a wealthy suburban town just outside of New York City, many of the men and women of Summit work in the financial district and many worked in the Twin Towers. Ten men and women from our town died during the attack and many more were present. I write this article as a son of Paul Galligan, who worked
in the South Tower during the attacks. I can speak personally on the profound effects this event has had on my family. My father was lucky to survive the attacks as he was on the 44th floor when the second tower was hit. Many of his friends and coworkers, however, perished. Not a day goes by where he does not think of the other outcome that was very possible that day. When I asked my father about how the nation pulled together he said, “In Wall Street all the people trading are out trying to screw the other guy over and win and buy at the price; for every winner there’s a loser. Well, after 9/11 a lot of buildings were destroyed and records were lost. People just came together and said, ‘Yeah I think I bought these, I’ll take them anyway.’ It was all settled on an honor system as opposed to fighting for ev-
ery dollar. They didn’t want the event to devastate the economy any more than it had done.” We can all learn from this memory. It is important that we do not forget the significance of this event, that we hold in our hopes and prayers these families who suffered so much due to blind hatred. It is such blind hatred that pulls the very fabric of our country apart, from issues like police brutality to discrimination of all types of people. That day should serve as a remembrance for how a country can pull together and make a huge impact. We learned that a sense of community is the most important foundation for a town, city, state, country or even the world. If we can approach major issues with a welcoming heart and open mind, solutions will be put forward rather than just talked about.
From the Editors’ Desk
Welcome back, everyone! We’re so excited to be the Editors-in-Chief for this year! We can’t wait to keep you updated on what’s going on around SHS and create something that you will be excited for each month. Our goal for this upcoming year is to be more representative of the student body. We want to highlight all your accomplishments whether they are on the field, on the stage, or in the classroom. Never hesitate to let us know if you have an idea you want featured. On another note, some congratulations are in order! First, the Speech and Debate started off the season strong by earning first place sweepstakes at their Yale tournament. They received the most combined points overall out of 250 schools. We also wanted to give a quick shoutout to the football team for their early season success. Make sure to come out and support them on Oct. 14 as they take on Cranford! Last but not least, congratulations to National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists Ethan Kantor, Chris Kelser, Katie Scheer, and Matt Colon. Thanks for making us seniors proud! Speaking of the senior class, we know how stressful those college deadlines can be. Take some deep breaths, it will all be over soon. That being said, make sure to make the most of your last year at SHS. By the end you might actually miss those bathroom signout sheets and yellow detention slips. Finally, we wanted to give a special thanks to our devoted adviser, Ms. Itriyeva. We don’t know what we would do without her endless amount of support and motivating pep talks. Not just anyone would spend her birthday designing page layouts far past the brink of insanity. You’re the real MVP. Thanks for reading and be sure to hit us with a follow on our new Instagram @shsverve. Caroline Phillips and Rachel Isralowitz
Opine
October 2016
Verve 5
Students feel conditioned to leave creativity behind
By Maya Shapiro Art Editor
Chromebooks: did they really pay off? By Greg Hampson Special Projects Editor
Making Art! Students fulfilling their two semester art requirement. From left to right: Chris Mckee, Eilis McFadden, Nicolas Contreras, Michael LeGoff, Jack Hedges. Photo credit: Maya Shapiro Some of the smartest people in human history were creative. It seems that intellectuals in every time period were both musing over the mysteries of the universe and spending their precious time on earth building things of beauty. After all, even Einstein played the violin and piano, and DaVinci dabbled in mathematics and physics. So one would assume that American schools, which are necessary to mold students into bright and innovative individuals, would nurture and encourage creative behavior. On the contrary, students are suffocated by ultimatums set by schools and by the constant fear of not having a safe career path after graduating. Starting at the root of the issue, teenagers are throwing
their creative hobbies to the side in order to produce immaculate yearly scores. Between middle and high school, students complete annual finals, midterms, PARCC, an SAT or ACT, tens of essays, hundreds of paragraphs, and thousands of equations. Furthermore, students are required to spend a total of 50 semesters on academic and physical education class over a four-year period. But the time we’re asked to devote to music and the visual arts is merely two semesters. The imbalance is drastic. Presently, the pursuit of creativity is a choice, but for students it is difficult to make that choice when there is so much else to be done. Creativity can certainly be found in academic and physi-
cal education courses, but that creativity is constricted by rubrics outlining an upcoming project, broken into sections with dozens of requirements. These guidelines keep students from adding unique twists to assignments and discourage them from absorbing the information in their own medium. However, Dr. Elizabeth Haines, professor of social psychology at William Paterson University, said, “When people feel like they have choices they feel more motivated and intrinsically driven to perform.” Further restrictions are set by the parameters found the national Common Core standards, which strive to “prepare all students for success in college, career, and life by the
time they graduate from high school.” In order to graduate, a student needs to be literate at a 12th grade level, able to inquire and problem solve, have a background in history, and able to successfully find and justify an answer to an equation. To solve the issue, an appeal could be made to the makers of the Common Core and our school district. More precisely, a creative or individualized unit should be incorporated, combining the subject with a hands-on free form component. Schools should cultivate a creative side, allowing students to embrace individualism and unique perspectives. This is preferable to the current system which manufactures “successful” students numbed to the importance of creativity.
School opinions on change to “Real Time” are mixed By Marcus Stevenson Staff Writer Before changing school clocks to real time, clocks inside SHS were set approximately three minutes slow, mostly to accommodate student tardiness. Students took advantage of those valuable extra minutes. SHS was in a time zone all it’s own and was rightfully nicknamed “Summit Time”. However, as of Sept. 26, “Summit Time” became a thing of the past and clocks were set to “Real Time.” The aftermath has no doubt sparked debate among the school; students and faculty have voiced their opinions concerning this hot topic.
They are back, and they are spreading. Chromebooks have infested the school, and now teachers are the new recipients. But is the uniform distribution of Chromebooks a blessing or a curse? Mathematics teacher Mr. Eric Fontes said, “We would all prefer to have Macs that we were working with last year. I’m not opposed to change, but I think Chromebooks are a step in the wrong direction.” With the new addition of Chromebooks, teachers believe their job is being hindered as Chromebooks have less document storage options. Chromebooks are unable to run any programs by Microsoft Office, which presents a problem to teachers who have all of their lesson plans on Microsoft Word, Excel or Powerpoint. “My lesson plans cannot be converted into a Google doc,” history teacher Mrs. Mary Pat Colicchio said. “When I have to recreate all the lesson plans I had already made, it becomes demoralizing and I lose valuable instruction time by doing so.” Even though Chromebooks allow students and teachers to simultaneously access online information, it is difficult to efficiently teach students on a daily basis. Applications such as MathType restrict the mathematics department from inserting equations digitally. In addition, teachers had minimal time to work with the new Chromebooks, having received them over summer break. “The chromebooks were poorly implemented,” Colicchio said. Chromebooks do not provide the tools necessary to
teach adequately. Instead of being forced to use Chromebooks, faculty should have the choice to either use a Chromebook or a personal device and all computers should have the ability to access the Internet. Even though teachers may have different devices for teaching, they should all be connected to the cloud, or some form of digital storage such as using flash drives, so lesson plans and data can be shared between all teachers on all electronic appliances.
Turf
Sailing team’s new fleet
October 2016
Hilltopper Weekend Preview
Under the lights! The 2016 varsity team storms Tatlock field on Friday Night Lights.
Anchors up! The new fleet is stored in Perth Amboy.
By Sydney Benevento Staff Writer Summit is known for its athletic programs, and the majority of these teams receive funding from the school and the Boosters organization. The sailing team, however, does not. The team had been using their FJ model boats for years, and as the program was expanding, having more boats were a huge advantage. Luckily, the University of Rhode Island was looking to sell their gently used boats. In order to pay for the new fleet of 12 boats, the team had to raise the $60,000 solely through fundraisers. In an effort to raise the money, several parent dinners were held over the course of the year. A silent auction also took place. Coach and photography teacher Mr. Ethan Feinsod donated photographs from his classes to be sold at these fundraisers. The team traditionally holds annual fundraisers in order to pay for new sails and parts for the boats, so this was a much larger effort. Besides fundraising, 12 families donated $5,000 each to be put towards the new fleet. To thank them for their kindness, the team asked each family to name a boat. Coach Feinsod reflected on the immense generosity of Summit parents and families. “I think everybody was surprised that we were able to put together as much [money] as we did,” he said. “But [we are] very, very
grateful for being able to get the very nice boats.” The old boats, however, are being put to good use. The old fleet is still being sailed in Perth Amboy, where the team practices. These new boats have spiked the excitement of the team members as well as the coaching staff. Senior captain Liam Dwyer has been on the team for four years. He commented on the addition of the new equipment. “I was very excited when I heard we were purchasing new boats,” Liam said. “We were really due for an upgrade.” Junior and team member Thomas Quinn discussed his thoughts on how the new boats will impact the team and its performance. “The addition of the new boats will produce much better results from the sailing team,” Thomas said. “Now instead of using valuable practice time fixing or re-rigging the old ones, we are able to get right on the water.” The new boats are also more like the models used in races. Practicing in these new boats prepares the team for the conditions experienced in competitions. Not only do the new boats help this year’s team excel, they also establish the sailing team as an athletic program that will be available for future students. “It’ll be around a lot longer than I will,” Feinsod said. “It’s not something that will take place for a couple of years and go away. It’s something that’s here to stay.”
Fall sports are officially back and kicked into gear. This Columbus Day weekend, Oct. 8-9, is Summit’s notable Hilltopper Weekend, designed to build team spirit and support the school colors of maroon and white. Scheduled during a weekend in October when all fall sports are still competing, Hilltopper Weekend offers an opportunity for students to support their friends and student-athletes at a variety of events. The kickstarter, which then continues on throughout the entire week, is spirit wear. Each grade competes in school by showing their spirit to win points. The themes change ev-
ery day, ranging from wearing a single color, to “red, white and blue,” to favorite sports teams. Building on the positive environment is a pep-rally for the students. The last of the events are the Union County Championship games, which the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams will be hosting at home on Saturday, Oct. 8. The weekend following Hilltopper Weekend offers the final display of school spirit with the Friday Night Lights football game against rival Cranford at 7 p.m. on Oct. 14. With its advent in the late 1980s, Hilltopper Weekend was originally situated on the calendar around Thanksgiv-
ing, assuming all fall sports were officially over. Centered around a Thanksgiving football game against a rival school and getting the girls on the gridiron for powderpuff, Hilltopper Weekend allowed alumni, family and friends to gather around and share their deep roots in Summit athletics. In the past, Hilltopper Weekend had coincided with Alumni Weekend. In recent years, the two weekends had been separated from each other. However, this year sees a return to tradition as Hilltopper Weekend and Alumni Weekend reunite, forming the perfect supernova of Summit spirit. The fun continues the following weekend at Friday
Giving students a heads up on concussions By Sam Cahill Staff Writer As the fall sports season heats up, football and soccer take center stage at Summit High School. Between all the hard hits on the football field and the headers in soccer, these two sports annually lead to many concussions. According to the Sports Concussion Institute, 75 percent of concussions to male high school athletes have come from football and 50 percent of concussions to female athletes have come from soccer. State law requires all athletes who participate in a contact sport to complete a baseline concussion test as a reference in case the athlete suffers a concussion. Never knowing when the next concussion will occur, athletic trainers such as Ms. Karen Manista are prepared with questions to ask the athletes. Manista said that 25 to 30 concussions occur annually. “First, we have them report their symptoms. We also do a SCAT, or sideline concussion test,” Manista said. The SCAT test consists of questions regarding the athlete’s memory and concentration. Also, the test factors in the athlete’s body language and physical signs to make a diagnosis. A definitive answer cannot be concluded until a few days later. “Then we speak to the par-
Photo Creait: Marybeth Cahill
Photo Credit: John Groskoph
By Jake Froschauer Staff Writer
Photo Credit: Mike Fusco
Verve 6
Heads up! The boys’ varsity soccer team plays fights for a ball!
ents and have them note what activities seem to make their symptoms worse. The next day if they still have symptoms, we will send them to a physician,” Manista said. No stranger to concussions is sophomore Jack Bunting. Jack has suffered four concussions and is now unable to participate in contact sports. Recovering from four concussions required significant time and patience. “I stayed out of school for around two months on average. I mostly just rested in a dark room,” Jack said. Symptoms of a concussion include headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion and ringing in the ears. To avoid making symptoms worse, teachers should work with the students to modify their workload. In certain cases, these symptoms can last for days and even weeks. If no progress is being made, patience is required. “To an athlete with a con-
cussion, I would recommend to just take it easy and don’t rush back into school and sports. Make sure you are feeling up to it first, don’t just push through it,” Jack said. Although the symptoms might vanish after a few weeks, the brain is not 100 percent healed. Another blow to the head shortly after a concussion can lead to permanent brain damage. Returning to physical activity at the right time is essential to healing the brain completely. New Jersey Congress is currently considering a bill about how soon athletes can return to school after a concussion. This bill would require a student to get their doctor’s permission before they are allowed to return, to ensure the student’s brain is fully healed. Despite the risks of a concussion, fall contact sports like football and soccer are gearing up for the heart of their season.
Turf
October 2016
Athlete of the month: Liam Dougherty
New Athletic Director set to become a familiar face By Matt Murdock Staff Writer
Score! Senior Liam Dougherty lights it up in the home opener against Imaculata on September 17. Photo credit: Emi Zanelli
By Skyler Schulter Staff Writer Senior captain linebacker Liam Dougherty is off to a strong start to the season by leading the varsity football team to a 3-0 start. Through the first three games of the season, Dougherty has lead the team in tackles with 44. He has also recorded two interceptions, one caused fumble, and one fumble recovery. In the first game of the season, versus North Hunterdon, Dougherty set a school record by recording 18 tackles in the 24-13 win. Dougherty believes the team and his defense are off to a strong start, but he knows that they need to continue their dominance. “I need to keep playing tough football. Our defense has been solid so far and we need to keep it that way,” Dougherty said. Additionally, head coach Kevin Kostibos said, “Liam has worked incredibly hard
over his career here at Summit to improve all aspects of his game from his speed to his strength. What makes him a great linebacker is his ability to read and react so quickly. He has a great mentality about running to the football and is as physical as they come.” Kostibos recognizes the contributions Dougherty has made to the team and the future contributions he’s bound to make in his future football career. Dougherty said, “Being a captain and a leader of the team means a lot to me. I’ve been waiting for my senior year of high school since I started playing in 4th grade. I try to set an example for the younger guys while trying to win football games.” Likewise Kostibos said, “I think Liam will make an excellent linebacker at the college level, wherever he chooses to go. On any good defense, you need a player who is the general, and that guy for us is Liam Dougherty.”
Verve 7
After the retirement of Robert Lockhart, there’s a new Athletic Director (AD) in town. Dr. Patrick Scarpello, 32, officially took over as Director of Athletics this past July after being approved in April, making him the third person to fill this position in the past four years. Scarpello, who grew up in Newark, Delaware, had plenty of experience before stepping into the role at Summit, having played soccer, basketball and lacrosse in high school. After spending seven months student teaching in Australia following his bachelor’s degree, he was drawn to New Jersey to pursue his graduate degree. At Fairleigh Dickinson University, Scarpello coached lacrosse while working towards his degree in Educational Leadership. He then obtained a PE teaching job at Madison while still working at Fairleigh
Dickinson. “My job was to supervise the athletic department on the weekends and be site supervisor at the games, so that’s when I really realized that I wanted to be an athletic director,” said Scarpello when describing his role as Fielding Director at FDU. After earning his Doctorate degree in Higher Education Leadership, he was an assistant AD in Hillsborough, then a vice principal at a middle school in Keansburg, NJ, but sees a great opportunity in his new job. “Since being on campus, it’s been nothing short of amazing,” said Scarpello. “An athletic program to me isn’t just about winning or championships, it’s about all the hard work that goes into it from the students to the coaches to the administration and the community.” He stressed communication with coaches, administration and students as a major re-
sponsibility of his. In addition, one of his goals is to be a presence in the community and a supporter of all the teams. “After I got this job I moved to Summit because I knew I’d be here a lot and I have two children. I wanted to make sure I was close to campus where I could be at all the games and practices,” said Scarpello. As the AD, he wants students to be familiar with him and know that he is a major supporter of theirs. Describing the job as a “career job” and his “dream job,” he plans to be in it for the long run and to build the program for years to come. Going forward, Scarpello wants to take time and observe the athletic department in order to get an understanding of what needs to be improved. He said, “I want the student athletes to not see me as the guy who sits behind a desk and schedules games, but as somebody who has invested interest in their success.”
Smile! New athletic directer, Patrick Scarpello looks forward to meeting and getting know all of the athletes that make Summit’s program so spectacular. Photo credit: Summit Public Schools Photo Services
United we... kneel? Kaepernick’s National Anthem Protest gets nationwide attention By Patrick Smolyn Turf Editor San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sent shockwaves across the country in his refusal to stand for the national anthem. Other NFL players and athletes around the nation have followed suit, garnering both praise and criticism from pundits. Numerous high schools, including Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, New Jersey, have also taken to kneeling during the anthem to bring issues like police brutal-
ity and racial profiling into the national spotlight. Could such a protest happen in Summit? How would the community, or coaches react? The anthem is played at many high school sporting events, including before every basketball and football game. Varsity boys basketball coach Mr. Dan Healy recognizes the potential issue. Healy said, “As a team, we’ll start with a conversation about why the anthem is important to this country, and if a player is interested in sitting,
I’d like to have a separate conversation to see what works best.” Healy went on to say that while he does not personally believe in not standing, he sees Kaepernick’s right, and does acknowledge that he “sparked a light to get people talking about the issues he’s kneeling for.” For some members of the school, Kaepernick’s actions were seen in a different light. “Kaepernick is disrespecting the country and our veterans for something that is to-
tally unrelated to the national anthem. He should stand and show some courtesy to our troops,” said senior football captain Liam Dougherty. The protesters have been criticized mainly for their alleged lack of respect for the flag and for the military. The criticism was heightened on September 11th, where protests continued across the NFL despite the national day of remembrance. However, U.S. Navy veteran and history teacher Mr. John Kratch had a different take.
“I served in the military so that Colin Kaepernick, or anyone else in this country, has the freedom to do whatever they want to. I think what he’s doing is stupid, but he certainly has that right.” High school protests are rising every week, with most citing Kaepernick as their inspiration to promote the fight against racism. While Summit has been immune to protests at athletic games so far, there is always a chance that one pops up in our own backyard.
Buzz
Verve 8
Fall is in the air, not love
By Spencer Frey Business Manager
As I enter my senior year I realize that this will be my last year as Verve’s matchmaker. This means each blind date is special to me and I must put forth my utmost effort to make sure each date is successful. Get ready Summit High School, blind dates are back. I knew I needed to start this year's series of blind dates with a blast. I needed a brand name guy willing to go over the top for any girl. I spent August thinking it over until finally one day it hit me, physically. I was at football practice and had just hit junior Stephen Sajer. Now Stephen is a special kid. Full of laughter and happiness, nothing gets Stephen down. He has the perfect attitude for a blind date. Next, I needed to find a Verve representative. I needed someone who could form a power couple with Stephen and become the most popular couple in school. The key to being a power couple
is chemistry. I thought about Stephen’s past romantic escapades. (I didn’t have to think long.) The only name that matched was senior Anna Disibio. The last time Anna and Stephen were together was a little awkward. Were they friends? Definitely. Lovers? Not quite. However, they were ready for a second go around. First, I picked up Anna. Anna was nervous as she has never been on a blind date. On the drive over to Stephen’s house she pestered me with questions but I made sure not to reveal anything. Just to mess with her head a bit, I drove through different parts of Summit so she could not guess who her mate would be. When we picked up Stephen, Anna didn’t know whose house we were at and started giggling when she saw Stephen. As Stephen slid into the backseat we were ready to go on a quest for love. The location of this date was a romantic overpass over-
Second Chances: Stephen and Anna pose for a picture together after their date. Photo Credit: Spencer Fry looking New York. When we coming to a close and Stephen arrived, it was obvious that had failed to make the proper Stephen was trying to make impression. As we reached things right with Anna. How- Stephen’s house, he asked ever, Anna was not as giddy. Anna, “Can I call you?” Just as the sun was setting Anna turned to me and I could tell the date was also said, “I need to go home.”
October 2016
Top 20 Schools in NJ By Brendan McGinn Staff Reporter
1. High Technology High School 2. Biotechnology High School 3. Dr. Ronald E. McNair High School 4. Bergen County Technical High School- Terterboro 5. Bergen County Academies 6. Union County Magnet School 7. Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Technologies 8. Elizabeth High School 9. Academy of Allied Health and Science 10. Princeton High School 11. Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School 12. Middlesex County Vocational And Technical Schools 13. Tenafly High School 14. Glen Rock High School 15. Haddonfield Memorial High School 16. Chatham High School 17. North Star Academy Charter School of Newark 18. Bernards High School
19. Summit High School 20. Science Park High School
Different types of learners
Summit Senior High School 125 Kent Place Boulevard Summit, NJ 07901 Editor-in-Chief: Rachel Isralowitz Caroline Phillips Business Manager: Spencer Frey Matt Mormile Metro News Editor: Ellie Rogoff Delaney O’Dowd Production Editor: Emma Rosenzweig Opinion Editor: Angharad Healey Sabrina Fleischman Entertainment Editor: Gwyn Tulsky Claire Goudreau Globe Editor:
Christina Guo Will Freeman Buzz Editor: Olivia Elko Liam Galligan Turf Editor: Anna DiSibio Patrick Smolyn Special Pages Editors: Natalie Herr Kate McKee Emma Cahillane Art Editors: Sam O’Sullivan Maya Shapiro Brendan McGinn Special Projects Editors: Jordan Goldberg Greg Hampson Davis Hausman
Staff Writers: Lucy Adams, Ellie Anderson, Sydney Benevento, Kelly Boyd, Hannah Burke, Sam Cahill, Jane DiSibio, Jake Froschauer, Stephanie Giusto, Nicholas Hausman, Daniel Isralowitz, Lily Jay, Brianna Johnston, Brian Kaelin, Mimi Laws, Sophie Li, Katie Macpherson, Blakely McCann, Finbar McCormick, Matt Murdock, David Naiman, Sophie Piron, Skyler Schluter, Morgen Shung, Malcolm Sidebottom, Marcus Stevenson
October 4, 2016 Volume XVII, Issue 1 shsverve@gmail.com
Principal: Mrs. Stacy Grimaldi Assistant Principals: Ms. Lorena Dolan Mr. Nicholas Steffner Advisor: Ms. Irina Itriyeva English Supervisor: Mr. Corey Walsh
Verve is funded by a grant from the Summit City Board of Education and print subscriptions. Verve is printed at School Publications Company in Neptune, NJ, and digitally archived at Issuu as shsverve. Verve is a publication open to the opinions of its readers. Please submit all letters to
shsverve@gmail.com. Letters must be signed, and will be subject to editing for space, grammar, and factual accuracy; however, all efforts will be made to preserve the writer’s intent. Libelous and inappropriate writing will not be published. If Verve has made an error and a correction is warranted, the editors take reader feedback seriously and will promptly deal with concerns. Reader corrections welcome at shsverve@gmail.com Views expressed in Verve do not necessarily reflect those of Summit Senior High School’s administration, faculty, staff, or students.
Buzz
October 2016
Verve 9
Step aside Gigi Hadid, Summit models are taking over
By Hannah Burke Staff Writer
Since 1943, New York has been home to one of the biggest fashion events of the year, New York Fashion Week. This past September, models such as Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Teyana Taylor all had the opportunity to walk in the show. Here is a familiar name from Fashion Week that you may have heard before: Sterling Sidebottom. Sterling, a senior at Summit High School, modeled at Pier 59 Studios during the Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week for designer Rosenthal Tee. Other models from Summit include sophomores Ellie Anderson and Anna HuntleyRobertson, as well as junior Lucie Miller. Ellie modeled for Ralph Lauren in a runway show three years ago. “It was an incredible experience and I would definitely do it again,”she said. During the show Ellie got to meet Madison Beer, a youtuber discovered by Justin Bieber, who sang her single
“Melodies” after the show. Anna modeled for the store Willow St. in Summit and in Morristown. “I really enjoyed it, and my favorite part was trying the clothes on and having fun with the other girls,” she said. The pictures they took of Anna were posted on Willow St.’s Instagram to promote their new clothing. Both Anna and Ellie got their job through friends who worked for the companies. Lucie had the opportunity to walk in the Anthropologie Spring Line Fashion Show in the Short Hills Mall. Lucie said, “I had a great experience. Before the show, everything was a little chaotic because everyone was running around setting up and getting their hair and make-up done.” Once it started, Lucie said that it “was so much fun and I would definitely do it again.” Lucie got her job through her mother’s friend who was the coordinator for the show, but there are other ways that someone can get a modeling job. Social media has a large impact on the modeling indus
try these days, and many models are found through Instagram. Lucie says that if you want to model, “go for it! Just be yourself and have confidence.” Sterling works through BMG Models and has booked multiple gigs including Rosenthal Tee, Sandhya Garg and Amato Couture. “My favorite job was walking in the same show as the America’s Next Top Model contestants in last year’s fashion week,” Sterling said. She has always wanted to model and said, “I went to an agency to see if I could.” Often, Sterling has to miss school because of modeling, and she has to make sure that she does not fall behind when it comes to finishing her homework and making up other assignments that she missed. She said, “The teachers are really helpful and super understanding. What I do wouldn’t be possible without their help.” Sterling is very fortunate to have this kind of support to support her through her carrer. Many models have come out
Q&A with the twins of SHS By Sophie Piron Staff Writer
With a countless number of twins at Summit High School, the way they think intrigues many. Different sets of twins from each grade were asked the a question separately to compare their similarities without a planned response.
Which of these odd sports interest you the most: toe wrestling, egg throwing, or underwater hockey? Kayleigh Driscoll: “Probably underwater hockey.” Brendon Driscoll: “Underwater hockey, I enjoy hockey and the water so why not!”
If you could speak another language what would it be? Lauren Cheiffo: “If Emoji is a language, then that.” Daniel Cheiffo: “My family is Italian, so Italian.”
If you were stuck on a desert island with one other person and no food, would you rather eat that person, or be eaten? Katie Greer: “Be eaten- I could never eat someone.” Christian Greer: “I would eat them.”
Strike a pose! Anna Huntley-Robertson is modeling in the photoshoot that she did for Willow Street. Picture Credit: Willow St.
of Summit and Anna says that if you want to start modeling, “get your name out there.”
iPhone 7: Controversy at its core By Matt Mormile Business Manager Apple released the highly anticipated iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus on Sept 7 for pre sale. The phone received mixed reviews shortly after its Sept. 16 release date, but sales appear strong. The iPhone 7 plus features a revolutionary two-camera system that is meant to greatly improve image stabilization, as well as increase low light performance. The duel wield camera is coupled with a larger stereo system, which is twice as loud as the one on the iPhone 6s. Unfortunately, the device does not have a port for ear pods, but instead operates with Apple designed wireless earbuds, offered at $160. Some Apple customers are divided on whether this improves or detracts from the phone. While tech experts appear to find the new phone outstanding, it may not necessitate an upgrade from the last model. With the new features only salient to a computer tech aficionado, the new wireless Air Pods may have generated the the most buzz. There has been concern over whether the earpods will easily get lost or look odd. AP Computer Science student Kunal Sengupta said, “I think the new iPhone is a hassle, because now everyone
will have to get new earbuds for their phones.” Downtown Summit Verizon store owner Pradeep Prashar said, “The iPhone 7 sales are great so far. The new phone is water resistant, has a wireless headset and an A10 chip to process data faster than the last models.” While Apple will not release results immediately, the iPhone 7 may have had a boost in sales after the mass recall of the Samsung Galaxy note 7 due to overheating during charging. Tech advocates voice the concern that the push to create new phones limits advances. Summit High School lead technician Jon Bareford said, “The pressure to keep up a 1218 month cycle for new must have devices is so great that it may start to hinder actual innovation. If people are happy to buy a new phone with only a handful of cosmetic and largely incidental improvements, why spend resources on fundamental re-designs and research?” Time will tell if the new iPhone meets consumer expectations, but it is certain that the iPhone is here to stay. Once again, Apple has succeeded with its new iPhone despite, the mixed reviews and the controversy surrounding the ear phones.
Verve 10
Screen & Sound
October 2016
Speech and Debate Team sweeps at Yale By Sophie Li Staff Writer
The Speech and Debate Team recently came back from a national tournament at Yale University from Sept. 1618. They received first place sweepstakes, having earned the most combined points overall out of the 250 schools. The Yale tournament is a three-day, national circuit competition where schools from over 25 different states Wow! The Speech and Debate Team poses for a picture after come to compete. Students ac- taking home first place at Yale. Photo Credit: Craig Kovera cumulated points during each of their rounds in order to ad- four years ago, and have been ginning of the year really gets vance to the final rounds. Last competing successfully ever the team going and excited for the coming year,” said Speech year at the Yale Invitational since. “We wanted to do a Septemand Debate team supervisor Tournament, the Forensics Team placed second, compet- ber tournament because our Mrs. Anne Poyner. Speech and Debate is a ing in nine events for both first tournament before had been at the end of October and contest between individuals Speech and Debate. The Summit team first attended Yale having a tournament in the be- or partners using either argu-
New restaurants arrive in downtown Summit
By David Hausman Special Projects Editor
mentative reasoning in debate events or interpretations and speeches in the speech events. “I’ve been working on my piece since mid-August, so a little over one month,” said senior Matt Colon, who is also the President of the Speech and Debate team and placed third out of 115 competitors for the Original Oratory event. “I typically practice four to five hours a week, and I’ve gotten second place in Duo for the past two years as well as being a semi-finalist my freshman year,” said senior Sean McManus, who placed second with brother Keegan McManus in the Duo Interpretation event and semi-finaled in Dramatic Interpretation. He also competes in Improvisational Acting.
Besides McManus and Colon, students who advanced to the elimination rounds include seniors Hope Kovera, Grace Milsten, Anne Borzner, Matt Wilson, Gerard Apruzzese, Zack Olson, James Badenhausen, Alexa Carlson, Bella Anidjar and Sophie Reitz-Bouren. Junior Claire Goudreau and sophomores Annie Milsten and Greta Morgan also advanced. Some of the upcoming tournaments for the Speech and Debate team include the Bronx Science Tournament taking place on Oct. 14-16, and the Phillipsburg Tournament on Oct. 29. The school that is hosting the tournament will rotate and Summit High School’s tournament will be on Dec. 10.
Which music should you be downloading? By Maya Shapiro and Gwyn Tulsky Art Editor and Screen and Sound Editor
“My favorite genre is country. My favorite song is, ‘Buy Me a Boat’ by Chris Janson.” -Band Director Mr. Steven Rapp
Yummy! Inspiration Roll’s sushi burritos, their signature dish. Photo Credit: inspirationroll
Along with trademark restaurants like Tito’s and Taka sushi, the new multicultural restaurants Rosalita and Inspiration Roll are now packed to the brim with eager and hungry customers, all waiting for a unique dining experience. Rosalita, a Mexican restaurant located next to the Wells Fargo bank and the Hill City Deli, prides itself on the authenticity of its cuisine. Tacos al Pastor, their latest signature dish, features traditionally slow-cooked pork with pineapple. Senior Jack Fiore said, “It’s delectable! They have an endless variety of choices for all walks of life.” On the other side of Summit’s bustling restaurant scene is Inspiration Roll. Taking Japanese cuisine to a whole new level, Inspiration Roll gives you 12-dollar ramen bowls loaded with many different types of meat. Their signature dish, however, is their Sushi Burrito, an Inspiration Roll classic. While Inspiration Roll has an interesting menu and some fascinating characteristics, the Food Critics Club was less satisfied when some of the members visited over the summer: “We found Inspiration
Roll to be lacking in quality, something we put highly over the quantity you get for your buck.” If you still aren’t pleased with the new restaurants recently added to the downtown area, Summit House may be what you’ve been waiting for. A seasonal farm to table restaurant, Summit House, and its esteemed Executive Chef Martin Kester, put the quality and freshness in cuisine over the quantity you get. By using only locally sourced ingredients, Martin Kester will strive to create a safe haven for those wishing to get away from today’s standard, processed food. “I look forward to the fresh and pristine cooking Summit House will hopefully offer,” said freshman Theodore Heckelman. “I’m anxiously waiting to see how they incorporate seasonal cuisine with a distinct atmosphere and ambiance that only the finest Summit restaurants offer.” With Summit House joining the newly added Inspiration Roll and Rosalita, it seems as though Summit is becoming the next big food town in New Jersey. Look out, New York City!
“I have such different favorite genres.. My favorite songs are ‘As,’ and ‘Don’t you Worry About a Thing’ by Stevie Wonder. ‘No More Drama’ by Mary J. Blige and ‘Made a Way’ by Travis Green.” -Choir Teacher Mr. Wayne Mallette
“Classical and jazz are my favorites. I love ‘Mahler (Symphony No. 1)’ by Mendleson.” -Orchestra teacher Ms. Barbara Vierschilling
Verve 11
Screen & Sound
October 2016
Fall TV shows destined to make a splash By Kelly Boyd Staff Writer Fall means heading back to school and hitting the books, but don’t miss the chance to check out the new TV premieres! Whether it’s evil sorority sisters, dancing stars or twisted doctors, there’s sure to be something for everyone. “Grey’s Anatomy” For the past 13 years fans have enjoyed romance, heartbreak and realistic medical situations. The show follows the lives of doctors; their relationships with both their patients and each other creates an emotional roller coaster as the story unfolds. There are plane crashes, shootings, marriages, divorces, and operations gone wrong. This show is great for fans who like a good soap opera. Bring your tissues! Tune in Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. on ABC. “Dancing With the Stars” Olympians, NFL stars, actors and singers all come together to compete for the mirror ball trophy. Every week viewers discover who will advance to the next round. Fans can vote for their favorite stars
every week to determine the outcome of the show. This live broadcast is full of sequins, spandex and surprises. This show is appropriate for audiences of all ages. Watch Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. “Scream Queens” What happens when you add some backstabbing sorority sisters, bloodthirsty queen bees and a thrilling murder mystery? You get a fantastic fall TV show! Many watch to see stars like Ariana Grande, Lea Michele and Nick Jones. Last season, viewers were on the edge of their seats anticipating who will be the Red Devil’s next victim. This season, the sisters have graduated and are headed into the workplace, a hospital. Last season, Scream Queens was the number one comedy among young women. But, with the new setting and the addition of more male actors, guys are sure to like it too. Catch it Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox. So, enjoy one of the new fall premieres. whether you laugh, cry, or scream, it’s great to take a break every once in awhile. Your homework will be waiting when you get back!
Scream Queens! Start the Halloween season screaming like a queen! Photo Credit: usatoday
Come to Cabaret: a night with the stars By Jane Disibio Staff Writer On Friday, Oct. 7, the theater program will hold a very special night featuring students’ performances of numerous songs in an event called Cabaret. Cabaret showcases several students, performing everyone’s favorite Broadway songs. The performers have been practicing and working very hard, so show your support for fellow classmates. This event is very unique, because it gives everyone involved a chance to shine in the spotlight. Drama teacher Mrs. Anne Poyner said, “It empowers individuals of our program
to perform. In a musical we have one or two leads, but in Cabaret, numerous people can get up and do a solo.” This year’s Cabaret will feature around 30 performances, each one featuring one to two performers. “It’s a really fun evening, and it’s a pretty elegant night with our table cloths and candles,” said Poyner. Cabaret will be held Friday, Oct. 7, in the Cafeteria from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. It has been made possible by a generous grant from the Summit Performing Arts Resource Committee (SPARC). So, make sure to come for a great time and a chance to see your classmates perform.
Cabaret 2015! Left to right: Juliet Huneke (Junior) , Grace Dephillips (Senior) , Amalia Tobias (Senior), Alana Gartenberg (Senior), Savannah Dooley (Senior), Kate Schroder, (Junior). Photo credit to Mr. Jim Poyner.
New Teachers Mrs. Loren MacTaggart Mr. Daniel Wollman Technology
Science
By Lily Jay, Staff Writer
A resident of Summit for many years, Ms. Lauren D’Onofrio is thrilled to join the special education department. She earned her bachelor’s at Colgate University and her master’s at Teacher’s College, Columbia University. She then studied special education at Fairleigh Dickinson University and law at Suffolk University. Prior to teaching at Summit High School, D’Onofrio taught basic skills and kindergarten at Jefferson for a year, then sociology, psychology and world history at Edison High School for two years. She then took 22 years off to take care of her children. Outside of school, she likes to do pilates and spend time with her two daughters and husband.
Ms. Emily Maldonado
Photo Credit: Lily Jay
New to the science department, Ms. Helen Bremert is teaching biology and AP Environmental Science. After growing up in Adelaide, Australia, she attended Macquarie University in Sydney. She went on to teach at a high school in Sydney before relocating to a high school in Evanston, Illinois. “I like teaching these subjects because they are interesting, and I like to make it fascinating for everyone else,” she said. In her spare time, Bremert enjoys reading, watching her children play sports, studying, going into New York and cooking. “I actually used to be a chef!” she said.
Ms. Lynette Diaz Hispanic Liaison
By Danny Isralowitz, Staff Writer
Mrs. Loren MacTaggart is ecstatic to be returning to the high school. Before teaching here, MacTaggart got her bachelor’s degree at Georgian Court University and then her master’s degree at Rutgers. She has 33 years of experience teaching various classes. Currently, she is the site coordinator for the Virtual High School and the Technology Infusion Coach. MacTaggart said, “ I am excited to be back at SHS and thrilled to be part of the Virtual High School Program. We currently have 19 students enrolled and they are excelling!”
Mr. Daniel Wollman, a new addition to the special education program, is excited about his new role at the school. In 2015 he graduated from Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and administration. Having been a football star in college, he wanted to continue his passion for the game, but as a coach. Outside of the classroom, Wollman plays football and of course coaches his favorite sport. He is very enthusiastic about joining Summit. Wollman said, “The thing I look forward to this year is working with my students.”
Mr. Mark Fontana recently taught at a middle school in Ithaca, New York and is now here as a special education teacher’s aide. Fontana attended Hofstra University and William Paterson University and is looking forward to this new opportunity. Every day, he goes from classroom to classroom helping students with academic and social needs. “I’m like a new high school student,” he said. Outside of the classroom, he has a special talent for the martial arts. “I’ve competed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions,” Fontana said.
Ms. Eunice Churchill
Ms. Madia Hollis
Mr. Jack Sturm
By Lily Jay, Staff Writer
By Stephanie Giusto, Staff Writer
By Brian Kaelin, Staff Writer
Secretarial
By Danny Isralowitz, Staff Writer
Special Education
By Katie Macpherson, Staff Writer
By Katie Macpherson, Staff Writer
Photo Credit: Stephanie Guisto
By Stephanie Giusto, Staff Writer
Mr. Mark Fontana
Special Education
Photo Credit:Katie Macpherson
Ms. Helen Bremert
Special Education
Photo Credit:Katie Macpherson
Ms. Lauren D’Onofrio
October 2016
Photo Credit: Danny Isralowitz
Verve 12
Technology
Custodial
Special Education
Ms. Emily Maldonado has begun her first year at the high school working as an instructional aide. She recently held the same position for three years at a primary school in Glenridge. She attended Marist College, Seton Hall University and Fairleigh Dickinson University and obtained a master’s degree in psychology and a Master of Arts in teaching. Now Maldonado is looking forward to helping students with reading and writing, and especially looks forward to getting to know them. “Spending that individual and small group time with them is nice and you really get a sense of who each student is,” Maldonado said. Her favorite hobby is watching Oscar-nominated movies in theatres and predicting winners for each award.
Ms. Lynette Diaz, previously the Managing Assistant Director of Admissions at Kean University, is now the Hispanic and E.L.L Academic Outreach Coordinator in the school district, offering support to the Hispanic and English language learners. “I’m excited to work with the kids and to get to know them. That’s my passion,” Diaz said. She earned her bachelor’s from Ramapo College and her master’s from Kean. In high school, Diaz was the senior editor of the newspaper, “The Panther News.”
Mr. Steve Dodrv
Ms. Eunice Churchill joins the secretarial staff after being secretary at the middle school for 15 years. She graduated from the University of Rhodesia in Harare, Zimbabwe with an accounting degree. “I’m most excited to see all the kids I watched come from the middle school and see how they’ve grown up,” Churchill said. She enjoys reading, playing with her dogs and crafting. She especially likes to make cards and scrapbooks. Churchill is looking forward to meeting new people at the high school.
Ms. Madia Hollis joins the technology department with 10 years of teaching experience. She got her bachelor’s from Georgian Court University and her master’s from Kaplan University. Hollis taught elementary school for eight years, early childhood education for a year, then middle and high school for a year. While teaching at Summit, Hollis said, “I look to have positive interactions with students.” In her free time, Hollis enjoys outdoor activities such as volleyball and hiking.
Photo Credit: Brian Kaelin
Photo Credit: Stephanie Guisto
Photo Credit: Lily Jay
Photo Credit: Danny Isralowitz
Photo Credit: Brian Kaelin
By Brian Kaelin, Staff Writer
Mr. Jack Sturm begins his first year at the high school as head custodian. Part of his job is delegating tasks to other custodians and managing their team. Sturm has lived in Summit for most of his life and raised two children here. He also has worked as a custodian at Franklin and Jefferson each for eight years and worked for 18 years at the middle school. Sturm’s favorite hobby is collecting memorabilia from The Beatles, but only memorabilia from before 1970. In his spare time he enjoys tending to his organic garden.
Custodial
By Brendan McGinn, Art Editor Mr. Stefan Dodrv has begun working as the newest member of the custodial staff. Dodrv previously worked at the Short Hills Mall. “I like working in this school,” Dodrv said. In his free time, Dodrv likes to ice skate and play soccer. “I don’t have a lot of free time but I like watching Bundesliga and the Premier League when I can,” he said.
Welcome to Hilltopper Nation!