Summit High School
October 1, 2014
Volume XV Issue 1
125 Kent Place Boulevard Summit, NJ 07901
Students begin to feel effects of 2014 class gift: two new eco-friendly water fountains stalled BOE and SEA contract
Earth-friendly. Top: The digital meter reveals how many plastic water bottles have been saved thanks to refills. Bottom: Senior Anne Mikkelsen tops off her water bottle at a new water fountain.
By Ryan Blume Staff Writer
The lack of a teacher contract is finally starting to affect students, as the acrimony between the Summit Board of Education and the teachers continues to cause problems. There are no teachers giving extra help in the morning. Also, the promised block schedule to help deal with the overcrowding is on indefinite hold. Sophomore Christopher Heckelman, said “It really sucks that teachers aren’t giving morning help anymore, especially because having to go for afternoon help also means being really late to cross country practice that day.” Since Aug. 31, the teachers have been working without a new contract. While both sides claim to be working in good faith towards an agreement, the Sept. 11 Board of Ed meeting leaves little doubt that negotiations are at an impasse. According to a BoE statement released to the press on Sept. 12, the contract dispute is over what is a “fair and reasonable” contract. The teacher’s union said, in its statement to the press on
Photo used with permission of Barbara Rybolt/TAP
This year, the most exciting change to the high school is the new water bottle refill stations. There are currently three of these cool and ecofriendly fill ups; one located at the water fountain closest to the gym, across from the wood-tech room, another in the cafeteria, and a third in the math hallway. The push to install these water fountains came from both the Project Bright club and PTO. Both of these forces are hoping to continue raising funds to replace all of the water fountains as quickly as possible, hopefully throughout the course of this year. The members of Project Bright, in conjunction with the Key Club, also plan to sell refillable water bottles at school and allow the proceeds to go toward funding more installations. These new additions to the water fountains are extremely convenient and can not only help students throughout the school stay hydrated, but also help the environment. As of September 24, the two stations have saved approximately 3,771 plastic bottles of water. Students can periodically check the amount of water bottles saved by using these stations by simply looking at a screen on the front of the installations. The meter, located directly in the front of the dispenser, provides the realization that each use of the fountain can have a drastic effect on the planet. Senior Zach Rissman said, “[I] really wanted to get these installed because I saw kids buying multiple water bottles every day. I knew that these stations would not only decrease the amount of money spent by students but also severely cut down plastic waste, which is very bad for the environment. The water bottle
Photo by Ethan Mandelbaum
Globe Editor
refill stations help both the environment and the students. A lot of students are using them frequently, and that makes me very happy.” Rissman had been pushing for this purchase for a while, and is extremely proud to have the water fountains installed. Senior Erika Brodow said, “I’m so excited to have the water bottle refills put into the fountains. I run cross country, so I have to drink a lot during the day, and bringing a bigger, refillable water bottle definitely helps”. Having so many students participating in exhausting play rehearsals, sports games, and academic endeavors, the refill stations allow for students to easily and efficiently refill their water bottles between classes so that they can stay hydrated and alert throughout their day and perform their best.
Photo by Anika Becker
By Anika Becker
Tuesday mornings. SEA members Scott Petrillo (L) and Ed Cama exercise their right to peacably demonstrate, from 7:20-7:30 a.m.
Sept. 4, that it is looking for reasonable increases in salary, to cover the cost of the healthcare difference. According to Union President, Daniel Miller, in an interview with The Independent Press, coaches and co-curricular advisers have not had a stipend increase in six years. The Board argues that “salary increases that are inconsistent with the district's financial planning in view of increasing budgetary costs and the State's two percent cap on increases on the tax levy.” This means that simply raising taxes in order to increase teacher salaries is not a legally viable option, said BoE President Celia Colbert in the
Sept. 11 meeting minutes. Head SEA negotiator, pracical arts teacher Adam Fern, said that teachers are frustrated. The faculty wears black SEA t-shirts to show solidarity and to protest against the Board on Tuesday mornings. Mr. Fern is hopeful that the situation will be resolved soon and said that “no teachers want to do anything [that might] hurt the kids.” With no compromise in sight, a state mediator has been booked for the next negotiation meeting on Oct. 8. This may allow the negotiation progress to move forward and allow for a quick settlement to the dispute.
on values such as respect, acceptance, and equality. All of these values were attacked on Sept 15. “Bananagate”, the nickname for the hurtful scandal, puts our entire student body in a racist light that is undeserved. One simple misunderstanding led to not just one student, but our entire town being attacked by the media. How is it fair that a reporter, or another town, gets to determine the type of people we are? Our past practices and track record seemed not to matter anymore, as a flood of scandalous accusations poured in through the keyhole of public outrage. This adult generation of coaches, reporters, and arm-
chair quarterbacks is guilty of projecting their views onto us. As teenagers, we never considered a banana to be offensive. That may not be true in other parts of the world, but keep in mind, the locker room was here, not there. If something as simple as a banana can be misinterpreted and twisted as a racial taunt toward a fellow team, what ordinary item will be next? People have a way of finding fault in everything, and try to find hidden meaning in situations that usually isn’t even there. The media, like CBS 2, and NJ.com, were quick to jump on an opportunity of covering a “news-worthy” story, and
Opinion: Media skews “Bananagate” By Anna Tselevich Opinion Editor
On Sept. 15, following the Hilltopper football team’s victory over the North Plainfield Canucks, there was some chatter on social media that became the foundation for a CBS2 news exclusive: “North Plainfield H.S. Football Players Say They Were Racially Taunted With Bananas.” The reporter, Christine Sloan, stated that the North Plainfield players “said the harassment involved the use of bananas by the opposing Summit High School team as a racially offensive joke.” Needless to say, this claim took everyone at home by surprise. Our school prides itself
This month’s Verve.... Globe.........2 New Teachers......4, 5 Screen & Sound....7 Opine.........3 Turf.......................8 Buzz....................6
Upcoming:
October 15: PSATs October 13-19: Spirit Week October 31: Halloween Assembly
Continued Page 3
Globe
Verve 2
October 2014
This summer, three students engaged in life-changing trips where they were able to influence those around them. From learning new cultures to assisting struggling children. Thailand Touring Junior Dylan Mondschein said “summer is the perfect time to become immersed in foreign cultures and explore unfamiliar places, while also giving back to the community”. Mondschein embarked on a teen tour through a program called Rustic Pathways, which guided her and a group of teens through the adventurefilled lands of Thailand. During the four-week service trip, she experienced a wide range of recreation while also affecting the community around her. She participated in activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and rock climbing, as well as having the opportunity to visit renowned temples, where she learned more about Thai culture. Mondschein said, “I’d say it made an enormous impact on me. The tour in Thailand taught me how to be more independent and self-sufficient
because I had to look out for myself when traveling in a group setting. The people I met in only four weeks also influenced me because I became so close with them. Meeting people from various places and circumstances led me to become friends with people I normally would not. I learned to work with what I have and be thankful for having a place to sleep at night. “The trip opened my eyes and helped me understand that I was so lucky to be there and have an amazing opportunity that most kids my age do not get to experience.” Nicaraguan Service Senior Hannah Coates traveled all the way to Nicaragua, in Central America, with her church group to take part in the Inhijambia Association, a drug rehab center for street children. Coates said, “We worked with an organization that gave these children access to an education, support while finding a job, and first and foremost, they try and stop the children from sniffing glue.” In only nine days, Hannah and her group from Christ Church managed to aid and support hundreds of children.
Costa Rican Visit Additionally, sophomore Natalie Herr went abroad to Costa Rica where she taught English to students at a local school and engaged in various other meaningful service projects. One project included working on a family-run farm where she helped with daily chores like milking cows, caring for the animals and digging paths for the hot water pipes they will soon install. When she was not aiding to the community, Natalie spent her time zip lining, white water rafting, and surfing the crystal clear waters of Costa Rica.
Photo provided by Dylan Mondschein
By Sophie Lees Staff Reporter
Elephants never forget. Dylan Mondschein, in Thailand, stayed at an elephant preserve where she cared for endangered elephants and raised money for the mahouts, elephant caretakers.
Photo provided by reeves-reedaboretum.org
Students get real-life lessons in Culture 101 Welcome, little hilltoppers
Goats! On October 20, Reeves Reed Aboretum will be releasing herds of goats to clear away a year’s worth of wildflower and weeds.
By Dan Montgomery Assistant Sports Editor
All animal lovers rejoice: the goats are coming to town. At the Reeves-Reed Arboretum on Oct. 20, a herd of goats will be let loose on the steeper side of the vast property. The goats are being brought to the Arboretum to begin clearing away a year’s worth of wildflower growth, invasive vines and weeds, so that by next spring the green pastures of the Arboretum’s hills and gardens will be cleared to bloom. The people of Summit may wonder ‘why only do this now?’ The answer lies in an explanation from the Arboretum’s executive director, Frank Juliano. In a story hosted by reevesreedarboretum.org, he said, “They’re basically nature’s
lawnmowers. Goats eat all day. And what a wonderful way to engage and educate our community about an eco-friendly process that ordinarily takes months of hard, hand-labor to achieve.” Not only just a prized viewing quantity, the goats will do an extraordinary amount of good for the Arboretum’s health and outlook as a whole. When asked about if he is excited to see the goats, sophomore Davis Hausman said, “I’ve been waiting a long time for something like this happen. Let me tell you, I will be a frequent visitor of that place. The goats’ impact will be noticeable.” It seems as though things are looking up for the economic stability of the Reeves Reed Arboretum, as the intense anticipation of the goats arrival increases daily.
Verve Views: What was the highlight of your summer? Photos and story by Laura Pasquale Entertainment Editor
Freshman Jessica Hughes “The highlight of my summer was going to the beach with my friends.”
Junior Brooke Johnston “I was able to spend two weeks in California with my brother.”
Junior Katherine Ciarivalli “I visited Washington state and saw over 25 Orca Whales.”
Senior Paulo Umano “My favorite part of the summer was visiting family friends in southern Cali.”
Summit Senior High School 125 Kent Place Boulevard Summit, NJ 07901 Staff Reporters: Editors-in-Chief
Meredith Robertson Ellie Schaffer
Managing Editors:
Carly Leiter Megan Shaw
Metro News Editor: Ethan Mandelbaum Globe Editor: Anika Becker Opinion Editors: Anna Tselevich Jackson Sidebottom
Entertainment Editors: Ashley White Laura Pasquale Buzz Editor: Emily Gao Sports Editor: Cam Fuoti Asst Sports Editor Dan Montgomery Art Director: Ryan Blume Circulation: Sophie Lees Kaitlin Stewart
Ryan Blume, Spencer Frey, Ben Henning, Emily Hurley, Rachel Isralowitz, Sophie Lees, Matthew Mormile, Caroline Phillips, Marielle Rogoff, Kaitlin Stewart Principal: Mr. Paul Sears Assistant Principals: Mrs. Stacy Grimaldi Mr. Michael Lapotasky Adviser: Mrs. Anne Weisgerber English Supervisor: Mr. Corey Walsh
Freshman JJ Stewart “The highlight of my summer was going to Winnebago Camp.”
October 1, 2014 Volume XV, Issue 1 shsverve@fc.summit.k12.nj.us
Verve is funded by a grant from the Summit City Board of Education and print subscriptions. As of publication, Verve’s circulation is 600, including 320 print subscribers, the same as one year earlier. Verve is printed at School Publications Company in Neptune, NJ, and digitally archived at issuu.com/shsverve Verve is a publication open to the opinions of its readers. Please submit all letters to shsverve@fc.summit.k12.nj.us. 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@ fc.summit.k12.nj.us Views expressed in Verve do not necessarily reflect those of Summit Senior High School’s administration, faculty, staff, or other students.
Opine
(Bananagate from page 1) somehow our town’s reputation got lost in the mix. For the towns, like Cranford that told reporters that “If it’s a tradition, they skipped over us twice.” Did anyone stop to think that maybe it just went unnoticed since teenagers didn’t see bananas in an offensive manner before? The fact remains that the media is intimidating. It’s able to take a situation that shouldn’t have been an issue in the first place, and make it into a headline smashing our town’s reputation. None of our
football players are willing to be quoted because of the reasonable worry that saying one wrong word can result in being pushed further down the irrational rabbit hole of social media anger. It’s sleazy conflict reporting, but what is the impact of it? Now, the New Jersey State In-terscholastic Athletic Association is investigating, and criminal charges might be present in the future. The NJSIAA investigation proceeds to a hearing on Oct. 16. On the bright side, this has been a good opportunity for us
Verve 3
From the Editor’s Desk...
in the Verve newsroom, to reconsider what good reporting is supposed to do: minimize harm, seek truth, act independently, and behave accountably. We’ll keep trying, and meanwhile we’ll clearly have to keep looking for role models in the adult world of journalism. Raymond Donovan of the Reagan administration once said in light of a scandal, “Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?” Well, where should Summit go to get ours?
Revolting revisions to senior privileges
Wooh, Yeah! Senior year. you know what makes senior year better than all the other years, senior privileges. Privileges such as, well organized parking, unassigned, and possibly missing a few classes in fourth quarter after you’ve already gotten into a school. With all these privileges senior year is going to be awesome. Wait, what? Parking is first come first serve with no assigned spots? When asked why there was a change in parking arangments Ms. Grimaldi replied that “one of the reasons was to get students to get to school on time. No significant benefit came from having assigned spots. However, we gave out the exact number of stickers as available spots.” If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Go back to the old parking
Photo by Ellie Rogoff
By Jackson Sidebottom Opine Co-Editor
Sad senior. Senior Danny Araya sulks over the restriction on senior fun.
system, if not for us then for next year’s seniors. Well, at least there is still unassigned, but apparantly only roughly 40 people have this luxury due to ludicrous parameters. If someone got a 79 more than once in an AP class they are not eligible for unassigned. I don’t know why the cutoff is so in favor of kids who take less challenging courses. I guess administration just wants to send the message that it’s better to stay in your comfort zone where you are sure to excel, than to try a new
and challenging course where you might not do as well. I will be sure to drop any class that might present a slight challenge in workload, since that is clearly what is expected of me. If that isn’t the intended message then unassigned should be given out based on quarterly and yearly GPA average. Well, at least I might be able to disappear a few days near the end of the year. Oh, but then I would have to take the final. Can I change my mind about senior year?
By Ethan Mandelbaum Metro News Editor
With all sorts of health requirements set by the state and federal government, school cafeterias across the nation are limited with what they can sell to students. Pomptonian, the school’s lunch provider, is dedicated to serving students “high quality and nutritious” lunches, according to its website. This mission statement seems to have had a bypass with this year’s introduction of diet sodas into cafeterias. According to Dr Frank Hum, Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health, there is sufficient scientific evidence showing a direct relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages and obesity-related diseases. He is not alone, with many other studies being authored in recent years finding the same results. Yet, somehow, diet sodas are part of a “high quality and nutritious” lunch. One would think that an action with such consequence
would be big news to administration. That is not the case. Assistant Principal Stacy Grimaldi said, “I don’t think kids should be drinking them daily. I believe that anything done in moderation can be okay.” Though moderation can prevent many issues, are kids really only going to drink these sodas in moderation? Teenagers are notorious for having poor self-control. Many students turn their menu selections into a habit. It isn’t reasonable to expect students to change their lunch choices every day. The school is serving carbonated canned disease. The serving of diet sodas in the cafeteria raises one more big question: Why not regular soda? The answer: it is illegal under the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. However, most research seems to indicate that the drinking of regular soda is better than the drinking of diet soda. This is warranted by the fact that the main issue with diet soda is all of the artificial sweeteners. Though still not
Photo Credit: Ellie Rogoff
Diet soda puzzles health-conscious customers
Counting calories. Diet sodas and juices invade the cafeteria fridges.
ideal, taking in natural sugars is better for the body. Our school cafeteria is serving us artificial sweeteners, chemicals, and heart disease. They are doing this completely unwarranted, other than for the desire to take the student’s money. “High quality and nutritious” lunches are what could prevent the obesity epidemic from getting worse in our country. However, with Pomptonian, it seems that “high quality and nutritious” is defined loosely, to say the least.
Contrary to the cynical beliefs of Jackson Sidebottom, here at “Verve” we’re pumped up for our longawaited Senior Year. Yeah, so maybe we don’t all have the chance to have unassigned, and morning parking is as blood-thirsty as “The Hunger Games.” And maybe the senior lounge is overflowing with starving seniors who have to trek the five miles to the cafeteria to get a fork before they can start eating. And maybe the possibility of having school dances this year is as ambiguous as our end-of-the-year work-load. Maybe, but we’re staying positive. We haven’t waited around four years for nothing. Senior year is the light at the end of the tunnel, the sole opportunity to be at the top of the food chain before falling back down to being freshmen once again. There is so much to look forward to between now and graduation: our last Semi, Prom, and Halloween Assembly. The renowned Senior Banquet, Friday Night Lights, and the season of college acceptances. If nothing else, you can
walk through the halls without getting lost (or most of us can). Appreciate the little things, because this year is going to fly by. For a lot of us, this is the last season playing on a school sports team, participating in the school musicals, and even spending time with our hometown friends. Cherish this time, because, before we know it we will be looking back on our Senior Year as a memory. Right now? It’s just beginning. We seniors are the only students who will ever hold the title of SHS Class of 2015. That’s big. And as we will be leaving in a few short months, let’s be as unified as we can. Reach out to people you’ve never spoken to before, rekindle old friendships, be good to each other. This year is about leaving a mark on the school we have grown up in, and together we have a choice as to what our mark will be. Class of 2015, we hope you join us in our excitement about this year. Troy Bolton wasn’t wrong when he told us, “we’re all in this together.”
Caf crowding causes stress
By Ellie Rogoff Staff Writer
The everyday issue of finding a seat at lunch has become the new stresser. Each year, the cafeteria has been able to comfortably accommodate every student, but this year it has been a little tight. Sharing the seat with your friend or being forced to stand and eat is becoming a real nuisance for students. Lunch is used to alleviate the stresses of the school day and to catch up with friends, but the overcrowding hasn’t been allowing students to do so. With over 1,200 students enrolled in the school this year, all three lunches are packed. Spanish teacher and cafeteria monitor Mrs. Monica Bartlett says that, “Lately lunch has been hectic and unmanageable. It is significantly worse than last year, it’s just so hard to keep up and watch every kid.” The cafeteria is congested. Unfortunately, finding a seat is only half the battle. After fighting the freshman for a relatively decent spot, it’s time to defend yourself on the sandwich line. In most cases, anyone on that line wastes the majority of his lunch period waiting for a
Photo Credit: Ellie Rogoff
October 2014
Sardines every day! Students cram into the cafeteria for lunch.
turn, because the demand for sandwiches is so high. For anyone in third lunch who wants a snack, the deficit is real. We all resent those who were able to snatch the last cookie and walk back to the table, leaving the rest of the cafeteria wanting when the afternoon cravings hit. Sophomore Kiera Little said, “In third lunch, the options by the time we get there are cleaned out, especially the quick and easy ones.” The fact remains that students who have first and second lunch are privileged with freshly stocked snacks and meals. The evident signs of an overcrowded cafeteria are being presented and need to be addressed by offering additional seating to non-seniors outside the lunchroom. Lunch has turned into an inconvenient headache, rather than a pleasant study break.
New Teachers
Verve 5
October 2014
Welcome to Hilltopper Nation!
Photo by Rachel Isralowitz
by Peter Tulloch Contributing Writer
Special Education and English teacher Ms. Colleen Cregg grew up in the small town of Sayreville, and said one of her great childhood memories was going to a circus camp. She learned to walk on stilts, but makes this request: “Please, don’t ask me to do it now!” and laughed. Cregg decided to pursue teaching , and received her Bachelor’s degree from Villanova University, then earned her Master’s Degree from The College of New Jersey. She began her teaching career in her hometown at Sayreville War Memorial High School, before moving to her new job in Summit. “I have great students, and I have really enjoyed getting to know my co-workers,” Cregg said.
Mrs. Laura Kaplan, former chairwoman of the Department of Guidance and Counseling Services at Spotswood High School, succeeds Dr. John Schnedeker as the Summit School Disrict’s Director of School Counseling. Kaplan graduated from Loyola University of Maryland, then continued her education at Rutgers graduate school and has now worked in education for eight years. In her free time she enjoys dining out and spending time with her family, especially her daughter.So far, Summit High School has stood out to her as a welcoming place and its array of activities, from clubs to different sports teams has amazed her. Kaplan looks forward to getting to know everyone here and said, “the best part of the job is interacting with students.”
Photo by Laura Pasquale
Before taking her new job as an Algebra I, Algebra II/Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus teacher, Ms. Alicia Hendrickson graduated from New Egypt High School, and went on to earn her Bachelors degree in Mathematics from Rutgers University and her Master’s in Teaching from The College of New Jersey. She is excited to be a Hilltopper and stated, “My favorite thing about SHS so far is that everyone has positive things to say about and contribute toward the school culture.” Outside of the classroom, Hendrickson enjoys autumn activities, such as apple picking, carving or decorating pumpkins, and visiting different amusement parks to go on roller coasters. She also said she likes to travel to book signings her favorite novel is “The Givers” by Lois Lowry.
Ms. Purdue Technology
Mrs. Maurer Mathematics
by Xavier McCormick Contributing Writer
by Jessica Mahecha Contributing Writer
Photo by Carly Leiter
Ms. Cregg Special Education
Phtot by Emily Hurley
Photo by Ellie Schaffer
Jennifer Jean-Louis joins the English department, for her first teaching job. Jean-Louis recently graduated from both the undergraduate and graduate programs at Rutgers University. She holds a Masters in Education. By mid-September, Jean-Louis said the combination of engaging students and a comfortable atmosphere at Summit High School has led to a fantastic start and that she enjoys teaching because the students are “motivated and enthusiastic,” and “eager to learn.” In her spare time, Jean-Louis enjoys running, hiking, watching foreign films, and of course, reading. Of all the novels Ms. Jean-Louis has read, she says The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is her favorite among many.
by Daniel Montgomery Assistant Sports Editor
by Laura Pasquale Entertainment Editor
There is a new computer lab technician in Lab 107, Ms. Ashley Purdue. Her love of design and decorating is evident already in the bustling computer lab. Purdue has been teaching in public schools for six years now, and prior to becoming a teacher was a student at Whippany Park High in East Hanover, and Montclair State University. She can sum up her feelings about her new school in three words, saying it is “like a family.” Mrs. Purdue also owns a baking business that specializes in decorated cookies and cupcakes. Another source of pleasure for her, said Purdue, is the magical world of Disney, especially “Mary Poppins,” “Frozen,” and “The Lion King.” She also enjoys shopping and scrapbooking in her free time.
Photo by Daniel Montgomery
by Emily Hurley Staff Writer
by Jeremy O’Flynn Contributing Writer
Mrs. Weaver World Language
Ms. Hendrickson Mathematics
Mrs. Mei Shi Weaver joins the World Languages Department to teach Chinese. Weaver graduated from Kaohsiung Teachers College in Taiwan, and received her Masters Degree from the University of Iowa when she moved to the US. This is her first year back teaching in 17 years, as she took time off to raise her children. She said she loves her new job, as the closeness to her home in Chatham makes a short commute, and she noted that SHS is great for students, giving them ample opportunities to flourish. “I also really enjoy Chinese Art carving. When I put my mind to it, I can do it for hours,” she added. Outside of class, Weaver is a busy person, spending free tim reading the Bible, gardening, and hanging out with friends.
Mrs. Wells History by Emily Hurley Staff Writer
`Mrs. Stephanie Maurer is new to the mathematics department, and also new to New Jersey. She just moved here from Pennsylvania, and said she has not quite figured out how to navigate roadway roundabouts, yet. Maurer graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from Grove City College, and received her Master’s from Wilkes University, both in Pennsylvania. This is Maurer’s sixth year teaching math. She said she is grateful to the faculty and staff of SHS, especially the entire math department, for being so helpful and welcoming. Last year, Maurer spent 18 weeks training for her first full, 26.6 mile marathon. When she’s not running and teaching, she said she enjoys cooking, hiking and biking.
Photo by Emily Hurley
Mrs. Kaplan Guidance
Photo by Jackson Sidebottom
Ms. Jean-Louis English
Ms. Lauren Wells, the newest US History II and Sociology teacher, said she is loving her first few weeks at Summit due to the friendly community of teachers and students. The TCNJ graduate grew up in South Brunswick, where she later returned to teach at South Brunswick High School for two years. “It was interesting to work with the teachers who once taught me,” Wells said. Outside of school, she can be found reading, seeing some of the latest movies, or listening to music. Her favorite musical artists include Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco. Ms. Wells said she is eager to get to know everyone in the community. Continued on Next Page...
New Teachers
October 2014
Verve 5
Welcome to Hilltopper Nation! By Matthew Mormile Staff Writer
By Ryan Blume Staff Writer
Mr. Kyle Dattola joins the math department with five years of teaching experience. He has experience teaching from Algebra I to Pre-Calculus. Dattola’s interest in math began at a young age. “I always enjoyed math as a kid. I liked the logic behind it and it always made sense to me. It has so much real world application that we use every day.” Dattola graduated from Neshaminy High School, outside of northeast Philadelphia, in 2006, and has a Bachelors degree Penn State. His hobbies include traveling, spending time with his family, and playing and watching sports. He said he plays soccer and basketball in recreational leagues.
Our newest science teacher, Dr. Kristin MacDonald, has been teaching science for six years, and specializes in teaching biology and environmental science. MacDonald earned her Bachelor’s degree in science from Rutgers University, followed by a Master’s from the University of Florida, and returned to Rutgers for her PhD. She is glad to be here and added that the “students and staff are friendly and positive.” In her free time, MacDonald likes to go hiking, camping, bird watching, and seeing movies. If you get a chance, ask her about time spent in the Peace Corps at the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean.
by Sam O’Sullivan Contributing Writer
Photo by Ryan Blume
Photo by Kaitlin Stewart
Photo by Matt Mormile
By Kaitlin Stewart Staff Writer
Mr. Cummings World Language
Mr. Collier English
Dr. Macdonald Science
Veteran teacher and doctoral candidate Mr. Marshall Collier is one of four new English teachers joining the staff. He’s tall. He said he often gets a surprised reaction when people learn he is a scholar working on his PhD in English, as at first glance he is often mistaken for a burly construction worker or nightclub bouncer. He brushes that off, stating “that is my Achilles heel!” He said his guiding mantra comes from Ghandi, who said “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Collier has been teaching high school students for 21 years, most recently at American History HS in Newark.
Photo by Sophie Lees
Mr. Dattola Mathematics
Mr. Daniel Cummings is a familiar face to many students: previously, Cummings taught Latin at the Lawton C Johnson Summit Middle School. He said he is enjoying his move to the high school, and seeing some of his old students. Sophomore Liam Dwyer said, “I am excited to have Mr. Cummings as our Latin teacher this year, because he is trying to make Latin a fun learning experience and showing how Latin is really spoken.” Besides having taught Latin in town for four years, he has also instructed English in China and Turkey.
More new teachers next issue...
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Buzz
Verve 6
By Ben Henning Staff Writer Summer assignments: the one thing that can turn vacation into an instant state of panic. They are notorious for sneaking up on high schoolers in the late hours of August, their deadline looming in the near future. What one thinks can be pulled off in two or three days can suddenly become a weeklong project. So a student may wonder,“How did other kids manage their summer assignments?” Whether all that was asked was to read one book, or to do multiple lengthy assignments for a variety of Honors or AP classes, anyone can be caught off guard. Junior Paul Fineman said, “I thought I was managing them well because I started them in early August. However, I began to procrastinate and didn’t end up finishing them until the last day [of vacation].” Sophomore Chip Roriston had a slightly more stressful experience, saying, “I read all the books I needed to read the week before school started, but I didn’t know about all of the essays I had to do, so I ended up doing them the night
District student population explodes
after the first day of school.” While that was the case for many students who had summer school work, there were others on the opposite side of things.
“It can be hard to manage your time and get your assignments done during the summer, but once they are finished you can actually enjoy the free time! I think that’s totally worth it.”
Illustration by Emily Gao
Summer reading reflections
October 2014
See the bubble. A look at stats published in US News, indicates more school crowding anticipated.
By Emily Gao Buzz Page Editor
Anton Mejia, a freshman, stated, “All I had to do was read a book so I did it in the beginning of the summer so I wouldn’t have to worry about it later.” Junior Courtney Evenson said, “It can be hard to manage your time and get your assignments done during the summer, but once they are finished you can actually enjoy the free time! I think that’s totally worth it.”
Picture by Ben Henning
Summer reads. Each grade had different books to read over the summer and were given corresponding assignments to complete.
With a decreasing number of empty seats in the lunch room and increasing traffic in the mornings, the student population has noticeably grown. This year, there are 272 seniors, 302 juniors, 344 sophomores and 312 freshmen compared to 268 seniors, 279 juniors, 272 sophomores, and 277 freshmen in the 2011 to 2012 school year, according to “US News” website. In the middle school, Assistant Principal Nicholas Grimshaw said that the eighth graders, next year’s freshmen, amounts to 340 students. Classes coming from the middle school have become larger, and the number of transfer students has compensated for the number of students leaving the school. About 60 students left the school and there are approximately 40 new transfers. Junior Heather Wang said, “Our school has become hazardous due to the ridiculously large amount of people in it, and we’re starting to look more like a colony of ants than students.” More students also bring more diversity. Out of the 40
new students, approximately ten are from other states or countries. “We celebrate and value our diversity, because of the opportunities it presents for learning about each other. It also provides a realistic view of the many peoples, cultures, and experiences that exist in our global community,” said Principal Paul Sears. In order to accommodate the growing population, different spaces have been used as classrooms. For example, the library instruction room has been converted to a room for health classes and the orchestra room hosts several periods of study hall. Block scheduling, proposed last year, may alleviate some crowding. Sears said that the block is still being considered and will likely be approved in future years. In addition, Sears expressed his concern that the number of students makes it more challenging in terms of classroom space allocation. On the plus side, more students means more sections can be created for popular classes and electives, creating more flexibility and less conflicts in scheduling. Another possible problem
that arose was needing to increase the number of faculty, but 22 new teachers have joined the staff this year (more than half of whom replace teachers who left the district.) However, extracurricular activities with limited positions, such as sports teams and the musical, face more competition for available spots. As for school dances, solutions to possible overcrowding are being considered. For example, these events may be moved to different sites or split so that there is one dance for freshmen and sophomores, and a separate one for upperclassmen. In future years, junior prom and senior prom may also be separated. “Nothing is definite yet, but we are not looking to eliminate or limit student involvement,” stated Assistant Principal Stacy Grimaldi. Growth of the student body has been occurring for the past three years after a constant population of about 1,040 to 1,050 students. Due to demographics and the capacity of the middle school, Mr. Sears states his belief that the high school may reach its maximum at 1300 students by 2016 to 2017. Current enrollment is 1,233.
Blind Date: Romance sparked over fro-yo and front seats By Ashley White Entertainment Editor
Picture by Ashley White
First blind date of Volume XV. Junior Sophie Lees and senior Bennett Hermann on their date at 16 Handles. This is the first in an occasional series of blind date reports, hosted by Verve staffers.
On Tuesday Sept 9, a potential romance between junior Sophie Lees, and senior Bennett Hermann was formed as they embarked on a blind date over frozen yogurt. As I apprehensively drove to pick up Bennett, I secondguessed my match making skills, but as I pulled up to Sophie’s he happily waved as she walked out of her house. I had the feeling that these two had crossed paths before. Bennett set a dedicated
tone when he admitted that he canceled plans with a friend, in order to make it to the date. Sophie was clearly impressed. The pair struggled to make a decision on where they would spend their outing, like a gentleman, Bennett offered to let Sophie choose. Finally after minutes of “not caring” where the date would take place, they agreed on 16 handles. Luckily Sophie came prepared for the date when Bennett was unwilling to cover the price of two fro-yos. However, Bennett redeemed himself when he offered Sophie shot-
gun on the way home. I guess chivalry is only partially dead. Over dessert the two shared their summer experiences, Bennett was highly interested in Sophie’s service trip to Costa Rica. Bennett also agreed that is was nice to get a break from Summit, as he spent most of the summer as a camp counselor. As we drove home they thanked each other for a great first date and made indefinite plans to see each other in the future. Was a romance sparked? Only time will tell.
A New-York-sized win was chalked up by the drama department on Sept. 9, when Broadway.com named Summit’s recent production of 42nd Street as one of the “five stellar student performances that definitely deserve an A+.” With other schools -- from Utah, Michigan and Connecticut, Summit was able to represent New Jersey as tops in dramatic arts and theatre. According to the report by Broadway.com’s Lindsay Champion, “There must be something in the water in Summit, NJ, because every one of Summit High School’s musicals over the last few years has been absolutely kick-ass. The evidence: ‘The Music Man,’ ‘42nd Street’ and ‘Titanic.’” In addition, “Oklahoma,” and “Beauty and the Beast”
have been nominated for best overall musical at the Rising Star Awards, sponsored by the Paper Mill Playhouse in neighboring Millburn, for the past 10 years. Broadway.com also recognized the SHS production of “Fiddler on the Roof” as one of the nation’s best. This recognition is a landmark accomplishment for the theater program. Director Anne Poyner said, “It takes a team. Nobody can do this by themselves. And I like that the whole team is recognized by someone who doesn’t even know us.” Summit’s team, made up of its drama students, crew, and musicians, is led by Anne Poyner, Wayne Mallette, Kelly Sacks, Katherine Winter and Steve Rapp, and definitely goes above and beyond every year to make the shows as memorable and extravagant as possible.
Over the summer many new hit movies were released. Some of these movies included “If I Stay”, “The Fault in Our Stars”, and “Divergent”. “If I Stay”, the dramatic movie based off of the novel by Gayle Forman was recently released on August 22nd. This film, directed by RJ Cutler, features the actress Chloë Grace Mortez (Mia Hall) who plays the main character. Mia is put in a coma and realizes that no one is able to hear her after a traumatizing car accident. Viewers learn about the background of Mia’s life through a series of flashbacks between earlier times and her present life in the hospital. Throughout the movie, this traped girl must decide whether to die or wake up from her semi consciousness. “If I Stay” received an IMDb movie rating of 7.1 out of 10. “If I Stay the movie was better than the book, and the lead actress was perfect for the part,” says sophomore Alexis Greenblatt.
Crew offers quick-change opportunity By Elizabeth Wilson Contributing Writer Endless snacking, problem solving, a few more cookies – just for energy, strategic planning, checking measurements, getting trained, training others, dressing-up, body-doubling, changing people’s clothes, color matching, inventory management, maybe another snack, team building, creating magical illusions... What do these things have in common? They are the ongoing responsibilities of the SHS Costume Crew! Not only was the Costume Crew voted Best Crew by their peers two years in a row, they won the prestigious Papermill Playhouse Rising Star Student
Achievement Award for last year’s spring musical, 42nd Street. Every year the Crew welcomes new members from all grades who follow in the footsteps of those before them. They learn how to do fittings, take measurements, mark alterations, select accessories, and even hand or machine sew as much as possible. The Costume Crew gives every member new skills that they can carry through life along with memories that can only be made in a shop full of beautiful clothing from every decade you can think of, working with others as part of a highly motivated and winning team. Each show presents exciting new challenges. For ex-
ample, 42nd Street required the Crew to perform over 70 quick changes! Imagine changing someone’s entire outfit, in the dark, in under a minute and thirty seconds, while they are wearing a live mic? Yet, that scenario was successfully carried out over 70 times during each run of 42nd Street! This is just one example of how the Costume Crew collaborates with the actors and all the other crews to achieve a stellar production, allowing the magic of the stage to unfold seamlessly. For more info about joining the Costume Crew in time for the next production,contact crew head Liz Wilson at egwilson5@gmail.com.
“The Fault in our Stars”, based off on the top selling novel by John Green was released earlier in the summer on June 6. This movie was directed by Josh Boone. “The Fault in Our Stars” plot is centered around a struggling lung cancer patient named Hazel Grace (Shailene Woodley) and her love with remission patient Augustus (Ansel Elgort). Their relationship evolves as they journey to Amsterdam, and eventually fall in love. Junior Emily Kalin stated, “This movie brought tears to my eyes and the acting was phenomenal.” This movie earned an IMDb rating of 8.2 out of 10.
Photo provided by http://www.imdb.com
By Carly Leiter Managing Editor
By Kaitlin Stewart Staff Writer
The science fiction, action packed movie “Divergent”, released earlier in the year on March 21st, also features Shailene Woodley who plays the main character Beatrice. She lives in a faction of the world that runs the government. After taking an aptitude test, she is determined to be Divergent, an induvidual that has the ability to think independently and therefore can overthrow the government. Beatrice goes through various training activities in her chosen clan Dauntless without revealing she is Divergent, ultimately using her unique skills to save all of society. This movie is directed by Neil Burger, and received an IMDb rating of 7.0 out of 10. The film “Divergent” is also based off of the first novel in the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth. “Divergent was like The Hunger Games but with more rules. It was super suspenseful and captivating. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire movie” expressed junior Julia Harkins.
Social media continues to fuel educational growth By Rachel Isralowitz Staff Writer
Cyber-bullying.Hateful words. Smart-phone addiction. People tend to assume the impact of social networking sites on students is negative. However, networking sites can spark a new interest in learning and help students’ personal development. This year, Spanish teacher Mr. Antonio Martins has begun using Twitter so that students can find their daily assignments, as well as links to external resources, by simply following his account. “I like [when my teachers] use Twitter because it’s another way to get assignments out there. It also makes it easier for me to do my work and commu-
Photo by Rachel Isralowitz
Encore! The drama cast and crew of “42nd Street” in rehearsals (above) and during performance (right). Broadway. com has selected the SHS musicals as tops in the nation.
Verve 7
Hit movies released this summer
Photo providedby photos.nj.com
Photo (c) The Alternative Press
Drama club receives Broadway recognition
Screen & Sound
Photo provided by http://www.imdb.com
October 2014
Staying Connected! Sophomore Kara Zalk accesses her Spanish teacher’s Twitter feed.
nicate with my teacher,” said sophomore Kara Zalk. Some parents also approve of using social media as an effective learning device. Amanda Greenblatt, parent of two students and a member of the Summit Educational Foundation, endorsed a targeted use of social networking in the school setting. The use of networking sites is an effective way to keep students excited and involved in their learning. Social media can helps teenagers build a positive self-image. One in five students said that social media made them feel more confident, according to a study by Common Sense Media Study. When someone likes their picture or leaves them a sweet comment, their confidence soars. Unfortunately, many people only focus on the abuses of social media, such as cyber-bullying. New Jersey recently passed a law, bill A3292, that requires all school districts to teach middle school students how to use social media. This new method may becoming incresing relevent in more classes to come.
Turf
Verve 8
October 2014
Fall Sports Preview
Fantasy football lifestyle
By Spencer Frey Staff Reporter
Fantasy sports are played all across the country on dozens of different platforms. Fantasy sports are when you draft a team of players, for example in fantasy football you have a pool of players from the NFL. You get points for things like touchdowns, rushing yards and a wide variety of other statistics. You set your lineup every week trying to get the most points you can. Every week you have a match up against someone else in your league and you do your best to win the championship. In fantasy football when you win you show you know football better than your opponent. When you win your league you show you are the supreme fantasy football player. When asked about what it is like to win their league Will Freeman was quoted saying that “winning your league is the most absurd feeling of satisfaction ever. It is crazy because you have no connection to
the players at all but you are so proud of them.” This is coming from a guy who made some stupid trades but he rallied the troops and led his team to the promised land. Losing is probably the worst thing known to man. Up until your next matchup that person can say they know more about football than you and you have absolutely no way of defending yourself. Fellow fantasy football player Will Schaffer last year proclaimed “I have the best team in the league. None of you stand a chance.” When asked about why last year didn’t pan out Will said “Players underperformed and got hurt when he needed them most.” This is common among people who did not win. It’s usually injuries and a surprise performances from the other team that lead to losses. Thats the best thing about fantasy football is you never know who will play well who won’t and who will get hurt. Fantasy Football is a game of ups and downs. It is contemplating for hours on who to play against who. It is thinking of crazy trades to make your team better. It is a lifestyle.
Photo provided by nj.com
Photo provided by nj.com
Photo provided by nj.com
Girls Volleyball: The girl’s volleyball team comes off of a tough losing season last year. However, with key returning starters like Jessie Salter and Cassidy O’Malley, the team looks to compete in every game. Salter states “our goal is to make it to the Union County Tournament final and make a run in states”.
Photo provided by Nicole Bazalar
Sailing: One of the most successful teams in school is the sailing team. They compete at one of the highest levels in the country, capturing a state championship last year and becoming nationally ranked. The team expects to continue to win in 2014. The team sails out Raritan Bay in Perth Amboy.
Photo provided by Walter Owens
Photo provided by nj.com
Girls XC: After a state championship run last year, the Girls cross country team looks to repeat it’s success from last year. The team runs numerous races throughout the year and always finishes in the top of the race. Recently, Summit just broke into the State’s Top 20 at 15th. The girls look to continue their success
Girls Soccer: The Lady Hilltoppers soccer team ended their season with a tough 1-0 loss in the quarterfinals last year. The girls to comeback this year and be a top contender in their league and make a run in the state playoffs. Senior captain Liv Kelly expects great things. “We have the potential to do really well.” She later adds, “Our defense is key to a successful season.”
Summit’s home-town stars
Photo provided by nj.com
Senior Chris Zanelli has had a great start to senior year.. Already a Providence College commit for lacrosse, Zanelli is exceeding expectations on the football field as well. He is a starting running back for the 3-0 team and he continues to look for success in the upcoming weeks. However, he and the team know not to look ahead of themselves. “We take it one game at a time,” states Zanelli. He also adds, “As a team, we need to simplify everything, slow things down”. Slowing things down will be tough. The team has the best win streak in New Jersey right now, sitting at 27. They have won backto-back North II Group II State Champions and look to continue success this year. During the season opener against North Plainfield, Zanelli ran for 230 yards on 24 carries and scored twice help the team to a 26-0 win. Zanelli’s 230 yards on the ground ranked 3rd in the state at the time. During a game at Governor Livingston, Zanelli rushed for 120 yards on 10 carries and scored twice en route to a 31-7 win over the Highlanders. Chris also ran for 143 yard in the 22-3 win against Warren Hills.
Boys XC: From a state championship in 2013, the men’s cross-country team looks to improve in every aspect. Senior Leland Jones anticipates, what is going to be, an exciting season. “We’re training at a high intensity to be the best team in Summit history and make another run at a State Championship.”
Boys Soccer: This team might’ve had the hardest schedule out of anyone last year. Senior captain Stewart Salazar believes this could help them. With a harder schedule comes more work. “We’re working together as a unit, as a team”. With many close games last year, Salazar says “we’re focusing on one game at a time and doing what’s neccessay to win games.”
morristowngreen.com
By Cam Fuoti Turf Page Editor
Photo (c) nj.com
Photo (c) Alternative Press
Athlete of the Month: Chris Zanelli
Girls Tennis: The girls tennis team is led by Seniorcaptains Ryan Freeman and Olivia Bergman. However, they know they need the entire team to be successful this year. From a tough season last year, the team looks to rebound and compete in every match. Freeman is confident about what the team can do this year. “We will at least get to state sectionals.”
Photo provided by www.rankopedia.com
Field Hockey: The field hockey team comes off an impressive season last year. Senior captain Kendall Codey expects the team to do well. “We’re looking to return to the Union County Tournament final from two years ago”. However, to get there they have to play Oak Knoll, the thrird ranked team in the state. “we love good comptetion,” Codey states.
Photo provided by nj.com
Football: The reigning North II Group II champions are looking forward to an exciting season. Senior captain Peter McKinlay’s expectations are high, “our goal is to win a third state championship.” The senior class is also looking to cap off an undefeated high school career. Come out and support the team tomorrow night as they battle Cranford in Cranford at 7.
Photo provided by nj.com
Photo provided by nj.com
By Cam Fuoti -Turf Page Editor
By Matt Mormile Staff Writer
Above (left to right): Willie Wilson, Al Leiter, Rex Ryan
There is a long history of famous people residing in Summit and there may be one more moving soon, Eli Manning. The city has a strong connection to professional athletes beginning with Willie Wilson, Major League Baseball player, who went through the summit public school system. Today, we have current New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan, and former major league baseball star Al Leiter. Jim Cramer is also another famous T.V. financial person seen in town. Why are so many famous people drawn to live in Summit? Our councilman, Greg Drummond, believes well known people are drawn to Summit by the many activities and the diver-
sity of schools and organizations available. He says, “We have many well known residents I think they know that we respect their privacy and welcome their contributions to the community.” Summit football coach Gil Owren agrees, saying people like the small town feel of Summit. He says, “Summit is a community where everyone knows each other’s first name.” Overall, with its proximity to New York and great downtown, Summit is a great place to live. Not many communities contain so many famous residents. Current rumor has it that New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning could be joing the other stars in Summit. There is speculation that Manning has bought a house in Summit.