Verve vol 12 iss 3 december 2011

Newspaper of Summit High School

93

46

39

27

As of 12/6

Who will move their numbers on 12/23?

Globe....................2 Opine....................3 Buzz.................4&5 Specials...........6&7 S&S.......................8 Turf.......................9 Gift Guide..........10

What's Up:

December 25: Christmas

December 20-28: Hannukah January 1: New Years Day January 10: Houseplant Appreciation Day

By MANUEL NAVAS, with KAYCE D’ONOFRIO reporting

The half-day before holiday break will feature a first-ever, in-school holiday carnival! Friday, December 23 will feature great opportunities for competitive underclassmen to close the Spirit Points gap with the class of 2012.

Sharon Kwak, student council president, hopes that the planned Winter Festival “will be a success and continue for years to come.”

During the last four years, student council has built a strong community, and is parlaying their combined experience and energy into rolling out a Spirit Points program (see current class tallies in box at left). Student council vice president, Hannah Persson says school spirit is on the rise: “This year we’ve introduced class points to encourage participation and unification within the grade,” she stated. “Hilltopper points are points all four classes can earn during events held during school.” The end-of-year grand prize has yet to be

announced.

“We are the bridge between the student body and the administration,” adds Persson, saying that the purpose of the events and fundraisers is to make school enjoyable for all.

The in-school carnival will feature games, enabling classes to win points through a volleyball tournament. Class averages for attendance will also be a factor again.

The 2011-2012 student council has been working tirelessly since freshman year and persists in introducing creative plans and activities.

As of December 14, participating volleyball teams of 4 boys and 4 girls each were created, submitted to class advisors, and approved by administration.

These teams will be part of a double elimination volleyball tournament in the auxiliary gym. Everyone else will be able to participate in games and activities -like a football toss and letter-writing campaigns - during their 30-minute PE class.

Photo by VERVE STAFF

on the Spirit Tally:

Student Council Delivers Ice Hockey Team Ready Carnival Just in Time for to Smash New Season

By JAMIE MACPHERSON Christmas

Summit Hockey Seniors. Bottom row from left: Rob Bendock, Jeff Wyckoff (C), Frank Lawrence, Top from left: Eric Stabler (C), Mike Nyitray (C), Will Weber, Travis Harden (C), Will Brenn (C). Missing from photo: Mike Santina (C).

The Men's Varsity hockey team is gliding into its 2011-2012 season, being Union County Hockey Tournament Champions last year. The 2010-2011 team was undefeated from January on, until facing Ramapo in the 2nd round of the state tournament, and finishing the season with a record of 15-7-4. Luckily, lead scorers sophomore Liam McLaughlin, and seniors Jeff Wyckoff, Eric Stabler, Frank Lawrence, and Mike Nyitray have all returned to the roster this season. This year's seniors are hoping to lead the team on and off the ice toward a season that rivals or bests last year’s impressive record.

Sophomore Liam McLaughlin revealed to the Verve “This is the best we have looked in a while, on the ice we kept many of our core players, and also have a strong group of incoming freshmen to help the team this season and in coming years.” Senior Eric Stabler concurs, adding, “ We look very strong so far this year, as a team we are like a family, and we’ve bonded and hope to get better as the season progresses.” After an impressive 12-2 win over Johnson in the first game of the season the team looks formidable.

Blind Date: The Perfect Recipe for Love

By EMMA KRAMER

I thought a cooking class would be cute, but, to my dismay, all cooking classes in a 10-mile radius cost $20 a person and seemed a little complex (Indian Cuisine and Holiday Dining). So, I chose a low-budget alternative: the lucky couples could bake chocolate chip cookies from scratch in my kitchen.

At around 4:30 pm senior Jake Sergeant and I picked up Verve staff member junior Miriam Meller.

Miriam seemed a little nervous, at first, sitting in the back seat. I could tell she was itching to know who her blind date would be. Jake and I greeted Miriam and I explained

Photo Provided by Jesse Sergeant

Update

December 2011 Volume 12 Issue 3

A cordial cookie competition.

The blind date contestants gather around the table to bake.

to her that Jake was not her date; he was just our personal driver that

picks you up for your date, pretty fancy stuff. As Miriam, Jake, and I began to drive off, I called other Verve member, senior, Emily Wills, who was already waiting at my house.

As the four of us entered my house, everyone was astonished to see tons of ingredients and baking supplies on my counter top. Oh, and stylish aprons as well, you can’t bake without aprons.

Finally, I got a call from Miriam’s date (senior Jesse Sergeant) and Emily’s, (junior Alex Matheson.)

They were at the door!

Continued on page 4...

Verve Views

Summit High School 125 Kent Place Blvd.

Summit, NJ 07901

What is your New Year’s Resolution?

Principal: Mr. Paul Sears Assistant Principals: Mr. Tony Akey Mrs. Stacy Grimaldi English Supervisor: Mr. Corey Walsh Adviser: Mrs. Anne Weisgerber

Verve Staff

Editors-In-Chief: "To not flunk out of AP Biology."

- Will Elia ('14)

"To give everything that I do 110%."

- Patrick Dungca ('13)

Kayce D'Onofrio & Nikki Theriot FRONT PAGE Section Editor: Andrew Mandelbaum GLOBE Section Editor: Miriam Meller OPINE Section Editor: Nate Cohen SCREEN AND SOUND Section Editor: Emma Kramer BUZZ Section Editor: Carly Nyman

"I want to volunteer more."

- Gillian Dukoff ('13)

“To stop dwelling on things in the past.”

- Sarah Meyers ('12)

Photos by Emily Wills

Baby, Baby, Baby, No!

By ALEX ARIAS

Photo from onenewspage.com

When we hear Justin Bieber’s name, Here at Summit High School, many we immediately start thinking about girls were crazier about the Biebs the obvious: his music. His music has in our middle school days. Marissa attracted “tween” girls all across the Tarashuk, a sophomore, is a fornation, with lyrics like “One less lonely mer believer. When asked if she girl, I’m gonna put you first, I’ll show thought Justin Bieber was the father, you what you're worth.” But when she quickly responded, “No, I don’t “Beliebers” everywhere heard about think he would be the father because a woman claiming that the Bieber fa- he has certain principles he follows.” thered her three- month-old child, they Tanner Fulton, also a sophomore, were outraged. has never reTwenty-year-old ally appreciMariah Yeater ated Bieber's is claiming that work.

So Bieber is the fawhen he ther of her son, heard about Trystan. Yeater the allegaclaims that she tions, he remet Justin Bieber sponded by at a concert in saying, “I Baby Daddy.

Justin Bieber's DNA test proved October 2010, at don’t believe that he is not the father of Yeater's son Trystan. the Los Angeles he would get Staples Center.

Mariah [Yeater] The Biebs has fired back at all pregnant because he’s too immature.” these allegations, saying on the Today E! News has confirmed that Justin Show, “None of those allegations are Bieber will take a DNA test to prove true, and I know I’m going to be a tar- that he is not the father of this baby get but I’m never going to be a victim. and will send a lawsuit of his own.

I think it’s crazy because every night ABC news has reported that Justin after the show I’ve gone right from the Beiber took the DNA test on Nostage to my car. It’s crazy that some vember 18th, and the results turned people want to make some false allega- out to be negative. However, the tions, but to set the record straight none mother of Justin's alleged baby will of it is true. Never met the woman.” not consent to a DNA test herself.

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Responsible Shopping Online: Yes You Can, Be Careful

By DREW SCHWENDIMAN It’s the time of the year for giving!

Black Friday proved, with its record $11.4 billion in retail sales, that consumers are overlooking the financial crisis and shopping for gifts. Now that practically anything can be bought online, shopping is much easier. There are many ways teens can go about buying gifts for others on the Internet, and some are more sensible than others.

A more creative way to shop online is through prepaid gift cards. Senior Alex Weitzner, a self-professed pro shopper, says, “Instead of paying with a credit or debit card, I like to go to CVS and buy a prepaid gift card, like one of those Visa ones, and then shop.

It’s the safest way to buy games and stuff. This way, people can’t steal my identity and hack my LIVE account.”

Another way to shop online is to ask a parent to cosign a credit card to establish a credit account in their son’s or daughter’s name. Parents can set a spending limit on the card with the financial institution. Consumer Experts warn, however, that credit card ownership, like a cell phone and car keys, is not to be taken lightly or as a right of

TURF Section Editor: Kelly Delaney CIRCULATION MANAGER: Andrew Kaufman

A YEAR IN REVIEW:

Alejandra Arias, Thomas DiSibio, and Lina Mockute

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Nate Cohen

STAFF REPORTERS:

\ Felisa Delli Santi Lindsay Leiter James Macpherson Nicholas Nyktas Stephanie Ollom Gwen Rogers Emily Wills

passage. "Teens need to be aware that a bad credit record can affect their ability to rent an apartment or even find employment," says Lynne Gottesburen, an FDIC Consumer Affairs Specialist.

Alexa Krain, a sophomore, says, “When I shop and buy clothes online I usually pay with a credit card. It’s just really easy.” Use of credit is similar to using a debit card, another way to shop online. Although they look exactly alike, credit and debit are two completely different spending strategies. You have to pay back the bank when you use a credit card, but with a debit card, the money is immediately transferred out of your bank account, just like cash. Using a debit card requires careful tracking of expenditures.

With that caveat in mind, spend within your means, don’t be lured into spending more by enticing advertisements, and make sure you buy gifts that are meaningful to the giftee.

December 2011

Hypocrite or Hippocrat?

Doctor Kills King of Pop

By NIKO NYKTAS

www.showbiz411.com

On November 7th, 2011, physician Con- that Jackson was always eager and somerad Murray, who was accused of causing times begged him for Propofol, a sedative the famous singer Michael Jackson’s death, that could put the king of pop to sleep when was found guilty of manslaughter. Jack- other drugs couldn’t. Either way, Jackson son’s death was caused by an overdose of OD'd and Murray played a role. the drug Propofol, which is used in anes- Murray is sentenced to a maximum of four thesia. Although some believe that Murray years in state prison. Even more shocking, intentionally gave Jackson the over dos- the conviction of manslaughter has conage, others believe vinced Murray that the incident was that he wishes to merely an accident, end his life. Curor that Jackson took rently under suithe lethal dose himcide watch, Murself. ray states that he Because Murray has “lost the will was Jackson’s docto live.” Murtor, he was held ray is currently responsible for the placed in the Los death. He should Angeles County have been monitorJail until further Stone Cold. A silent Murray awaits his sentence. ing his patient while notice. the drug was being adSo, did Murray folministered. Murray claims he would have low the Hippocratic Oath in spirit, entering never wanted to intentionally harm Jack- Jackson's home only for the good of his son, since they were in fact good friends. patient, and keeping himself far from all He had treated one of Jackson’s children intentional ill-doing? Maybe. in the past, and Jackson had personally But manslaughter is an appropriate findinvited him to be his physician during his ing. It was an accidental death that day, but music tour.

Murray just happened to be the caretaker Murray’s accusers argued that Jackson for one of the top moneymakers in recorddied due to Murray’s inadequate care. Mur- ed music history. ray’s defense was that he was with the singIt may be standard practice to blame the er at least six times a week, and the singer voiceless victim, but this doctor must take took a lot of other drugs besides Propofol ownership of the sad, sad outcome of the to put him to sleep. In addition, he states day.

Akey Responds 27-0. That’s the regular season record of the football team over the last three years. Just amazing. Tough loss to a solid Madison team, but THIS YEAR’S team actually came to school on Monday. I’m genuinely proud of you guys. Great season.

Hey senior Powder Puff girls. Are you descendants of the Indians who killed General Custer at Little Big Horn? The difference is, they showed more mercy. 54-0 and you tried to score on the last play of the game. Ever heard of taking a knee? Juniors, sadly your best play was taking a safety. As pathetic as the juniors were, if the sophomore hallway is any indication of their football prowess, all is not lost for the game next year.

You might actually win.

I see from an article in Verve that the hockey team opened with a 12-2 win. What’s up with that? I would rather lose a close game than humiliate an opponent like that.

Some interesting gift ideas for the holidays in Verve, but I have a gift idea of my own to share. This will be a rant, and you deserve it. Instead of leaving your lunch tray and food on the floor, try cleaning up after yourselves. I think the custodians might really appreciate it! And the teachers who wrote all those wonderful college recommendations for you, yet have to monitor the messy senior lounge deserve better, too. Clean up after yourselves! The cost of this gift is nothing. So while you’re bringing in winter coats and gifts for kids at Christmas, add one more to your list: actually clean up after yourselves. It’s really appalling. Parents would freak to see how some of you walk away from the tables. You want to be treated like adults, but consider this: we have to have a minimum of 4 teachers in the cafeteria each lunch period just to make sure you conduct yourselves properly and don’t leave a mess. Pretty sad when you think about it. Easy to correct. Easy gift to give.

On that sad note….

Peace Love and The Woodstock nation

Family Traditions Bring Holiday Happiness

By CARLY NYMAN With the holidays just around the corner, most families are beginning to celebrate with their own unique traditions.

Junior, Nick Liberato, shares some of his family’s Italian Christmas.

He explains that every Christmas, his family goes to his “Nonni’s” or grandmother’s house to kick off the festivities with food and music. Sounds like a typical Christmas Eve, right? However, instead of listening to classic Christmas Carols, the Liberato family prefers to bump techno music throughout the house and fist pump together.

When everyone gets tired of dancing around, they sit down as a family and eat Christmas dinner. Feasting on

a huge classic Italian “Sunday Dinner” meal of pasta, meatballs, and of course gravy, another name for sauce, for those of you who don’t know what gravy is or follow the Jersey Shore.

Finally, before going to bed, the Liberatos make sure to leave a treat for Santa. Instead of the conventional milk and cookies, they add their own flair to this tradition: fixing Santa a dish of homemade canolis and a demitasse of fresh espresso.

So next time you're listening to Jingle Bell Rock or eating Christmas cookies, try to think of your own unique way to make a crazy holiday tradition of your own.

Senior Rails Against Gratuitous OMGs

By ALLYN ENGLE You know what really grinds my gears? Students who say, “OMG I am going to die.” So, you are literally going to be rushed to the hospital, pronounced dead, autopsied, have a wake held in your honor and then be buried, just because you had two quizzes on the same day? I am not sure, but you maybe, just maybe, might survive the school day even if there are a few slight inconveniences.

On a similar note, your life is not, “the most awkward thing ever.” Even if Stacy wears the same top as you and you have to sit next to her in biology class on a lab day, I don’t think that qualifies as the most awkward occurrence ever to happen in all of recorded history. (Just ask Abraham, he was told to kill his own son.)

I think it would be good if everyone stepped back and took a deep breath, it is just high school.

Everyone is getting so wrapped up in their own lives that there is no perspective. Not every decision you make is life or death, and not every little awkward moment is worth its own Wikipedia page.

If we all stop pretending that each day is the end of days, I don’t think we would see as many sleep-deprived teens or students so caffeinated that they have to be reminded to blink. So let’s all try and remember that the sun, contrary to popular belief, will still rise tomorrow.

Next, one phrase that seems to have worked itself into the vernacular is, “This is the worst senior year ever.”

If you think that high school is ruined because we didn’t get to stand in the auxiliary gym with the lights off and call it Homecoming, then the point of high school left town yesterday and you missed it.

When I am middle aged, crotchety, and reminiscing about these years, it shouldn’t sound like, “The fact that we had a random week off from school due to a freak ice storm and no Halloween was terrible."

I like my memories like I like my action movie plots: as formulaic and unsurprising as possible.

You won't find me moping if I had only been able to dress up like The Joker, come to school, sit in the auditorium and watch several train wrecks of performances on Halloween that would have made my senior year actually special.

Please, look at everything you have done in high school and if all of that can be tainted by one ice storm and no Homecoming, then you may have just wasted four years of your life. That or you really, really hate ice storms.

One final thing that grinds my gears?

People who take jokes from popular TV series, and then use these catchphrases as the basis of their Verve articles.

Verve Editorial Policy: Verve is a publication open to opinions of its readers. Letters to the editor are welcome, and must be signed, but requests for anonymity will be respected. Verve reserves the right to edit letters due to space constraints, but all effort will be made to preserve the writer's intent. Nothing obscene or libelous will be published.

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December 2011

By GWEN ROGERS Photos from http://whsword.wordpress.com

Aries: Since Mars is still in Leo this month, your love life will be exciting and busier than ever. On the 28th of December this will create strain on a close relationship. This holiday season it is important to avoid temptations of being unfaithful and to honor the commitments you already made.

Taurus: Although your working life is going well, you may find yourself daydreaming about advancing your own life maybe even with someone else. This January your ruling planet, Venus, will help you look for love in all the right places this winter season.

Gemini: You may begin to feel like all your plans are up in the air and it’s becoming hard to move on and set important goals. This is only happening to you because it gives you the opportunity to take your time and think about what is really important.

Cancer: Romance is filling the air and you can’t help but to feel alone this holiday season. But don’t be worried, Mercury is in Scorpio, which will signify your emotional nature and increase sensitivity early in the January month.

Leo: A surge of energy will burst through you this season. Use it to your advantage and get ahead on any projects, or maybe just shovel the snow outside.

Blind Date continued from page 1...

I excitedly welcomed them in. Jesse rushed through my house anxiously to see who his date would be and Alex, somewhat nervous and confused, followed behind him. After introducing the dates to one another the baking began immediately after I explained it was a contest to see who could bake the best cookies. Alex and Jesse of course wore the most ridiculous aprons that were obviously a size too small.

At first it was a little quiet as everyone got organized, but as soon as the ingredients began getting added to the bowls smiles, jokes, and talking filled the room. Alex struggled with cracking the eggs. Jesse tried to measure salt into a spoon by shaking it from the shaker and spilled tons of flour on himself. Emily, the true competitor, was eager to win and proved to be the most experienced baker. Miriam just tried to keep him under control. They added cinnamon and nutmeg to their cookies as a secret ingredient with hopes it would enhance their cookies.

Emily and Alex however were faced with a confusing dilemma: their dough looked weird, while Miriam’s and Jesse’s looked delicious.

They decided to add another egg and mix the dough more. After struggling a bit, their dough situation improved.

Emily and Alex high-fived in pride, but Miriam and Jesse insisted theirs would taste far superior. Miriam then suggested they transform the cookies

December 2011

to one big heart shaped cookie, what a romantic! Jesse and Miriam gloated about their perfectly constructed heart that included their initials in chocolate chips. Meanwhile, Alex struggled to make a blob. Emily and Alex shared a good laugh about their odd shaped heart and decided it would suffice.

While the cookies baked, I decided to turn off the music and see if any good conversation would arise, and without hesitation it did! Both couples talked constantly. Topics flew from one subject to another: college, music, school, friends, teachers, stories, jokes, and a million other things. Before they knew it the cookies were ready.

Unfortunately, I had to begin getting ready for work, so I went upstairs to change. When I returned both cookies looked completely different, and to be honest, I was a little nervous to try either. After mustering up courage, I tried both cookies. Best tasting goes to Emily and Alex. Most appealing goes to Miriam and Jesse (not that theirs tasted bad).

All in all, it was an unexpected outcome for unexpected couples. After the cookies were eaten I asked them how the date went and everyone agreed they actually had a really fun time and enjoyed each other’s company. They all agreed to hang out again sometime as everyone hugged good-bye and maybe try a different recipe.... maybe the premade cookies you just put in the oven.

SENIOR COLUMN: No-Shame November

By ANDREW KAUFMAN

I would like to formally congratulate As a result, November 29th, only one all of the participants of no-shave- day from the end of Novembeard, I November. There was an assortment prematurally shaved my rather paltry of facial hair, including a few whiskers. overgrown beards (Andrew Miller), When my parents told me I had some sideburns another day to work along the way (Shea on the application, Paytas) and one preI was extremely pubescent mustache confused.

When (Nate Cohen).

I they informed me it too participated in was only November the one-month-long 29th, I played it off event. That is, until at like I knew what Thanksgiving dinner they were talking I realized my Aunt about, even though I Bertha had a thicker actually thought the mustache than I did… deadline had already In the last week of passed.

November, I was So in the end, my overwhelmed with a No Shave Novemeber Master. random patches of heavy workload from Andrew shows off his “facial hair” facial hair I called a and masculinity. school, in addition to beard didn’t make it to applying online to The University the end of the month. Unfortunately, of Connecticut and The University my confusion about the date made of Delaware through the Common me shave my beard a whole day early.

Application. The deadline for two of I hope to have a beard as long as my applications was December 1st, Gandalf’s or Hagrid’s some day as a but in the process, I guess I forgot what testament to my extreme masculinity. day it was.

Maybe I’ll have better luck next year.

Photo by Kayce D’Onofrio

winter?

Faculty Scientist Classifies SHS

By LINA MOCKUTE

the Beatles – is still with her. Some Biology teacher Ms. Cindy Vitale recent concerts she’s attended include may joke that, in high school, her first The Kinks, Charlie Daniels Band, and love was Darwin, but she remembers Bruce Springsteen. her Woodbridge High School Like many, her first job was at experience as very similar to what goes a coffee shop, on at SHS today. recalling, “My first “Now, students have job at age 16 was in a lot more extraa Dunkin Donuts, curricular activities and I have loved is the big difference,” their coffee ever she says, adding that since!” she took two years of She also biology classes, more remembers than was required.

Christmas being She not only excelled a special time and in them, but these remembers giving extra classes also her boyfriend a lava sparked an interest lamp for a gift one in science, which year. Her childhood eventually led to her Photo Flashback! Ms. Vitale poses career. for her High School yearbook picture. home seemed to her the essence of Christmas After time.

It was always decorated from attending college, she worked at a top to bottom with bows, wreaths, pharmaceutical company with various and lights that stayed on from dusk types of animals for eight years. to dawn. She also fondly recalls the Her teenage love of music – the gustatory treats of Polish brunches arm of a record player automatically resetting to replay classic rock albums as some of her most memorable and unique holiday traditions.

by Led Zeppelin, the Doors, and Photo provided by Ms. Vitale

Holiday Horoscopes: What do the stars have in store for you this

z z u B

Page 4

Holiday Polls

By TOMMY DISIBIO

Virgo: You’ll be spending a lot of quality time with family members and close relatives this holiday season. Extra patience is needed when dealing with those who usually aggravate you. Make sure not to do anything hasty that you could soon regret.

Libra: There will be a lot of activities you and your friends have planned late in January. The end of this month will leave you with a busy schedule and you may not have enough time to get everything done. Mercury will move to Libra early in the month of January, bringing good times and lots of interaction with others.

Holiday Recipe: Orange Molasses Banana Bread From the Kitchen of Amy Currie

By TOMMY DISIBIO

Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 50-60 minutes Makes 1 loaf Photo proided by Tommy Disibio

Holiday horoscopes continued from page 5...

Scorpio: This holiday season brings you the gift of confidence and the great feeling of being powerful. But watch to make sure you don’t abuse your power. Around the 10th of February tensions will begin to heat up causing you frustration. Despite your frustration, your future holds something that will be worth it.

Sagittarius: You’ll begin to enjoy life more throughout the new year. You will also begin to enjoy great conversations and enjoy people’s company more than usual. Also, you may get involved in a community event. The sun will move your sign helping you tackle a problem you weren’t able to solve prior.

Capricorn: Money matters continue to go well but Pluto will bring new situations that are going to take some time for you to get used to. In lighter news, your relationships will deepen all through February.

Aquarius: Try to avoid all high stress activities through January as they may cause your self confidence to lower. This February gives you the special skill of being able to realize people’s motives, giving you a chance to see who is on your side and who’s not.

Pisces: Try to put others before yourself this holiday season. Sometimes a compliment goes a long way and will leave you and the other person feeling good.

Page 5

Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup molasses 1 large egg 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted zest and juice of 1 orange 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat bananas, sugar, molasses, egg, butter, orange zest and juice. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt and slowly add to batter to combine.

Pour batter into a buttered standard loaf pan. Bake about 50-60 mintes until tester comes out clean. Rest for 10 minutes, remove from pan and slice.

Special Thanks: Ms. Amy Currie is a cook, and the mother of Jimmy, Catie, and Will Currie. She has written multiple cook books and has generously shared this special recipe to her famous Orange Molasses Banana Bread. Her cooking column is displayed on Summit Patch every Thursday and the recipes are really tasty!

December 2011

2011: A Year in Review

From the royal “wedding of the century” to the Casey Anthony jury decision that shocked the world, The Verve staff analyzed major events on a national level, and generated a compilation of the most important news events of 2011.

By FELISA DELLI SANTI and LINDSAY LEITER

January-June

February: Packers Win Superbowl

The Green Bay Packers took the Super Bowl XLV Championship back to Titletown after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–25 in the most-watched television broadcast. An estimated 111 million people tuned in to see quarterback Aaron Rogers lead the Packers to winning the Superbowl.

March: Disaster In Japan On March 11th, an enormous earthquake struck near Japan, which triggered a deadly 23-foot tsunami. The earthquake, Japan's largest ever, hit 230 miles northeast of Tokyo. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued warnings for Russia, Taiwan, Hawaii, Indonesia, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the west coast of the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The National Police Agency confirmed 15,836 deaths, 5,948 injured and 3,650 people missing as result of this horrifying disaster.

Photo provided by www.msnbcmedia1.msn.com

Photo provided by www.hookworldwide.com

On January 9th, Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot in an assassination attempt in Arizona. She was among 14 wounded and six killed by Jared Lee Loughner who open fired on the Congresswoman's constituent meeting outside a local grocery store. Six people were fatally wounded, including United States District Court Judge John Roll, and Christina Taylor-Green, the 9-year-old granddaughter of Phillies manager Dallas Green.

Photo provided by www.wikimedia.org

January: The Giffords Shooting

People all around the world tuned in to watch the royal “wedding of the century” uniting Kate Middleton and Prince William at Buckingham Palace in London on April 29th. Middleton received rave reviews for wearing a modern, yet restrained, wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton.

May: Seal Team Six Kill Bin Laden

Photo provided by www.cdn.sheknows.com

On May 1st, U.S. troops and C.I.A. operatives killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Following a firefight, the troops descended upon the compound and shot Osama bin Laden after he reportedly refused to surrender. News of Bin Laden's death brought cheers, national patriotism, and a sense of relief worldwide.

December 2011

Photo provided bywww.abcnews.com

Photo provided by www.img2.timeinc.net

April: Royal Wedding

June: Gay Marriage Leagalized In New York On June 24th, the New York State Legislature passed a law allowing same-sex marriage, making it the largest state that allows gay and lesbian couples to marry. The vote to legalize it occurred during the city's annual Gay Pride Parade and gave new momentum to the national gay-rights movement. The marriage bill was approved with a 33 to 29 vote.

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July-December

Photo provided by www.paidcontent.org

The world was shocked on July 5th when Casey Anthony was found not guilty of first-degree murder of her twoyear-old daughter, Caylee. Many Americas were disgusted with the verdict, while others sought to understand the legal brains behind the decision.

August: East Coast Weather Anomalies

Photo provided by www.abcnews.com

July: The Casey Anthony Trial

On August 23rd, an earthquake, occurring in Virginia with a 5.8 magnitude, was felt in more than a dozen states. This was the largest earthquake east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States since 1897. Following the earthquake came Hurricane Irene, which sent the northeast into a panic. New York’s mass transit system was completely shutdown and many other repercussions were taken to assure safety of US citizens.

Photo provided by www.reddit.com

September: Occupy Wall Street Begins Better known as “The Wall Street Protests” this picketing began in NYC’s Zuccotti Park on September 17th. Although their motives aren’t set in stone, the demonstrators are opposing an unequal distribution of wealth. Their slogan, “we are the 99%”, has rallied participation of “occupy” movements in various cities around the United States.

Photo provided by www.summitpatch.com

October: Halloween Snow Storm A freak snowstorm occurring October 29th in the northeast disrupted the lives of individuals from Maryland to Maine. Over eleven people died and millions were without power (some for up to a week) after the unexpected storm. This is the first time it has snowed in October since the Civil War! Summit schools were out of session for the entire week of October 31st to November 4th due to a declared “state of emergency,” therefore using up all of their mandated snow days.

Penn State’s football defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested on November 5th. Sandusky was found guilty for 40 counts of sexual abuse. Head coach Joe Paterno had been coaching the team since 1966, and in 45 years he accumulated 409 victories. Arguably the most successful college coach of all time, Paterno offered to retire at the end of the season following Sandusky’s arrest. However, the Penn State Board of Trustees had a different plan and fired him mid-season.

Photo provided by www.wikimedia.org

November: Penn State Sex Scandal

December 2011

shreveporttimes.com

Photo provided by shreveporttimes.com

December: Virginia Tech Shooting On December 8th Officer Deriek Crouse was shot and killed on the Virginia Tech Campus, bringing back memories of Virgina Tech's April 2007 deadliest mass school shooting in American history -- worse than Columbine-- when 33 students and visitors were killed. This month the Virginia Tech campus was once again on lockdown for several hours until the weapon and shooter, who had taken his own life, were found.

The Verve community sends its prayers to everyone in the Virginia Tech realm.

Page 7

Forensics Successes

2011 Music and Movie Masterpieces

By NIKKI THERIOT

Photo provided by www.adele.tv/images

1. Foster the People: This indierock group recently formed in 2009 in Los Angeles, is best known for its popular single “Pumped Up Kicks,” which is constantly played on radios all across the country. Its most recent album Torches, released on May 23, 2011, has been on the iTunes Top 100 Albums list since its release.

2. ADELE: At just 21 years old, ADELE has become an international superstar just three short years after her first album 19 was released. With her heart-breaking, hit singles such as “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You,” ADELE’s most recent album 21 has been a best-seller worldwide.

3. LMFAO: LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” was somewhere toward the top of every “hit playlist” sometime during this summer. Blasted by teens everywhere, it rightfully earned its spot as the iTunes Top Single for thirteen consecutive weeks. In addition to this summer favorite, teens have moved onto loving their most recent single “I’m Sexy and I Know It,” another iTunes Top Single for four consecutive weeks during the early fall.

4. Coldplay: With the October release of their most recent album Mylo Xyloto, this London-based AlternativeRock band has grown its fan base for more than a decade. Currently ranked in the #2 spot on the iTunes Top 100 Albums list, it features hit singles such as “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” as well as their most recent hit, “Paradise.”

5. Katy Perry: It seems that overnight Katy Perry has changed from a "one-hit-wonder" into a pop sensation across the globe. In just four short years, Perry has released two jawdropping albums with several hits, such as "Teenage Dream," "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," and her most recent song "The One That Got Away," which has been blasted by teens all over. Perry is currently nominated for "Record of the Year" at the 2012 Grammy Awards.

December 2012

Movies

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II: The finale to the beloved book and movie series finally hit theaters this year. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II was the last installment of the Harry Potter series.

Fans across the world will miss seeing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as the beloved characters of Harry, Hermione and Ron. 2. The Lion King 3D: The Lion King came back to theaters for everyone to enjoy for a limited release. For two weeks only, teens and young adults got to relive their childhood as The Lion King reopened in theaters for the first time in sixteen years.

3.Twilight Breaking Dawn Part I: The first part of the final book of Stephenie Meyer’s series that has been tremendously successful worldwide captured the hearts of teens. Hundreds of members of Team Edward and Team Jacob lined up for the premiere of the film. With all the excitement, the action, and let’s not forget the romance, Breaking Dawn did not disappoint.

4. The Hangover Part II: The unbelievable success of The Hangover only two years ago was remarkable. The hilarious cast of Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper, and Ed Helms as the “three best friends that anybody could have” returned for the highly anticipated sequel. Just as hilarious as the last, the bachelors travel to Thailand to get into even more trouble than they did in Vegas, on the eve of yet another wedding. This time what happens in Bangkok stays in Bangkok.

5. Cars 2: After five years of waiting, the sequel to the Disney Pixar Photo provided by www.nonstophonolulu.com

Music

sensation Cars finally arrived. Lightning McQueen came back to the big screen. Most of us remember how 4.

Cars 2: After five years of waiting, the sequel to the Disney Pixar sensation Cars finally arrived. Lightning McQueen came back to the big screen.

Most of us remember how much Cars merchandise was seen back in 2006, and there was sure enough Cars 2 stuff to go around this year. Lightning McQueen travels to Japan this time around with his buddy tow-truck, Mater, to compete in the biggest race of his life: the World Grand Prix.

The Hilltopper Forensics team is off to another successful season. The team competed in its first tournament in Phillipsburg, New Jersey on October 29th and its second tournament in Randolph, New Jersey on November 17th.

There were over twenty schools at both competitions and the Hilltoppers came in second place to Ridge High School at both. The team is very proud of their performance this year and hopes to continue their winning streak this season.

Stand-out competitors who have won first place in their events are sophomores Allison Scott and Greg Archer (Duo Interpretation), sophomore Victoria Abut (Humorous Interpretation), sophomore Allison Scott (Humorous Interpretation), freshman Keenan Buckley (Dramatic Interpretation) and freshmen Doug Hueneke and Abin Alexander (Novice Public Forum Debate).

On December 10th, the Forensics team hosted the Hilltopper Holiday Classic at our very own Summit High School. Twenty-eight schools competed at this tournament. This tournament

is an important part of the Forensics team’s season because they have had their budget reduced and this serves as the team’s main fundraiser. In addition to serving as a fundraiser, the Forensics team paired their tournament with a food drive sponsored by the Douglas Auto Group of Summit. The Douglas Auto Group drive is open until December 22th and anyone who brings two canned food items is entered for a chance to win an iPad 3.

Another reason this fundraiser was so important to the Forensics team is because for the first time ever the team is entering into the Harvard University Speech and Debate tournament. This tournament begins on Friday, February 17th and ends on Monday February 20th. This event is going to be great preparation for the team because they will have the opportunity to compete against people from all over the United States. During their regular season they only face teams from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The Harvard tournament should be an exciting challenge for the Summit Forensics team.

Review:The Sitter

By NATE COHEN

Need a Sitter? Jonah Hill proves to not be the best choice.

The Sitter wasn’t in any way a quality film. As I watched, I noticed holes in the plot, endless clichés, and number of similarities to 2007’s Superbad. But, for some reason, The Sitter completely fulfilled its primary purpose: to entertain.

The characters were fun and original, and though the movie was insanely similar to Superbad at times, I didn’t mind a bit. In fact, it was almost like a sequel, filled to the brim with the classic Jonah Hill. The Sitter was actually even more ridiculous than Hill’s first hit.

Superbad’s hunt for alcohol is replaced by the babysitter's hunt for cocaine in New York City, and instead of being chased by the police, Hill’s character flees from a gun-toting drug dealer. And instead of party-hopping, Hill’s character in The Sitter robs a Bar Mitzvah, engages in a car chase, and makes friends with a number of club-going gangsters.

All the while, of course, Hill’s charac-

Photo provided by mymovies.444px.com

By KAYCE D'ONOFRIO and STEPHANIE OLLOM

ter must babysit three children, hence the title.

Needless to say, the plot is ridiculous. It is both unrealistic and stupid. But it did the job—it gave me something to smile about on a Monday night, which is pretty remarkable. The Sitter was honestly the first movie to make me laugh out loud in a long time. It was simply unpredictable and fun. And even though it was corny and kind of absurd, it put me in a great mood, which is what matters most.

So unless you have a distinct hatred for the comedy of Jonah Hill, I would recommend this film. It wasn’t the funniest movie I’ve ever seen, but it is certainly worth seeing if you’re sitting at home or headed to the theatre. Plus, it is most likely Jonah Hill’s last pre-weight loss movie, which may make it a true treasure in the future. We may one day miss the times when he was fat, immature, and hilarious.

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Senior Freestyler Lauds Coach, Team, Family

TURF

Verve Picks Winter Playtime Locations

By KELLY DELANEY

At the age of three, most kids are still learning how to count and say their ABC’s. Senior Joe Healy, however, was at swim practice racing up and down the lanes and being coached

by Whitney Phelps (Olympian Michael Phelps' sister). Healy first started swimming competitively at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club in Maryland when he was seven, and has kept up with swimming ever since. Now, Healy swims for the Berkeley Aquatic Club year round and the Meadowbrook Tomatoes in the summer.

Healy enjoys high school swimming but wishes he had more time on the team. “High school swimming is a fantastic opportunity for everyone. One of my greatest regrets about high school is not being able to swim for the team every year,” he says. “I had a great time with my teammates and I enjoyed the team-oriented meets as opposed to racing for just myself. I think that that brings another level of competition into play where you know that your teammates are counting on you to give it your all. I think that Coach Pease also makes it a sport whereeveryone can succeed and participate. This makes it much more accessible and open than the other sports in the high school.”

Healy’s favorite event is the 400 yard Individual Medley (four laps of each stroke) and his favorite stroke is freestyle. This year,

Photo from www.Onthesnow.com

Photo provided by Joe Healy

By MIRIAM MELLER

he is able to swim with the SHS Men’s Varsity Swim Team and help them reach their goal of winning the Union County Championships.

Healy has won many honors for swimming such as the Junior Olympics with Berkeley, going to sectionals, and the plethora of medals that he has at home. But those do not compare with the honor that swimming has given to him. “I think that the real honor I have gotten from swimming is being able to swim with some of the best athletes in the country. Swimming allowed me to go to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Opportunities like that are the real gifts that swimming has awarded to me.”

Before a meet, Healy loads up on carbs to help him store energy for his races. On race day, he swims his warm up and then sits down in sweat pants and focuses on his races. “The key is to relax and trust that your training will get you through the race,” he explains. “Besides, even if you don't do very well, there will always be another race, so I really don't stress about my races. Swimming is about having fun after all!” Joe is inspired by his coach at BAC, Jim Woods, and would like to thank his family for all their support through his swimming career. Come out and support Healy as well as the rest of the SHS Swim Team on their road to victory!

As the winter season begins, many avid skiers are wondering, “Hmm, which mountain should I head to this year?” The choice are endless and it ultimately depends on how much money you want to spend on lift tickets, your experience, and how far you are willing to travel. Here are a few resorts that Summit skiers should consider: Killington Resort Killington, VT: With over one hundred forty trails and seven hundred forty-two skiable acres, Killington is the biggest and highest resort in the northeast. It is sure to satisfy the most experienced skiers and riders because there are so many different slopes to explore, as well as, the beginner skiers and riders because it has a full day ski and snowboard school for all age groups. Killington also has great nightlife with a plethora of restaurants along the main route and lots of shops to wander around. It is definitely a place to stay more than a few nights because of the things you can do there- they even have snow-tubing. Belleayre Mountain Highmount, NY: Belleayre has a great learn-to-ski program. You can take classes to learn how to ski Alpine (downhill), telemark (also known as free heel skiing, which is skiing without having your heel mounted on the ski), cross-country, and snowboarding. It is pretty inexpensive-only $15 for first timers and only $30 for group clinics.

Summit High School Pep Rally

Blue Mountain Pennsylvania Palmerton, Pa.: This mountain has the highest vertical drop in Pennsylvania: 1082 feet! It is pretty big mountain with thirty-nine trails and thirteen lifts. One of those lifts according to http://www. skibluemt.com, “includes the ONLY detachable high-speed six-pack lift in the area.” If you want to go to a big place on a day trip, Blue Mountain is the place, especially because it offers trails for all ability levels and night skiing and riding until 10 pm.

For people who want to improve their park skills, it even has the region’s only airbag at the end of a jump, which lets a skier or rider do any trick they want without getting hurt!

Mount Snow, West Dover, Vermont: If you are looking for some terrain park shredding, this is the mountain for you. Mount Snow has a whole mountain face dedicated to terrain parks.

Carinthia has 10 parks with different features including rails, boxes, jumps, and two half pipes. On the other side of the mountain is North Face, where you can find lots of black diamondexpert trails-and in the middle of the mountain is the main lodge with easy and medium trails. The lift lines at Mount Snow are relatively short and each side of the mountain has its own lodge so you so don’t have to trek a long way to grab some grub.

December 2011

Photo provided by Verve staff Photo provided by Verve staff

Photo provided by Verve staff

Congratulations to the SHS Football team for their 11-1 season!

Photo provided by Verve staff

The school gears up for the game against Madison!

Page 9

Hol i d ay Gift Gu i d e 2011

Verve of f er s a l i st of t h e be st l a st -m inu t e pre sent s Mu si c an d Warmt h

By MEGAN SHAW

Headphone earmuffs are a unique way to jam to your favorite tunes while keeping snug.

Depending on style, the prices range from $40 to $100. Juicy Couture sells an Indian print or faux fur pair for $100, while UGG markets a simpler white, black, or grey pair for $85. For a lower price, earmuff headphones can be found online at alwaysfits.com for $39.99 in shades of pink,

blue, and yellow.

Each pair suits a different gift recipient. For the tech-savvy siblings, alwaysfits.com sells “black cat” or “koala ” pairs. For a stylish friend, the Juicy product is flawlessly trendy with Indian print patterns. Finally, for a parent or a more conservative person the UGG pair matches virtually anything.

Saf e Ch oi c e: Di g i Fram e

By EMME HARRIS Parents and grandparents can be tough to buy for, and time is running out! Time to consider the perfect lastminute gift: a digital picture frame. They look just like a regular picture frame, but you can easily load digital picture images into it and it displays them in a continuous slideshow.

Parents will love this gift because it's thoughtful and can be placed anywhere in the house. Pictures

can be displayed of family events, past holidays, or even goofy pictures of your family.

This is a great gift, not hard to find, and will be appreciated.

Digital picture frames can be found online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, Sears, and Buy.com.

Summit Photo, downtown at 383 Springfield Avenue, is also your local source for all things photographic.

L oc al Fin d: Cart er + Caver o

By ABIGAIL KRUPNICK For the hard-to-buy for home chef, if top quality full-tang cutlery is out of your budget, get creative and stop in to the Carter and Cavero Old World Olive Oil Company in town. Intrique your favorite cook with the gift of Carter and Cavero Blood Orange Olive Oil. It’s a versatile, citrusy olive oil infused with just ripened blood oranges. It’s the perfect gift for your significant other, parents

and grandparents, or any friends that love to cook. You can use it in over chicken, as a salad dressing, or with fresh-baked bread as an appetizer. Available locally at Carter and Cavero Old World Olive Oil Company at 11 Beechwood Road in Summit, NJ, or at carterandcavero.com.

Costs are $12.95 for 200 ml and $21.95 for 500 ml.

Mak eup De al: Seph ora

By EMMA STANDING

Sephora has outdone itself this year.

On their online homepage shoppers will find the girlygirl bargain of thi sseason.

Sephora is selling The Makeup Studio Blockbuster set, a one hundred and ninety-seven-product makeup set for $50. It includes ninety-six eye

shadows, eighty-four lip-glosses, a huge mirror, and so much more. This gift is perfect for any fashion forward, trendy, or makeup obsessed teenage girl.

Find it at either the Sephora store in the Short Hills Mall or at Sephora.com.

Page 10

Unf org et t abl e Fun: St u bHu b

By MARISSA JENNINGS

What do you get a nineteen year-old brother at college ? What do you get someone who seems to take interest in nothing but football or a PS3 gaming system?

It seems simple— just get him a PS3 game and be done with it, but that doesn’t feel right, it’s not sentimental enough. But what if, perchance, your tough-to-buy-for person is a diehard fan of the Kansas City Chiefs? Or any New York metropolitan area team? Problem is solved.

Log on to the gift-giver’s lifesaving

web site: StubHub! This site gives multiple dates and tickets prices for a game, even at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Select the date and the match, and check out the prices. When a 12/18 matchup between Green Bay and the Chiefs was priced, a ticket for the Upper Touchdown Zone is forty dollars and the best part is, you can name your own price! Could be the perfect gift: affordable, easy, and appreciated.

Art i st ? Ph ot o Le s s on s

By NAOMI SCHACHTER

Shopping for the perfect gift for a sibling is a hard thing to do. But if you know someone who loves to capture images, then photography classes are a great way for a sibling to broaden their camera lens and learn tons about composition, lighting, and angle. The Visual Arts Center offers photo classes with fun, interactive, and interesting way to learn about the art of taking a great picture.

At the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey here in Summit, photography classes (and many other arts and mixed media classes on other dates and ages) are being held between January 9th, 2012 and March 12th, 2012 for ages 13 and up. These classes are for the

G o-t o Ga dg et

By ELLIE SCHAFFER Guys are generally gadget oriented: they love their devices. Constantly purchasing electronics can get pricey, so to hone in on their love of gadgets, fulfill their needs and wishes with a charging dock.

This gift is ideal for daughters and sons to give to dad for any holiday. They can be purchased at stores such as RadioShack or Sharper Image. The Short Hills Mall sometimes stocks them at Brookstone. Prices range from $30 to $60.

beginner level so anyone with any kind of photo taking talent can achieve in this class!

These photography classes cost $330 dollars plus $35 lab fee for members or $360 plus $35 lab fee for non-members.

For members or non-members there is a $5 Early Registration Fee coupon if you sign-up early.

You can sign-up at the Visual Arts Center in town or their website online.

The perfect gift for a sib is only a few clicks away!

Visit them at www.artcenternj.org or stop by for more information at 68 Elm Street in Summit.

Ec o-Fri en dl y

By MADDIE SIMKO Tea and coffee lovers will rejoice to receive the “I Am Not a Paper Cup” coffee mug. This drink thermal looks like a typical, disposable paper coffee cup that is part of a Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts takeout.

They’re purchasable at Target, dcigft.com, urbanoutfitters. com, amazon.com, and thinkgeek. com. “I Am Not a Paper Cup” eco-friendly cups are inexpensive, ranging from $65 to $25.

December 2011