Newspaper of Summit High School
March 2012 Volume 12 Issue 6
OKLAHOMA! INSIDE Photos provided by John Kratch
this issue of Verve:
The show must go on. With less than one week to prepare on Summit High School's brand new stage, the theater program puts on another great show. (From Right: junior Emily Claypoole, freshman Matt Greenstein, sophomore Allison Scott, junior Sydney Thornell, senior Nicole Mion, and senior Julia Shaffer.) For more on the production visit Screen & Sound on page 6...
Summit Citizens Take Student Response DividResponsibility into ed on Pilot Schedule Their Own Hands By ANDREW MANDELBAUM Photo by Andrew Mandelbaum
Mr. Charles Licatese discusses protecting yourself on the Internet in Opine on page 3
Globe....................2 Opine....................3 Buzz.................4&5 S&S.......................6 Turf.......................7 Back Page Special..8
What's Up:
April 1: No School
April 6 -15: Spring Break April 7: Passover April 19: National Garlic Day
By LINDSAY LEITER Due to a slew of recent suspicious events in the Summit area, such as robberies and loitering cars, citizens can’t help but wonder if Summit is becoming a dangerous place to live. However, it is important to note that events like these have been occurring for years, but now with sophisticated telephone and email systems, it is much easier to spread information, which potential could make these activities appear to be more prevalent. The fact of the matter is that Summit is still a secure town, and soon will be even safer because the local Police Department is reinstating the Neighborhood Watch Program. The official mission statement of the program, which spans across the nation includes the fact that it relies on citizens to be the “eyes and ears of law enforcement.” Neighborhood Watch has been around since 1972 and is one of the most successful crime prevention programs due to its simplicity and its philosophy of directly involving citizens. Sergeant Ron Martin is in charge of the Summit chapter of Neighborhood Watch. He, along with many other’s involved in the program’s revival, believe that Summit is still a wonderful and safe place to live, but this program is a good precaution to take to maintain the safety. Therefore, people should not worry that this program means that Summit is transforming into an unsafe town, in fact, it’s quite the contrary. This program should result in an idealistic, protected, and tightknit community. Other benefits of Neighborhood Watch besides crime reduction and unity in the community are a better quality of life, an additional sense of responsibility, providing volunteer support to the police, and reducing the law enforcement’s burden. Continued on page 4...
A nonscientific poll conducted Friday, March 23 by the Verve staff.
Students who responded to Verve’s poll on Friday were almost evenly split between liking and disliking the pilot schedule after four days of experimenting with it. History teacher Mr. John Kratch thought, “It’s exciting and new so it’s hard to tell [if it is better].” Overall it seems it had big impact on seniors who were now allowed to go out for an hour at lunch every day and then have a full unassigned before or after. Senior Robert Zhang felt, “I liked the one hour lunch and I felt I had less homework.” This is most likely because he was preparing for 2 less classes each day. Some students felt that the 3 hour morning learning block and the 3 hour afternoon learning block could become a bit tiring especially in instances where the teacher was lecturing for the entire period. The custodians who now had to open up tables across the building seemed unphased by the change. Mr. Germah said, “It was the same for custodians and we still have to work the same hours. Continued on page 4...
Verve Views: What are you doing for spring break?
"I'm going to my lake house and chilling." - Loring Bowen ('12)
Front-runner Mitt Romney Sweeps Super Tuesday
Photos by Andrew Mandelbaum
By JAMIE MACPHERSON With the race heating up between Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum in this year’s Republican presidential candidate race, Super Tuesday (March 6) could have been a turning point for either candidate. Candidates Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich do not have enough votes in the long haul to boost their campaigns to the finish line. Their performances on Super Tuesday didn’t change the position they were in, still following Santorum and Romney by a good margin. Prior to the Super Tuesday, Romney was the front-runner with 203 delegates and Santorum followed with 93. Super Tuesday had a large impact on the race, because 437 of the remaining 1,908 delegates were on the table. These delegates could have either saved the campaigns of slipping candidates, Paul and Gingrich, or strengthened that of the front-runners. The Midwest region of the country has shown support for Santorum, and in past elections this area’s vote has foreshadowed the winner. At one point, Santorum had a large lead in the polls in Ohio, but that lead started to shift toward Romney. The last poll before Su-
per Tuesday put Romney 1% ahead of Santorum in Ohio, a state that Romney ended up winning by 0.8%. Santorum’s organizational blunders have hurt him on a national level, especially recently when he hastily drew up a video proving that Romney is a fraud in his standpoint on health care insurance. However, this video he and his staff made should have surfaced long before the primaries. As the election comes down to the wire, Super Tuesday may be a tell-tale sign for Obama’s opponent come November. Super Tuesday ended up being a win for Romney, who landed 415 delegates; Santorum is still in second at 176. Though this seems like a convincing win for Romney, it doesn’t put the nail in Santorum's coffin as Romney hoped. It did widen the gap, but he still has Santorum on his tail. Santorum, who couldn’t have hoped to win a lot of these states, still was able to stay within striking distance. As the election comes down to the wire, Super Tuesday was a clear indicator of who President Obama’s opponent will be on November 6th.
"I'm visiting colleges." - Sam Porter ('13)
"I'm staying home and playing lacrosse." - Megan Lees ('14)
Marie Colvin: Martyred Seeker of Truth By GWEN ROGERS
"I'll be stuck at home playing tennis all break." - Bennett Hermann ('15)
Summit High School 125 Kent Place Blvd. Summit, NJ 07901 Principal: Mr. Paul Sears Assistant Principals: Mr. Tony Akey Mrs. Stacy Grimaldi English Supervisor: Mr. Corey Walsh Adviser: Mrs. Anne Weisgerber
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of ordinary people who were being killed in conflicts with little attention paid to them. Colvin expressed her opinions about her work to a reporter for Palestine Today. "Somebody sim-
Editors-In-Chief:
SCREEN AND SOUND Section Editor: Emma Kramer
FRONT PAGE Section Editor: Andrew Mandelbaum GLOBE Section Editor: Miriam Meller
BUZZ Section Editor: Carly Nyman
OPINE Section Editor: Nate Cohen
CIRCULATION MANAGER: Andrew Kaufman
Kayce D'Onofrio & Nikki Theriot
Photo from www. marginlines.com
"I'm going to Kiawah Island!" - Maggie Lees ('12)
Marie Colvin was found dead on February 22, 2012 after a rocket attack in Syria. She had been covering the bloody uprising against President Bashar al-Assad before she was killed. Colvin, a reporter for The Sunday Times of London, attended Yale University before working for 25 years at The Times before her death. She died during an investigation where she fearlessly reported the atrocities of war. Colvin was described as passionate about her work even when it was rough. Bearing in mind, Colvin's tireless pursuit of investigating the truth continued even while she found herself in the middle of war-ravaged countries. For instance, in 2001 she had been badly injured and lost an eye in a grenade attack in a rebel-controlled territory in Sri Lanka. She described her work "bearing witness" by telling the stories
A terrible loss. Foreign correspondant, Marie Colvin, was killed in Syria.
ply has to do it: to report the atrocities of war and bring them to the world's attention." She won numerous journal-
Verve Staff
TURF Section Editor: Kelly Delaney
ism awards for her courageous reporting from war zones around the world. On the day of her death, as is the custom in Syria, Colvin took off her shoes upon entering the building that was serving as a "makeshift press center." She was on the ground floor when rockets hit the upper floors, according to The Sunday Times. Colvin was killed along-side her French photographer, Remi Ochlik. "They were first in another house, and the top floors there were blown off," Colvin’s mother, Rosemary explained. "The Syrian forces rocketed the front of the building," she said. This fueled the suspicion that the attack against a makeshift media center where Colvin and Ochlik sought shelter was no accident. Even after her death, Marie Colvin will always be known as an audacious reporter. Her legacy lives on.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY:
Section Editors: Tommy DiSibio and Andrew Kaufman
REPORTERS:
Alejandra Arias, Thomas DiSibio, Felisa Delli Santi, Lindsay Leiter, James Macpherson, Lina Mockute, Nicholas Nyktas, Stephanie Ollom, Gwen Rogers, Drew Schwendiman, Emily Wills
March 2012
By STUART RAILEY
The kitchen is, in my family at least, the heart of our home. It is a place of nourishment, both in a physical and emotional sense. It is a place where families have convened for the sake of conversation and consumption since Neolithic times. The “cocina,” the “cuisine,” the “kitchen,” represents a pause from modern day stresses. Yet this sentimental bond can and has been abused. The sanctity of a pantry, fridge, and freezer can be permanently scarred by the most sinister of crimes: an empty box. Yes, you’ve seen it. I’ve seen it. We’ve all seen it. A box or food container is left in its familiar location, yet contains no food, much to the chagrin of its subsequent visitor. And this is not just any empty box. It marks the grave site of everyone’s favorite food: a final fruit roll-up, the last Dove Bar, or the ultimate string cheese in the bag. Shrieks of utter anguish and despair are known to accompany the discovery of this empty carton, bag, or box. For those who are fortunate to have made it this far in life without encountering the horrors of an empty box, allow me to be analogous for a moment. Imagine yourself receiving the most colorfully wrapped and enticing gift of all time, only to feverishly tear it open and discover a thin layer of dust. But what causes such an unspeakable crime to be committed? For traumatized victims such as myself, the answer to that question may lie simply in the laziness of a fellow inhabitant, such
as a sibling or roommate. According to an article published by the web site Psychology Today, “an unwillingness to expend energy” is a natural response to tasks that don’t provide immediate gratification. Thus, lethargy is a likely culprit and father of that deflated wrapper of Oreos. In the skewed mind of the perpetrator, the appropriate receptacle for empty boxes is always an arduous ten feet away. He or she may not be able to rationalize its disposal if there are others who will (reluctantly) do it for them. Then again, mental defect could be the problem. Compulsive hoarding is a disorder which causes sufferers to collect items of seeming worthlessness. Why throw away that wrapper? Reusing plastic is good for the environment, right? Personally, I have trouble speculating on the cause of this egregious offense. In many ways, I believe this behavior represents something deeper than the occasional pang of laziness or an incredibly rare disease. Perhaps the implications are that people in our society are not always encouraged to appreciate the things we have, but are instead encouraged to consume for the sake of consuming. Thus, the responsibility of rekindling this ancient attachment to the kitchen rests in your hands. Next time you see an empty box lingering in the twilight of a pantry, fridge, or freezer, make sure you lay it to rest in it’s proper burial site: the garbage bin.
Akey Responds
Don’t get me wrong. I liked Oklahoma! But, I also liked that our hockey kids won a State Championship. So Hockey guys, Way to Go. Congratulations on a wonderful season and a State Championship. And to another group, way to Go Swimmers! One of your best seasons ever. We also just finished this little experiment called block scheduling. It was an interesting week to say the least. I was nervous about the hour lunch, but that turned out to be quite a hit. You kids seemed to love that part of it. It was really fun being outside, watching you play soccer, Frisbee and just hanging with your friends. You almost seemed civil in the afternoons. Spring sports preview? These articles gave new meaning to the phrase depth of a wafer. 12 lines on a lacrosse program that went 23-1 with record 68 straight victories and 42 lines on an ultimate Frisbee team. Am I losing my mind? Congrats to the many kids involved in Oklahoma! Very impressive, especially the dancing. But, will someone please notify me when the first act is over? Tebow mania hits Jersey. Way to go Jets. I love this kid. Someone explain to me why people hate on someone who does more acts of charity than just about anyone I can think of. He does start each interview out with “I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” but then he answers the questions and talks about some poor kid with cancer he visited. He is humble, polite, and gracious. One of our beloved Jets couldn’t even get the names of his children right when the Jets were on Hard Knocks a few summers ago, but people still hate on Tebow. Seniors: just one marking period to go. End strong, please. That means showing up on time and making a solid effort. Peace Love and the Woodstock nation
Google Gone Too Far? By NIKO NYKTAS Google is undeniably one of the most “I think it is a total invasion of priuseful search engines on the web, and vacy,” says Charlie Licatese, a well it is used extensively by just about ev- known member of Summit High eryone. From checking your e-mail, to School’s technology department. “Peolooking up videos on YouTube, Google ple just don’t know what they get into has amassed a huge group of users, and because those long agreements you chances are you are one of them. need to comply with in order to use As many of you may have realized, certain services on the web are rarely Google has the "magical” ability to read and can often result in the gathtrack your internet usage with the use ering and use of people’s information of computer cookies. For those of you without their knowledge.” unfamiliar with computer cookies, they Mr. Licatese went on to explain that are a file that gets placed on your com- Google makes a lot of great products, puter by web sites you visit, in order to but their problem is that they are really track your internet usage or to hold data big, and as a result they feel like they about a certain web site you have vis- can “push the boundaries” and bend ited (thanks Google). Normally it is the the rules in their favor. “The Federal latter, which in essence allows you to Trade Commission needs to look in-to load a web Google page more and have quickly aft h e m ter you have create already a more visited it u s e r by storing friendly some of the privacy data within policy,” the file crehe says. ated by a T h e cookie. Federal Google Trade uses some Commiscookies to Weigh In! Tech guy Mr. Licatese gives his take on the sion: is track your us- Google controversy and explains some of the facts. an indepenage, in order dent branch to look at your interests, and in theo- of the government that promotes conry provide more ads that are relevant sumer protection and helps to elimito you and your interests. This alone nate monopolies in certain areas of doesn’t really thrill me. business. “Until then, people have to If you think Google can already look be careful about what they post, send, at enough of our personal data, you or join.” better sit down for this next bit of inYou can’t really stop data collecting , formation. With Google’s new privacy you can only minimize the amount that policy that went into effect March 1st is collected. Google can track you by this year, they can not only track our your name if you are logged into one of usage through individual web sites, but your Google accounts. If you log off, can now combine all of the information they can only track you by your comthey’ve gathered about us and put it in puter’s IP address. Even if there was a one place. convenient button you could click to Unfortunately, those of us with a turn all of this off, there is still no guarGmail account, or a YouTube account, antee that Google and other companies or those with any other Google-related won’t still manage to get their hands on web site can be tracked by our name, some of your personal data. rather than our IP address. You heard Hopefully, Google will relax these inright. Google can take all the places vasions on our privacy a little bit, and you have ever gone on the internet, give us an option to turn all of their shove it in a file, and put your name on tracking capabilities off. In the meanit. As if internet privacy wasn’t already time, let’s just hope they aren’t using a little bit too loose. The worst part is Google Street View to spy on our daily that there is no way to completely turn lives. it off. Photo provided by Charlie Licatese
Kitchen Horror Stories: the Empty Box
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.
March 2012
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Hunger for The Hunger Games By KAYCE D’ONOFRIO
z z u B
JUNIOR COLUMN: Junior Year Takes Its Annual Toll on Another Student
Photo provided by www. lnw.lovellmaine.net
Photo provided by www.collider.com/
First, there was J.K Rowling’s magical around the world of sixteen-year-old Harry Potter series that captured the Katniss Everdeen who is replacing her minds of readers by exposing them younger sister in the games. to the enchanted world of witchcraft Many readers of the trilogy agree and wizardry. Then, there was that it surpasses the Twilight trilogy by Stephanie Meyers’ Twilight series light years. “You can’t even compare By CARLY NYMAN that sparked a worldwide obsession the two,” senior Grace Berkery stated. We are 70% done with this school year; with the crossroads between the lives “The Hunger Games is in a league of its there are about fifty days left. Let’s months.” Then, after the first question, I realized that this test isn’t just hard, it’s of vampires, own.” take time to review some recent junior essentially impossible. All the hours of werewolves, and Senior Bridget problems: sports, SATs, homework, tutoring and Princeton review books in humans. Now in O’Brien also tests, research papers, HSPAs and the the world couldn’t have successfully 2012, Suzanne believes that The list goes on. And that’s only the month prepared me for this. If Johnny flies 48 Collins’ The Hunger Games of March. miles south and 16 miles west, what Hunger Games is trumps the Twilight What does the word “procrastination” did he eat for lunch? Really SAT? Give taking the world series. “The Hunger really mean? Try asking half of our us a break here. Who are these College by storm: reeling Games has so much junior class. Instead of listening to our Board people? Do they laugh when in teenage readers more excitement parents ramble on and on about college, they conjure up these absurd questions? the real thing we worry about is our Getting to sleep-in during HSPAs with its exciting and truly captivates next move in Words With Friends. If during freshman and sophomore year and adventurous the reader, so much you are currently involved in fifteen was the best. I completely forgot that plot line. so that you can’t put or more games of Draw Something, this was the year I actually had to wake Collin’s Hunger it down,” she says. you may be classified as an official up and take the test. I suddenly yearned Games series However, as much procrastinator. After three hours of for my underclassman days. However, was originally as she loves The playing frivolous, virtual games, I hope the sophomores enjoyed their released in 2008, Hunger Games, you realize you haven’t opened your extra hours of sleep because by this time however recently the Harry Potter backpack or even gotten it out of your next year, we’ll be the ones laughing its popularity series will always car. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. at you. The point of sleep brings me Avoiding homework is a unique to another piece of advice: sleep while began rising be her first choice. The Hunger Games dominates the as the teenage box office. The next teen sensation hit “Nothing compares to art that we have mastered these past you can, because you won’t be getting several months. Teachers, please don’t much of it during junior year. theaters on March 23. obsession with those books. I could blame us for not doing our homework It’s difficult to sit here and write this Twilight began read them over and over or failing yesterday’s quiz. It’s not our article, knowing that I have multiple dwindling. With the fifth and final again.” fault that Mark Zuckerberg created a papers all due next week. The only Twilight movie released last November, The Hunger Games series surely is web site that soaks up a third of our thing that gets me through these last the teenage population needed a new following the footsteps of both the evenings. That time we wasted should few months of school is knowing that series to fawn over. The Hunger Games Harry Potter and Twilight series with have been spent doing homework. by the end of June, I’ll be done. Well, consists of three novels that take place the release of the first film based on the The other week when I took my SATs, at least until next year. Senioritis? in the near future. In this time period, first novel. Released on March 23, the I sat down thinking, “how hard can More like junioritis. twenty-four teens, twelve girls and film grossed $155 million its opening this test be? I’ve been practicing for twelve boys, must compete in a live weekend making it the third-biggest Summit Citizens Take Responsibility competition event known as the Hunger opening weekend ever according to into Their Own Hands continued Games. The only rule of the game is Entertainment Weekly. Watch out, from Front Page In essence, this program divides a town kill or be killed. The plot line revolves Harry, there’s a new series in town. into numerous neighborhoods. Each Student Response Divided on Pilot to after-school practices. neighborhood selects a representative, Schedule continued from Front Page “I liked it but I wished lunch was only who along with any other interested individuals, attends meetings and reports a half hour and we could start school The custodians who now had to open any out-of-the-ordinary activity occurring a half hour later,” says Sophomore up tables across the building seemed in their neighborhood. Topics discussed Elizabeth Wagenbach. This was a unphased by the change. Mr. Germah at the monthly meetings include personal shared opinion of some who had less Warning. Summit’s Neighborhood said, “It was the same for custodians safety, child safety, home security, patrol do over their watch program tries to keep people and we still have techniques, emergency preparedness, and safe. lunch period. crime prevention. In turn, the representative to work the same However, every receives important news about other everybody in our community who may live hours.” day during the areas in the town to report back to the in Summit, work in Summit, receive their Students were members of his or her neighborhood. The education in Summit…play in Summit, hour lunch kids given an hour program flourishes because by involving dine in Summit, or just happen to visit could also be for lunch and to citizens, criminals have less of a chance of our town to enjoy their day or evening!” found playing go to the writing Weck, Martin, and the rest of the Summit successfully committing a crime. outside on the and math help When asked if any specific event triggered Police force believe that the program will turf field of the center or to a club the restoration of Neighborhood Watch, positively impact the Summit community high school. meeting, many of Sergeant Martin credited the renewal as a whole. The pilot schedule provides an As of now only a few neighborhoods to when Summit’s new Chief of Police, which were hosted during lunches over interesting new option for the are included in the Summit chapter of Robert Weck, took the oath to lead the the four days. This also allows athletes Neighborhood Watch, but over time administration to consider in the future. Summit Police Department. to participate in activities that they Martin said, “Chief Weck has a genuine hopefully all neighborhoods will be able to would have to usually miss out on due desire to continuously reach out to experience the perks of the program.
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March 2012
Photo by Lina Mockute
By MIRIAM MELLER
April Fools Day: the day our inner those left in the dust and labeled them jester comes out. This is the one day of as “Fools.” In France, the joke became the year where the class clowns get away known as a “poisson d’avril,” or April with putting Whoopee Cushions under fish because a young, naïve fish is easy unsuspecting friend’s seat or tricking to catch. April Fools is also celebrated in other another classmate into thinking there is countries. For a surprise test. instance, the The pranks origins of the on the first “kick me” day of April, sign can be while cheery traced back and hilarious, Scotland have an origin where those unknown to signs are many. common on The most April Fools c o m m o n Day. In theory about India, The the origins of Huli festival April Fools Happy April Fools Day. This fun holiday has been celebrates the Day is said to celebrated around the world for hundreds of years arrival of spring have started in 1582 in France. King Charles IX with people playing practical jokes decided to reform the calendar and and painting each other. In addition, in move New Year’s Day back from the England a “gobby” plays a joke on a last week of March to the beginning of “noodle” on April Fools Day, but only January. Since word got around slowly in the morning because it is bad luck to in those days, many did not know that poke fun of people in the afternoon. the celebration was moved back and So, if you’ve ever wondered why April others refused to believe it. So, the Fools Day was invented, brood no more. few people who did know made fun of Photo provided by www.allgraphics123.com
By LINA MOCKUTE
It’s easy to ignore what goes on at and work she prepared the presentation SHS at seven in the morning, but in of her project EXPO style, with a the science wing, several of Summit’s poster, explanation and of course the students prepare their own experiments reader she made. In the end, her hard and inventions. work paid off and she won third place Run by Dr. Ben Greene and Ms. in the engineering category of the fair, Cynthia Vitale, this program, called and even won the National Society of Science Research, consists of students Professional Engineers Award. interested in science and how it can Miller is not the only person who fix our daily submitted a problems. Among project. Students these students such as senior is sophomore Nick Carmack, Kristen Miller, and juniors Tasha who began her Kewalramani, Dual Wavelength and Monica ELISA Plate Mikkelsen have R e a d e r s also submitted innovation in their own the beginning of separate projects. the year. Dual Mikkelsen came Wa v e l e n g t h in first place for ELISA Plate her project. Readers are Miller thinks the commercially not research program available for a low is worthwhile. “It price and Kristen’s is really fun and project is to create Science extrodinar. Kristen Miller is all Dr. Greene and an affordable one. smiles the day before of her competition. Ms. Vitale are really From the beginning, she wanted to helpful,” Miller explained. Sadly, the have a project that was inspired by her days of the science fair, March 16 and 17, peanut allergy, and the Dual Wavelength caused her to miss playing the clarinet ELISA Plate Readers check if the for the pit orchestra of Oklahoma! for protein that causes an allergic reaction its last performances. for people with peanut allergies is in a Pit orchestra is only one of Miller’s sample. Therefore, if she ever needs to extra curricular activities. She looks check if a certain food has the allergic forward to this softball season, as well reaction causing protein as tennis next fall. She has also started is in it, the machine will show her. a club called “Better Together” against After finishing her project, Miller discrimination. Next year, Kristen will prepared it for the North Jersey continue her research project by using Regional Science Fair at Rutgers her machine to run experiments. University. After a year of research
Spring Time Shenanigans
Magazine Seeks Writers, Artists for Publication By EMMA STANDING
Adrenaline Junkies Wanted By KELLY DELANEY
Photo provided by www.negative-g.com
Six Flags in Jackson, New Jersey while riding the highly anticipated has added a new thrill ride to their SkyScreamer. collection of adrenaline pumping rides. At night, the ride lights up and the SkyScreamer will be introduced on whirling arms can be seen all over the April 5th, the park’s opening day, and is park. The ride has been previously sure to be one of opened in other the park’s most Six Flags locations popular rides. like Six Flags SkyScreamer Discovery is a new swing Kingdom and Six ride that will Flags St. Louis take you up 150 and have had rave feet above the reviews. ground. This new According to press ride is as high as materials issued Medusa, one of Can you take on the Skyscreamer? Soar by the park, riders the park’s tallest through the sky in a swing at 150 feet. can expect for roller coasters the ride to take them close behind the exhilarating Kingda up in the air while swinging around Ka. At full swing, SkyScreamer makes the tower. With the wind blowing and a 98-foot circle and at speeds of up to 43 with feet dangling over the edge of the mph; this ride is sure to impress. seat, this ride should get hearts racing. The ride is located near the animal Whether riding alone or with a partner, exhibits, and, by day, you can see the this ride will not disappoint. killer whale pool and the tiger exhibit
March 2012
What is your reaction? Student may submit a response to this illustration, which was drawn by one of SHS’s own students.
Illustration by Isabel Rodriguez
Sophomore Scientist Reaches New Heights
Quintessence, the SHS literary magazine, is published in June every year and advised by Ms. Kristy Lauricella. The club meets every Tuesday in room 236, focusing on its objectives to solicit and evaluate creative writing and art works from SHS students. The club is officially calling on all artists, writers, poets, photographers, songbirds, and wordsmiths to summon their artistic powers and express themselves. All forms of writing and media are worthy of consideration. Lauricella provides the following list for you to consider: Five Things You Should Know about Quintessence: 1.It’s a real magazine, published annually, and featuring the work of SHS students. 2.All submissions to the magazine are reviewed in anonymity – the student editors critique and evaluate all submitted work without names attached. 3.All forms of writing are accepted: poetry, short stories, lyrics, graphic novels, creative nonfiction, personal essays, etc. 4.A copy of Quintessence is included in your Activity Card fee. 5. Submissions are accepted all year at Quintessence@fc.summit.k12.nj.us. Simply send us an email and attach your writing as a Word document (.doc) or your scanned artwork as a 300dpi JPEG.
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By EMILY WILLS
Photo by John Kratch
Summit High School’s outstanding Annie, thus Will must prove himself cast and crew of Roger and Hammer- to Ado Annie’s father, Andrew Carnes, stein’s Oklahoma! amazed the audi- played by freshman Matt Greenstein. ence as they took Ado Annie is the auditorium conflicted when full of spectashe discovers tors on a journey her feelings for back to the Mida salesman, Ali west at the turn Hakim, whom of the twentieth her father seems century. The cast, to prefer of the directed by Mrs. two. Ali Hakim Anne Poyner, does everything entertained each he can to get and every audiA Star Performace! Will Parker (sophomore out his marriage ence member with Ado Annie. Greg Archer) sings "Kansas City." with convincIn the other love ing acting, a chorus that was right on triangle, Jud and Curly find themselves key, thanks to Mr. Wayne Malette, involved in a heated competition over and exciting dances were choreo- Laurey's love. Laurey becomes overgraphed by Mrs. Kelly Mott-Sacks whelmed, picking Jud as her date for and led by dance captains, senior Julia the social. She soon regrets her deciShaffer and junior Sydney Thornell. sion and wishes she had asked Curly inThe production encompasses all of the stead, especially when she and Jud get hardships and burdens of the typical in an argument at the social. Luckily, farmer, constantly caught in a dispute Curly is there to comfort her, however over land. But, within that story, we get real calamity strikes weeks later durto know specific characters on a more ing the wedding ceremony of Laurey personal level as we explore their indi- and Curly when Jud shows up clearly vidual love lives. These ordinary farm- not in the right state of mind. He and ers are far more complicated than one Curly engage in a brawl and Curly is would expect as they find themselves accused of killing Jud. Curly is later entangled in many love triangles. The found innocent and the show is brought first is between characters, Curly, Jud to a happy finale, with Curly and LauFry, and Laurey, played by junior Brad rey venturing on to their honeymoon. Przedpelski, freshman Keenan BuckThis hilariously upbeat production ley, and senior Mariah Dalton respec- showcased the true talent of Summit tively, and the second is between char- High School’s students and drama deacters Ado Annie Carnes, Will Parker, partment. The cast kept the audience and Ali Hakim, played by junior Lynsey entertained and laughing throughNewsham, sophomore Greg Archer, out the show. Each actor brought a and senior Sam Goodstein respectively. unique personality to their characNewsham, Archer, and Goodstein ter, making the story come to life. certainly provided the audience with The natural chemistry between charplenty of laughs as they demonstrated acters made this performance that their individual struggles. Archer’s much more enjoyable. Congratulacharacter, Will, is obviously head over tions to the cast and crew of yet anheels for Newsham’s character, Ado other success in the drama department!
Real SEALs By FELISA DELLI SANTI
Act of Valor is a captivating film an explosive vest that is lightweight, characterized by heroism, brother- concealable, and uses 500 ceramic hood, and family bonds. The film ball bearings that cannot be picked up captures the details of modern war- by metal detectors. The terrorist’s plan fare and exposes the viewer to the is to form a group of suicide bombers military’s advanced technology. It to use these vests in key U.S. cities, also shows the movie-goer the mili- causing the U.S. economy to collapse and anarchy to take tary’s approach on over. The U.S. contemporary comnavy SEAL’s job is bat, and how our milto stop the terroritary faces post Sepists, and destroy the tember 11 terrorism. vests. Although the This fictional picture mission is dangerfeatures actors, Alex ous, the crew perVeadov, Roselyn Sansists to carry out the chez, Nestor Serrano, mission efficiently, Emilio Rivera, acand righteously. Act tive duty U.S. Navy of Valor is an R-ratSEALs, and the U.S. ed movie, however Navy Special Warfare the film’s authenCombatant Crewmen. ticity and morals The film is narrated makes it a great for by Chief Dave, one of all ages. Although it the navy SEALs, and Infiltrating local theaters. Action doesn't feature any begins in San Diego, packed, unique, edge-of-your-seat California after the thriller... Don't miss Act of Valor! A-List Hollywood celebs, the perfomance by unit is called out for a mission. Chief Dave and his crew actual Navy SEALs brings a unique leave their families in order to rescue flavor that provides a new level of South American CIA agent Roselyn realism to the war movie genre, and Sanchez, who was captured by a ter- will immerse you in pride for your rorist group. Later, the crew finds country, and have you gripping on out that the terrorist group has made to your seats with a yearn for action. Photo provided by politicalflim.files.wordpress.com
SHS Auditorium Journeys to Oklahoma!
Summit to Represent National Forensic Competition By NIKKI THERIOT
Photo by Nikki Theriot
The Sound of The Wind Ensemble By STEPHANIE OLLOM
Walking down the hallway, you might hear a very intriguing noise coming from the band room. It could be the jazz band or the stage band, but that beautiful music is coming from Summit High School’s own Wind Ensemble. This group, consisting of wind instruments, such as the flute and clarinet, among others, competed in a North Jersey festival on March 19. Not traveling too far, the group left for South Brunswick along with some of their conductors, Mr. Rapp and Mr. Bocchino. Seven different high schools came out to compete for gold, silver and bronze awards it group and solo performances. Trumpet player sophomore Chris Pohl received the award
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for Best Solo Artist with a terrific performance. The Wind Ensemble group as a whole earned a silver medal, as they performed two pieces by Frank Ticheli. The compositions included “Vesuvius” and “American Elegy”. Kristen Miller, another member of the Wind Ensemble who plays the clarinet, thought what she brought away from the festival was something she will carry with her throughout the length of her playing career. "The band festival was a great performance for the wind ensemble. We worked really hard to get where we did and had some fun too," said Senior Luca Provenzano. Congratulations to the Wind Ensemble for a fantastic performance!
Nothing but smiles! Sophomores Victoria Abut and Allison qualified to compete in the National Forensics tournament in June.
For the eight year in a row, the Summit High School forensics team has qualified competitors for the national forensics tournament. This year, sophomores Allison Scott and Victoria Abut both qualified in Humorous interpretation. To qualify in humorous interpretation the girls had to place in the top three at the New Jersey District tournament held at Summit High School March 23 and 24. Sophomores Allison Scott and Greg Archer also advanced to the final round at districts in Duo Interpretation. The team placed fourth and is now the Duo Interpretation alternate to nationals. Scott and Abut along with forensics coach Mrs. Anne Poyner will be going to the prestigious national tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana in June.
Upcoming Concerts
Pitbull
Radio City Music Hall
4/6
The Fray
Radio City Music Hall
4/12
Nickelback
Madison Square Garden
4/19
Daughtry
Manhattan Center Hammerstein Ballroom
5/1
March 2012
March 2012
Photo from SummitPatch.com
Success! The boys Lacrosse team looks forward to another promising season.
Boy’s Lacrosse, is heading into another season. After ending last season with a record of 23-1, the team and its leaders are excited and optimistic. “Our hopes are very high” reports senior captain Billy Hadley. “We’re looking to have another very successful season. We always have high expectations and our ultimate goal is to win the state championship.” Come to see them on Saturday, March 31 at 12:30, in their season opener at Westfield.
Spike! The Boys Volleyball team is hoping to imporve on last year's record.
One of the schools newest and most riveting teams, Boy’s Volleyball, is soon to start their third season. Under the leadership of Coach John Ross, the team hopes to improve upon last year’s record of 9-7. Says senior captain Matt Boozan, “our goal is to use the combination of our team's chemistry and athleticism to win our conference and make a run in the state tournament.” The volleyball team will hold their first match on Monday, April 2 at 4:00 at home at Ridge. Girls Track & Field
Goal! Senior Kelly Osmulski powers herself past an opposing defender.
After a spectacular season last spring, the Girl’s Lacrosse team 20-3-1 looks forward to more success. With the new leadership of Coach Mike Walsh and Coach Courtney Cunningham, the team is confident. In the words of Senior captain Kate Martino, “we are all really excited for the season this year, it is a new start with a new coaching staff. We hope to do well in the county tournament, as well as make a name for ourselves in the state.”
Run! Sophomore Gillian McIlroy is cheered on by junior Kirsty Gargiulo and senior Isabella Yozzi, as she crosses the finish line.
After a successful last season and a trip to nationals, the Girl’s Track and Field team is approaching another season. Under the leadership of Coach Adam Fern, the team is preparing to run and jump. Says Senior captain Bridget O’Brien, “our goal is to improve our times and create solid relay teams, as well as to win all of our top meets and qualify for meets like the Penn Relays and nationals.”
Congratulations to the Boys Ice Hockey and Swim teams for their State Championships! Photo from The Independent Press
“There was a lot of discussion about how he made the team last year as a freshmen and succeeded,” says Coach Cohen one of the Varsity baseball coaches. “Tanner is the kind of kid that believes in himself and has complete faith on himself and on his team. I remember last year through out the whole season he never questioned what he was told to do on the field, he always responded by saying yes sir or no sir. He always approached everything we told him to do with a mind set of how can this work for the team. Over all he brings a lot of positive energy for the team,” adds Cohen. On Tuesday March 12, the team had their first scrimmage against. Something that they noticed about Fulton was that he was playing with a mind set of how could I as catcher be in best of use for these pitchers. That’s pretty impressive for a sophomore. “My goal is to continue playing all the way through high school and college, that’s the plan. And if I get the chance to play in the big leagues that would be awesome,” says Fulton about what he wants to accomplish. So next time you see Fulton on the field just realize you’re watching a super star on the rising.
Boys Volleyball
Photo from SummitPatch.com
Photo provided by Tanner Fulton
Talent, dedication, and an over all nice guy are just some traits Tanner Fulton possesses. Tanner was born and raised in Colorado and growing up with baseball being the family sport it’s no surprise he’s a rock star at it. Fulton moved to Summit when he was in 8th grade but just being the new didn’t stop him from continuing to play baseball. He soon got on the middle school team as catcher. “I got my first glove when I was born, and my older brother Alex always wanted me to play since he did as well. Alex’s friend was the one who gave me my first catchers equipment and since then I never stopped,” commented Fulton about how he first started out. Fulton takes baseball very seriously. Through out the summer and the fall he’s on a nineteen and under team. In the winter it’s his off season but he’s constantly training for the spring season. Fulton was on the varsity baseball team last year as a freshmen as one of their catchers. “The first few days it was hard because I didn’t know most of the guys, but Nick Oristanio took me under his wing as they say and taught me the keys to a strong leader and a hard worker,” adds Fulton about his first experience being on the team.
By NATE COHEN
Girls Lacrosse
By ALEX ARIAS
Stepping up to the plate. Fulton gets into the zone.
Boys Lacrosse
The Boys Ice Hockey team played for the championship against Tenafly High School on March 9 at the Prudential Center. Freshman Riley Flynn scored the winning goal 10 minutes into overtime.
The Boys Swim Team defeated Tenafly High School on February 13. The meet was won by Summit 99-71.
Photo from Summitpatch.com
Hit It!
Spring Sports Preview
Photo from SummitPatch.com
Monthly Sports star:
TURF
Photo from SummitPatch.com
By EMMA KRAMER This spring, Summit High School stu- "Ultimate Frisbee is different because dents will have the opportunity to join it's a nontraditional sport that people a new athletic club: Ultimate Frisbee. can still enjoy," said Cohen. The traJust a few months ago in October, SHS ditional game is played with seven hosted its annual Frisbee tournament people on a team, two end zones, and in order to raise money for breast can- a Frisbee. It's not uncommon that a cer. The tournament had a spectacular referee isn't present, the honesty and turn out with participants and specta- integrity of the players can determine tors from all grades. After seeing the the fouls. The game has minimal to no success and interest in the game, two contact, but don't be fooled, competimembers of the winning Frisbee tour- tion can get heated when the game gets nament team, seniors Shea Paytas and tossing. Nate Cohen, are forming the frisbee In the future, the founders hope to club. Their first meeting had a better contact other neighboring high schools than expected attendance with eighteen and start competitive games and/or students presenting an interest in join- tournaments with these teams. Also, ing the club. beyond just having a good time, fundWith already over twenty established raising to aid the Summit and global clubs at Summit High School to chose community are on the minds of Payfrom, Paytas and Cohen are confident tas, Cohen, and the club advisor, Mr. people will still be drawn to simply Donald Standing. Come out and join or getting out to play some Frisbee. support the Frisbee team!
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New Club Sparks Excitment Around The School
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By Tommy DiSibio Andrew Kaufman St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 each year in America and in Ireland. This holiday celebrates the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death in the fifth century. As a patron saint to the foundation of Christianity in Ireland, the Irish have celebrated St. Patrick’s contributions and have marked this day as a holy day in Ireland’s history. This event marks St. Patrick’s religious day feast and families traditionally attend church in the morning. The holiday falls during the Christian season of Lent, and originally this day was a one-day reprieve from Lent. On this day, the Hibernians could enjoy a celebratory beverage and feast on the traditional meals of Irish bacon and cabbage. As for its significance in America, St. Patrick’s Day has been adopted into our American traditions since Irish immigrants traveled to America in the mid 19th Century to escape the Great Potato Famine as has been celebrated ever since! On St. Patrick’s Day, the Summit High School community likes to have fun and celebrate the life of Saint Patrick. Walking through the halls is always enjoyable because everyone is dressed in green, and sometimes a few students and teachers dress up as Leprechauns. Around the country, everyone has their favorite traditions, but the Summit students have ones that are very unique. Sophomore Kerri Hannigan celebrates by, “having a festive ‘green themed’ party with her friends.” Along with this particular student, SHS shows its Irish spirit on the Friday before St. Patrick’s Day.
March 2012
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