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June 2019
Profiles of PV 10 personalities from the Class of 2019 @biancabelmonte
PV Involvement: Co-President of Human Rights League and Light in the Valley, Volleyball, National Honor Society, Peer Leaders, & Engineering Panasonic Design Challenge Future Plans: Attending Quinnipiac University to become a physician’s assistant “I want my legacy to be one of the people that fought the good fight and spoke out about issues that mattered.”
@seangarcia PV Involvement: Track & Field Future Plans: Attending Montclair State University with an undecided major “Everyone is going to know me as Swag Master G, for both dancing and running. At PV, the people here, if you’re friends or not, we are all a family. We are all in it together.”
@kearafernandez PV Involvement: Chamber Choir, Theatre, & World Culture Club Future Plans: Attending University of the Arts in Philadelphia and majoring in musical theatre “PV taught me to be myself and to not be afraid of the things you could do. If it wasn’t for PV, I probably wouldn’t be going into musical theatre, because I had so much support.”
@liamsandt PV Involvement: Cross Country, Pascack Regional Swim Team, Spring Track, Choir, Bro Squad, & National Honors Society Future Plans: Attending Concordia University in Montreal and majoring in political science “Being an Indian is someone who works hard, an Indian is someone who is proud to be who you are.”
@juliaspadafino PV Involvement: Softball, Soccer, & Camp Raspberry Future Plans: Attending Ramapo College to study business “I like how we’re such a close knit community, and I hope that we stay that way. Everyone knows everybody, and I like it like that.” Photos by Katie Mullaney & Matt Austin
June 2019
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@matthanna PV Involvement: Habitat for Humanity Future Plans: Attending Rowan Univeristy “I went through every day of my last four years being friends or friendly with everyone. Big or small, everyone had an impact on my time here.”
@oliviastabile PV Involvement: Theatre Crew Chief, LitMag, & National Honor Society
Future Plans: Attending the Honors College at Rutgers University in Newark and majoring in neuroscience and behavior “As a community and student body, despite what happens, we should be working towards change. In order to have acceptance, we need to have education.”
@stephensoravilla PV Involvement: Wrestling, Football, Lacrosse, & Morning Announcements Future Plans: Attending Ithaca College to play football and study environmental science “One memory that’ll stay with me when I’m 50 and looking back at my high school days is definitely winning the state sectional championship for wrestling. Just the group of guys I was with, the team, and the atmosphere was awesome.”
@allysumereau PV Involvement: Pole Vaulting, Volleyball, Co-President of Camp Raspberry, National Honor Society, Peer Leaders, Science League, & Pascack Valley Navigators Future Plans: Attending Seton Hall University to pursue a career in special education “School has taught me how to work hard and pursue my passions, and to look for solutions, not excuses.”
@jacktsokanos PV Involvement: Wrestling & Asian Culture Club Future Plans: Attending the University of Wisconsin, Madison and wants to become a physiologist or a guidance counselor “If you set a goal, you can accomplish it. No matter how far fetched or outlandish it is, there are always resources and people here to help you.”
Check out pvsmokesignal.com for our online coverage:
Spotify Playlist
Interactive College Map
Farewell to Our Senior Editors
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June 2019
Mount St. Mary’s University Tim Dinnell
The following list shows the plans of seniors after high school. The results were collected by a survey The Smoke Signal sent to the Class of 2019. If a name is not listed, it is because the student did not participate in the survey.
Alabama
University of Alabama Isabella Wall
Arizona University of Arizona Naria Zuluaga
Towson University Sean Donaldson
University of New Haven Maria Ruehl Justin LaFrance
University of Maryland Rachel Brunn Dani Maron
Delaware
University of Delaware Lauren Storm Jessica Ruback Adrianna Rack Emily Bonner Amanda McGlone Cameron Kennedy
University of California Berkeley Sara Takubo
Florida
University of Florida Elexis Levine University of Miami Tommy Chiellini Garrett Ben-Yishay
Connecticut Fairfield University Madison Gallo
University of Tampa Andrea Lewis
Savannah College of Art and Design Michael Parisi
Louisiana
Louisiana State University Julianna Dunne Tulane University Amelia Moran
Maryland
Emerson College Giovanna Moralishvili
Missouri
Washington University in St. Louis Josh DeLuca
New Hampshire
Dartmouth College Charles Looes University of New Hampshire Trevor Lauber
Georgia Georgia State University Jake Murad
Massachusetts
Northeastern University Sofia Hassan Bryanna Testino Suffolk University Tara McNiff University of Massachusetts - Amherst John Edwards
Florida Atlantic University Hanna Silverman Lynn University Tara Wall
California
Quinnipiac University Cole Donnellan Brendan Falconer Bradley Zirlin Zachary Schneider Bianca Belmonte Matthew Mugno Rachel McCambridge Sacred Heart University Caitlin O’Sullivan Nicole Tarabocchia Alex Sullivan Abby Twomey Allison McGuire Lauren Allgor Alison Romansky University of Connecticut Ryan McBride Matthew Ricciardi Samantha Cohn Julia Guskind Melissa Ricciardi Zach Zeller Colleen Coyle
University of Hartford Scott Morris
New Jersey
Bergen Community College Juliana Betsy Jack Flanagan Thomas Arcaro Centenary University Reonna Tardibuono College of Saint Elizabeth Gabriel Antommarchi Drew University Giovanni DeGiglio
Johns Hopkins University Katherine Suarez
Eastwick College Frank Pisani
Loyola University Maryland Meghan Costello Rhianna Barry
Fairleigh Dickinson University Kassandra Mulholland Felician University Carly Pia
June 2019
Page 5 Kean University Kax Petkovich
LIM College Knar Alashaian
Monmouth University Raven Albert Christian Dimitry
Manhattan College Laura Cubala
Skidmore College Sophie Altman
Ramapo College Steven Murno Kyle Affrunti Angelina Fischkelta Julia Spadafino Molly Heintze Thomas Dunn Danny Moallem Shannon Elsmore Emma Palamidis Aidan Raleigh
United States Merchant Marine Academy Ryan Novakowski
High Point University Sam Ingannamorte North Carolina State University Erin Jennings Jordan Campanella Amanda Plasencia
Ithaca College Kayla Barry Noah Schwartz Matt Beyer Aidan Tuffy Stephen Soravilla
Tennessee
Case Western Reserve University Isaac Lee
Pennsylvania
Arcadia University Rachel Quezada Bryn Mawr College Elise De Biasio Bucknell University David Oh Drexel University Jonathan Chung Franklin & Marshall College Kate Henderson Lafayette College Haleigh Marzano Lehigh University Hailey Kraft
Texas
University of Texas - Austin Kyle Chiu
Vermont
University of Vermont Claire Dougherty
Virginia
James Madison University Jimmy Smith Rylie Driscoll Emma Kropp Craig Hoffman Aisling Geraghty Kara Butler Brenna McGonigle Ryan Visco Mike Garay Liberty University Holly Thoms
Washington D.C.
American University Ruby Comiskey
Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin - Madison Kiriakos Tsokanos
International
Concordia University Montreal William Sandt University of Aberdeen Sevan Gulleyan
University of Pennsylvania Elyse Migdal
University of Scranton Brian Biml Colleen Curtin Kayla Creagh
Empire Beauty School Alexa McKeever
Virginia Tech Anthony Lee
Penn State University Lindsey Cooper Jacqueline Metz
University of Pittsburgh Elyse Bell
University of South Carolina Devin Flinn Samantha Nicklas John DeMartini Hannah Leili Megan Viganola Jill Eberson
Vanderbilt University Brianna Jacobson
Ohio
University of Cincinnati Mackenzie Klink
Fordham University Olivia Catalano Yujin Kim Iona College Brendan Broesler
North Carolina Elon University Michael Smolen
Seton Hall University Allison Sumereau Peter Cribeiro RoseMary Stanchak
Binghamton University Alex Kersh
South Carolina
Syracuse University Jeremy Lesserson
The Ohio State University Sam Jones Sofia Urbaniak
New York
SUNY Albany Kat Thomas
Rutgers University Newark Olivia Stabile
Stevens Institute of Technology Cara McMahon Erik Mannino The College of New Jersey Emily McAuliffe Gloria Kim Arianna Quevedo Tara Healy Marissa McGrane Bridget McLearie Christina McRae Andrew Demboski Grace Battinelli
St. Thomas Aquinas Eric Simon
Rhode Island
Roger Williams University Ricky Mizzoni Nico Prospero Salve Regina University Jesse Lagrosa University of Rhode Island Shawn Jencsik Jack Earls Ethan Berg Sara Shanley Brenna Collins
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Justin Choi
New Jersey Institute of Technology Shane Arcaro
Rowan University Anna Kofitsas Mike Foti Matthew Hanna Rutgers University New Brunswick Sean Oh Evan Ferioli Jake DeMilia Henry Huerta Elisabeth Bloom Julia Fiskin
Marist College Cassidy Smith Carli Piretra New York Film Academy Danielle King
Montclair State University Julia Henderson Marie Ayoub Steffani Aisenman Julye Calderon Adriana Mangano
Rider University Thomas Guzzo
University of The Arts Keara Fernandez
University of Toronto Shauna McLean
Military
James Gunther (Navy) Robert Saul (Army)
Trade School
Matt Kalil
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June 2019
‘0.02 got nothing on us’
THE SMOKE SIGNAL EDITORIAL BOARD Editor in Chief: Madison Gallo Assistant Editor in Chief: Kayla Barry Staff Editors: Ava Devincenzo, Rachel Cohen, Tara Healy, Katie Mullaney Sports Editors: Josh DeLuca, Jeremy Lesserson, Noah Schwartz Photo Editor: Molly Heintze Layout Design: Kayla Barry, Rachel Cohen, Josh DeLuca, Katie Mullaney Adviser: Bill Rawson Cover Photo: Molly Heintze Principal: Tom DeMaio The Smoke Signal welcomes input from all members of the Pascack Valley High School community. Reach The Smoke Signal editorial staff at pvsmokesignal@ gmail.com.
Photo by Matt Austin PV’s Class of 2019 Valedictorian Josh DeLuca and Salutorian Elyse Migdal graduate as a couple. They starting dating over winter break of their junior year.
PV couple finishes top of their class
Katie Mullaney Staff Editor
W
hile they were just strangers to each other for the first two years of high school, PV seniors Josh DeLuca and Elyse Migdal finished their following two years as a couple and ended up as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the Class of 2019. DeLuca and Migdal started dating over winter break of their junior year in December of 2017 since they became friends that year through mutual friends and social media.
“It’s cool that we get to share this experience together.” - Josh DeLuca “It’s funny because we took all the same classes, but just in different periods and with different teachers so I had no clue who she was,” DeLuca said. “We didn’t have any classes together until math class last year and still we didn’t even speak.” Migdal said that she had only heard DeLuca’s name in class since everybody would write “Josh DeLuca” as their Kahoot usernames because they thought it would give them good luck. Although they both made their way to the top of their class, the methods and work
ethics that got them to their current positions were “complete opposites.” “I’m sure people think we get together and do our math homework together but that has never happened,” DeLuca said. “I think I can count on my hands the number of times we’ve FaceTimed about school.” Over the four years, neither DeLuca or Migdal ever felt competitive with each other because of their very different interests in school. While math is the only subject they like mutually, Migdal prefers science while DeLuca loves history and politics. “I would say I’m pretty proud [to be finishing at the top with DeLuca] and I love the fact that we have the honor together,” Migdal said. Migdal’s strategy for academics in high school has been to work strategically. “I don’t do every last piece of work, I just do what I think I need,” Migdal said. “If I know I understand a certain concept, I’m not going to spend my time doing that. I’m going to do the work that I don’t understand which is where Josh and I differ.” To make sure she is functional for the following school day, Migdal sets time limits for herself because of her busy schedule, even if she does not completely finish her work. “I do a lot of tutoring, Camp Raspberry, debate, I used to dance a lot, go to the gym a lot, go to the city, and on the weekends I’ll definitely hang out with friends,” Migdal said. However, due to his baseball practices and games, Smoke Signal meetings, and National Honor Society obligations, DeLuca finds himself staying up very late to do school work. “I’m probably more productive at night, probably because Elyse is asleep,” DeLuca said. “So between the hours of 10 p.m. and like 1 a.m. or 2 a.m, I’m [completing homework] while she is sleeping.”
The Smoke Signal is an open forum for student expression and all content decisions are made by student staffers. Opinions and viewpoints expressed are their’s alone. Articles are sometimes reproductions that first appeared online and were deemed accurate at the time of the original publication.
During his freshman and sophomore years, a couple of DeLuca’s friends would joke around saying that he was going to be valedictorian. “But I had no idea at the time [who Valedictorian would be] because you know what your own GPA is, but you don’t know anyone else’s or where you stand,” DeLuca said. DeLuca said that there is an underlying pressure that comes along with being the top of the class but feels as if he does it for himself and his high standards. “I am so proud of [Elyse] and all her accomplishments,” DeLuca said. “She’s obviously so smart, funny, and caring. It’s cool that we get to share this experience together.”
Photo by Matt Austin PV senior Erin Jennings recieves the Donna Becker Dignan Memorial Award at the Senior Awards Program on June 6. View the list of senior awards at pvsmokesignal.com.
June 2019
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Top 5 Pascack Valley Sports Moments of 2018-19 Noah Schwartz & Jeremy Lesserson Sports Editors
Moment #1: Girls Basketball wins sectional title
The Pascack Valley girls basketball team won the North 1, Group 3 sectional title with a 36-31 home victory over Northern Highlands on March 4. The win marked the 14th sectional title in program history, with all coming under 1,000+ win coach Jeff Jasper. The Indians were led by senior Brianna Smith’s 14 points, while sophomore Kelly Andreasen chipped in 10 points. Junior Sofia Battista recorded a double-double, with 10 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. With the win, the Indians advanced to the Group 3 Tournament.
Moment #2: Trevor Lauber bowls a 300
Photo by Josh DeLuca Senior Trevor Lauber bowled a perfect 300 game on Dec. 20 in a win against Demarest at Montvale Lanes. Lauber bowled 12 strikes in a row, and the 300 was the first and only perfect game of his career. In his other two games that day, Lauber finished the day with a series total of 751. He finished his season with a 226.5 average and led Valley to a 102-10 overall record. Lauber then earned a spot on the All-County First-Team.
Contributed by Trevor Lauber
Moment #3: Wrestlers qualify for State Tournament
PV had eight wrestlers move on to the Region 1 tournament at West Milford High School that started on Thursday, Feb. 21 and ended on Saturday, Feb. 23. Five of the wrestlers, Matt Beyer, Stephen Soravilla, Luke Petaccia, Tommy Chiellini, Jack Tsokanos, were champions. The other three placewinners were Jake Averna, AJ Menendez, and Andrew Demboski. Menendez was the eighth-seed, which is the lowest in the bracket at 220, and yet he pulled off upset victories over the first and fourth seeded wrestlers. Seniors Beyer and Chiellini both qualified for the NJSIAA State Tournament in Atlantic City, and both were one win away from placing.
Moment #4: Gymnastics wins County Title
Smoke Signal File Photo
Pascack Regional won the Bergen County meet on Oct. 19, topping the Academy of the Holy Angels by a close margin of 106.025-105.375. PVRG won its first county title since 2010, after finishing second the previous two years. PVRG finished its regular season with an undefeated record before winning the county title. After that, PVRG came in second place in the North 1, State Sectional meet.
Moment #5: Court named in honor of girls baskeball coach
This past Dec. 6, Pascack Valley
held a nighttime ceremony to honor Jeff Jasper, and the “new gym” floor was renamed as Jasper Court. A number of Jasper’s family members and friends were in attendance, as well as his players and some of his colleagues. Jasper, who won his 1,000th career game this past year, was given a commemorative plaque and a basketball signed by Bruce Springsteen. The “new gym” now has two green emblazoned on the court, in honor of Jasper
Smoke Signal File Photo
Photo by Evan Mathai
June 2019
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Team of The Year: Girls Basketball Noah Schwartz Sports Editor
Northern Highlands. This marks the team’s second sectional title in three years. Despite a young starting lineup with the he Pascack Valley girls basketball only returning senior being Brianna Smith, team captured its 14th ever sectional title this the Indians were able to compile a 22-9 season, winning the North 1, Group 3 chamrecord this season. En route to their win in pionship on March 4 with a 36-31 win over the sectional final, the Indians de-
T
feated Teaneck,West Essex, and Sparta. The team advanced to the semifinals of the Group 3 Tournament before losing to Chatham by three points. Other big wins during the regular season include victories over Demarest on Feb. 5 and Holy Angels on Jan. 22.
The Pascack Valley girls basketball team, including seniors Katie Carlson, Brianna Smith, Sam Nicklas, Colleen Coyle, Kayla Creagn, Brenna Collins, and Amanda Plasencia, won its second sectional title in three years. The team ended with a 22-9 record.
Photo by Victoria Donofrio
Female Athlete of The Year
Melissa Ricciardi
Illustrations by Estefania Chinchilla
Melissa Ricciardi, The Smoke Signal’s Female Athlete of the Year, put her lasting impact on the Pascack Regional Gymnastics team. Despite dealing with a back injury this season, she placed first on beam, third on floor, and fifth on bars in the North 1 State Sectional tournament. Ricciardi also performed well during PVRG’s win at the Bergen County Tournament, finishing in fourth place on bars. Ricciardi made First Team All-County and First Team All-League all four years of her high school career.
Male Athlete of The Year
Trevor Lauber, The Smoke Signal’s Male Athlete of the Year, had a historic season and career on the lanes. Lauber bowled a 300 game on Dec. 20 against Northern Valley Demarest, marking his first ever perfect game. During his three years on the varsity team, Lauber increased his average from a 195 as a sophomore to a 226 as a senior. Lauber made First Team All-County this season, and he was named to an All-League team three times.
Trevor Lauber