The Wessex Wire (February 2006)

“Does it bother you that...” with Benjamin Chase Elberg .....p. 10

Vol. XLV No.2

Myspace: changing the face of making West Essex seniors leave ice hockey friends ......................................... p. 15 behind ...................................... p. 18

West Essex High School, 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, NJ

February 2006

Laracy sinks number 1,000 Only six players in the school’s 45 year history had done it before him.

And on January 31 senior Matt Laracy became lucky number 7 after scoring 22 points against Summit to raise his basketball career point total to 1,016 .

by Ben Elberg (see page 17)

Although Laracy (right center) scored 1,000 points, the West Essex boys’ basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Summit at the buzzer.

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Community art exhibitions showcase WE talent for the art classes to “share art for the holiday season.” Students create a still life painting based on what can be purchased in a supermarket, “such as Scenes varying from a peaceful valley with a river Italian, Chinese, or Mexican food, snack or junk food, flowing through it, to breathtaking window views, to household products, desserts, beverages, [and otha painting of spilt cola, line the hallway of the art wing. ers],” Dormer said.

Students who stop to look are whisked away to A showcase of paintings featuring on food “dovebeaches, parks, and even the Eiffel Tower. tails nicely” with the supermarket and may make cusLocated in a far eastern corner of the school, this tomers “want to buy food,” said Geftic. Also, the “mini art gallery” showcases the talent that West Essex community supermarket offers a high degree of exhas to offer, according to junior Sagarika Nag who posure for the artwork. happened to stop for a look.

In addition to the showcasing their work at Kings, As an art aficionado, Nag feels that the artwork students in Dormer’s Drawing and Composition “brings life to the hallways, especially since the school classes have work exhibited at the entrance to the is undergoing such changes.” Art “adds color to the California Pizza Kitchen at the Willowbrook Mall in dull, half-completed hallways” added junior Madeline Wayne.

Geftic. A walk down that hallway “brighten[s] your The idea of displaying art of West Essex students day.” at the California Pizza Kitchen came to Dormer when For the artists, however, a public presentation of she saw the pizza box art on the walls of the restautheir work is “a motivator to rant a couple of produce work for which years ago. She GREAT PIZZA BOX they can be proud,” accordfound that there CHALLENGE WINNERS ing to art teacher Eileen Doronce had been a Best in Show: mer who also displays stucollege art scholarMichael Sayers “Baja Chicken” dents’ work all over the ship competition, Regional Director’s Prize: community. but it was discontinJackie Farnese “Evening Paradise” Students “derive inued.

Manager’s Prize: creased pride in their work “I approached the Michael Helmstetter “3-D Pizza” and motivation to continue management of the their best work in the future” [restaurant] and UPCOMING ART EXHIBITIONS when it’s on exhibition, acasked if they would cording to Dormer. let me create a comMarch 17, 2006 - Chalkwalk Competition to be A student in Dormer’s petition for my displayed in Rockaway Mall period one art class, Geftic, Drawing and ComSpring 2006 - Display kiosk in North Caldwell whose still-life painting of a position students Town Hall cornucopia of fruits and an and [if] we could apple pie is on exhibition in display their results the “Grocery Store Art” gallery at Kings Supermar- at the restaurant,” Dormer said. For students, “the ket, believes that this opportunity has made her “want objective was to create a pizza box design based on to work harder.” some item on the CPK menu, which is quite-multiDetails are “important in still-life paintings, and you cultural and affords lots of opportunity for imaginawant to show the depth and perception of the ob- tive interpretation.” ject, so I paid close attention to showing every detail The management of the restaurant was “very enof my still-life,” she added. thusiastic about the community outreach and even ofThe exhibition in King’s has become a “tradition” fered prizes for the top three winners,” Dormer

by Helen Wang ‘07

Supreme Court :

photo by Helen Wang

Student-created pizza boxes line the entrance of the California Pizza Kitchen restaurant located at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne.

added.

Along with these recent exhibitions, students have displayed their artwork everywhere including airports, libraries, and other retail stores such as Borders Books and Music, according to Dormer.

Art students will soon participate in their annual Chalkwalk competition, where they will create a 37foot long mural. A kiosk is also on order in the North Caldwell town hall to begin a permanent rotating display of student’s work, according to Dormer.

“I always have work on display in the art wing,” said Dormer. However, Nag believes that art should not only be shown in the art wing, but also in “other places of the school.”

Before taking a walk through the “mini art gallery,” Nag had “no idea that students were so talented,” and now she appreciates even more “those who take what they’re good at and work at it to get better.”

“Frustration with communication” alienates ESL students

by Sandra Lucero ‘07

Moving to a new school is hard enough, but moving to a new country, learning a new language, and adjusting to a new family is even more difficult.

Before moving to the United States, Alejandra, Luisa, and Jessica Petho lived for 2 years in Fundación Hogar San Mauricio, which is a home in Columbia that takes care of boys and girls between 2 and 14 years of age.

Recently adopted by a Roseland family, Alejandra, along with her two sisters Luisa and Jessica, has had to adapt to a new brother, a new sister, and new parents. On top of it all, she also has had to learn English in order to communicate with her classmates and her family.

Frustration with communication has become a source of alienation for Petho, and she is not alone. This year, four students are enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL), several of whom attribute feelings of alienation to

the communication barrier between those listed. themselves and their peers.

Three percent of the students at Sophomore Felipe Souza who came West Essex are Limited English Proto West Essex one year ago from Bra- ficient (LEP), according to the New zil had a problem making friends be- Jersey Department of Education. cause he could not speak English. He When Lin attended West Essex, she finds it “much noted that easier,” however, more students a year later, espespoke English cially after joining “It’s not that the [ESL] kids than not, so sport teams. are unfriendly, but kids here not many of One of the don’t exactly welcome them them spoke to main problems Lin, who lived with open arms.” that causes these in California -- Lucia Bazzarelli students to feel before comalienated at West ing to West Essex is the lack of diversity in the Essex. school population itself, according to “If they [did] talk to me, it [felt] resophomore Jia Lin who recently moved strained,” said Lin. to Pennsylvania, and whose first lanIn California Lin met many more guage is Mandarin. Ninety four per- students who couldn’t speak English, cent of students at West Essex so they made friends with each other learned English as their first language, since they had something in common.

1.7% learned Spanish, 1.7% learned However, at West Essex Lin felt that Polish, 1.6% learned Mandarin, and she didn’t have a lot in common with .8% learned something other than other students.

Ms. Lucia Bazzarelli agrees with Lin’s observation of ESL students. “[ESL] students do become friends with each other, especially if they’re from the same region,” said Bazzarelli.

Junior Allison Candido, who is enrolled in an independent study with Bazzarelli and reports to class with ESL students to fulfill the requirements of her independent study, claims that she has trouble understanding ESL students since they don’t really speak to her in English, but rather attempt to communicate with her in their native language.

“It’s not that the kids are unfriendly, but kids here don’t exactly welcome them with open arms,” said Bazzarelli.

Petho feels the estrangement. “[My classmates] treat me well, but it’s frustrating not being able to communicate with them,” Petho said.

However, she keeps a positive attitude. “I know it’s hard now, but once I learn English—because I will learn it—it will be much better.”

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3 Senior boys show off “tie-dy”style on Tuesdays wessexwessex wire - wire-january february 2006 2004

by Ben Elberg ‘06 Khakis, not jeans. Button down shirts only. And pulling it all together, the centerpiece of the whole outfit, the tie. In fact, wearing a tie makes senior Mike Gelberg, who likes to dress well, “feel like a million bucks.”

Gelberg is one of approximately fifteen students who now wears a tie every Tuesday as confirmed by two tie toting sources.

But why do they?

An English class field trip to the Cloisters Museum in New York City in late October forced seniors

English teacher Toni Ann Zuppa has some of the boys in her classes, and she admitted that their attire gives her the impression that they “really want to be in school and really want to learn and get an education.” For Zuppa, “it makes teaching a lot better.”

Although the boys dress nicely, Zuppa says that she doesn’t treat them any differently.

SAC counselor Michelle Bryen feels that students who participate in “Shirt and Tie Tuesdays” should be “commended.”

“I think it provides a nice look for everyone in the school who is involved,” said Bryen. “It makes our

“When you see a bunch of kids dressing up in shirts and ties, it’s exciting.” - Senior Mike Gelberg

started and can be proud of.”

Senior Michael Lisa, however, who only wears a shirt and tie when he has an away basketball game, points out that while he has to do it, “they don’t.”

“If I wanted to wear a shirt and tie in school, I would go to a private school,” said Lisa.

Since the start of the Tuesday trend, senior Greg Shapiro has also thrown his tie into the ring because “it’s just a nice change from the everyday jeans and t-shirt attire.”

And Gelberg believes that more and more students are catching on.

“It has already spread,” said Gelberg in relation to the estimated fifteen tie wearers, “and I have a feeling more are on the way.”

Senior Jeff Mastrangelo, one of the stuphoto by Ben Elberg dents to whom Gelberg refers, “immediately” wanted Seniors Adam Lintz, Greg Shapiro, Jon Kartus, Jeff Mastrangelo, and Rob Pordon sport their ties in the cafeteria on to join in on the idea. “It’s a “Shirt and Tie Tuesday,” an occasion that has not been missed once since its creation in October. fun thing to do, and that’s Gelberg, Rob Pordon, Jon Kartus, school look like a place [where] confused as to why they were wear- why I like to participate,” said and Petar Cokleski to dress nicely students want to be.” ing the ties; however, Gelberg just Mastrangelo.

Although more and more students But why not wear ties every Mon- likes the idea of “starting something for the occasion. are participating, Gelberg feels “not “We decided it would be funny if day or Wednesday or any other day that not many other people are doing.” we all dressed up really profession- of the week?

In fact, Gelberg finds it boring to do every single senior boy” would choose to wear a tie.

“We picked Tuesdays because the same thing every day. ally,” said Gelberg. “After that, we “Certainly we could have a lot, but I none of us had a lab period that decided to make it a weekly event, “When you see a bunch of kids thus creating ‘Shirt and Tie Tues- day,” said Cokleski. “It just made dressing up in shirts and ties, it’s ex- don’t think [we could get] everyone, [Tuesday] easier because we did citing,” he said. “It’s something we just because I assume some people days’.” would not want to participate,” he said.

How to Tie a Tie 1) The wide end “W” should extend about 12 inches below narrow end “N”. Cross wide end “W” over narrow end “N”.

2) Bring wide end “W” up through loop between collar and tie; then back down.

3) Pull wide end “W” underneath narrow end “N” and to the left, back through the loop and to the left again so that the wide end “W” is inside out.

4) Bring wide end “W” across the front from left to right.

5) Pull wide end “W” up through the loop again.

6) Bring wide end “W” down through the knot in front.

7) Using both hands, tighten the knot carefully and draw up to collar. www.butlersguild.com

not have to worry about getting our ties dirty or messed up in the lab,” he added.

When these students inaugurated the first “Shirt and Tie Tuesday,” others not involved felt puzzled and

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Originator of breakfast now comes for brunch been replaced by Student Council because the students felt good “They had discussed doing elected officers. “Students were about what they were going to be something for senior citizens, probWhen Tom Mullane makes the really motivated to get the school doing. Also, it helped that senior ably a couple of planned visits to trip from his home in West Caldwell involved with the community,” re- citizens didn’t need the “strict suto attend the annual Senior Citizen’s Brunch at West Essex High School, the trip serves as a reminder of the day 31 years ago when he and student leaders first coordinated the breakfast.

In fact, one day, two boys had walked past the reception in the library and watched Mullane as he looked at the senior citizens, when one of the boys said to him, “I guess you’re probably wondering how long it will be before it’s your time to attend as a senior.”

“The boys were right,” laughed Mullane. For Mullane, attending the Senior Citizen’s Brunch this year, which was originally called the Senior Citizen’s Breakfast, was like “déjà vu,” as he recalled the origiToday, the Senior Citizen’s Brunch, which includes a show from the dance team (above) has “come a long nal breakfast that took place in photo courtesy of Dan Coplon way” since it’s origin, according to Mullane. “what feels like yesterday.” pervision that young children or “It feels just delightful to be back. called Mullane. nursing homes, but I realized it Senior citizens appealed to stu- people with disabilities require.”

It always will.” would be difficult to arrange transThe technicalities had to be The idea of the breakfast was first dents because of their “innocence portation to nursing homes on nupitched by the Student Voice Board and warmth,” which Mullane said worked out in order to ensure that merous occasions,” Mullane said. of Directors, who planned activi- “made the students feel as if they the event actually took place, which He suggested bringing the senior ties for the year and who have since had a new outlook on their lives,” is where Mullane got involved. citizens to the school. With the

by Kristen Ricigliano ‘07

NEWSBYTES FBLA members place at regional competition

DECA sells shamrocks to raise money for MDA

Wessex Wire receives recognition from CSPA

Future Business Leaders of America at West Essex placed in the top eight on the regional level for the qualifying tests for specific business topics last month.

Senior Alex Kahn placed first in Banking and Financial Systems, senior Brad Lapoff placed second in Economics, and Rob Szpila placed third in Visual Basic Programming. Jordan Entin, sophomore Josh Sigler and senior Jon Kartus placed fourth in Introduction to Business Communication, Business Math, and Business Communications, respectively.

Freshman Elliot Kartus placed sixth for Computer Concepts, while juniors Neel Vakharia and Kathleen Bui and senior Arthur Shikman, and all placed seventh in ComputerApplications,AccountingII,and JAVAProgramming, respectively.

Seniors Julie McClain and Mike Gelberg and junior Jamie Blaustein placed eighth in Banking and Financial Systems, Business Calculations and Networking Concepts, respectively.

Senior Ben Elberg placed twelfth for Mr. Future Business Leader.

Each student will represent West Essex at the FBLA state competition on March 21 and 22. If the students place in the top two in the states, they will move on to the National Competition and qualify for a scholarship for a state university.

In order to raise money to send patients ages 6 to 21 to a special summer camp, DECA is running a Shamrocks Against Dystrophy fund-raiser through March 17.

Proceeds will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) which serves local families by providing clinic visits and purchasing wheelchairs and leg braces. Students can purchase a green shamrock for $1.00 or a gold shamrock for $5.00 or donate money in the cafeterias.

The Scholastic Newspaper Critique of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) at Columbia University awarded the 2004-2005 Wessex Wire staff perfect scores in news, feature, sports, and editorial coverage, writing and editing, and graphic presentation.

The newspaper includes “great coverage of school news, editorials, features, and sports,” and the average of more than forty stories each issue is “impressive,” according to the judges.

Each section is “solid,” and the sports section is “one of the best” the judge has ever encountered. The newspaper is the “envy of any student newspaper,” and judges admitted that they would be “hard pressed to find fault with either the writing or reporting.”

All the stories exhibit “great writing and editing” and “evidence of a group of good writers and reporters.” Overall, the newspaper finished as a Gold Medalist. The 2004-2005 staff included seniors Marissa Grossman, Jon Kartus, Jen Tomsey, Ben Elberg, and Greg Pino, and juniors Laurie Mittlemann, Sandra Lucero, Kathryn Rosenberg, and Helen Wang.

West Essex Masquers present Damn Yankees T h i s y e a r ’s We s t E s s e x Masquers musical, Damn Yankees, will feature seniors Sabrina Anton and Jeff Mastrangelo along with sophomores Michelle Lupo and Joey Giordano as well as West Essex students and staff.

The performance will be held in the Junior High Auditorium because of ongoing construction in the high school. Masquers will perform three shows this year: Thursday, March 23 at 7pm, Friday, March 24 at 7pm, and Saturday, March 25 at 7pm. Tickets are $12 at the door.

-- by Helen Wang ‘07

approval of the school, some transportation arrangements, and the cooperation of the music department, the students were ready to send out invitations and finalize the event.

“Student government groups started it,” according to Mullane, who refuses to take full credit for the successful event.

“Sure, I might have helped them make it happen, but they started it.”

When Tom Mullane and the West Essex Student Voice finally proposed the idea of bringing senior citizens to West Essex in the fall of 1974, no one even thought past “the immediate future,” according to Mullane.

“We sent invitations to nursing homes in the four towns [whose students] attend West Essex, and about four others around us like Caldwell, West Caldwell, Verona, etc.,” according to Mullane. “At the time, it was called a concert and reception.” With time, that idea has been tweaked to perfection in the form of the current Senior Citizen’s Brunch.

It’s been 18 years since Mullane last taught social studies at the home of the Knights; however, to this former West Essex teacher, it “feels like no time at all.” Mullane has continued to visit West Essex every year since 1988, but his “great (continued on pg. 8)

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Wessex environment “takes a toll” on students “It’s important for students to have a place O’Neill is forced to open the windows. When she that is inviting,” said psychiatrist Wilfred does, the cold air kicks the heating units on, and Leibhauser, M.D. “Despite the work aspect, all the temperature “increases so rapidly that it’s unScraping her feet on the floor during art class, students and teachers should want to be there.” bearably hot,” according to O’Neill.

The “atmosphere of neglect” inside and out junior Laura Umbach notices that the dark grey Wanting to be in school is a far cry from reality of West Essex “affects so many students and and black cement floor was staining the side of for West Essex students and teachers, according to history teacher Tony Janish who observes teachers attitudes and emotions,” and is “comher brand new Uggs.

Having accepted her general surroundings, that West Essex students don’t feel “physically pletely out of our [control],” according to Janish.

The interior of the classrooms is of more conUmbach continues to paint intricacies in water relaxed” or “at ease” when they are in school.

“A high school should be a comfortable place cern to students than the construction delay. “I color. The art class adorned with students’ work for students to be,” said Janish. “I know for a wish the administration would spend more time helps to balance her mood.

Most of her classrooms are just blank, white fact that many of my students feel depressed trying to improve the environment that affects walls that perhaps sport a few posters, some of about the interior conditions of the classrooms,” the happiness of students during school,” said Umbach. which are falling. In most classrooms, “we’re he added.

The classrooms would be “much more pleasThe academic and emotional needs of stulucky [if we] have a working heater and a tile ant” if the walls were repainted, the furniture dents need to be a bigger concern at board of floor,” said Umbach. replaced, and the stains on the ceilings cleaned, education meetings, according to Janish.

And in order for high school students to according to junior Nicole Kenny.

“I [also] want the administration to fix the inthrive, according to Leibhauser, the condi“I wish the administration would tions throughout the building should be de- consistent temperatures inside the classrooms spend more time trying to imsigned to reduce stress; the temperature in to make it more comfortable when the weather prove the environment that afrooms should be consistent and comfort- changes,” said Kenny. fects the happiness of students The students at this school have the right to able, and noise should be kept at a miniduring school.” get an education in a healthy school environmum.

-- Junior Laura Umbach But in contrast with how a high school ment, and students “should do something to try environment should be, the temperatures are and change it,” said Janish.

In fact, the Aesthetics Club is trying to imnever comfortable nor the same from classOn the way to her next class, Umbach stops room to classroom, according to school Nurse prove and beautify the interior of West Essex.

Although administrators can’t make the conat the ladies room closest to the art wing only Paula Frisch.

At the end of the school year, the temperature struction resume as of yet, they have “made sure to see “cigarette ashes burnt onto the toilet seats” and smell the strong stench of cigarette rises to “unbearable degrees,” and in the winter that [the environment] is as safe as possible for our students and employees through periodic the classes are “very cold,” said Frisch. smoke that “takes over.”

In room 48, when the smoke and chemical stench tests of air quality and sanitation in the classJolting out of the bathroom to avoid allowing from the labs are strong, science teacher Maureen rooms,” according to Principal Barbara Longo. the permanent stench to attach itself to her, Umbach passes the cooking room and remembers the SKYLR RETURNS TO HYPNOTIZE WEST ESSEX events that happened there last spring.

While in the middle of mixing ingredients in a bowl, someone in Laura’s group spotted mouse droppings close to the cabinet in which the small appliances are kept.

“It was the most repulsive sight to see; mouse droppings in a room where food is kept,” Umbach said, adding that the cooking teacher quietly cleaned up the droppings.

On her way to gym class at m i d d a y, U m b a c h w a l k s photo courtesy of Steve Monin through the locker-room to change and secure her beTwenty students went under hypnosis on stage and This year, students from the junior high and high longings, when she sees a performed various stunts that Skylr the Master Hyp- school entered a drawing in order to win a spot on small bird “flying” across the notist told them to do, as audience members partici- stage and a chance to be hypnotized in front of the ceiling, “creating noise and pated along when Skylr came to West Essex on Janu- audience. Senior high students who went under hypchaos in the locker room.” ary 30. nosis on stage included seniors D’Urso, Picciuto, “After one full day of this, Skylr began by playing soothing music and telling Christy Munn, Krystina Wolverton, Jackie Melecio, and it really takes a toll on you,” the volunteers to relax and to go completely limp. Af- Jimmy Hammel, juniors Tobia, Sam Giardelli, Rich Miller, said Umbach. “Just thinking ter five minutes, whenever Skylr said a word, students Rocco Donatiello, and Gianna Fede, and sophomore about being at [West Essex] thought music “played” from their shoes, or felt their Nicole Zezza. is depressing.” seats “biting” them. When Skylr played music, sophoStudent council members including seniors Steve Most students agree with more Sal Tobia thought he was Michael Jackson and Buryk, Doug Mead, Alex Hayes, Zach Handler, and Stu Umbach. On a scale of 1-5, proceeded to complete a perfect moonwalk.

Gross, and juniors Jerry Shikhman and Dave Gonzalez, one being the least healthy Towards the end of the night, senior Mike D’Urso along with staff including teachers Christopher and five the healthiest, a macalled for his mother and senior Anthony Picciuto pro- Benacquista, Jason Freda, Andrea Mondadori, Nancy jority of students surveyed claimed that he was the Oscar Meyer wiener. Though Randazza-Ford, John Pappas, Thomas Lancaster, Dina gave the school’s environthe students were the source of entertainment of the Bechtold, and Maureen O’Neill sported t-shirts with ment a 2; 25% said 3, 10% night, Skylr said they “[would] not remember any- “Skylr 2006” on the front and “Event Staff” on the back. said 1 and 7 % said 4. No thing.”

-- by Helen Wang ‘07 one gave it a 5.

by Emily Cox ‘07

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Students think they “deserve better” than temporary library

by Jared Prince ‘07

The answer to the question can’t be found in the library because no one knows. No, not even the librarian, the keeper of knowledge, knows when the new, renovated West Essex Library will reopen, and that has some students feeling frustrated.

Just ask junior Rachel Berman. “If I want a good read, I’m not going to find [it in the West Essex library] because all the books are locked up in the gym,” Berman said in reference to the construction, which forced a great number the books (mostly fictional stories rather than research books) to be stored in the gym.

Literally hundreds of books are sitting untouched, but Berman has an English assignment that requires her to read a book written by a minority author. “I have to look elsewhere,” said Berman. “I feel we students deserve better,” she added.

Although the library is still attracting students, junior Malcolm Bertram refuses to use the library anymore because it’s small and, as a result, it’s “cluttered.”

“There’s just not enough room,” said Bertram. “I get my resources from home on the computer and for the most part I don’t use books.”

Nevertheless, because of new software programs available this year, students are still taking advantage of the innovative, high-quality programs that are still accessible in the library, according to senior high librarian Susan Heinis. Junior Kaitlyn Wiatrak uses the library this year “as much as any other year,” especially in her Genocide class. “[The temporary library] has a lot of the same books and information as the old library did,” said Wiatrak.

“It’s just that it isn’t as attractive as it used to be or should be.”

Although upset with the zero progress of construction, Heinis stresses to students that the library is still useful because of a program called “JerseyCat, which can be accessed by all on the westex.org webpage.”

“It’s a wonderful program which allows students to borrow books [from various libraries throughout the state]” and for them to be delivered to West Essex for the students to use, according to Heinis.

Although JerseyCat is a “hassle,” Heinis stresses that it is a “great” tool.

For students who don’t want to use JerseyCat, Heinis suggests that they go to the Fairfield Library, which has allowed all West Essex students to use their books and resources without purchasing a membership card.

Overall, for students who are moving away from using the West Essex Although students like junior Anthony Tundo (above) are able to library’s resources, their grades could find some of the books that they need in the temporary library, many others find that they have to “look elsewhere,” according be affected.

In an article, entitled White House to Berman.

Conference on School Libraries, author Keith Curry staff’s efforts to help the students, due to the decreased Lance states the importance of school libraries, which number of students and classes coming to work, achas been proven in numerous studies to increase stu- cording to Heinis. dents test scores.

“It used to be that we would have two classes a peDefined by a higher number of professional and total riod and kids were always coming in during their study,” staff, a larger collection of print and electronic resources said Heinis, who added that now “there’s not enough and more funding, the development of a school library is room to move around.” essential, according to Lance. Heinis herself hasn’t seen By this time of this year, the library should have been as many students this year as she would like. Also the completed, as cited in the original plans, according to lack of progress in the library is diminishing the library Heinis.

Science class “tension” over evolution, intelligent design

by Jeremiah Lim ‘08

When Darwin’s theory of evolution became the topic in junior JJ McNamara’s biology class, he could feel the “tension.”

“One kid said that if we evolved from apes that we’d be walking around on our hands,” according to McNamara. “No one said anything in response.”

McNamara characterized the atmosphere, however, as “filtered.” “[Students] had to watch what they said,” he added. “We weren’t allowed to mention anything about creationism. I think the teacher didn’t want to get caught up in a religious debate.”

This seemingly innocuous example is symptomatic, however, of a larger controversy being played out across the American landscape, as high schools like West Essex consider whether or not to teach intelligent design in schools.

“Intelligent design isn’t science at all, so I don’t understand on what grounds they could decide to teach it,” said sophomore Dayamaayi Kurimella, who is currently taking AP Biology.

Kurimella says that for “argument’s sake” evolution could be wrong, but added that “science is trial and error.”

“Scientists have done much research to come to the conclusions that lay down the ground rules for evolution,” she said.

“Religion is part of history [and] should be taught as history,” said sophomore Walter Graber, who took biology last year.

In fact, Graber would have “no problem” with the teaching of intelligent design “in a class labeled as Religion or Religious History.”

Still, the idea of teaching intelligent design as a legitimate alternative to evolution- even if not in a science class- doesn’t sit right with one West Essex educator.

“Intelligent design should not be taught anywhere,” said West Essex biology teacher Deborah Donker. “It contradicts the theory of evolution which has already been proven.”

In response to the supposed gaps that ID advocates point out, Donker notes that there are “gaps,” but only in the fossil record. “[Scientists] do not have a complete fossil record of everything that has ever lived because not everything becomes a fossil,” Donker said. “[Scientists] certainly have not found everything that has ever been fossilized,” she added.

Despite the fossil gaps “the science [of evolution] is too strongly supported by evidence from Darwin and his studies,” Donker said in reference to Charles Darwin’s extensive research on the theory.

West Essex Director of Math, Science, and Business Technology Cheryl Best disagrees somewhat with Donker and thinks that there is a place for debate in

public schools but not in a science class.

“It would be interesting to see it brought up in a religion or theology class,” Best said.

Donker explained the particulars of scientific theory that make it more than just an “educated guess.”

“A scientific theory is something that has been tested and retested, until we can be almost certain it is true,” Donker said. “It’s more than just an ‘educated guess’ as some people think.”

Donker also believes that misconceptions of what the theory of evolution states play a role in the problem. “[Creationists] seem to believe that evolution is stating that humans evolved from apes. It’s not. All evolution has established is that [humans and apes] have a common ancestor. [Man’s evolution] just involves man adapting to its environment,” said Donker.

While the debate rages outside the walls of West Essex, Best believes that there is “no controversy,” noting that evolution is “the only theory [for which] there is evidence [since] intelligent design is not something that can be tested and recorded.”

Best also said that if a teacher were to approach her and ask “if they could have a debate in science class” she would ask them not to.

A recent decision by the school board in the El Tejon district in Fresno, Califor-

nia has eliminated a “Philosophy of Design” class which served as a humanities elective course and dealt another blow to advocates of a movement which would teach religion alongside science in classrooms.

Best contends that teaching intelligent design focuses on one religion at the expense of others, and is thus unconstitutional. “Intelligent design has a JudeoChristian basis… teaching it as ‘just another theory’ in science class would be excluding other religions and their account of creation.”

As of now, West Essex has no specific policy regarding the teaching of intelligent design. While West Essex teachers are not obligated to address the issue, Donker believes that students should know that the idea of a creator and evolution is not mutuallyexclusive.

“For me personally, I believe that there is a God, and I also believe in evolution. I don’t think it necessarily has to be a case of believing in one or the other,” Donker said.

On the issue of teaching intelligent design in schools, “state and church have to remain separate,” according to Donker.

“That’s the Constitution.” But as for putting one’s faith in one idea or another, “a person’s beliefs have to be resolved independently [of school],” Donker said. “It’s an issue that each person has to reconcile within themselves,” she added.

news

wessex wire - february 2006

7

Practical joke becomes “no laughing matter”

by Ashley Begega ‘08

A practical joke pulled by students with the best intentions became no laughing matter when a school official informed police that some human organs had been stolen from a science room.

The police deemed the theft a health hazard until they learned that the organs belonged to a plastic model of the human body which resided in Ms. Andrea Manassy’s Anatomy and Physiology classroom.

“When [the police] found out that [the organs] were plastic, they still took it very seriously since [there] was almost $1000 worth of equipment stolen, but I had a hard time keeping a straight face [when telling the police what happened] because of how many people called the station reporting the theft of plastic organs,” said Ms. Cheryl Best, Director of Math, Science, and Business Technology.

“But [the police] were great,” she added. “They understood the severity of the crime and the humor in it.”

Students had intended to wrap up the organs as gifts to give them back to Manassy as they intended to be “organ donors.”

The theft occurred two weeks before winter break on two separate occasions. First, when a substitute covered for Manassy, students took the smaller organs that were hidden in back of the larger ones. Later that same day, a few of the students from her eighth period class took out the bigger organs: the brain, heart, and lungs during another class in the same room.

Manassy first discovered that the organs had been stolen after a student who was in on the prank asked her about them. Although she immediately suspected students in her eighth period class, they denied it.

When Manassy noticed that the organs were missing, she contacted Best, and before they contacted the police, they searched the school and asked other teachers whether or not they had pulled a prank on Manassy.

“At first I thought the custodians knocked them over and moved them, but that proved to be wrong. Then, [Best] assumed that ‘troublemakers’ had stolen them in an act of, what she called ‘pure vandalism’,” said Manassy.

“When Ms. Manassy came to me to tell me that [someone] had stolen the organs, I was horrified that kids would do such a thing,” Best said.

“I thought that the kids who [did] this would have been the kids who like to get away with things,” Best added Instead, the kids who pulled this prank, seniors Jim High and Maria Baab and junior Britney Hamker, were just good actors who seemed genuinely concerned about the organs.

Insisting that the prank had been blown out of proportion, Baab confirmed that they had wanted to wrap them up and give them to Manassy as a gift.

“The next day when the bell rang [marking the end of class], none of the students left the class,” Manassy said.

“Then, two students pulled bags from behind their backs and confessed [they did it].”

Students became afraid that they would be prosecuted; therefore, they

gave back the organs, according to Baab.

“I think that the police really helped to speed up the confession process,” Manassy said.

Though the joke turned serious quickly, Best could see the humor in the situation. She thought the prank was “clever” but agreed with Manassy that it should have been done closer to the break.

“When I found out that it was a prank, I thought that it was hilarious and that it showed real warmth and camaraderie between the teacher and her students,” said Best. “I wouldn’t put it past them to do it again, but I will be a lot more vigilant when we start to in- Although many found the theft of plastic organs spect real organs of from the Anatomy and Physiology classroom a animals. We don’t “clever” joke, the missing equipment still want kids walking amounted to almost $1000. down the hall with a When the organs were returned, no sheep’s brain in their pocket,” she charges were pressed, and the police added.

Manassy thought that the prank was ripped up the report. However, one “hilarious” and told students that they question remains.

The liver that had been taken from were great liars, but agreed with Best Manassy during one of the first weeks that the prank would have gone off without a hitch if they had done it closer to of school is still MIA. Manassy has no idea of its whereabouts. the holiday break.

Colleges “not clear”on how to use new SAT writing section

by Dan Coplon ‘07

As West Essex students struggled through the three and a half hour SAT, Monmouth University admissions officials decided not to use the writing scores “to make any admissions decisions,” according to Patrick Dorfey, a spokesperson for the university’s admissions office.

Before the writing section is used, “we’re just tracking how well our applicants are doing,” said Dorfey in an interview with the Wire. Although “the scores [on the essay] are evaluated by different readers ensuring grading accuracy,” according to Dorfey, Monmouth University officials are trying to collect some data to see how students do during their four years at Monmouth.

“It will be a few more years until we begin to start weighing heavily on the writing scores of our applicants,” Dorfey said.

Although students have been nervous that their writing scores will hurt their chances of getting into the college of their choice, West Essex guidance counselor Linda Grancagnolo has noticed “that the writing scores [she has] seen have been very similar to the math and verbal scores for [students].”

“Students normally think that the writing section will

be a detriment [to their scores] because they are writing an essay in a short period of time without the opportunity for a rewrite, but the evaluators are trained to take that into consideration,” said Grancagnolo.

Most schools will not be considering the scores until at least 2007; therefore, students should not be fearful of the writing section, according to Grancagnolo. “Colleges are not clear as to how they’re going to use [the scores],” Grancagnolo said.

In order to ensure fairness and accuracy the Educational Testing Service, or ETS, the organization in charge of grading the SATs, evaluates essays, “by a third reader if the scores differentiate by more than one point,” according to Dorfey of Monmouth.

Grancagnolo believes that the evaluation of the new writing section is “quite fair” because evaluators are trained to grade on specific criteria such as a clear introduction, a developed body, and a good summation.

However, there are some who are critical of the writing section. “Good writing is not simply the ability to compose on the fly,” said Bruce Poch, a writer for National Public Radio on NPR.org.

Although Monmouth and other schools aren’t using the writing scores to make admissions decisions, Grancagnolo believes the scores can serve a differ-

ent purpose.

“I think the new writing section is good [because] it gives colleges an opportunity to truly see the writing skills of the applicant,” said Grancagnolo, who added that New Jersey is “fortunate” because “we have been very prepared for the writing section because of the writing prompts on the HSPA tests.”

The Boston College office of admissions agrees with Grancagnolo, but unlike Monmouth, Boston College is using the writing sections “just as much as [they] use the math and verbal sections on the SAT,” according to Jeff Gallant, a counselor at Boston College’s office of undergraduate admissions.

“The short-term result of this new test may be to amplify the preparation gap that already separates the educational ‘haves’ from the educational ‘havenots’ in America,” added Poch.

Poch has his doubts that the writing section will be “a good test of ability [because] the test measures a first draft, not a polished piece of work.”

Chervey San, an admissions counselor at Rutgers University understands, however, that “the test is not a final copy that has been revised and edited several times, and the test graders and the admissions officers [at Rutgers] take that into consideration.” Rutgers uses the SAT essay as a “great example of an applicant’s raw talent for writing.”

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wessex wire - february 2006

news

WE students help to warm hands, feet, and hearts

by Kristin Kuscin ‘08

His little hands had never “been warm before” admitted one young boy after receiving a new pair of gloves. This boy, who attends Roseville Avenue School in Newark, is only one among many children who are so poor that they’ve never had gloves, hats, or even socks.

And these young children of Roseville Avenue School generally don’t have much to be excited about. But just a few days before the winter break, they received the surprise of a lifetime.

“Santa” visited them in the form of Peer Leaders and Key Club elves and brought them some early presents of socks, gloves, hats, scarves and other winter clothing.

The children of Roseville Avenue School (left and above) were so excited to receive their gifts from “Santa” in the form of Peer Leaders and Key Club members, that they were “in tears” according to Bryen.

immediately.”

In fact, every child in Roseville received warm clothes.

Students, faculty and staff were “absolutely thrilled with the gifts,” said Fede. “Roseville Avenue School is extremely grateful for the joy and happiness [the Peer Leaders] have given our students. Believe me every student loved [the] gifts,” she added.

The hard work that went into organizing the drive not only came from the Peer Leaders, but also from West Essex as a whole. “These kids [didn’t] have any winter attire, and the fact that we helped them stay warm [is] all that matters,” said senior Meghan Haug.

“West Essex students should be proud that they could help those less fortunate than themselves.”

“The children were in tears,” said Michelle Bryen, advisor to the Peer Leaders of West Essex. “They were so excited that their hands were going to be warm. Some of them [had] never had gloves.”

The plight of the children in Newark was first brought to Ms. Bryen’s attention by Tricia Fede, one of Bryen’s neighbors and the computer teacher at Roseville. “[Ms. Fede] was telling me how she wished she could buy socks for all the children [in the school]. I told her that I was the (continued from pg. 4) head of the peer leaders and asked if there was any way West Essex could help,” said Bryen. experience” teaching here is Bryen called a meeting of the Peer Leaders who felt not the reason he returns. deeply moved and troubled by the situation when she “I plan on coming to the told them about the children. “They [are] a lot less forbreakfast as long as I am tunate than a lot of children and they deserved to be able to,” Mullane said, “bekept warm during the cold winter months,” said Peer cause I think it has gotten Leader and senior Benjamin Elberg. better and better over the Together with the Key Club, the Peer Leaders deyears.” cided they would do all they could to help these chilThe first year, a concert dren. “Feeling that it was our responsibility as priviwas held in the auditorium leged young adults, the Peer Leaders pulled together and some small prizes were and created a plan to complete this task,” said senior g i v e n a w a y, i n c l u d i n g Dan Landy, also a Peer Leader. candles and flower arrangeNext, the Peer Leaders spread the word to the rest ments made by Mullane’s of the school. “Basically, the effort was put forth by wife. The reception foljust getting our message out, and teachers like Ms. lowed in the school library.

[Marion] Wychules, Dr. [Tom] Meyer, and Ms. [Toni The students themselves Ann] Zuppa all helped out by offering extra credit to baked for the event. their students if they brought in items,” said Elberg.

Mullane says the breakfast The West Essex student body responded by bringing has “clearly come a long way in over 200 articles of clothing. “I was pleasantly sursince it was started.” prised with how much we got back,” said Elberg.

As a result of the changes “I had no idea it would be that successful. It was great.” that West Essex has underThe majority of students at Roseville are “poor, really gone in the past 30 years, poor,” according to Fede. “The clothes were definitely the annual event, which is needed,” said Fede. “Most of the students did not have usually held in the auditogloves or hats prior to [the] donations. They wore them

Former teacher comes to brunch rium, had to be moved to the cafeteria for the past two years.

Despite these changes, Mullane still felt that, “the improvised affair was just wonderful.”

Mrs. Elizabeth Ventola, the current Director of Fine, Performing, Practical and Physical Arts, now coordinates the event each year and handles the many preparations. The brunch now offers “a variety of breakfast type foods,” such as coffee, juice, tea, bagels, muffins, and croissants.

“The Senior Citizen Brunch is something that West Essex students and faculty take pride in and we have worked hard to keep this tradition alive.”

Ventola says that “hopefully we will continue to hold the event,” for as long as she is here. “ We w a n t t o d o Tom

Mullane and his fellow founders of the event the justice that they deserve especially when they take the time to attend the event each year,” she said.

Mullane now lives in C r a n e ’s M i l l i n We s t Caldwell and continues to keep the West Essex community in his heart. Crane’s Mill sends a good number of people to the event every year. The school chorus sings carols at the brunch and the school dance team performs a couple of dance numbers. Altogether, the event is “a great time for everyone,” according to Mullane.

Mullane is sure that people from Crane’s Mill will continue to go “with or without,” him because the Senior Citizen’s Brunch “is truly something special.”

In this section: Diversity coverage backlash.......10 Dangers of myspace....................11 Applause and Flaws.....................12 STAFF EDITORIAL

Intelligent design should be kept out of science classes A teacher writes an exceedingly difficult mathematical problem on the blackboard and, given the complex nature of the problem, asks students, right or wrong, to accept a simple answer based on faith without explaining how to solve it.

Would this situation ever occur in a math class? Admittedly, no. But if it did, the teacher would suffer the loss of students’ trust and students might suffer subpar grades on standardized tests. This would reflect poorly on the teacher’s reputation and could possibly lead to firing him.

Why, then, are the supporters of Intelligent Design proposing a similar approach to a

bat, and the fins of a blue whale are all nearly identical. These limbs have simply adapted over time to do different jobs in the various species.

DNA analysis, something unavailable in the time of Moses and his pals, tells an even more powerful story. Only 1.2% of chimpanzee DNA sequences are different from those of humans.

In addition, only 1.6% of human DNA diverges from that of gorillas and 6.6% from baboons’ DNA.

simple acceptance of faith and cannot be tested.

Therefore, they are not even theories but are simply stories handed down over the ages used to explain what science is now capable of explaining.

Many supporters make the claim that intelligent design is not religious in nature, but, rather, just an alternative theory since we do not have all of the details about evolution or the origins of the world.

However, the mere assertion that intelligent design is not a religious idea is questionable. Although it may not specifically mention god, one would be hard pressed to find a single intelli-

solution in the field of biology? Whether sup- The aforementioned example supports how the gent design supporter who is not a devout porters of intelligent design will admit it or not, theory of evolution has resulted from expansion Christian.

Federal District Court judges agree and have protests against evolution as a theory of man’s of human knowledge through observation and origin are based on pure faith even though no evidence. In fact, the commonly used argument ruled against intelligent design. In Dover, Pennreal scientific evidence has been presented that evolution is just “theory,” and not fact, ex- sylvania a judge ruled that it was an unconstituagainst it. The arguments on behalf of Intelli- poses a fundamental misunderstanding of sci- tional violation of the separation between church gent Design are based only on faith as well and, ence itself. The every day connotation of the and state. In a lawsuit in Kern County, Calitherefore, have no place in science classes or word “theory” is a more like “guess.” The term fornia, a federal judge ruled that the school texts. “theory,” used in a scientific sense, however, is “cannot promote creationism or intelligent design as an alternative to evoWhile evolution is not fully underlution whether they do so in stood, neither is gravity, although it a science class or a humaniis still a scientific theory. Science ties class,” according to is based on using observable eviAyesha N. Khan, legal direcdence to explain phenomena to the tor for Americans United for best of human ability. We d o n ’t Separation of Church and know exactly how gravity works, for State. example, but scientists do know that Of course, it is impossible when something is thrown it will alto conduct experiments ways fall back to Earth. From this, showing that intelligent dethey have reasonably concluded that sign is not true because it is there is a force of attraction that based on faith and faith alone. keeps everything from hurtling into However, the impossibility of space. testing its credulity eliminates Likewise, the theory of evolution -photo courtesy of whyfiles.org the possibility of including the is based on countless observations study of Intelligent Design as made over many years about the Intelligent design education has been approved by the Kansas Board of science. natural world. Much like the inferThe argument that it cannot be disproved can ence about gravity, following the fossil record not just an idea that popped into someone’s head over time leads to the conclusion that all animal but, rather, the result of a number of tests, tri- be used for many other mysteries of life as well, life has arisen from a common ancestor. For als, and experiments that all lead to the same but nobody is petitioning for a chapter on the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot in biology textinstance, the bone structures in the arms of a conclusion. human, the forelegs of a dog, the wings of a Creationism and intelligent design require books.

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wessex wire - february 2006 2004 wessex wire-january

opinion

OPPOSING PERSONAL VIEWPOINT

Diversity story expresses “pinnacle of ignorance” I have a personality unlike anyone I know. I have varied interests, talents, and experiences that make me who I am. Although I may have the same color skin as 635 other students at West Essex, no one would get me confused with someone else. While I may not be diverse in appearance, I resent the accusation that I “look” and “talk” like my peers.

In response to the two-page Diversity spread which appeared in the November issue of the Wessex Wire, I am surprised that the story which ran under the title “Students look, talk alike,” by junior Victor Fonseca, was published in the feature/in-depth section. To be honest, I feel it would have been better suited for the opinion section.

For a newspaper that consistently wins awards, the coverage in this section lacked substance. Sophomore Jeremy Lim’s article, “Ignorance the result,” contains a similar interview as Fonseca’s with sophomore John Hong, and these two stories even begin in a similar way.

Both begin by discussing how homogenous lunchtime at West Essex is.

The students here are not known for their outstanding maturity, so I do not argue the validity of the statements that appear in his article; however, the childish and rude students make up a very small percentage of our school and do not represent West Essex. As a whole, I have found West Essex students to be a generally accepting group.

The ignorance topic is a double edged sword, though. How much does anyone know about anyone else’s cultures? I am Russian, Polish, Irish, Italian, and English. I would never blame someone who is not of the same background as I am for not knowing about my culture. No one is to blame for that; we hear stories from our parents and grandparents about the “old country” or about their childhoods, and we become knowledgeable about their history.

For this reason, it is very true that a lot of good would come from learning about other cultures because learning about other cultures will help us all to be more wellrounded and understanding. Because it is extremely likely that every single West Essex graduate will be entering a career in which he or she will have to connect with people not of their own background, learning of different backgrounds can

Contrary to information presented in “Students look, talk alike,” polo shirts can, in fact, be quite diverse.

only be beneficial. In that respect, the article does make a good point.

However, Fonseca undermines the intelligence and sociability of West Essex students. I know that I will be fully capable of working in an environment with people of all different backgrounds after I graduate. It is argued in the article that West Essex students will be in for “a rude awakening” when they enter the business world and have to deal with different people. Then, is it comparable to argue that those who attend all-boys, Catholic schools like Seton Hall Prep, Delbarton, St. Peter’s Prep, and Don Bosco Prep will not be able to work in an environment with non-Catholics and women?

The article also fails to recognize how diverse the Caucasian ethnic group is. Sophomore Igor Ponomarev, who is Russian, feels isolated from the rest of the school, but wouldn’t Ponomarev be classified under the Caucasian group?

The manner in which the article was written does not support the tolerance message Fonseca aimed for. Perhaps the question is not if the Caucasian students will be able to communicate and relate to people of other ethnic groupings.

The question is whether or not the student body as a whole can be tolerant of people with varied personalities.

And maybe I do like my collared shirts and flip flops, but to judge me by my appearance would be the pinnacle of ignorance.

by Katie Rosenberg ‘07

Does it bother you that...

by Benjamin Chase Elberg ‘06

Technology is exponentially increasing the speed with which people can communicate nowadays, and although it helps to speed the message from fingertips to fingertips, just what happens when electronic speed meets human capability?

Well, that just depends on the speed with which humans use that capability.

Technological advances such as email and the internet, for example, have made communication easier, but because human beings are still human, they have had to make sure to keep pace with technology.

Take our school, for example. It’s extremely technologically advanced. We have a minimum of four computers in all classrooms, SMART Boards strategically placed in classrooms around the school, as well as teachers who are proficient in using them.

Add to that technological hardware gold mine, our state of the art email system, which can bring a problem to the attention of the administration, who can, in turn, tackle problems immediately and efficaciously.

In fact, when a student, teacher, or parent has a concern, thankfully, in our perfect, technologically outfitted school system, the administration can get right back to the concerned party without delay.

Yes, in fact, any administrator can get back to anyone with a concern, no matter what the question, no matter how diminutive the problem, with lightning speed. Although it may seem like days to those who are waiting for a response, and sometimes weeks, in actuality, technology delivers responses in only a matter of seconds. It’s the anticipation that makes it seem so long.

But answering the question and solving the problem as soon as possible is just what’s expected and what’s delivered because that’s just the way a Star School operates.

Just try it yourself. Sit down at a computer, log on, launch Explorer, and send your message. But here’s a tip: just don’t blink, or the speed of the return email may pass by so fast that you may not see it until it makes one whole revolution around the sun and comes back after what literally seems like a year.

opinion

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wessex wire - february 2006

Realize consequence of anyone’s access to “our” space

by Jen Tomsey ‘06

Myspace isn’t “my” space at all. Rather, it should be called “our” space since, just like every other website, it is open to the whole world to view. People, like myself, post personal pictures and information on these websites without a second thought. However, Myspace can pose a threat to students who use it, but only if they actively look for it.

True, Myspace has the potential to have dangerous repercussions. Regardless, teens will continue to update their Myspace profiles, but just like with AOL Instant Messenger, one can only get into trouble if she communicates to a person she doesn’t know.

Myspace differs greatly from AOL Instant Messenger, however, in that anyone in the world can search and “find you” on Myspace, while AIM is a private conversation. On Myspace, instantly, one can see multiple pictures of you, where you go to school, and who your friends are. Instantly, “inside jokes” posted as comments and “personal pictures” up for display aren’t so personal anymore.

I never thought Myspace was dangerous, since I know each one of my friends and since I don’t send messages to anyone I don’t know. However, I had an uneasy feeling when a person I didn’t know well came up to me and told me that the last person to comment me was “cute.” Granted, this person goes to West Essex and we have common friends, but I had never spoken to this person before, and I felt strange because I hadn’t thought about the people I don’t know who have access to my page.

I never realized that as I surf other peoples’ pages, others can view mine just as easily. In this same way, taken to the extreme, a vicious “stalker” cycle can begin with someone who checks another’s page daily to see updated pictures, comments, and blogs. Once a stranger likes what he sees, he may try to send a message to the person.

But teens, especially, should not act on invitations to meet strangers because warnings about internet predators ab-

solutely apply to Myspace.

And the threats don’t end there. Myspace also endangers the face to face relationship as we know it. Myspace is now just another outlet for teens and young adults to network with friends. Constant and addictive, that networking confines teens to focusing on a screen.

And increasingly, teens spend more time alone in front of that screen instead of interacting together with friends. Empty words read across a screen replace emotion sharing and conversation.

Our generation, as we know it, may have trouble with sharing intimate emotions face to face as a result of the constant screen to screen conversations that take place daily, a direct result of both AIM and Myspace. Students log in multiple hours per day on AIM, making friendships and conversations more impersonal than ever.

Teens and young adults must practice safety and responsibility if they are to continue to use Myspace regardless of the consequences. If you must fan your addiction to Myspace, don’t talk to anyone you don’t know on your “space,” and certainly don’t ever meet any strangers on their “space.”

Myspace creator Tom Anderson’s personal photo from his page -photo courtesy of myspace.com

Don’t ignore dangers of so-called “friendly” space

by Sam Lerner ‘06

The story entitled “Myspace: changing the face of making friends” by Katie Clavin acknowledges the many pluses of having a Myspace account, yet neglects to mention the dangerous and even fatal aspects associated with this site.

Clavin interviewed girls who only have positive experiences with Myspace but who have never encountered risks. Through personal messaging, these girls were able to find boyfriends and new friends.

However, recent cases of stalking and murder have been connected to this so-called “friendly” space.

Ever since the launching of the

online world, families and authorities have tried to make both children and adults understand the dangers of posting private information online. But Myspace has now provided a new realm for naive teenagers to foster relationships with stalkers and pornographers.

Even though the responsibility and consequences of such threatening actions should rest with these predators, the problem unfortunately begins with the subscribers’ trust. Just because a person’s profile states that he or she is 19, anyone reading this information should not necessarily take it as truth.

Trusting these strangers could lead to victimization involving stalking, assault, or even murder.

In Middleton, Connecticut, police

traced seven sexual assaults back to the Myspace website. The assaulted teenage girls between the ages of 12 and 16 all confirmed that the men claimed to be much younger ages than they stated on their pages.

Although the male culprits are to blame and should be held accountable for their wrong doings, this site is only supposed to be accessible for people of the age of 18, and the underage girls who participated cannot be excused from sharing the blame as they falsified their ages.

But underage girls are not the only ones at risk.

More recently, 27 year old Josie Phyllis Brown, of Towson, Maryland, was reported dead at an interchange near Interstate 95 and

Interstate 695 in Arbutus, Maryland.

John Gaumer, 22, admitted that he had kidnapped and murdered her after going on a first date on December 28. Gaumer and Brown had met on Myspace and became extremely friendly, thus resulting in them meeting in person for a date.

Myspace is an entertaining and addictive website, and through the ability to add buddies and to message these buddies across the country, anyone can become friends with another. However, Myspace supporters need to realize the dangers that ensue when they post their names, ages, and addresses on a page that is not only THEIR space, but the whole wide world web’s space.

12

opinion

wessex wire - february 2006 2004 wessex wire-january STAFF EDITORIAL

College bound students in for a “rude awakening” Eighty-six percent of college-bound West Essex students are in for a rude awakening.

In his article “Students work just to make the grade, not just to learn,” Jaime Blaustein reported that 86 of 100 West Essex students surveyed believe that getting good grades in school is a higher priority than actually learning the material on which they are graded.

Well, those students are cheating themselves out of an education that is needed for a solid foundation, comprehensive training, and a successful postcollege career.

Although junior Jared Davidson may not be wrong in saying that grades are important, as “ultimately, they are what will get [students] into college,” teenagers must understand that grades are supposed to serve as a measurement of how much a student has learned.

And although a college may reward a student who earns good grades with an acceptance, professors and administrators at that college expect that the student will come to school with an educational background comparable to the grades that he or she received in high school.

To complicate matters, Blaustein’s story quotes an anonymous West Essex parent who supports her son’s belief that grades are more important than learning. Blaustein also quotes physics teacher Lucianna Rossetti, who believes that a student cannot possibly do well on a test without learning the information. Although these two opinions are contrasting, both are problematic.

If parents encourage the prioritizing of good grades over getting a well-rounded education, they are teaching their children that everything in life is about the rewards, not the experience.

If parents don’t value education, how can they expect their kids to value learning or any type of work for that matter?

Parents need to stress to their children how important it is to get a solid education in high school. If they don’t, they cannot expect that their children will be successful in college or in the “real world.” Instead, these children will grow up to be adults who look for shortcuts in

derestimates the effectiveness of memorization techniques, as well as the proverbial “regurgitating” of information.

These and other strategies help students to do well on assessments without ever having to have a complex (or, in some cases, even basic) understanding of the subject on which they are being tested. I am not suggesting that teachers make assessments harder than they already are, but it is important that teachers take time during their class periods to ask students questions in order to ensure that they grasp all of the concepts as those concepts are being taught.

No one argues the fact that grades are important. If you get good grades, you go to a better college, which can lead to greater career opportunities—it’s logical.

However, in concerning themselves with getting good grades, students should not devalue the importance of education.

Here’s a novel idea for students who want to get good grades: learn the material, understand it, study it, apply it, and then, consequently, do well on assessments. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

“Here’s a novel idea for students who want to get good grades: learn the material, understand it, study it, apply it, and then, consequently, do well on assessments.”

life. Rarely does a person who is successful in or after college get to where he or she is without hard work.

Also, teachers must understand that students are capable of doing well on tests even if they don’t know the information that well. Although I am sure that Ms. Rossetti does not condone valuing grades above learning, the question she poses The Official Student Newspaper of West Essex High School as to how someone A Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown, Gold Medalist Paper can do well on a test GSSPA First Place New Jersey Distinguished Journalism Award without cheating, if 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 that person does not (973) 228-1200 ext. 258 know the material, un2005-2006 STAFF:

APPLAUSE AND FLAWS Applause: *To Matt Laracy for scoring 1000 points *To the females for surviving the assembly *To the sweet new nacho cheese dispenser in the cafeteria *To the snow days *To the seniors accepted to college *To the puppy bowl for being better than the Rolling Stones *To the seniors who still do work *To everyone for giving it their all in floor hockey *To Jason Peckis and Justin Stolfi...yet again *To John Baab for updating the Westex.org poll on a regular basis Flaws: *To juniors parking in the senior parking lot *To mono spreading around the school *To seniors who still haven’t applied to college *To the blizzard falling on a weekend *To the colleges that don’t appreciate West Essex seniors *To firing Thaddeus (and Mr. Caps) *To the new Olympic Ice Skating judging system for leaving no room for artistic interpretation *To the school for having another senior parking lottery and not following up on it *To the construction for still not making noticeable progress. (Yeah, we’ve said in the last four issues, but we’ll say it again.)

-compiled by the Wire staff

Editors-in-Chief Marissa Grossman ‘06 Jon Kartus ‘06 Jen Tomsey ‘06 News Editor Marissa Grossman ‘06 Opinion Editor Jon Kartus '06 Feature Editor Jen Tomsey '06 Sports Editors Sandra Lucero ‘07 Katie Rosenberg ‘07 Among the Mugs Editor Sandra Lucero ‘07

Staff Writers Jamie Blaustein ‘07 Jenna Cirangle ‘07 Katie Clavin ‘07 Matt Cohn ‘08 Dan Coplon ‘07 Emily Cox ‘07 Ben Elberg ‘06 Jesse Finkelstein ‘06 Sam Lerner ‘06 Jeremiah Lim ‘08 JJ MacNamara ‘07 Steve Monin ‘07 Amanda Nichols ‘08 Jared Prince ‘07 Carlo Reda ‘06 Kristen Ricigliano ‘07 Daniele Stefanelli ‘06 Jack Vidovich ‘08 Advisor Tina Lane

News Bytes Editor Helen Wang ‘07 Copy Editor Laurie Mittelmann ‘07

Wire Editorial Policy The national award winning Wessex Wire is published with supplemental updates to inform, educate, and entertain the student body, faculty, and community. Unsigned editorials are the consensus opinion of the editorial board and do not always reflect the views of the advisor, staff, administration, and/or board of education. Signed editorials reflect the view of the person whose name appears in the byline.

The Wire serves as a forum for the free expression of ideas and opinions of students, staff, and community members.

We urge readers to write letters to the editor on pertinent matters of concern. Letters must be signed; however, anonymity will be granted if necessary upon request. Members of the editorial board reserve the right to edit all letters to the editor for length or libelous content.

Students, faculty, or members of the community with an interesting experience or strong opinion on any subject are also encouraged to write or contact the Wire.

In this section: Facebook available for HS students.........14 Myspace changing relationships...............15 Wessex workload too much..........................16

What is the purpose?

Student solves mystery behind horseshoe satellite dish But Ashley Safir doesn’t see its removal as a for, sophomore Jessica Quick thought that priority. “At this point, I don’t care,” she said. learning Japanese “would be fun.”

“It’s a little bit of a stretch, but I’d do it,” “There are more pressing matters at hand. We An ancient relic which predates the era of Quick said. Sophomore, Jeremy Lim added should deal with it when the school if finished.” iPods and digital cameras has loomed in the that “it’s important to learn Japanese.”

But to get rid of the dish now when our school horseshoe courtyard for who knows how long.

Both the artifact and the question of what we needs all the resources available would be a However old, this artifact must have served huge waste. So I looked for ways some purpose at some point in time, and my to use it. assignment was to find it.

We could turn it into a pool so I started by interviewing some teachers. With the swim team doesn’t have to a clear view of the dish from classroom, Mr. travel all the way over to the Christopher Benacquista guessed that “it was Livingston YMCA. We could let “We could turn it into a pool so the probably used for a television production stuthe cafeteria use it as a wok to heat swim team doesn’t have to travel dio that either once was here or was supposed huge amounts of stir fry or give the all the way over to the Livingston to be.” But such a studio has never existed. birds that inhabit our hallways a Another teacher, who asked that his name be YMCA.” big bird bath. We could use it as withheld, didn’t know and didn’t care what the giant bowl to hold useless matesatellite was used for but added that it was rial that’s just lying around the probably just another way for the school to should do with this relic, however, still remained. school, or we could even take it apart and use “waste money.” When the school installed the “We should take it down and throw it out,” its remains to cover some of our ceilings. satellite, it may have been a big “technological said Joe Ricciardi, who has a clear view of the If its place at West Essex is not found, howadvancement,” but now, according to this monstrosity from his history class. “We’re not ever, it may be doomed to the same fate that teacher, it’s “useless.” using it now, and it has no use. We should get plagues the human race: trying to find its reaAfter that, I saw junior Helen Wang, and I rid of it and its ugly presence.” son for existence. asked her about what she knew. “I heard it was there for the old foreign language classes,” said Helen Wang. “Teachers would use the satellite to view shows in that language they were teachingjust a theory though.”

Then I looked outside the school. “I thought it was to be used to tape educational programs off the dish and create a library of videos that could be used in classes upon request,” said Business Administrator and Board Secretary Daniel Borgo, whose office is now on Passaic Ave. The results of these interviews were too uncertain, so I traveled over the web to Paramus High School where I found someone who actually knew the genesis of the satellite dish.

A former West Essex administrator, who was the former head of the world language department, verified that the satellite dish was, indeed, once used to teach Japanese.

“My intent was to expand the language offerings for West Essex students,” said Assunta Violante, who is the present supervisor of world language at Paramus High School. “I was able to get it [at] no cost to the district through NJN (New Jersey Network),” said Violante. Well, there you have it..

Violante thought that since the satellite dish didn’t cost the school any money, there really could be no harm in trying something new.

Though it hasn’t been used for a long period of time, it remains as a symbol of a short lived attempt to expand the course opportunities The satellite under discussion is located in the horseshoe courtyard that initially was built for West Essex offers. an expansion of the world language department in order to offer Japanese as a language.

When told what the satellite had been used

by Jack Vidovich ‘08

14

wessex wire -wire-january february 20062004 wessex

feature

Spreading “faster than strep-throat bugs at a spin-the-bottle session,” according to spokesman Chris Hughes, FaceBook, a way for students on campus to connect with each other, has now infected West Essex High School students.

Facebook goes from college only to high school friendly and Starbucks. We see each other and share a contain contact information, interests, favorite laugh.” movies and bands, and relationship status.

The program revolves around a unique lingo.

“When I first found out my roommate’s Launched by Harvard sophomore Mark For example, members send “invites” to name, the first thing I did was search for her Zuckerburg in 2001, 6,000 Harvard students “friends.” Once becoming “friends,” they can profile,” said former West Essex student joined the network within the first few weeks, post on their “wall” by dropping a “comment.” Michele Verde who now attends James Madiinfluencing millions of students from more than son University.

4,000 campuses.

“It was helpful beAnd the recent creation of High School cause I knew what to FaceBook currently boasts more than 60 West expect when I got to Essex members. school,” Verde added But FaceBook has not only changed the way about FaceBook, “When I first found out my roommate’s students meet on campus; it has also changed which also helped her name, the first thing I did was search for the face of friendship, or rather, increased the make a “quick” conher profile.” number of acquaintances. nection with the cam“A friend on FaceBook doesn’t necessarily pus. mean that you are friends,” according to senior Mecca originally -former West Essex student Michele Angie Mecca. heard about Verde “It basically means that you know each other FaceBook from all of and share some sort of connection, [either in] her “college friends” school or [through] a mutual friend.” who said it was Most people don’t “talk” to FaceBook They can even “poke” each other, the FaceBook “strictly” for college students. friends on a “regular basis.” “I have spoken to way of saying hello.

“They mentioned that they made ‘friends’ many at least once; otherwise, my ‘friends’ are While unfamiliar, this jargon isn’t quite as before even going to school. By looking at other people I know through other friends,” added perplexing as it sounds. peoples’ profiles they could see who had simisenior James Lucero who spends “about an Members send an “invite,” or invitation, lar interests to theirs,” Mecca said. hour on high school FaceBook everyday.” requesting the “friendship” or camaraderie of “Once they went to school, they would run An hour is minimal compared to some of his another member. If the friendship is “accepted,” into their new ‘friends’ in classes and hallways.” friends who spend “three hours” on it “daily” they can then send each other messages or comCurrently having more than “4.2 million memlooking at pictures and reading peoples’ inter- ments as well as view their friend’s profile. bers,” Dustin Moskovitz, co-creator, expects ests.

However, if the friendship is “denied,” it is flat FaceBook to “swell to unknown proportions.”

“About 40 random people from other schools out rejected.

“Opening up a high school version of have requested to be my friends even though Messages sent are similar to an e-mail, FaceBook seemed to make sense because of they do not know me personally,” Lucero which only the receiver can read. Comments, the extensive similarities between high school added. however, can be read by all of their “friends” if and college life,” according to Moskovitz.

“They see my interests, request to be my posted on their “wall,” which is similar to a bul“Obviously, they’re very different, but what’s friend, and then we talk about the subject. I have letin board. at the heart of both is an educational institution even run into my FaceBook ‘friends’ at parties The “profiles,” which are similar to a resume, around which students build their social lives.”

by Jesse Finkelstien ‘06

feature

wessexwessex wire - wire-january february 2006 2004

Myspace: changing the face of making friends

by Katie Clavin ‘07 Whereas once the “Letter of Introduction” connected people who previously didn’t know each other, Myspace.com is its 21st century’s cousin, and it’s changing the face of making friends and connections as we know it.

Every time junior Gianna Fede goes on MySpace, she has at least one request from someone to be her friend. “I met one of my really close guy friends on MySpace,” according to Fede.

“This guy from Livingston requested to be my friend, and once I accepted, we started talking a lot,” Fede said.

Fede figured out that both she and her MySpace Friend used to live in the same town. It turns out that their fathers grew up together and used to be really close friends.

“Since we had so much in common, I got his screen name and we began talking a lot online,” Fede added. They now talk daily and Fede claims she can “see what [he’s] up to by looking at his MySpace.” MySpace was just the start of their friendship, according to Fede.

In fact, meeting people through MySpace has become a commonplace for West Essex students. Sophomore Nicole DeAngelo met her current best friend on MySpace.

“I began talking to this girl Alexa from Nutley,” said DeAngelo. “We had a lot in common since I knew most of her friends from her town.” She and her MySpace friend had so much in common that they began hanging out every weekend. “Now I see her all the time, and when I don’t [see her], I just talk to her on MySpace.”

Some of DeAngelo’s friends are from different towns, so she meets new people every weekend. “A lot of them claim they already know about me from MySpace.”

DeAngelo and her “MySpace friends” tend to stay close and talk “at least once a week,” but she can also keep up to date with distant friends through MySpace. “I can not only talk to them, but I can see what they’ve been up to by reading their comments,” according to DeAngelo That’s how she gets to know them better, but they get to know her better too.

“They find out things such as where I live, who I’m friends with, and what my interests are,” DeAngelo said.

When her friends from other schools introduce her to their friends, some of them already know these things since they’ve seen her MySpace, a fact which makes DeAngelo feel uneasy, however. “I don’t like the idea of people knowing these personal things, it really freaks me out.”

Fede can relate to DeAngelo’s situation because she, herself, gets a lot of requests from people asking to meet her, which she finds “just weird.” Fede doesn’t like the idea of meeting people through MySpace since she doesn’t know them well enough.

“I’ve never met anyone from MySpace,” Fede said. “That’s just a little extreme.” Most people probably don’t even know that she has one since she’s not an “avid user.”

Fede admits, however, that she used to look at her ex-boyfriend’s MySpace daily “to see what girls comment him.”

“If he commented back and sounded flirty, I would ask him about it.”

Aside from that, Fede said she doesn’t use MySpace often because her fear of being “stalked.” She claims to know a lot of people who look at MySpace all day long and doesn’t want any unwanted visitors coming across hers.

But other MySpace users don’t see stalking as a threat.

Sophomore Joey Ricciardi claims he has never come across someone who knew him from MySpace. Ricciardi has had a MySpace account for almost a year and has never had a problem with other people trying to “get to know him.”

“Someone once asked me to meet them over the weekend,” Ricciardi added.

But he ended up saying no because he had nothing in common with this person and had no desire to meet her.

THE FACTS: MYSPACE IS, SIMPLY, ADDICTING

* It’s a busy life. Talking to friends, decorating, putting up new pictures — it can take up every waking hour. * Having a MySpace “page” is sort of like decorating your locker. You fix it up any way you want, pasting up pictures of you and your friends, and locking out people you don’t want in your “friends” network. * To understand MySpace, think of it as an Internet hangout, a Web site that has grown to 50 million users since its beginnings in July 2003. * MySpace is a local phenomenon, too. A search Wednesday showed that about 3,000 people within 20 miles of Lake Jackson have pages on the sophisticated blogging site. A blog is a Web log, a frequently updated online journal.

-www.thefacts.com