The Wessex Wire The Student Newspaper of West Essex Regional High School
Vol. LV No. 6
June 2015
West Essex High School, 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, N.J.
‘Dreams come true’ for music students
By Jewels Gutowski ’16 The Choir, Orchestra and
photos courtesy of Olivia Soloman, christina hagelin and Colleen Graham; Illustration by kerri astorino
In This Issue:
3-5 Opinion
Marching Band traveled to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., to perform from May 22 to 26. The music department was invited to perform this year and has been actively preparing since the beginning of the school year for this trip. “We rehearsed intensely for the few weeks leading up to the trip. Some students even took vocal lessons in preparation for the performances,” said senior Lizzy Sohn, one of the Choir Council presidents. “Everyone was so excited to go, especially the seniors because it was a great way to end their last year of high school.” The Choir and Orchestra’s performances were held in Downtown Disney on Memorial Day in the afternoon. The Marching Band also traveled through Main Street in Magic Kingdom for the parade. The music department
Questioning extracurricular intentions
8-9 Arts
usually attends Dorney Park in Pennsylvania every year, but they only travel to Disney World once every four years. For some of the seniors in the Marching Band this was their second trip to Disney World, the first time being in eighth grade. For junior Hannah Ploch, this was her first time going to Disney. “I was so excited to go because I’ve never been there before,” she said. “It was even more special because I got to experience it with my friends.” Ms. Rizzo is usually in charge of the trip, but because she was on maternity leave, this year Ms. Mateyka filled in for her. “Ms. Mateyka has really done great things for the choir,” said senior Kelly Scheper, member of the Choir and Marching Band. “I really enjoyed performing in Disney because it was such a cool and different atmosphere. It was so exciting to end my senior year this way.”
Trans-Jenner: revealing sexuality
On the first day of their arrival they all went to Universal Studios. “I really enjoyed going to Harry Potter World in Universal,” junior Mike Weiss said. When the students were done performing for the day, they were given the option to explore the various parks in Disney, going on rides, shop, eat and hang out with their friends. “I couldn’t wait to finally perform,” junior Jackie Thomas said. “But I was mostly excited to hang out in the parks and have fun with my friends afterwards.” The Choir, Orchestra and Marching Band have prepared for the their performances and involvement in the parade for a lengthy amount of time. “I really liked performing on stage with the professionals and spending time with my friends in the parks,” junior Katie Aussenheimer said. “I’m so glad it was such a successful and fun trip after practicing for five months.”
10-12 Sports
Reviewing draft day for the NFL
The Wessex Wire: News
June 2015
Page 2
Struggling through another round of PARCC By Isabel Tabs ’17
Students across the West Essex district have participated in a total of two weeks of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) for the first time ever in the 2014-2015 school year. New Jersey is one of 14 states that participated in the PARCC testing in order to fulfill the Common Core State Standards. The PARCC is a four day assessment testing two days of Math and English. Within the four day period, students test for a total of eight hours to demonstrate their knowledge of the given subject. Because it is a state mandate, West Essex administered the test twice: the performance-based assessment (PBA) which was the start of the year during March 2 to 9 and May 18 to 22. “West Essex does not have an opt out policy for PARCC testing,” Principal Suda said. “A refusal to test was observed with a parent note communicating the refusal.” Students were not able to opt out due to school policy; the test is said to accurately measure their knowledge in English and Math. Students
Photo by Courtney Pappas
Classrooms throughout the school have been blocked off for PARCC testing, interfering with classroom availability.
currently attending West Essex, classes of 2016, 2017 and 2018, will not be required to take the PARCC for graduation requirements. Because students know the PARCC does not count for their graduation requirement this year,
many students have admitted that they did not take the test very seriously. However the administration stressed that students should treat all assessments of this level as equally important. “Assessment data obtained from the PARCC assessment will help our students and teachers identify academic strengths and weaknesses,” Principal Suda said. Currently, there is no singular formal test the school has to administer for graduation requirements. The PARCC aims to replace the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA), which acted as the previous test for graduation. According to state guidelines, current freshmen, sophomores and juniors can take a substitute assessment and receive a passing score to meet their state graduation requirement. For most students, the ACT and SAT can stand as a substitute assessment; students who receive a score of 400 on either the Math or Critical Reading portions of the SAT or a 16 for the ACT on Math or Reading fulfill that requirement. Students in 11th grade say that the PARCC testing has not helped them for SAT prep, which stands
“ ”
“It doesn’t test our knowledge in the way it claims. The questions are not related in any form and is so irrelevant to anything we learn in school.” —Sabrina Palko
as one of the most important things to get into college. “While I expected the PARCC to be similar in format to the SAT, I was surprised it was quite different,” junior Evan Snerson said. “The format of the questions for each were almost nothing alike, and it made it difficult to understand the benefits of the PARCC test.” “I don't think the PARCC is helpful at all when preparing for the SATs because they are not similar at all,” junior Sabrina Palko said. “It doesn’t test our knowledge in the way it claims it does. The questions are not related in any form and is so irrelevant to anything we learn in school.” Many students added that they were unhappy about taking time out of their classes to take a test that reflects or impacts their
future education. For many, the time spent on PARCC meant less time on the basic curriculum in different subjects. “Between the two weeks of PARCC testing, my classes have been so behind,” freshman Sarah Falkin said, who added that she felt “rushed in everything, which makes it very stressful.” These frustrations have been felt by the entire student body. As of now, the PARCC is slated to be put into effect as a graduation requirement for students. However current classes don’t need to worry about their scores on the assessment. “Knowing that PARCC does not count is a relief because it means I can focus more on studying for the SAT and ACT next year,” sophomore Sophie Moyer said.
News happening throughout the world
Relief sent to victims in Nepal after earthquake and avalanche By Maddie Gering ’16
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 hit Nepal and surrounding areas on April 24 followed by aftershocks and another earthquake of a smaller magnitude the next day. It was the most damaging earthquake to hit the nation in over 80 years with the death toll nearly reaching 8,000. The earthquake not only damaged villages in Nepal, but it also triggered an avalanche on Mt. Everest, which killed over
20 people who were climbing the mountain at the time. Since the earthquake, there were many different relief efforts put in place to help aid the victims and families. Major companies, volunteer groups and celebrities all were working towards aiding those in Nepal. The Red Cross has pledged to give $1 million and send in disaster specialists to help aid people in need. Right now there are volunteers working to build survival kits to send to people
in Nepal until they can receive proper help. Famous soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo donated $8 million towards relief programs. He hopes that his donation will help towards the rescue effort. AT&T is also trying to help people in the U.S get in touch with their loved ones by offering free text messages and calls to Nepal. On the East Coast, there are different programs taking volunteers to send to Nepal or to help raise money for supplies. All Hands Volunteers is a volunteer
group that is working with representatives from Unicef to send volunteers willing to help. The volunteers sent to Nepal work first hand with victims of the damaging earthquake. There were also local volunteer groups that get together to m a ke backpacks filled of supplies, and then send them off to the Red Cross to distribute. If going to Nepal to help is not realistic there were ways to help locally. There were many organizations that need funding to send
relief to Nepal. The Red Cross and Unicef were always looking for donations to send more supplies and people as well as Doctors Without Borders. This was a group of doctors who aid in disasters and need funding to keep up with supplies and medicine for the thousands injured. "The aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal is devastating," junior Amanda Wasserman said. "I plan on helping in some way, whether is is donating or volunteering with a local group."
Ireland legalizes gay marriage using landmark popular vote By Anthony Gagliardi ’16
In a sur pr is e move, t he t r a d it i ona l ly c ons e r v at ive country of Ireland spoke loudly and proudly in support of gay marriage through a nationwide popular vote on May 22. Over 60 percent of the nation turned out to the polls, ending with more than 1 million votes in favor of gay marriage, while fewer than 750,000 votes were against it. Out of the 43 parliamentary
constituencies, only one voted against the decision. Around the world, 17 countries have passed same-sex marriage already, but without the use of a popular vote among their citizens. In contrast, only a select number of jurisdictions in the United States and Mexico have legalized gay marriage. Ireland’s decision, which is a majority Catholic nation, comes as a surprise to many countries around the world.
Homosexuality was not decriminalized until the late 1990s, hinting at the idea that its people are changing into a more progressive thinking, rather than the traditional conservative, Catholic values. Several days after the political victory in favor of gay marriage, a number of Vatican officials responded with opinions ranging from “a wakeup call” to “a defeat to humanity.” O pp osit ion to s ame-s ex marriage campaigned to keep
the ‘traditional family image’ intact, while supporters of gay marriage pushed for a bold, new change to the country. With the legalization of samesex marriage, couples now have the opportunity to go into a civil marriage, but this passage does not legalize the use of a “religious marriage.” According to Yes Equality, churches and religious institutions still have the ability to prevent same-sex marriages
if their beliefs do not agree; however, this exception will not have any effect with adoption or surrogacy rights amongst samesex couples. Ireland has taken the initiative to pass gay marriage nationwide with the power of their own voice, proving that acceptance of equality among minority groups is spreading rapidly. Deputy Prime Minister Joan Burton said in a statement, “This is a magical, moving moment.”
Opinion
June 2015 Issue 6
The Wessex Wire Page 3
Criticizing Christie’s call
The Common Core is infamous for standardizing education on a national level. While its purpose is fairness, it has been considered anything but. Efforts to unify students and level the playing field began because of the No Child Left Behind initiative taken by President Bush in 2001; results proved unsuccessful, leaving 50 different standards for 50 different states. As a means of compensatensation for this failed attempt, the Common Core was established. It has been set in place in our state for five years and has proven to be equally unsuccessful. Because these standards are set for all education facilities in the country, it is almost impossible for this system to create fairness in schools, yet be personalized to each student’s individual learning level. Due to the remote guidelines of the Common Core, Governor Christie has reportedly announced on May 28 a new procedure to slowly remove New Jersey from the Common Core standards. While the dismissal of the Common Core may change some aspects of education as we know now, the agonized PARCC test, which evaluates student proficiency, will remain in place. Christie argues that while the Common Core’s goal is not efficient for the school environment, the PARCC, which aligns with the Common Core and has the same methods and means, somehow does. Governor Christie claims to be reconstructing the education system in our state, yet he is sticking to the most contentious aspect of the Common Core. “Not eliminating PARCC is completely illogical,” administrators of the New Jersey Education Association said, according to Nj.com. Christie is unsure of what is in store for the New Jersey education system but one thing is for certain: the PARCC test will continue even in the face of criticism, affecting students, teachers and parents alike.
Staff Editorial
“Maryland National Guard” BY The National Guard (commons.wikimedia.org), “Freddie Gray Precinct Protest” BY Veggies (commons. wikimedia.org) and “Minneapolis rally and march to support the people of Baltimore” BY Fibonacci Blue (www.flickr.com)
The Wessex Wire The Official Student Newspaper of West Essex High School A Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Medalist Paper 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 (973) 228-1200 ext. 258 2015-2016 STAFF: Managing Editor Tatum Pappas ’16
Editors-in-Chief Brianna Crummy ’16 Julia Maxman ’16
Art Director Courtney Pappas ’16
News Editors Anthony Gagliardi ’16 Cathryn Kessler ’16
Opinion Editors Jordan Alworth ’16 Jewels Gutowski ’16
Features Editors Julie Rosenberg ’16 Isabel Tabs ’17
Sports Editors Kirk Geller ’16 Caitlin Morrissey ’16
Arts & Culture Editor Patrick Glenn ’16
Research Editor Jake Wolf ’17
Copy Editors Gianna Aktas ’16 Ceana Cuello ’16 Junior Copy Editor: Daniella Ignacio ‘17
Cartoonist Mattias Voltmer ’16
Photo Editors Maddie Gering ’16 Sammi Mazzella ’16 Jules Moskowitz ‘17 Advertising Editors Sammi Mazzella ’16 Jaime Petrocca ’16
Adviser Mr. Hermosilla
Contributing Staff Jessica Cunha ‘17 Heath Kalb ‘18 Dan Laible ‘18 Chris Tsakonas ‘18
The Wessex Wire Editorial Policy
The national-award winning Wessex Wire is published with supplemental updates to inform, educate and entertain the approximately 1,200 students of West Essex High School, faculty and community. Unsigned editorials are the consensus opinion of the editorial board and do not always reflect the views of the adviser, 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 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 at thewessexwire@gmail.com. Several photos in this issue are used under various Creative Commons licenses. For more info and full licensing details, visit creativecommons.org.
Photos courtesy of Michael Davis Jr (CC BY 2.0), Veggies (CC BY-SA 3.0) and Fibonacci Blue (CC BY 2.0)
Protests emerged in many cities as a result of the Baltimore riots and the death of Freddie Grey
Riots cause unwarranted chaos Violence spreads throughout cities across the United States in response to police brutality, rooted in the death of Freddie Grey By Anthony Gagliardi ’16 Riots in response to police brutality have sparked up in Baltimore and flowed into other cities across the nation after Freddie Grey, who was African American, died of a spinal cord injury while in police custody. Freddie Grey, 25, was in the police transport van while in custody when he fell in an apparent coma. He was then brought to a trauma center, but ended up dying from the injury one week later. Following his funeral on April 22, local high school students in Baltimore began throwing rocks and bricks at police officers two blocks away from the church. Social media spread the word of activity moving across Baltimore, sharing messages and images concerning the ongoing violence. Some messages pushed for violence, while others tried persuading the people to protest peacefully. Riots and protests erupted across Baltimore, causing the National Guard and local police units to enter the city in order to bring stability back to the streets. “I don’t understand the reason behind destroying your own city,” junior John Chiaia said. “If you have a problem with a system, then voice your opinion in a justified way.”
The city was put on a 10 p.m. curfew after looting, arson and rock throwing took place. The National Guard filed into Baltimore with armored Humvees to help support anti-riot blockages. Anti-violence advocates traveled throughout the city as well, trying to clean up the mess and promote peaceful messages. The next day, riots in Baltimore were quieted with the vast amount of police officers lining the streets. Peaceful protests formed, but for the most part the citizens of Baltimore were more interested in cleaning up the mess that covered their home. “The protests made in Baltimore have caused a domino effect in other cities,” junior Stephen Hunter said. With the spread of riots moving into other cities, I feel as if the protesters’ message is not going hand-in-hand with their actions. They are campaigning for an end to police brutality because of the increase in fatal shootings taking the lives of minority citizens, yet they decide to break store windows, rob innocent Mom & Pop businesses, cause fires to spread and bring destruction to their own city. If anything, they are making themselves more of a target to the Baltimore police force, which is
composed of more than 42 percent of minorities. Instead of making this a plea to end police brutality, they are blaming the whole situation on racism, even though the police officers are only doing their job to protect the community. For example, Grey was arrested on a weapons charge in a high crime area of Baltimore which is known for drugs. Grey is no stranger to criminal activity, having 20 criminal cases in Baltimore, five of which were still active before he died. Grey also had a pocket knife on him when he was arrested, and in the confrontation he did try to run away from police. When it comes to judging a situation, one must come to understand all the details. The protesters of Baltimore are quick to say that this is an act of racism on an African American’s life, but they are not taking in the full story. Throughout the world, the police force’s job is to bring stability and safety to the community and its people. Grey was a suspect to the police, no matter what color his skin was. Protesting and voicing your opinion is a right in this country, but when destruction and violence spark from it, the message is lost. Every life matters, and every community matters.
June 2015
Page 4
The Wessex Wire: Opinion
Empty activities don’t APPLAUSE & FLAWS portray the real you New hand dryers Pollen everywhere Spotty school Wi-Fi
You don’t need a laundry list of extracurriculars to be accepted By Courtney Pappas ’16 A student’s dream college resume: President of Key Club, Spanish Club, Photo Club, captain of the soccer team, volunteer at soup kitchen and nursing home every week. Now if colleges saw this, they’d probably be extremely impressed by this applicant’s extracurricular activities because it seems as if the student is truly making an effort in all aspects. Though all these attributes look great to colleges, the real question is where the applicant’s heart was when doing all these activities. The pressure to have an extraordinary application clashes with actually wanting to do all these extracurriculars for your own benefit. Students build up their applications with all of these great accomplishments but sometimes it’s just for the application and not for themselves. There are two types of people: the ones who genuinely want to do extracurricular activities out of the goodness of their hearts, and those who purely do it to build their resumes for college. While having many achievements is applaudable, it’s hard to be proud of something when you’re just doing it for the looks of it and not actually putting your heart and soul into
it. What good is it to be doing so much in high school to get into to a college but not continue the trend there? Colleges want students that are going to go above and beyond for them, which can include starting fundraisers, joining clubs or just being the outstanding people that the resume presents them as. Students shouldn’t just fill up their application with things that they are half-heartedly doing. “Colleges care about the character of students they admit, hoping their prospective students remain active participants on their campus,” guidance counselor Ms. Longo said. “Colleges are seeking to match the right students for their schools with their quality, not quantity.” Schools expect that their accepted students will carry on their same values in college as they did in high school. To create an image of being extremely involved in every little thing possible and not continue the same trend is cheating you and the college of its full potential. Colleges want the students that represent them best, which is why they accept them, so having an honest representation is only fair. My freshman year, I was in nine different clubs plus three sports because my mom, like many others, told me to “get involved.” As a
freshman, I was bombarded with overlapping meetings, constant work and just way too much on my plate. I found I wasn’t putting my best efforts into each club I was in, so if I wasn’t putting my whole heart into it, I knew that I wasn’t fit to be a member. The following year, I was in two sports and three clubs, which allowed me to be an active member. Cutting down my extracurriculars let me be an actual member of the clubs and led me to now be a current club leader my junior year. “I’m the vice president of student council and play sports and even that is overwhelming,” junior Matt Jones said. “If I did anymore, I don’t know if I could do my job to my best ability.” To sign up for as much as possible because you want to fill up your application doesn’t have as many benefits as you may think. This isn’t to say that extracurriculars are the enemy but just remember your limits. Students should be involved in what they can handle and prosper from. Being a part of a club that may affect their future or them possibly affecting the club is the goal. Colleges want to see growth throughout the years, maybe from member, to group leader to club president. Do what you can put your whole heart into.
How many extracurriculars are you involved in? (0) 6%
(1-2) 34%
5+
(3-4) 42%
(5+) 18%
0 1-2
3-4
80 STUDENTS POLLED; NUMBERS COMPILED BY DANIELLA IGNACIO
PNC concerts Move-up Day New Gmail
Photo by Julia Maxman
Pat is thinking about how Netflix steals the thunder from old TV shows.
Expand your TV horizons Television shows peak when they first air, not when watched on Netflix By Patrick Glenn ’16 Does it bother you that many users of Netflix only use the streaming service to re-watch and reminisce about old television series? Instead of using Netflix to its full potential and catch up on popular new series or one of the high-quality Netflix original programs, many choose to instead watch shows that are off the air entirely. Take shows like “Friends,” “How I Met Your Mother” or even “Friday Night Lights.” Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed every one of the previously mentioned shows, but I stress the past tense, I enjoy“ED” these shows. I’ll be the first to admit that Tim Riggins’ untamed mane and brooding personality are irresistible and made for fantastic television, but “FNL” is over. I also get that Barney Stinson of “HIMYM” is an entertaining character that delivers memo-
rable lines time and time again. But please, stop letting everyone know about it. I, like many others, have already seen these shows and quoted those lines. It’s time to expand your television viewing horizons. There is an entirely new, groundbreaking world of programming out there and I implore you to watch it. I’m not here just to rant about the annoying antics of Netflix abusers; I’m here to offer a helping hand and guidance through the daunting realm of unlimited television program options. Please, I beg of you of all, do not improperly use this great and powerful tool that is Netflix. Take advantage of it; watch a new series that you’ve never seen before or catch up on shows you are currently watching. Netflix is filled with a plethora of hit new series as well as original programming that demand to be seen. Hit shows like “Orange is the New Black” and “House of Cards” are just the tip of the iceberg for the potential that Netflix shows possess. With big names such as Kevin Spacey involved with this expanding entertainment service, these programs deserve to be seen by wider audiences. So please, expand your horizons a bit, and start watching fresh television series.
June 2015
Page 5
The Wessex Wire: Opinion
Repair your health by simply relaxing Bring on the summer without the stress By Jordan Alworth ’16 To decompress after a busy day of school, many find ease in watching TV or simply going to sleep. This relieves cumulated mental and physical stress, allowing one to prepare itself for the following day. Now apply this same ideology on a macro level: to decompress after a busy year of school, students should spend their summer breaks as periods of prolonged relaxation to make up for previous stress and pure exhaustion. Relaxing—one of the most desired, yet underappreciated “activities”—has invalidly developed a negative connotation due to its association with being underproductive. In reality, relaxation has legitimate health benefits that deserve our recognition. Students are constantly trying to find ways to get one step ahead, all in the name of preparing for their future. Being proactive, a euphemism that is used to describe the never-ending efforts made by students to -up their college resumes at all costs, has been consuming high-schoolers since freshman year. Many are already spending their summers at college campuses taking courses and enrolling in programs on top of dedicating their time to
service trips and charity events. Summer break, designed to be a hiatus from school-related work and stress, has evolved. What happened to embracing a bit of laziness and appreciating the absence of daily activity? Stress is one of the most harmful external forces imposed on our bodies. According to webmd.com, in severe doses stress can lead to heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, anxiety and depression. On a more minimal and applicable note, stress can also cause increased susceptibility to colds, headaches, acne and junk food cravings, according to huffingtonpost.com. Although never entirely avoidable, stress and its negative side effects, can be greatly minimized by simply taking it easy. My advocacy for relaxation is not meant to degrade the necessity of being productive in the society we live in today, or encourage students to turn into lackadaisical couch potatoes during their break from school. A balance must be found in which school, work and time to ourselves are all prioritized. If we all became working machines, there would be little pay off for all of our diligence, yet if we all sat around doing nothing, we would lack a sense of achievement and self-satisfaction. This serves a warning for not only students but adults as well, to take a moment to be grateful for the present and make sure your drive for work has not overridden your drive for play.
ILLUSTRATION BY MATTIAS VOLTMER
Whether you relax in the sun all summer or go on a spontaneous adventure, make sure to keep your stress in check and still make the most of your summer.
Make memories this summer By Sammi Mazzella ’16 Summer should be the season everyone takes advantage of. Everyone should start the school year feeling satisfied with how they spent the last three months. It’s a time for students to decompress and recover from the school year, but that’s not all it should be about. The first week is meant to relax, but then it’s time to go out and make memories. Seniors have an especially short summer before they pack up and leave for college. They want to—as they should—make the most of their last summer home. “Before I leave for college, I must go skydiving,” senior Mike Farina said. “I’ve always wanted to and this is going to be the summer to do it.” Other seniors have less extreme plans. Leaving for college means parting ways from friends. “I made such good friends here,” senior Alyssa Linfante said. “I’m going to be sad to see us all go
separate ways.” Although this is not the underclassmen’s last summer while in still in high school, they should spend it like it is. “I wait all year for summer — why would I waste it?” junior Stephen Hunter said. “I plan on trying to spend every second I can at the beach.” Laying on a beach is a much better way to spend a summer day than laying on your couch in doors. Go to the boardwalk with your friends and don’t be afraid to meet new people. Stay up until 3 a.m. without worrying about what you have to do the next day. The summer is about being carefree. It may seem like there’s never anything to do in this area, but really we have so many cities that are only a drive away. New York City is only 40 minutes away and makes for the perfect day trip location. Whether it’s cheating on that summer diet and finding somewhere to eat or walking around Central Park, there’s always something to do to
switch it up from the norm. Traveling outside the normal area is another option for students. It’s always a good opportunity to travel and experience different cultures or even just different parts of the country. It’s also good to get away from everything here. Traveling is like a break from reality. “I prefer going away than staying home,” said junior Parker Rakotci, who is visiting Hawaii this summer. Students often think that everything has to be planned out when the summer is actually about being spontaneous. Wake up one morning and decide to be adventurous. During the school year, there’s barely any time. Just think about everything you can do in the three months we have. It’s the time to break out of your comfort zone and do something that you would never do. Have something to talk about when you get back to school. Take full advantage of every day. Don’t let this be another ordinary summer.
False expectations lead to a disappointing reality
Social media has contorted teens’ perception of what life truly is like By Julie Rosenberg ’16
Imagine a teenage girl happily sitting on her phone while watching one of her favorite shows on TV. First she scrolls through Instagram and looks at pictures of stick-thin Brandy Melville and Triangl Swimwear models. Next, she looks through her Twitter feed and sees awe-inspiring pictures all tagged with the word “goals.” This once-happy girl now sits with a feeling of jealousy as she stuffs her face with junk food. By looking at PhotoShop pictures every day, people develop desires to re-enact those unrealistic constructions of life. The fear that we are always missing out on what social media portryas to us
needs to be addressed. This phenomenon is called FOMO: the Fear of Missing Out. No one talks about it, but everyone feels it. Student Assistance Counselor Mr. Emering said that students often feel they must have the same experiences and emulate the lifestyles they see on social media. “The images shown on the web show a fantasized dynamic of real life,” he said. “Students should be careful not to get too hung up on the false portrayal of life that social media provides.” “Summer goals,” “relationship goals,” and “vacation goals” are just a few of the trending “goals” captions on almost every Twitter post these days. These images, although enticing to look at, are misleading: They show none of the hard work that enabled such amazing experiences and relationships to happen. For example, when seeing a photograph of a happily married couple holding hands captioned with “relation-
ship goals,” people do not realize the years of overcoming adversity and dedication it takes to get there. Couples go through breakups, financial issues, deaths and so on before reaching places of happiness. Social media only provides us with pictures of the happy couple in the end. Being provided with an image -- like laying on an exotic tropical beach with the perfect sunglasses and perfect body at the tips of our fingers -- quietly nudges us to want that same experience at that very instant we Favorite the photo. This instant gratification, the idea that life rewards those who do no work, is entirely unrealistic. Teenagers often imagine that there is something bigger and better for them to be doing instead of sitting in a classroom all day doing worksheets and listening to their teachers lecture. What most people do not realize, though, is that the only way to achieve your goals is to work to get them. Once you have graduated col-
lege and worked, then maybe you can go on the vacation of your dreams and be in the relationship of your dreams. But the fear that we are missing out on an experi-
ence we are not capable of having at the moment makes it difficult for us to enjoy the simple things life has to offer. Until then, we should all live in the moment. Photo courtesy of Alexis Ren
Alexis Ren and Jay Alvarrez are both models who travel the world together as a couple; they share all of their experiences on Instagram and epitomize both lifestyle and relationship goals for teens.
June 2015 Issue 6
Features
The Wessex Wire Page 6
Church helpers rebuild homes and restore hope By Julia Maxman ’16
Photos courtesy of Notre dame church
The members of the 2014 mission trip dedicated their time and effort to help rebuild and restore the homes, as well as lives of the citizens of New Orleans.
“It’s amazing to “You might feel like witness the faces of you’re one person to the people that get to the world, but for one see their new homes person you may be for the first time.” their world.” John Chiaia ’16 Sabrina Palko ’16
While some students find summers in New Jersey to be as hot as they can handle, others find themselves handling power tools in the New Orleans heat. These students are parishioners of North Caldwell’s Notre Dame Church. On July 11 to 18, roughly 40 students from the area—including 15 from West Essex—will travel with the church’s youth group to restore homes and buildings destroyed during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. “I’m excited to go on the trip for my first time to experience New Orleans’s culture and way of living,” junior Sabrina Palko said. “Getting the opportunity to help those without a home is not an experience available to everyone, and I am sure I’ll walk away as a bigger person when I leave.” The program is funded through The St. Bernard Project; according to the group’s website, its mission is “to ensure that disaster-impacted citizens and communities recover in a prompt, efficient and predictable manner.” The trip begins every year with an arrival at Camp Hope, which was once operated as a school, but is now dedicated to housing the volunteers. “We slept in old carpeted classrooms with about 40 bunk beds,” said junior Marissa Inga, who was a volunteer for the project in 2014. “Not that it mattered where we stayed; we were there for other people, not ourselves.”
How you can help! Call (732) 383-8919 or visit stbernardproject.org $50
Paint for two rooms
$250
Price of one bathtub
Each day starts early; the group wakes up at about 7 a.m. to meet with their designated work groups. Each group is assigned a different house to repair, whether there are current residents in the home or not. Once fixed up, houses with no owners are assigned to the care of St. Bernard Project, and are later sold to families for affordable prices. Because the church volunteers are only there for about a week, not all of the projects are completed. However, St. Bernard Project funds several different mission trips to make these good deeds constant. Early days in the trip consisting of painting and spackling may not sound like a typical or ideal summer to many, but those involved say the feeling they get when finishing their work is truly indescribable. “When I was there and I finished the house I was working on, I got the chance to see the family move back into their old house,”
About the St. Bernard Project • 15 calls per week from individuals seeking rebuilding assistance • 6,000 families who owned homes before Hurricane Katrina still do not have the funds or resources necessary to rebuild • SBP has rebuilt nearly 600 homes in the New Orleans area since 2006 • SBP has rebuilt homes for over 900 families with the help of more than 100,000 volunteers statistics compiled by Brianna Crummy information obtained from stbernardproject.com
$2,000
Flooring for one house
said junior John Chiaia, who volunteered on the trip in 2014 and is returning to help this year. “The people whose house it was didn’t have a home for 10 years. When the family saw it, they were crying and were speechless.” Not only are the good endeavors a highlight of the trip, but the teens also have the opportunity to explore the city and experience the culture that New Orleans has to offer. Once the group’s work is finished, the volunteers have the opportunity to take a day for themselves and see the sights of the lively city. The French Quarter is known for its diverse cuisine and exciting street life. Joy Zucco McDonald, the pastoral associate for youth ministry at Notre Dame, feels passionately about the lesson many of the trips participants have learned: “That in helping each other during disasters, we can do great things. We are all connected, and our world is a lot smaller than we think.”
June 2015
Page 7
The Wessex Wire: Features
Local events to watch this summer Hit concerts coming up By Gianna Aktas ’16
With the summer rolling in, the number of concerts to attend are endless. For many West Essex students, an enjoyable summer implies gathering a group of friends and heading off to the hottest concert in town. Luckily for students there are tons of great concerts to see this summer.
Lady Antebellum: Wheels Up Tour
Taylor Swift: 1989 Tour
Photo courtesy of Julie crawford(CC BY 2.0)
A typical weekend at The Smorgasburg festival in Brooklyn.
Smorgasburg: A must try NYC experience that is close to home PHOTO COURTSEY OF LUNCHBOX LP(CC BY 2.0)
Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint Tour
This tour already kicked off in the beginning of May, and Swift is ready to shock the world once again after just finishing off her Red tour in 2014. Starting in Tokyo and working her way back to the States, she will stop in New Jersey at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on July 10 and 11. With hit songs such as “Style” and “Blank Space” who knows what the global superstar has planned for the next couple of months?
One Direction: On the Road Again Tour
there is a stand for everyone. “I literally don’t eat anything so all of the different stands make it easier for a picky eater like me to find something,” junior Andie Davis said. Along with the wide variety of flavor and uniqueness at the fair, eating with a view does not have to be compromised. Set over the East River, the stands overlook the water as well as the sunset. “It is the single greatest thing I’ve ever seen gastronomically in New York City,” Mario Batali of “The Chew” said. The traditional restaurant setting is adequate for the colder months, but there is no better way to enjoy the warmth than eating your meal out of a paper container overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. “Smorgasburg is the coolest place, junior Amanda Wasserman said. I can’t wait to go back and get the corn with butter now that it is open.” If you are around and have no big plans for the upcoming summer, the taste of everywhere is waiting just over the George Washington Bridge.
PHOTO COURTESY OF EVA RINALDI (CC BY-SA) PHOTO COURTESY OF EVA RINALDI (CC BY-SA)
Minaj will be back in the U.S. starting at the end of May with the first show in Las Vegas. The star will be performing July 24 at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, a fairly hot spot in the West Essex area. Minaj will also be touring with hit rappers to give the audience what they are looking for in the show.
With the recent departure of beloved 1D member Zayn Malik, the four remaining members must work together to end the summer with a bang. The tour began in February and is set to finish at the end of October. The band will be touring all summer and will be hitting the New Jersey area at MetLife Stadium at the beginning of August. It is uncertain how the fans will react to the summer shows without one of the five members, but the four will not leave fans disappointed.
Photo courtesy of jpellgen (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
The famous “ramen burger” at The Smorgasburg festival in Brooklyn, N.Y.
from top: “Brooklyn Smorgasburg” by julie crawford\(flickr.com/photos/81481950@N06/16592838954/); “Ramenburger” by jpellgen (flickr.com/photos/jpellgen/15414162699/);
Clockwise from top left: “Lady Antebellum on Walmart Soundcheck” By Lunchbox LP (flickr.com/photos/lunchboxstudios/6124371137/); “Taylor Swift 2010” by avrilllllla (flickr.com/photos/57474870@N03/5296399306/); “One Direction” by Eva Rinaldi (flickr.com/photos/musicnewsaustralia/6927478460/); “Nicki Minaj” by Eva Rinaldi (flickr.com/photos/_aldu/2108741603)
You can never go wrong with a hot country concert at PNC Bank Arts Center. Hunter Hayes and Sam Hunt will be making apperences in Antebellum’s summer tour. This trio of wildly popular acts will all kick off the summer on June 5 in Holmdel. Of the many concerts taking place this season, this one will definitely be a hit. Dress up in your flannel and cowboy boots and head out to the country event of the summer!
PHOTO COURTSEY OF AVRILLLLLLA (CC BY-SA 2.0)
By Julia Maxman ’16 Although the summer is a season of travel, not all memorable experiences require a plane or suitcase. A meaningful day or trip could be as close as in the next state over. The city of New York is known as “the melting pot,” mixed with the food and customs of all different cultures. The Smorgasburg festival, a flea market in Brooklyn, does not fall short of too, creating this diverse environment. This seasonal hotspot is open every weekend April to November. The long winter period of waiting may feel never ending, but the reopening in the spring makes it well worth the wait. Best known for the iconic “ramen burger,” a traditional cheeseburger with ramen noodles acting as buns, the lines here can get out of hand, so it is advised to beat the crowds for fan favorites such as this one. “People’s Pops,” “Sunday Gravy” and “Three Jerks Jerky” are also a must when visiting. Whether a picky eater or adventurous foodie,
&
Arts Arts
Culture Which Instagram accounts should you follow? June 2015 Issue 6
The Wessex Wire Page 8
By Brianna Crummy ’16
For the foodie looking for a bite to eat
Everyone wants their social media feed to be filled with the top notch shots; whether it’s a scenic snap or high quality dish. Here’s a simple guide to find any Instagram account!
eat_this Eat This captures a wide array of foods from desserts to dinners to delicacies. Each shot is taken from a different angle featuring different lighting making it all look delectable.
foodintheair The cloud filled skies make food look 10 times better than it already does. FITA accepts submissions from food lovers that take a shot of their indulgences in the air. Each post looks more delicious than the last.
Traveler’slittletreasures Flight attendants live the ultimate life and we see this to be true on Traveler’s Little Treasures. All of the world’s treasures, both big and small, are captured through many filters.
Murad Osmann We experience Osmann’s journey around the world with the love of his life. The photos are captured from his perspective holding his wife’s hand with an extravagant background from his stops around the globe.
Legal nomads Jodi Ettenberg runs this universal photo blog. She snaps shots every aspect of her trips, whether it be food, architecture or more. We get a true appreciation for what the globe has to offer through her eyes.
Marnie the dog Marnie’s owner chronicles her daily endeavors with pictures. Each post makes you fall more and more in love with that tongue-out, head-hung pooch.
Bunny mama Bunny mama is a series of posts of hoppy creatures. Each post reminds you how cute bunnies are. The furry faces make you gush as you scroll down your feed.
Prissy_pig Priscilla and Poppleton pose for pictures like it’s their job. No matter what the occasion they always manage to take an adorable photo.
For the person who needs their day turned around
For the travel mogul looking to conquer the world
IMSHTUFFED If you’re looking for a food overload, look no further. IMSHTUFFED gets up close and personal with all the most delicious choices. The cheese oozes, ice cream melts and chocolate drizzles in all the right places.
June 2015
The Wessex Wire: Arts & Culture
Page 9
Jenner transforms and takes media by storm The reality TV star embraces his identity and exposes a longtime struggle By Julia Maxman ’16
Note: On June 1, Bruce Jenner announced on the cover of Vanity Fair that she will now be called Caitlyn. It is no surprise whenever the Kardashian family is in the media. It is usually because one of the sisters is involved in a scandal or perhaps a new addition to the Jenner clothing line. However, at the end of April, one of the family members surely stole the limelight: Bruce Jenner, with his announcement that he identifies as transgender. The name Bruce Jenner had long been associated with strength and power after he won the Olympic Decathlon in 1972. After this claim to fame, Jenner began to slip from the public eye. It was his place in the Kardashian clan that gave Jenner more exposure in recent years. After marrying Kris Kardashian, he gradually became known as “Kendall’s and Kylie’s dad,” or “Kris’s husband.” “I always saw him as the dad on ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians,’ junior Alexa Baskinger said. “It is going to be weird to see his change into a woman.” Jenner’s stunning announcement of his transgender persona has given him a new purpose however, to act as inspiration to all associated with the LGBT community and those afraid to embrace their true identity. Since the 1990s, LGBT issues have become more and more prominent as coming out of the closet has become more common.
Jenner’s brave admission will help to bring this identity group further into the mainstream. “Usually the Kardashian and Jenner family do everything for publicity, but Jenner’s message is not for the fame, but to spread awareness,” sophomore Erica Torter said. This news comes in the midst of a wave of transgender roles and issues being increasingly featured in the entertainment world. Netflix’s hit comedy “Orange is the New Black,” which revolves around a group of inmates in a women’s prison, features a transgender character, Sophia (Laverne Cox), serving time for credit card fraud. Cox is transgender herself and uses her role to create awareness for the LGBT community. Another lauded show that discusses the issue of sexuality is “Transparent,” an Amazon exclusive series about a father, Mort, (Jeffrey Tambor) who reveals to his family that he is transgender. The show is not only critically acclaimed, winning a 2014 Emmy, but keeps the LGBT community at the center of pop culture. What Jenner, Cox and Tambor all have in common is their part in making the transgender lifestyle more accepted and better understood by the general public. “What I’m doing is going to do some good,” Jenner said during his widely publicized and viewed April 24 interview with Diane Sawyer on “20/20.” “We are going to change the world...we are going to make a difference.” While Jenner claims his purpose for coming forward is to be able to truly express himself and to stop living a lie, not all are convinced of the sincerity of his remark, and fear it is all some kind of marketing ply.
In her TV interview Diane Sawyer questioned his truthfulness rather than using this as a publicity stunt, a typical Kardashian ploy. Jenner responded by saying, “I just can’t hold the curtain any longer... Bruce lives a lie. She is not a lie.” Despite some contrary belief, it is Jenner’s primary goal to make others who associate with the transgender community more comfortable in their skin. Jenner’s painful honesty did not go unnoticed. “Jenner’s announcement brings more light to the issue,” said history teacher Ms. Blanchard, adviser for West Essex’s Gay Straight Alliance. “Studies show that people who know someone associated with the LGBT community are more likely to be open to their social rights.” According to ABC News, many transgender advocates agreed that Jenner is “still the American hero,” just as much as when he was Olympic hero back in 1976. Jenner has been at the height of media popularity many times, whether for his athletic accomplishments or for his association with the Kardashian family. Based on his recent interview, the same still holds true. However, releasing his true inner self not only frees the woman he was hiding, but also gives all who struggle with the same feelings a person to look up to and aspire to be. Jenner also plans to take it a step further and will star in a show about his transformation, which will air starting in July on E!, and will most certainly gain a wide audience. While much of Jenner’s future is still a mystery, what is certain is that he will not be leaving the public eye any time soon, remaining at the forefront of pop-culture.
Jenner through the years Oct. 28 1949 Born in Mt. Kisco, N.Y.
July 30, 1976 Jenner wins decathlon at Olympics in Montreal
April 21, 1991 Jenner marries Kris Kardashian after two pervious marriages Oct. 14, 2007 First episode of “Keeping up with the Kardashians”
March 23, 2015 Divorce between Jenner and Kris Kardashian is finalized
April 24, 2015 Bruce is interviewed by Diane Sawyer about his transition
June 1, 2015 Bruce no more: Caitlyn Jenner is introduced to the world on the cover of Vanity Fair
From Top “Wheaties Bruce Jenner” by General Mills (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 www.flickr.com/ photos/generalmills/6882162851)/ “Kim Kardashian and Bruce Jenner” By Hit Gossip Italia (CC By 2.0 www.flickr.com/photos/71540470@N04)/ “Bruce” By Ephien (CC Ny-NC 2.0 www.flickr.com/photos/91499534@N00)
Jenner’s public announcement points to bigger issue
Longtime public figure discusses being trasngender on TV, bringing more attention to a disenfranchised community
By Tatum Pappas ’16 Former Olympian Bruce Jenner
has recently been known for other reasons than his Kardashian family affiliation: his choice to embrace his gender identity and transform into a woman, because he feels he was born in the wrong body. He considers himself a “man with a woman’s soul” and that he has been “running from his true self all his life.” Though Jenner’s coming out has taken over the media, there is a far more important media take over that this situation also incudes. Jenner briefly hit the topic about what being a transgender is and that gender choices and sexual orientations are not one in the
same. People are extremely judgmental about Jenner’s decision, yet many lack the knowledge of this identity group. According to the Washington Po st , ab out 0 . 3 p e rc e nt of Americans are transgender, though a small number, this group of people faces major discrimination; they lack job opportunities and are faced with hostility. This discrimination is exactly what Jenner wants to bring attention to. In Jenner’s interview on “20/20” with Diane Sawyer, he talked about his coming out to help this marginalized community. He knows that he is famous for his athletic achievements, but Bruce’s major goal is to provide support for people who have gone
through or are going through the same struggles as him. His whole life has been exploited on television for the past eight seasons of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” so the fact that he has been hiding this for so long is remarkable. He knows what it is like to live in the shadows and wants other people concealing their lifestyle to feel comfortable with who they are. There are plenty of people going through the same thing and Jenner only hopes to help those. “There has been a lot of controversy with Jenner’s coming out,” Ms. Blanchard, history teacher and adviser to Gay Straight Alliance said. “I hope what this does is not only bring awareness
to the transgender community but also an understanding to this group and more knowledge to those who question it.” Many people assume that since Jenner wants to be a woman that he must like men now, but there are two things completely wrong with that assumption. One: Society has a set ideology that men and women are companions so they automatically assume this for Jenner. Two: It shows how little people understand transgender identity. Jenner has made it clear that though he feels he is a woman, he still is sexually interested in women. As for now though, he is more focused on changing himself than worrying about marrying again.
Another point of order that might seem irrelevant to some is what pronoun Jenner will take on. People question, is Jenner a he or a she? This topic can be very touchy when dealing with transgender identity because many want to be recognized as the new person they are, while others don’t care what to be called. Jenner says it doesn’t matter what others call him because it is not about them: This change in his life is for him and only him. Jenner has taken on a challenge and wants the world to recognize not just his struggle, but more importantly, to recognize the plight of the rest of the transgender community and what change he can bring.
June 2015
The Wessex Wire: Sports
Page 10
2015 NFL Draft creates drama for new season No other sport cn produce more fans than the National Football League. The NFL Draft usually has a high audience number, more than other large events such as the NBA Playoffs or a MLB game. Every year, hundreds of millions of people tune in to watch teams battle for a the Lombardi Trophy. However, fans will watch anything NFL related, even the NFL combine. Despite having no on-field action during the draft itself, it is one of the more exciting events of the year. The league will be changed forever by the batch of prospects that enter the league through each draft. Of course the natural reaction is to immediately judge each team on their picks. Every team drafts differently: while some may go for the best player available, most attempt to draft a player that fits a major need. The New York Giants are one of these teams. While there were better prospects than Miami’s Ereck Flowers on the board, the Giants had a gaping hole along the offensive line. The Giants already had Reuben Randle, Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham on offense and Jason Pierre-Paul on defense, which reduced their need to draft DeVante Parker or Bud Dupree, two of the prospects ranked higher than Flowers on most boards. Many Giants fans thought choosing Flowers was a bad decision, including sophomores Jack Torchia and Michael Keller. Torchia said he believed Flowers “isn’t worth a top-10 pick,” but Big Blue’s second-round tradeup for Alabama’s Landon Collins was
“a really good and smart move, [along with] great later round picks like [UCLA Defensive End Owamagbe Odighizuwa].” The Steelers are another team that drafted based on need, but were lucky enough to have one of the draft’s best prospects fall to them in Bud Dupree. “I think the Steelers had a great draft,” Steeler fan Evan Haas said. “A solid first rounder slid to them in Bud Dupree, Senquez Golson was a solid athletic choice and Sammie Coates is a great, powerful athlete but needs development. Overall, I am excited to see all the players in action.” On the other end of the spectrum are the Jets: despite having one of the best defensive lines in the league, they received a gift when defensive tackle Leonard Williams fell into their laps with the sixth pick. Williams was considered the consensus top prospect by many analysts. They decided to prioritize the “best player available” approach and draft Williams. Now, while they will have trouble with their pass rushing at the linebacker position, they hope to make up for that with a potentially legendary defensive front. Senior Jacob Kalb approves of his favorite team’s draft. “They took the best players that were there,” Kalb said. He added that he believes this will work out in the long-term. Other fans weren’t as high on the Jets draft, including sophomore Ethan Wolf. “Why would you draft a player with the 6th pick that will only play about half of the defensive snaps when you could have got-
Photo courtesy of swimfinfan (cc by-sa 2.0)
The NFL Draft, which has always been held in New York, was held in Chicago from April 30 to May 2.
ten someone who would have started?” Wolf said. The Colts took a similar approach to what the Jets did. Entering into the offseason, the team signed Andre Johnson, Frank Gore and Duron Carter to go along with incumbent dynamic weapons T.Y. Hilton, Colby Fleener, Donte Montcrief and Dwayne Allen. Despite this potent offense, they still had major holes to fill on a defense that was shredded by New England running back LaGarrette Blount in the playoffs this year. Malcolm Brown, the huge defensive tackle out of Texas, would have been a perfect pick
What did you think about the 2015 NFL Draft?
for them. Instead, they passed on Brown to take Miami receiver Phillip Dorsett. Dorsett, a speedy receiver, will provide yet another weapon for Andrew Luck, despite the fact that their offense was not the problem last year. Colts fan Ryan Diver has mixed feelings about the Dorsett pick in the first round. He said, “I didn’t think that the Colts needed a wide receiver but they got a good one. They needed a lineman or a safety. Phillip Dorsett is going to be great this year but they don’t really need him.” To make matters worse, Brown was later taken by the Patriots a couple
picks after. West Essex has many differing opinions about the NFL draft, but most NFL fans agree: the draft is one of the most exciting times of the year because it’s a peek into the future of the league. The amount of new players that enter the NFL every year has a way of changing the league for the future. Every player can make an impact of any height. “When your team is on the clock, you’re watching the shape of the franchise change depending on who they take,” Haas said. “During the draft, you’re waitng for the players’ lives to change.”
Who has the better future after the 2015 NFL Draft: Jets or Giants?
Giants: 50 percent
“I really like how the date was moved up. It didn’t let the hype last too long.”
“I didn’t like how it wasn’t in New York. But I think the players will be good.”
“I really like the draft but it can be overdone sometimes.”
Evan Snerson ’16
CJ Lopez ’16
Michael Morelli ’16
Jets: 50 percent Photos courtesy of xploitme (CC BY-SA 2.0 )
Photos by caitlin morrissey ’16
Poll composed of 50 students by Chris Tsakonas ‘18 and Daniel Laible ‘18
from left: “new york giants wallpaper” and “New York jets wallpaper” by xploitme (flickr.com/ photos/45928872@N08/4224618418/) and (flickr.com/photos/45928872@N08/4223850635/); “NFL Draft 2015” by swimfinfan(flickr.com/photos/swimfinfan/37845692/)
By Jake Wolf ’17
The Wessex Wire: Sports
Page 11
In wake of tragic events, keeping sports in mind can help people recover By Kirk Geller ’16 The violent protests and riots that occurred in Baltimore, Md., in response to Freddie Grey’s death last month forced Major League Baseball to suspend games between the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles April 27 and 28. Protesters were causing such great amounts of destruction throughout the city that the association even had to make the game played between the two teams on April 29 closed to the public. Fans were forced to watch from outside the stadium or at home as the seats in Camden Yards were completely empty during the Orioles’ 8-2 win. “The people just used what happened to bring all this attention on the city and caused unnecessary problems,” sophomore Tommy Marano said. “It was weird seeing an empty stadium during a baseball game, though.” The problems that went on in Baltimore were not the first time in history a national event caused the disruption of a sports game. The tragic events of 9/11 in 2001 delayed national events, such as the New York Mets versus Atlanta Braves game. The game was eventually rescheduled for Sept. 22, where the fans were able to get their mind off of the pain, the remorse and the heartbreak caused less than two weeks before and cheered as the Mets won 3-2. For a wounded city, the comeback victory symbolized more than just a great game, however: It was a sign that if the Mets were able to come back, so could the entire city. “Obviously, sports couldn’t have changed anything, but it helps people forget,” math teacher Mr.
Lerner said. “It was a dramatic moment for the city that helped it really get back on track.” In 2010, due to a heavy snow storm hitting the Minnesota area, the Vikings and Giants game scheduled was pushed back after the roof collapsed into the Vikings home stadium. Even more recently, the 2013 Boston Marathon suddenly became a crime scene as two bombs were set off near the finish line on Boylston St. by Islamic extremist brothers Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Three people were killed and more than 260 people injured in the attack. Tamerlan was killed in a gunfight with police and Dzhokhar was arrested the next day and taken into custody, where he was shortly moved in front of a judge to determine his sentence. On April 8 of this year, he was found guilty of 30 different charges relating to terrorism. “When I turned on the TV I couldn’t really believe what I was seeing,” junior Matthew Jones said. “I could never have imagined another terrorist attack on America, especially one that could have been such high tolls like a marathon.” These tragic and high-profile events all have the ability to make a difference not only in our American society but also in the world of sports itself. Each made a significant impact on sports events going on around them, and led to many people coming together. While any national event has the ability to stop the movement of our country for a moment in time, the sports community will always have the ability to help the hurt people recover and give our country a chance to stay on top.
“Empty Park” by kke227 (.flickr.com/photos/kesta/2077256234/); “Lebron james” by keith allison (flickr.com/photos/keithallison/2454782975/)
Photo courtesy of kke227 (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Camden Yards had to be completely empty for the Orioles home game against the White Sox due to the ongoing riots in April.
Photo courtesy of Keith Allison (cc by-sa 2.0)
LeBron James is one of many athletes who has chosen to skip town for an even greater opportunity.
Wealth and opportunity test athletes’ loyalties How star athletes have cashed in on major decisons during the course of their careers. By Kirk Geller ’16 Pastor Andy Stanley once said, “Greed is not a financial issue. It's a heart issue” The amount of money one has the possibility to make can swing a person into a direction that can cause great disdain against them. This has an obvious connection to the world of pro sports: Many players will always face an opportunity to make a large amount of cash over staying loyal to the team they may have been drafted by or otherwise started their careers with. Not all situations like these are examples of disloyalty, many players (especially ones that come from rougher childhoods) look to provide for those who took care of them. In the end, most are just about seeing that fat check and jumping on it. “Many players who have successful careers with a team, win a lot of games and maybe a championship, prefer to leave the team for money simply because it’s the only thing they may be lacking,” junior Sal Karch said. “Players choose to get a large amount of money from a team willing to give it.” Shaquille O’Neal, major NBA star for more than 15 years, was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic in 1992 and played with the team until his contract ended in
1996. When it came time for “Shaq Diesel” to face his first period of free agency, many things pulled him in different directions. While it is said that faculty issues and other leadership concerns forced Shaq out of Orlando, the most obvious influence was the power of money. O’Neal dismisses this idea to present day, which most players do, but there is no question that the $121 million dollar check the Los Angeles Lakers threw in front of him, plus the chance to shine in the bright lights of L.A., opened his eyes. Sports stars will not only leave loyalty behind while making big financial decisions, but also take advantage of every opportunity. For example, on May 2, Floyd “Money” Mayweather fought Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in what was supposed to be the Fight of the Century. While some fans were disappointed with the outcome Mayweather himself must have been extremely pleased: Not only did he win the bout, but he also took home a nice $180 million check. And even though the PacMan lost, he was able to leave the fight with just about $120 million. Most people would be happy to just crack even when they visit Vegas.
“” Players choose to get a large amount of money from a team willing to give it. —Sal Karch
“Mayweather chose to do the fight for money, not the boxing community,” sophomore Mike Centrella said. “The guy spends money like crazy and it is more than obvious that money means more to him than anything.” In what caused one of the biggest uproars in sports history, LeBron James broke his loyalty with the Cleveland Cavaliers when he chose to join the Miami Heat in 2010 on national TV. James had promised to never leave the team until he brought the city its first professional sports championship since 1964. The difference between LeBron and Shaquille O’Neal, however, is that LeBron left Cleveland to go play with best friends Dwayne Wade (who resigned with the Heat) and Chris Bosh (who left Toronto the same year) instead of for money. James then became Public Enemy No. 1 in the eyes of all basketball fans (besides Miami, of course), and was hated for much of his time there. It took time, but James was able to build himself back into the good eyes of Cleveland, returning to the team this past summer. “I think he should have stayed in Cleveland for all of his career. I feel like it would have been more of an accomplishment to win one there first,” junior Joe Cucuzza said. Many decisions made in sports are based around the aspect of how much a player can make and whether or not he/she believes there will be more options out there. When the money is put on the table in front of them, though, and the idea of a bright new city is on the mind, anything can happen.
“Lebron james” by keith allison (flickr.com/photos/keithallison/2454782975/)
June 2015
June 2015 Issue 6
The Wessex Wire Page 12
Superstar sophomores stand out for their spring seasons By Caitlin Morrissey ’16 and Jake Wolf ’17
Sami Huetter ’17 The softball locker room lies below the middle school, next to the girls lacrosse locker room. Before each game, one can hear the music that blasts from the players as they prepare to face their next opponent. One of the team’s “DJs” is Sami Huetter. As just a sophomore, Huetter has maintained an integral role in the softball team’s recent success. Making varsity as a freshman is a huge feat for any young athlete. But having the opportunity to impact their respective team’s triumphs serves to prove the outstanding ability of the player. Sami has started on varsity as their first pitcher since the first game of her freshman season, beating out other girls to earn the opportunity. Sami’s family has been influential in her decision to pick up the sport. “I was first introduced to softball by my brother, who would play T-Ball with me,” Huetter said. “I was always around baseball and softball because of him, so it was just natural that I learn to play, too,” she added. Sami started pitching in the third grade, and her passion for softball has “stuck since then.” She calls her family, especially her mother among one of her biggest supporters, and she is inspired to play every game for
Photos courtesy of sami huetter and anthony steets
Sami Huetter and Anthony Steets have been main contributors to the sucessful county and state runs of their teams.
her dad, who taught her everything about softball. Huetter’s dedication to softball is evident in every effort she has put forth through her participation in a team outside of West Essex. Huetter plays for the N.J. Heist, a club softball team, and classifies the commitment as “crazy.” “Just like any other sport, if you want to be the best, you have to train with the best. I train at Prodigy Training as well as playing for my club team almost every night and all through the summer.” High school coach, Ms. Mondadori-Llauget calls Sami among one of her most “selfless” players on the team.
Her successes and involvement in the sport outside the school team allow her to learn lessons about the sport, but also about life. “It’s just about changed my life. You learn so much and get to know such great people along the way. It’s more than just a game when you’re around friends that become family.” Huetter plans to continue her love for softball after her days at West Essex conclude. Sami has demonstrated interest in competing in several Division I softball programs. “Manhattan College is the one college that has sparked some interest, but this summer will be the prime of my recruiting process.”
Anthony Steets ’17 One of the hardest things in sports is to live up to high expectations. When you are surrounded success, all you know is success and failure is hard to tolerate. Luckily for sophomore track star Anthony Steets, he rarely ever has to tolerate failure. “I started [running track] because my brothers were very good and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.” Steets said. “It’s fun because we always push ourselves to beat each other’s times.” This competitive attitude has led him to break the school record in the 4 by 400 event, along with other track teammates Lenny Mendola,
Liam Fost and Isaiah Rodriguez. He really enjoys running and does spring track, winter track, and cross country. Next year, he is planning on doing soccer instead of cross country. His specific events include the 4 by 200, 4 by 400, the 400 meter hurdle, the 400 meter run and the high jump. Senior runner Bryan Gallion thinks that Steets is having a great season. “He keeps improving every week and he’s performing at the highest level” Gallion said. Steets’s track coach, Mr. Emering, believes that Steets has been very successful so far. “He works extremely hard.” Emering said. “He is very coachable and he is a great teammate. He never wants to let his teammates down.” Steets credits his coaches and teammates for a large portion of his success. “They are all so supportive” Steets said. “They push everyone to perform to the best of their abilities.” The West Essex track team has had a stellar season, highlighted by a win in the North 2 Group 2 State Championship, the school’s first victory in the event in 44 years. Along with the rest of the fourby-200 team, Steets has qualified for Nationals, an impressive feat for anyone, let alone a sophomore. “It’s amazing that he’s a sophomore and has achieved a lot at such an early age.” Emering said. “He has a tremendously bright future.” ahead of him.”
Minnella named new school athletic director By Caitlin Morrissey ’16
The Board of Education approved Mr. Minnella as the new athletic director and supervisor of health and physical education on Monday, April 27. For 24 years, Mr. Minnella has been dedicated to the academic and athletic success of the West Essex student body. He spent 10 years as an industrial arts teacher and 14 years as a special education teacher. He has served as class adviser for the Class of 2015 and orchestrated several events for the senior class. Senior class president Steph Spero said she is very excited for Mr. Minnella, but also mildly upset to see him leave the Student Council family. “I am so happy for him, but am so sad that he won’t be able to help out with future Student Council activities. He is so hard-working
and deserving of this new position,” said Spero. Mr. Minella also spent five years as an assistant varsity wrestling coach before spending three years at the helm of the prestigious program. Before that, he previously spent 19 years as the head wrestling coach and assistant at Passaic Valley High School. He is also instrumental in the field hockey and girls’ lacrosse programs that several West Essex athletes participate in, run by Coach Cosse. “Minnella is so helpful to all the parents and girls who participate in our field hockey club. It is obvious that he is dedicated to making sure we feel prepared and comfortable while we play at our tournaments,” said sophomore field hockey player Lia Sinisi. Mr. Minnella’s involvement in several successful athletic programs and organizations “gives
Photo by courtney pappas
Mr. Minnella officially started as new athletic director on April 28.
him an edge,” said junior field hockey goalie Paige Innarella. “He is truly aware of our concerns as athletes, and will be able to advocate for them fully.” Transitioning from teaching to
working an administrative position is not always easy, but Mr. Minnella said West Essex has made it very easy for him. “The support from the staff has been exceptional,” he said. “ Honestly, I miss the classroom, but I truly love the position I am in today.” Other members of the school’s faculty and staff echo Mr. Minella’s sentiments about his new role. “He is a great addition to the staff. He brings different venues through his athletic background as a coach and organizer, but also through his mathematical background. His experience as a teacher is definitely going to help him with the budget,” said Vice Principal Ms. Hoebee. Mr. Minnella is successor to former athletic director Mr. Macioci. Mr. Macioci spent six years at the helm of West Essex athletics and physical education. In his time at West Essex, Mr. Macioci set the bar to the standard West Essex
athletics aim to convey in their sportsmanship and competitions, and Mr. Minnella plans on the sustainment of these ideals. “I expect us to continue to strive for excellence with the amazing facility.”
Wise words: Coach MondadoriLlauget
“You have to go into every at-bat thinking this will be your last. How would you want it to go?”