The Wessex Wire The Student Newspaper of West Essex Regional High School
Vol. XLVI No. 1
West Essex High School, 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, N.J.
September 2011
Alumnus injured in Afghanistan
Essex, his mother recalls his interests were “his girlfriend Krys West Essex 2008 graduate Private First tina Dressler, mixed martial arts, his Class Derek McConnell lost both legs up friends and charming his teachers.” to the knee when wounded by Impro- “Derek is a daredevil and wanted to vised Explosive Devices (IEDs) while serve his country. He was not sure what he really wanton patrol in Afghanistan ed to do with his this past July. His mother Siobhan Photo courtesy of Ms. Siobhan Fuller life, so he thought the military would Fuller has dedicated give him discipline, most of her time to direction, college his care, and she blogs and help guide him about her experience for the future. After at walkingwithmyhis deployment, he w o u n d e d w a r r i o r. wanted to check into com. McConnell is Special Forces. He currently undergoing was very gung-ho,” a series of operations said his mother. at a military hospital D r e s s l e r, a in Bethesda, Md. member of the West The North Caldwell Essex class of 2009, Police Department has been at Derek’s (NCPD) is hosting a bedside helping him pasta dinner at Fireman’s Community Cen- PFC Derek McConnell during through the rehabilitation process along ter on Sunday, Oct. 16 to his tour in Afghanistan. with Fuller. benefit McConnell and “Derek has a his family. In addition to the NCPD, Notre Dame Church has also very positive attitude. He has a long, raised the community’s awareness about hard road ahead of him, but if anyone this event, and is urging parishioners to can make it, he can. We almost lost help the family in any way they can. The him a couple of times. We were very Friends of Derek McConnell Fund was lucky we didn’t. He is a blessing to created to help the family with what- us,” said Fuller. ever needs and costs that may arise in To show support for McConnell and his family, care packages and cards can the future. “I remember that Derek always aspired go to Derek McConnell at 12 Adelto serve the country. He was the kind of phia Road, Parsippany, N.J. 07054. kid that was always smiling,” said English Donations can be sent to Friends of Derek McConnell, PO Box 1811, West teacher Ms. Toni Zuppa. During McConnell’s time at West Caldwell, N.J. 07006-1811. by Sam DiGrande ’13
Photo by Jackie Fusco
Photo courtesy of Melissa Kuscin
Fairfield residents had to rip up floor boards and household amenities in an effort to clean up the damage left by Hurricane Irene. See the Features section on pages 3-6 for more detailed coverage.
West Essex commemorates Sept. 11 with memorial garden by Julie Kayzerman ’12
West Essex commemorated the 10th anniversary of 9/11 on Monday Sept. 12 by inviting speakers and presenting additions to the school’s memorial garden. One of the speakers, Lia Ward, shared her story, “Remembering Sept. 11, 2001” in the high school auditorium. Ward said that she worked as a stock trader in New York City and witnessed the planes crash into the Twin Towers on that day. She ran for her life down 42 flights of stairs and found sanctuary in a bank after almost being killed by the collapsing towers. Ward’s speech related her ordinary experiences to the way she survived the terrorist attack. She used a PowerPoint presentation to provide visuals that highlighted her points. Throughout her presentation she portrayed the message of “not looking back” to the students and then later opened up the microphone for questions. Ward quit her job in New York City a year later and went for a psychology master’s degree at Seton Hall University. She now works as a therapist and
Inside This Issue:
1
Opinions
a school counselor. She explained that she deals with her 9/11 experience by taking it day by day and portraying her message to students in bits and pieces. Ward said, “I’m no longer motivated to make a million dollars. I’m motivated to make a difference.” Also commemorating the remembrance of 9/11 was the dedication ceremony that presented additions to the school’s memorial garden. It acknowledged the families of Norman Rossinow, Class of 1980, and John Salamone, Class of 1982, two graduates who perished in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Senior Ryan Towey delivered a speech that reflected on a teenager’s experience with 9/11. The choir sang the National Anthem. Senior Krista Liotti said, “The ceremony was beautiful. After it ended I went up to Mrs. Rossinow and hugged her and told her I was speechless.” She also said, “I feel changed by being at the ceremony. Every day we worry about such menial complications when people in our own neighborhood are suffering through tragedies.”
HIB Head-to-head Does it bother you?
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Features
Hurricane Irene Fairfield flooding
Upcoming Events Back to School Night- Oct. 6 PSATs- Oct. 12 College Fair- Oct. 18 Spirit Week- Oct.7-14
7
Arts & Culture
Summer blockbusters Celebs and rehabilitation
8
Sports
Player Profiles Girls’ Tennis
Opinion
September 2011 Issue 1
The Wessex Wire Page 2
HIB law teaches bullies a lesson Are you HIB negative? by Alex Schwartz ’12
Bullying in school has been a major problem for many years, and has recently resulted in numerous disastrous results. In response to the death of Tyler Clementi at Rutgers last year along with other bullying-provoked suicides, New Jersey decided to pass legislation, making its bullying law one of the toughest in the country. The new law requires training for teachers and demands school administrations to send reports of any observed bullying cases to the state. All schools will now have a safety team for students, will enforce interventions and will have strict and timely investigation procedures. It also requires that every incident of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) is investigated and reviewed by the principal, superintendent and the Board of Education members. While this new law may not be perfect, it is certainly a step in the right direction.
The HIB law has been heavily criticized for being too harsh on bullies and too much of an inconvenience for teachers. However, it will certainly be worth any inconveniences it causes if it is effective in reducing bullying. The only way to put an end to bullying in school is to enforce strict punishments. “Ultimately the goal is to establish an environment free of harassment, intimidation and bullying, so all students can feel safe, respected and achieve their full potential,” said Student Assistance Counselor Mr. Anthony Emering, who is the school’s HIB specialist. Victims of bullying can feel assured that any filed complaint will be fully investigated and bullies will be punished. With the new HIB law, school can be a comfortable and safe environment for everyone. No one should feel victimized while at school, but instead should feel respected. The new bullying law in New Jersey was the right choice for schools, and will effectively help protect students.
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 2011-2012 STAFF:
Managing Editor Spencer Satz ’12
Editor-in-chief Ryan Towey ’12
News Editors Sam DiGrande ’13 Julie Kayzerman ’12
Opinion Editors Alex Schwartz ’12 Lee Shearin ’12
Features Editors Mikayla Cimilluca ’12 Griffin Glenn ’13
Sports Editors Ed George ’12 Paul Haramis ’12
Arts & Culture Editors Nicole Del Mauro ’12 Regina Walter ’13 Fact Checker Vittoria Contuzzi ‘13
Copy Editors Daria Forte ’13 Maddie Levin ’12 Adviser Ms. Lo
Publicity Editor Amanda Wolfson ‘14
Advertising Editors Chloe Butler ’13 Jake Roseman ’12 Photo Editors Jackie Fusco ’12 Valerie Panza ’13 Section Apprentices Victoria Agrifolio ’14 Molly Dickman ’13 Zoe Elfenbein ’13 Sam Gilbert ’13 Gaby Roth ’13 Staff Writers Jack Boyd-Dias ’12 Vin Cosenzo ’12 Steven Czachor ’12 Ryan Rinsky ’12
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 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 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.
by Jack Boyd-Dias ’12 Nobody likes tattle tales, especially ones that hasn’t the slightest clue as to what they are talking about. The new Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying law (HIB) keeps the welfare of students in mind; but, it unfortunately leads to misunderstandings that will cause teachers to start reporting students to the office more than ever. HIB will ultimately have a negative effect on the student body and bring about time-consuming investigations and unnecessary suspensions. There is a huge difference between joking around with a friend and bullying, yet teachers may not have the ability to differentiate between the two. Essentially, it’s all about tone. Depending on the way a comment is said, a teacher should be able to tell if words are, in fact, bullying or really just a couple of kids messing around, having a good-old hardy time. “I really hope teachers don’t send my friends down when they say ‘who brought Einhorn,” said senior Ben Einhorn, “They are just busting my chops. It’s an inside joke; besides, I started it.” The ramifications of the law are unsympathetic and somewhat cruel. It doesn’t seem that someone has to do too much in order to feel the full effects of this law, which could potentially bring the police into the matter. I can be palling around, not knowing which way is up or down, say something somewhat offensive to a bud
and an eavesdropping teacher will send me to the office. But what they don’t realize is that there is a mutual understanding amongst friends and no harm is done if I call my companions stupid or make fun of their hair. Kids are becoming too reliant on upper authorities to fight their battles for them, rather than standing up for themselves. There is a time and a place when administrative figures should intervene in a disagreement between two individuals. But most of the time these situations can be dealt with between the two, without ending in violence. School is supposedly a place where we are being prepared for life in the real world. There isn’t going to be a bully police force when you get a job in an office building. If one doesn’t learn to stick up for himself now, how can he expect to stand up for himself in the real world? The real world is much harsher and there are no laws protecting you. Bullies, on the other hand, need to grow up; this isn’t fifth grade and you’ve got other things to do, like graduate. Putting down other people to feel better about yourself really isn’t the best way to go through life. You will just end up miserable and alone. Maybe read a book and become a productive member of society instead of wasting your time bringing misery to other people. We’re all big boys and girls. So let’s take off the pull-ups and start acting a little bit more maturely.
Does it bother you...? by Lee Shearin ’12
Does it bother you that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals tries to guilt you into giving them money? Here I am, watching my television when I am assailed by images of sick, dying dogs and one-eyed cats while Sarah McLaughlin serves her purpose in making everyone feel as though they are the ones responsible for the optically challenged felines. While I love animals, I believe these commercials are absurd, and anyone who is a member of the ASPCA should wake up from their cat-nap. We are donating money to help animals. Other than fiction, I have heard of three cases in which animals have done anything to benefit society. There are starving children in America, not to mention that our nation is a modest 14 kabillion dollars in debt. Yet, we are still making sure that each dog has mittens or something absurd. And seriously, why on earth does the ASPCA give out t-shirts? One would
Photo by Sam Gilbert Senior Lee Shearin thoughtfully pondering what bothers him at West Essex High School.
think that maybe the animals actually need help, but instead the organization spends its money on giving members a t-shirt that might as well read, “I am a better person than you.” At the end of the day there are so many more worthy causes than to make sure each cat has a monocle and each dog is out of the “arms of the angels.” I say, let them find some comfort there.
September 2011 Issue 1
Feature
Who has seen Irene? by Spencer Satz ’12
Hurricane Irene hit the four towns of West Essex on Aug. 28, leaving damage and flooding. Fairfield, although hit the hardest, was not the only town that had destruction from the hurricane. In North Caldwell, fallen trees were visible all over the place. Branches rested on the roads and a few houses became victims to the intense rain. The heart of flooding fell on Windridge Drive. Junior Jeremy Rosen woke up in the middle of the night to check his basement, although it has never flooded before. He caught the flooding early and his family prepared for further damage. Senior Nick Petrocca was not so lucky with his house, as he awoke with many of his childhood toys destroyed by the rainwater. Petrocca said, “I can never play with these toys again.” In Roseland, there were numerous
accounts of fallen trees and downed power lines. Senior Michael Steets said, “A tree fell right next to my window in the middle of night, scaring me half to death.” The tree destroyed their awning and ripped apart their gutter. Essex F ells stood its ground against the storm with only a few downed branches and very little flooding. Resident senior Christian Boss said, “Homes around the pond and homes by Wooton Road were only affected by short power outages that were quickly fixed.” As for West Essex itself, the school became a shelter for anyone with flooding or damage done to their homes. American Red Cross emergency volunteers set up 130 cots. To pass the time, the North Caldwell Police brought over four movies to make the victims feel a little bit better during the devastating disaster of Hurricane Irene.
Luzzi coping with the flood by Daria Forte ’13
After Hurricane Irene hit the East Coast, it is safe to say that most of the town of Fairfield was brutally flooded. Fairfield went on lockdown for two days, which led to mandatory evacuations throughout the area. Amongst the evacuees was West Essex junior Christa Luzzi. She evacuated her home on Big Piece Road on Aug. 28, and recently returned on Sept. 14. She lived at her grandma’s house in Fairfield for the two weeks that she was unable to go home. “There was seven feet of water in my basement, which is my whole basement, and in the back yard it was four feet high,” said Luzzi. “The most valuable things we lost were the washer and dryer, a brand new lawn mower, snow blower, crib, baby clothes, first shoes, picture albums and books,” said Luzzi. These items were all thrown out. All the wreckage in her house has made her family become worried and upset about the safety of their home, and the fact that a lot of the memories that they had in their picture albums now only exist in their minds. “It could’ve been handled better. The governor could have opened up the river floodgates two weeks in advance and then closed them five
days before which would have limited the level of the river at the time of the storm,” said Luzzi. If this plan were executed, according to Luzzi, she and her family could have been back in their home sooner, maybe in time for the first week of school. “I never thought that so many elected officials would run so fast and so hard from a problem that affects so many,” said Joe Luzzi, Christa’s father. The next heavy rainfall after Hurrican Irene did not do any more significant damage to the house. However, the house is not in perfect shape after Hurricane Irene. The bad smell is stuck in their house and they have difficulty closing the door that leads to the basement. On the bright side, their house doesn’t have to be knocked down. Fairfield has experienced one of its most devastating floods to have ever come from hurricanes in years. Families like the Luzzi’s have gone through very stressful times and tough losses. “I was annoyed that I wasn’t home but at least I was still in Fairfield at my grandma’s and when I returned home, I was beyond happy to be back in my house,” said Luzzi. Despite the struggle that the Luzzi’s dealt with, they can now look forward to the recovery of their house and be worry free.
The Wessex Wire Page 3
Seeing the other side of Irene by Vin Cosenzo ’12
The days after Hurricane Irene struck were devastating for those hit the hardest by the flooding. Many families were left wondering what exactly the damage was going to do to their homes along with when aid would be provided to them. With attention called to many areas of the Northeast, relief was hard to come by in Fairfield. Luckily, there are many generous people in neighboring communities that were willing to sacrifice their time and money to help those most affected by Hurricane Irene. Some of these people included members of the football and field hockey teams. Despite their rigorous schedules, the players were willing to sacrifice a generous amount of their free time towards easing the amount of stress on those facing emotional and financial hardships due to the hurricane. A large reason why the football and field hockey teams got involved in the relief process can be credited to the efforts of Roseland resident Irene Haramis. Mrs. Haramis is the proud mother of Paul Haramis, who is the senior quarterback for the Knights, and Sofia Haramis, a sophomore field hockey player. Mrs. Haramis is deeply involved in the West Essex community, es-
pecially when it comes to the sports teams. She can always be spotted working hard at the snack bar during football games or cheering on the teams. Mrs. Haramis was generous enough to provide the teams with gloves and other tools in order for them to assist those affected by the hurricane. The teams rallied together and headed out, helping hurricane victims with whatever odd jobs they needed help in doing. Also, Mrs. Haramis and her family opened up their house to some of the football players who were not able to stay in their own homes due to the hurricane, with many referring to it as “Hotel Haramis.” Senior football player Tom Filipow, who is a resident of Fairfield, stayed at the Haramis residence because of the severe damage done to his house. When asked about Mrs. Haramis’ hospitality, Filipow said, “The fact that she was willing to let me stay at her house for so long says a lot about her. She is a great person, and I’m very grateful for the help she provided me with when I needed it. It also didn’t hurt that she is a great cook.” It’s people like Mrs. Haramis and the members of the football and field hockey teams that make a community like West Essex worth living in.
Irene causes mayhem at Stevenson by Ryan Rinsky ’12
Hurricane Irene hit New Jersey hard on Aug. 22, 2011. The town of Fairfield floods easily from regular rain storms and based on the way in which the hurricane struck, everyone knew that Fairfield was in trouble. Many homes had water at high levels in basements and garages in addition to many valuable things being destroyed. Around 20 roads, including some major ones, have been closed due to the flood. Parts of the town remained under water for days and the elementary school schedules have been heavily affected. Stevenson Elementary, Fairfield’s school for K-3 students had a lot of trouble with this hurricane. For the first few days of school, the Stevenson kids had to go to Churchill Elementary, the Fairfield school for 4-6 graders. There were sixeight inches of water in some classrooms and offices. Anything with wood, cabinets, desks, closets and bookshelves had to be removed and replaced. The library books on the bottom shelves were ruined, but the rest remained safe. All carpets had to be removed and replaced as well. In the gym, the water caused the 50-year old floor to buckle. When the floor was removed after the flooding, they discovered that the
adhesive that was used when it was first installed contained asbestos. Everything was removed and the air quality was tested and approved on Sept. 14. The students were welcomed for the first day of the 2011-2012 year on Thursday, Sept. 15. As of Sept. 26, the school was still suffering from flood damage. “There is still no gym class or library because of the damage. The school was accepting book donations because of flooding to the library and classrooms,” said Amy Quagliana, a Stevenson parent. On Sept. 11, St. Thomas More Church was open from 3:00-5:00 p.m. for members of the community to drop off donations. They accepted nonperishable foods, clothing, furniture, small appliances and toys to add to the items that have already been donated. The week of Sept. 12, families who needed these donations could stop by and pick them up.
“The flooding was devastating. Our classes were flooded and I have no teaching area except outside. You can’t use the cafeteria or the gym. The phys ed department is held in the classroom,” said Stevenson teacher and West Essex coach Mr. Giampapa.
September 2011
The Wessex Wire
Left: Citizens of Fairfield take a boat ride through their extremely flooded street, Phyllis Lane. The sewage water was high enough for the members of the lane to paddle through. In boat: Lauren Czachor and neighbors. Right: Sewage water covers the roads and sidewalks, making them difficult to pass through. The water levels were just beginning to rise. Eventually, the water engulfed lawns and poured into and destroyed basements of the Fairfield residents.
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Top left: There was no way in or out of these neighborhoods due to the amount of water covering the streets, sidewalks and lawns. Top right: The streets of Fairfield seemingly turned into a pond since the only way to get through was a boat. Bottom left: Police vehicles responded to the destruction on Club Road. Bottom right: Fairfield citizens placed all ruined belongings that are now garbage on their curbs of their homes on Big Piece Road.
Fairfield residents displayed their hardships after the flood by creating signs for people driving through the town. On left: Kennedy Drive, center: Brianwood Drive, right: Club Road.
The West Essex girls’ field hockey team actively helped victims of the flooding by cleaning out garages and basements. Irene Haramis organized for the girls to walk down the streets and ask residents if they needed help cleaning their destroyed homes. Haramis purchased masks and gloves for the team and reminded them to wear close-toed shoes. The team worked for five hours helping those affected by the storm. Top left and right: the field hockey team hauled large pieces of furniture together out of a garage. Bottom left and right: the girls formed an assembly line to speed up the cleaning process.
September 2011
The Wessex Wire
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Left: View of Big Piece Road and the devestation of many Fairfield residents’ homes. Center: Fairfield citizens placed all belongings that are now garbage on the curbs of their homes, again on Big Piece Road. Right: Fairfield Police and the National Guard directed traffic due to the flooding near the Sunoco gas station on Passaic Ave.
Left: A pile of black trash bags waited on the curb to be taken away. Center: The victims of the flood lost valuable items such as refrigerators, washing machines and microwaves. Right: Families were forced to rip up carpets that were covered in mold and mildew after Hurricane Irene struck Fairfield.
Top left: Mounds of garbage waited to be disposed in a parking lot off of Big Piece Road. Among the garbage was a child’s tricycle and a rocking horse. Top center: The garbage heaps were so large that the town needed to call in back-up to help remove it from the streets. Top right: National Guard trucks driven through Passaic Ave. to reach victims in Fairfield. Bottom right: The United States Marine Corps landed in the Essex County Airport before President Barack Obama’s visit to Paterson, another town highly affected by the flood. Bottom left: Shown is a street filled with piles of garbage. This family had to dispose of all their holiday decorations that were stored in their garage.
Photos by Valerie Panza, Jackie Fusco, Ryan Towey, Nicole Del Mauro, Sam Gilbert and Steven Czachor and courtesy of Ms.Tomlin.
September 2011
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The Wessex Wire
When life gives you lemons... by Ryan Towey ’12
Photo by Steven Czachor Czachor’s neighbors watched as water rises up their driveway.
New buds from the floods by Steve Czachor ’12
It was a Monday morning, about a week before the start of my senior year, and instead of spending the remaining time working on my incomplete summer work, the week was spent in a rather peculiar way. With all of the surrounding streets and driveways flooded, my neighbors and I were isolated on our own remote islands. As we watched the water continue to rise up our driveways and toward our homes, everyone took this time to bond with our immediate community. In a traditional suburban community, neighbor interaction is quite limited. With everyone having decent sized yards and plenty of amenities available in their homes, there is little need to venture out of the household with the intent to communicate and interact with one’s nearby residents. For this reason, I was pleasantly surprised to see all of my neighbors outside, sitting on lawn chairs, sipping drinks and really being part of the community. Not many in Fairfield could say that they own beach or lake front property, but for the following week, we were all treated to the pungent water knocking on our doors. The following day, Aug. 30, as the water continued to rise, more chairs and beach towels started appearing on the driveways and lawns of all of the houses in the neighborhood. A group of six neighbors gathered in the driveway
across the street from me. Twenty yards to the left, my other neighbor, Paul, was preparing his boat for a little adventure with his two year old daughter. My younger sister, Lauren, and I were playing soccer on the still dry front yard. My father commented that he had never before seen all of our neighbors outside at the same exact time. A game of catch broke out between neighbors on opposite sides of the flooded street. I broke out my football and did the same with Don, the middle-aged man living across from me. Eventually, the games became intertwined and, all of a sudden, half of the block was engaged in a game of catch. As I was entrenched in the game, I lost sight of my sister, Lauren. I observed the landscape and realized that she was halfway down the street in Paul’s boat. Never in my time in Fairfield have I seen her utter a word to Paul, but all of a sudden, she got on a boat with our neighbor. Sadly, once the river reached its peak the next day, water breached the garage of one of my neighbors, Walter. “This is worse than 1984,” he said, in reference to the damaging flood in April of 1984 that severely impacted Northeast New Jersey. For the next week, Walter had piles of damaged rugs, tools and furniture in his front yard. Despite the sadness and harm that the flood inflicted on our neighborhood, the bonding and camaraderie that it created was second to none.
After flood waters from the Passaic River finally began to recede, Fairfield residents returned to their homes to survey the destruction. I drove around town to see some of the damage, and goose bumps pockmarked my skin when I saw the piles of debris. Furniture and children’s toys were among the curbside mounds, some objects waterlogged beyond recognition. I watched people trudge through the remaining water in tall boots and drag their belongings out of the garage to put on the side of the road. It would sit there for almost a full week. Fairfield resident Michael Rolfes, piles of destroyed possessions behind him, said, “I don’t think it really could get much worse.” Rolfes did not leave his home, despite being in a mandatory evacuation zone. Rolfes decided to stay with his house, because it made him feel “in control.” His experience with the flood was typical of most Fairfield residents. Before the flooding, he stocked up on water and other necessities. Approximately eight people were staying in Rolfes’ home on Club Road before the flood. He evacuated all of them, more than one of whom was a cancer patient that needed to be near medical supplies. “I feel bad for the other people on this street,” said Rolfes, who, despite all of his own loss, still felt a deep compassion for his neighbors. I was feeling rather dismal and helpless on my drive home. Then a sign caught my eye. I swerved to the side of Hollywood Ave. to see a lemonade stand with a sign that read in a heart-wrenching, childish scrawl, “All
money goes to flood victims.” Touched by this, I went home and told my family and friends, only to learn that this was not an isolated incident. Another lemonade stand was open for business on Sand Road between Sept. 1 and 3, and that stand would raise over $400 on its own for flood victims. Children from the Sangillo, Sedecino, Gagliano, Jandoli, Ciaglia and Kenny families decided to open the lemonade stand when they felt the impact of the destruction. “Down the street, it got really bad,” said Joseph Gagliano, a fourth grader and one of the children involved in the venture. “We just really wanted to help.” Fairfield resident and mother Jennifer Sangillo helped raise awareness about the childrens’ generous act. With her help, the companies DMS Express, Icon Express and Progressive Trailer Repair all vowed to match their $400, bringing them to an astounding $1,600 dollars, which is quite a feat for a mere lemonade stand. “It was a way for the kids to have fun, but also give back,” said Sangillo. According to Sangillo, several of the 15 involved children were themselves affected by the flooding. Fred Mongelli, president of Fairfield’s UNICO (Unity Neighborliness Integrity Charity Opportunity) chapter, has now taken up the cause, raising awareness around the area to promote even more funds. It is planned for the money to be spent on gift cards to be given to children, so that they can replace lost toys and clothing. “It’s kids giving back to kids,” said Sangillo. A lemonade stand run by children. I can’t help but think that they changed the world, or at least the way I view it.
Photo by Jackie Fusco
Photo by Ryan Towey A lemonade stand on Hollywood Ave. raised money for flood victims.
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Arts
September 2011 Issue 1
The Wessex Wire Page 7
Culture
Summer blockbuster hits and misses
Photo courtesy of cinemaknifefight.wordpress.com
Photo courtesy of viewsbuzz.com
“Super 8,” directed by J.J. Abrams starring Joel Courtney, Kyle Chandler and Elle Fanning, was one of my favorite movies of the season. During the summer of 1979, a group of friends witnesses a train derailment in the middle of the night. Following the crash, the U.S. military arrives in town and a series of mysterious disappearances ensue, which leads the group as well as the town sheriff (Chandler) to investigate further. Excellent all around acting coupled with a phenomenal and suspenseful plot make this film a must see. (3 out of 4 stars)
Another phenomenal movie of the summer was “X-Men Origins: First Class,” the prequel to the previous “X-Men” movies. This film takes an in depth look at the original group of characters that started the series. Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy), Eric Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) and others join forces with the CIA during the Cold War to thrash Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), a sadistic mutant intent on starting World War III and destroying the human race. The best part of this movie is that it answers all the questions that the previous films did not. Spectacular acting from Fassbender and McAvoy truly makes the movie great. (3.5 out of 4 stars)
When we try to make you go to rehab, say yes yes yes by Nicole Del Mauro ’12
American culture today is so fascinated with celebrities that we often forget they are no different from us. They are people with flaws. It’s disappointing to discover yet another young starlet has landed herself in some kind of rehabilitation center. Often, the famous person must forever live with the reputation that they are in some way “tainted.” What people fail to see, however, are the challenges that emerge when living in what seems to be a fishbowl, a life of people constantly looking in. Turning life around has proven to be a difficult task that, unfortunately, many will never accomplish. This is what makes the celebrities that do turn it around all the more incredible. Earlier this year, Disney channel star Demi Lovato entered an Illinois rehab center and completed a 90-day in-patient program. According to the Los Angeles Times, she made the decision to enter treatment after a meltdown while touring in Latin America with the Jonas Brothers. A statement was released from her publicist saying she was seeking “medical treatment for emotional and physical issues she has dealt with for some time.” Additional information was published in the Los Angeles Times months later stating that Lovato struggled with eating disor-
ders and self mutilation, experimented with drugs and was bullied as a child. The media had no remorse about exploiting the story of a young Disney Channel actress who had been admitted to rehab. Along with the stress of constantly trying to better herself was the fear of losing a career that had been a number one priority since she was very young. On July 23, the Grammy-award winning singer Amy Winehouse died of drug and alcohol withdrawal at 27 years old. Checking into a treatment program in 2008 that only lasted two weeks proved unsuccessful upon her arrival home, where her habits of substance abuse continued. Winehouse’s addictions led to emphysema from crack cocaine use and heavy chain smoking. Lovato is now the spokesperson for the anti-bullying campaign PACER. She also partnered up with the Jed Foundation and Seventeen magazine to start a new movement called “Love is Louder than the Pressure to be Perfect” that encourages teenage girls to feel comfortable and happy in their own skin. “You have to appreciate what she’s doing,” said senior Priscilla Canals. “Turning a bad personal experience into something that can benefit others is very admirable.”
by Griffin Glenn ’13
Photo courtesy of thebuzzmedia.com
Amidst all the recent impressive films was the failure “Captain America.” It starts off by looking at Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and his life as the little guy as he tries to gain entrance into the U.S. Army during World War II. He is continually turned down, but is eventually recruited by a military scientist because of his bravery. Through the use of a special machine, he becomes Captain America. Believe it or not, this was the most exciting and suspenseful part of the movie, not to mention the less than awe-inspiring performance by Evans. This was one of the most bland and overrated movies of the year. (1.5 out of 4 stars)
School books I don’t hate by Regina Walter ’13
Each year, teachers confidently pick out books for students. Assigned books are perceived as dull, and they often are. Buried under the hundreds of pages I’ve turned as a student, however, are several hidden gems. Without a doubt, Khaled Hosseini’s novel titled “The Kite Runner” is the best assigned book I have ever read. As a young boy in Kabul, Afghanistan, Amir and his loyal servant Hassan embark upon their own journey through childhood. Though he is just a child, Hassan is faced with adversity. In his time of weakness, Amir simply watches, leaving Hassan to battle his obstacles alone. Like Amir and Hassan, we students are still developing our own moral compasses. Hosseini’s novel will touch your heart. There will certainly be times when you reach for a Kleenex. His words are in fact so powerful that often I felt overwhelmed with emotion. If you have read Hosseini’s other novel, “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” and enjoyed the emotional moments, this book is worth the read. George Orwell’s novel titled “1984” was written in 1949, with intent to describe a futuristic life in the year 1984. In Oceania, society is dictated by the government. The government figurehead, known as Big Brother, not only has complete control over
the citizens, but history as well. With the ability to factually alter all events for political gain, everything in Oceania is artificial and lifeless. Winston Smith, a 39-year-old rebel, seeks to change the party’s ways. This novel unexpectedly changes by the second. As in Winston’s world in “1984,” society is plagued by uncertainty today, and readers will find a lot of themselves in his tormented mind. Like most of the novels required for school, “1984” has its lackluster sections. The slow beginning made it easy to just skim past certain parts. Once the heart of the story began, however, I no longer felt the desire to skip ahead. My list of favorite school books could not be complete without Shakespeare’s timeless play “Romeo and Juliet.” We all understand the story of forbidden love with a tragic twist, but reading the original brilliance of Shakespeare brings new significance to that understanding. We will forever be clouded by the things we love the most, and Romeo and Juliet are clouded by their love for each other. If you believe Nicholas Sparks is good, think again. Shakespeare presents the most powerful love story with something other than a happy ending. Other school books that made my list include “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding and “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.
September 2011 Issue 1
The Wessex Wire Page 8
Fall sports midseason report by Ed George ’12 and Paul Haramis ’12
Football The Knights started off the year with a decisive 27-7 victory over their rivals, Caldwell Chiefs. Senior captain and the running back Stephen O’ Neill scored two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing, and the defense stifled the Chiefs’ offense which only rushed for 61 yards. They followed up their season opening win by pummeling Irvington (42-6) and Millburn (28-0). Senior DJ Hamker leads the team with six touchdowns this year as O’Neill trails him with four. The team is lead by new head coach, Mr. Chris Benacquista, who has created an offense powered by senior quarterback Paul Haramis, who has two touchdowns in the air this year, and senior split- ends Mike Lentine, Mike Jones, Ralph Velardi and Tommy Caprio. Running the football is the focus for the team who has a strong offensive line led by senior captains Dominic Valeriani and Matt Rando. Seniors Garett Rees and Anthony Pompei add to the running game as well. The team’s next game is on Friday, Sept. 30 at 7:00 p.m. at Belleville. Girls’ Soccer The Lady Knights team has started off the season 2-4 with losses against tough opponents like Montclair and Bridgewater-Raritan. The team, however, defeated Millburn by a score of 3-2 and Glen Ridge 1-0. The leading scorer is sophomore Erica Perrotta who has three goals, while junior Brianna Panico has two. The team is up against stiff competition because they play in one of the top divisions in the state. “We must work together as a team and be confident that we can win,” said senior center defender Shannon Wojcik, who is co-captain along with senior center midfielder Shannon White. White plays alongside junior standout Kelly Egan in the central midfield as Wojcik and sophomore Denise Barretti anchor the defense. The Knights first five games were among the most difficult of the season for the young squad, so they remain optimistic looking forward to this season. The game to watch this season is on Friday, Sept. 30 at home against Caldwell at 6:00 p.m. Girls’ Field Hockey The team has started off the season 7-0 by outscoring opponents 42-2. Iowa-bound senior captain Natalie Cafone has tallied 14 goals and 11 assists in seven games, hitting the milestone 100 goal mark when she scored her second goal against Glen Ridge. “I didn’t even realize it at first, but
when it finally sunk in I was pretty excited,” Cafone said. Junior Amanda Cassera leads the attack alongside Cafone with 13 goals and nine assists this year. Senior Melissa Laible is playing goalie for the first time this year. Regardless, she is playing exceptionally well, allowing only two goals in seven games, posting five shutouts and making 18 saves in total. This is also a strong indication of how well the defense has played in front of Laible. Senior quad-captains Cafone, Jackie Fusco, who recently committed to Providence University, Alexis Miller and Kalyn Schwartz all provide quality leadership and experience to the team. Standout underclassmen who have made a strong impression this season include sophomores Jackie Renda and Steph Pezzuti. Winning is an expectation for the field hockey team, and this year they look poised to continue that tradition. Boys’ Soccer The boys’ soccer team has gotten off to a strong start this season with a 3-3-1 record. They have had a tough schedule to this point that included one of the top teams in the state, West Orange. They have big games coming up against conference opponents Seton Hall Prep and Montclair. The highlight of the season was when junior Matt Garvey scored a game winning goal in overtime against Columbia. The boys are led by their four senior captains Ed George, Mike Steets, Gregg Sgarlata and Lee Shearin. The Knights’ have a deep and talented roster that is made up by mostly seniors. The leading goal scorers are Garvey, Sgarlata and senior Oscar Hernandez. The Knights are looking to get a high seed in states and to reach the section finals. Their next game is Friday, Sept. 30 vs. Montclair at 4:00 p.m. Photo by Ryan Rinsky
Junior goaltender David Greczek kicks the ball during the Knights game vs. Newark East Side
Player profiles: fall superstars by Zoe Elfenbein ’13 Joseph Stellato/Caldwells Patch
Jeff Stiefbold/Caldwells Patch
Kelly Egan enters her junior year as a three-year starting midfielder on the varsity girls’ soccer team. Egan started playing when she was just three years old, inspired by female soccer superstar Mia Hamm. Egan currently plays for TSF Academy based out of the Sports Factory in Lincoln Park, N.J., which recently won first place at the U.S. Soccer Club Team Nationals in Idaho. “It felt like all my hard work had paid off. It was one of my proudest moments as a soccer player,” Egan said about winning Nationals. Egan is known for her ball skills, killer shot and unique vision on the field. “She really knows the game. Kelly is always where she needs to be on the field. She’s a committed player who shows leadership on and off the field,” said senior captain Shannon White. Egan hopes to continue her soccer career at West Essex and eventually play in college at the Division I level.
Stephen O’Neill is a senior third-year starting running back and strong safety on the varsity football team. O’Neill started playing on the West Essex Cowboys in second grade when Roseland mother Irene Haramis told him he should. On the field, O’Neill is known for his key blocking, strength and speed. “Not only is Stephen a great football player, he is a tremendous leader and student athlete,” said Head Coach Chris Benacquista. O’Neill’s football inspirations include West Essex alumnus Mike Cimilluca and Coach Dave Drozjock. O’Neill’s favorite moment on the field was during his sophomore season when he made a crucial interception against Columbia with two minutes remaining, to clinch the win and the conference. “It’s just so much fun. I love it. I love being able to beat and smack the other players on the team,” said O’Neill. O’Neill will most likely continue his football career in college.
Tennis team ready to take on States by Gaby Roth ’13
After clinching the 2010 Group 2 Section 2 state championship title last fall, the girls’ varsity tennis team is more determined than ever. Competing in the agressive Super Essex Conference and led by senior captains Niki Entin, Grace Barretti and Blair Shulman, the team crushed Mount Saint Dominic Academy 5-0 in their first match of the season on Sept. 10. All of the singles and doubles won their individual matches. “This year our team is extremely talented and we’re very hopeful to make it back into the finals for states,” said Entin. After a close loss against Montclair Kimberly Academy on Sept. 12, the girls bounced back the next day by destroying Passaic Valley 5-0, where again all of the West Essex singles and doubles won their personal matches.
When asked about how winning the state championships last year has impacted the team this season, junior Emma Osman said, “We all have higher expectations for ourselves now.” This determination is definitely paying off, as evidenced by the team’s two wins early on in the season. Despite the different roster this year, Head Coach Barbara Bruchac’s hopes are still incredibly high for this season. “We lost three starters from last year’s team, but this team has a lot of potential,” said Bruchac. “I think we will be very competitive in the state tournament and we hope to retain our state sectional title. We look forward to that challenge.” The team’s record is currently 4-4, and will be fiercely competing against rivals such as Millburn on Oct. 10, Newark Academy on Oct. 14 and Columbia on Oct. 19.