The Wessex Wire (Senior Issue 2007)

SENIOR ISSUE

Vol. XLVI No.6

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

Senior Issue -- June 2007

SENIORS'07

DORNEY PARK The first of the annual senior events, the Class of 2007 went on their Senior Trip to Dorney Park on June 11th, a long-standing tradition to celebrate the end of finals and senior service.

(top right) Rachel Berman and Katie Clavin on “Screaming Swing” before the ride started. The swing rocks back and forth about 100 feet in the air for approximately two minutes. It is a major attraction for thrill seekers at Dorney Park. They happily await their departure... (bottom right) ...before they realize exactly what they got themselves into. (left) (from left to right) Katie Crosby, Nicole Kenny, and Michael Patson scream on the daunting Dominator.

(top left) Danny Rickles relaxes on the park's only wooden rollercoaster, the scary "Thunderbird.” (top right) (from left to right) Becky McClain, Rebecca Rosenberg, Katie Rosenberg, Rachel Berman, Diana Trenk, and Kaitlin Chicola take a break fro the rides to pose for the camera. (right) (from left to right) Joelle Bacino, Tara Fossetta, Jenna Cirangle and Giovanna Catucci pose for a picture while awaiting to ride “Talon,” one of the park's main attractions.

2

wessex wire - june 2007

senior issue

DORNEY PARK

"The exodus is here, the happy ones are near. Let's get together, before we get much older." -The Who

(above) (from left to right) Alexa Bono, Casey Keegan, Janeen Pallota, Tara Fossetta, Jenna Cirangle, and Joelle Bacino start to get nervous after getting on a ride.

(above) The greatest attractions for seniors while at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom were rollercoasters, like Talon, pictured above.

Alexa Notte, Chelsey Etkin, Stacey Clarken, Jen Egan, and Carissa Franzi ride the back two rows of the ride in the morning on the trip.

(below) Alexa Centrella and Malcolm Bertram smile on the bus on its way back to school after getting soaked at the water park.

(Bottom left) Before getting on rides, Fossetta, Catucci, Pallotta, Keegan, Bono, Cirangle, Bacino, and Hunter look forward to a day off from Senior Service and school.

(Bottom right) Rubino, Clavin, McClain, Rosenberg, and Black pose for a picture in the shade while the rest of their friends ride the log flume.

"You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose."-Dr. Seuss

senior issue 3senior issue

wessex wire - june 2007

Favorite Memories... "...beating Mendham twice for the first time in WE girls' basketball history!"

Erin Bradley

"...sitting in Mr. Escurra's ridiculous Spanish class and watching a golf cart whiz by in the hallway."

Alexa Notte "My favorite memory from high school was during Color Day, when some of the senior girls and I decided to hang streamers from the unfinished outside entrance and having it torn down 20 minutes later."

Tara Fossetta "...getting completely soaked during the Six Flags trip for Physics. We all had a great time."

Josh Katz "...winning the GNT junior year."

John Baab "dog-piling on the pitchers mound afterward at Newark Bear Stadium."

Wayne McCullough "...going to the OAR concert in November 2005."

Chelsey Etkin "...being in Dr. Aitken's class."

Alexa Zozzaro

"...bonding during bomb scares."

Nancy Gartland

" 'If I get caught... I get caught.'-Martin Mihaly."

Kevin Hill "I will always remember throwing a touchdown pass in Giants Stadium with a minute and 45 seconds left."

Mark Cassera "...learning in Mr. Pappas' ninth period BC Calc class about bundt cakes."

Brittany Dee Mueller "...going on the Disney Trip in ninth grade with the West Essex band."

Adam Rosen "...when the lines for the bathrooms were longer than the lines for lunch."

JJ McNamara "...listening to the 'History of the World' lecture by Dr. Aitken."

Michael Sackman "Six Flags and the 5 hour ride home with Casey and Tundo last year."

Joelle Bacino "...playing high school volleyball."

Billy Fogarty

"I will always remember Coffee Wednesdays with Dr. Aitken and chanting 'Far-a-day' for whole class periods."

Allison Candido

3 "...hanging with my friends and going out to eat, seeing shows, and watching football games."

Madeline Geftic

"...my first high school lacrosse goal."

Marc Guido

"...singing in Bio the last day before senior service with Sandra and Ball Weekend."

Katie Rosenberg

"...winning Back-to-Back State Championships for Field Hockey (2005&2006) -Amanda Baretta

"...Patson singing 'Over the Pants' at lunch."

Gena Wolfson

"...being at Prom with all of my friends and sharing the excitement of the championship game this year against Montville at Giants Stadium with my closest friends and classmates."

Diana Trenk "...being with my friends."

Becca Rosenberg "...being in Mr. Fardin's class."

Alyssa Piscitello "... the State Championship at Giants Stadium."

John Veniero "...the subway into the city for the G.Love concert."

Maggie George

Class of 2007: A wise teacher told his European History classes in the beginning of the year that we are where we are by “an accident of birth.” We had no control over our families’ decision to move here. We had no bearing on the decision to settle in North Caldwell, Essex Fells, Fairfield, or Roseland. Our accident of birth got us to West Essex.

We were faced with some bad situations. We didn’t have many floors or ceilings, but we did have about eight vice principals. We started school three weeks late and got out of school nearly in July.

Despite these physical shortcomings, I look back on my six years at West Essex and have no regrets. We all made mistakes over this time, but every mistake that I have made has led me to where I am now. And where I am now includes the new people I’ve met and the old friends I’ve retained, all of

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS whom have had a significant impact on Graduation from high school is supmy life. posed to be a day full of excitement I don’t like change – at all. I didn’t and happiness. For four years, we’ve want to leave Gould School because I worked ourselves academically and had a very routine life. I had a set group athletically for West Essex. Making it of friends whom I had known forever, through the tough schedules and the and knew my entire graduating class tests, the double sessions and the expretty well. I had a set schedule for my tracurricular commitments was no easy school days and weekends. Life was task. Celebrating the end of this chapgood. I didn’t want to be thrown into ter in our lives, therefore, should be a a new school with so many new people relief. that would upset the perfect balance But, my accident of birth put me in a I’d attained in sixth grade. place that I never want to leave. It’s Over the last six years, I’m happy I less the place I’m in, more the people didn’t stay that way. I finally opened I’ve been so fortunate to meet, that myself up to meeting new people and make graduating so difficult. Yet, I’m doing new things, and in the process, I forced to remember the scared little met some of my best friends. We’ve girl who didn’t want to meet anyone in grown up together. We went through seventh grade as I prepare for college. the most awkward years of our lives I try to remember that meeting new and experienced many important firsts. people didn’t make my old friends any We hated each other, loved each other, less special. As I leave here, I can only couldn’t wait to get out, and always hope that college will introduce me to wanted to stay. the same kind of amazing people I’ve

Class of 2007: I’ve written and rewritten this letter, trying to make it say something to the people that I have seen every day for the past six years. Everything I say, however, just seemed like a cliché, or like something out of a greeting card. I just sincerely want to thank all of you for a great 4 years of high school. Over the past couple of years we definitely faced some strange things, but as a class we have made it through, and here we are, our last day as West Essex seniors.

This is definitely bittersweet. We are all moving on to different things, and I know you all have the potential to make a huge impact. It’s just sad to know that this is it, we are done at West Essex. West Essex

has been our family, certainly not students, have made it all worth it. perfect and somewhat dysfunctional, In some of you I have found friends that I could have only dreamed of, friends that I know are there for me no How did it get so late so soon? matter what.

Then there are the It's night before it's afternoon. staff and the teachers, who December is here before it's June. have always been supportMy goodness how the time has flewn. ive, and although at times it How did it get so late so soon? may not seem like it, you know they genuinely care.

-Dr. Seuss They have been there for the past four years, for the and sometimes you wish you could support, the advice, and the much get out, but in the end you know it’s needed hugs. a part of you. When you finally do I never doubted that we would get get out, there will be a part of you, here, but I always thought we had so no matter how small, that will miss it. much more time. We have experiPersonally, it is not the school that I enced six bomb scares in one sewill miss, but the people. You, the mester. We know what it’s like to

"Malcolm's 18th Birthday Bash."

Danielle Bertscha "Mrs. Bazzarelli crying hysterically at the end of La Boheme because she thought the girl with TB would live."

Chris Holland "...being a state champion twice."

Becky McClain "...Steve and Lipari fighting in Pappas's class."

Max Jacobson "Laurie Mittleman being Laurie."

Emily Cox

met here.

Time changes relationships, but only if you let it. Countless times, I’ve heard that your college friends are the ones who will stay with you forever. I refuse to accept that. But if that’s true, my college friends have the toughest act to follow. My high school friends are the ones I will take everywhere, as they have been there and made me grow up in a way no one else has.

Coming into the school, all 230 of us had virtually nothing in common. After today, we have one uniting thread: we are all alumni of West Essex. As we move on to different experiences, remember that we’re all now coming from the exact same place. Congratulations, Class of 2007!

Katie Rosenberg

have patience while waiting to use the bathrooms. Mr. Bonnett has caught us all at least once without a green pass.

Most of us know how sleazy but fun the Starlight Motel is. Very few of us can name all of the Vice Principals we’ve had. All of you know what it’s like to be a senior at West Essex High School. Even as I sit at graduation practice, it seems surreal. Tonight at Project Graduation will be the last time we are all together as a class. The road to graduation was certainly not smooth, but it definitely taught us a lot. Class of 2007, thank you for everything you've taught me. Good luck with everything.

We made it! Congratulations!

Sandra Lucero

44

wessex wire - june 2007 wessex wire - june 2004

senior issue

Congratulation

“Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you

Edward Abbot University of Scranton Daniel Abdel Montclair State University Adam Agins University of Wisconsin Jonathan Agudo Pennsylvania State University - Altoona Seth Alter Wesleyan University Nicole Andolino Unknown Genevieve Aragona Providence College Daniel Atkins University of Wisconsin Stephanie Avjean Ocean County College Lucia Avraamides University of Delaware John Baab Monmouth University Joelle Bacino Temple University Patricia Barnette Montclair State University Amanda Baretta Rider University Patricia Beattie Drew University Rachel Berman Cornell University Malcolm Bertram, Jr. Plymouth State University Danielle Berscha The College of New Jersey Slougans Bicalho Work Force Corey Black Fairfield University Jaime Blaustein University of Michigan Alexa Bono Sacred Heart University Erin Bradley Moravian College Dana Marie Bucci County College of Morris Kathleen Bui Haverford College Sophia Buono University of Rome Richard Buonomo Villanova University Brittany Burlazzi Ramapo University James Buttimore Work Force Allison Candido Georgetown University Nicholas Cangialosi County College of Morris Daniel Caniano County College of Morris Caitlin Cardace Shippensburg University Mark Cassera Muhlenberg College Giovanna Catucci Montclair State University Aaren Cecere James Madison University

Alexa Centrella University of Rhode Island Kaitlin Chicola Montclair State University Jenna Cirangle Syracuse University James Cirenza University of Colorado - Boulder Stacey Clarken Syracuse University Katie Clavin Fairfield University Jacqueline Cohn Vanderbilt University Jesse Coiro University of Massachusetts Lauren Collins Lehigh University Matthew Collins University of Scranton Rafaella Contuzzi Montclair State University Daniel Coplon University of Maryland Michael Cordasco Ramapo College Dina Costanza Northeastern University Emily Cox St. Lawrence University Jenna Croonquist Villanova University Kathleen Crosby Villanova University James Cruse, Jr. County College of Morris Max Custer University of Maryland Thomas D’Andrea Quinnipiac University Dean D’Archi County College of Morris Steve Dallafior Caldwell College Anthony Dalonges University of Delaware Jared Davidson University of Michigan Gina Delli Santi Unknown Andrew Demko Work Force Tiffany Devito James Madison University Thomas Doelp University of Delaware Rocco Donatiello The County College of Morris Stephen Dotz Rowan University Cassandra Dudar St. Lawrence University Alanna Eck Johnson & Wales University Jennifer Egan SUNY-Stonybrook Jana Elfenbein Muhlenberg College Chelsey Etkin UCLA Zachary Evans County College of Morris

West Essex C Gianna Fede Montclair State University Alyssa Fernicola Gloucester County College Nick Fernicola William Paterson University Rick Fernicola Gloucester County College Tracey Fess Rhode Island College Taylor Fiscus Temple University William Fogarty Rowan University Tara Fossetta Montclair State University Carissa Franzi Monmouth University Jonnalyn Gallucci University of Medicine and Dentistry, NJ Nancy Gartland Montclair State University Madeline Geftic SUNY-New Paltz Maggie George Rider University Samantha Giardelli East Stroudsburg University Howard Gilson Rutgers University David Gonzalez American University Stephanie Gonzalez County College of Morris Eric Goodman Rowan University Andrew Graham Salisburg University Thomas Grossi Amherst College Michael Guerrieri Work Force Marc Guido Montclair State University

Rostyslav Gulay Essex County College Deana Hagel Montclair State University Brittany Hamker Fairleigh Dickinson University Erik Haversang Saint Michael's College Kevin Hill Rowan University Christopher Holland University of Bristol Christie Hong Drexel University Justin Hubler County College of Morris Christina Hunter Seton Hall University John Ihling Massachusetts Maritime Academy Erik Jabur Sweden Brian Jacobson Pennsylvania State University – Altoona Max Jacobson Cornell University Akshay Jhanjee County College of Morris Laura Johnson St. Thomas Aquinas College Elizabeth Jung Bloomsburg University Joshua Katz University of Maryland Lauren Katz Fairleigh Dickinson University Tamara Khater Unknown Casey Keegan The College of New Jersey Nicole Kenny Providence College Kevin Kochel Pennsylvania State University

senior issue

wessex - june 2007 wessex wire wire - june 2004

555

s Class of 2007!

Let nothing be lost upon you!" -Oscar Wilde

Class of 2007 Jyoti Kumra County College of Morris Kristina Kuplik Montclair State University Zakia Lauriano Concord School of Cosmetology Christopher Lenihan Seton Hall University Christopher Lipari The College of New Jersey Nicola Loconsole Fairleigh Dickinson University Sandra Lucero University of Notre Dame Kristina Lucin Montclair State University Daniel Madden The University of New Haven Paul Marini, III University of Florida Jason Mariscal United States Naval Academy Jason Martins Caldwell College Michelle Mascera University of Scranton Caitlin McCaffrey East Stroudsburg University Rebecca McClain University of Pennsylvania Wayne McCollough Rutgers University Michael McConnell United StatesNavy Jonathan McNamara County College of Morris Ryan McNamara Sienna College Joseph Mecca Purdue University Martin Mihaly West Virginia University Richard Miller University of Maryland

Laurie Mittleman Sarah Lawrence College Steven Monin University of Hawaii Elizabeth Montgomery University of Hartford Brittany Dee Mueller New York University Matthew Muller Unknown Alair Muzzatti St. Lawrence University Krysten Myslak University of New England Sagarika Nag Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Ricardo Navarro Work Force Gina Neglia Kutztown University Robert Nichols County College of Morris Alexa Notte Trinity College Christopher Overton University of Hartford Janeen Pallotta Rutgers University Robert Pantages University of Scranton Young Park Peace Corps Gary Parr Delaware Valley College Samir Patel Muhlenberg University Michael Patson Villanova University Kirsten Penkoski Fairleigh Dickinson University Frank Perrotti New Jersey Institute of Technology William Philips York College

Alyssa Piscitello University of Scranton Jason Plawner Northeastern University Matthew Popola Fairleigh Dickinson University Jared Prince Pennsylvania State University Alyssa Puorro Montclair State University Domenick Raimondo Ramapo College of New Jersey David Rasmussen Montclair State University Kristen Ricigliano Loyola College of Maryland Daniel Rickles University of Pennsylvania Lisa Rickles University of Pennsylvania Amanda Roche Rutgers University Janelle Romandetto Rutgers University Kristin Rompala Santa Clara University Stephen Rosania Bloomfield College Adam Rosen Syracuse University Joshua Rosen Colgate University Katie Rosenberg University of Michigan Rebecca Rosenberg University of Richmond Jacqueline Rubino The College of New Jersey Michael Sackman Tufts University Christopher Salpetro Fairleigh Dickinson University Elizabeth Sansone Beebe School of Nursing Cristin Santangelo Montclair State University Stefanie Sanzari Fairleigh Dickinson University Anthony Saraciniello Fairleigh Dickinson University Arthur Scarano County College of Morris James Schiffenhaus Muhlenberg College Aaron Seabra Catholic University Michael Shanker Indiana University Michael Shankman Quinnipiac University Sasha Shapiro Arizona State University Jeremy Shikman Rutgers University Jessica Shoop County College of Morris Lauren Slater Ramapo College of New Jersey Michael Sojka Stevens Institute of Technology Jason Soroka William Paterson University

Teresa Spada Fairleigh Dickinson University Michael Stefanelli University of Massachusetts Angela Suppa County College of Morris Rebecca Thierman Rutgers University Kelley Tierney County College of Morris Jacqueline Tong Rutgers University Naume Trajkoski Montclair State University Christopher Tremel Temple University Diana Trenk University of Delaware Angeles Trigo County College of Morris Anthony Tundo Quinnipiac University Kavin Tutithavorn William Paterson University Laura Umbach School of Visual Arts Neel Vakharia University of Michigan Vincent Valerian III Kean University Robert Van Der Wende University of Scranton John Veniero Lehigh University Christina Vigue University of Pittsburg Qamil Volina Essex County College Daniel Waddel Unknown Helen Wang New York University Zachary Waxman Massachussetts Institute of Technology Brooke Weinstein Penn College Dean Werb Institute of Audio Research Meaghan White University of Maryland Kaitlyn Wiatrak Providence College William Wild SUNY Maritime Gena Wolfson University of Wisconsin Alexander Yang University of Pennsylvania Jeffery Young Wake Forest University Stuart Young Wringling College Jaclyn Zeller James Madison University Joseph Zezza Johnson &Wales University Alessandro Zoppis Italy Alexa Zozzaro Bentley College

10 6

wessex wire - june 2007

senior issue

Senior Ball June 15, 2007

The Newark Club

“Here's to the nights we felt alive, here's to the tears you knew you'd cry, Here's to goodbye, tomorrow's gonna come too soon..."

As is West Essex custom, the seniors come without a date to their Senior Ball.

Before the dance, friends gathered to take pictures together and with their families.

"'Cause to me throughout eternity, there's something where you're welcome to go. I said, it's something free that means a lot to me; when I'm with my friends I feel home."

-OAR

After every angle was captured on film, the seniors got into their limousines and made their way to Newark. For the first time since Senior Service began, the entire class came together during cocktail hour on the ground floor as each group arrived. The Ball was held on the 22nd floor of the building, which overlooked the New York City skyline.

The tables were set, the music was loud, and the seniors were ready to dance...

senior senior issue issue

wessex wire - june 2007

76

"When the night has come, and the land is dark, and the moon is the only light we see - no I wont be afraid, no I wont be afraid... Just as long as you stand, stand by me." -Ben E. King

Setting a new record for the most seniors still on the dance floor at 11:00 P.M., the class had danced the whole night through. Different groups of people and friends mingled together as the grade spent one of their last nights together as a whole. After four hours of dinner and dancing, the crowd separated... some to go camping, some into the city, and others, the majority, down to the New Jersey shore...

"So you're scared and you're thinking that maybe we ain't that young anymore...

Show a little faith, there's magic in the night." - Bruce Springsteen

88

wessex wire - june 2007

senior issue

Down the shore...

"The friends who grew up with you deserve a special respect. The ones who stuck by you shoulder to shoulder, in a time where nothing was certain, all life lay ahead, and every road led home." -The Wonder Years

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Mural by Becca Rosenberg and Kristen Rompala