The Wessex Wire (April 2015)

The Wessex Wire The Student Newspaper of West Essex Regional High School

Vol. LV No. 5

West Essex High School, 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, N.J.

April 2015

Your future’s closer than you think: Start here

Attention: Where will W.E. be after high school?

By Anthony Gagliardi ’16

When graduation day comes, most West Essex students already have a plan as to where they will further their education during the following school year, while some decide to start off their career plans immediately. Students have the choice of either staying close to home or going far away, making it interesting to see where people end up.

“I think it’s crazy that everyone goes on their own once graduation is over,” senior Katelin D’Allegro

In This Issue:

said. “Some are going really far away which is scary to me because I might not see them again.”

With the college path becoming more popular, students now have the possibility of choosing a college that fits their lifestyle. One can choose either a public or private school, large or small class sizes and coeducational or single-sex.

From either a two or four year commitment, students have the ability of gaining the degree they wish to hold.

“There’s a lot of options out there that fit perfectly for everyone,” ju-

3-5 Opinion

Dry campuses still face woes

nior Alec Cinque said.

While some students decide to stay local, others depart to schools outside of the tri-state area. Being able to dorm and live without a parent or guardian plays a large factor when one is deciding to stay home or go away. Leaving their hometown to live at school shows the independence these students desire.

Living on campus gives them a sense of freedom and being able to see what it’s really like out in the world. Though some may not get the full effect by commuting, they are still experiencing the college life.

8-10 Arts

West Essex students are big on moving from their hometown in Essex County to the college of their choice. Over the years, many of the same schools have appeared to interest students, leading them to attend these schools. According to Naviance, colleges and universities West Essex sends their students to include the University of Delaware, Pennsylvania State University and University of Maryland.

Rather than venturing miles away to get an education, some students prefer to stay near home and attend colleges within the

Picturing prom: Class of 2016

11-12 Sports

area. According to Naviance, more than 30 percent of students have attended Montclair State University, Seton Hall University, Rowan University and Caldwell University, a few of the many nearby schools West Essex students choose to be a part of.

“Students tend to stay closer to home when choosing a college,” guidance counselor Mrs. Van Syckle said. “Naviance is a valuable resource throughout the application process, giving students a visible chart of where they rank among other students.”

Acknowledging athletics in college

The Wessex Wire: News

April 2015

Mr. McGlynn chosen as WFAN Phenom

By Julie Rosenberg ’16

Mr. McGlynn, media and history teacher, won the opportunity to host his very own sports radio show on WFAN on April 17, as well as the opportunity to attend the University of Connecticut School of Broadcasting.

“The contest was an amazing experience and winning is a dream come true,” McGlynn said.

“I would like to tell any students to never give up on their dreams because the only way to truly fail is by giving up.”

His show will be aired from 1-3 a.m. on Saturday mornings.

The competition he participated in was called the Fantasy Phenom 5 Contest which consists of three rounds.

In the first round, which was located at the Palisades Mall in West Nyack, N.Y., Mr. McGlynn was put up on a small stage to give a two minute “rant” about any sports topic. During this

first part of the competition he made it to number 16 in a line of roughly 75 people.

The second round, located in a New York City Irish Pub on St. Patrick’s Day morning, required Mr. McGlynn to go live on the air for two minutes with the two morning talk-show hosts on WFAN. This time he had to give a one minute, off the top of the head “rant” about a current New York sports story. After this he was assigned one of the regular daily show hosts, Craig Carton, to coach him in the third round of the competition.

The third round also located in New York City required McGlynn to go live on both TV and radio.

He again had to give a two minute “rant” about the New York sports topic of the day and take two live callers on the show. He finished his time by reading a commercial on the air. Fan votes won him the competition after a panel of judges commented on him while in the final round.

Photo courtesy of WFAN.com

Mr. McGlynn auditions with commentator Mike Francesa for the WFAN Fantasy Phenom Competition on March 17.

Page 2

Akash Gami and Isabelle De Brabanter named valedictorian and salutatorian

By Bryan Gallion ’15

After seven semesters of balancing advanced courses and extracurricular activities, seniors Akash Gami and Isabelle De Brabanter have been recognized as valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2015, respectively.

Gami’s cumulative GPA is a 4.66 and he has taken a total of seven Advanced Placement courses: AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics 2, AP Statistics, AP French, AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics. He is a member of four honor societies, and he has also been a member of Math Club, French Club, Key Club and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) over the past four years. Gami serves as co-president of FBLA and cotreasurer of the French Club.

He has been a member of the Science Olympiad and Quiz Bowl teams in the past, and he also became involved in the Yearbook Club this past year after learning Computer Graphics. Gami received the Jefferson Book Award from the University of Virginia during his junior year.

“I am honored to be named valedictorian of the Class of 2015, especially because we have such a great group of students,” Gami said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all and my goal wasn’t necessarily to be the valedictorian, but it’s great to see four years of hard work

Photo by Ben Lowenthal

Akash Gami and Isabelle De Brabanter received the acknowledgement of Valedictorian and Salutatorian for their dedication to their studies.

result in this.”

De Brabanter attained a 4.64 cumulative GPA over the progression of her high school career and was enrolled in a total of 11 Advanced Placement courses. She is a member of four honor societies, serving as historian of the National English Honor Society.

Outside of the classroom, De Brabanter is Student Council treasurer and co-president of the French Club. She is also a member of the Quiz Bowl Team and Ke y Club. This past year, De Brabanter assisted in founding the West Essex chapter of Girls Learn International. She has competed on the swim team for the past two years and is a four-year varsity member of

the spring track team, where she was captain during her junior and senior seasons.

During her junior year, De Brabanter was recognized with the College of the Holy Cross Book Award and the West Point Society of New Jersey Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award; she also scored within the top percentile on the PSAT, qualifying her for National Merit commendation.

“This recognition validates everything that I have accomplished over the past four years, and I am satisfied that all of my hard work has meaning,” De Brabanter said. “I am glad to share this honor with my friend Akash and am thankful for all of the support from my family, friends and teachers.”

8 changes to the new SAT starting in spring 2016

By Sabrina Saccente ’15 The College Board, a not-forprofit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity, has recently verified that a redesigned SAT will be taking place in the spring of 2016. The new SAT plans to focus on a student’s readiness for postsecondary education rather than trying to cover every possible aspect of a student’s high school education.

“I think the College Board is changing the SAT to partially benefit the students, but also to become more in-line with the Common Core and the way we teach,” SAT Prep teacher Ms. Perez said. “I also think it is about the money. In recent years, the number of students taking the ACT has grown quite a bit, so perhaps they are changing it to look more like

that to increase their numbers.”

Compared to the old version of the SAT, there are eight key components that have changed in order to benefit the student: 1) Relevant Words in Context The vocabulary of the new SAT has changed into words that students use in their everyday lives. Test takers will have to interpret the meaning of these words based on context clues and the words around them.

2) Command of Evidence Students will be asked to read and analyze passages and graphics from various literary pieces, texts in the humanities, science, history and social studies as well as career-related sources during the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Essay sections of the SAT. They will need to answer open ended questions

by backing up their answer with evidence from the text.

3) Essay Analyzing a Source All writing sections from the redesigned SAT will mirror college-like writing. After reading a passage, students must explain the argument the author made as well as say their opinion on the piece. The Essay is now optional; however, some colleges may require it.

“I think [the essay] is a necessary component to the test so that students can show that they know how to write before going on to a college or university,” Ms. Perez said.

“If a student does not take the writing portion of the test that the university will then require them to take some sort of writing placement entrance exam, which might even be harder than the SAT Essay.”

4) Focus on Math that Matters Instead of covering all the math that one has learned throughout high school, the redesigned SAT will be focusing on the three essential areas of math: Problem Solving and Data Analysis, the Heart of Algebra and Passport to Advanced Math.

5) Problems Grounded in RealWorld Contexts Many questions of the new SAT will be related to the real world.

Students will have to understand the work performed in college and career fields. The math section will include multistep problem solving based off of science, social science, career scenarios and other real-life contexts.

6) Analysis in Science and in History/Social Studies When students take the rede-

signed SAT, they will be asked to apply their reading, writing, language and math skills to answer questions in science, history and social studies contexts.

7) Founding Documents and Great Global Conversation On each SAT, there will be a passage from one of the U.S. founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence or the Bill of Rights. These documents are important to our country and the College Board thinks it’s important for students to thoroughly understand them as well as speak about them.

8) No Penalty for Wrong Answers Students will earn points for the questions they answer correctly. There will be no points omitted for a wrong answer.

This style is similar to that of the ACT.

Opinion

April 2015 Issue 5

Alternatives to college

Last year, 98.2 percent of West Essex seniors went off to school in the fall following their graduation. In comparison, 68.4 percent of high school seniors across the country enrolled at colleges or universities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While our numbers make it seem that college is the sole path in life after high school, there are many alternative options in which students can choose to follow. Formal education is not the only path to take.

If students would rather begin to save funds for future endeavors immediately following graduation, then going straight into the workforce is a perfectly suitable decision. Approximately 60 percent of working-age Americans do not have college degrees, according to PBS. It is not necessary to obtain a degree in order to enter the work force; according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 27 percent of jobs in the U.S. require at least an associate degree.

Other possibilities for students that wish to find another path include joining the armed forces or traveling abroad. These paths can be just as fulfilling for young adults as attending a school.

It’s understandable why so many students feel the need to go to college. They face pressure from their parents, their friends and at many times their school itself. College is constantly in the news, and social media simply adds to the desire for many to attend. Universities tend to be glorified from time to time, and while they very well may provide the experiences advertised, furthering education is not for everybody. Teenagers reserve the right to make the final decision in where to go after high school, and it is important that everyone realizes that college does not remain the only option.

Staff Editorial

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 2014-2015 STAFF: Managing Editor Monica Onorata ’15

Editors-in-chief Bryan Gallion ’15 Ben Lowenthal ’15 News Editors Anthony Gagliardi ’16 Cathryn Kessler ’16 Features Editors Caroline Galligan ’15 Tatum Pappas ’16 Arts & Culture Editors Patrick Glenn ’16 Julia Maxman ’16 Photo Editors Lexie Sabato ’15 Courtney Pappas ’16 Advertising Editors Maddie Butler ’15 Sara LiVecchi ’15

Opinion Editors Jordan Alworth ’16 Brianna Crummy ’16 Junior Editor Gianna Aktas ’16

Layout Editor Lindsay Sanderson ’15

Sports Editors Noah Eagle ’15 Rose Pezzuti ’15

Research Editors Dominic Magliaro ’15 Luke Magliaro ’15

Copy Editors Kelly Scheper ‘15 Gianna Aktas ’16 Maddie Gering ’16

Cartoonists Mattias Voltmer ’16

Adviser Mr. Hermosilla

Art Director Sabrina Saccente ’15

Contributing Staff Ceana Cuello ’16 Kirk Geller ’16 Julie Rosenberg ’16

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.

The Wessex Wire Page 3

In 2010, The University of Texas reported that for the first time, white students represented a minority of incoming first-time freshmen.

Breaking it down by race, A 1995 study 69 percent of Hispanic showed that white high-school graduates, women benefited 67 percent of white from affirmative graduates and 62 percent action more than of black graduates went people of color. on to college in 2012.

Statistics courtesy of

blogs.wsj.com, usatoday.com and www.cnn.com

Affirmative action’s purpose has transformed into abuse Academic standards get lost in college acceptance process

By Jordan Alworth ’16 Over recent years the college admissions process has become evidently more competitive. It is no longer just a matter of having straight A’s and starting a charity; race is another factor under consideration—invalidly, I would add—due to the government policy of affirmative action.

“In institutions of higher education, affirmative action refers to admission policies that provide equal access to education for those groups that have been historically excluded or underrepresented, such as women and minorities.”

This is an applicable definition, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan non-government organization.

Affirmative action was a product of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement with the ultimate goal of improving equality in schools and the workplace for African Americans.

Other positive advancements as a result of the movement included the 1954 Supreme Court Decision in Brown v. Board of Education, outlawing segregation in public schools, and the passing of the Civil Rights Act to bring an end to public discrimination.

Such efforts made to promote equality produced minimal results in the academic field; still only 5 percent of undergraduate college students in 1965 were African American, according to the website of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

Affirmative action was the first and primary government policy that actually brought about a rise in minority enrollment in college.

Undoubtedly, affirmative action did its job.

But fast for ward to 2015.

America is a melting pot of different races, religions and eth-

nicities, all of which are given equal rights under the Constitution.

The natural diversity of the nation is positive and characteristic to American culture as a whole. Such diversity should carry over into the nation’s universities, yet through organic means. As established, all are equal, therefore preferential treatment, while well intentioned, should not exist.

There is no correlation between race and intelligence, so it is misleading that the college admissions process has brought race into the process. A college application is an insightful look into who you are as a student, based on academics, involvement within the school and outside activities. It should not be about much else. I am not undermining the importance of ethnicity as a part of self-identity, but only offering a reminder of the true matter at hand, which is college acceptance.

The use of affirmative action has been altered over the years and is no longer serving its purpose—in fact, just the opposite. The policy has been deemed “outdated” and now “causes a form of reverse discrimination by favoring one group over another, based on racial preference rather than academic achievement,” according to NSCL. Financial aid is often offered to underrepresented students to promote enrollment and success, which is actually shrinking the pool of equal opportunity for everyone.

The Project on Fair Representation — a nonprofit legal defense foundation focused on ending race-based affirmative action in a setting of higher education, and the use of racial considerations when administering scholarships and enrichment programs—filed a lawsuit against Harvard University in 2014. According to the organization’s website, Harvard has been strictly limiting the amount of Asians gaining acceptance by “engaging in racial balancing.” “ The number of AsianAmericans Harvard admits to-

day is lower than it was 20 years ago, even though the number of highly qualified Asian-American applicants to Harvard has nearly doubled,” said Edward Blum, the director of the Project on Fair Representation. He claims that the demand for race diversification has overridden the importance of academic qualifications, which is forbidden by the Fourteenth Amendment and federal civil rights laws.

Race quotas were used in the 1970s to speed up the integration of minorities into higher education and compensate for previous discrimination. An engineer for NASA, Allan Bakke, applied to the University of California at Davis Medical School to become a doctor in both 1973 and 1974, but was denied because “under the school’s admission program, 16 of the 100 places were reserved for disadvantaged applicants,” according to a PBS report. Bakke brought the case to the Supreme Court in 1977 and won, on the basis that racial quotas are not to be used in admissions.

The court ordered Bakke’s acceptance to the university.

Affirmative action once served its purpose and in fact produced positive results; however, times have changed and the use of such a policy has been abused. It is now promoting reverse discrimination and viewing minorities in a condescending manner, which in reality weakens their achievements. Some even take advantage of their ethnicity for possible undeserved benefits.

An unsigned editorial from the University of Michigan College Democrats cites a community college student of Warren, Michigan saying, “The fact that a black man can run for the position of the President of the United States of America only corroborates that there is enough opportunity and equality for great things like that to happen.”

Not only colleges but also the nation as a whole should be making strides to promote diversity of mind rather than diversity of race.

Aprill 2015

Page 4

The Wessex Wire: Opinion

Sexual assault prevention begins before he holds a Solo cup

By Brianna Crummy ’16 As a prospective college student, it is alarming to hear all of the headlines surrounding young females on well-known campuses.

Being a teenage girl, we are always instructed to “be careful” and to “watch yourself ” before attending college parties. These warnings are issued in response to stories of women being taken advantage of. It is truly distressing that we live in a time when female college students must always stand guard in order to guarantee their safety.

I am a firm believer in being accountable and taking responsibility for your actions; if you choose to attend a party where alcohol and/or drugs are present, you should be conscious of what you are consuming and be aware that your choices are fully on you. But this does not make the victim of any harassment, sexual or not, the person to blame for being taken advantage of.

It has been proven that consuming alcohol does put people at risk for being sexually assaulted.

According to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC), “75 percent of the men and 55 percent of the women involved in acquaintance rapes were drinking or taking drugs just before the attack.” In this instance, both parties were intoxicated when the assault took place.

Colleges miss the overall point In an attempt to prevent this unnervingly common scenario from

wrong social change.

Institutions of higher education need to devote their resources to creating a safer environment for their students on campus.

According to the National Sexual Violence Research Center, 18 percent of the students polled experienced an attempted and/ or completed sexual assault since entering college. That is not a number any person should feel comfortable hearing; as a high school student looking to attend college in the near future, it is even more unsettling.

Illustration

by Mattias Voltmer

Solution to a greater problem happening, some colleges have adopted, and others are considering implementing, new alcohol policies. Most recently Dartmouth has announced its decision to ban all hard liquor from its campus as a result of students’ misconduct. This measure has been taken as a way to combat the “epidemic” of sexual assault, a phrase coined by the White House. Other universities including Swarthmore, Stanford and Colgate have also taken on the same no-hard-liquor policy.

Similar measures were enforced by the University of Mississippi to keep beer off campus.

It is frustrating to see these schools make a decision that will result in an outcome so far from its original purpose. Employing these new rules will not cut down on the number of sexual assault instances;

College puts even the closest friendships to ultimate test

By Luke Magliaro ’15 The idea of going off to college alone may scare some. My friends have told me about the nervousness surrounding the roommate situation going in. The truth is, nobody wants a weird roommate, or a roommate that smells bad or one that wakes you up at the most inconvenient times.

Everyone wants the perfect match, but it’s not always like that. So instead of taking that risk, people take the easy route of selecting a roommate: their friend. But is rooming with your friend really the best decision?

There are numerous questions that come to mind when rooming with a friend. College is a great way to start fresh and change one’s image. They may want to be more preppy in college, whereas in high school they would wear sweats to school each day. Whether you were the coolest kid in high school or not, going to college gives you the opportunity to start over.

Personally, I don’t think going with a best friend is the best decision.

Everybody wants to enjoy the “college experience,” and going to college with your best friend may only hinder this. Also, jealousy might get in the way of your new relationships and ruin friendships. When you go to college, you want to meet a bunch of new people who you can potentially become lifelong friends with.

You are not going to like everybody you meet in college. Meeting new people and being able to interact with them will only help you in the real world. Your future employees or boss may not be your best friend, but you still have to work with them. There is no better way than these experiences to help set you up better for your future endeavors.

Going to college can be and should be a great experience for all.

However, taking on this new experience alone may better suit you for the real world. Regardless of whether or not you should go to college with your best friend, college is a great time and all must enjoy their four years that they have.

it will only restrict the content and the quantity of alcohol that can be consumed. Although alcohol is used to lower the defenses of a victim, sexual predators will end up finding new ways to take advantage of their victims if they do not have the access to alcohol.

These policies along with others have been put in place as a preventative measure for sexual assault.

According to Time magazine, a 2014 Center for Disease Control and Prevention report for the White House reviewed 140 sexual violence prevention programs and found that “almost none showed any evidence of impact.” How can it be possible that schools put forth such an effort and could not produce an equally powerful result? It is because they are focusing these exact efforts on the

This should not have to be the case. My peers and I should be able to look to the next four years of our lives with ebullience and optimism rather than hesitation and fear.

In order to conquer the issue of non-consensual sexual behavior, the conversation needs to start long before young adults enter college. CRCC research finds that “men are more likely than women to assume that a woman who drinks alcohol on a date is a willing sex partner. Forty percent of men who think this way also believe it is acceptable to force sex on an intoxicated woman.” How somebody could even consider this notion acceptable is beyond my understanding, and this is where not only colleges, but also communities and families need to intervene. It needs to be established at a young age that behavior even remotely close to sexual violence is not by

any means tolerable. This is much easier said than done, but I am truly convinced that this is a much more effective approach than what we have been doing thus far.

In order to see a change, we must prevent this misconduct from transpiring by targeting it in the home before adolescents enter the real world. There needs to be a dialogue created between parents and children to come to a better understanding on this issue. Why is it that in our culture we are so quick to blame the victim? We automatically jump to the conclusion that her story is fabricated or she should have taken more care when putting herself in that “compromising” position.

This approach is exactly what needs to be reversed. Young women should not need to be lectured on the measures they need to take to ensure they aren’t attacked; rather, it should be made evidently clear to young men that they can in no way think attacking any individual is appropriate.

There are ample excuses that some men manage to devise to pardon their actions. It is almost comical to hear them justify their behavior with, “women say ‘no’ when they mean ‘yes.’” It is absolutely preposterous to even consider this idea valid. Whether or not alcohol is a factor in the equation, it should be understood that only “yes” means “yes.” At the very least, more men should be taught this apparently not-so simple message from early on.

HEAD TO HEAD

The dueling sides of Greek life

By Maddie Gering ’16

By Ceana Cuello ’16

ber that those are just a select few, and that there are many benefits to joining a sorority or fraternity.

Becoming involved in Greek life as an incoming freshman can create strong friendships, different from others. According to Kelci Lucier, writer for about.com, relationships one creates are a special bond that will last long after college because of the close quarters and experiences shared.

Being involved in Greek life can open doors to all different kinds of opportunities during and after college. Sororities and fraternities can be beneficial because alumni are always willing to lend a helping hand to fellow brothers and sisters.

When attending college, one wants to make the best out of their years outside of the classroom. Being a part of a sorority or fraternity creates a busy social calendar including many exciting events held by and exclusively for Greek life members such as parties, formals and fundraisers.

What many worry the most about is if their academics will be negatively effected, but in fact it is just the opposite. According to Lucier, being in a house is like having built in tutors because often times older students, or even students the same age as you, have knowledge of the subject one is learning.

when one first enters college, there are many negative effects that are not considered. Fraternities and sororities may seem like a great way to have fun and meet new people, but becoming a part of this lifestyle could lead to the pressures of binge drinking, hazing and involvement in other irresponsible behaviors for many.

According to zencollegelife.com, three quarters of men in a fraternity are heavy drinkers compared to less than half that are not. The binge drinking that is experienced is dangerous and unavoidable because it’s merely part of what the Greek life often entails nowadays.

A lot of groups have taken hazing too far in the past, leading to criminal charges being pressed because of the extremity of the situation. According to ABC News, a student from West Virginia University died during a pledge event in November 2014 when his fraternity brothers forced him to consume six times the legal limit of alcohol.

With all the time spent by students in fraternities and sororities rushing and pledging, their academic careers are negatively affected. It is hard for students to set aside time to study when there is a more tempting option of going to a fraternity or sorority party.

all of the negative light that has Con Even though Greek life may seem like Pro beenDespite shed on Greek life, one must remema new and exciting society to be a part of

April 2015

Page 5

The Wessex Wire: Opinion

Limit your distance, limit your college experience

By Caroline Galligan ’15

Illustration by Mattias Voltmer

Your GPA does not define you

By Bryan Gallion ’15

Grade-point average, standardized test scores, report card grades.

Numerous students in today’s day and age have the misconception that achieving high marks in the classroom and performing within the top percentile on student aptitude examinations are the only ways to ensure acceptance to the university of their choice. What these students fail to recognize, however, is that elite colleges and universities do not accept numbers — they accept real people.

So many high schoolers fall victim to playing the numbers game, doing anything in their power to bump an A- to a solid A in order to boost their GPA ever-so-slightly, and studying for countless hours to achieve the highest possible score on the SAT. According to survey results released in 2013 by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, 84.3 percent of surveyed schools deemed grades in college prep courses of “considerable importance.” Yes, these numbers are important, but they are by no means everything.

Top - t i e r u n i ve r s it i e s are swamped with applications from academically exceptional students, so they need to see elements of a potential undergraduate’s character in order to make an admissions decision. Smaller and more competitive schools use a holistic method to decide which applicants would thrive at their institutions.

The personal essay and evidence of extracurricular involvement are two ways for admissions counselors to catch a glimpse into students’ lives outside of the classroom.

“Admissions officers are running out of calibration devices,” said Barmak Nassirian, associate executive director of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, in an interview with the New York Times.

“All else being the same or similar, the essay suddenly becomes meaningful because it becomes a tie breaker.”

The personal essay is what sets the great apart from the good when the numbers are equal, having the ability to tilt the scale in either direction for an applicant.

Institutions of higher learning want to see that students can not only write an effective essay, but also provide a brief view of their background and personal achievements. Grandiose, lifealtering stories do not always produce the most profound essays; small occurrences can result in brilliant stories, but students must be involved in the world outside of the classroom in order to realize just how important these life experiences are.

“The college essay provides students with the opportunity to share an honest, compelling anecdote of their lives,” English teacher Ms. Macaluso said. “Students’ voices are sometimes sacrificed when they write to make themselves sound ‘good,’ so it is important for students to be truthful in their writing.”

One of the best ways to find a topic of importance for one’s personal essay is to become involved in extracurricular activities.

Résumés show colleges what an applicant is passionate about and how he or she could become involved in campus life. According to the College Board’s guidelines regarding “what counts” in an admissions decision, “depth of involvement is more impressive than breadth.” It is important to focus on a limited number of interests and possess the ability to be a leader.

While it is advantageous for students to perform well in the classroom, it is crucial for college applicants to understand that they are not solely defined by numbers.

Well-rounded individuals not only prepare themselves for success while on their quest for a collegiate education, but also for life after receiving their diploma. Being an actual person with life experience and notable personal accomplishments will always outweigh a perfect score.

For our entire lives, we have lived under our parents’ roofs and gone to school close to home. In fact, some students have never even been away from their parents or siblings for more than a day. When our parents grew up, college was an extra, something that set people apart; however, college has grown in popularity since the ’60s and has generally become the norm.

Now that so many more people are going to college and being recruited, one would expect that the distance students venture would exceed previous lengths, especially considering the jump in technology; our generation can now keep in contact with family and friends regardless of distance.

Yet, the wants of upcoming freshmen have barely changed since our parents’ era. For example, in both 1971 and in 2012, 53 percent of freshmen attended college less than 100 miles from home, according to a 2013 report from the Chronicle of Higher Education. In fact, 81 percent of students in New Jersey choose their own state schools according to a 2011 report in The College

Solution. People choose colleges close to home to be around familiar settings, but college is the best time we have to experience new things and push outside of our comfort zones to move away from our parents’ influences.

“Going away to school teaches kids to be independent and see things in a different perspective and setting they aren’t normally used to,” senior Mike Farina said.

The college experience causes us to be torn from the places we call home and consider safe, but that is not always such a bad thing. Being away from familiar surroundings forces us to be outgoing and make friends, where we have to rely on ourselves because our parents can’t come running if we forget how to run a load of laundry. (If this sounds scary, don’t worry, I’m sure our parents will still be waiting by the phones if we need help with our laundry). Students living on campus gain real-life experiences by paying their own bills and being self-sufficient, whereas students living at home do not experience budgeting expenses because parents often pay their bills.

Financially, going to college close to home is beneficial and I com-

Prepare yourself for collegiate money troubles

By Ben Lowenthal ’15 One of the most frustrating things for college students today — aside from exponentially increasing student loans, lack of jobs and the overall questioning if devoting four plus years of your life to get a degree that ultimately might not pay off — is the fact they so often find themselves without money while in school.

This newfound independence can be exciting, but tread lightly. Parents are no longer there breathing down your neck, telling you to make smart decisions. That means that you will have to be the one to decide if you would rather buy tomorrow night’s dinner or eight cans of Silly String. They’re tough decisions, but these are the decisions students find themselves faced with on a daily basis.

One of the biggest mistakes that students make is relying on their parents to cover all their costs, just like they had in years past. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Parents are already covering the cost of room and board, tuition and who knows what else. They’re not going to be too keen to throw any more dollars your way just so you can have a bigger television in your room. Sorry to be

pletely understand the reasoning for choosing a school for this purpose; however, if finances are not of concern, eliminating schools just because they are too far away from home is an inefficient use of a fortunate opportunity.

If someone dorms at a campus close to home, they will be more likely to travel home on weekends.

Soon enough weekends become weekdays, and within no time kids are coming back between classes too. With this easy access, students will run home to escape problems rather than conquer them head on.

By choosing to further one’s education farther away from home, students are given greater responsibilities because their parents will be unable to lessen the burdens.

Neale Donald Walsch wisely once said “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Living away gives us our first real chance to learn who we are independent of influence from parents, life-long friends and our hometowns. We can find out what we want to do for a living, not what our parents want us to do. This allows us to enjoy our future endeavors rather than stress about pleasing everyone else.

Photo by Brianna Crummy

Ben Lowenthal dreams about the money that should be in his pockets.

the bearer of bad news, but pretty soon Mommy and Daddy are going to pick you up and toss you out of their house like the bouncer from that club you couldn’t get into because you’re underage.

But fear not, undergrads, because there are ways to make money while on campus. Students can find opportunities working at coffee shops, bookstores and various cafes. However, if these minimum wage positions don’t immediately tickle your fancy, there are other prospective methods of making bank.

Sell everything! Old clothes, unused school supplies, recyclable items or even a homemade knickknack; people will buy anything and everything, so get auctioning. Some students even resort to marketing off their very own flesh and blood! Well, minus the flesh part. Donating blood is another way that college students are able to make money and in this case they’re even contributing to a good cause.

I can’t ensure that your college experience is going to be smooth sailing financially. Maybe a crisis emerges where you really do need 14 toilet plungers ASAP. It could happen. The point is be smart with your money. Understand the difference between something you want and something you need. If you’re not careful, you might run out of cash sooner than you expect. Just try to make the good choices.

The Wessex Wire: Features

April 2015

Page 6

The faculty, too, was once in our shoes

By Julia Maxman ’16

When applying to college, many times we look to our elders, who have already experienced the process, for guidance and advice. This is often parents and relatives. However, teachers, whose job it is to prepare students for the next step of their future, have also been high school students, both anxious and excited to start the next chapter of their lives. Some faculty members have different stories and advice to share with the student body about preparing for the upcoming years and how to handle the unfamiliar. Whether they attended school for 11 years, trained in a military academy or juggled schooling with two college sports, all have relevant and important advice to share.

Dr. D’Meo: Chemistry teacher College: Rutgers-New Brunswick and Columbia Dental School For most, the typical college experience consists of four years resulting in a bachelor’s degree; for some the process could be longer with a masters or doctorate in mind. However, Dr. D’Meo had a thought-out plan for her years after high school. Dr. D’Meo began her college education at Rutgers-New Brunswick, where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree. Her next step, again at Rutgers, was a three year program to get her masters in Chemistry. Finally, for the next four years, she went to Columbia to get her doctorate in dentistry, which she practiced before becoming a teacher here, at West Essex in 2007.

What helped you keep up with your work for so long, and what kept you motivated in all your years of school?

“My inspiring teachers kept me motivated throughout the process; some were even Nobel Prize winners, which is amazing.”

Photo courtesy of Dr. D’Meo

What advice do you have for students in high school who are preparing for their own college experience?

“Learning is an active process; stay engaged and learn everything you can.”

Dr. D’Meo graduated with a Bachelor’s from Rutgers.

Ms. McNaught: AP Statistics and Algebra II teacher College: West Point University West Point, located in West Point, N.Y., is a four year military academy in which students learn the values and duties of entering the United States Military. Beside the rigorous academic courses, the tradition of honor, commitment and courage is instilled in the students. For Ms. McNaught, a math teacher here at West Essex, life at West Point held her to these standards.

Ms. McNaught’s “dorm” was a barrack with no phone or television allowed. Books had to be arranged in height order on the bookshelf, any open windows had to be open to the same exact height, her bed needed to be made tight with hospital corners, the uniforms in closets needed to be evenly spaced, the shoes under beds needed to be polished and aligned and there were daily room inspections. Each day began with a 6:30 a.m. breakfast. After returning from sports practice and dinner, room checks were done at 11:30 p.m. and lights out at midnight.

After finishing at West Point, where were you before you became a teacher?

“In addition to graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering, I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, and served 5.5 years on active duty and ultimately obtained the rank of Captain.”

What advice do you have for students at West Essex who are attending college in the near future?

Photo courtesy of Ms. mcnaught “You must believe in yourself and be willing to push yourself beyond your limits if you want to discover what you are truly Ms. McNaught receives her diploma from military capable of doing.” academy, West Point University.

Mr. Markey: Physical Education and Health teacher, Assistant Varsity Football and Wrestling Coach College: The College of New Jersey Mr. Markey took his talents to TCNJ in Ewing, N.J., where he was on both the wrestling and football team. It was difficult for Mr. Markey to maintain his school work and changed lifestyle, but the practices and matches throughout the week added on to his chaotic schedule. The weight fluxuation between seasons was another add on to the stress of college. For football, it was important to bulk up and gain weight to be stronger for performance. Transitioning to wrestling, Mr. Markey was in a weight class of 165 lbs. Quickly losing the weight he gained for football was challenging while juggling all of the other changes that college life brings.

What was it like balancing school work, sports and your social life?

“It was hard to balance two sports and schoolwork throughout the week. In school, like any athlete knows, to get everything done, a strict schedule and an organized routine must be formed, which I tried to follow through with throughout college.”

Photo courtesy of Mr. Markey

Mr. Markey wrestled and played football at The College of New Jersey.

What advice do you have for students going to college, specifically college athletes?

“I would advise students to establish a good, reputable character throughout college and do not destroy it.”

Page 7

The Wessex Wire: Features

April 2015

‘Freshman 15’ weighs in for newcomers

+15

By Courtney Pappas ’16 Everybody knows about the infamous dis-

ease that haunts new college students, “the Freshman 15.” This myth is known for college freshman who gain a significant amount of weight their first year away from home. According to TheAtlantic.com, the myth is commonly known worldwide but with various labels, some kinder than others,: “First Year Fatties,” “Fresher Five” and in Australia it’s known as the “Fresher Spread.”

“In America, first-year weight-gain was originally known as the “Freshman 10,” and it was presumably adjusted upward as Americans got bigger,” Olga Khazan wrote for TheAtlantic.com . A combination of too much partying, too much eating and not enough exercise adds up to college teens losing their previous well-looking physique.

College students don’t have to stoop down to microwave Easy Mac or never working out but of this new independence and time management.

Freshman 15 can sneak up on anyone, with the constant school workload and stress.

Students can easily not even realize how much they are eating and how little they are working out.

“I don’t have my parents home cooked meals and have to eat on the run between classes and practice,” 2014 West Essex grad Jackie Renda said, who attends Lehigh University.

“All of the snacks in your room make it tempting to eat.”

The excuse can come to

end, there are plenty of quick and easy ways to eat healthy food.

A hearty, quick meal could simply just come from putting protein granola, almond milk, raisins and cinnamon in a bowl and heating it up for a warm breakfast or dessert. The main problem for students is that they don’t always know the best option for what to eat considering their parents cooked for them their whole lives.

“I have no clue how I am going to survive college without my mom,” junior AJ Tomaselli said. “She cooks every meal for me, every day. It’s going to be a big change for me.”

Kids are prone to be dependent on their families but knowing simple tips can help avoid that freshman gut. The website skinnytaste.com has endless amounts of smoothies, snacks, meals and desserts that are good in taste and health. It could be choosing a bag of nuts over the bag of chips or eating granola instead of cookies for that late night craving.

A big factor of freshman 15 is also contributed from lack of exercise, from “no time” or “not enough energy.”

While being in college does mean more of a workload, students do have fewer classes a day then they did in high school.

Even though time may be an issue, it can easily be resolved by waking up earlier to work out. Throw on your running sneakers before class and hopefully it will

give a little motivation to work out.

Just by walking or running that 15 minutes to class rather than taking the five minute bus is helpful. Even if there is not an accessible gym to use at school, there are still quick workouts that can be done with no weights or machines. Students can just use the space in their room to do planks for five minutes or 50 push-ups. It is so simple to stay in shape even for the least motivated college teen.

Physical activity is not only good for the body but also the mind. Working out is a stress reliever and can allow people to have control over themselves. According to the America Psychological Association, working out benefits students with anxiety and depression, which could be a common struggle for college students.

“When students go to college they take advantage of the freedoms,” Mr. Benacquista said.

Being alone at college with no friends or family telling you to work out or eat healthy can create a big problem for people. Yet, the average 19-20 year old college are at the age where they need to start being more careful the most. Their bodies are done growing and the way they treat their bodies is actually starting to show. It takes a little effort and a lot of motivation to stay in good, healthy shape. So whether students need a constant reminder from their family or to put up a picture of Ryan Gosling or Jen Selter on their walls, the motivation has to come from somewhere.

Differentiating the exaggerations

By Cathryn Kessler ’16

For those who are about to embark on their collegiate careers (who don’t know exactly what lies ahead of them), it is inevitable to conjure up crazy tales of what happens on campus. The stories we hear and the movies we watch grow into our minds as one big fantasy. Here is some truth from West Essex alumni that may hamper or incite excitement for our college experience.

Myth: “I need to

decide on my career before I can choose a college.”

Truth: “I went to college wanting to be a teacher and now I work for a cupcake company in Manhattan. The best advice I could give is to live in the moment, and take advantage of new opportunities and do what’s right for you and not other people.”

—Caroline Spry, St. Joe’s University

Myth: “College

dorms are so small, it is only possible to fit half of your wardrobe along with a few prized possessions.”

Truth: “Prior to the

fall semester my personal roommate transferred to Clemson, so I now have what is called a Dingle.

A double, with only one person. This allows me to put as much stuff as I want, as I have a twoperson room to myself.”

—Mike Pezzuti, Drew University

Myth: “Long dis-

tance relationships do not work in college. It is better to just break up.”

Truth:

“Relationships can easily fall off track in college.

You need to work at it constantly if you want to keep it. I’ve been dating my girlfriend since junior year of high school and we have been able to maintain a strong relationship, despite being states apart.”

—KJ Glenn, Washington University in St. Louis

Myth: “Cafeteria

Myth: “College is

Truth: “James Madison has a great food program! I don’t know anyone who eats ramen. Why eat that when you could get omelets made to order from the dining halls on campus? Not to mention the homemade ice cream!”

—Kaysee Hill, James Madison University

Truth: “College is fun and there is much more freedom, but because we’re paying for school it puts everything into perspective, and when we get there everyone realizes that grades are so important.

There are lots of clubs and organizations that are a lot of fun, but our first priority is school and doing well.”

—Sam Hamburger, University of Maryland

food is so gross that you will rely on ramen noodles for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

one big party.”

April 2015 Issue 5

&

Arts Arts

Culture

The Wessex Wire Page 8

The glitz and the glamour of junior prom

By Julia Maxman ’16 The annual junior prom was held Friday, April 17 at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston.

Once again, the junior class did not fail to impress in their gowns and tuxedos. Like previous years, red and white were two colors that dominated the night. From cummerbunds to vests and even suspenders, the boys were not overshadowed by the elegant dresses. Jason Rusignuolo and Ryan Applewhite were named prom king and queen and shared a dance at the end of the night.

Photos Courtesy of Alexa baskinger, dominque del mauro, cathryn kessler, julia maxman, Cristina Morelli, caitie morrissey, isaiah rodriguez, gina tulanowski, Amanda Wasserman and nyjilah webb

By Patrick Glenn ’16 College is supposed to be an eye-opening, once-in-a-lifetime experience—or at least that’s how it’s depicted in film. The portrayal of higher education differs dramatically from movie to movie; some deliver a realistic rendering of life after high school, while others shed a more humorous light on student life. As seniors embark on their selection process, we thought it would be timely to discuss some of the most iconic college movies. Here’s a rundown of some of the best films about university life: “Animal House” (1978): The quintessential college party flick, “Animal House” is truly the mother of all college movies. An enjoyable concoction of both witty comedy and physical humor, highlighted with a knockout performance by the late, great

John Belushi, this is one of the most universally liked and recognized college films of all time.

Its depiction of fraternity antics is classic; the toga party alone is worth the price of admission.

“Animal House” is an absolute laugh riot, filled with memorable lines (“Can’t come in, I’m doing the dishes”) (“Food fight!”) and cheeky humor.

“The Social Network” (2010): A stark contrast to the highspirited comedy of “Animal House,” David Fincher’s “The Social Network” focuses on the cerebral side of undergraduate education at Harvard University.

Using the deposition process of the central lawsuit as the backdrop, this film depicts the alleged events that inspired Mark Zuckerberg to create Facebook. It also captures the competitive and stimulating atmosphere at an Ivy League university. Cinematically, “The Social

Network” offers a darker look at the college experience, punctuated by an ominous score and breakout performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield.

“Old School” (2003): Similar to the spirit of “Animal House,” this movie is more like a homage than an original take on the college experience. In order to combat the banality of their adult lives and recapture the fun of their youth, the main characters portrayed by Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson and Will Ferrell create a fraternity open to men of all ages.

Hijinks ensue, including a frat party featuring a performance

by Snoop Dogg and Will Ferrell streaking. College is more of an afterthought here, since most of the participants in the fraternity have already graduated.

“Pitch Perfect” (2012): In this film, college is about

main character Anna Kendrick’s pursuit of her passion for music by unexpectedly joining an all-girl a capella singing group. The music and choreography make this light-hearted film memorable, setting it apart from other films in the genre. What makes this film great is that it presents the college atmosphere in a quirky, unfamiliar way. Although not my personal favorite, it wouldn’t fair to exclude this fan favorite.

“Rudy” (1993): Quite possibly one of the most uplifting sports/college movies of all time, “Rudy” captures the school spirit and comradery of a big-time college football program and how that affects its students. It is told from the perspective of an aspiring Notre Dame Football player, “Rudy” Ruettiger, as he tirelessly attempts to attain his ultimate goal of running through the tunnel in South Bend. Despite a lack of natu-

ral athleticism, Rudy more than makes up for it through his mental toughness and raw desire. By the time the movie is over, even the most loyal USC fan (longtime Notre Dame rival) will be chanting with the crowd “Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!”

Photo Courtesy of Fabio Venni (Cc By-sa 2.0)

The original party-animal John Belushi stole the show in 1978’s “Animal House.”

“John Belushi” by Fabio Venni (www.flickr.com/photos/fabiovenni/411417417)

Capturing the undergrad life: The best college flicks

April 2015 Issue 5

Features

The Wessex Wire Page 9

Boring touring

By Lexie Sabato ’15

graphic by ben lowenthal

Scoreboard of the top six “clashers” at West Essex and their record amount of trophies that they have obtained.

Chief, Clash of Clans has leveled up in popularity!

Clash is more than a game, but a way of life

By Rose Pezzuti ’15 Clash of Clans has overtaken our student body slowly but surely. One by one students have been sucked into this addictive game and continue to bring victories and triumphs to their fellow clash-mates. It is impossible to walk down the hallway without seeing someone staring into their iPhone, totally enchanted and blocked off from the rest of the world by “clashing.”

Clans have bonded people like blood, while also breaking up long lasting friendships with a betrayal in the face of war and getting kicked out of the clan when they do not reach the level of expectations that are needed to succeed. Clash of Clans is a new and separate world where only the best of the best survive, and our school has a few clashers that have made their name known in this world.

Clash originally came out in August of 2012 and has been at the top of the charts ever since.

On iTunes top charts it comes in first place for top grossing. This game has over 50,000 new play-

ers and makes a revenue of about $1.5 million daily. Clash is a game that focuses both on offense and defense. Players make troops and build a base. Then they continue to attack other players’ bases. By building a base and accumulating resources to attack other bases, one has to upgrade their defense to be able to win battles. When a bunch of bases come together this is called a clan and they fight wars together.

“I don’t necessarily spend a ton of time playing it because it isn’t a game you can be on for hours, but that’s why the game never gets old,” senior Dan Morrello said.

“You never get too bored of it because there is always something new to accomplish.”

Sophomore Brett Reo is in first place for the school title. This clash master has devoted his time to make sure he improves to keep his name on top. In West Essex’s Clash community he is basically famous to a degree. Students beg to have players like him in their clan, but the loyalty and pledge made between each clan can make or break one’s name.

“Numbers don’t matter in my clan. We love one another like family and we will spend gems on them in time of need in order to bring victory and prosperity to Panda Squad,” junior Brandon Heinz said.

Heinz is the leader of the best

clan in the school with 98 wars won, Panda Squad shows what true loyalty means. Some of the other clans known throughout West Essex are Cla$h Money, Park West Diner, Potato Salad and Club Hype.

There are a few unwritten rules to clash. Betrayal in leaving a clan is appalling and kicking someone out of a clan can literally end a friendship. However, the one unspeakable tactic is when a player is known as a “gemmer.” A gemmer is one who buys gems in order to level up faster and does not put in the dedicated time like most players do. A gemmer is basically a cheat, but then again if any true clasher gets an iTunes gift card, there is no doubt that is going right to clash.

“A gemmer is equivalent to a professional baseball player on steroids, but even worse,” Betley said.

But when it all comes down to it, anything and everything will be done in order to level up faster. Pulling all-nighters, ditching girlfriends, skipping out on homework, is the level of commitment it takes in order to be the best clasher. This cult-like game, only a couple years old has come to take hold of the West Essex student body and continues to spread. This addiction is a must have and as most gamers can tell you, it has the ability to change your life.

Going on college tours can be scary as it is, and having a tour guide that does not make you feel welcomed on campus could make the entire experience that much worse.

High school students go on these tours hoping to fall in love with the school and hopefully picture themselves there in the future; but that is not always the case. For some, the experience is dreadful and they cannot wait to leave.

Senior Deanna Esposito had a miserable experience when visiting The University of Delaware; which caused the school to drop on her ranking list. “ They did not take us through any buildings. My tour guide basically walked us around campus and pointed to different spots. I could not wait to leave.”

Along with Deanna, other seniors expressed their feelings on the disappointing tour guides they had being extremely monotone, dancing around the questions asked in the group and not being personable.

Former West Essex student Drew Pappas had a bad experience two years back when visiting University of Richmond.

“My tour guide had a horrible social life, so she could not tell us what there was to do on the weekends besides catching up on the laundry,” Drew did not pursue his future at Richmond but rather continued his education at The Pennsylvania State University.

Students aren’t the only ones who feel tour guides are not so beneficial. “I feel the tours should show incoming students what a real college day looks like,” anatomy teacher Dr. Bruffy said.

“When I leave tours with my son I don’t always feel we learned everything there is to know about the school.”

Next time you are planning to take a tour, know that your tour guide is not the only person at the school. So try reaching out because everyone has a different view and one person should not ruin the entire experience for you.

“You have no idea how your tour guide will be until you meet them. It really is the luck of the draw with the type of tour guide you get paired up with,” Physical Education teacher Mr. Drozjock said. He has been through the extensive college process with both of his children.

April 2015

The Wessex Wire: Arts & Culture

Page 10

The college experience: More than just the academia

Surroundings and demographics play a significant role in comfort and satisfaction for college students’ experiences

By Tatum Pappas ’16 Most seniors in high school have spent their 18 years in the same town. They have also spent more than a decade of education with the same group of students, feeling comforted by a familiar environment for most of their formative years.

When the choice of where to start higher education comes along and seniors have to take realistic views in order to decide between their top schools, the surroundings and culture of colleges comes into play. Some may want to branch out and try a new type of atmosphere; others may opt to stick with similar surroundings because that is what makes them feel most at home. If deciding to live on campus, the decision on where that life will take place for the next four years is a major factor on what one’s college experience will be like.

Sofia Haramis, a graduate of the class of 2014 and a current freshman at The Ohio State University, said a big school was always something on her mind, being that her whole life she has been surrounded by sports and a lot of spirit.

“My brother used to be the starting quarterback at West Essex, so a huge sports school is something that I’ve always been interested in

attending,” Haramis said.

Growing up in such a “rah-rah” atmosphere influenced Haramis to attend a college known for their competitive athletics as well as exciting school spirit. Being in the same setting for so long can potentially make the transfer to the same atmosphere that much easier for college freshmen.

However, some do not always end up at a college that fits them to a T. Class of 2012 graduate, Nicole Del Mauro ended up at New York University her first choice for college, but she said she was not totally satisfied.

“I’ve always wanted to go to school in the Big Apple, but the city life was more intense than I expected,” Del Mauro said, adding that sometimes it is hard to predict if someone will fit into the school of their dreams.

When choosing between colleges, sometimes what incoming freshmen hope to be the perfect atmosphere does not meet their expectations. Coming from a suburban town into a big city is a big change.

Even though Del Mauro has always loved the city, she said actually living there with no parents to depend on was a major change of pace. Physically living in the city is a lot different than the day trips she was used to when going to NYC

Photo Courtesy of Eric Salard (Cc By-sa 2.0)

While the Big Apple is a nice day trip, choosing to attend college there for four years may seem daunting to many.

with her family.

In another case, Melissa Laible, who graduated in 2012, more or less embedded into her college atmosphere. According to Laible, Fairfield University, known for its preppy-type culture, has changed her style more towards the preppy side of fashion.

“I changed my style to how Fairfield’s atmosphere is in order to fit in with my school. I haven’t

looked back since,” Laible said.

People are always changing; being thrown into a new environment it can definitely change a person into having a new style or look to them. Laible was surrounded by a certain lifestyle and as her friends changed into new people, she did as well. In order for her to feel the most at home she had to fit in with what her new home was.

The change from West Essex’s

suburban life to a college setting can be a big leap. These graduates have to learn whether they fit into this new style and either embrace the transfer or let the transfer embrace them. Picking a school can be extremely difficult since teenagers don’t know if they should branch out and try a new atmosphere or stick with what feels like home since they are leaving for the first time.

By Gianna Aktas ’16 When entering the college world, one may expect to have a roommate that comes from the same background. For some people that can be true while other students dorm with individuals from all over the globe. Having a roommate that is from another country opens up the many doors of diversity that come with going away to college.

At first it may seem crazy and out of the ordinary to be living with someone from across the globe. But getting to share the college life with someone who had an vastly different four years of high school can be a fantastic learning experience. Uniting someone from an American lifestyle to someone from a Chinese lifestyle shows the cultural opportunities these students get. Celebrating different holidays and participating in a various activities show every culture/person is different.

“My cousin’s roommate at Rutgers was from India and once graduation came the two ended up being best friends,” junior Devon Forte said.

A college roommate can either be ones’ best friend or worst nightmare. Especially if a student is rooming with someone from out of the country, the two may not get along or have similar interests.

Although after spending one year together, it may be inevitable for the two to become closer friends. West Essex graduate Bridget Delehanty has a roommate who is from China studying at University of Maryland. Yizhu Tao and Delehanty are beginning to get to know each other throughout the duration of their freshman year. Though Tao speaks limited English, Delehanty said the two are able to communicate well.

“She’s so sweet but she doesn’t always understand the way English works. Like one time she asked me what ‘hanging out’ means,” Delehanty said.

Around campus there will be students from opposite sides of the world wanting to get the education they came for. Having the privilege to get to know American education first hand gives students the chance to learn and understand the new lifestyle. The students get to work with each

other and collaborate their ideas within the classroom.

Getting multiple perspectives allows the education to grow.

According to U.S News academics and social lives of undergraduates greatly improve when there is racial diversity on campus.

Of the many colleges and universities in America itself, many are known to be exceptionally diverse.

According to Yale University’s website, the institution is made up of 19 percent of international students being accepted. The top five coming from China, Canada, Germany, Japan, India, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

Ac c e pt i ng stu d e nt s f rom miles away from the U.S. opens many doors for higher learning opportunities.

Not only do the international students benefit from coming to school in America, but American students as well. These students will be preparing for the work place, in that they will work with employees from different races and backgrounds. College diversity impacts the campus as a whole and enhances learning opportunities these undergrads receive.

“New York City” by Eric Salard (www.flickr.com/photos/airlines470/6728115375)

Undergraduates are exposed to the world with international roommates

April 2015

The Wessex Wire: Sports

Page 11

Big-time athletic schools win more than championships Applications increase with the success of teams

By Noah Eagle ’15

Whenever I hear somebody tell me how college sports are pointless, I cringe. “Can you not see the great benefits big time sports can bring a school?” I think to myself.

I understand sports are not for everybody, but how can somebody look me in the eyes and tell me that collegiate sports serve no purpose?

There are countless reasons college athletics are fine the way they are, with the main one being opportunity. Playing for a large Division I program allows kids to have the opportunity to attend certain schools he or she may have not been able to otherwise. Not to mention the vast majority going to school and possibly gaining a degree (unless you are a member of the Kentucky basketball team) paying virtually nothing. It truly upsets me that some people neglect the value an extensive college education can have on a person, and for many, sports is the way to earn one.

Aside from the chances sports give to its student athletes, it is what they do for their school as a whole that is possibly most impressive. Admissions numbers can be seen going up rapidly with the increase of production on the court or field.

For example, from 2010 to 2013, the NCAA basketball tournament saw three Cinderella runs made by small, relatively no-name schools: Butler, Virginia Commonwealth University and Florida Gulf Coast.

After Butler made it to back-toback national championship games in 2010 and 2011, the small school from Indiana saw its applications increase 52 percent from two years earlier in 2009. Similarly, VCU saw a 22 percent increase of applications in a two-year span.

This is known as the Flutie Effect, named after former Boston

College and NFL quarterback Doug Flutie, who pushed his school into the national spotlight after completing a miraculous Hail Mary for a touchdown to beat Miami in 1984. BC’s application numbers increased drastically the following year. This can be greatly seen in the Florida Gulf Coast team that danced their way to the Sweet 16 in 2013. After beating Georgetown in their opening game, and then handling San Diego State in the following round, the Eagles found themselves the farthest their team has ever been, which was not surprising considering the school’s basketball team was not officially a part of Division I until 2011. Even the students and teachers here know how important the run was for the school and their team.

“Their winning in the tournament definitely brought more and more notoriety to them, making them more appealing to those watching,” physical education teacher and basketball coach Mr. Llauget said.

Aside from the Flutie Effect, college sports provide a great experience for people when they go through their four years after high school. Not everybody will go to every game, but the comradery that comes with rooting for one’s school is unparalleled. Aside from the experience, using sports as a basis can help narrow down some tough decisions, something many kids here keep in mind.

“I want to go somewhere where I know the football and basketball teams will provide the student body with excitement as well as put the university’s name on the map,” junior Parker Rakotci said.

So, yeah, when I hear somebody tell me that college sports are pointless, I may look down upon them. But, hey, everybody’s different, right?

How have sports affected your decision to attend a certain school?

22% 36% 42%

50 seniors polled; numbers compiled by Kirk Geller ’16

Photo courtesy of Allison Freeman

(From left) Seniors Gab Girardi, Erin Smith and Tayler Schauer had great careers for Coach Cosse and will be moving on to new field hockey programs next year.

Scoring a spot isn’t as easy as you thought Get scouted by keeping your grades up and never giving up on your dreams

By Monica Onorata ’15

With all the stresses of applying to college, athletes have added responsibilities if they plan on pursuing a sport in college.

Sports can play an active role in achieving college acceptance or even being granted a scholarship, however being recruited requires hard work. There are a bunch of important steps students should be taking for an effective recruitment process.

“The most important part of being recruited is that students have good grades. If you want to be looked at by certain schools, you have to meet their requirements,” girls field hockey and lacrosse Coach Cosse said. “Good grades will open the door, and athletics will allow you to kick through it.”

Going about getting recruited isn’t an easy task. It takes more than performing to actually be noticed. College coaches, especially large Division I programs, receive hundreds of emails every week. Major persistence is needed in getting their attention. Not only should schedules be sent their way, but skills videos and transcripts. They need to know how much their recruits want to play for their school.

“It is so important that students are proactive. They need to send

letters and show a lot of interest,” girls’ soccer and lacrosse Coach Cavallo said.

As far as playing in front of college coaches, there are a few different routes to take. Often times, many athletes find it easiest to join a showcase team in their off season. These teams play all over the country in tournaments where college coaches go to seek out talent.

“When you’re out there playing you have to promote yourself, on and off the field,” Coach Cosse said. “Coaches will always notice your attitude, whether it’s in the game or standing in the food line.

You have to be well spoken and have good behavior.”

Another way to be noticed is by participating in clinics. Clinics can be showcases with many different coaches watching, or a smaller clinic for specific schools and only one coach. Regardless of what you choose, make sure you do as many tournaments or clinics as possible. Doing both can’t hurt, and it shows dedication.

After preparing and playing, picking a school can be the hardest part of the recruiting process.

Do not pick a school simply because you are being recruited and want to play a sport there.

“It is important that you like the school as a student first, and not just as an athlete,” Coach Cavallo said.

Take into account the size of the school you want, your major and the location. Always pick a school that would make you happy regardless of whether or not you are

playing a sport.

“I picked the school I did because it fit my qualifications best. It was close, and the coach wanted me as much as I wanted the school,” senior Erin Smith said, who is playing Division III field hockey at Kean University next year.

Going on university tours and partaking in overnights are helpful in deciding what school to pick, as well. You should never decide on a school without seeing it in person first.

“I would suggest going on plenty of overnights,” senior Matt Boyd said, who is playing Division III lacrosse at Vassar College next year. “They are fun and they help get a real feel for what the school and the team is actually like.”

Not only is seeing the school extremely important, but making sure that the school has the proper programs for you to succeed on your career path for the future. Pick your schools before the coaches pick you. Email those that you know will be a good fit.

Make sure that all the research is thoroughly done before you make your final decision.

“I made sure I knew my major before considering schools and which program would be the best for me,” senior Stephanie Wolfer said, who currently being recruited for track and field. “I picked schools where I thought I would fit in best.”

Follow these important steps, and make the next four years of your athletic career the greatest they can be.

April 2015 Issue 5

The Wessex Wire Page 12

McDonald makes his Marc in state tourney

By Dominic Magliaro ’15 Marc McDonald took second place in the 220 lb. weight class at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City during the wrestling state championships on Sunday, March 8. McDonald finished the season with a record of 39-3 and was named NJ.com’s Super Essex Conference Wrestler of the year.

“My favorite part of the wrestling season is districts, regions and states because that’s when West Essex comes out and shows what we have been training for,” McDonald said. “People who aren’t supposed to win do, and those who are supposed to win, win more and that’s what we work all season for.”

Over his four years of varsity wrestling, McDonald compiled over 100 wins, finishing his wrestling career with an overall record of 103-21.

McDonald wrestled well leading up to the weekend, taking first place in districts and third place in regions. Throughout his run to the finals, he knocked off higher seeded wrestlers, as he wrestled as an underdog for most of the tournament. He knocked off favorites in Pascack Hills’ Shaun Stanley (38 wins) as well as Scott Lavelle (43 wins) from DePaul.

He enjoys the late season tournaments, knowing that this is where the best can shine and make big headlines. He knows that the hard work and effort he and his teammates put in throughout the season ultimately pays off in their later matches, which count most.

Much of McDonald’s praise is redirected to his coaching staff, crediting their drive as the force that ultimately got him to where he was able to finish.

“Training myself to get this far really was all my coaches, they push us so hard in the season and let us know that greatness won’t be achieved unless you continue through the off season, you can’t be a champion for just one year, you need to prepare year round,” McDonald said.

McDonald will continue his athletic career at Monmouth University, where he will play Division I football. He was recruited for wrestling as well, receiving offers from various schools, mainly Rutgers University. However, McDonald always wanted to play college football as well as be with his brother again, who also attends Monmouth University.

“Rutgers offered me to wrestle, however, I had already committed to Monmouth and I wanted to go

to school with my brother again.

So Monmouth was my goal from the start.”

McDonald has always had a passion for football, but enjoyed wrestling just as much and encourages everyone to try it.

“I’ve played football forever and it has always been what I wanted to do,” he said. “Wrestling came into my life later but I wouldn’t have gotten where I am in football without the skills from wrestling, so anyone who wants to go to school for football should wrestle because they relate so closely.”

Joey Gonnella Baseball

Bunny James (Capt.)

Girls Lacrosse

Kenneth Gonzalez (Capt.)

Boys Volleyball

Photo courtesy of Marc Mcdonald

McDonald’s season was remarkable, and his finish in states made it sweeter.

Senior sports commitments

Student Alexa Alhout Timothy Barth Shannon Bertscha Matthew Boyd Gabriella Girardi Erin Keegan Roberto LoCascio Marc McDonald Monica Onorata Mike Panzarino Demi Russo Tayler Schauer Erin Smith Kelly Smith Emily Valerian

School Lehigh University Purdue University Cornell University Vassar College Monmouth University Rowan University Villanova University Monmouth University The College of New Jersey Kutztown University Montclair State University Monmouth University Kean University The Citadel Caldwell University

Sport Division Track and Field D1 Swimming D1 Lacrosse D1 Lacrosse D3 Field Hockey D1 Volleyball D3 Lacrosse D1 Football D1 Softball D3 Wrestling D2 Field Hockey D3 Field Hockey D1 Field Hockey D3 Track and Field D1 Soccer D2

Athletes spring into new season with confidence

Position? Pitcher/First base How did you start? “I wanted to be like Derek Jeter.”

Play in college? “I am going to try and walk on.”

Monica Onorata (Capt.)

Softball

Position? Attack/Midfield How did you start? “I started because my brothers played so I was always around it.”

Play in college? “I’m not sure.”

Cole Israel (Capt.)

Boys Lacrosse

Position? Outside hitter How did you start? “My friend was the former captain and told me to; it gave me a way to make friends.”

Play in college? “Yes.”

Brian Mercurio Boys Tennis

Lenny Mendola (Capt.)

Boys Track

Trevor Newby Golf

Events? “The 100m, 400m, 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m.”

How did you start? “Sophomore year, after I stopped baseball.”

Run in college? “No, but I will run on my own.”

Position? “I am the second spot.”

How did you start? “My dad got me into golf when I was young.”

Play in college? “I probably won’t play on a college team, but I will continue to play regardless.”

Melissa Zyla (Capt.)

Girls Track

Wise words: Coach Illiano

Position? Outfield How did you start? “I started on a 10u recreation team.”

Play in college? “I am playing at the College of New Jersey.”

Position? Attack How did you start? “My uncle played in college and he taught me how to play.”

Play in college? “I will not.”

Position? “I hope doubles.”

How did you start? “I started in first grade. I’ve enjoyed playing with friends in high school.”

Play in college? “I might play recreationally.”

Events? “800m, 1600m, 3200m.”

How did you start? “I started running because it was something all of my friends did but it turned out to be so rewarding.”

Run in college? “I don’t know.”

“Do what’s right, do your best and learn from your failures.

Then you’ve got something to give.”