The Wessex Wire (June 2006)

In this issue: “Wos” says goodbye..........................3 Versailles: the WE hangout...............17 “Dreams come true”...........................21 Vol. XLV No.4

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

June 2006

Do teens see the “inconvenient truth?”

WE students interviewed believe that global warming exists, but what are they willing to do to stop it? gas but, instead, decided to get “a smaller, yet still fuel-efficient car.” Although not a hybrid, her Toyota Yaris “gets thirty five miles in the city and thirty nine on the highway” as compared to the other compact cars she considered.

The other eighteen people in the survey are aware but feel that nothing can be done. Sophomore Michael Uceda believes that he has little say in the issue, so “why bother?”

“It needs to be a huge collaborative effort,” said Uceda.

“It’s not enough for just one person to try to recycle as much as [possible].”

However, “every person’s contribution is important,” said Nichols. “It is true that one person recycling alone will not significantly reduce the amount of waste that society produces,” he added. “But [as a matter of fact], many people do recycle, and many cities across the country make recycling very convenient for its citizens.”

Also, it’s true that if only one person conserves energy by turning off lights, it “won’t make too much of a difference,” according to Nichols, “but if everyone inAmerica turns off [the] lights for an extra hour, it is conceivable that thousands, if not millions of tons of carbon could be saved from being released into the atmosphere.”

Sophomore Charles Parkin agrees with Uceda, however, and adds that even if people of any age collectively commit to taking steps that would prevent warming, it’s difficult to know who would “actually recycle.”

Those who “don’t see a visible threat,” according to Parkin, “won’t take the situation as a serious matter.”

Nichols admits that “not every single person in the U.S. is going to [recycle every single day], but the only way we’ll even get close is if people realize that their individual contriAsk five different teenagers and more than likely, they’ll butions are worthwhile.” give five different takes on global warming.

The climate change and the danger of global warming just In fact, one West Essex student recycles in an effort to do doesn’t fit into a teenager’s list of priorities, however, acher part, while another has even invested in a fuel-efficient cording to junior Sagarika Nag who is “more concerned car.Athird believes that the efforts of just one person won’t with the immediate future, rather than something that might make a difference. not happen for another million years.”

Yet another thinks that some teens just won’t take global Yet, Nichols contends that “global warming could comwarming seriously. Finally one is certain that change as a pletely melt the polar ice caps,” which is a serious threat. resultofglobalwarmingis“somethingthatmightnothappen “Even if only the Greenland ice sheet were to melt away, for another million years.” most of the populated eastern U.S. would be under water,” However, those certain changes to the environment can said Nichols who added that ifAntarctica were also to melt, be seen now with the “increase in hurricane strengths [and “an even larger area of land would be inundated.” the] reduction in [Arctic Ocean ice cover] and topical mounStill, even though Nag, who tookAPEnvironmental Scitain glacier cover” that lead to an increase in ocean water ence this past year and who realizes that global warming is levels, according to former West Essex student and current “an important issue” from what she learned in class, admits Brown University graduate student Jonathon Nichols who that there are “other things” she needs to focus on, such as studies paleoclimatology. finals and college applications.

And according to a survey of fiftyWest Essex students, all “The global issue is something we should all be concerned agree with Nichols that global warming is happening. about, but it’s in the nature of humans to focus on issues, Of that fifty, thirty-two say that they are doing something however insignificant compared to the big picture, that affect to help prevent warming, by recycling, walking rather than their own lives before taking a step back and addressing driving, reusing sheets of paper, or even promoting hybrid global issues,” said Nag who finds her personal goals to be cars. more important.

New car owner junior Alexa Zozzaro considered purRecent movies such as the documentary An Inconvechasing a fuel-efficient hybrid car in order to save money on nient Truth and The Day After Tomorrow have brought the issue to the masses. In An Inconvenient Truth, former Vice PresidentAl Gore delivers a presentation which shows extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics, and heat waves beyondanythingthat’severhappened,andcalls forhumankindtoconfrontwarmingnoworface such devastating consequences.

The Day After Tomorrow portrays the world as a place on the brink of a new ice age as a result of an abrupt and catastrophic shift in the planet’s climate.

The extremes such as intense flooding as depicted in The Day After Tomorrow “probably won’t happen anytime soon because there have been some efforts to slow down the process,” according to Zozzaro.

However, “the movie made me realize that something needs to be done about the problem before the world [gets close to what] was depicted in the movie,” Zozzaro added.

In the worst case scenario on global warming “society [would collapse] because of the inability to adapt to the changing climate and the exhausted fossil fuel supply,” according to Nichols, who envisions that “everyone pitches a tent on the ruins of their former civilization, and waits to die of dehydration from the “Satellites are used to map the extent and duration of snowmelt on the Greenland ice sheet. The dark red lack of fresh drinking water.”

by Helen Wang ‘07

area represents the extent of snowmelt in 2005—the most extensive in the 27-year history of data collection” (The Union of Concerned Scientists).

photo courtesy of http://www.ucsusa.org

(continued on page 8)

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Students weigh options, decide if it’s “wise” to retake SATs scores. She is certainly not satisfied.

This junior along with junior Danielle Bertscha and others are also currently “weighing several A nervous West Essex junior takes the SATs factors to determine whether or not it is wise to for the first time and feels unsure about her per- retake the SATs and whether or not [to go for] formance. She awaits her score report, and two tutoring of some form.” and a half weeks later, she finds out that she Such factors include “if the person is willing scored slightly below her average practice SAT to put in the time to study and whether or not the person receives tutoring,” added Bertscha.

Guidance counselor Linda Grancagnolo agrees with Bertscha.

“Further instruction and understanding of the strategies are vital to increasing one’s score,” Grancagnolo said.

“The more [one does] something in a relaxed fashion, the [more] confidence [he or she] builds because you’ve put yourself in the mode of taking [the test].”

Grancagnolo believes that it is beneficial for a student to take the SATs at least twice. “I usually do see an improvement at least between the 50-100 range,” she said.

However, Grancagnolo said that she “[doesn’t] see as big of a jump” between a student’s second and third time taking the test.

Grancagnolo admits that it is hard to generalize about how many times a given student should take the test.

She says that it is different for all students and that it depends if the stuSAT prep books like Princeton Review’s “Cracking the dent “[meets] the previous [freshSAT” are one method that students use to help them man] class SAT average.” improve their scores from the first to the second test.

When viewing applications, adphoto courtesy of http://www.sat1600.org missions officers say that they are

by Jaime Blaustein ‘07

“looking for the best combination of scores,” according to Grancagnolo. For instance, they will take the best math, verbal, and writing score and accept the combination as a student’s overall score. However, this process contradicts the common misconception that if a student takes the test three times, colleges will look at the scores separately.

The admissions department at the University of Michigan does not analyze scores that deeply, according to Michigan admissions officer Michael Cannor. “There is no policy that says we will not do so if three scores are sent as opposed to two,” he said.

Taking the test one time and scoring very well would be “ideal,” but usually it is worth it to take the test a second time because “the scores improve so much,” according to Cannor. “It’s only worth taking it a third time if the student is extremely dedicated to improving their score.”

Bertscha experienced an improvement similar to that which Grancagnolo and Cannor referred. “My scores improved by 50 points the second time I took the SATs,” she said.

Bertscha attributes the improvement to her “[willingness] to study harder” and the “knowledge of what to expect going into the test the second time.”

Admitting that she “definitely studied harder” before she took her second SAT exam, Bertscha now believes that “going into the test after already taking it once definitely helps.”

Bertscha has advice to offer to anyone faced with the question of whether or not to retake the SATs: “Taking the SATs is a personal decision, and only the person [himself or herself] can decide whether or not he or she will improve his or her score based on the work [he or she] has put in,” according to Bertscha.

New VP wants students to have “positive impact” His tenure as a former student council advisor has helped Sokolewicz realize the importance of giving up his time for students.

“Many events, whether it was statewide conferences, homecoming, or pep-rallys, required me to [supervise] and to ensure that [everything worked well].”

Also, as a yearbook advisor, Sokolewicz formed a close knit group with students who still remain in touch

come young adults.”

Meeting students’ needs as best as possible regardless of [their] eventual “Everyone has something to offer the chosen path is most important for teachlarger society,” according to Stephan ers, according to Sokolewicz.

Sokolewicz, the new vice principal at “Today, students need from their West Essex. schools an opportunity to find success” “[Students] will [often] get caught up once they have finished their education, in the daily trials and tribulations that according to school can bring and forget about the Sokolewicz, who added that from what larger picture,” said Sokolewicz, who he has seen and heard at West Essex, added that he would like to help stuthat is a primary concern for everyone dents eventually find the way toward involved.

Sokolewicz, the Dis“In living up to the expectations of a new vice trict Supervisor of grades 7principal, Sokolewicz plans ‘always [to] be 12 social studies for the Jersey public schools and former there for the students.’ He intends to rely on City educator for 12 years, looked his years as a classroom teacher, advisor, forward to starting at West Essex at the end of May beand coach.” cause of the people with whom he has come into contact.

“Straight on down from the adminishaving a positive impact on the lives to this day. “Some of those students are now teachers themselves, and I like to trators, to the faculty, support staff, parthey touch.

In fact, Sokolewicz looks forward think that I had something to do with ents, and students, everyone [at] West Essex seems to have a deep appreciato educating and changing students’ that.”

Once a coach for cross country, tion for what it takes to offer a quality lives.

In living up to the expectations of a track, basketball, and lacrosse, education to the students,” said new vice principal, Sokolewicz plans Sokolewicz realizes that outcomes, Sokolewicz.

As a District Supervisor of Social Stud“always [to] be there for the students.” whether winning or losing, “were more He intends to rely on his years as a about going through the experience[s] ies in Jersey City, Sokolewicz dealt speclassroom teacher, advisor, and coach. and [helping each of the athletes] be- cifically with six high schools, four middle

by Emily Cox ‘07

schools, and two alternative education programs in the district. He chose to leave that position because the job “lack[ed] a true sense of connection with the students in the schools,” a component of teaching that he missed as a supervisor but looks to regain as a vice principal at West Essex.

Finding a new vice principal though is not an easy task, however, according to Principal Barbara Longo. “The most difficult part is finding a qualified person who has experience,” she said.

The most important qualities of a potential vice principal, besides being certified, are leadership skills, the desire to work with and help students, and the ability to schedule and plan, according to Longo.

Pertaining to the aforementioned significant ability to work successfully with students as defined by Longo, Sokolewicz was involved with clubs in school. “[These jobs] afforded me many opportunities to promote a positive learning environment for the students I serve,” said Sokolewicz, who added that he hopes to bring all of his experience to the students and staff of West Essex in an effort to continue the process of education and support of all extra-curricular opportunities.

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For Wosilius, “everything happens for a reason” lacrosse season ‘Wos’ helped me to keep it under things. Everyone is capable of making a mistake.”

It’s this fairness and focus on humanity that makes control so I wouldn’t have to sit out.”

No matter who Wosilius helps and what he does Wosilius such a good teacher.

“Everything happens for a reason,” said physical to help, he wants to do it right.

“In 35 years of teaching at this school, I’ve only education teacher Bill Wosilius, who was drafted by had one parent call up and complain about a grade,” “My father always used to say, ‘how come there is the St. Louis Cardinals after graduating from Syra- never enough time to do something right, but there is said Wosilius. “I think of teaching like trying to find a cuse University. “I thought I might try to be a profes- always enough time to do it over?’ If you’re not will- key to a box. Not everyone learns the same way. sional athlete, but a career ending injury to my knee ing to take the time to do something right, then don’t Everyone can get a good grade as long as the made me re-think teacher is willing to find the key.” do it at all,” said Wosilius. the course of my Despite his plans to continue coaching however, His commitment also helped life.”

Wosilius will be sorely missed as a teacher. “He is others “do things right.”

“He has taught me lessons But Wosilius’s History teacher and West Essex the kind of person who would do anything for a stuon how to be a better athlete life took a “turn graduate Christopher Benacquista, dent, peer, or friend,” said Benacquista. “It has been for the better” afwho had Mr. Wosilius as a teacher a great privilege for me to have had Wos as a teacher, as well as a better coach.” ter that injury beand coach and now teaches and coach, colleague, and friend.”

-Christopher Benacquista cause a coaching Hemmer agrees: “It’s been great working with him coaches football himself, has position opened learned “valuable lessons” from and we’re all going to really miss him next year. He’s up at West Essex, his alma mater, and he applied for “Wos,” as he is affectionately known. “He has taught been so valuable to the Phys. Ed. Department bethe job. “At first I was upset about my injury, but me lessons on how to be a better athlete as well as a cause of his experience.” looking back now I know it had to happen so I would better coach,” Benacquista said. “His dedication to Senior Kate Scozzaro said that she will miss start teaching.” his students and all of the West Essex community is Wosilius as well.

Lucky for West Essex, Wosilius’s college coach, extremely admirable,” he “He’s one of the who mentored him throughout his entire four years, added. best teachers I’ve told him to get a degree “just in case.” ever had,” said Wosilius’s lessons have also “I always try to be firm, [to] Now, after 35 years of teaching physical educa- helped others develop lessons Scozzaro. “The be fair, and to treat everyone, tion, drivers ed, and lessons about life at West Essex, of their own. school will be seriincluding my students, how I Wosilius is retiring. ously lacking withJust ask fellow physical eduwould want to be treated..”

As for what he will do after he retires: “I plan to cation teacher Heather Hemout him.”

-William Wosilius continue coaching and strength training at the school,” mer whom “Wos” helped when After all his years said Wosilius. His national certification in strength she first came to West Essex. of experience and training is a result of his attention to excellence. It is He even offered to “share his teaching materials,” with the wisdom he has gained, Wosilius points out two the only certification backed by a certification board her so that she could prepare her lessons. “He was things in particular that he says are important to in Washington D.C. extremely helpful in getting me acquainted to teach- remember.

“His strength training is a great way to stay in shape ing at this school.”

“It’s great to be alive and it’s wonderful to be an on and off season,” said sophomore Arielle Schneck, American,” he said. “That’s all you need; That’s Still, Wosilius’s wisdom doesn’t just apply to school a West Essex athlete who has attended Wosilius’ but to life as well. what life’s all about,” Wos added. strength training class after school. “He’s also incred“There’s not a better country in the world, and “I always try to be firm, [to] be fair, and to treat ibly knowledgeable when it comes to sports injuries,” everyone, including my students, how I would want there is not a day that goes by that I don’t thank Schneck added. to be treated,” said Wosilius. “You have to know the lord for all he has given me. When I was drafted “Earlier in the year I was unable to play field where a person is coming from emotionally. Too of- by the Cardinals, I never could have guessed that hockey for a while because I injured my hip,” Schneck ten we forget to take each person as just that, hu- I would be a teacher all my life, but looking back, said. However, “when it started to flare up again during man. You can never take that human factor out of I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”

by Amanda Nichols ‘08

Petrozzino will miss being “part of the WE community”

by Kristen Ricigliano ‘07

art and music programs, the professional degree of the school newspaper, and my personal favorite, the outstanding success of the athletic teams,” according to Petrozzino whose two granddaughters Elizabeth and Michelle Trainor attend the school.

“It has been an absolute thrill working near my granddaughters because I am able to see them every day in a normal school setting, not only as an old grandpa.”

His favorite moment at West Essex came when the boys’ varsity baseball team defeated East Side High School in the Greater Newark Tour-

Petrozzino thought that the staff at West Essex was “very professional” and that West Essex is a “safe high school” with “minimal problems,” which is why he will miss working here

part of his job.

“I [had] to punish the students who don’t abide by the school’s rules,” said Petrozzino who adds, “It’s something that must be done to ensure suc-

Walking from classroom to classroom chatting with students and teachers about his “marvelous experience” here, John Petrozzino, the in“Before leaving, Petrozzino left a few words terim assistant principal, served his last day at West Essex High School of advice for the new Vice Principal: ‘Keep an on Thursday May 25. open mind, always be fair to the students, and Here since September of 2005, fully support the teachers and the administraPetrozzino knew that his stay would be temporary until the school board tive team.’” hired a full time assistant principal, however, he still felt “sad to leave.” next year.

“I enjoyed interacting with all of the cess in the school system, but it’s Although “very impressed” with the something that is never easy to do.” students that I’ve come into contact overall “caliber of teaching and with at West After “taking a relaxing trip to Las coaching” in all of the West Essex Vegas,” Petrozzino will probably do Essex beprograms, Petrozzino would par- this same job again next year at a difcause every“I enjoyed interacting with all of the students ticularly “like to congratulate an ferent school but would “love to come one brings that I’ve come into contact with at West Essex outstanding senior class.” their own back to the West Essex school disbecause everyone brings their own unique The experience with students trict in the future.” unique charcharacter into the mix.” and staff reminded Petrozzino of acter into the Before leaving, Petrozzino left a few -former Interim Assistant Principal John Petrozzino why he continues to do this job. words of advice for the new Vice mix,” said Petrozzino While he will miss being “a Principal: “Keep an open mind, alwho added that he “loved attending nament because it was a “tremendous part of the West Essex community,” ways be fair to the students, and fully baseball game” that revealed the Petrozzino won’t miss having to dis- support the teachers and the adminthe extra curricular activities.”

“I became very impressed with the “pride” of the school’s baseball team. cipline the students, his least favorite istrative team.”

Jaime Blaustein

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“Environment” and “negative energy” why Moore is leaving

by Jaime Blaustein ‘07

Sad to leave but filled with high expectations, Dr. Jacqueline Moore sat down for an interview with the Wessex Wire to discuss her recent resignation and her decision to take a position at Mountain Lakes High School as the Director of Guidance. Although Moore admits that the decision has been a very difficult one to make, she nonetheless describes it as necessary.

Hired in 1988 as an English teacher, Dr. Moore taught for 11 years then became a guidance counselor, a job she held for nearly two years. Promoted to Director of Guidance six years ago, she has held that position ever since.

Wessex Wire: Why are you resigning?

Jacqueline Moore: I’ve committed the tremendous majority of my professional life to West Essex. I’ve lived in the community for 31 years and worked here for 18 years and it is no longer an environment in which I can work. I’m about devoting my energies to taking care of kids, and the environment is such that I cannot do it anymore WW: When did you come to this decision?

JM: I had an epiphany when my granddaughter, Lucy, was born four months ago. When you look at the things in my room, you can tell I’m a person who is in touch with my feelings. The joy that I felt [when Lucy was born] almost felt new to me, so much so that I’d go through the day and say, ‘What am I happy about?’

It showed me that I really needed to make a change.

Typically, if I felt bad, angry, or sad, I would try to examine why. Over the past few years, my predominate internal experiences have been of negative energy.

I had been struggling with the idea of leaving for about a year and a half. I am a very tenacious person, and I rarely give up. The birth of Lucy was such a profound contrast to what I carried inside of me, so I have to go to a place where I can feel joyous again.

Even though I’m sad to go, I know it’s something I need to do.

WW: Is there any knowledge as to who will replace you as head of the guidance department?

JM: There is no knowledge and nothing has been shared with me.

WW: How did you come across the job at Mountain Lakes?

JM: I had been looking initially for a principal posi-

tion. This is a very competitive position; there were knows what I do except me. over 145 applications at one job. I have no experience, so it’s difficult. I saw an opening as Director of WW: Will next year’s seniors be affected by your Guidance at Mountain Lakes and put together my resignation as far as college is concerned? resume. I got everything together, addressed a large JM: I will take care of all my seniors before I go, envelope, and then ripped it up. I continued to expe- and I will still write recommendations. I’m going to rience this extreme contrast [of emotions]. Eventu- be in the community for probably another year, so I ally, I thought ‘It’s a job that I know, a job that I’m welcome any students or parents to contact me if good at.’ I’ll be near my daughter so I thought, ‘I’m they need anything. I care about the kids, but I just going to send it.’ Mountain Lakes had been looking cannot self-sacrifice anymore. for a Director of Guidance for the past 5 years. The superintendent and principal interviewed me and originally thought that I would be just a typical interview. When it was over, I already knew I had the job. So I got a call from the superintendent a few days later and he said that there were a lot of applicants, but that I was a ‘field of one.’

My five years as Director of Guidance in a district I love and to which I had committed my best enabled me to create an photo by Jaime Blaustein exceptional guidance department. I now take those With the exception of a computer, a desk, a calendar, and other skills and experience with small items, Dr. Moore’s office, which she decorated and occupied me. That’s how I emerged for six years, is now practically empty. as a ‘field of one.’

WW: It is no secret that other administrators WW: How have your colleagues reacted to your have resigned and more resignations may be on decision? the way. What do you feel the future holds for JM: There have been mixed responses. It has been West Essex? bittersweet; they have all said that they hate to see JM: I feel that sometimes things have to be taken me go. Some have said, ‘What does this mean for totally apart in order to create something new and the rest of us?’ I have a lot of friends here, and they better. For whatever reason, that’s what is happenunderstand where I’m coming from. ing here at West Essex. I love that I work with adolescents because they are so resilient, helpful, and WW: How has your family reacted to your deci- they always look toward the future. So, I hope the sion?

Board of Education, students, and parents pull toJM: My family has been very positive and support- gether [in this rebuilding process]. There is still a lot ive. My daughter is thrilled [because she will be work- of destruction and work to do; the focus is currently ing only 5 minutes away] and my husband and son on the negative, and it has to get back to the positive. are happy for me as well.

The biggest thing I feel that needs to be looked is the values. Integrity, sensitivity to the district’s needs of WW: Do you believe your successor will have others, kindness, honesty, and a true commitment to an easy transition? work together for the greater good are the values to JM: Absolutely not. It’s a very difficult job. Nobody which we must return.

School starting and ending an hour later has its “perks”

by Ryan Logan ‘08

Think about it: more sleep, a more complete breakfast, actually staying awake during those morning classes - just a few of the perks that could result from starting and ending the school day an hour later.

“Starting later definitely has its advantages,” said sophomore Nicole Zezza who added that she is supportive of the idea. “I think everybody would like to get more sleep, eat a better breakfast, and actually have time to get ready for school instead of rushing to get everything together in the morning,” Zezza added. “I know I would.”

Boca Raton High is one of two the student.” high schools in Palm Beach County, Studies show that people with Florida that has decided to begin sleep deprivation are more suscepthe school day one hour later next tible to getting common illnesses fall to see whether or not it will im- such as a cold or the flu and are, prove their att e n d a n c e records and test “I think everybody would like to get more scores. sleep, eat a better breakfast, and actually “Maybe it have time to get ready for school instead would improve of rushing to get everything together in the attendance,” morning.”

- sophomore Nicole Zezza said one West Essex teacher who asked that her name be withheld as she doesn’t therefore, more likely to miss work want to offend her students. “It’s or, in this case, school. hard to say, because it depends on The possibility of improved atten-

dance as a result of more sleep appears to be very plausible, according to the studies.

But the West Essex teacher doesn’t think that it will “affect test scores” because she is “not sure that students have studying too high on their list of priorities.”

In 1997 a high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota, however, delayed the school day from starting at 7:15 to 8:40 and the results proved noteworthy. The school posted a better attendance record and improved test scores.

And sophomore Jeremy Lim be(continued on page 6)

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Blaustein for president...five times As the first student in school history to be elected both Student Council President and Senior Class President, soon to be senior Jaime Blaustein’s continued success in office has helped him to earn two of the highest positions in student government which he will serve simultaneously. Recently, Blaustein sat down with the Wessex Wire to address major school issues, to give campaign advice, and to discuss the work necessary to be a successful school president.

by Michael Shanker ‘07

Wessex Wire: It’s been two years since the construction started, and still there is no progress. What do you think of the problem?

Jaime Blaustein: I understand that business is business. From what I understand, the general contractor,Tricon, was fired in the middle of the construction due to their failure to meet specific targetdates.Thatbeingsaid,figuresfrom both the sides of West Essex and Tricon need to put the situation into perspective and realize that the students should come first. Why did the construction even take place to begin with? So that students could benefit from improved facilities. It seems that, almost two years after the start of construction, the exact opposite is occurring. Both sides need to resolve their differences, or else the third graduating class in a row might be able to say that throughout their cil president as well? Do you think it will be too much to handle? entire high school career, they never even had ceilings.

JB: With the two titles comes tremendous responsibility. I WW: Have you had a chance to talk to Mr. Sokolwicz? know that it is something I can handle, however. I felt a little JB: I actually went into Mr. Sokolwicz’s office on his third apprehensive about running for both positions at first beday of school to introduce myself and to become acquainted cause I didn’t want to be too “power hungry” or greedy. with his policies. I think he is going to do a lot of positive When I found out nobody else planned to run, my thinking things for our school. His [enforcement of] policies on disci- started to change, and I decided to go for it. pline are probably stricter than those of past vice principals, but at the same time, he makes students feel like he is at- WW: How does it feel to be chosen for prom king tempting to help them, rather than being out to get them. He after a year of planning the prom? also seems eager to work alongside student council and JB:(Laughing)BeingchosenPromKingwasalsoanhonor, class council, so I expect to be seeing a lot of him next year. but it was just a fun competition that I don’t take a huge amount of pride in. The fact that I planned prom definitely WW: If construction starts again next year, there is a helped a lot; the other four nominees deserved it just as very strong possibility that there will not be senior much, if not more, than I did. parking. If not, what will you do?

JB: Based on what I have heard, there will still be senior WW: What have you enjoyed most about being Class parking if construction resumes, but there may not be as President so far? many spots as there are this year. I think that every student JB: I enjoyed the opportunity to be put in a position in should be able to park for at least half the school year. If that which I could assist my class to the maximum capacity.Anyis not the case, it is a matter that I would like to get myself body can help our class if they choose, but holding the poinvolved in. I will do everything in my power to negotiate sition of President gave me a pedestal to get things done with administrators to ensure that a senior privilege will not efficiently. be lost.

WW: But what event did you enjoy planning the most?

WW: It’s quite an achievement to be president of your JB: Prom was by far my favorite event to plan because the end result was the most rewarding of any of the major class class for four years. How does it feel?

JB: I view my four years of holding the position of class fundraisers. Sophomore year is traditionally a slow year, president as an honor. I am grateful that my classmates have and the final product of the hard work put in for the tricky given me the opportunity to serve all four years; I have run tray wasn’t very flashy; however, it was essential to the against some very tough competition and the fact that I have buildup of our class treasury so that prom could be posconsistently won means a lot. I am also indebted to the stu- sible. dent body for electing me as Student Council President next year. There have definitely been some rough times like the WW: To what do you attribute your success? stresses of campaigning, the adversity I had to overcome in JB: The fact that I am very driven definitely helps me to planning class events, and the pressure to live up to the ex- be successful. In the past whenever I have really wanted something that I am passionate about, I have not given up pectations of the student body, but the ride was worth it. until it was mine.Also, I enjoy interacting with people, and I WW: What made you decide to run for student coun- think that is a vital part to being successful in anything.

WW: Do you see yourself as a politician later in life?

JB: Who knows? I don’t have any specific plans as of yet, however. Perhaps, my interest in politics will get a hold of me and encourage me to pursue a political path later in life.

WW: Do you think making t-shirts for your campaign has contributed to your success?

JB: I never intended to distribute [shirts] as a way to bribe people. Instead it was supposed to be a way to get people on the bandwagon. I hoped that if people wore them it would create the [feeling] that I was the frontrunner [and that it] would, hopefully, gain me votes.

WW: Since handing out shirts has become a new trend, do you think it damages the genuine purpose of what a student election is supposed to be?

JB: As long as students do not start to blatantly bribe potential voters, I think t-shirts are an acceptable way to campaign. Putting out posters and handing out pins are intended to do the exact same thing: to get people on the bandwagon.

WW:As the newly elected President of both Student Council and Senior Class Council, what are your plans for the coming school year?

JB: Next year is going to be extremely busy. The other class officers and I will be responsible for planning Senior Ball and Luau.Although we do not pay for Project Graduation, I can imagine we will play some part in planning it.

Senior trip is another item on the check list. I would love nothing more than to make it an overnight trip, a likely possibility if we start planning early and efficiently.Additionally, contrary to popular belief, Sportsfest is a senior class planned event. And just like any other year, we will have to run fundraisers so that all of the aforementioned endeavors are possible.

As far as student council is concerned, I would like to see more assemblies that students can actually benefit from. I plan to enhance the events that are on the schedule annually, like the pep-rally, Skyler, and Deck the Halls. I plan to run events that are new and original as well; The aesthetics club did a tremendous job of getting the whole school involved in their events as well as making a substantial profit. I believe that student council is not only responsible for the financial aspect of the student body, but it should also help to create a more fun environment at school. In that respect, I think that if student council ran events similar to but not clashing with the aesthetics club, it would only better the environment of a school that seems to be rebuilding administratively, structurally, and hopefully, next year, physically.

Moreover, I would like to see the student council play a larger part in gaining rights for students. The leaders of the school should serve as a medium between the students and administrators in order to gain rights in the most effective manner possible.

wessex wire - june 2006 news 6 Senior Service causes laziness for juniors and sophs

by Jared Prince ‘07

Vacant hallways and fewer students in classes, now that seniors have left for senior service, have created an illusion that school is ending and is even causing sophomores and juniors to become lazy, according to English teacher Bryan McNaught.

“The juniors and sophomores are being affected by the remaining seniors’ senioritis in ways that could be potentially dangerous to their learning,” McNaught added.

McNaught, who doesn’t even teach any senior classes, says that senior service is causing his students to become sluggish.

Having fewer students in attendance changes the whole mood of the class, according to junior DanAtkins. Everyone becomes “hyper and excited” as a result of the dwindling number of school days and students in school. Work is the last thing on everyone’s minds, according toAtkins.

“When I see so many empty seats in the classroom, it triggers this feeling I get that reminds me of when a lot of the students in class are on a field trip, and the teacher can’t move on with only half the class.”

Therefore,Atkins has a hard time concentrating when his mind is elsewhere and not fully devoted to his schoolwork.

“The fact that so many fewer students occupy the building each day should be a positive to the remaining students,” according to McNaught. “Those students should be taking advantageofthesmallerclassesratherthancatchingsenioritis [in] their junior year,” added McNaught.

Although some students try to benefit from the smaller classes, “it is challenging to focus,” according to sophomore Alexander Kolesnikov.

“The classes are so empty and the weather is nice,” added Kolesnikov, that “it’s almost impossible not to think about how the [school] year is coming to a close.”

And junior Rachel Berman feels the same way. “It’s so much harder to focus now than it was five or six months ago only because my mind is on summer,” according to Berman.

“Not only do I feel myself drifting during class because it’s hot out, and I don’t want to be in school but also because I see the seniors and I think about how lucky they are to be done,” she added.

“I, then, start thinking about how happy I’m going to be

when I’m a senior around this time next year, and when you ButseniorDanLandybelievesthatseniorserviceis“amazstart thinking about your last day of high school and gradua- ing.” “It’s not something the school gives as a gift to all the tion, it’s hard to focus on your work,” according to Berman. seniors for getting through four years of high school; it’s a Physics teacher Dr. RobertAitken, who now has a class privilege that students have to earn, and the ones who earn with only two students since seniors have left, agrees with it deserve to experience senior service,” according to Landy. the majority of teachers and students that the “work ethic is However, Landy’s perspective does not satisfy Hart. “The largelygone.” disparity in students’ senior service projects really bothers “That’s true in all the classes that have had seniors leave,” me,” said Hart. “Some work really hard, but then some Aitken said. “The students that are still left are just drifting,” kids…not so much,” Hart added. he added.

History teacher Tony Janish agrees with Hart and sees a The fact that seniors who are not doing senior service few flaws in the senior service program. “Is senior service “have major senioritis [does] not reflect well upon the rest of working?” asked Janish. “How do you even make a valid thestudentsintheschool,”accordingtojuniorJaredDavidson, assessment [whether is it or isn’t]?” who admits to having a harder time concentrating in school Janish has a hard time understanding how the eligibilmainly because he is envious of the seniors he sees slacking ity factor is fair. “If a student is .2 away from a certain off.

GPA, they are no longer eligible?”

Aitken, who said he could only speak from his side of the First of all, “it’s not fair only to allow academically issue, believes that senior service is “probably a good expe- talented students to do senior service,” and second, “it rience for those students who participate in it but not good at has terrible consequences on juniors and sophomores,” all for the class that is left behind.” added Janish.

Aitken attributes the lack of work ethic that he sees in his “You would have to get feedback from the teachers classes to senior service. “There is [no desire to learn] left in and students in order to find out the best way, but there them,” he added. is one thing for sure,” according to Janish, “there is a Spanish teacher Kirin Hart agrees withAitken, but has better way.” become annoyed over the last few years with the lack of effort during this time of the school year and is determined to see it fixed.

Hart strongly believes that a good alternative to senior service would be to “get rid of [senior service]” altogether. “Seniors shouldbeinclassuntilfinalexams,”according to Hart. It’s “important to get the full year’s worth of work of the curriculum.”

However, Hart is not against the students doingcommunityservice. Infact,shethinks it is great that students do service in order to help others. She believes, however, that “community service should be done in addition to school, not in place of it.” photo by Jared Prince “It’s counterproductive to reward good work with getting out of school,” added Hart, who thinks that four year of hard work Junior Chelsey Etkin is one of many students who finds it difficult to concentrate in school because, with seniors out on should be rewarded with a “diploma, rather senior service, her classes are much smaller. than one month out of school.”

“With good comes the bad” if school opens late able to get to school on time if he oversleeps and misses the bus because both of his parents work and his sister is now in college.

Firavanti is among the twenty percent of West Essex students who said they get only five to six hours of sleep on an average school night,

“I only get five or six hours of sleep on an average school night,” lieves that test scores might imsaid Zezza, who added that “with prove “with extra sleep.” a little more time [to sleep] I might “Students might be more alert actually be able to stay awake in during the school day enabling my morning classes.” them to absorb more information About four in every seven stuand do better on tests,” Lim added dents say they would like the school day to open an hour or so later. Those who oppose “Those who oppose [an earlier school day] are mainly concerned about sports and the are mainly concerned about sports and the “chaos” of cramming all of ‘chaos’ of cramming all of their extra-curtheir extra-curricular activities in less time than ricular activities in less time than they had they had before. before.

“Obviously waking up an hour later has its adin reference to getting “a good while the majority of students at vantages,” said Firavanti. “But it n i g h t ’s s l e e p a n d [ e a t i n g ] a West Essex say they get seven to would conflict with sports after healthier breakfast.” eight hours of sleep per night. school, giving us less time to do But with the good comes the bad While that isn’t a far cry from the homework and actually live our for sophomore Frank Firavanti who hypothetical eight to ten hours of lives on weekdays.” pointed out that he has always sleep required for teenagers to perAs of now, Firavanti, who plays managed to “get a ride and make form up to their capabilities, stu- varsity baseball, says his practices it to school on time.” With the ex- dents still say they’d like to get a usually end around 6:45. If practra hour, however, he wouldn’t be little more “shut eye.” tices and games were to end an (continued from page 4)

hour later, at approximately 7:45, he would feel cramped for time to go home, eat dinner, study, and finish up all of his homework.

Social Studies teacher Beth Vaknin sees a solution, however.

“I think sports should be [played] before school starts,” said Vaknin, “even if it means starting school two hours later.”

In fact, research has shown that early morning physical activity can increase mental sharpness anywhere from four to ten hours post exercise. Physical activity in the morning gets the blood flowing to the brain, circulating important nutrients and oxygen-rich blood to many of the body’s vital organs.

“When I work out through the summer, I normally lift in the morning,” said junior Mark Cassera, who added that he wouldn’t mind starting school later for sports.

“When I finish, I notice that I have a lot more energy than when I started.”

wessex wire - june 2006 news 7 Health complaints could be “Sick Building Syndrome” added. Although the filters are cleaned, the air ducts—where invisible pollutants and known pollutants such as: pollen, bacteria, dust mites and mold “settle”—are cleaned, according to a stateAbout 50 students walk into the nurse’s office coughment form the Fresh Air Duct Cleaning Inc. ing weekly, according to nurse Paula Frisch who added The inadequate ventilation, “may also occur if that the “majority of the students are juniors and sophomores” who “may not be [used] to the building.” heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) “When I’m in school I feel sick [and] my stomach systems do not effectively distribute air to people cringes,” said sophomore Alisa Abdel, who added that in the building and is thought to be an important when she’s outside she feels “super duper” because the factor in SBS,” according to the United States Enair is “much cleaner.” vironmental Agency’s publicaThe current conditions at tion, “Indoor Air Facts No. 4 SICKNESS SUMMED UP West Essex are similar to (revised): Sick Building Synthose in buildings plagued by drome (SBS).”

Sick Building Syndrome As to whether or not stuThe most common way of obtaining a sickness caused by mold is (SBS), according to Frisch, dents are more susceptible to who explained the factors sickness since construction has which make SBS: “a buildstopped and dust has collected *Sore throat *Chronic clogged throat ing that has closed windows since the construction workers and uses air conditioning” for left, Frisch believes that it *Dry Cough *Wheezing ventilation, leaving an area “probably has” and added that is not open. “[you] can’t rule [it] out.”

A teacher suffering from Sickness is prevalent in the *Nose and throat irritation *Difficulty breathing SBS at Wilson Elementary school, but it can’t be pinSchool in West Caldwell pointed to one responsibility, *Shortness of breath *Nasal and sinus congestion “had to leave and couldn’t according to Earth Science [work] until [the mold] teacher David Monroe.” Being *Burning, watery, reddened eyes *Nausea and skin irritation was cleaned,” Frisch said. around organisms that could After the mold was infect you doesn’t mean you cleaned, the teacher still will be infected.” *Blurry vision experienced “some reBut Frisch doesn’t believe sidual problems,” accordthat “all of the sickness” can be More often than not, these symptoms are relieved once you move away from attributed to the construction. ing to Frisch, who referred the high concentrated area. If affected by these symptoms you should call Frisch also blames the weather, to articles in the Star-Ledeither your doctor or call 1-800-369-8532 ger & the Caldwell stress, and lack of hygienic Progress regarding this situcleanliness on the part of stuation. dents who don’t wash their Some adverse effects of poor ventilation may in- of the school efficiently. “[It’s] hard to clean old vents; hands enough during the day. clude “difficulty in concentrating, fatigue, and sensi- [it’s] not done properly,” said Frisch.

Frisch called stress “a big thing” because it weaktivity to odors,” according to Frisch. Symptoms tend West Essex has had the same ventilations sys- ens the immune system. If a person’s “immune systo be alleviated or lessened when the person leaves tem for over 40 years, according to Bob Jeannette, tem [is] weak, [that person becomes] more susthe building, according to literature from the U.S. En- the Director of Buildings and Grounds. “The vents ceptible.” Those with “strong” immune systems will vironmental Protection Agency (EPA). use filters that are changed every four months,” he not be affected by the construction.

by Mara Alessi ‘08

Student’s artwork displayed in exhibit at Morris Museum Winner of the 18th Annual Fresh Perspectives, senior Jair Martinez’s painting, Self-Portrait, was one of the 58 chosen pieces to be displayed in an exhibit in the Morris Museum. His painting was chosen out of 550 submissions from 58 high schools all over the state of New Jersey. Martinez is the first West Essex student to win this distinguished award. The display at Morris Museum will be on display from April 28th to June 17th.

NHS members inducted, teachers honored at May 8 ceremony Senior members of the National Honor Society inducted juniors as new members on May 8, 2006 and honored gym teacher William Wosilius and history teacher Jeffrey Boyd for their dedication to the West Essex High School community. In addition the current officers spoke of the four main criteria of National Honor Society: character, leadership, volunteerism, and scholarship. The night ended with speeches by principal Barbara Longo and National Honor Society advisor Thomas Lancaster and a reception in the gym lobby.

In many cited cases, inadequate outdoor air ventilation has compromised “the health and comfort of building occupants,” according to the United States Environmental Agency’s publication, “The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality.”

In fact, the nurse’s office doesn’t have any source of ventilation except for one small air conditioner, which is located far in the back of the school where there is a dumpster outside the window.

Frisch believes that the vents do not clean the air

NEWSBYTES Robotics team places third and fourth in competition

Bazzarelli honored by College Board for implementing AP class

West Essex Robotics team won third place for the “Stop the Leak” event and fourth place in the obstacle course round held at Passaic County Community College. Head coach Richard Bettini and assistant coach Tom Meyer led the team members to design and build a robot that would simulate fixing blowouts in a natural gas pipeline. Thirteen members of the robotics club participated in the competition on Tuesday May 16 and Wednesday May 17.

Language teacher Lucia Bazzarelli received an award from the College Board for implementing an Italian V Advanced Placement course at West Essex High School in its inaugural year prior to the development of the AP test. The AP Italian class enrollments numbered eighteen students, eight of whom actually took the exam.

Literary magazine receives silver, second place, and “excellent”

Buono places third at William Paterson poetry recitation contest

The staff and student contributors of the West Essex literary magazine, The Roundtable received a “Silver” rating from Columbia Scholastic PressAssociation, a second place from theAmerican Scholastic PressAssociation, and a rating of “Excellent” from the National Council of Teachers of English. The 2005 staff included Editor-in-Chief, senior Marissa Grossman; Senior Editor, graduate Danielle Rovet; Art Editor, senior Krista Rieckert; EditorialAssistants, graduateAnna Boyer and Michael Morelli; and Editorial Staff: junior Seth Alter, senior Billy Kinslow, and seniorAdam Nisivoccia. Students contributed to the poems, short stories, and artwork in the magazine. This year’s issue of The Roundtable will be available to students and faculty in late June.

Junior Sofia Buono placed third in the William Paterson Poetry Recitation Contest at William Paterson University. Buono recited p o e m b y N o b e l P r i z e w i n n e r, G i o s u e Carducci, called Il Comune Rustico which in English means “The Rustic Town.”

-- by Helen Wang ‘07 Do you have news that you would like to publicize via the Wessex Wire? If you do, send an email to hwang@westex.org

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news

wessex wire - june 2006

Roving Reporter...

compiled by Jaime Blaustein ‘07

“How have scheduling conflicts affected your schedule for next year, and what do you feel should be done to resolve these conflicts?”

Kathleen Bui ‘07

If I am not allowed to change my schedule, I will have to go down to a lower math and take a class that I don’t want to take. They guidance department should schedule classes around those that have the most conflicts. Basically, they should build the schedule around the kids, rather than the kids around the schedule.

Allison Candido ‘07

In the past, Italian has always conflicted with something. It’s frusturating because it prevents me from taking classes that I want to take. I am going to have second period “breakfast” next year instead of lunch as I will have to eat in my study. I feel bad for the administration because scheduling is such a hard job and the only thing they can do is make less singletons.

Jared Davidson ‘07

Because AP Macroeconomics and AP Statistics is only given the same period, I was forced to choose one over the other. It was extremely stressful deciding which one would be better for college and my future. The administration should spread out AP classes so that students in these classes do not have so many conflcits.

Lauren Collins ‘07

This year’s scheduling conflicts have greatly affected my schedule.

I believe seniors should get priority over juniors and sophomores because it is their last year to take classes that they want colleges to see.

Jason Mariscal ‘07

Gena Wolfson ‘07

My gym class is first period, Engineering and Technology class is second period, and Physics is third period.

So, my lab is going to come out of my engineering class. I believe the administration should allow me to take that lab and still give me the full credit for both classes. I’m not sure if there is a way for the administration to solve these conflicts becuase there are just so many people to accomodate.

I had to sacrifice taking classes in order to make the academic classes work.

Had it not been for fourth period lunch, I wouldn’t have even had a lunch in my schedule. The guidance counselors didn’t even contact me about this conflict. The kids who are taking the highest classes should have priority over kids who are taking CP classes since there are much fewer AP classes.

Jeff Young ‘07

Chris Lipari ‘07

I cannot take a lot of AP classes that I want to take next year, so I am upset that colleges will not see what I am capable of handeling. The administration should not have a class only offered one period, because it is almost guaranteed to cause a conflict. If this is not possible, then they should be sure that classes of the same level are offered different periods.

I had to drop AP Statistics and Latin because I originally did not have an English class, and the only place it fit into my schedule was during these two periods. I think that the administration should work harder to accomodate individual students and put their needs and interests first.

Though “cliché,” “reduce, reuse, recycle” still the way to go (continued from page 1)

Despite these dramatic projections, Nag believes that the “times given for when warming will happen could be pushed back since there are many new efforts to slow it down.”

The most important cause of global warming, according to Nichols, is “the burning of fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere.”

“Humans have been making an impact on their environment for the entirety of human existence,” said Nichols. “Almost everything humans do to affect the environment adversely can be described as careless or wasteful use of natural resources,” he added.

The addition of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere is an important driver of this

change in global temperature, according to Nichols.

“If we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions… maybe we could slow down the process,” said Nichols who added that “the use, overuse, and misuse of fossil fuels likely have the greatest affect on the environment today.”

But if everyone stopped using fossil fuels tomorrow, would global warming come to a grinding halt?

“Probably not,” Nichols said. “It may already be too late, but if we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, we will be able to adapt better to changing climate, and maybe we could slow down the process.”

No matter how you look at it, Nichols confirms what students interviewed already know: that “global warming is really happening.”

“If we as a society reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we release into the atmosphere, we can certainly have an effect on the changes that extra carbon in the atmosphere causes,” said Nichols.

“What we as a society need to do,” according to Nichols, “is to try our best to reduce the impact we have on our environment,” Nichols added, “to use energy more efficiently and use our natural resources less wastefully.”

And what young people can do today is to “reduce, reuse, recycle,” he added. “It’s an old, played out cliché, but I think it really is worth thinking about. The most important thing the average citizen of the Earth can do is to be responsible about how we use our natural resources.”

In this section: Should schools start later?.........10 The tale of the eraser...................11 Applause and Flaws.....................12 STAFF EDITORIAL

Mouse problem an “infestation,” must handle it accordingly Nibbles on homework and projects. Droppings dotted on countertops and cabinets in the kitchen classroom. Pitter pattering of paws scurrying through hallways, tables, bathrooms.

All of this evidence highlights the fact that, in my opinion, we do have a infestation of mice problem, but according to the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Mr. Robert Jeannette’s “we do not.”

Juniors Kristin Rompala and Jackie Tong admitted that when they found that their project had been gnawed, they were “not surprised.”

They weren’t surprised that given that the conditions of the school and the status of the construction, this school could be a breeding ground for rodents and pests.

The fact that rodents ate their projects just confirms that these situations are happening and are likely to keep happening in this environment if the cause is not addressed.

Aside from students, staff members have also noticed droppings all around classrooms and offices ranging from rooms 28 and 29, through

the art rooms, the cooking room all the way up bloody mouse was found to have fallen out of to the guidance the ceiling in the area between the two cafeteoffices. With mice rias. reaching all of Two dead mice were found in the t h e s e r o o m s , Apartment for rent: sink of the cooking room as confirmed J e a n e t t e ’s r e by sophomore Alyssa Martino. Now, West Essex High School sponse, “[the adnot only are we sharing our school with ministration] is mice, but we have also cultivated an en(Under construction...) on top of this isvironment that is dangerous for them to sue,” is not be in. nearly sufficient.

I’m not saying that the staff and students It is not likely don’t share responsibility for the food and that all these refuse left carelessly around the campus. Howmice just stroll ever, given the numerous run-ins with rodents in, they must be and the way these run-ins are handled, the first swarming in. step, in order to remedy this problem, must be Staff and stuto recognize first that it’s an infestation. dents have also Just exterminating the mice seen mice in the doesn’t address the real gym near the boys’ issue but rather puts it on locker room and othhold. And if that’s the ers in the girls’ locker case, one thing is for sure: room. In the winter, a they’ll be baaaaaack.

STAFF EDITORIAL

Seek appropriate legal action for justice, not money A Toms River, New Jersey student is harassed and physically abused at school because he is gay.

He appeals to his administrators who send his abusers to counseling and then punishes them with detentions and suspensions.

Not feeling that his wounds have adequately healed, what does he decide to do?

Rather than taking the appropriate legal action and pressing charges against those who harassed him, he takes the school to court for the cure-all, good old fashioned American currency, and is awarded $50,000.

But punitive damage awards in liability lawsuits send the message that a price can be put on anything and that money can heal any wound, and they must be stopped.

Admittedly, many of these lawsuits are based on very serious issues, but that does not necessarily entitle the plaintiffs to sums of money that do not directly relate to the case. In addition, outrageously high damage awards allow people to begin to view mishaps as winning lottery tickets instead of the unfortunate situations that they are.

Take the case of the aforementioned Toms River High School student who was beleaguered and physically assaulted at school for being a homosexual. The school was found liable and made to pay the aforementioned

“emotional distress damages” by the Appellate Court of New Jersey, according to The New Jersey Law Journal.

The court overturned an earlier decision that the school was not liable on the grounds that it did not act “with deliberate indifference to known acts of harassment” and, instead, ruled in the plaintiff’s favor stating that the harassment had made the student’s school environment “intimidating, hostile, and offensive,” even though the students were suspended for their actions.

While one cannot condone the students’ abusive behavior, it is appropriate to expect a school to do everything possible to protect students. Holding the school liable for the actions of other high school students, however, just isn’t reasonable as students are made fun of every day in high schools across the country.

Even if this boy, referred to as L.W. in the Journal’s article, were harassed more so than any other high school student who is subjected to persistent intolerant comments about looks, athletic ability, or even sexual preference, which certainly seems to have occurred, the mere idea of “emotional distress damages” misses the mark. The real culprits, not the school, should be targeted.

Even if such lawsuits and awards could be justified, how is it possible to go about choosing who deserves repa-

rations and who doesn’t? Is every high school student who has ever been called gay or has been otherwise assaulted going to receive a check? If so, those awards would make the national deficit look like an item on a fast food chain’s value menu.

This student was assaulted and pressing charges in a criminal court to seek justice would not only be logical and reasonable, but almost mandatory to teach abusive students a lesson, something that a mere monetary award from the school district cannot even begin to address. In fact, personally taking these students to civil court to make a point would even be acceptable since they were the ones directly responsible for the harassment.

The school, however, should not have to pay off the victim as they did punish the students responsible and, therefore, should not be held responsible for the actions of individual students. They should impose harsher punishments against those who harass other students, which the court did, in fact, order the district to do. The victim should be satisfied that the school has changed its policies and that he made a difference for future students who may find themselves in the same position.

The money itself, however, has nothing to do with the root of the problem.

It does not directly make the school environment more tolerant or improve

other students’ lives. It doesn’t give this student’s time in high school back either. While many would disagree, there does not seem to be any correlation between targeting individual students’ unacceptable behavior and a $50,000 giveaway.

Not only are these monetary awards a financial burden on taxpayers in this community as this was a public school, but this country can’t afford to pay the ethical price of people exploiting bad situations and taking frivolous cases to court solely to make a profit. American culture is already fueled by money, and winning easy money opens the door for opportunists and scam artists to gain millions.

Society as a whole must take a stand against the misguided lawsuits that are making a mockery of the American legal system. Lawmakers must step up to the plate as well with legislation limiting punitive damage awards and imposing stronger deterrents for those with unfounded complaints. People in situation like L.W.’s must seek justice but should do so in a logical and reasonable way. Target the wrongdoers, themselves, in both criminal and civil court instead of holding the school liable to score a larger sum of money.

The students who actually caused the problem should be the ones to pay, both literally and figuratively, not the district’s taxpayers.

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wessex wire wire-january - june 2006 wessex

opinion

2004

OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS:

Should schools start la ter?

Health of students should be primary concern of district

by Sandra Lucero ‘07

Students place their heads down on their desks and complain about how tired they are while teachers are forced to ask students to lift their heads. This tug of war between frustrated teachers and tired students occupies too much of class time that could be dedicated to learning. But these students are sleep deprived, and they would be more alert if school just started later.

Lack of sufficient sleep is definitely a growing problem among teenagers and the fact that school used to start at 8:00 and now starts at 7:42 is not helping the situation. A teenager’s body produces melatonin, the substance that causes people to feel sleepy, from PM to 8 AM according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). Although it is not impossible to go to sleep before 11 PM and to wake up before 8 AM, it is extremely difficult, according to the NSF. Trying to teach students who are half asleep everyday is futile, but whenever the district calls a delayed opening students are definitely more alert in class.

Starting school an hour and a half later every day is not necessarily the answer, but even half an hour would help students.

In Ryan Logan’s story Nicole Zezza stated that she only gets about 5 or 6 hours of sleep, but teenagers need about 9 hours of sleep, and with after school activities, increasing work load, and the early starting time of school, it doesn’t happen very often. Studies have shown

that a normal bedtime for teenagers is 11 PM, but in order to get the 9 hours of sleep that their bodies need, teens would have to wake up at 8 am. By then almost twenty minutes of first period at West Essex would have already passed.

A lack of sleep affects teenagers in every aspect of their lives. It affects the way teenagers think, work, and socialize. Teenagers who get insufficient amounts of sleep are more likely than their peers to get lower grades, according to NSF. Eighty percent of adolescents who get an optimal amount of sleep say they’re achieving As and Bs in school, according to statistics re-

leased by the NSF. Starting school later would not only help students but also help the reputation of schools in that grades and even standardized test scores would rise.

In Logan’s story, the main concern centers on how a later start would affect after school activities. However, other schools, such as Boca Raton High in Palm Beach County Florida, have changed starting times without much conflict. As for individual conflicts which did come up, the school district managed to work them out.

Not only is it torturous to wake up early enough to make the 7:42 bell, but studies have shown that a lack of sleep

can cause health problems such as depression, moodiness, and loss of appetite, according to the NSF. School districts should care about the well-being of their students. If starting later means reduced likelihood of depressed moods, reduced likelihood for tardiness, reduced absenteeism, reduced risk of car crashes as a result of falling asleep at the wheel, reduced risk of metabolic and nutritional deficits associated with insufficient sleep, and better grades, then schools which start before 8:00, like West Essex, should consider what is more important, responding to a rigidly set bell schedule or the health of students and adjust their schedule to reflect this choice.

Starting school later “detrimental” to students

by Kristin Kuscin ‘08

I am writing in response to Ryan Logan’s story about starting school one hour later. Starting school later will make no difference in the lackadaisical behaviors of students who don’t get enough sleep. Though I would like to have an extra hour in the morning, I don’t think it will especially benefit students in the long run.

While talking to my friends, I have come to the conclusion that most high school students don’t go to bed until 10 or 11 o’clock on school nights fully aware of the time they have to get up in the morning. In some cases, homework and projects keep them up. At other times it’s TV or some other distraction. Whatever the case, students still stay up late.

If the school day were to start one hour later, I believe students would still have trouble waking up for school in the morning. While some believe that starting later will grant students an extra hour of sleep, I think that students will adjust their schedules and nothing will change. They will go to bed later, knowing that they have that extra hour and will ultimately cancel out the extra time.

As Frank Firavanti pointed out, coordinating sports schedules would be a problem. Practices start right after school and usually end around 5 o’clock. Since so many West Essex sports teams play each season, some teams must practice after 5 because of limited practice space.

If school started an hour later, these late starting practices would end even later and would limit the time that students have to finish homework, eat dinner, and spend

time with their family.

Other schools would also have to start school earlier in order to coordinate schedules for sports. Games usually start around four because most schools get out around three. This practical time lets students leave right from school and allows them to arrive at the game without having to worry about getting a ride back to school to catch the bus. Also, if school starts later, games would have to start later, which means that sunlight would be limited. Schools would now have to invest in lighting more fields.

In the long haul, starting school an hour later and ending an hour later will ultimately be detrimental to students. They will still complain about lack of sleep as they do now. In this case, the negatives definitively cancel out the positives.

Let teens awaken to“benefit from an education” To the Editor: Not one day goes by at West Essex when someone does not complain about being tired, or about running late, or about being fed up because they spent most of the night doing homework. It’s finally very refreshing, therefore, to read a story that addresses the issue of starting school an hour or so later.

Ryan Logan’s story on a school in Florida which discussed the pros and cons of a later start cited the athletic schedule and the cramming of extra curricular activities into less after school time as the strongest argument against the proposal.

But that’s just an excuse to ignore the problem. In reality, I feel that a later start will give students more time. Honestly, school club activities usually end earlier than 3:45 anyway. This reason, however important, is overshadowed by the benefits of starting school later.

When I stay up into the early morning hours, it takes everything that I have to wake up early. Usually, I don’t fully wake up until 3rd period. So my first two classes are usually a blur, and I just go through the motions. On the many mornings when I’m too tired to focus, I end up having to teach myself later that night from the notes we took to understand the concepts fully.

As a high school student, I want to learn new things and get a good education, but the bottom line is that I am working hard to better my chances at getting into a good college.

When I just pass the time away in my first two classes and stay up all hours of the night doing projects and homework, I feel that I am missing my chance to better my college resume.

Starting school later will give me a chance to ready myself for the tasks at hand and to be fully awake and able to learn.

Starting school an hour later will also improve attendance records, without a doubt, because along with some of my friends, I have been guilty of sleeping in from time to time since I’ve hardly slept the night before.

Now, students probably won’t get to bed any earlier, but starting school later will make up for an hour that we are all guilty of missing.

I also think that starting school later would give students more of an initiative to get to school on time. As a sophomore this year, the HSPAs were a chance to catch up on sleep and truly be awake before coming to school.

Waking up at 9 gave me the chance to get ready more leisurely, and in turn, I felt more awake during my morning classes.

Starting school later and moving sports practices to the morning would be really great for those students who both do and do not play sports.

According to the study shown in Logan’s story, athletic activities are most beneficial to the athletes keeping them sharp from 4 to 10 hours. Those who don’t play sports will be able to sleep in and recharge.

Those who do play sports will have their afternoons free to catch up on their homework, meet with a teacher, or join a club that they would not normally be able to join because of prior athletic commitments.

I am a fencer, and practice ends at around 5 o’clock, and even though practicing in the morning will have me up early in the morning, it will be my choice to either join the sport or gain the ability to sleep in.

Although early morning is not the optimum time for students to be alert enough to learn, it is the best time for physical activity as it increases blood oxygen level and the flow of important nutrients through the body’s vital organs. Once their bodies awaken, teens are more ready to benefit from an education.

Sincerely, Ashley Begega ‘08

opinion

wessex wire - june 2006

11

The eraser: helping more than just blackboards now wipe away the problems on the board and wanted it, likewise, to wipe away the problems in her life.

Remembering how in grade school But the eraser didn’t always wipe students would clap erasers together away the chalk completely, and it outside in order to remove chalk and didn’t solve all of her friendship isplease the teacher, I became interested in the evolution of the eraser itself over time and the evolution of its purpose in the lives of students. I hit the slate and, with my notebook and pen in hand, set out to find out peoples’ eraser stories.

I first approached my friend Alex, who had first encountered the chalk board eraser in kindergarten and had sues. But life isn’t supposed to be used it as a concrete symbol for an perfect, according to her, and she imaginary friend. She saw the eraser believes that some imperfections balby Laurie Mittelmann ‘07

Does it bother you that...

by Benjamin Chase Elberg ‘06

...nothing is bothering me? It is the fourth marking period of senior year. I’m in the college of my choice, and I have been since November. I do limited schoolwork, and I am on senior service where I have the luxury of waking up at 8:30 to get to Gould School by 8:45.

And if something were to begin to feel as if it might bother me, I can’t imagine having any reaction other than a simple “oh well.”

Some people who read this column might argue that it should, in fact, bother me that nothing bothers me.

But in all honesty, the only worry I could have now would be the possibility of not graduating – but let’s be serious – that’s not possible.

Not even the fact that Dan Coplon is taking over this column next year bothers me. I believe that everything happens for a reason and that there are no accidents in life.

Mr. Wosilius is a prime example. In Amanda Nichols story on Mr. Wos (June 06), she writes how his professional football career was ended as a result of injury. While many people could have seen this as a loss, he capitalized on the unfortunate event and made a career for himself.

Nichols reported that when he was drafted for the Cardinals, Wos never could have guessed that he would be a teacher all his life, but looking back he said he can’t think of “anything” he’d rather do.

He looked for the opportunity when the challenge arose. Basically, had he worried, he wouldn’t have ended up where he is now. Worry will get you nowhere, especially not to the place where you need to be most.

Come to think of it, we’re always in that place, the place we need to be most, even though we may not know it.

Anyone, when faced with challenges, can exercise the option to look for the opportunities that present themselves. No matter what the circumstances, opportunities will always present themselves and decisions can always be made.

The challenges and opportunities that have presented themselves to me have in fact, gotten me through high school and have prepared me for what lies ahead. I am where I’m supposed to be – graduating high school – and I am looking for opportunities, for the decision to be made, to insure that after I graduate, I still know where it is I am supposed to be.

ance things out.

I next went to my friend Brittany, who told me that she didn’t use the eraser to replace friendships in her early years as Alex had. Rather, she used the eraser to make friends.

In her second grade class, students played a game “Eraser Tag” in which the person who was “It” had to chase peers while maintaining the balance of an eraser on the top of the head.

“As I kept the eraser on the top of my head, I seemed to keep the admiration and respect of other students,” she said. She realized, then, how strong of an impact inanimate objects could make on the lives of animate people such as herself.

But erasers may soon join other obsolete tools in attics as “smart boards are probably the way of the future,” according to Alex’s mother and chemistry teacher Maureen O’Neill.

Full of concern then for this distinguished tool that was supposedly on the way out, and hoping to have my fears erased, I scooted to my English teacher Brian McNaught, who unfortunately agreed that both white and black boards are on the way out.

The smart board is “the new sheriff in town,” he told me, compassionately sharing with me the significance which he attaches to the eraser. He feels it is a “perennial powerhouse.”

“It has the power to alter lives, for it is the end and beginning of assignments,” said McNaught, who added that he often uses his hand as an eraser and for that reason prefers the black board to the white board, since the marker from white boards would stain his hands.

The next morning in physics class, I was even more on edge and sweating bullets as I heard my teacher Dr. Tom Meyer mention

our classroom’s white board to a student. I knew that we needed to have a talk. Completely flustered and spooked, I demanded to know his feelings on erasers.

He told me that he doesn’t like to be so close to chalk boards because he breathes in the chalk dust. He does, however, like the “sleeker and more modern” white boards which he believes “make room for new discussions” as they erase and “reduce clutter” on the board, “correcting errors and allowing progress onto new topics.”

At his mentioning desire for modernity, I became increasingly agitated as I imagined that soon smart boards really would dominate the board industry and the question, ‘black or white board?,’ would no longer even be an issue. In current events class, I approached sophomore Robin Miller and told her what was on my mind.

Robin brought up a whole new discussion. She told me that she isn’t concerned with judging the qualities of white boards and black boards.

She looks for qualities of kindness and compassion in friends, and finds those qualities to also be present in people who are willing to share their pencil erasers.

“For example, you need erasers in tense test taking situations,” Robin told me. “So if someone is willing to lend you his or her eraser, you think ‘thank god I have an eraser now’ and you want to be the lender’s friend,” she added.

Senior Kim Pierce and senior Joanna Riccardi, best friends since 7th grade, overheard us talking and told me that they’d met over a white board eraser in math class.

“We were both putting homework problemsontheboardandIdidmineincorrectly,” Kim said. “Joanna leaned over, erased my problem, and told me how I was doing it wrong.”

From that moment, Kim became an Eraser Chaser. “I realized that the eraser was a tool with many unconventional uses, and I became a big fan of it,” she said, adding that she always keeps one on hand “to break out in awkward situations.”

If she’s not getting along well with someone, she’ll hold the eraser in her hand and wish upon a star for better future relations.

12

wessexwessex wire - wire-january june 2006

opinion

2004

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Students smoking in school bathrooms is “unacceptable” To the Editor: It is unacceptable that students must smoke in the bathrooms of the West Essex High School during which they should be learning. I am writing in response to Ben Elberg’s story concerning Smoking Sections in West Essex that “are up, running, and more accessible than ever,” according to the article.

It is appalling that students can-

not go 7 hours without smoking a cigarette. If you smoke that is your business and I am not going to tell anyone how to live their life; however, to smoke in a public place, a school, that is not only pathetic, but also illegal.

School is a place to further one’s knowledge and horizons, not to inhale hundreds of toxic chemicals with every breath. As a student at West Essex, I find it ridiculous that

Be proactive to stop injuries To the Editor: I am responding to Steve Monin’s story in the April issue of the Wessex Wire regarding floor hockey. I believe that as indisputably the most popular gym sport in school, floor hockey should not be eliminated from the physical education curriculum. I do, however, believe that perhaps certain safety measures should be taken to prevent injury.

Monin cites two injuries in his article, a broken nose to senior Dan Skeels and a bruised eye to junior Stacey Clarken. Clearly the use of goggles, a mandatory requirement by law, was not being enforced in this class or else these injuries would not have occurred. Following the rules that are already in place is the first step toward making floor hockey a less dangerous sport.

Additionally, rather than waiting until after someone is injured

to put the violator in the “sin bin,” gym teachers should use their discretion to direct people to the “sin bin” when they start noticing rowdy and reckless play by a particular student. There is no way to accurately foresee all unfortunate incidents; after all, gym teachers are human too. However, gym teachers can most definitely reduce the likelihood of injury by using their judgment.

I am in no way suggesting that floor hockey be eliminated as a gym sport. In the end, the joy that West Essex students get from playing the sport far exceeds the minor injuries that come along with it. It is important for all students to keep in mind that when playing the sport, they must play “defensively” and protect themselves from a vulnerable situation.

Sincerely, Jaime Blaustein ‘07

APPLAUSE AND FLAWS Applause: *To the Skittles for winning the second annual dodgeball tournament *To the Aesthetics Club for making West Essex a bearable environment this year *To the graduating Class of 2006 *To MC Zach Handler and all of the other performers at this year’s coffeehouse *To Ms. Mondadori for opening her classroom to the Wire staff all year *To the baseball team for winning the GNT Title *To the tennis and girls lacrosse teams for winning sectionals *To the softball team for beating Caldwell and winning their conference *To the new Assistant Principal for filling a position that has long been vacant at West Essex *To prom weekend for being glorious! *To Jesse Finkelstein and Bobby Gembarski for winning badminton *To Ms. Jameson for lending her camera to the Wire staff *To the custodians for always being there to help out after school Flaws: *To the juniors who haven’t taken their SATs yet *To Greg Pino for spending more time in journalism this year than he did when he was Sports Editor *To the worst allergy season ever *To the seniors who don’t go to class any more

-compiled by the Wire staff

when I have to go to the bathroom I sometimes have to consider whether it is worth going and walking into the smoke filled room or not.

I personally don’t enjoy being choked by the fumes of cigarettes every time I go to the bathroom.

It is disgusting to think that some people cannot go without smoking during the school day.

But that is just my opinion and it probably doesn’t mean much; however, if you look at the legal aspect of it, my feelings are backed by the law.

As stated in Elberg’s article, “as of April 15, smoking is no longer allowed in restaurants, bars, or bowling alleys in the state of New Jersey.”

However, I don’t think this will stop the bathroom smokers of West Essex. Despite the fact that they will not only being going against school policy, but also breaking the law, the West Essex bathrooms will

be filled with secondhand smoke and may ultimately cause lung cancer and maybe even result in dozens of deaths of innocent West Essex students who came to school

for no other reason than to learn.

Respect the school’s property and respect your classmates. Don’t do something as stupid as smoking in the bathroom.

Sincerely, Jared Prince ‘07

The Official Student Newspaper of West Essex High School A Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown, Gold Medalist Paper GSSPA First Place New Jersey Distinguished Journalism Award 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 (973) 228-1200 ext. 258 2005-2006 STAFF:

Editors-in-Chief Marissa Grossman ‘06 Jon Kartus ‘06 Jen Tomsey ‘06 News Editor Marissa Grossman ‘06 Opinion Editor Jon Kartus '06 Feature Editor Jen Tomsey '06 Sports Editors Sandra Lucero ‘07 Katie Rosenberg ‘07 News Bytes Editor Helen Wang ‘07 Copy Editor Laurie Mittelmann ‘07

Staff Writers Marietta Alessi ‘08 Ashley Begega ‘08 Jamie Blaustein ‘07 Clibby Broderick ‘07 Jenna Cirangle ‘07 Katie Clavin ‘07 Dan Coplon ‘07 Emily Cox ‘07 Ben Elberg ‘06 Jesse Finkelstein ‘06 Victor Fonseca ‘07 Kristin Kuscin ‘08 Jeremy Lim ‘08 Ryan Logan ‘08 Michael McConnell ‘07 JJ McNamara ‘07 Steve Monin ‘07 Amanda Nichols ‘08 Kristen Ricigliano ‘07 Michael Shanker ‘07 Daniele Stefanelli ‘06 Jack Vidovich ‘08 Advisor Tina Lane

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

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

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

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

In this section: Flight 93 movie review...............................15 Coffeehouse review...................................16 Students split on success of war..............20

t s e B e Th

st) r o w (and

of

. . . e l z o o b m Ba Awards

by Victor Fonseca ‘07

Another year of bamboozle means another year of sunburn; dudes with mullets and mohawks; bad jailhouse tattoos; goth, emo, and punk kids; and adolescent anger served up like cheeseburgers at McDonalds.

I t m e a n s d o wn-tuned bands screaming about something or other and another year for thousands of screaming fans to trample over each other just to see who’s going to be up front for their favorite band.

In the parking lot of Giants stadium in East Rutherford, instead of the concert hall in Asbury Park, Bam-

Band that no one thought Most “unifying hero”: would be any good but amazed the crowd:

Alexisonfire.

Their screaming words and great live performance gave the hard-core rockers a perfect setting. The moshers were moshing and the rest were either too close to the person next to them or crowd surfing. Words like “I’m not sure what’s worse, the waiting or the waiting room” and “Recycled air, the smell of sleep and disinfectant, your God is a two door elevator,” hit like daggers into the hearts of the music’s nonbelievers.

boozle rolled into to town high on teenage rebellion and the success of the two main head liners Fall Out Boy (Saturday May 6th) and Taking Back Sunday (Sunday May 7th).

Just like the MTV Movie awards or the Grammys, Bamboozle deserves its own rewards for the best and worst of the bunch, and here they are:

Most “adorable epitome of an Most ‘awaited for performance emo band stereotype”: on Saturday’:

Method Man. Amour For Sleep.

All and all Method Man prob-

Fall Out Boy.

Never sweeter or more beautiful vocal harmonies or catchier lyrics have I heard than these! Ben Jorgensen is the real deal. We remember that pretty young boy from the video for “Car Under Water (their first big single). They Most “whoops! I thought this played an amazing concert, and his vocals really rocked the crowd. Straight was a different band”: forward emo - punk the way it was meant to be. ably had the most spectators except for “Panic! At the Disco.”

Method Man’s crowd was energetic and most of the people were dancing.

The Spill Canvas.

Why would anyone put themselves through 12 hours of heat, overpriced concessions and all the other discomforts that go along with Bamboozle? The question was answered Saturday’s main attraction. The mighty pop – punk sensation Fall Out Boy which had finally arrived, and there is no way that any of the aforementioned bands could hold a candle to them. Pete Wentz (bassist) and Peter Vaughn Stump (guitar and lead vocals) Most rebellious and anti-au- are one of the best combos in rock to thority: give the Bamboozlites just what they needed.

Some of you in the States have probably seen them and their jamming on MTV late at night. Listening to the first couple of songs, they Band that disappointed the band played a good tune but nothcrowd and lost a lot of fans: ing to call the president about. SimThey are an entertaining live band, ply put, they sound like any other and they are good at what they do. The band. drummer has some amazing chops. ApTheir melody was off tune, off Most reminiscent of other parently, the officials of the tour didn’t key and their live performance does bands reminding us of how re- want FFTL to play. no justice to their album. Also the ally young we are: They were getting death threats from distortion on the speakers didn’t angry fans disappointed with their latest allow you to actually hear their album who believed that the band had words. All in all, they’ve played sold out. Some people just don’t like better concerts. change, and FFTL is all about change.

These guys all look like the memAs TV commercials are to soft drinks, bers of a Nikki Six fan club, and Most “I finally get why people FFTL is to change. they were not too bad. In an enerlove them band”: Apparently, they don’t like to be in the getic performance, the singer “norm” as they never really followed he jumped and bounced around and crowd, and for the people with holes in really made the crowd think he was their faces, and tattoos, and all kinds of on too much caffeine. Their music To use an old cliche, THEY ROCK. weird hair who apparently never wanted fit right in with most of the soft-core They are a great band with a presence to follow “the crowd” either. As far as the genre offered up by most of the reminiscent of The Ramones but with a show goes, they’re true rock stars.

Bamboozle lineup, but their songs screamo twist. Tunes like “Under Fire” Their performance is hypnotic and will have some pretty decent hooks and and “Anthem For Tonight “ totally got leave you in a trance. Love them or hate a sense of melody. the crowd fired up. them, their live act is powerful.

From First to Last.

Bayside.

Caffeine.

Halifax.

Most mellow but enjoyable band:

The Receiving End of Sirens.

They played with so much enthusiasm even though not many people showed up for them. Then, they went to the back to do signings and take some pictures for those who liked the music.

Most boy band:

Panic! At the Disco.

Now, the reason these fellows are the rock “boy band” goes back to when

continued on page 17

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wessex wire -wire-january june 2006 wessex

2004

feature

TECHNOLOGY TODAY

Text messaging altering face-to-face communications

by Katie Clavin ‘07 Six West Essex students begin texting even before the end of their 9th period class. Some keep their phones in their backpacks, some text under the table, and some even text in their pockets.

All six, however, are communicating, and they’re all sharing the daily gossip without even seeing each other.

This sight is common, however, in any West Essex classroom.

In fact, thanks to text messaging, e-mails, and BlackBerries, face-to-face communication is becoming a dying art.

“If we were allowed to have [our cell phones] out in class, I don’t think anyone would pay attention to the teacher,” junior Chelsey Etkin said. Over and above regular cell phone use, it’s the text messaging fad, however, that has students relying on new electronic devices for communication, according to Etkin.

West Essex students depend on cell phone text messaging simply because it’s easier. “Within two minutes you get a response,” according to Etkin.

This cell phone texting and even online chatting prevents students from using their face-to-face communication skills and from communicating as effectively.

However, “since e-mail [and text messaging are] just the words themselves, it’s more easily misunderstood than an actual conversation,” according to senior Greg Pino.

In fact, one study by UCLA psychology professor Albert Mehrabian found that 55% of “meaning” in an interaction comes from facial and body language and 38% comes from vocal inflection.

Only 7% of an interaction’s meaning is derived from the words themselves.

Additionally, the importance of being a good conversationalist is a big part of college interview and if a student is not a good conversationalist, it becomes “pointless,” according to Pino.

On the other hand, sophomore Michelle Trainor thinks that electronic devices are confusing. “I actually prefer talking to someone in person,” said Trainor, who feels that it’s only way to hear the continued on page 15

An unidentified senior is text messaging during class without the awareness of the teacher in the classroom.

- photo by Jen Tomsey

Internet may be faster, library info more valid

by Kristin Kuscin ‘08 Sophomore Cassandra Natali looks at her new history assignment. At first glance it seems pretty easy, but when she notices that she needs three book resources to earn an A, she realizes that it’s going to be harder than she thought.

With the “information super highway” at their fingertips, students these days are relying solely on the internet for research rather than using book sources. “Many students are [going to computers first]” said West Essex High School librarian Susan Heinis.

“Books usually are used only if the teacher requires at least one print resource for an assignment,” added Junior High librarian Kathy Rohr.

Teachers agree that students use the internet rather than books because it’s a quick way to get information. “I think [internet research] happens because [it] is much easier and less time consuming,” said history teacher Christopher Benacquista.

Natali agrees. “The internet is just easier,” she said. “I find I get lost in the library shelves,” Natali added. “It takes a while to find a book, and often after I find where it is [supposed to be], someone else has it to use for the same project.”

Natali believes that the internet is a “fine source to use” as long as students do their research. However, Heinis believes that the type of source a student should use depends on what the student is researching.

“When you are researching certain facts, books are important to consult,” Heinis said. She also believes that if you are searching for “really current

events” the internet may be the way to mate students’ abilities to decipher the search,” said Rohr.

Internet based research is discourgo since “database can keep up to validity of information.

“I think teachers consider students [to aged by most teachers, and date.”

Natali also thinks that there are some be] lazy when they don’t want to use Benacquista believes that it can be students who use the internet as “an book sources, and at times don’t trust stopped by “teachers requiring the use easy way out.” “[They] find bad sites the internet as a valid source,” said of book sources and web-checks,” which include checking the validity of and [just] skim through the informa- Natali.

Natali explains that when she uses the websites and their aution,” Natali said. thors. “[But] if students take However, requiring their time, cross-check “The accuracy and validity of some websites are not up to their information, and par of published books that are generally reviewed, proof- books inconveniences students, according to read through websites, read, and edited for better quality.” they’ll get the right infor-Teacher Christopher Benacquista. Natali, because it is not something students mation,” she added. can do at home. On Benacquista believes a project where no that while most students “The internet is just easier. I find I get lost in the library books are required, read through the inforshelves, it takes a while to find a book, and often after I find Natali first searches mation on websites thorwhere it is [supposed to be], someone else has it to use for the internet but the oughly, there are still the same project.” requirement of book some who “need to un-Sophomore Cassandra Natali sources “makes it derstand that not all web harder,” according to information is accurate or Natali, because no valid.”

“The accuracy and validity of some internet for research, she gathers dif- one has “personal libraries” at home. websites are not up to par of published ferent sites and compares the informa- “I have to find time at school to go to books that are generally reviewed, tion. “I am able to use that information the library, which at the moment doesn’t proofread, and edited for better qual- to let me know what sources have valid have everything it should, or [I have to] information,” she said rely on others to take me to a book store ity,” said Benacquista.

She also checks her sources against or a town library,” Natali said. “[My students] are allowed to use Although the library is under coninternet research, but they must use a online encyclopedias, since they tend minimum of book sources as well as to have more reliable and valid infor- struction, it is “offering as much as [it] can” according to Heinis. The liprove the validity of their chosen mation.

Online encyclopedias, which are brary has access to databases, a wide websites,” he added.

Reina Jacobowitz, reference librar- valid book sources according to collection of reference books, and ian at the Roseland Public Library, Benacquista, are one way to find textbooks for students to use for reagrees with Benacquista. “Most of the credible information. Databases serve search, according to Heinis who asstudents can’t distinguish between good as another way to find valid informa- sures that the current library is still a good sources and bad sources of informa- tion. These databases are listed right place for students to come and research. tion on the internet,” said Jacobowitz. on the school website, allowing for easy However, students, like Natali, con“They can’t seem to evaluate if the in- access for students. tinue to use the internet for their re“Students are becoming aware of the searching needs because “it can be a formation is true or valid or if it’s bionline school databases which are usu- reliable source if you check your inforased.”

Natali, however, tends to disagree. ally much better resources for school mation and it is easier to use than a She believes that teachers underesti- research than doing a general Google book.”

feature

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2004

15

Tattoos during the teenage years: a “rebellion”

by Jesse Finkelstein ‘06

While most West Essex students define their bodies with clothes or makeup, others are taking a more extreme route and getting indelibly inked.

During a trip to Arizona with her best friend to visit schools, one junior female got tattooed without her parents’ permission, and her friend followed suit. “We used our sisters’ IDs,” said the junior who had a Chinese symbol tattooed on her neck while her friend got one tattooed on her hip. Both asked that their names be withheld because they do not want their parents and family members to find out.

They got their tattoos solely because “they are symbolic,” she added. “Mine means friends and hers means forever. We figure that if we aren’t friends anymore in the future, then we can still have words that mean something to us.

They can also remind us of the great times we had together.”

Symbols, crosses, dogs, and what West Essex student could forget, the Punisher, have been seen on various body parts of students, but why?

“I just liked the idea of having something that no one else has,” senior Danielle Schaeffer told the Wire about a bird tattoo on her lower back. “I asked my parents and got it when I turned 18. It took a little while to convince them to allow me to get one, but I was going to get one even without their

permission. It’s my body.”

Schaeffer’s desire to have something unique “has to do with identity,” according to licensed psychologist and Director of Guidance and Student Personnel Services at West Essex, Dr. Jacqueline Moore.

“Whenever I talk to parents I drive home the primary psychological tasks of adolescence, separation and establishment of identity.”

In other words, adolescents get tattooed in order to separate themselves from their parents which, consequently, establishes their own unique identity. “For one person their identity is created by a nose ring, a belly button ring, orange hair, or by their tattoo,” added Moore.

One West Essex student, however, doesn’t see it as a desire “to rebel” against his parents. “I was mostly getting one [to rebel] against authority,” he said in reference to the law that prohibits tattoos to minors without consent of parents.

“I got a tattoo when I was 12 at a tattoo parlor in Wayne,” according to a junior who wishes to maintain anonymity because his parents also don’t know.

“It’s been 4 years, [and] I’m sure they won’t be happy if or when they find out.”

“First when I entered the store, they asked how old I was, so I told them 18,” he added. “They then asked what I wanted to get done so I showed them a picture of my own original art work.

“I was a little bit nervous, but once I took my pants off I knew there was no turning [back],” he explained about the original tattoo design on his buttocks. “[The tattooist] then placed a paper covering on a table and made me lie face down. The first few squiggles were incredibly painful, but I got used to it fast.”

His tattoo is also a matter of personal satisfaction and not meant to be flaunted. “I figured that my parents won’t see it there and that I won’t have to see it too often,” he added. “I also won’t have to see it when I get old and saggy.”

Some experts, such as Doctor Allen Grey from San Diego, California, believe that people get tattoos to “be cool and conform with other teenagers.”

However, senior Maria Baab, who plans on getting a tattoo, disagrees. “I want something that will remind me of my teenage years,” according to Baab. She has yet to get a tattoo but claims that her brother is designing one.

Unlike anyone else at West Essex, Baab wants a dragonfly because “it’s very mystical and reminds [her] of being a teenager and wanting to escape to college.” Baab believes that “people get tattoos to represent religion, nationality, or to portray an interest meaningful to them.” To her, “it’s not about rebellion or popularity.”

“If people were getting them to ‘rebel against their parents,’ then they wouldn’t be getting them in hidden places,” Baab said. “They’d want their parents to see the rebellion. Even if their parents did see them, it’s not like they can erase them.

People get them in hidden places so that if they are in a work environment or proper settings, such as a wedding, it’s less ambiguous.”

Baab knows that she will be able to get a tattoo since her mother has one and has already told her that she could. But some teens may not want their parents to know because “it adds to their psychological game,” according to Moore.

Texting a problem in class

MOVIE REVIEW

continued from page 14

Flight 93 recommended to “all Americans”

tone of voice, and, therefore, the only true way to distinguish what someone really says.

“What people are really trying to say can be easily mistaken online,” according to Trainor, who says that when it comes to new technology she’s completely lost. “First AOL, now texting, what’s next?”

New, innovative technology may be confusing to Trainor, but that hasn’t stopped most West Essex students, although junior Gianna Fede agrees that her skills have been affected.

“I think that since I use my cell phone so much, my ability to talk to someone face-to-face has gone downhill,” according to Fede. Fede claims that on average, she texts “about five times more per day” than she talks to someone in person.

Junior Jackie Zeller thinks that her communication skills have not been affected by text messaging, however. “I text almost every day and talk to my friends online,” Zeller said, “but despite this I can still talk to people in person normally.”

Even though it may be easy to talk to close friends face-to-face, when it comes to just an acquaintance, it gets “a little more difficult,” according to junior Teresa Spada.

Although very outgoing herself, Spada finds that speaking to someone who is not a friend “gets weird,” and she would, therefore, “rather just talk to them online.”

Although students use cell phones as a means of communication, they have become much more. Not only a student’s link to the world, they have become, according to Spada, a “best friend.”

by Mike McConnell ‘08 United 93 is more than just a movie. It’s the real thing, and it puts you right there. You board the plane in the beginning. You make small talk with someone unaware that he’s a terrorist, and you believe that it’s just a normal flight. But you are also watching, and you also know more. The whole time you are hoping that those who died on that day don’t get on that flight because you know what will happen.

First to come face to face with the terrorists and first to understand the post 9/11 world, first to know what it means and what must be done, first to fight back, these heroes arose from the confusion and terror of this flight.

They knew their fate if they did nothing and decided that they weren’t going to let the terrorists dictate the way it would end. They took charge. Unlike the mission of the previous three flights, the two that hit the World Trade Center and the one that hit the Pentagon, this one never reached its target.

This movie is one I recommend all Americans to see. This movie is one that will make sure we never forget those heroes on Flight 93 and the amazing impact they made in those final moments on that plane. When they charged the cockpits, they turned the tables, and the terrorists became truly terrified, terrified to know

that they had failed their mission. Then, extraordinary heroism thwarted unexpected terrorism inside the cockpit as the plane took a nosedive to the ground and the field drew closer and closer before the screen abruptly went black.

This movie makes you relive 9/11 and all of its terror, and it makes you ask the question, have we forgotten? Of course, we remember what happened, but do we remember the lessons we learned that day?

People today seem to have forgotten.

People today don’t realize that what happened on that day can happen again if we do nothing to prevent it.

People say that it’s too soon for a movie like this, but it’s never too soon for truth.

There are those who don’t want this movie out because it may go against their political beliefs, because it may remind people of what happened and may boost support for the war on terror. These are those who want this movie to be released, even though they may not support the war, because they support truth.

Everyone in the theater with me was silent after the movie and many cried. Truth can be painful. Truth can be terrifying. Truth can show what horrible times we live in. There are those who would rather delay the truth, but truth cannot be delayed. It must be exposed, especially as it occurs, to ensure something like this doesn’t ever happen again.

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Resurrected coffeehouse a great “success” -photo by Jen Tomsey

by Amanda Nichols ‘08 A show stopping performance by seniors Sabrina Anton and Adam Lintz set the stage for a night of soulful singing, side splitting stand up, and powerful poetry at this year’s Coffee House, a joint venture by the Aesthetics Club and the band.

In fact, the audience sang Anton’s praises while she sang Alicia Keys’s “If I Ain’t Got You.” The equally talented senior Adam Lintz accompanied Anton on guitar without overshadowing Anton’s velvety voice.

“The Mike Gelberg Experience,” with senior Mike Gelberg on guitar and vocals prompted the audience to sing along to his own medleys of both nineties and rap hits.

Stand up comic Jared Shababb, a Syrian American, used what he knew best to get huge laughs. “My ethnicity is the perfect relationship ender,” he said. “I give a girl a jewelry box, and she makes me open it first.”

And don’t worry, with so many seniors leaving, Shabbab is waiting in the wings for next year’s show.

As for other notable acts, seniors Adam Nisivoccia and Marissa Grossman engaged the audience with original poetry about dreaming for princes and childhood memories, respectively.

Senior Jeff Mastrangelo, West Essex’s resident master of show tunes, gave Incubus a run for its money by covering their song “Drive.” Mastrangelo sang and played guitar along with Greg Shapiro who also played guitar.

In sweet harmony sophomores Michelle Lupo and Maria Dontas sang a tune from sweet charity.

One final word on the first West Essex Coffee house in two years: success.

-photo by Jen Tomsey

-photo courtesy of Amanda Nichols

(Top Left) Zach Handler entertained the crowd with his catchy introductions of all of the performers of the night.

(Top Right) Decorations for coffeehouse included a silhouette of a person playing guitar.

(Left)Seniors Jeff Mastrangelo and Greg Shapiro sing and play guitar to a cover of “Save Tonight” by Eagle-Eyed Cherry.

Music from past appreciated in record form today

by Ashley Begega ‘08 The 12 inch round vinyl disc wobbles on the turn table as she puts the needle on top. The sounds of The Beatles blare out. Clad in a polo, bell bottomed jeans, and flip flops, sophomore Melissa Weston, listens to her father’s record collection.

“When my dad showed me what a ‘record’ was for the first time, I began to discover the music from his generation, and it stuck with me because the artists were so original and lyrical,” said Weston.

Clad in a Beatles shirt, jeans and converse sneakers, Anna Cirenza admits that the Beatles are her favorite band.

“I like to listen to the music from the 60s because it sends the message of peace, love, and happiness,” added Cirenza.

“The artists of today will never be known for generations to come like The Beatles or The Rolling Stones because today’s music industry is about the looks and the image, not the talent,” said Cirenza.

Concerned about individuality, Cirenza asks, “How can you be an individual when [commercialism] teaches you to [fit] to a certain mold?”

People now seem to be chasing

something that was lost from the past, according to Weston. “That’s why so many popular artists are covering classic songs by older artists.”

The legacy of the original song is being killed by covers because most artists today don’t take the songs meaning and words seriously, according to Cirenza. Covers kill why people love the song so much by butchering the lyrics and music, she added.

About 26,319 cover songs have been done in the music industry so far, according to Second Hand Songs, a company dedicated to cover song databases. Everyone from Britney Spears to Dave Matthews has done cover songs of popular artists such as The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

For example, the song “Eleanor Rigby,” originally written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, has been covered 112 times which is a record high, according to the site.

“I think that if you want to listen to good bands today, you’re not going to find them on the radio,” added Weston.

She agrees that they exist, but one has to look to find them. For Weston radio is out of the question as she prefers the earlier rock musicians because they are the first ones to categorize Rock and Roll.

“Once bands are ‘discovered,’ their

originality is lost because they have been over played and over exposed,” said Weston. “I worry that our generation doesn’t know what good music is.”

The voices of artists today are with technologically enhanced which is why, according to Weston, the Beatles are so great. “Voiceovers didn’t exist when the Beatles first recorded.” Voiceovers or voice enhancers were first available to recording artists in 1975 well after The Beatles split. “In my opinion the only artists that I think doesn’t need her voice touched up is Beyonce because she has a natural talent,” she added.

“The essence of all music” is how Cirenza describes Rock and Roll, who adds that if you got it, you got it forever. “It’s the originality that makes that band great.

What makes artists such as The Beatles and The Stones able to touch so many people to make generation after generation fall in love with them?

“When you hear one album or one song that changes your life, it will be passed on to your kids and from generation to generation,” said Cirenza, whose mother and brother introduced her to songs that stand the test of time.

In fact, when the 3,000 polled readers in the April 2006 issue of Teen People had to choose their favorite band from their parent’s time, The

Beatles topped the list at number one.

Teen People journalist Zena Burns referred to The Beatles as “the fab four,” and described them as going from “working-class Brits to the band behind 27 number 1 hits.”

“The best band from before you were born” list also included Queen, AC/DC, The Jackson 5, The Beach Boys, Blondie, Led Zeppelin, ABBA, The Rolling Stones, and The Ramones who rounded out the top ten.

“Like the Romantics of the early 19th century, rock musicians turned the world upside down to find out what was on the bottom,” states Phil Edwards, in his book American History of the Sixties- The New Generation.

“Radio and music created the first rock superstars during the sixties, and bands from Britain’s rock underground erupted with real force, moving throughout the world with their new musical messages about love and freedom and real issues,” Edwards adds.

Some of the music that is being recorded today, according to Weston, simply replicates 60s classics. “It’s good that we have a place like The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where their legacies aren’t tainted or forgotten but preserved and honored,” said Weston, and at that Weston went back to listening to her father’s Beatles album.

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s e l l i a s r e V The Diner.

17 photo by Jen Tomsey

Has been and always will be the “WE hangout”

by Katie Clavin ‘07 The TV teenage hangout: In Happy Days, the Fonz hung out at Arnold’s Drive-In. Bayside High’s students in Saved by the Bell hung out at The Max. Central Perk became the 90’s hot spot for the cast of Friends. So where do teenagers go today?

It’s 2006, and it’s Fairfield’s Versailles Diner, a kind of “West Essex Cafeteria,” according to junior Chelsey Etkin, as each table is filled with groups of kids from the high school.

Just ask junior Jenna Croonquist, who claims that on any given night, “you’re guaranteed to see groups of kids from West Essex [at Versailles]”.

But what is it exactly that draws students to this old diner?

“It’s really more for a social thing than for the food,” according to Etkin.

Most students like the idea of a place

to go to “just hangout,” Etkin added.

“Versailles is always a good place to talk,” and to get “the latest gossip,” according to Etkin.

Gianna Fede, a junior at West Essex, can definitely relate to this gossip.

Fede became aware of her boyfriend’s “disloyalty” through someone’s conversation one late night over the summer at Versailles. “Conversations at Versailles can be very telling,” according to Fede.

Juniors Jackie Zeller and Rebecca Rosenberg both met at Versailles diner.

“After the social in 6th grade, my friends and I went to the diner,” according to Zeller. She and Rosenberg sat at the same table and discussed the dance and “have been talking ever since,” according to Rosenberg.

Junior Tiffany DeVito and her friends like to discuss “who hooked-up with whom” in their conversations at Versailles. “We talk about what went

on that night, and what we hope will go on next weekend,” DeVito added.

Teens look for a “third place,” a place other than home or school where they can gather to relax, according to April Pennington, author of The Hottest Teen Business for 2006.

“Research shows one of teens’ favorite ways to spend their time is hanging out with friends,” Pennington adds.

Although, where teens hang out depends on what their towns have to offer.

“A teenage hangout in Manhattan is very different from one in California,” according to Pennington.

So what’s the hangout like for kids at West Essex?

It’s a place to grab a bite to eat, a place to gossip about Friday night’s party, and most important, a place to “just be with your friends,” according to Etkin.

Junior Joe Mecca agrees. He and his friends go to Versailles when they’re

hungry.

And it’s not uncommon to find Mecca there at midnight, literally, or later. “We usually go from 1-4 A.M.,” according to Mecca, who claims that most of his nights end in going to Versailles.

Although it’s a huge West Essex hangout, Versailles is sometimes out of the way for students, especially those living in Essex Fells.

Junior Jen Egan has a 2 A.M. curfew, and she just “doesn’t have time” at the end of her nights to go with her friends to the diner.

Junior Ted Abbot who also lives in Essex Fells agrees with Egan, but if curfew is not an issue, “Versailles is the place to go,” according to Abbot.

Although there may not be one real reason as to why this diner has become the West Essex hot spot, something about it draws kids in, according to Abbot, because where everyone goes is where he wants to be.

Bamboozle bands: the ‘best and the worst’ awards continued from page 13 they started getting air play. They had never even played a show, and a record label compared them to Fall Out Boy. They decided to pick up random kids on the street and make music for them. All they have to do is play it. So far, the approach has worked.

They played a number of classic songs, well classic for them. But as good as they are and as good as they sound their songs get tiring and boring very fast. But their concert was everything they said it would be.

Best stage presence

H.I.M.

H.I.M. stands for His Infernal Majesty, and their concert was awesome.

They started out with the song “Soul on Fire” and followed up with “Right Here in my Arms.” Lead singer Ville Valo, although he doesn’t look the same in person as he does in the videos, plays an amazing show. He sat there either drinking a coke, or a beer, or smoking a cigarette, purposely posing for every camera that he noticed pointing toward him.

His performance was amazing. The crowd was hyped up and crowd surf-

ing like it was going out of style. There weren’t many mosh- pits but the crowd screamed “Ville Valo” the entire time.

H.I.M’s performance at Bamboozle won’t be forgotten.

Most improved live performance:

SensesFail.

Sensesfail followed PATD, and well, like always, their live performance wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Although this one was better than some of the other concerts, it still barely made it to the good scale. There’s just too much blah blah with the crowd, and not enough of the singing, which is what got them there in the first place, and when they did sing it didn’t sound too good.

Most waited for performance on Sunday:

Taking Back Sunday.

First, they made it big with their first CD “Tell All Your Friends” which had songs like “Cute Without The E” and “There’s No I In Team.” Then, they made another huge hit CD “Where You Want To Be” on which the only real big song is “This Photograph Is Proof.”

Then, after four years they released their latest CD “Louder Now.” TBS played a loud and furious show that fans would call nothing more than perfect. They played all the favorites along with the newest songs that appear on their latest CD. Best band from both days:

A.F.I.

A.F.I. (A Fire Inside). This performance was thumping with teenagers waiting for Davey Havoc to make his appearance finally after two years.

Here’s the story behind it: Davey Havoc the lead singer of A.F.I. had messed up his voice during his last concert in 2003.

After almost three years of surgery, A.F.I. had the best entrance of the night.

The whole stage was dark as fog took over. Then, the beginning bass drum of Miseria Cantare-the beginning. Then, a light flashed down to the drummer playing the beginning of the song. The crowd grew silent waiting for Davey.

The rest of the band came out from stage left, and the silence that was once upon the crowd of hundreds, now turned into a loud roar of hungry teenagers waiting for the only thing that can satisfy their hunger, A.F.I.. Playing songs like “Sing the Sorrow,” “Girls Not

Grey,” and “Silver And Cold” A.F.I. blew Bamboozle away, thanking the crowd for their on-going support and telling them to see A.F.I. play in New York on May 22 and 23.

Loudest band of Bamboozle:

Silverstein.

Here comes that urge for that teenage rage again. Hailing from the south suburbs of Chicago, they are a great live band. They are tight, powerful, and they deliver their tunes with a sense of conviction and honesty.

Their success is well deserved.

The song “Smashed into Pieces “has grown into a monster from the swamps of New Jersey armed with a chest length beard and a firing mechanism so brutal that it could wipe out a herd of buffalo.

The Bamboozle tour was amazing and not to be forgotten. It was so good that Bamboozle officials decided to extend the party out west and play a concert in California called “Bamboozle Left.”

So, whether you like hard-core or soft-core music, Bamboozle is the concert for you. And unless you want to drive to California for the Bamboozle Left, I’ll see you next year for Bamboozle 2007.

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Summer Movie / DVD Rental Reviews

When the dog days of summer get to you...

by Ashley Begega ‘08 In the summer when the rain starts to pour and the sun shies away, options are limited. Instead of running to the theater or a mall, sit down and cuddle up with one of the many movies coming out on DVD this summer.

Pop in She’s The Man, a comedy that on the surface may seem to have been told 100 times: girl wants boy, boy wants someone else, and girl and guy end up happily ever after in the end.

However, it brings twists and turns all its own. Then prepare to laugh.

In She’s The Man, what you see is not always what you get. This movie is about a girl who is pretending to be her brother, and while she is taking his place at school, a whirlwind of laughs and comedic plot twists arise.

Rising comedic actor Amanda Bynes shines playing dual roles while still staying true to her comedic roots.

That’s why I give this movie 3 smiley faces.

Speaking of versatility, in V for Vendetta Natalie Portman undergoes an extreme transformation in this film set in the future. It’s an irrepressible ride filled with death, love, suppression, and terrorism which takes place in England.

Evey (Natalie Portman) breaks the mold and endures terror, abduction, abuse, and not to mention a haircut from hell.

In the end it is worth it because this movie is a thriller from beginning to end, which is why I rate this movie 4.5 stars.

When TV shows come out on DVD, people flock to the nearby video store and pick up a copy of a favorite because these shows are the ones grabbing viewers’ attention all year long, and now they will be making waves all summer long.

Curb Your Enthusiasm, an HBO show starring the creator of Seinfeld, (the show that coined phrases such as the “slow talker”, the “close talker,” and “yadda yadda yadda”) is a hilarious show whose memorable episodes include a dispute about sandwiches named the Larry David and the Ted Danson and a missing Sopranos DVD cover whose mystery doesn’t end until Larry David reaches heaven.

Without a script Larry David brings new meaning to the term situational comedy, and Curb Your Enthusiasm may be the pinnacle of his career outshining his very successful show Seinfeld because the cast takes it upon themselves to turn another show about nothing into the new wave of comedic sitcoms without a script and with little in the war of plot introduction. Curb Your Enthusiasm may make the grade and become the best comedy since Seinfeld, which is why I gave it 4 smiley faces.

From a sitcom about nothing, to one of the most underrated, hysterical

shows in prime time, King of Queens comes in under the radar. With its witty satire of physical and verbal comedy, King of Queens is a must see show for those slapstick lovers. The show is about the marriage of Doug and Carrie and the third party Carrie’s not so everyday father.

Doug, an overweight parcel driver, is a ball of laughs on his non-stop journey to find time alone with his wife, when he calls a dog walker to occupy his father-in-law so that he can spend time with his wife alone in his house.

As the quintessential husband Doug reminds me of my uncle which is why I love the show so much, and I’m sure there is a Doug in everyone’s family whose lovable antics keep everyone laughing by doing silly everyday tasks with a hilarious twist.

When King of Queens escapes from the world of TV it will become an essential addition to your DVD collection, I give this DVD 3.5 smiley faces.

From comedy to dramedy comes the mix between side splitting laughter and enthralling drama, Laguna Beach and Desperate Housewives are bringing all the addictive drama home this summer.

The second installment of Laguna Beach is the guilty pleasure that most teenagers can’t help but love. The show chronicles the senior year of Kristin, the scene-stealing vixen, who was despised

by LC who ruled the school during season one.

From beginning to end it seems that these “real” people documented on the show thrive on drama and are not the best people in the world, but it is almost impossible to stop watching it because it is unbelievable to see the everyday trials of their lives.

Pray that your life will never be as dramatic as the lives of the girls and guys living in Laguna Beach. I would give this show 2.5 smiley faces.

From “The Real OC” to the real lives hidden underneath the happy faces living on Wisteria Lane, Desperate Housewives is the Sunday night phenomenon that has gotten both men and women hooked on its deplorably twisted plot.

Living up to its reputation, the second season of Desperate Housewives is jam packed with back stabbing, murdering, lusting, and betraying, which makes it hard not to get captivated by the lives of Brea, Gabrielle, Susan, Lynette, and Edie. It’s one of the hottest shows on TV. If you are one of the millions of viewers watching this show, I am sure you would agree with me that this show deserves 4 smiley faces.

From TV on DVD to movies from the past, Some like It Hot, and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape are returning from VHS land and emerge on DVD. The astounding Marylyn Monroe stars in this film about two men who continued on page 19

TV REVIEW

The Hills: MTV’s “alternative new guilty pleasure”

by Katie Clavin ‘07 Serving as the first spin-off of Laguna Beach, MTV’s new reality show, The Hills, has finally arrived, and it’s had me at the edge of my seat.

Although there’s no more high school drama, I still found myself absorbed in Lauren’s (no longer LC) new lifestyle.

The premiere episode, entitled, “New City, New Drama,” started off with Lauren’s move from Laguna to Hollywood. Lauren is arriving at her new villa and guess who’s tanning by the pool?

The one and only, Heidi. For those who don’t know, Heidi appeared from time to time on Laguna as one of LC’s sidekicks.

Before Lauren could even move into her new place, her cell phone rang, and yes, her ring tone was Journey’s “Anyway You Want It.” Teen Vogue

was calling to tell her that her interview had been changed and it’s now in 20 minutes! (This wasn’t set up at all!)

After being asked the tough question of “Why Teen Vogue?” Lauren and her viewers had high hopes for her internship. Eventually, Lauren got a call from Teen Vogue telling her that she’s hired. Shocking, I know.

Lauren’s first job for her new internship required her to make sure that no one sat in the VIP seats at Vogue’s latest party. Sounds simple enough, right?

But wait… this is an MTV reality show. As Lauren’s friends crash the party, they, of course, sit in the one “no sitting allowed” area that Lauren was supposed to be watching.

The premiere ends with Lauren being told by her boss that she wants to have a serious talk with Lauren on Monday. And you thought drama only

happened on Laguna Beach.

The second episode, “A Change of Plans,” definitely held true to its title. Heidi got an actual job with Bolthouse, the number one party throwing company in Los Angeles, which led her to cut school and also led to Lauren singing “Fashion School Dropout…”

And so as not to let me down, Lauren’s boss had a talk with her that Monday at work, but don’t worry, she didn’t get yelled at; she “got scolded.”

The Hills takes on the same appeal that made Laguna Beach such a big hit. I personally seem to have high hopes for the season, as the previews show Lauren’s old boyfriend, Jason, coming to visit her.

The end of Laguna may have left a hole in the hearts of its audience, but The Hills has become MTV’s alternative, new guilty pleasure.

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Morgan Freeman speaks of “wishes coming true”

by Mara Alessi ‘08 “You are looking at someone who’s had every wish come true,” said actor/director Morgan Freeman at Tribeca’s Performing Arts Center in the Borough of Manhattan Community College on Sunday, April 30.

Throughout the Tribeca Talk panel discussion Freeman reiterated that dreams really do come true, but only if the dreamer is focused.

“You’ve got to recognize it and want it,” according to Freeman who stressed the difference between wanting and liking. The word “want” to Freeman “means total focus” whereas the word “like” means much less commitment.

And Freeman’s focus does not allow him-

self to get sidetracked from his priorities.

In fact, when the job gets tough, when writers play with the script at the last minute, and when actors aren’t doing a good job, Freeman thinks “about the money,” and it’s the “most honest answer” that the moderator Richard Brown admitted to having gotten from an actor.

Freeman also stressed the importance of “silence,” which he called “golden” in the industry. The best artists in the business “really have know how to milk silence,” according to Freeman. “I’m not waiting for my line, as an actor”[or] for my cue,” said Freeman “I’m listening.”

In the spirit of the Tribeca Film Festival, Freeman cited the first movie that he remembers: King Kong. “It might not be the first one I saw,” according to Freeman, but “it was the first movie

I remember.” He was only 6. Freeman, in fact, felt like the “co-star,” unofficially.

“I kept screaming at the screen,” in fear of the barbaric ape. He kept covering his eyes and running down the aisles terrified. However, as he grew older, he became less and less afraid and more and more intrigued. “As time went on, my fascination [with the movies] became more and more acute.”

At the age of 12 Freeman had already done a handful of school plays. “I did a lot of play acting when I was young,” Freeman said. “I was real good at playing make believe.” It was at that time that he remembers feeling sure about what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. “I had this sense of power on stage,” said Freeman, “I knew exactly where I was and everything I was doing.”

School pride: number one priority for years to come

by Jack Vidovich ‘08 Two senior students paint the senior class mural in a hallway under dim and dangling lights, exposed pipes, and hanging wires where a ceiling should be. They are seniors Adam Nisivoccia and Krista Rieckert, and the mural is their senior service project. Assisted by Blair Johnson and Sean Graham the painting adds a bit of life to an otherwise bleak and depressing hallway.

“We hope to represent our class in the best way possible,” said Nisivoccia, and Rieckert agreed.

Meanwhile, senior Mike Mejia, member of this year’s Aesthetics Club, chose not to participate in senior service so that he could continue with the club’s legacy: spreading school spirit and making the school more exciting and less mundane.

“I’d rather help out with the school, which really needs the help, rather than [help] people I don’t know.”

The club, advised by English teacher Mr. Neil Fardin, has tried to improve the appearance and spirit of the school.

Fardin also believes that the school is divided because of students’ “personal” and “individual interest.”

“It’s difficult to see results” from the club’s projects even though a growing sense of restoring pride emerged, according to Fardin, but he is pleased with the “fun environment” the Aesthetics Club has created which he hopes has

made the students’ lives at West Essex less monotonous.

He also credits the club’s “triumvirate,” seniors Matt De Troia, Dan Stivaly, and Mejia, with helping the club out. He praised the efforts, ideas, and sacrifices that they made to benefit not only the club but also the rest of the school.

School pride and school spirit have always been a problem at West Essex, however, according to science teacher, Ms. Deanna Lippi.

Attributed in the past to the school’s status as a regional district, the lack of a “community” feel has distanced the students from the school.

School spirit was “at an all time low before Christmas Break,” according to Physical Education teacher Mr. William Wosilius, who decided to try and lift students’ morale by standing outside the main entrance and parading around the hallways in a Santa hat and jingling bells.

Students do become enthusiastic about their individual activities, according to sophomore Mike Rieckert, who is proud to play for West Essex’s football and hockey teams and who believes that “[West Essex] has pretty low spirit right now.”

Sophomore David Grau also notes that “outside of school sports, there is no enthusiasm [in the school.]”

Director of guidance, Dr. Jacqueline Moore whose room would have given any visitor a homey and comfortable feeling, said that school morale is dependant on many factors and referred to mainly the environment and interac-

tions between people.

She explained that she had filled her room with paintings and pastel colors so that she and her visitors would feel uplifted when they entered her office as she reiterated how important the conditions of students’ surroundings are.

She said that the “ceilings, bathrooms, and the manner in which people treat each other” are all problems that plague West Essex.

Filled with pride and joy over her new grand-daughter, Lucy, however Moore admits that the happiness felt “foreign” to her. “When she was born,” Moore said, “I was filled with such happiness, that I had to pause and think.

‘Why is this such a foreign feeling to me?’” She then realized that this occurred to her because of the negative feelings she constantly dealt with at school.

Mr. Wosilius believed that the school’s physical condition and lack of progress with construction are major factors in West Essex’s “record low” morale.

Sophomore Amanda Nichols agrees: “The first step to lifting school spirit would be to finish the construction. A new school would have a new attitude. It is depressing to come into a school with no ceilings and where the heat is becoming unbearable. When the construction is finished, both of these problems will be amended.”

Despite all the issues with which he is faced, like minimal security for his classes’ instruments and no actual band room, music teacher Frank Batsch stays positive. “I do have a lot of spirit for West Essex,” he said. “I enjoy working here and look forward to the future of the school.”

Summer fun DVD rentals and movie picks continued from 18 witness a mob hit and hide in drag in an all girl band. Each man either falls in love with one of the women in the band or has a man falling in love with him, no her, no him.

Although this 1959 movie fits right in with 21st century humor offering tons of laughs and hysterical plot twists, I give it 2 smiley faces, since it may require an acquired taste to fall in love with this movie.

From hilarity to disparity, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is a real tearjerker whose cast includes

Johnny Depp and a young Leonardo DiCaprio.

It is hard to say who makes you cry more, the lonely yet caring Gilbert Grape, the severely overweight mother who is constantly tortured by neighbors and on lookers, or Arnie Grape, Gilbert’s autistic brother who tries so hard to be “a big boy” is forever stuck as the baby of the family.

With a tagline like “Arnie knows a secret: his big brother Gilbert is the greatest person on the planet,” it is hard not to fall in love with the char-

acters and the heart warming film itself, which launched the careers of both Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio’s, which is why this movie gets all 5 smiley faces.

Although the weather may be wicked outside, it may be nothing compared to the raindrop sized tears that will fall from your eyes or the thunderous booms of laughter that will rattle your house. When your smile flashes brighter than the crack of lightning outside, recognize it as just another way to have summer fun.

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feature

THE ALTERNATE COLLEGE VISIT

WB TV stars come together to share college info on. The U makes it clear that, although Brown’s Rhode Island surroundings might not appeal to some, its lack of required courses is definitely a selling point.

How about this honest statement by Smallville’s Kristin Kreuk. “Looking for a small, private college? Skip to the next school.” Kreuk’s statement may sound abrupt, but keep in mind: she’s

guide) available right from one’s couch.

Each segment runs about twenty minutes long, and there is no host—simply a camera crew (and, one assumes, a Until now, going on a “college visit” team of interviewers), recording daily meant spending one weekend, approxicampus life. mately 48 hours, visiting one or two The types of schools included in The schools. That was then. This is now. And U are endless, and the DVDs will break now is “The U,” a virtual tour of 50 coldown exactly what students are looking leges that takes just over 15 hours. for.

“The U” is a set of DVDs covering the Is the 50 most popular schools school rural or in the nation that, acurban? Well, if cording to creator Doug Armed with candid student interviews, “rethe segment Imbruce, gives students port cards” of everything from the likeability b e i n g “the information they watched is of professors to the relative “hotness” of stuneed—and can’t get the University from the school itself.” dents, and detailed shots of the campus, The of Illinois, a And Imbruce is right.

U has everything that a student would find college that The kicker? For on a campus tour .

The U desome, The U’s appeal scribes as “a will, in part, be the introbig state duction of each college by a WB network star. However, those who don’t talking about the University of Michi- school surrounded by cornfields” and watch the WB don’t need to worry be- gan, which, she continues, “is big in size “more cow than cosmo,” then you probably won’t be surprised when the word cause what the actors have to say is more and spirit.”

Armed with candid student interviews, “RURAL” pops up on your screen. important than who they are. “report cards” of everything from the And if you’re watching the segment on Just take this quote from one of the introductions. “This place definitely isn’t likeability of professors to the relative NYU and don’t already know that it’s an for everyone, but it could be for you.” “hotness” of students, and detailed urban school, Everwood’s Gregory The school? Brown. The WB actor? shots of the campus, The U has every- Smith will let you know. After going Everwood’s Chris Pratt. As one watches thing that a student would find on a cam- through a list of clichéd college images, the Brown segment, he or she will soon pus tour (adding important information, including toga parties and getting lost in realize that Pratt’s assessment is spot and ditching the annoyingly perky tour the quad, Smith tells you to “forget all

by Marissa Grossman ‘06

that—and welcome to New York City” as The U pans through shots of Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and Madison Avenue.

And if you want to know if the school is competitive, just check out the report card for Academics, a report card that gives Ivy League University of Pennsylvania an “A+.” However, don’t think that an A+ in academics means an F in social life because, as one student interviewed puts it, going to U Penn means “going to an Ivy League school that knows how to throw a good party.”

Despite The U’s effectiveness, don’t be completely dissuaded from visiting colleges. Even Imbruce admits that nothing can completely take the place of seeing one’s top choice schools firsthand. However, if a person is unsure about his or her interest in a school and wants to narrow down the list of schools to visit, or just doesn’t have time to take the trip, The U will definitely have what he or she is looking for.

Serving up over twelve hours of content and more than 10,000 student interviews, The U is broken up into five different DVDs titled “Ivy League,” “The West,” “The Midwest,” “The South,” and “The Northeast.” They can be purchased as a set for 39.99, or individually, at www.theu.com

Student body split on success of war on terror

by Mike McConnell ‘08 Students at West Essex Regional School are split on what to do about the threat of nuclear weapons development in Iran and North Korea. One student believes that “they should be stopped,” although an equal number of students believe that the US needs to take a more passive approach.

“It’s not [our] country,” stated one student in response to a Wessex Wire survey. “Our problem is we butt into everything.”

Although students are split on what to do now regarding the development of nuclear weapons, a large majority would support military use to remove nuclear weapons from either of these countries, or any other rogue nations, as a last resort. As support for this action, one student stated that “nuclear weapons are extremely devastating.”

In response to the current war, most students believe that the US is winning the war in Iraq but not the war on terror. One student believes that we are winning in Iraq

because “we took out Iraq’s leader and [put] new Iraqi leaders in office.” Another student believes we are losing the war on terror because “we have not [seen] results.”

The majority of students agree, however, that “we should leave when Iraqi leaders can run the government and the country on their own,” while the rest believe “our main goal was accomplished and w e h a v e n o r e a s o n t o s t a y. ” Sophomore Drew Heller quoted President Bush in response to how long the U.S. should stay in Iraq: “Until we finish the job in Iraq we should not leave. If they want us to go they will tell us.”

Among the majority of students who believe that the US decision to go to war with Iraq is justified, one student called Iraq a “big threat to our country,” whereas another who disagrees with the war stated that the Iraq war “didn’t change anything.”

A majority of students support the National Security Agency (NSA) spy program that allows President Bush to authorize wire tap calls of suspected terrorists without a warrant from a judge.

One student believes that “he the minority disagrees that the US should do what he needs to pro- can even fight a war on terror. Jason Martins added that terrorism will “never” be In response to the current war, destroyed. “There most students believe that the will always be some who believe US is winning the war in Iraq in terrorism,” who but not the war on terror. are brought up to commit terrorist acts. Another survey respondent agrees that “terrortect the country.”

Junior Steven Monin disagrees ism will always be around.”

A majority of those who disand quoted Benjamin Franklin, agree with the war agree, however, “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security that the world is better off without will deserve neither and lose both.” Saddam Hussein in power. As reaHeller is one of only a slight ma- sons to support his overthrow, stujority who believes the war in Iraq dents cited the fact that he “killed is effective in fighting the war on his own people,” and one student terror. “Going to war with Iraq is a called him a “fascist dictator.”

During his trial, however, start to fighting the global war on terror because the investigation Saddam Hussein has attacked members of the Bush Administramust start somewhere” Then again, Heller asked, “Who tion and has called them liars and are we to call others terrorists?” murderers. The majority of students Another student added that “Iraq do not believe that they are liars is a large country and is nearby the and murderers, and one student other countries that may have ter- cited these comments as proof that Saddam Hussein is “oblivious to rorists as well.”

Although almost evenly split, what he has done.”

In this section: In this section: In this issue: Among the Mugs............................24 Coach Albanese’s poem................27 Coach Cosse’s pregnancy.............22

“Dreams do come true” for West Essex baseball team

by Ryan Logan ‘08 Somewhere over the rainbow, skies struggled to stay blue, but the dreams the varsity baseball team dared to dream, really did come true.

“When we arrived at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium,” said varsity baseball coach Scott Illiano, “we talked a lot about how winning the Greater Newark Tournament title was a dream of ours.”

And when the Knights took the field with defending champion Seton Hall Prep to vie for the 74th GNT title, an enormous rainbow, as clear as day, arched over the stadium.

“At the time I thought nothing of it,” said sophomore pitcher Frank Firavanti, who explained that the team noticed the rainbow after they had finished talking about their “dream” of winning the GNT. Standing in the way, however, was junior flamethrower Rick Porcello who anchored the Seton Hall Prep Pirates to a 20-3-1 season and earned them the top seed in the tournament.

“He is an exceptional pitcher,” said Illiano of Porcello’s success. “I think he could be drafted as high as the first round next year,” Illiano added. “I’m not exaggerating when I say that realistically, he could be a millionaire next year.”

Porcello had dominated his opponents all year long. His fastball had been clocked at speeds up to 96 m.p.h. and had dazzled major league scouts, but he had to battle with a resilient Knights lineup that had

Junior John Baab dives into first base during the Greater Newark Tournament championship game against the Seton Hall Prep Pirates, a game they later won 52. This victory was the first GNT title in the history of West Essex.

-photo courtesy of nj.com

been preparing for him all week long.

“We turned up the dial on our pitching machine for about a week,” said Illiano on how his team prepared to combat Porcello’s fastball.

In the week leading up to the big game, freshmen coach Steve Trongone, who had pitched for Montclair State and had won a Division III College World Series title, came in and pitched from a forty foot distance behind an ‘L’ screen to “simulate a 95 m.p.h. fastball.”

The Knights, for the most part, were held in check by Porcello, but had worked deep into Porcello’s pitch count. Seton Hall Prep opted to reliever Mike Ness in the top of the 6th inning to pitch in the middle of a 2-2 ball game.

Outfielders Anthony Dalonges and Steve Zurawiecki singled to start the inning, but Ness fielded freshman second basemen Joe D’Annunzio’s sacrifice bunt attempt and threw to third base to get the force out.

Senior shortstop Mark Ruggiero followed with a ground ball to the shortstop for a potential inning ending double play.

The out was recorded for the runner going to second, but the hustling senior beat out the throw to first base and kept the inning alive.

With runners on first and third and two outs, junior catcher John Baab stepped up to the plate with the opportunity to try to put the Knights ahead against the favored Seton Hall Prep Pirates.

“I knew I was the man in the spot there,”

said Baab. “After Mark had a real good at bat and then beat out the throw to first, I got pretty pumped up,” Baab added. “I was just looking to put a good swing on the ball.”

It is well known in baseball that when the opposition fails to put you away, you better make it hurt.

Baab settled into the batter’s box and roped a first pitch fastball to right field for a two run triple, giving the Knights a 4-2 lead that would eventually hold for a 5-2 victory over the home squad.

“It was a great feeling,” said Baab.

“But we all knew that we had to put it behind us and play defense because there’s no telling what a team like Seton Hall Prep can do with two more opportunities to bat.”

Baab’s hit proved to be the game winner for the Knights, and even though Illiano hadn’t seen the rainbow, he had seen something earlier in the game that stuck in his memory.

“I think, perhaps, the most important play of the game came in the 3rd inning with a runner on first with nobody out and us trailing 2-0,” said Illiano.

Junior ace Dom Raimondo gave up a leadoff single, Seton Hall attempted a sacrifice bunt to get the runner on first base over to second for the price of one out. Baab fielded the bunt cleanly and fired the ball over to senior first baseman Kevin Picardo for the out. The Seton Hall baserunner saw that the Knight’s junior third basemen Vin Valerian had

not yet retreated to the base to cover and decided to go for the bag.

“Kevin’s arm hasn’t been 100% healthy all season,” said Illiano, “but he came through in a huge spot and made a picture perfect throw over to Vinny to get their runner out.”

That made it two outs with nobody on base, instead of a runner on third with only one out.

“Had we fallen behind 3-0 in that spot in that game,”saidIlliano,“Idon’tknowifwewould have gone on to win.”

Illiano added that his defense had been “spectacular” all year long and that the play was “just more of the same.”

TheKnightswentfrom“questioning”themselvesat5-4ontheseason,accordingtoIlliano, to a 19-5 team of young men piling on top of each other at Bears and Eagles Riverfront stadium as County Champions.

“Piling on the mound didn’t really hit me until I got home,” said Raimondo, who allowedjusttworunsinfivetournamentgames, one of the best GNT performances in the tournament’s 74 year history.

“I’m still not sure if it hit me yet,” said Raimondo. “All I can tell you is that unless we do it again next year, or I go to the World Series, that may have been the best moment inmylife.”

The rainbow was long gone after the game, butthesymbolismstuckintheplayers’minds.

“Some of the kids joked after the game that there was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” Illiano said.

That gold turned out to be the first GNT victory in the history of West Essex Knights varsity baseball.

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Throughout pregnancy Cosse had “ things under control”

by Kristen Ricigliano ‘08 Just before halftime, Jill Cosse stands on the sideline of the West Essex varsity girls’ lacrosse field in front of her team, holding her clipboard, and screams out: “Kimmy, call for the ball. Keep cutting so your team mates can see you.” About a minute or so later, senior captain Kim Pantages scores a goal, securing an early victory for West Essex over the Chatham girls’ lacrosse team.

As halftime approaches and the team heads off the field, Cosse walks them back into the locker room after congratulating Pantages. Although routine for Cosse, coaching this game is strikingly different for one reason: Cosse was at the end of her first pregnancy.

Now a mother to May 23rd-born baby girl Evangeline Cosse Minella, whom she, her husband, and the team already call “Evie,” Cosse was back by the third round of the state tournament against Chatham.

Cosse, the Star-Ledger “Coach of the Year” clearly did not let the pregnancy get in her way.

Although she had taken a leave, she continued to teach in the junior high school until about 2 weeks into her eighth month but continued coaching the varsity girls lacrosse team until the end of the regular season.

Her pregnancy sparked rumors throughout the school of not only how the lacrosse team would continue through states once she gives birth, but also the circumstances under which the birth would happen.

While Cosse admitted that coaching during her pregnancy has been “hard on everybody involved,” she said that “things have gone as smoothly as possible,” since her players, family and co-workers have “greatly cooperated” with her.

In fact, after one game where Cosse felt that the team did not play as well as they should have, the captains hosted a practice at 5:00 in the morning on their own since they knew that Cosse’s doctor’s appointment after school would prevent her from being there.

The fact that the students didn’t know when Cosse

would go into labor did not stop them from focusing on their season.

“We practiced hard everyday, in fact sometimes I pushed the team harder because I know that Cosse would expect that,” said junior lacrosse player Becky McClain.

Pantages believed that “Cosse is and always will be dedicated to her team, her job and her players.” She has been “busy, but she knows what she is capable of, and she is doing it.”

That is why, she said, Cosse still attended every practice and game until she could not physically go any longer.

“Obviously, I couldn’t be as available to my team as I have in previous seasons,” said Cosse. “Sometimes, I physically couldn’t do things such as running and training with the team as I have done before, but I still coached and was there as much as I could,” she added.

“We have really been tested as a team,” according to McClain. “We had a greater responsibility to practice and play hard, especially since Cosse had been restricted this season as to when we could have practice and what physical activity she could do.”

The ninth-year coach at West Essex felt that it was a “necessity to have players who are physically and mentally tough, despite the circumstances.” In addition to her belief that “to play a varsity game, you must run a 6:30 mile or better,” Cosse stresses the point that in order for any team to be successful, with or without a coach’s help, ”players must be very vocal and know the tendencies of their teammates.”

Despite Cosse’s pregnancy and her “occasional mood swings,” Pantages believes that if anything, “the players and captains have learned discipline and it has brought us closer together as a team.”

All of the girls “understood” the situation and have come together for the benefit of supporting Cosse and each other, according to junior Carissa Franzi.

As previous state champions who consistently make it far into the state tournament, the team had lost 2 games this season but had still secured a high spot in the state tournament at the end of May,

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL

Sidelined captain changed team strategy With only one year of experience under his belt, captain Evan Balter had already made a positive impact on the West Essex boys’ volleyball team.

However, an unfortunate turn of events after spiking a volleyball at practice left Balter with a dislocated shoulder and four to six weeks of bench time.

After numerous losses, one being the season opener against Lakeland, Balter’s leave of absence was a bigger disadvantage to the team than most anticipated.

“Balter was a huge part of our offense and defense,” said head coach Bill Humes.

“With him we are a better team,” he added but, Humes believes that they “came together as a team much quicker” because they “had to.”

With the team captain injured for a portion of the season, everyone had to “focus more” and “expect more from themselves,” according to Humes.

However, Balter had high hopes for the team. “We have a bunch of great hitters so we were fine,” he said.

Luckily, some players “stepped up” and took on a larger role “within minutes of [Balter] getting injured,” said Humes.

As a junior, Balter led the team in scoring during the 2005 season while also achieving the title of first team All-League and first team All- County.

Along with earning these titles, Balter broke the school record for kills which stood at 360.

Balter’s record for kills currently stands at 382.

“I didn’t know I broke any records until the off season, but [after I found out] I felt pretty fortunate to have done it,” said Balter.

Now, a year later, Balter carried his titles and achievements with him as the “deserving” boys’ volleyball captain, according to Humes.

“Other teams planned their defense around him,” said Humes. “We had to read what they were doing and use him in ways that will make us most successful.”

Without Balter in the game, the team tried to accomplish their “goals” with the “personnel” they had, Humes --Jenna Cirangle ‘07

Jill Cosse (above) continued to coach through her last month of pregnancy.

-photo courtesy of Kim Pantages

coincidently around the same time of Cosse’s due date.

Cosse planned on only missing a week after she gave birth to her child. During that time, assistant coach Kathy Morrissey did most of the coaching, as well as freshman coach Jarrod Cappello and former player Jen Lozito.

“We had been preparing the entire season with hard work, captains practices, and backup plans so we would know what to do when states came around,” according to junior captain Deana Hagel.

The backup plan was discussed by the team in case she unexpectedly went into the labor.

Her husband, Anthony Minnella, an industrial arts teacher at West Essex, went to every game and practice to keep an eye on her. Also, all of the members of the team had his cell phone number so they could always get in touch with him.

Minnella was “proud” of Cosse’s accomplishments and didn’t worry that much because he “knew that she always has things under control.”

As for the team next year, and West Essex field hockey preseason, which starts in mid-August, “Cosse will come back,” according to Hagel. “We have great assistant coaches and great captains,” she added.

“A lot of a team’s success is based on trust as well,” Cosse said. “They must trust [that] this can work, that this season can still be a success, and I had to trust them that they will make it work even if I am not there.”

Likewise, Hagel believed that “everyone will work together to help the team.”

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23

Girls’ softball wins “the most important game of their lives”

by Dan Coplon ‘07 Tiaras, capes, mismatched socks, and boxer shorts are not usually what someone would imagine when they think of a softball team. But maybe the newly crowned state sectional softball champions, signaled a win that was to come.

“This was the most important game of the girls’ lives,” according to Andrea Mondadori, the West Essex softball coach, about the Knights’ 1-0 victory over Caldwell High School. “Instead of getting themselves all nervous, they decided to do something that would take their minds off of the pressure,” Mondadori added.

“We’ve played Caldwell the past six years and have never won,” said junior first baseman, Dina Costanza. “We wanted to make sure that we weren’t too nervous,” Costanza added.

“The idea behind wearing the crown was that we wanted the crown over Caldwell,” said Costanza.

And the team did more than just dress up; they celebrated their chance to play in a sectional championship.

“We took a radio onto the bus and had dance party on the way there,” added Costanza. “I think keeping our minds off of the pressure is what helped us to win.”

But the team also made sure to follow all of their winning pregame routines.

“Before the game, as usual, we went to ‘Aplus’ to get Gatorades, Shannon Collins [the senior catcher for West Essex] made me a sand-

wich, I sat in the front of the bus to the game, was clear to me that not only is she a great and I wore my sunglasses during warm-ups,” ac- athlete but [that] she was [also] completely cording to West Essex pitcher, Danielle Bertscha. unaffected by the pressure of a tightly conAnd the idea of keeping things “light” carried tested game,” Illiano said.

After seeing Bertscha’s reaction to her runover from the pregame bus ride onto the pitcher’s in with the writer, Illiano “was convinced that mound, according to Bertscha.

“During the game, I turned around to my outfield it was very unlikely that she would get rattled, while I was pitching and started joking with them.” and [he] knew she would come through for The pressure of big games doesn’t get to her team.”

And that’s just what happened.

Berstcha’s head. “Because I’ve played in so many pressure games before, it doesn’t really bother me anymore,” Bertscha said.

“You can’t be a pitcher if you can’t handle the pressure.

It’s part of the territory.”

Bertscha plays to “have fun” but it was anything but fun for her competitors.

Through seven innings against a Caldwell squad ranked 16 th in the state, Bertscha conceded just two hits, one walk, and no runs.

West Essex baseball head coach, Scott Illiano, noticed Bertscha’s “poise” when she bumped into Bill Allen, a sportswriter for the Progress, while stepping up to bat.

The varsity softball team celebrates after their 8-0 victory over “When I saw Danielle Parsippany Hills High School. smiling and laughing after -photo by Dina Costanza bumping into Bill Allen, it

Players’ superstitions range from “obvious” to “innocuous”

by J.J. McNamara ‘07 For each and every varsity tennis match, senior Dan Landy wears the same shorts, shoes, and undershirts.

In fact, he has also worn the same hat for fourteen years and has to play each match with the same racket. Landy believes it all brings him “good luck.”

And it has worked as Landy and his doubles partner, Jared Prince, finished the year with a 23-2 record.

In the finals of the group 2 team state tournament when they faced off against Tenafly, Landy drank Adjani water and lost the first set.

Then, he decided to get a bottle of what he calls his “good luck water.” After he drank some Evian, they came back to win two sets in a row and win the match.

Although he knows he’s just being superstitious, he refuses to change a thing. “When you do something well, you try to recreate the success,” Landy said.

But Landy is not alone Sophomore junior varsity softball player Kristin Kuscin puts her uniform on the same way every time, especially after a win. Kuscin says that when she is in the field and sophomore Sarah Wagner is pitching, she has to cheer until Wagner throws a ball out of the strike zone.

When Kuscin is up at bat, she has to keep pulling the legs of her shorts down “after every pitch.” Kuscin always used to wear a Yankees sweat band when she played softball at Trinity Academy in Caldwell in junior high, but lost it one day and became upset.

Even though she didn’t have her sweat band, a few games later her team was still doing well, which made her “realize how stupid [superstitions] can be,” said Kuscin.

“But still I always have to pull down the left leg of my sliders out of the box, and if I say something before [Wagner] throws a pitch, and she throws a strike, I say it again so she’ll throw another strike and keep doing it until she doesn’t throw

a strike.”

Although she calls the habits “stupid,” she believes that “doing” them has brought her “good luck,” so she refuses to give them up.

Now that softball season is over, she believes that the things she did helped her in subconscious ways, by not having to

vious to the innocuous.” For instance, Illiano refuses to wash his uniform when his team is on a winning streak, but “that’s hard to do when your team is on an eleven game win streak,” he said.

He sits in the exact chair in his office when filling out the official lineup card before a game. “I could not stop using the same pen until the GNT tournament was over, even though the cap broke” said Illiano.

Every Friday night before tournament games Illiano sits on the stoop of his patio. Before the GNT finals game, however, it rained and his patio was completely soaked, but Illiano sat on his stoop anyway just to make sure that he did everything in his power to keep his team’s winning streak alive.

Throughout his team’s county tournament run, Illiano repeated many rituals from the other games in which his team had met with success. In fact, before every tournament game Illiano had to text message his friend while leaning against the wall across from the ice machine, right before getting on the bus.

He went so far as disobeying his doctor’s orders, wore his contacts, and got pink eye, just to keep the winning streak from ending. Because he had worn his contacts throughout the winning streak, he risked vision problems just to “keep [the] streak alive.”

So what’s the point of all these superstitions? “You’re trying to control something that you don’t have control over, but it gets to a point where if you think you’re winning because of something you’re doing or not doing, you begin to believe [that the rituals are the reason]. Illiano said.

“You [don’t want to] risk jeopardizing that belief.”

“ I think that superstitions provide you with a belief that you can control the outcome, but in all actuality that is probably not true” -Scott Illiano worry about how her performance might affect the team, according to Kuscin.

And affecting the team is the main concern of head varsity baseball coach Scott Illiano who was so superstitious that he would not even conduct an interview until the conclusion of the Essex county Greater Newark Tournament game against the Seton Hall Prep Pirates.

Illiano and his team won 5-2 in an upset over Seton Hall Prep and took the Greater Newark Tournament, the first baseball county tournament win in school history.Although the team played under the lights at Riverfront Stadium in Newark, Illiano even put on sun block before the game just because he had applied it before his other four GNT games, which happened to be played during the day.

“I diagnosed myself as being OCD, but only during baseball season from March to June,” he said.

“I think that superstitions provide you with a belief that you can control the outcome, but in all actuality that is probably not true,” added Illiano who believes, however, that if things are going well, it forces those who are superstitious to continue using superstitions.

And these superstitions can range anywhere from the “ob-

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AMONG THE MUGS....

Who’s the most improved player of the 2006 season?

Girls’ Lacrosse Cat Serpe ‘08

Boys’ Volleyball Bobby Plucinsky ‘08

Girls’ Track Alexa Bono ‘07

Boys’ Baseball Anthony Dalonges ‘07

Sophomore Cat Serpe was asked to take her midfield play to another level this year because the girls’ lacrosse team lost so many seniors last season and their offensive style demanded more leaders. Serpe is a strong athlete who has the ability to change games with her play, according to head coach Jill Cosse.

Serpe learned from and worked with senior Kim Pantages in order to become the offensive leader of the future. Serpe is expected to be a strong athletic leader next year, but more important to the team will be her ability to lead the team mentally to take back the conference and the state, according to Cosse.

Although he is only a sophomore, Bobby Plucinsky has “already taken a role as a team leader,” said head coach Bill Humes.

Plucinsky understands the game of volleyball “as a coach would,” Humes added.

He reads situations well and prepares for the next move while he is still executing the previous one. His mind is always working, trying to figure out the strengths and the weaknesses of the opposing team.

Plucinsky is the team setter and “works to put other players in position for glory,” said Humes. This season Plucinsky became a much more efficient hitter on offense and a very good passer on defense. Humes expects him to continue to improve on both offense and defense and believes that Plucinsky “will be one of the players other teams have to stop in order to beat us.”

Junior Alexa Bono “gives 100% during practice,” according to coach Stacy Morris. Bono ran the 4X 800 relay in the counties and continued to improve her times in both events, Morris said. She also ran the 4X 400m relay when she was needed, added Morris. “Bono is a committed, hard worker who will run or throw any event for the team and will be a wonderful role model for the underclassman,” according to Morris who added that she is always willing to help others on the team or even run an event for someone who can’t. “She is always working to improve her times, and the track program is lucky to have her,” said Morris.

Junior Anthony Dalonges “played outstanding [as] center fielder and “gave everything he had,” according to head coach Scott Illiano. Dalonges even crashed into the center field fence on two occasions in an attempt to catch the ball, according to Illiano.

Batting .400 on the season, “Dalonges was also heroic to our team in the GNT tournament” said Illiano. He started the rally in the GNT final game by leading off the inning with a single that scored the go ahead run. “Not bad for a player who was never projected to be the team’s starting center fielder,” said Illiano, who added that Dalonges would not have had the opportunity if not for junior Mike Cordasco’s injury.

Boys’ Lacrosse Dan Stivaly ‘06

Golf Alair Muzzatti ‘07

Senior Dan Stivaly became a “very solid defenseman” as the season progressed, and he became one of the team leaders, according to varsity coach Timothy Glenn. Stivaly, who leads by example, is not only “one of the hardest workers on the team,” but he is also a “smart player,” according to Glenn. He also helps communicate difficult concepts to the younger, less experienced players. The loss of Stivaly will have a huge impact on the team since he was an integral member the West Essex’s lacrosse defensive unit as well as a positive role model for the younger players. “It will be difficult to replace him,” according to Glenn.

Junior golf player Alair Muzzatti “has come a long way” since the beginning of the season, according to head golf coach Thomas K e n n y. T h i s s e a s o n Muzzatti qualified for the Individual state girls’ championship. Muzzattti is “solid on and off the course.”

Since she will be a senior next season, Kenny expects her to “be even better” and to serve as a leadership figure for the team.

Boys’ Tennis Jeff Young ‘07 Jared Davidson ‘07 Juniors Jared Davidson and Jeff Young have “picked up their game this season,” according to head coach Don Albanese. Davidson, who plays doubles, has improved his volleys, his net game, but most important his overall mental approach.

Although Young has been fighting an elbow injury this season, he still made first singles while improving his backhand and increasing the strength with which he hits the balls. Albanese expects Davidson to make singles and Young to hold his position on the ladder.

Boys’ Track Ricky Lyons ‘06

Softball Brittany Burlazzi ‘07

Senior captain Ricky Lyons has a great work ethic and leads by example, according to head coach David Drozjock. For the second year in a row, Ricky led the team in scoring, according to Drozjock. He threw a 40ft 9in shot put, according to Drozjock, and threw 142ft. in the javelin.

Lyons is a leader for his team, a great kid with good character, and a very dependable and loyal person, according to Drozjock.

Junior Brittany Burlazzi improved over the summer by taking batting lessons, playing in the summer, and going to the cages every chance she could, according to head softball coach Andrea Mondadori.

Burlazzi is West Essex’s lead off batter with an onbase percentage of .370 and 14 stolen bases.

Burlazzi is vocal, positive, and a natural leader. Next year, Mondadori expects Burlazzi to come into the season being much stronger at bat and having more confidence.

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Dodgeball Photo Finish Congratulations to the Skittles, the winners of Dodgeball!

(Above) Seniors Eric Seidel and Krystina Wolverton discuss team strategy for the team Players.

(Below) Juniors Jaime Blaustein, Dan Atkins, Jeff Young, and Jared Prince, members of the Blazers, stay deep in their own court.

Junior Becky McClain and seniors Ben Elberg, Greg Pino, and Dan Landy, members of GUSnot, meet in the middle of the court to defend themselves against Donald’s Pizza Heaven.

Juniors Matt Collins and Carissa Franzi, members of the winning team, the Skittles, line up to play the Haters.

all photos by Katie Rosenberg

COLLEGE BOUND ATHLETES

Six graduating seniors will go on to play collegiate lacrosse

by Ben Elberg ‘06

The 2006 boys’ lacrosse team is sending an unprecedented six players off to play at the next level, including the team’s three captains Mike Sayers, Alex Hayes, and Dan Skeels. In 2005, the team produced four players that went on to play in college.

Sayers is playing at Drew University, Hayes is playing for West Point, Skeels is playing for Wesley College, Bobby Gembarski is playing at Lycoming College, Tim Hill is playing for Hood College, and Jimmy Hammel is playing at Pace University.

These six seniors, along with the remaining seniors on the team, not only provide good examples for the younger players and set the tone, but will have a tremendous impact on future campaigns, according to Coach Dave Wolfelsperger.

“We have a large group of seniors on the team who have all tried to step up and be leaders for the team,” said

Wolfelsperger.

Unfortunately for the team and the seniors, they failed to make it out of the first round of the state tournament.

“We were obviously disappointed about not going further in the states,” said Sayers. “We had higher hopes for the team this year.”

“Lack of communication” and team chemistry seemed to have put a damper on the success of the team as well, according to both Sayers and junior goalie Steve Monin.

“We didn’t mesh well,” said Sayers. On a team filled with players of “the highest caliber,” a lack of team unity and cohesion “kept us from performing to our full potential,” he added.

“The level of chemistry and teamwork were somewhat short of what our team has had in the past,” Monin added.

Hoping that will change for next year, most seem to think they team will be just fine next year, according to Skeels, who said that the team has “a lot of good juniors and

sophomores who will be able to step up.”

Rob Pantages and John Veniero are two of these juniors that will be key players for the team next year.

Pantages started the year out on the JV squad, but, had he played varisty all year, Monin feels his impact offensively in the crease could have helped turn the season around.

“There was a good chance he could have notched up a few points for us and helped turn around some the losses in our favor,” said Monin.

Wolfelsperger is in concurrence with Monin. “[Pantages] was a nice addition to our offense,” he said, “because he works so hard on the crease and forces goalies and defensemen to always know where he is.”

Wolfelsperger was also pleasantly surprised with Veniero.

“While we knew Veniero would contribute, we were concerned that he could only help us defensively,” Wolfelsperger said. “However, he has transformed himself into a better of-

fense threat and stepped onto our second middle line.”

Also key to success in the future is the team’s ability to improve their consistency.

“When we don’t work hard and make smart decisions consistently, our weaknesses are more easily exposed,” said Wolfelsperger. “All one has to do is watch that game against Roxbury, in which we were down 94 in the fourth quarter and come back to win in overtime 10-9,” he added.

“If we played the entire game the way we played that fourth quarter, with an intense fire to win, we would never have been behind in that game. The same can be said of our losses. If we came ready to play for a full 48 minutes in those games, our record could be very different.”

Monin is confident in the team’s ability to do that next year.

“We will have a very young team,” he said, “however we will be able to kill the ranks for a successful season next year.”

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That’s a wrap...

TENNIS THIRD CONSECUTIVE TITLE

by Katie Rosenberg ‘07

Final Record: 23-4 overall (includes tournament play, regular season, and non conference) Star Ledger Top 20 Final Rank: 15 th Accomplishments: State Sectional (Group II, North II) Champions, Conference Champions Big Moments: “When we beat Haddonfield in the state semifinals” was important because they “needed to win in order to advance to the finals,” according to senior Ben Elberg. The actual match was also eventful: the match was tied 22, with only the first doubles team, senior Dan Landy and junior Jared Prince, still playing. They split sets and were down 1-4 in the third set, but rallied to win the final set 7-5 to give the team the overall winning score of 3-2.

Another exciting match was the second meeting of West Essex and Summit; Summit won the first, so the team knew they had to “pull through” and beat them the second time in order to win the conference, according to Landy.

What Happened?: The team “played some great tennis” and ultimately “grew together as a team,” according to Landy, who added that everyone “got really into the matches” they played. The boys are used to success; the team has won the conference for the third year in a row and frequently plays deep into the state tournament.

“Solid in every position,” according to Elberg, the team’s 3 of 4 losses were to “either top 5 teams, or a team that just beat a top 5 team,” said senior Mike Gelberg, who also attributes their success to the players “working hard” and having “a lot of heart.”

Star Players: Although “everyone had their shining moments” during the season in one way or another in clutch matches or in crucial points, according to Landy, a few members achieved a particularly high level of success. Both Gelberg and Elberg were proud of the performance from newcomer, freshman Evan Zimmer, who played second singles. Gelberg also played a key role on the team in the third singles position, pulling out several tough matches, especially an “almost down, but not out” match versus North Caldwell resident, Corey Brown of MKA.

Dynamic Duo: The pairing of Landy and Prince for the second year in a row at first doubles proved to be extremely fortunate; with a record of 20-2, they were the most consistent point of any match. Their record also secured the 14 th seed and a first round bye in the state doubles tournament.

Looking Ahead: The team will graduate 2 out of 7 starters: Gelberg and Landy; both of whom have been on the team since freshman year. Next season could be a “regrouping year” and an unfortunate end of the 8-year Landy reign, according to Gelberg, though Elberg believes the team has enough “depth” in their starters and reserves. “They will definitely continue to provide West Essex with a good program” next year, said Landy, who believes they have returning singles players in Zimmer and junior first singles player Jeff Young.

Tennis Girls’ Lacrosse Softball

All State Sectional Champions

GIRLS’ LACROSSE SUCCESS AND CHALLENGES

by Jeremy Lim ‘08

Final Record: 20-4 overall (includes tournament play, regular season, and non-conference play) Star Ledger Top 20 Final Rank: 4th Accomplishments: Reached NJSIAA Group B Championship game; won Essex County Tournament Championship Big Moments: As for highs, the team went on a nine-game winning streak during the season. “Beating Chatham and Oak Knoll in States was great,” according to junior Carissa Franzi. As for lows, the team lost 16-8 to Shore Regional in the NJSIAA Group B championship game, a “heartbreaking” loss, according to junior Amanda Barretta.

What Happened?: Girls’ varsity lacrosse possessed a wealth of expectations coming into the season. “Seeing the athletes we had and having confidence in [head coach Jill] Cosse, I knew we could have a great season,” according to assistant coach Jen Lozito. Despite being very “young,” the team had high expectations based on “our past and the coaching staff’s experience,” according to Barretta.

After two tough losses early in the season to Summit and to West Morris of Long Valley- “two games we definitely should have won,” according to Lozito- the team eventually ascended to No. 4 in the Star-

Ledger top 20 rankings. The losses turned out to be “good learning experiences,” according to Franzi.

The team did a fine job balancing their focus on the season with concern for head coach Jill Cosse’s pregnancy.

Star Players: Right attack wing Kim Pantages displayed spectacular scoring prowess all season and finished the year with 110 goals. She highlighted her season with a six-goal performance against then No. 6 Oak Knoll to catapult West Essex up the rankings.

“Kim continued to be a leader this season and was really a standout,” according to Franzi. Incoming freshman who made contributions included Ali Cassera, Breada Farrell, and Julia Miczak, who all “stepped up,” according to Franzi. Sophomore standouts Cat Serpe and Alba Loconsole also excelled at the home and goalie positions respectively.

Looking Ahead: “We’re losing amazing leaders,” according to Franzi. “No words can describe how much they meant to us this season,” she added regarding the departing seniors. The Lady Knights are also losing Pantages, “one of the best players ever to go through this program,” according to Lozito. Still, confidence isn’t lacking among team members. “I’m sure we will be able to carry on the tradition,” according to Franzi.

Head coach Don Albanese and team pose for a picture after the state sectional finals. Above, standing: Albanese, Michael Sackman, Max Jacobson, Jeff Young, Ben Elberg, Jared Davidson, Dan Landy, Jamie Schiffenhaus. Kneeling: Jared Prince, Ben Sunshine, Evan Zimmer, Mike Gelberg, Dan Atkins.

-photo courtesy of Jared Davidson

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2004

BOYS’ LACROSSE BIG WINS UNDER LIGHTS

by Ben Elberg ‘06

Final Record: 6-9 Big Moments: The boy’s lacrosse team’s biggest moment came on a Monday night under the lights.

Playing a Roxbury team that should not have been considered a threat, the stick handlers found themselves trailing by 5 goals in the fourth and final quarter.

The team was led by senior captain Dan Skeels as he scored five goals and ended up tying the game, scoring three of the five with under two minutes to play.

An overtime period followed where Skeels scored his sixth goal of the game to give the team a win.

What Happened?: The team didn’t do as well as they had in previous years. Lack of communication and team unity made the team’s chemistry affect their game.

Although the team had “very good players,” it was hard to play as a team, according to junior Steve Monin.

Star Players: Dan Skeels has a

nice shot and “roped” a few in the net, according to Monin. Alex Hayes, who made second team all state, also contributed a lot to the team, and FOGO Marc Guido won a number of faceoffs that helped throughout the season.

Looking Ahead: The team will graduate six seniors who will continue to play in college. The success of next season is uncertain because the team expected to have a better season this year, though the program is a strong one at West Essex and should bounce back next year to go farther in the state tournament.

Small corrections must be made to the team, and if the team could play with the intensity they showed in a few key games, their “record could be very different,” according to head coach David Woldelsperger. “If we played the entire [Roxbury] game the way we played that fourth quarter with an intense fire to win,” stated Wolfelsperger, “we would never have been behind in that game.”

GOLF...TREMENDOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

by Matt Cohn ‘08

Final Record: 13-13 Accomplishments: Tied for second in the Hills Division of the Iron Hills Conference. Qualified for States as a team for Group 2.

Big Moments: Beating Mendham. ‘ We s h o t w e l l t h a t d a y, b u t Mendham shot better,” according to senior Greg Pino. “We played reasonably well in that match,” said head coach Tom Kenny. “But the match turned when one of the Mendham players picked up his ball without putting the ball out,” added Kenny. “His coach subsequently disqualified him, and we won by two shots, costing them a share of the conference (division) title.”

What Happened?: The team had a “solid season,” according Kenny.

The team was “competitive in nearly every match which was important,” Kenny added. At states, however, the team played “very poorly, on a very tough course.” The team finished 21 out of 26 teams in the tournament. Junior Alair Muzzatti finished 17 out of 51 female golfers who qualified for states in all of New Jersey. “That is a tremendous accomplishment,” added Kenny.

The Starting Lineup: The team included senior captain Ed Christiana, senior Greg Pino, juniors Erik Haversang and Alair Muzzatti, who qualified for states as an individual, and three freshmen including Andy Maxman, Ryan

Pancoast, and Jon Shankman.

Looking Ahead: Having only lost two of seven regulars to graduation, the team is looking to be “even better next year,” according to Kenny, who described team members as “great kids with great potential to play golf at a high level.” Pino cited the help of underclassmen as significant. “Next year, they are all going to be even better and help out the team even more,” added Pino.

Although “losing [Christiana and Pino] will be tough,” according to Kenny, the team is still looking forward to being even better next season.

The girls’ softball team, conference and state sectional champions, had perhaps their finest game in a 1-0 win over Caldwell, a perennial -photo courtesy of Dina Costanza powerhouse.

SOFTBALL...SENIORS LEAD TEAM TO VICTORY

by Danielle Stefanelli ‘06

Final Record: 20-8 Accolades: Iron Hills Conference Champs, State Sectional Champs Big Moments: In the sectional finals of the Caldwell game, Rosie Savino’s RBI brought in Krista Rieckert for the only run of the game.

Outstanding defense by the team and Danielle Bertscha’s pitching performance (2 hitter, 10 strikeouts, 1 walk), led to some big moments.

At the Whippany Park game junior Bertscha struck out the final batter with runners on 2nd and 3rd in the bottom of the 7th, and the team won 3 -2 What Happened?: The team really came together and played with a lot of heart. Since everyone on the team formed such great friendships, the younger players really stepped up for the eight upperclassman.

They wanted to give them the most memorable year possible. The senior

motto every game was “play today, to play one more day together.” That carried through the post season.

Star Players: The entire team starred in the season and a few players did a fabulous job in the post season, including seniors Krista Rieckert and Nicole Caroll, juniors Danielle Bertscha and Brittany Burlazzi, freshmen Rosie Savino and Michelle Bertscha.

Looking Ahead: Unfortunately, the team is losing eight seniors and four key starting spots (center field Krista Rieckert, shortstop Kristen Dalonges, 3rd base Nicole Carroll and catcher Shannon Collins). The remaining team members expect a lot of talent to come up next year, and with the four starting juniors (Burlazzi, H a m k e r, Costanza and Bertscha) returning plus 2 freshmen (Michele Bertscha and Rosie Savino), they are looking to keep the tradition going.

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL...DRAWS MORE INTEREST

by Jenna Cirangle ‘07

Final Record: 15-4.

Big Moments: Although the 2005 season began with a mere 14 player roster, the West Essex boys’ volleyball team for the 2006 season has exceeded all expectations. Now coaching a 23 player team, with 9 new ad-

Ode to Boys’ Tennis 2006 -by Coach Don Albanese In the beginning, the Knights were quite unsung, but then came along our number one, Jeffrey Young, We were filled with much hope, more than a glimmer, because of freshman upstart Evan Zimmer.

And although what we thought an impossibility, there was veteran Mike Gelberg at number three.

First doubles was quite royal and dandy, led by Jared Prince and Daniel Landy.

Second doubles also had a great run, with the Sack Attack and Davidson.

But would we get to the big dance? Would our season end?

It might have if it weren’t for Big Ben. The alternates were led by Atkins and Shifty, and that made our team extremely nifty.

Overall, the season turned out just fine, and our future will be filled with Maximum Sunshine.

ditional players, head coach Bill Humes feels as if volleyball is “drawing more interest” among West Essex students. In the 2004 volleyball season West Essex lost to Passaic Valley and after improving “as much as they could,” came back this year with a victory. Although a loss for West Essex, in the game against Wayne Hills, the boys “were able to compete with a very good volleyball program,” according to Humes. “We were unable to do that last year,” he adds.

Star Players: Captain of the team, Evan Balter is a “quiet leader” who prefers to “lead by example,” according to Humes.

Other key players who lead the boys volleyball team this year are Kyle Perez, as one of the two middle hitters, Bobby Plucinsky and Rob VanDerWende, as setters, Mike Taussi and Malcolm Bertram, as defensive specialists, and Billy Fogarty and Yusef Farra, as outside hitters.

Looking Ahead: The team is “better than last year,” according to Humes, which left the boys anxious to get back on the court. As for the next season, “our goal is to continue to improve and be much more competitive in league play,” added Humes, despite the fact that senior captain Evan Balter will no longer be a member of the team.

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h s i n i F o t Pho

The third and final Aesthetics club sponsored tournament, Badminton, featured mixed doubles teams.

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1. Club advisor Neil Fardin watches on in the semi final match of Bobby Gembarski and Jesse Finkelstein versus Matt Detroia and Kim Pantages.

2. Junior Max Custer walks back to the serving line with partner Tiffany Devito while matches on the other courts end.

3. Matt Detroia and Kim Pantages stare down eventual winners Finkelstein and Gembarski.

Gembarski, a very strong player, made the All-Star team selected by the Aesthetics club.

4. Pantages watches on as juniors Devito and Custer warm up and have a fun time before a quarter final match.

5. Pantages and Detroia get caught up in an intense point in their match against Gembarski-Finkelstein. Detroia and Pantages’s wore down their other competition with these long lasting points.

6. Finkelstein stretches and prepares for a very intense match in the finals. Many would not have selected Gembarski and Finkelstein, but they proved to be the best team at the end.

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Congratulations to seniors Bobby Gembarski and Jesse Finkelstein, first place winners in the Badminton tournament.

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