The Wessex Wire
Senior Edition
The Student Newspaper of West Essex Regional High School West Essex High School, 65 West Greenbrook Rd., North Caldwell, N.J.
Senior Edition 2013
June 2013
Senior Edition
Page 2
Congratulations Joseph Abate Workforce Jason Ajmo Stevens Institute of Technology Amanda Alhout Lehigh University Nour Aly Wagner College Remy Astorino Fairleigh Dickinson University Zachary Bachmann George Washington University Christina Bacino Ramapo College Zachary Barbosa Curry College Samantha Barnett Monmouth University Anthony Bartello Saint Joseph’s University Allison Barth Montclair State University Janely Beade East Stroudsburg University Anthony Berardino Montclair State University Paulina Berse Pennsylvania State University Adrianna Bertoldi Seton Hall University Anthony Bertoldi Seton Hall University Leo Bertoldi Seton Hall University Brittany Blue New York University Clifford Brockmann Montclair State University Robert Bucci Farleigh Dickinson University Christina Burke University of Arizona Chloe Butler University of Wisconsin Cecelia Campanile Bloomsburg University Chris Caputo County College of Morris RJ Carillo Ramapo College Carmen Carnevale County College of Morris Sierra Carrera Artistic Academy Jillian Casolaro Montclair State University Jason Caspert University of Wisconsin Amanda Cassera Boston University Katie Castaldo County College of Morris Lindsay Cavanagh Rider University Joshua Chang Rutgers University
Javier Chaveste Montclair State University Gabriel Chaveste William Paterson University Ashlee Chavez County College of Morris Jessica Chmielewski The College of New Jersey Louis Coniglio Towson University Erick Constantino Montclair State University Vittoria Contuzzi Rutgers University Michael Costa Hofstra University Kevin Cox Rowan University Jillian Crooks Bucknell University Andrew Crosby School of Visual Arts Joseph Damiano Saint Joseph’s University Bryan Daowdat University of Pennsylvania Stephanie D’Ascoli Muhlenberg College Jordan Davis Laboratory Institute of Merchandising Emilio DeAngelo Bloomfield College Jake DeGiacomo Michigan State University Robert DeLuca Marist College Juliana DeVito Rowan University Vincent Dente County College of Morris Samantha DiGrande The College of New Jersey Molly Dickman University of Massachusetts Amherst Alexa Dirienzo Make Up For Ever Academy Natalie Diver Montclair State University Megan Doelp University of Delaware Dana Domenick Seton Hall University Michael Drumm Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Jack Dubas Rutgers University Jafar Eadeh Bergen County Community College Kelly Egan University of Scranton Drew Eisenhaur West Virginia University Zoe Elfenbein Emory University Brian English William Paterson University
James Ernst Monmouth University Kayla Estrada Fairleigh Dickinson University Gabrielle Falco William Paterson University Kyle Flanagan Kean University Michael Fogarty Lafayette University Daria Forte Montclair State University Michael Fritz West Virginia University Simone Furhman University of North Carolina Greensboro Gabriella Gagliardi University of Maryland Jonah Gantz American University Liam Gantz Indiana University Schuyler Gardner Cornell University Nicholas Gareffa Monmouth University Matthew Garvey Manhattan College Christina Gavdonovich Montclair State University Nick Gencarelli William Paterson University Samantha Gencarelli Montclair State University Alexis Georgiou Montclair State University Benjamin Gersten Columbia University and The Jewish Theological Seminary Samantha Gilbert Rutgers University Victoria Giordano Montclair State University Griffin Glenn University of California Los Angeles Darren Gomez The University of Washington Alexandra Gonzalez Fairfield University Shirley Gonzalez Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Vincente Grasso Johnson & Wales University Alexandra Grazioso The University of Scranton David Greczek Rutgers University Jerome Groome Lehigh University John Guiffre Marist College Heather Gupton Wake Forest University Stephen Guthrie County College of Morris
Samantha Hamburger University of Maryland Mariella Hanna The College of New Jersey Thomas Haversang University of Minnesota Jonathan Hilaire University of Connecticut Christopher Hill Essex County College Alyssa Huelbig Saint Joseph’s University Alexa Iandolo William Paterson University Vincent Iannone Full Sail University Desiree Ibbotson Empire Hair School Alexa Intintola Montclair State University Tara Jaison University of the Sciences Junior Jativa-Perez William Paterson University Arnav Jhanjee Kean University Wyatt Kalb William Paterson University Zuleyha Karacay American University Kelly Keegan Fairfield University John Kikianis University of Hartford David Kosoy The College of New Jersey Anthony Kross United States Marine Corps Joseph LaVarco Pace University Rachel Lazarovitch Syracuse University Brennan Lee Johns Hopkins University Lisa Leone County College of Morris Ryan Lerner Michigan State University Nicole Linfante Rutgers University Steven Link Seton Hall University Almer Ljesnjanin County College of Morris Laura Lobefaro County College of Morris Michael Locantore Montclair State University Cassandra Lockward Coastal Carolina University Marissa London Montclair State University Anthony Longo Lincoln Technical Institute John Lor New York University
June 2013
Senior Edition
Page 3
Class of 2013! Christa Luzzi William Paterson University Marisa Malanga Syracuse University Alison Maoli Monmouth University Christy Marabello Montclair State University Michael Marotti Montclair State University Krista Marchese Johnson & Wales University Christopher Martin Drexel University Gabriella Marzullo Artistic Academy Mark Mascera University of Michigan Alison McCabe Montclair State University Dylan McGee University of Rhode Island Melanie McGuire Duquesne University Shannon McGlynn Rowan University Gregory Mead Wagner College Christopher Mei The College of New Jersey Patrick Mellilo Rutgers University Ruthzar Mercier Caldwell College Alec Mercurio The College of New Jersey Danielle Meyer University of Texas Austin Aristotle Michalaki Pennsylvania State University Annette Mierzwa SUNY Buffalo Kathryn Minden Messiah College Emily Montgomery James Madison University Jillian Monzo Montclair State University Dylan Moskowitz Syracuse University Paige Muzzatti Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Anthony Naso Ocean County College Jack Nathans Roger Williams University Brianna Nelson Ramapo University Patrick Nichols Kean University Thomas Nolfi Montclair State University William Nunn Foothill College Vincent Odee Lincoln Technical Institute
Emma Osman Indiana University Levent Ozbeck Pennsylvania State University Gionna Pacelli County College of Morris John Palardi Bloomsburg University Haleigh Panetta Workforce Brianna Panico Coastal Carolina University Valerie Panza Syracuse University Lucia Pasternak Immaculata University Sarah Pasternak Immaculata University Alessandro Patucci Full Sail University Cheyenne Paydar Montclair State University Alex Peckman University of Pennsylvania Danielle Perelman Montclair State University James Perrella Ithaca College Luisa Petho Wesley College Alyson Petronchack Loyola University Maryland Stephen Piccininni The College of New Jersey Taylor Pierce Quinnipiac University David Pignataro Saint Joseph’s University Rachel Pisani Johnson & Wales University Sebastian Piskorz William Paterson University Christopher Plunkett Full Sail University Jamie Pravata Monmouth University Heather Prinzo Kean University Gianna Prosperi Rider University Dasi Puli Caldwell College Waleed Qawasmi Rutgers University Mike Realbuto Franklin & Marshall College Michael Reilly Saint Joseph’s University Hannah Ritter Emerson College Pasqule Rizzo SUNY Delhi Alexa Roberitiello Montclair State University Natalie Rodriguez County College of Morris
Abigail Rollins Lasell College Angela Romano Rowan University Jeremy Rosen Lehigh University Stephanie Rosen Roger Williams University Lydia Rosmarin Syracuse University Gabrielle Roth University of Michigan Christian Russo Ithaca College Dominique Ruzzala Bucknell University Gianna Sacco-Calderone Fashion Institute of Technology Matthew Safir William Paterson University Genna Salvatoriello Montclair State University Bryanna Santaromita Marist College Alyssa Schweighardt Quinnipiac University Reema Shah Rutgers University Matthew Sigler Sacred Heart University Olivia Sinisi Montclair State University Robert Skeels Montclair State University Nicholas Soriano University of Michigan Maria Surmachevska Drexel University Joseph Tamburo Montclair State University Leonardo Tartaglia Caldwell College Caroline Tartini Florida State University Verenice Tenorio Essex County College Kayla Theobald Seton Hall University Madison Tinfow Pratt Institute Michael Torsiello Berkeley College Cassandra Torter James Madison University Joseph Toumanios New Jersey Institute of Technology Alana Trabucco Montclair State University Nicole Trainor Towson University Michael Tran California State University Bakersfield Alexander Truong The College of New Jersey Derek Tulanowski Montclair State University
Mark Umbach Rutgers University Joseph Velardi Essex County College Matthew Vidovich Johnson & Wales University Shantal Villagomez Manhattan College Alexandra Vizzone Montclair State University Vulnet Volina Kean University Regina Walter Stevens Institute of Technology Grace Ward Monmouth University Nicholas Wolff Essex County College David Wong County College of Morris Giancarlo Zazzara Ocean County College
June 2013
Senior Edition
Page 4
The Wessex Wire’s senior staff reflections
me young Not knowing what lies ahead Memories will keep me, high school has certainly helped me by Chloe Butler, Managing Editor
On my first day of seventh grade I woke up, put on a beige shirt, blue jeans and a black pair of Havianas and sprinted to the bus. “I make another stop up the road closer to your house, don’t worry you’ll learn everything in no time,” said Bud, my bus driver, as I tried to catch my breath. At that moment I didn’t realize just how true those few words were. Before I knew it, I was making the bus on time, finding my way from Math to English and back to the cafeteria without asking someone older than me and I knew if I was going to cut health it would absolutely result in an e-dash. I developed an everyday routine with people who went from strangers to best friends within a week. When it came time to move down the hill
into the high school I was worried, but I knew just like my first week of middle school, things would eventually become routine. I sit here today, however, with a similar change ahead. Except this time I can’t walk down the hill to my new school, I have to fly 782 miles. I’m worried now because I don’t have the comforting feeling of a routine to push me through the change. I don’t know where I’ll eat, who I’ll meet or how long it will take me to get from my dorm to the English building. I don’t know what lies ahead of me, but I know that I have created a home to return to. The memories and moments I have created here provide the comfort I need to move forward. I’m still here but it already feels like a memory; one of love, sadness, joy and eternal friendship.
Reaching the end of an era by Zoe Elfenbein, Sports Editor
As high school graduation creeps closer and closer I can’t help but think that as I graduate, I will not only step away from the West Essex campus for the last time with my diploma in hand, but also I will walk away from my childhood and adolescence. I think about the people I will forget about in the future, memories that will fade over time and the suffocating pressures of the real world that I will inevitably face. But instead of moping over the end of my childhood and the beginning of a new future, I realize that my high school experience was a fulfilling stepping-stone on my life journey. My four years at West Essex have taught me a lot and serve as lessons that I hope to take with me to college next year: For instance, always check doorway signs before entering the wrong bathroom; when saying hello
to a person in the hallway, make sure it’s actually that person and not some random freshman; when going to the bathroom, always lock the door. While I have learned a lot throughout these four years, I am most proud to say that I am still the same person that once walked into West Essex as a young, timid freshman only a few years ago. Yes, I’ve grown a few inches and gotten a few haircuts , but I’m still the same person inside. And the greatest lesson to take away from my high school experience is to hold on and cherish my identity in the future because that is what defines me. A person’s identity and name is something that sticks with her for the rest of her life. So a lot of people say college is where you’ll find yourself… Well, I already found myself and I hope to continue to hold onto my identity for the next four years of college as well as the rest of my life.
by Daria Forte, Opinion Editor
For the past four years, all I’ve said to myself with each exhausting day of school is, “I can’t wait until the school year is over.” As a freshman, it seemed as if senior year would never come. Now, here I am, at the end of my senior year, saying to myself, “Where did the time even go?” All this time, I was trying to fast-forward through my years of high school to get through all the hard, time-consuming work that would determine my future college decision. As I was worrying about keeping my grades up, I never had a chance to truly understand what it means to be in high school. It’s not just about the grades or staying up until two in the morning studying for a huge test. It’s about being young. It’s about finding and creating yourself. For
to only begin creating myself, but without it, I would be a lost duckling. Without high school, I would have never discovered my passion for Journalism. I would have never known what it means to be a true friend. I would have never felt motivated to try something new. Needless to say, high school had a lot to offer. Although I am ready to move onto the next chapter in my life, I am going to miss saying that I’m in high school. The fact that I won’t be considered “young” in a few years is a sad concept to grasp. But, it’s the memories that will keep me young. It’s true that I’ll just be an average, normal student graduating from the 2013 class. But I’ll be walking down that aisle during graduation with a smile on my face because I know someday that I won’t be just another “somebody” blending in with the crowd.
Looking back with no regrets by Griffin Glenn, Editor-in-Chief
When I first descended upon the campus of West Essex High School I was a completely different person. I was a fivefoot-four-inch, chubby 14 year old, who was absolutely terrified of going to high school. Middle school wasn’t a great time for me, and I was afraid that I would suffer the same fate in high school. Unfortunately, my freshman and sophomore years of high school were equally unpleasant. I wasn’t performing nearly as well as I was capable of in my, and I wasn’t playing much on the lacrosse or basketball team. However, as I entered my junior year, I came in with a fresh outlook. I had my future goals in mind, and was absolutely determined to achieve them. I started by making the arguably the best decision I’ve ever made in high school when I stopped participating in athletics. Although everyone in my family and basically at West Essex as a whole played on at least one athletic team, the fact of the matter was that I wasn’t enjoying it anymore and I wasn’t going to continue pretending to be something that I wasn’t. So with newly discovered free time,
I decided to get more seriously involved in school activities, the most substantial one being the school newspaper. Being a part of the Wessex Wire has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable portions of my high school career. In my years working on the newspaper, I have become close friends with a group of people that I may never have had a chance to meet. It allowed me to be a part of team, working together to accomplish a goal, outside of the athletic sphere. As my high school career progressed, I also started living up to my full potential in the classroom. I found that I as I began to become more successful in my academic and extracurricular endeavors, I started having much more fun and enjoying my time in school much more. Now looking back at my four years at West Essex, I can honestly say that I’m happy with my high school experience. I got into my dream school, and have forged some great friendships. I am definitely ready to move on, but I have no regrets about the time I’ve spent here.