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 2014
June 2014
Senior Edition
Page 2
Congratulations
Victoria Agrifolio New York University Nicolette Aktas The George Washington University John Alscher Coastal Carolina University Alycia Amaru DeSales University Brittany Anderson Howard University Gabriel Angeles St. Joseph’s University Bernice Atienza Rutgers University Aron Augustitus Michigan State University Christian Aussenheimer University of New Hampshire Zaira Baranukova Caldwell University Kevin Barker New Jersey Institute of Technology Sydelle Barreto Northeastern University Denise Barretti Coastal Carolina University Jason Barsanti County College of Morris Greg Bartelloni County College of Morris Nicholas Baskinger Pennsylvania State University Jason Ben Nathan Cornell University Marissa Bertoldi Rider University Justin Blumas United States Air Force Academy Cameron Boeckel The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina Christopher Bolger New Jersey Institute of Technology Jazmyn Borman Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Grace Boyd-Dias High Point University Victoria Brango Kean University Michael Brillante University of Arizona Matthew Brunner University of Kansas Marissa Cafone West Chester University Michael Caggiano Villanova University David Calabrese Montclair State University Kaitlyn Callaghan Davidson County College Michael Candido Furthering Education Antonina Cappello St. Joseph’s University Deanna Carsillo Bloomsburg University Jacqueline Casolaro Seton Hall University Nicole Castiglia University of Alabama Frank Chiaia University of Delaware
Daniel Chulani Caldwell University Channon Chung Parsons The New School for Design Joseph Chuzhin University of Maryland Michael Colavita Washington and Lee University Vanessa Collini Rutgers University Gregory Contaldi New York University Kelly Cousoulis Catholic University Samantha Cristobal The George Washington University Alex Cuozzo County College of Morris Frank Cusano New Jersey Institute of Technology Dillon D’Antuono New Jersey Institute of Technology Emily D’Elia University of Pennsylvania Jenna Dainisi University of Maryland Victoria De Frank William Paterson University Anthony De Grazio Furthering Education David De Rosa United States Marine Corps Nicolette DeVincenzo University of Miami Bridget Delehanty University of Maryland Jamie Dellisanti The Ohio State University Alissa Devine Pennsylvania State University Amanda Devine Lehigh University Tyler Di Paolo William Paterson University Mark Dignazio Moravian College Matthew Dignazio Delaware Valley College Victoria DiLiberto County College of Morris Nicole Dobrowolski East Stroudsburg University Alexis Domenick Montclair State University Michael Dontas Rowan University Thomas Doolen Drew University Delaney Dunn University of Rhode Island Kara Durning Iona College Brian Dyer Appalachian State University Jennifer English Rutgers University Jennifer Fabiano Pennsylvania State University Antonia Falzarano Essex County College Adam Farkas Pennsylvania State University
Anthony Farro Coastal Carolina University Melissa Felcher Tulane University John Filipow Coastal Carolina University Caroline Fiore Amherst College Lisa Fitzgerald University of Scranton Daniela Forte Loyola University Maryland Rachel Fost University of Colorado Boulder Kevin Fox Fordham University William Galese University of Scranton Daniel Ganton University of Maryland Jesse Garcia Kutztown University Roman Gavanyuk Seton Hall University Carley Gencarelli Essex County College Anna George University of California at Los Angeles Lucy George Rowan University Joe Giuffre University of Hartford Joseph Glinbizzi Fairleigh Dickinson University Juan Gomez Cornell University Jason Gonzalez Susquehanna University Salvatore Grasso Pennsylvania State University Marissa Grisaffi Fairleigh Dickinson University Jacqueline Gualtieri Emerson College Alina Guiang DeSales University Zachary Gutowski Indiana University Matthew Hacker Indiana University Alison Hale New York University Jennifer Hammer Montclair State University Sofia Haramis The Ohio State University Kirin Heinz New York University Kaysee Hill James Madison University Natalie Hunter High Point University Kimberly Iannarone The College of New Jersey Jared Ingoglia Rochester Institute of Technology Sarah Jacobson Savannah College of Art and Design Andrew Jakimowicz Caldwell University Deborah Jarmel University of Massachusetts Amherst
Maxwell Jencarelli East Stroudsburg University Carly Jesch St. Joseph’s University Kyle Jezewski United States Military Max Karp Tulane University Tyler Katz The George Washington University Rebecca Kean James Madison University Daniel Kenny Boston College Tyler Kenny University of Arizona Kaitlyn Kerr Monmouth University Andrew Kessler James Madison University Annie Kluger Ithaca College Veronika Koldachenko Seton Hall University Heather Krannich Manhattanville College Monica Krup Villanova University Enoch Kurimella Rutgers University Natalie La Spisa The College of New Jersey Christine Laible Boston University Abigail Lapone St. Joseph’s University Stefania Lazar Georgetown University Frank Librizzi Lock Haven University Nicole Lieb Indiana University Anthony Lipari Rider University Joseph Lipoma Montclair State University David Lobefaro Workforce Julian Lorenzen Lafayette College Sean Lunney County College of Morris Michael Madia Fortis Institute Gianna Magdits Sacred Heart University Gabriel Maiorano County College of Morris Vincent Malfatto Montclair State University Shannon Maloney Seton Hall University Kaitlyn Mandara-Heaven Montclair State University Colleen Manley Ramapo College Michael Markus Villanova University Geena Martorana The Conservatory of Music at Purchase College Celina Marzullo St. Peter’s University
June 2014
Senior Edition
Page 3
Class of 2014!
Sydney Mason University of Delaware Amanda Masterson Dickinson College Madison Mastroberte The College of New Jersey Simon Matos The Kelly School James McGrath Rowan University Jena McNamara Manhattan College Dean McDonald Monmouth University Courtney Mensch Pennsylvania State University Stephanie Miller Suffolk University Sam Mohammadish Furthering Education Alec Molesworth Bard College Gianna Mouskourie Ramapo College Sarah Moyer University of Maryland Michael Mulroe New Jersey Institute of Technology Eleanor Murphy Simmons College Kevin Myslak Bergen Community College Matthew Neft University of North Carolina Charlotte Monika Nemeth William Paterson University Alexandra Newman University of Rhode Island Anglesea Newman University of Rhode Island Peter Norton University of Wisconsin Robert O’Neill Rutgers University Emma Olsson Lund University Claudia Olszewski University of Miami Alexis Otun Caldwell University Carlysa Oyama University of Notre Dame Michael Pajares William Paterson University Nicholas Palatella Ithaca College James Panzarino Susquehanna University Andrew Pappas Pennsylvania State University Nicholas Paranzine The College of New Jersey David Pardave William Paterson University Michael Patience Rutgers University Natalie Pavone County College of Morris Gina Pedano CUNY City College Alexandra Perez American University
Cameron Perez Rider University Erica Perrotta High Point University Diana Petrovski Marist College Stephanie Pezzuti Duke University Alecia Piccininni Kutztown University Jessie Ploscowe University of Hartford Maria Pomponio University of Pennsylvania Maria Pravata James Madison University Anthony Prinzo New Jersey Institute of Technology Joelle Prinzo William Paterson University Elizabeth Pryor Workforce Marisa Racamato Rutgers University Justin Ramos New Jersey Institute of Technology Nataly Ramos Kean University Alec Reed Furthering Education Lindsey Reed Centenary College Jacquelin Renda Lehigh University Ryan Riccio Montclair State University Brielle Richardella The College of New Jersey Mark Richardella Pennsylvania State University Jeremy Risis Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science James Romano New Jersey Institute of Technology Anthony Rubinich University of Scranton Michael Ruggieri Clemson University Samantha Russo Loyola University Maryland Tiffany Ryerson Davidson College Audrey Salan Rowan University Filippo Salemi New Jersey Institute of Technology Jenna Salluce Rutgers University Jan Sanchez University of Tampa Joseph Scaglia Susquehanna University Michael Scardena Indiana University David Schechter Skidmore College Rachel Scheckman Binghamton University Stephen Schmidt The College of New Jersey Max Schmulewitz Tufts University
Jacqueline Schwartz University of Virginia Elizabeth Sessa DeSales University Jennifer Shaw Skidmore College Robert Silano Fairleigh Dickinson University Samantha Silverman Indiana University Andie Silverstein University of Michigan Jianna Simeone County College of Morris Nina Sisco Syracuse University Danielle Sollitto University of Rhode Island Jaclyn Sollitto West Chester University of Pennsylvania Andrew Spero The College of New Jersey Eric Spielmann University at Albany Justin Steets The College of New Jersey Kaitlyn Struss Montclair State University Megan Sweeney Artistic Academy Michael Sylvestro Rowan University Kyle Talish Montclair State University Robert Tenorio Essex County College Andrew Tetyevsky New York University Matthew Thies Susquehanna University Anthony Tornatore Kean University Maria Alejandra Torres School of Visual Arts Alex Torres-Cesario Rutgers University Gabriella Torrillo Montclair State University Nicholette Torsiello Anderson Broaddus University Karyn Towey Fairfield University Richard Tran Pennsylvania State University Jamie Traverso Babson College Nicholas Travis Pace University Michael Traynor United States Airforce Meghan Trewhella Ramapo College Amanda Uliano Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Jeffrey Valente Auburn University John Vento Scranton University Helena Voltmer Brandeis University Anderson Wang New York University
Taylor Weiss The George Washington University Melissa Wells William Paterson University Ashley White Pennsylvania State University Brandon Whritenour University of Scranton Kathleen Winslow Saint Joseph’s University Alex Wojtowicz Susquehanna University Alison Wojtowicz Saint Joseph’s University Brendan Wolfberg Elon University Amanda Wolfson Indiana University Steven Yen New Jersey Institute of Technology John Zapparrata Montclair State University Donato Zacchino Coastal Carolina University Max Zienkiewicz Drexel University Matthew Zotti Stevens Institute of Technology
Victoria Agrifolio Nicolette Aktas Sydelle Barreto Nicolette DeVincenzo Bridget Delehanty Jennifer Fabiano Kevin Fox Anna George Jacqueline Gualtieri Sofia Haramis Annie Kluger Monica Krup Christine Laible Nicole Lieb Geena Martorana Alec Molesworth Stephanie Pezzuti Jacquelin Renda Samantha Silverman Andie Silverstein Nina Sisco Kaitlyn Struss Amanda Uliano Helena Voltmer Amanda Wolfson
June 2014
Senior Edition
Page 4
The Wessex Wire’s senior staff reflections
Becoming a real person (unfortunately) Describing the last six years in many ways by Christine Laible, Opinion Editor Picture neon yellow velour Juicy sweatpants paired with a neon purple Sugar Lips tank top and a bright blue zip-up. This outfit pretty much sums up my entire middle school experience. Though I cringe as I reflect on my horrid fashion sense, I also can’t help but laugh in sheer amazement that somehow I still managed to make some friends. I’ve changed throughout my years in high school, yet part of me still feels like that 12 year old girl who thought that neon abomination was the cutest outfit ever. Next year I have to leave the safety of the four townships that have been home my whole life for a new city and a school where there are no halls filled with familiar faces. My best friends will be scattered at different colleges, in cities miles and miles away. My teammates will all be off, playing for different colleges and different sports. My parents will be four hours away dealing with getting their final child through high school. But I will also be attending a school that I love. I will get to leave the bubble that
is high school and meet hundreds of new and interesting people. I will get to start creating my own life, separate from my hometown. The mention of the word “graduation” stirs up these bittersweet feelings every time. Although I could not be happier with where I will end up, I can’t help but fear all the unknowns. I don’t want to become a real person right now. I want to remain the care-free teenager who doesn’t need to understand a 401k. I want to go back to being the firstgrader gawking at the utter size of the high school students on senior service. I want to flash forward just a little to being a college student enjoying the best years of my life. I know I’ll be okay, that eventually I will find my own way, but leaving scares me. I can only hope that the remnants of my hometown will be there easing me through the transition. Despite the coming change, a part of me will always be neon sweats, late nights for papers, psychups, Mrs. Mac’s cowbell and color day. A part of me will be all the things that culminate and make up my high school experience.
byNicoletteDeVincenzo, Editor-in-Chief I have spent 1,080 days with mostly the same 270 people, so it would be If someone were to ask me how I crazy for me to deny that these people feel about graduating high school at and this school have not made an the beginning of my senior year, I impact in my life. We’ve all made sigmost likely would have cut off the nificant transitions together, whether question with “FINALLY” in a very it was from middle school to high dramatic and exasperated manner. I school, CPA classes to AP classes am completely overjoyed with the or lanky freshman to dominating sethought of freedom, being 1,293 niors. For once we are dependent on miles from home and meeting new only ourselves for one of the biggest people. When I look at the freshmen transitions of our lives. now I think back to my time, trying Stepping away from this class, this hard to make an impression while school and my position on council, is also staying off the upperclassmen’s the one thing I was unprepared for. As radar, and I often feel sorry for them. the date of graduation approaches, I What I failed to convey in my re- feel the unity of our class has never action, is all that I’m realizing now. been so strong, and I know as each Now that my high school career has person walks across that turf one last actually come to its end, I find my time as a West Essex student, that reaction has changed almost entirely, is when one should ask us how we and I know that as I stand at the po- feel about graduating high school, dium in front of my class on June 22, because that is the one moment that speaking the words “Congratulations epitomizes our last six years into one Class of 2014,” I will be hanging on indescribable feeling. to every last moment. As much as I So when people ask me how I feel look forward to moving on, letting about graduating high school, I will go of the memories will be one of the not be just excited, anxious, nervous hardest and yet bittersweet moments or deeply saddened, I will be all of the above. of my life.
Once a Knight, always a Knight From braces and bus stops to by Nicolette Aktas, Sports Editor I can vividly remember being a naïve fourth grade student, venturing into the gym here at West Essex, and standing tall and proud, as my future classmates and I posed for a photo in the shape of “2014.” The year seemed so far off, and yet, eight years later, I am preparing to leave the people I have grown to know and love, both friends and teachers alike. My memories here at West Essex seem to isolate themselves to specific places. I remember my first football game, sitting all the way in the far corner, trying to make new friends from a town other than Fairfield and yet, at my last football game, I found myself surrounded by friends I had made in the past six years, as we all tried to hold on to “the first of our lasts.” I will always remember the Caldwell game during my senior year, and the passion and unity our school shared. It is memories like that which make it difficult to move on. I remember the awkward yellowgreen t-shirts we wore for freshman year color day, not to mention the dol-
lar sign that replaced the “S”. I also seem to forget the fact that I helped design the shirts, but nonetheless, our America-themed senior year was definitely one for the record books. All of the events I have helped to organize while on Student Council are times I will never be able to forget. I have had the privilege of working with three of the best girls, Nicolette, Andie and Victoria, and best advisors, Mr. Benacquista and Ms. Mondo. Together, we have worked to make each student’s time here at West Essex memorable forever. My years at West Essex have allowed me to grow into the person I am today and because of that, I’m not afraid of what is to come. Even though my time as the only female trumpet player in the band has ended and my time as a Superfan has since concluded, I feel as though I am more than content. When I look back on my time in high school in the future, I am confident that I will reminisce with a smile. It is time to move on and I am more than excited for what the future holds. As cliché as it sounds, once a Knight, always a Knight.
graduations and goodbyes
older and way taller, the ever so torturous braces, all gave me a take away that My first day of high school started like allowed me to grow though it may have every other one of my first days. We took been hard to see at the time. the annual Shenandoah group picture at I gained the ability to make new friends the bus stop, the few of us who had not and I gained the knowledge of knowing yet gone off to college. I got off the bus that sometimes the best of friends come that day and entered a hallway of kids from the most unlikely of places. I gained who at the time, seemed to all be seven the strength to stand up for myself, even foot tall, fully bearded men, with whom to those who are taller and much harder I, at four foot nine, still wearing braces to push out of the way. And of course, I and still being offered children’s menus, gained a perfect smile. was going to have to share a hallway. To The struggles I resented in high school add salt to a freshly opened wound, I had and couldn’t wait to put in the past are just had a summer full of typical middle now the things I thank for ensuring that school girl drama, leaving me friendless I am ready to go onto the next stages of and alone on the day when I needed a my life. I only wish I could have stopped friend the most. and appreciated the moments more when From that day on, I was in a rush for my they were going on because now lookhigh school years to pass by hoping col- ing at the annual bus stop photo is the lege would come with the blink of an eye, only way I can even remember what I but as they say, be careful what you wish wore on that first day of high school. for, because that is exactly what happened. For the future kids taking that photo at I clearly never thought I’d be among the end of the street on your first day of those tearing up at my high school high school, I hope you realize that your graduation but the minute I handed in braces may bother you now but, when my form for my cap and gown, I knew I you pose for your last bus stop photo, had deceived myself. The girl drama, the you will really appreciate what they did encounters in the hallway with kids way for your smile. by Annie Kluger, News Editor