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 2011
June 2011
Senior Edition
Page 2
Congratulations Conor Abbamonte Monclair State University Carly Agrifolio Moravian College Anthony Alvarez Catholic University of America Sydney Applewhite William Paterson University Erika Aronson Sacred Heart University Sonia Aviv Lehigh University Brett Balter The College of New Jersey Alyssa Balz University of Connecticut Nicole Barnett East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Caroline Basta New York University David Beattie William Paterson University Laura Benjamin Quinnipiac University Alexander Bennett Fairleigh Dickinson University Victoria Bergamotto Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Brittany Berman Cornell University Samantha Bernstein University of Maryland, College Park Madeline Berse University of Michigan Kyle Boeckel University of Scranton John Boutillier Johns Hopkins University George Boveroux Roger Williams University Samantha Bozzone Towson University Max Brecher Brookdale Community College Paul Cafone Rhode Island College Justin Calabrese University of Delaware Ryan Capriolo County College of Morris Theresa Carnevale County College of Morris Christopher Carragher Pennsylvania State University, University Park Alexis Cattano University of South Carolina Alan Chelnitsky Rutgers University, Newark Emily Chicola Montclair State University David Chmielewski Stevens Institute of Technology Joseph Christy County College of Morris James Ciampi York College of Pennsylvania
Angelica Cifelli University of Scranton Christina Ciotola Lee University Lauren Colavita University of St. Andrews Nicole Coniglio Towson University Ralph Contuzzi Berkeley College Darian Coppola Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Matthew Cordasco Montclair State University Anthony Costa New Jersey City University Ryan Cox Montclair State University Alexander Cubillos New York Institute of Technology Krista D’Accampo East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Lyndsey D’Alessandro Montclair State University Salvatore D’Alia Seton Hall University Michael D’Annunzio Towson University Melissa D’Ascoli Rider University Evan Dahan University of Michigan Jonathan Dainesi Babson College Katherine Dallafior Georgian Court University Francesco Damiano Fordham University Richelle DeFrank Montclair State University Taylor Delehanty University of Vermont Celina DeLuca Villanova University Demetria DeVincenzo University of Rhode Island Lea Di Fonzo Fairleigh Dickinson University Veronica Di Stasi Caldwell College Mark Dipsey Lehigh University Brittany Dirienzo East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvia Emmanuel Douranakis New Jersey Institute of Technology Robert Drumm Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Christopher Dufaut Universal Technical Institute Raymond Duplessis William Paterson University Brian Dusinberre University of New Hampshire James Dyer College of Charleston
Patrick Dyer The College of New Jersey Gina Egnozzi Bergen County Community College Samuel Einhorn New York University Kaitlyn Falcone Loyola University Maryland Patrick Farrell Muhlenberg College Carmella Fede Montclair State University Lisa Feierstein Brandeis University Jesse Feldman Ithaca College Gentiana Fetahu Caldwell College Jenna Fiore Quinnipiac University Joseph Fiore East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Michael Fiore County College of Morris Shannon Flanagan Montclair State University Michael Forte William Paterson University Tyler Fossetta Montclair State University Carlye Frost Pennsylvania State University, University Park Jospeh Fusco The College of the Holy Cross Gia Gagliardi Quinnipiac University Meghan Gambichler New York University Daniel Gautieri University of Pennsylvania Ariana Geiger County College of Morris Nicholas George Loyola University Maryland Joseph Gerish Syracuse University Robert Giglio West Chester University Keir Gist Rider University Kevin Glenn Washington University in St. Louis Anthony Gonnella East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania James Graham Coastal Carolina University Gianni Grasso Rowan University Anthony Grazioso Monmouth University Gia Guerrieri Caldwell College Andrea Guzman Workforce Vito Hajihaidari Workforce
Jake Handler Towson University Andrew Hansen Northeastern University Ryan Heinz New Jersey Institute of Technology Michael Heller Drexel University John Herbach University of Hartford Casey Higgins University of Connecticut Rachel Horowitz Drew University Matthew Iannarone The College of New Jersey Anne Marie Ihling Virginia Tech Andrew Innarella Coastal Carolina University Anthony Intintola New Jersey Institute of Technology Nicole Iwaniszyn Sarah Lawrence College Kathleen Jennings Quinnipiac University David Jesch Hofstra University Daniel Kalb SUNY Binghamton Amol Kaluskar Boston College Sydney Karp Syracuse University Shai Kartus SUNY Binghamton Allissa Kerr Seton Hall University Christopher Kitchin Rutgers University, New Brunswick Kyle Kitchin East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Anna Marie Konciak Montclair State University Micaela Kovary Florida State University Kristi Kovats Pennsylvania State University, University Park Jordan Krakauer West Virginia University Melissa Kuscin Rider University Philip Lapone Susquehanna University Ethan Lazarovitch University of Vermont Erica Lieb Indiana University Megi Lika New York Institute of Technology Erin Lind Coastal Carolina University Alyssa Lipari Saint Joseph’s University Kristen Lipari The College of New Jersey
June 2011
Senior Edition
Page 3
Class of 2011! Desiree Lipoma SUNY Binghamton Cristina Lombardi Saint Joseph’s University Renata Luzzi William Paterson University Kristin Lydick Bergen County Community College Jessica MacIntosh James Madison University Rebecca MacIntosh James Madison University Anthony Magliaro Pennsylvania State University, University Park Nicholas Malfatto County College of Morris Natalie Marcogliese Fashion Institute of Technology Carlos Mariscal Boston University Frank Marotti Lock Haven University John Marousis Montclair State University Alexa Martin Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Jonathan Martinez University of Vermont Deanna Martino Make-up Designory Jaclyn Martorana Moravian College Carly Mastrangelo Centenary College New Jersey Joseph Matarazzo Pennsylvania State University, Altoona Pedro Matos Bergen County Community College Nicole Maxman University of Maryland, College Park Lauren Mc Donald Monmouth University Carly Mc Gee University of Rhode Island Sarah Mc Grath University of Delaware Grant Mc Guire Pennsylvania State University, Altoona Kristen McClain Boston College Christiana Mecca Perdue University Michael Mei Fairleigh Dickinson University Lawrence Melillo Rutgers University, New Brunswick Alexandra Menzel Muhlenberg College Chris Michura West Virginia University Gordon Miczak Marist College Krista Milinkovich University of Delaware Benjamin Minden The U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Michael Mitchell Widener University Dorian Mock New Jersey Institute of Technology Dominique Mongelli Fashion Institute of Technology Lukas Montgomery Essex County College Kelly Mosser Georgetown University Krista Mundy University of Scranton Megan Myslak Bergen County Community College Roman Nikolin Culinary Institute of America Nicholas Nugent County College of Morris Kevin Nunes County College of Morris Christopher Odgers County College of Morris Douglas Overbeck New York University Sefa Ozbek Drew University John Palacio University of Massachusetts, Amherst Louis Paparella University of Michigan Thomas Paranzine Siena College Owen Parr University of Vermont Zachary Pavone Ramapo College of New Jersey Alissa Pecoraro Bergen County Community College Matthew Pelosi Caldwell College Olivia Perez Swarthmore College Anthony Perrotti Rutger University, New Brunswick Maria Petho Capri Institute Nicole Petronczak Montclair State University Michael Pezzuti Drew University Kathryn Picardo The College of New Jersey Matthew Piscitello Saint Joseph’s University Melissa Pravata Monmouth University Jordan Prince American University Timothy Pryor Loyola University Maryland Anthony Quarato New Jersey Institute of Technology Erin Quinn Towson University Vincent Racamato Seton Hall University
Joseph Raimondo Rutgers University Ajay Ramakrishnan County College of Morris Alexa Ramos Rutgers University, New Brunswick Taylor Reed Marist College Kyle Reilly University of Massachusetts, Amherst Sean Reilly Delaware Valley College Amanda Rivera Quinnipiac University Michelle Rizzo Cornell University Samantha Rolli University of Michigan Victoria Rombola East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Alexa Rubinich Muhlenberg College Jack Rupple University of Maryland, College Park Cody Russo Montclair State University Devin Russo West Virginia University Nick Saad West Virginia University Jillian Sandler University of Maryland, College Park Victoria Sansone Cornell University Brianna Schauer Iona College Carly Schlecker University of Wisconsin Natalie Schmidt Boston College Michael Schwartz Rutgers University, New Brunswick Alexis Seidel Elon University Katrina Shababb Sacred Heart University Scott Simonsen Brookdale Community College Victoria Song Savannah College of Art and Design Michael Spano New Jersey Institute of Technology Jolene Sproviero Syracuse University Anthony Stefano County College of Morris Michael Stefano Rowan University Robert Steinfeld Pennsylvania State University Aaron Stern Workforce Bridget Sweeney Rutgers University, New Brunswick Caitlin Sweeney Monmouth University
Timothy Taylor Lemoyne College Lacy Tell University of Michigan Justin Tetyevsky University of California, Berkeley Kayleigh Thies Muhlenberg College Kurtis Tinfow University of Rhode Island Amanda Tiritilli Albright College Mark Traverso Virginia Tech Travis Trent Rowan University Drew Tulanowski Rutgers University, Newark Kara Tulman Indiana University Justin Valentin County College of Morris Andrea Vallee Fairleigh Dickinson University Michael Vegliante County College of Morris Adriana Villicari University of Rhode Island Stephen Walter Stevens Institute of Technology Lynnli Wang Yale University Kenneth Wangner Pennsyvania State University, University Park Annie Ward Loyola University Maryland Michael Wiatrak Manhattan College Alexis Wojcik Arizona State University Alex Wolfson University of Rhode Island Tiffany Wright Marist College Michael Yang Boston College Rachel Yen East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Miles Young Bentley College Joshua Yuran Pennsyvania State University, University Park Henry Zimmerman County College of Morris
June 2011
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Senior Edition
The Wessex Wire’s senior staff reflections Getting in the game Decorated memories by Lisa Feierstein Opinion Editor
I have always been told it is unwise to cling to regrets. Regrets, after all, reflect an unchangeable past and, if dwelled on too often, can hold you back. Yet I have discovered that holding onto the one main regret I have in regard to my years at West Essex will not restrain me but, rather, propel me forward. I entered West Essex shy and insecure, with slouching shoulders and eyes that fixated mainly on the linoleum tiles. I was generally sullen and unfriendly, and seemed depressed to the outside world. I would like to say that this moodiness of mine was a mere, short-lived phase, but it was prevalent throughout most of my middle and high school years. Outside of school, I was an entirely different person – fun, outgoing and even a bit on the wild side. But in class and in the hallways, I shut down. It was only this year that I finally began to fully show my true colors. This year in one of my classes, a group of
my classmates I was not quite friends with were having a conversation. I immediately, unhesitatingly jumped in, didn’t hold back and was completely myself. I was then told, much to both my joy and dismay, that “it was a shame to be seeing this side of me so late in the game.” Although I felt glad to be appreciated, I also felt more than just a twinge of regret that I hadn’t shown this side of myself earlier. I suppose I finally realized that my fellow classmates, and perhaps people in general, were not so judgmental, the way I thought they were. Many of you whom I know, or have only just begun to know, are truly fantastic, caring and brilliant individuals who I feel honored to be acquainted with. And so I thank you all - though I regret not being more open earlier in “the game,” if it hadn’t been for the positive experiences I’ve had, I wouldn’t have realized how great it feels to just let loose and run with it. There’s a whole new game that’s about to start, and this time, I won’t be waiting so late to play in it.
Learning outside the classroom by Jackie Martorana Sports Editor
Looking back on the past four years, trying to single out high school experiences, I found myself repeatedly drifting back to the same thoughts. It seems to me that I have spent more time on the softball field than I have in the classroom, or even in my own home. In that sense, I guess it’s fitting that the only memories I can recall are those centered around softball games and teammates. If you asked me what classes I took in ninth grade or what teachers I had, I very well might not be able to tell you. Yet, I can picture specific moments of practices and funny jokes. I have the scars and tan lines to prove every play and every inning was real. As a freshman, losing the first round of the state tournament didn’t really register to me. I remember one of our captains telling us that our high school careers would be over before we knew it, and then we would understand how much those kind of games truly meant. Now, four years, a Conference Cham-
pionship and a State Section Championship later, I would do anything to have those early games back, and have another chance to achieve greatness. I know there are a million little things I could have done differently and better. I willingly chose early morning workouts over the chance to sleep in, late night hitting sessions over nights out with friends and a county game over prom night. Still, I wouldn’t change any of it because it has gotten me to the mindset and capabilities that I have today. Most important to me during my time playing has undoubtedly been my teammates. Since I was a freshman, many new faces have come in and older faces have graduated. But no matter what, my fellow three senior captains have always been there with me, for every out and every at bat, through the highs and lows. We have all been friends since elementary school and I truly do not know what my high school softball experience would be like without them. My greatest memories stand out because of their presence, and I’m grateful for everything they have given me on the field and off.
by Douglas Overbeck Staff Writer
Since September of 2007, I have strutted along these glittering hallways, ready to sashay my way out with a diploma in hand. Now, this goal is clear in sight and my heart’s wishes are peppered with kernels of eagerness. This is a time of reflection for me and I find that I cannot help but to analyze my time here, to study the impact that West Essex has had on my sequined soul. I’ve always tried to make the most of this environment, to take advantage of as many of the opportunities presented to me as I can. I tried my hand at fencing, at theater and musical theater, at science and math and at Latin and Quiz Bowl. I gave the old “high school” try at starting the Gay-Straight Alliance, something I wouldn’t trade for the world. I like to
think that I have made my mark on this establishment, that I have had as much of an influence on it as it has on me. Of course, however, I am aware that I am just one of countless students passing through, that West Essex will not remember me. My experience at West Essex has been one of tumult, both emotional and intellectual. I have grown in ways that I never would have grown had I gone to another educational institution. My mind and my heart are enriched by my history here with the Knights. From the Days of Silence I’ve executed to free-body diagrams I’ve drawn, from the “hully-gullies” I’ve performed on the Masquers’ stage, to the Vergiliam turns of phrase I’ve recognized, my years at this fine facility are irreplaceable. I thank you, West Essex, and I bid you a fond farewell.
Undergoing academic evolution by Kelly Mosser Editor-in-Chief
When I entered seventh grade, I had aspirations of one day studying at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and becoming a chemist. I developed this dream long before ever having suffered the numerical nightmare of Ms. Lippi’s Honors course or the head pounding reality of Physics (no offense, Mrs. Barros). Those of you who know me now surely understand how absurdly unfit I am to pursue any kind of career in science or math. After six years of academic tribulations and self-discovery, I now plan on studying International Relations at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service and eventually law or journalism in graduate school, a slight departure from my seventh grade objective. This academic evolution is proof of just how much we change and grow during our time in high school. I have been molded by peers and teachers an
incredible amount since my first West Essex days. All of my experiences, from field hockey games and gauntlets to AP tests and SATs, from the frustration of the college search and elections to the joy of my relationships with others, have created a totally new person over my six years here. I have had the opportunity to discover my passions and identify my weaknesses (math and science, ironically enough). This school has been my home, my teachers my mentors and my peers my family. Though graduating is bittersweet, I am happy to be able to reflect fondly on my time here. While I may have some regrets and complain about the temperature of the school on warm June days, my experience here has literally been life changing in astonishing ways. Moving forward, I can only hope to be surrounded by friends as wonderful as the ones I have met here and a community as welcoming, stimulating and supportive as this one.