The Wessex Wire (Senior Issue 2016)

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 2016

Cathryn Kessler ’16 News Editor It was the end of an era, but how could that be It seemed as if yesterday, that these freshmen were me My time as a Knight has seemed to fly by But I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the ride

I take for granted all that I have here in North Caldwell Yes, my mom made my lunch until I was a senior, can’t you tell?

Without Dunkin’ and sushi and Chipotle at my disposal I am sure to be doomed as I hear my last 2:35 bell

The friends I’ve met in high school I can truly say are for life My departure from them will be one with great strife Although next year they will be far, and all I want is for them to stay But like Charlie Pluth said, “I’m only one call away”

It all started during pre season soccer before 9th grade Hearing all the hype about the legacy that WEGS had made Now I'm sitting here as a senior looking back on the past I can say I don't regret a thing, though sprints left me gassed

It is disgusting to think about how much Dunkin’ I consumed But without the caffeine to keep me awake, I’d be doomed I’m not going to lie, Mr. Davis still scares me Getting called down to 700 made me queasy

Now I tip my hat to high school as I look back in my rearview I can now begin a new journey but my time here isn't through I’ll be back to visit in the fall and some things will still be the same Always a knight, in red, black and white for the first home game

June 2016

Congratulations

Gianna Aktas The College of New Jersey Jordan Alworth University of Michigan Brianna Anderson Saint John’s University Corrine Appel Rowan University Ryan Applewhite Virginia Wesleyan College Jay Armijos Pennsylvania State University Ryan Aschoff The College of New Jersey Kerri Astorino The College of New Jersey Kevin Astorino Seton Hall University Sheri Astorino Boston College Ashley Au Pennsylvania State University Kendall Au Bentley University Jeremy Augustitus University of Miami Kaitlyn Aussenheimer Fairfield University Greg Balzano Rowan University Eric Barlow Scranton University Spencer Barry Syracuse University Kristina Barth Utica College Alexa Baskinger University of Delaware Daniel Basta Stevens Institute of Technology Nicholas Belverio Seton Hall University Brigitte Benevento William Paterson University Chloe Blottman New Jersey Institute of Technology Erin Bogert Rutgers University Jaclyn Bower Essex County College Lucas Brendel Rutgers University Alyson Brockmann Montclair State University Sarah Brown Kean University Isabelle Caine Cornell University Daniel Calix University of Delaware Kayla Campanile Ramapo College Nicholas Candarella Wilkes University Justin Capozzi University of Central Florida Joseph Capria County College of Morris

The Wire: Senior Edition

Katherine Caprio Northeastern University Richard Caronia Seton Hall University Tori Lynn Carsillo Montclair State University Zachary Cascio Workforce Antonia Castrovinci Montclair State University Rachel Cecere Virginia Tech Bennett Chamberlain Virginia Tech John Chiaia University of Delaware Madelyn Ciampi Montclair State University Alec Cinque Northeastern University Ryan Coia University of Maryland Jake Cole Stockton University Emily Collini The College of New Jersey Haley Connington George Mason University Flor Condo Guallpa Essex County College Michael Corbosiero County College of Morris Shane Courtney Fairleigh Dickinson University Paul Cox Montclair State University Nicholas Critelli New Jersey Institute of Technology Brianna Crummy American University Andrew Cruz University of Western Ontario Adrianna Cuadros Berkeley College Joseph Cucuzza County College of Morris Ceana Cuello Fairleigh Dickinson University Delianna Cuello Fairleigh Dickinson University Andie Davis Indiana University Matthew DeFazio The College of New Jersey Lydia DeLuca Marist College Alexa DeMary University of Delaware Nicholas DeAngelis County College of Morris Dominique DelMauro University of Maryland Mikaela DeSantis Ramapo College Peter DiBartolomeo Seton Hall University Santo DiCondina Florida Atlantic University

Kylie Donohue Notre Dame University Tyler Dooskin Syracuse University Heather Downey Muhlenberg College Kayla Dubas University of South Florida Christopher Durko County College of Morris Teresa Dyer James Madison University Hanna Eberle Ramapo College Mazen El Khatibe Essex County College Liam Estrada County College of Morris Liam Fahey Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Emma Faust Salisbury University Robert Filipow Florida Institute of Technology Loni Fiscus New Jersey Institute of Technology Devon Forte Monmouth University Christopher Fusco County College of Morris Anthony Gagliardi University of Maryland Derek Gallagher Rutgers University Joseph Gambino William Paterson University Liam Garvey Bryant University Dallas Garza Kean University Dinore Gashi Old Dominion University Kirk Geller University of Nevada, Reno Andreas Georgiou Pennsylvania State University Madison Gering Pennsylvania State University Michael Giordano William Patterson University Patrick Glenn Wesleyan University Sonali Goil Lafayette College Harry Goldstein Emory University Alberto Gonzalez The College of New Jersey Caroline Groome Syracuse University Megan Groome Boston College Jewels Gutowski Indiana University Anaisa Guzman Workforce Marina Hahn Drew University

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Rachel Hamburger Lehigh University Christina Hammer Fairleigh Dickinson University Michael Hangge Montclair State University Broderick Hascup New Jersey Institute of Technology Brandon Heinz Seton Hall University Kyle Helmstetter Rowan University Jason Hill Essex County College Bethany Hou Georgetown University Courtney Hou University of Virginia Wanda Huidobro County College of Morris Michael Hulley Rowan University Francis Hunter Seton Hall University Stephen Hunter Montclair State University Justin Iandolo New Jersey Institute of Technology John Iannuzzi University of Maryland Marissa Inga University of Michigan Michelle Inga Quinnipiac University Paige Innarella Lehigh University Angelo Intile County College of Morris Tabitha Jaison Ramapo College William Jannicelli Montclair State University Katharine Jencarelli SUNY Oneonta Allen Jones New Jersey Institute of Technology Matthew Jones University of South Carolina Salvatore Karch Ithaca College Spencer Katz University of Tampa Patrick Keating New Jersey Institute of Technology Kyle Keegan Pennsylvania College of Technology Cathryn Kessler Pennsylvania State University Katie Kim University of California, Los Angeles Timothy Kitchin Kutztown University Joseph Klein Fairleigh Dickinson University Dina Kolesar Marist College

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s Class of 2016 June 2016

Joshua Krasner Wesley College Brooke Kutoroff Indiana University Alexa LaBanca Boston College Steven Lam Essex County College Rachel LaPenta New York University Noah Lazarovitch Syracuse University Connor Leach Lehigh University James Lebeda Seton Hall University Ann-Marie Lee Tufts University Maxwell Lehr University of Colorado Boulder Andrew Levey University of Michigan Marissa Levey University of Michigan Miranda Lichtenstein Rutgers University Joseph London Montclair State University Christian Lopez Pennsylvania State University Anna Marie Lunney County College of Morris Victoria Luongo Pennsylvania State University Emma Lupo Seton Hall University Thomas Lynch Ramapo College Thomas Maj Drew University Chris Malanga University of Southern Florida Christina Malfitano-Hagelin Seton Hall University Madison Malone Seton Hall University Dominique Martino County College of Morris Halle Mason Tulane University Sarah Mason Marymount Manhattan Jerard Matarazzo Johnson and Wales University Julia Maxman University of Michigan Samantha Mazzella University of South Carolina Angeles Melecio The College of New Jersey Natalie Melendez King’s University Emily Miller The College of New Jersey Stephanie Mirable Montclair State University Nitish Mirchandani Rutgers University

The Wire: Senior Edition

Nabra Mohammad Ali University of Massachusetts, Boston Nicholas Monaco County College of Morris Cristina Morelli Monmouth University Michael Morelli Indiana University Jason Morganti George Washington University Andrea Morello Elon University Caitlin Morrissey Franklin and Marshall College Sydney Muenster University of New Hampshire Daniel Muller Florida State University Pablo Murillo Juniata College Owen Neal Muhlenberg College Natalie Nemchick Fairleigh Dickinson University Trevor Newby The Ohio State University Taman Ngo The College of New Jersey Julia Nunes Bloomsberg University Austin O’Reilly Seton Hall University Connor O’Reilly Seton Hall University Basma Osman Essex County College Sabrina Palko Saint Joseph’s University Courtney Pappas Pennsylvania State University Tatum Pappas Saint Joseph’s University Tricia Pardave New Jersey Institute of Technology Esha Parikh Nova Southeastern University Joseph Perrone Coastal Carolina University Jaime Petrocca Saint Joseph’s University Dante Petullo William Paterson University Hannah Ploch Albany College of Pharmacy Jack Ploscowe University of Maryland Charlene Putt Saint Joseph’s University Tashiana Quinones Rutgers University Parker Rakotci University of South Carolina Kyle Ribeiro University of Miami Erica Rinsky University of New Haven Brandon Riotto Seton Hall University

Juliana Riotto Montclair State University Nicole Rizzo West Chester University Isaiah Rodriguez United States Merchant Marine Academy Julie Rodriguez Workforce Julie Rosenberg University of Maryland Joelle Rothman Stockton University Andrew Rubinich Seton Hall University Anthony Rubino Essex County College Cameron Ruddy Stevens Institute of Technology Jason Rusignuolo University of Rhode Island Jake Russin The College of New Jersey Anthony Russo Rutgers University Isabella Russo Felician University Timothy Ruszala Princeton University Cooper Salmon Boston University Briana Santos Union County College Joseph Sauchelli Pratt Institute Anthony Scaglia Montclair State University Jake Schatz Syracuse University Andrew Scheid University of Maryland Nicole Schweighardt The College of New Jersey Madison Seaver Emory University Mirushe Sela Essex County College Rahul Shah New Jersey Institute of Technology Angelica Sierchio William Paterson University Joseph Simeone University of South Carolina Skyler Simson Hamilton College Allison Smeriglio Montclair State University Jake Smith Ithaca College Evan Snerson University of Michigan Matthew Spero U.S. Marine Corps Michelle Sperrazza Montclair State University Franklyn Stagnito Essex County College Patrick Steer University of South Carolina

Marissa Stille Christine Valmay Zachary Stout University of Wisconsin Thomas Tabatneck York College of Pennsylvania Raymond Tetyevsky Lehigh University Jacqueline Thomas Lehigh University Anthony Tomaselli Montclair State University Corey Tomlin County College of Morris Yan Maia Torres-Cesario Rutgers University Justin Trigg Seton Hall University Jake Tulanowski William Paterson University Angelica Turano William Paterson University Christopher Vassallo Montclair State University Gianna Vento Seton Hall University Amanda Wasserman University of Michigan Nyjilah Webb Temple University Michael Weiss The College of New Jersey Sophia Wenzke Rutgers University Kyle Wiatrak Purdue University Lloyd Wilson East Stroudsburg University Tyler Wolfberg High Point University Natalie Wolff Felician College Ronald Woods Berkeley College, Woodland Park Kyle Wright Essex County College Gregory Yezhov The College of New Jersey Jenna Yuran University of Arizona Madison Yuran Pennsylvania State University Nadia Zakkour Ramapo College Junzhang Zhang Cornell University Abigail Zimmerman University of Delaware

June 2016

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Senior Edition

Cherish these moments

By Brianna Crummy ’16 Editor-in-Chief “How do you measure a year?” goes a question asked in the notorious song “Seasons of Love.” As you recall the lyrics in your head you remember they suggest “in daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee,” or even “in inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.”

Whatever your measurements may be we look back on our four years and try to quantify them in one way or another.

When we entered this school as freshmen, graduation seemed like a lifetime away. We measured our time in years. There were four, long, agonizing years ahead of us filled with English essays, math tests and countless homework assignments.

Soon those years were determined by marking periods. Each semester passed marked with progress reports and report cards.

The time seemingly going faster and faster. Until we got to junior year. The months seemed to linger but truly flew by. Senior year rolled around and there was light at the

Finally made it to the end of the hall

By Anthony Gagliardi ’16 News Editor

When I was an elementary and middle schooler, I would have to attend my sisters’ annual dance recitals here at West Essex at the auditorium. Since my mother was part of the clothing and food sales in order to gain money for the team, I would have to come in early and help her set up the tables.

While doing this, my biggest fear was being sent off to find a bucket of ice or an extension cord. This meant I had to venture out into the main halls.

When I peeked my head down the hall, I could not even see the ending of the hall, because the curve of the earth’s surface would

block my view. Looking left then right, I could not even fathom how students could even make it to class on time, let alone find their way around this enormous school.

It was a castle made for knights and ladies, and I was just the little squire trying to find whatever I was sent for.

On the first day of school as a freshman, it is fair to say that I was scared. Rolling into the senior parking lot and walking in with the upperclassmen, it was a wake up call. These were not my peers, these were men and women. I made the long walk to the 800s, and made it into the safe haven classroom filled with students from my grade.

From then on out, everything seemed to find its place. We knew

that we were insignificant, and that this was the place to call home.

Just like the hallways when I was a little kid, I thought this experience would not end, but looking back on it, I cannot believe that I have made it to the end of this hall.

Along the way, I have met people and experienced memories that will forever have a special spot in my heart. We have gone through a lot throughout the four years, have learned to grow into who we are as a person, but our journey has just begun.

The memories this ‘castle’ has established have shaped me into the young adult I am today, and I am excited to keep on running with the flame of aspirations and excitement within me.

end of the tunnel. Our days were numbered; only 180 left. As those days began to slip away we were left with the moments. The very few, sparing moments we would share together as a class.

When we sit in our seats at graduation we replay the moments. The good, the bad and the ugly. All of which lead us to where we are today. For as much as we all await our futures eager to leave this place we seemed to grow out of we will cherish the moments. We have shared plenty of daylights, loads of laughter and tons of coffee with one another.

And I thank you all for that. We may not necessarily want to relive our years in high school but as the time continues to pass we will always remember moments, the memories that were made simultaneously with the friendships.

So I thank you all. Each and every one of you. I have had the privilege of spending these four years and countless moments with you that I will be with me for time to come. I hope you all continue to create the moments that will carry you through a lifetime.