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 2018
Trading in one era for another
By Alyssa Cristobal
It doesn’t feel like I am graduating. It definitely hasn’t hit yet. People are going around reminiscing about past years and saying how weird it feels, but it doesn’t feel weird to me just yet. I assume graduation is when it will all hit—when the sweet memories of failing tests and late-night FaceTimes will all come flooding back—and hit me hard. People are freaking out about everything changing, but really, aren’t we just gearing up for more school? The only thing changing is our mindset. I guess now—during that transition—is the best time to stop and reflect on what I have
experienced for the past 12 years and how it’s all ending. Elementary school is a blur of snacktime and vocab tests. Middle school is angsty music and cheesy themed dances. High school is four years of upperclass hell. But they really were some of the best years of my life—some of the best memories made with some of the best people. I am indebted to everything high school has given me so far because it is really all I have known. Despite the grueling work and long hours, high school has made me the person I am today. So yeah, it is the end of an “era,” but it is the start of a new one too.
High school: finding yourself By Grace Irwin
When you’re young, you never listen to adults when they say “these are the best years of your life.” You just put in your headphones and ignore your parents until they walk out of the room because you know life is nothing like “The Breakfast Club” or “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” There is no football player waiting to kiss you in the rain and there isn’t some massive bully waiting to give you a swirly in the bathroom. Life is nothing like a hideously cliche movie you watch with your girlfriends. It’s just not. No one tells you how hard it is to be young—that the key to the “best times” is finding who you are. Entering freshman year, I was excited to move past the so-called “little kid” stage of life. I got caught up in the need to be popular, sur-
rounding myself with people I didn’t necessarily like or wasn’t really friends with. I got lost in the haze of popularity and the need to fit in. I’ve always had a core set of three best friends, and I love them to death, but I don’t think any of us had our priorities straight. It wasn’t until the end of my sophomore year that I began to lift myself out of the hole I dug myself, realizing that I was the only one in control of my life; if I wanted things to change, only I could do something about it. I focused on my schoolwork and branched out of my normal circle. I made new friends and reconnected with old, those who I can confidently say now are my absolute best friends—each and every one of them. Years from now, when I think about my high school days, I won’t remember my struggling
math grades or the stress of Mr. Diliberto yelling, “Ten lates—no senior service!” in the morning. I’ll remember the late nights with people I didn’t speak to more than once only two years ago. I’ll remember publishing personal works of writing in the school magazine. I’ll remember trying out for four different sport teams just for fun. But most important, I’m going to remember how I grew into myself—how I let go of the scared little freshman I was. In only four short years, I gained the confidence to be myself completely and unapologetically. Graduation came almost too soon, but I am ready to move onto new adventures. West Essex offered me a place to learn and grow—four years I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life.
June 2018
Page 2
Congratulations to The Class of 2018 by the numbers
students going to college in New Jersey
colleges that aren’t on the East Coast
different schools
different states
students serving our country
students attending an Ivy League school
students playing a sport in college
graduating students
The Wire: Senior Edition
Samuel Adams Chapman University Christopher Brendan Agesen Pennsylvania State University Justin Ajmo San Diego State University Francis H. Alexander University of Massachusetts Amherst Olivia Altiero Syracuse University Jake S. Amato Rowan University Sara Amil Washington and Lee University Dana Andreaggi Clarkson University Alex Antonian University of Maryland Nicole C. Apicelli The College of New Jersey Alexandra Apito University of Central Florida Michael Arata Caldwell University Kay Clara Armijos Fashion Institute of Technology Alexa Marie Artale Rutgers University Devyn Aschenbach Villanova University Lauren Rose Auriemma Fairfield University Kaan Avci Rutgers University Shaina Barreto Boston College Katelyn Barth Ramapo College Michael E. Bello Workforce Anthony Silvio Bellomo University of Delaware Dante Belverio Rutgers University Nadia Belverio Moravian College Massimo Benevenga Workforce Sarah Kristine Blake Manhattanville College Jacqueline Blottman University of Delaware Patrick Bolan Penn College Emma Bossaert The College of Wooster Quentin Bossaert Northeastern University Brandon Burgos Syracuse University Michael Burkhard Monmouth University
David Maxim Butterfield U.S. Army Christina Cammarata The College of New Jersey Lauren Cammarata The College of New Jersey Danielle Candela St. John’s University Sarah Elizabeth Candido Lafayette College Adrianna Nicole Castrovinci Montclair State University Sarai Isabella Centeno Montclair State University Matthew James Cesare Salem State University Isabella Cestone Pace University Blake Chamberlain SUNY New Paltz Scott Chan Rutgers University Benjamin Chelnitsky Rutgers University Dominic Chirico Monmouth University Kevin Chmielewski Stevens Institute of Technology John Christy County College of Morris Matt Chung Rutgers University Franklin Gualipa West Virginia University Brianna Convertino Rutgers University Michael Coombs University of Tampa Spencer Cowen United States Military Academy Patrick Coyle The College of New Jersey Alyssa Cristobal George Washington University Justin Cruz New Jersey Institute of Technology Carmen Cucuzza Fairleigh Dickinson University Eric Czerwinski University of Vermont Nicolette D’Ablo Pathways Rachel D’Allegro William Paterson University Richie D’Apuzzo University of Delaware Eliott Danon Montclair State University Sophia Dasaro Purdue University Nicole DeCeglie Rutgers University
Michael Dibartolo Montclair State University Michael DiGiacomo University of Maryland Reed Dooskin Indiana University Riley Kate Doyle Bucknell University Alexa Dratch Rowan University Andrea Echo Bucknell University Emma Ann Evangelista University of Alabama Thomas Michael Fabiano Marist College Sarah Rose Falkin University of Florida Julia Farese University of Maryland Danielle Farina University of Wisconsin Alexandra Faust Towson University Madeleine Feldman Emerson College Anthony Fermo Stevens Institute of Technology Michaela Daniella Ferrentino Rutgers University Gabrielle Ferrovecchio Monmouth University Paul Stephen Filipow University of Delaware Giuliano George Forte Essex County College Jacob Foti Florida Gulf Coast University Alexander Franchi University of Michigan Samantha Maria Freda Sacred Heart University David C. Freeman Jr. Trade School Ryan Freyland The Citadel Madeline Grace Galligan Boston College Dylan Christopher Gallion Montclair State University Gianna Gambino Stockton University David Garcia Syracuse University Luke Garcia Rowan University Julia Bailey Geiger Virginia Tech Marco Gencarelli Seton Hall University Michael Chris Gieger University of Delaware Brianna Gonzalez University of Delaware
Justin Harris Grey Syracuse University Natalie Guerra Seton Hall University Jake William Haenggi Kean University Hunter Ulysses Harold Hascup Stevens Institute of Technology Dorothy He University of Oklahoma Tuan Hoang Rutgers University Courtney Hoxholli William Paterson University Ashley Rose Iannuzzi University of Delaware Sarah Joy Iannuzzi University of Delaware Justin Irizarry Albany College Grace Irwin University of Colorado Boulder Oliver Irwin University of Denver Eman Jaber Montclair State University Lily James Stockton University Edward Johnson Seton Hall University Victoria Johnson Rutgers University Emily Johnston University of Vermont Paige Johnston Ramapo College Heath Kalb Stony Brook University Sara Kalb University of Vermont Gabriela Karch Millersville University Evan Katz Indiana University Nicole Kendall Clemson University Omar Khalil New Jersey Institute of Technology Max Knopping University of Pennsylvania Danielle Kohler Quinnipiac University David Kolesar Quinnipiac University Brielle Krause University of Virginia Richard Kurdek U.S. Air Force Artur Kurdusiewicz Rutgers University Neci Lac Rutgers University Mark Lachenauer West Virginia University
June 2018
Page 3
o the Class of 2018 Frank Lagreca Moravian College Daniel Laible Clemson University Evin Lathrop University of Southern California Edward Lattanzio Marist College Zachary Alex LiVecchi The College of New Jersey Samantha Rachel London Essex County College Ava Juliet Lopez James Madison University Samantha Luk Stony Brook University Lauren N. Lynch University of Delaware Justin Maestoso Quinnipiac University Johnny Magliaro HoHoKus School of Trade and Technical Sciences Kevin Joseph Malloy New Jersey Institute of Technology Teresa Marinuzzi University of New Haven Anthony Markovski Workforce Isabella Mastrangelo Pennsylvania State University Mary Catherine Matos Arcadia University Max Mayer Trade school Matthew McCarthy University of Utah Ian Joseph McLaughlin Tulane University Michael Melecio U.S. Marine Corps Victoria Melecio County College of Morris Matthew Miller Workforce Peter Christian Molina St. Thomas Aquinas College Domenick Monaco Montclair State University Melanie Montesdeoca Andino Fashion Institute of Technology Nicole Morgan Bergen Community College Ryder Morrello Rutgers University Eamon Shaun Morrissey Gettysburg College Lauren B. Moskal Rutgers University Dory Moss Michigan State University
The Wire: Senior Edition
Jeremiah Thomas Murnane Northeastern University Ryan Jack Murphy University of Utah Kevin Matthew Nadel Virginia Tech Jasmine Namyotov Pace University Joseph Nappi Montclair State University Alissa Marie Negri University of New Haven Vincent Nemchick Lincoln Tech Vang Ngo The College of New Jersey Alexandra Julia Notte Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Sharon O’Donnell Syracuse University Gerard Onorata The College of New Jersey Eiman Osman St. John’s University Grace Pagano University of Connecticut Giacomo Palescandolo Colorado State University Joseph Panza Rowan University Dean Pasciuto University of Tampa Grace Pavlovich Adrian College Alexia Perez Calvillo Unil de Lausanne Alexis Pero Florida Gulf Coast University Edward Perrella County College of Morris Sonya Persaud Montclair State University Leonora Pervizi Montclair State University Thomas Pescatore Moravian College Sarah Petrella University of Florida Frank Pineta Rowan University Joseph Daniel Ploscowe Emerson College Samantha Poth William Paterson University Sara Poth William Paterson University Jessica L. Prinzo Fordham University Jonathan Luke Pryor Fairleigh Dickinson University Michael Puiu Stony Brook University
Victoria Anna Rak Ramapo College Meera Ramakrishnan University of Massachusetts Amherst Olivia Rose Ranucci Indiana University Patrick Matthew Reilly Community College of Morris Allison Ribardo University of Connecticut Michael Richardella Rowan University Reanda M. Richards Rutgers University Norelis Rivas-Belzares Montclair State University Christopher Rodrigues New Jersey Institute of Technology Larissa Roldao-Ramos County College of Morris Julia Russo University of Pennsylvania Matthew Russo Seton Hall University Benjamin Ruvo Washington College Max Ruvo Washington College Joseph Salvanto Montclair State University Vincent Salvatoriello University of Tampa David Sanchez University of North Carolina Patrick Sanderson University of Colorado Boulder Anthony Sangillo Fairleigh Dickinson University Carlos Santana County College of Morris Meghan Rose Sauchelli West Virginia University Vincent Scaglia Moravian College Ryan Schiffelhuber County College of Morris Julia Schmulewitz Northwestern University Bailey Schuster Rutgers University Amanda Schwartz Carnegie Mellon University Julia Alex Schwartz Cornell University Julia Nava Schwartz Syracuse University Erin Schweighardt Rutgers University Lurjan Sela Essex County College Michael Sessa Syracuse University
Maram Shaabneh Fortis Institute Brian J. Shields University of Michigan Daniel Shiffman University of Michigan Michael Sigler University of Rhode Island Tristan J. Simson Virginia Tech Anthony Smith Trade School Max Solodar University of Miami Olivia N. Solomon Pennsylvania State University Cooper Steinberg Pennsylvania State University Elizabeth M. Stout Rutgers University Oakley A. Sturrock Montclair State University William Bradford Styskal Jr. University of New Haven Molly Alaina Sweeney Montclair State University Nicholas Anthony Sylvestro St. Johns University Serena Szarka Ramapo College Slawomir Szewczyk New Jersey Institute of Technology Danielle Marie Tabatneck University of Massachusetts Amherst Giovanni Torillo Trade School Thomas Tortorello Essex County College Eleanora Trajanoski Montclair State University Johnathan Trenschel Eastwick College and the HoHoKus Schools Chris Tsakonas Rutgers University Maria Tsakonas Montclair State University Angelo Turano County College of Morris Matthew Uhlendorf Ramapo College Sofia Valle University of Massachusetts Amherst Brittany Van Arsdale Montclair State University Anthony Vasallo Centenary College Madison Vendetti Montclair State University Sophie Vu Rutgers University
Gillian Wasserman University of Michigan Paige Wasserman Northwestern University Daria Wendell University of Illinois Celia White Northeastern University Jack Williams Rowan University Rachel Wojtowicz University of Miami Nolan Yezhov Rochester Institute of Technology Zachary Zerance University of Delaware Brandon Zyla Austin Community College
Congratulations Wessex Wire senior staff! Daniel Laible Michael Sessa Chris Tsakonas Alexa Dratch Grace Irwin Maddie Galligan Emily Johnston Danielle Tabatneck Sara Amil Alyssa Cristobal Michael DiGiacomo Heath Kalb
June 2018
Page 4
Senior Edition
The end of my beginning By Alexa Dratch
Everytime I bring up The Wessex Wire to my parents, my dad, without fail, says something along the lines of “I remember how scared you were for your first interview and now look at you.” And I was scared; I was terrified to walk into a room full of scary seniors and have to somehow prove to them that joining the paper was something I’d wanted since middle school. When I officially started my time on the Wire in my sophomore year, I was still terrified. I was shy and I was quiet and the thought of walking up to strangers and asking them a question (or a series
of questions) gave me anxiety so bad I nearly quit. But I didn’t quit (obviously) and I realize now that I would’ve never regretted anything more in my whole life if I had. Everything I learned in journalism, the people I worked with and the teacher who guided me completely transformed my high school experience into one I never thought I would have. While middle school revolved around my friends and activities outside of school, the Wire gave my high school experience a sense of purpose. The Wire has become a part of me—a part I never truly thought about parting with until
facing it right now. I honestly believe that if I had chickened out of my interview sophomore year, I would not be the person I am today. I will always be grateful for the friends I made through the Wire, the mentor I had for four years and the experience in a field I’m interested in enough to continue in college. I thank the Wire for a great high school experience and for the opportunity to grow into a better person. Sorry about the cheesy headline—I was never good at them— but I figured I had to come up with one for my final article. Thanks, Wessex Wire.
Free at last: W.E. finally get to move on with our lives By Chris Tsakonas
At every high school graduation, there are usually two groups of people: those who are smiling and laughing, and those who are crying. Count me in the former. Maybe I’m just cynical, but I was never exactly the biggest fan of high school. I don’t consider myself to be a particularly diligent or enthusiastic learner, and being told what class to take and when to take it (especially when it’s at some ungodly hour) never really resonated with me. At this point, you may be saying, “but Chris, aren’t you going to miss your friends?” My answer to that is no. I can (and will) see and talk to the people I want to talk to when I want to talk to them—not
when I am mandated by the state to report to a building and attend courses I have no real interest in. That’s ultimately what high school is at the end of the day: not the “best time of your life,” as some starry-eyed apologists may claim, but a state-mandated institution that exerts control over every aspect of your life. It chips away at your autonomy, all in the name of education. And that, ultimately, is why I will be celebrating come June 22. For the first time since I was dropped off at Stevenson one fateful morning in September of 2005, I am my own man. I can choose what classes to take. I can choose when I have to wake up. I can choose what to do with my life and when I do it. I am in control. I am free.
“” ‘But Chris, aren’t you going to miss your friends?’ My answer to that is no.
By Emily Johnston
The end of high school is a transformative part of everyone’s lives. It is a time when you realize who your true friends are—a time when you figure out what you want to be. This jumble of emotions causes some stressful days, but the main thing to remember is this: the four years spent at West Essex will not define your life—the choices you make after leaving will. Since kindergarten, parents and teachers repeated that high school will be the best years of your life. This statement is a lie; high school is far from the best. From fake friends to studying until 2 a.m., there is a lot about the social and academic spheres in high school that sucks. Teens today are programmed to be
cookie-cutter squares that get straight A’s, are amazing athletes and have the best social life. The reality is that no one can keep up with the high expectations. Teen life is a drag for everyone, and if someone tells you their life is amazing, it probably will not be the next week. Even though life as a teenager can be wretched, the focus should not be on the bleak days we’ve spent at school but instead on the future. The past will always be the past—there is no use in spending hours mulling over what could have been. Instead, look to the stars and try to create a life you want. This is the only time in our lives where we truly get to start over, so make it count. Become the person you couldn’t be in school, and thrive.
“” Become the person you couldn’t be in school, and thrive.