The Wessex Wire The Student Newspaper of West Essex Regional High School 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, N.J.
Vol. LVIII No. 2
December 2017
TheWessexWire.com
Cooking club uncovers ingredients for success By Hannah McCrone ’19
With the start of the holiday season come the events of one of West Essex’s newest clubs, Cooking 4 a Cause, created by sophomore Gillian Wolf and supervised by Culinary Arts teacher Caren Maw. The club started with only 10 people in January of 2016 and has quickly grown to over 70 members by mid-November. Mainly, Cooking 4 a Cause focuses on community service events, creating different types of delicious food for bake sales, food drives, turkey drives and teacher appreciation events. Members say their main objective is to combine the joy of cooking with the charity of community service in a fun way any West Essex student would enjoy. “Cooking 4 a Cause holds interactive activities between students and the community,” said Wolf, who is also the club’s president. “It’s a fun and exciting club that combines two ideas: helping out the community and events involving food.” All West Essex students interested in cooking or community service can find a place ready for them in Cooking 4 a Cause.
Photo courtesy of Gillian Wolf
Cooking 4 a Cause club members collect turkeys for Thanksgiving donations on Nov. 4 at the high school.
Wolf created the club last spring along with vice president Andie Steinberg, treasurer Julia Rubenstein and secretary Josie Berger. Club representatives also include co-freshman representatives Julia Conforti and Madison Trewhella.
The high number of underclassmen involved in Cooking 4 a Cause demonstrates the drive of West Essex’s two newest grades of students to get involved in helping their community. “I love that Cooking 4 a Cause is an interactive group that has fun
while giving back to the community,” freshman Julia Conforti said. “We use food to help people.” This year, the club participated in the Key West Drive for those affected by Hurricane Irma and the collection of turkeys and canned food for multiple food
for help. “Drugs do not discriminate,” Miller said. This was Miller’s first time speaking in front of an audience about her experience of dealing with her sister’s heroin addiction. She played lacrosse at Hofstra University and was a teammate of physical education teacher Bettina Plesnitzer. “It’s never easy to call your best friend and ask her to come publicly speak about such a difficult topic,” Ms. Plesnitzer said. “Her perseverance, positive mindset and strong support from family and friends have given her the strength to overcome her tragic loss.” Miller opened with a description of her sister’s life and accomplishments. Laura Miller graduated high school at the top of her class
and was recruited to play D1 lacrosse where she thrived as an All American and captain, aspirations many of the students in the room dreamed of. In addition to her athletic talent, she was a musician of 12 years and a practitioner of photography. Students said hearing about her life was eye-opening and felt Miller had a strong impact on their views of opioid addictions. “I think she really conveyed a powerful message to everyone in the room and it was very interesting to hear about drug abuse from a first-hand perspective,” junior Cameron Marino said. “It made us realize that this could happen to anyone.” “We all hear about the effects of heroin, but when it comes from someone who had an amazing life
and accomplishments you realize how real this is,” junior Ellie Decker said. While she was speaking, Miller instructed members of the audience to close their eyes and think of three people that love them to make them think about the impact their death would hold. When asked what advice she would give to someone struggling, Miller said she would let the person know that there is always help available and they should not hesitate to ask for this help. “Maryann is a gifted educator with a powerful message, spreading awareness on the importance of mental health and opioid abuse,” Ms. Plesnitzer said. “I am so grateful that Maryann was able and willing to share her story with our students.”
drives around the Thanksgiving holiday. Last year, they were even able to donate a large sum to the American Cancer Society with only a few startup activities and low membership. “We collected close to 50 turkeys this month, November, for local food drives,” Ms. Maw said. Ms. Maw was approached by Wolf, who was a student in her Culinary I class, and asked her to take the position of advisor over the club. Wolf saw the passion Ms. Maw had for cooking as her student and wanted that to be a part of the club. Ms. Maw was happy to take on the club and play her part in helping others. “I would say that Cooking 4 a Cause is comprised of students who are concerned for other people and want to use any aspect of food to help others, whatever they can do,” Ms. Maw said. The club plans to continue helping others with their community service activities and food drives. Their doors are open to students of any age with a love for cooking and helping others. “Cooking 4 a Cause made me realize how fun community service can be,” sophomore Andie Steinberg said.
Guest speaker opens eyes to growing opioid epidemic Death by uncontrolled heroin addiction teaches students the dangers of drug abuse. By Jordan Flusser ’19
Teacher and Pennsylvania resident Maryann Miller shared her personal story relating to the growing opioid crisis on Nov. 3 during physical education classes. Miller shared the story of her sister, Laura, telling of how her heroin addiction ultimately lead to her death shortly after she graduated. Miller hoped to emphasize that drug addiction can happen to anyone at any point in life and that they should not be ashamed to ask
In This Issue:
4-6 Opinion
Students: Genesis is not everything
8 & 9
Sexual Assault
Open conversation on rape culture
Maryann Miller speaks to P.E. classes on Nov. 3.
7& 10 Features
Photo courtesy of bettina plesnitzer
A guide to find the perfect holiday gift
The Wessex Wire: News
December 2017
Page 2
November calls for holding off the razor for men’s health By Michael DiGiacomo ’18 Whether a person could grow a beard, mustache or nothing, No Shave November is an event that everyone can participate in. People are encouraged to donate money throughout the month in order to prevent prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide. English teacher Tom Collins has gotten West Essex involved with the Movember cause. “I wanted to find a charitable cause to support,” Mr. Collins said. “I didn’t start this fund because I thought growing a beard would be fun; it was meant to raise awareness for men’s health issues.” According to the Movember Foundation, over the past 13 years they have funded more than 1,200 men’s health projects around the world. “Some family members of mine had a history with prostate cancer, so I wanted to start the fundraiser in hopes of finding a cure for this disease,” Mr. Collins said. However, some of the people who choose to grow their facial hair during November don’t actually participate in the event.
Senior Ben Ruvo is known for his grown out facial hair, but he was not as an active contributor to the Movember foundation. “I like to take pictures of my beard over time and see the growth progress,” Ruvo said. “I didn’t donate money to the foundation this year, but I might participate next year.” “I have been growing my beard since the beginning of the year, so it wasn’t meant for No Shave November,” senior Luke Garcia said. “Ever since I let it grow, our football team has outperformed the competition. Must be good luck.” Even though not everyone chooses to contribute to the Movember cause, there are still plenty of supporters from the school. P.E. teacher Ryan L ogan and Eng lish te acher Aaron Myerson have donated to the foundation. Around 25 students from different classes pitched in. Mr. Collins explained how they can be rewarded for their efforts.“The class that raises the most money can choose how I
illustration by Grace Irwin
shave off my own beard,” he said. “We then take picture with the administration afterwards with everyone who participated and felt mustaches are sold at the end of November.” By the year 2030, the Movember Foundation hopes to have reduced the number of men dying early by close to 25 percent. Mr. Collins made it clear that West Essex will continue to raise money in helping the organization reach this goal. “I and the rest of the West Essex community will continue to raise awareness for men’s health problems and continue to show that the event has purpose, and it’s not just an excuse to grow out your facial hair,” Mr. Collins said.
Photos By ally schachtel
(Clockwise from top left) Andrew Campione, Justin Maestoso, Carmen Cucuzza and Sam Zakkour grew out their facial hair for the month of November.
Mass shootings become normalized in everyday life Mental illness and terrorism lead to an increase in mass murders worldwide. By Dylan Lepre ’19 It almost seems formulaic now: A shooting happens, followed by either the suicide or capture of the perpetrator. A motive is announced (mental illness, radicalization) and a call for more gun control is made. The politicians send their condolences and prayers to the families of the victims. The dead are mourned and then it is all forgotten. Nothing ever changes until it happens again, and the cycle begins once more. Many students wonder: What has happened to this country where these kinds of attacks are now accepted as part of life? Where one must be fearful of being attacked at concerts or movie theaters or even in school? For the past 20 years, mass shootings have grown in deadliness and frequency. The increase in attacks can be traced to many different factors, but the two most common ones are mental illness and terrorism. In 1999, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris perpetrated a massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. They killed 12 of their classmates and a teacher before taking their own lives. This event catapulted the previously
News Commentary small town high school into the global spotlight, leading politicians to call for restrictions on everything ranging from guns to video games (violent video games were listed as a possible reasoning for the teens deciding to kill their classmates). MENTAL ILLNESS However, one facet of Columbine that became a recurring theme was the idea of mental illness causing the shootings. Eric Harris, the apparent mastermind behind the attack, was rumored to have a psychotic personality, which is signified by a lack of empathy for others and an antisocial attitude, as mentioned in a 2016 Feb. report from 20/20 with Diane Sawyer. Nevertheless, today, mental illness is still not thoroughly addressed in America and many with mental illness are not given the help that they need. Two years later, on Sept. 11, a different kind of mass attack emerged. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in 9/11, and the event unleashed a wave of similar terror attacks while also inciting the current War on Terror. The war itself has changed the nation since its inception, keeping America in a constant state of war and also giving rise to other terrorist groups
such as ISIS, which has dominated the headlines for the last several years. Histor y te acher C aroline Blanchard said that historical prevalence of these mass attacks and how the reasoning behind the attacks have changed in recent years. “Yes, there is a time where there has been mass attacks, but they have not been as visible,” Ms. Blanchard said. “The majority of domestic attacks have been directed towards African Americans...so they were ignored.” These two major causes: terrorism and mental illness (sometimes overlapping) have caused many different mass attacks to occur in the country. In October 2002, John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo killed 17 people in two separate attacks, weeks apart, in an apparent act of terrorism as reported by ABC News. The two used sniper rifles to terrorize people from high up throughout Maryland and Virginia, firing at bystanders. In Muhammad’s own words they were furthering “Jihad across America” as confirmed by the FBI. However, the accomplices are where the true interest lies. In Columbine, Klebold was the accomplice, described by his mother as a gentle child in a TED Talk in early 2017, slowly warped by Harris. He was directly influenced by Harris through Klebold’s mental illness, apparently suffering
from depression as seen in his diary, similar to Malvo in the Beltway shootings. Both suffered from some form of mental illness with Boyd even suggesting sexual harassment by Muhammad as a reason he committed the crimes during his criminal trial in 2003 according to May NY Times report. With regards to terrorism, mental illness plays a role in these mass attacks. TIES TO MENTAL HEALTH Indeed, in recent years, many lone wolf attacks have been linked to both mental illness, but also radicalization through the internet. The San Bernardino attack in December 2015 involved a husband and wife attacking a work complex where they killed 14 people. In a 2016 Dec. report by The Washington Post, it was later revealed that the couple had been radicalized online and had declared their attack for Islam. This raises an interesting thought: How does the Internet affect mental health when it comes to terrorism? It has been shown that several of the perpetrators of lone wolf terror attacks, such as Dylann Roof who perpetrated the Charleston Church shooting in 2015, have suffered from different mental illnesses that could explain their radicalization. According to a report written in 2016 by the Queen Mary University of London, people with
violent mental illnesses sometimes use political or religious beliefs (such as what fuels terrorism) to “justify” their attacks. Furthermore, many of these lone wolf attackers, suffer from different illnesses such as schizophrenia, delusional disorder and many others which makes it difficult to determine why self-radicalization happens faster for them than others. However, it seems that mental illness can lead to people being radicalized thereby making mental illness and terrorism far more linked than one would think. It should be noted that the reasoning behind terror attacks have changed over time. Lone wolf attacks used to be more focused on the government than religious ideas, but nevertheless, these attacks have always happened as Blanchard explains. “Up until the 1980s were antigovernment or economic justification…” Ms. Blanchard said, “and it shows how the government go through certain phases.” Mass attacks will not end anytime soon. They have grown deadlier as the years have gone on, with the recent Las Vegas attack being the deadliest in history of the country, but as science learns more about mental illness and more people undergo treatment, perhaps the self-radicalization of American citizens will lessen and with it, the threat of domestic terrorism will be eradicated.
The Wessex Wire: News
December 2017
Page 3
ShopRite stars help the community STEM Club wins grant for phone charger inventions By Liv Ranucci ’18
West Essex named its five ShopRite Stars for Marking Period 1. Here are their accomplishments and reactions to their accolade, which includes $1,000 donated in their names to Project Graduation.
Clockwise from top left: “Time Warner Cable” by Thomas Belknap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dragonflyeye/3454086350), “Comcast” By Mike Mozart (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/28069304935), “Verizon” By Mike Mozart (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/14751234862), “AT&T” By Mike Mozart (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/13054485115)
Alyssa Cristobal: Service to the Community Cristobal is an avid volunteer for clubs in her c o m m u n i t y. She is the vice president of Key Club, a fundraising chair for Rho Kappa, a member of the National Honor Society and volunteers for the Passaic Police Department in the summer. Cristobal spends countless hours volunteering for Key Club and collaborating with other officers to coordinate events. “I love seeing other people’s reactions to the community service being done, and it’s great to see people enjoy what is being done for them,” Cristobal said. She plans to continue with Key Club and start work on new projects in college.
Lauren Moskal: Leadership Moskal takes leadership very seriously, as seen by her work as sup er v is or of the tutoring program for the National Honor Society, Student Council Vice President, Quiz Bowl captain and co-treasurer of the Spanish club. Moskal describes herself as a people person and says she tries to please her peers while still doing what needs to be done. “I’m extremely proud and honored to receive this award,” Moskal said. “I know what is expected of me, and I plan to continue my leadership into college.” Julia Russo: Athletics Russo plays field hockey and lacrosse for West Essex and has been an exceptional athlete throughout her high school career. Although she loves both sports, field hockey takes the cake as her favorite.
From winning the 2016 state championship, 2016 Tournament of Champions, and getting her 100th goal, she has been a standout player in the program. “Winning the TOC my junior year was my biggest accomplishment, since it was the first time in history the West Essex Field Hockey program had won,” Russo said. She plans to continue her field hockey career at the University of Pennsylvania. Paige Wasserman: The Arts Wasserman fell in love with the arts back in the third grade, and for as long as she can remember, she has loved to perform. She participated in the school’s productions of “Legally Blonde” and “The Little Mermaid.” Wasserman is president of SATB Choir and is currently doing an independent study directing and arranging the Chordettes, the school’s all girls choir. Wasserman is also part of the Papermill Broadway Choir, a group that won the People’s Choice
Award for best vocal group. “My ideal dream is to be a Broadway star,” Wasserman said. She plans to major in theater or acting going forward in college and beyond.
Kaan Avci: Academics Avci has been a standout stud e nt at We s t Essex throughout his four years. Among his proudest academic achievements: Consistently earning straight A’s each year; handling a total of 15 AP courses; and earning the national Rensselaer Medal his junior year, a prestigious scholarship for Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute. One of Avci’s favorite classes is AP Literature. “I love literature because it’s good to talk about how people feel to learn about others’ thoughts and how people communicate with one another,” Avci said. Avci plans to continue his academic achievements by studying biomedical engineering and developing technological research.
Net neutrality laws only protect users if they exist By Dylan Lepre ’19 For several decades, the Internet has provided people with access to information and services that previous generations would have once imagined in the realm of science fiction. Originally, only governments had use of it, but today, more than 3 billion people around the world use the Internet daily in every type of socio-economic setting possible. It has allowed people to learn about the world more than ever before. However, this could all change in the next month due to threats against a lesser-known policy called “net neutrality”: the idea that all internet companies must treat the internet equally. It prohibits companies from slowing Internet speeds (throttling) based on how much people are paying for telecommunications. In simple terms, it keeps the Internet fair. Net neutrality has been the law of the land for most West Essex students’ entire lives, but the Federal Communications Commision (FCC), now plans to change that. Chairman Ajit Pai, appointed by President Donald Trump, has announced a plan to repeal a 2015 rule that made net neutrality a law. The 2015 ruling made it a crime to throttle Internet speeds or introduce tiered pricing for the Internet. This became necessary after
Photos courtesy of Mike mozart and Thomas Belknap (CC By 2.0 and CC By-Sa 2.0)
Net neutrality laws mandate all cable companies to treat the internet equally.
companies began to strip Internet users of their rights. The Comcast Corporation was found guilty of throttling internet speeds for some people, making it harder to access webpages. The FCC intervened and decided that a law was needed to regulate internet service providers (ISPs). Therefore, the government found it necessary to implement a law prohibiting throttling. But this could all change should the vote to repeal it pass. The vote was expected to pass in a 3-2 margin, as many large corporations have voiced their support for the repeal. If repealed, the Internet would be placed directly in the hands of Internet and TV providers who could do whatever they
want with it. After the announcement, Chairman Ajit Pai issued the statement, “A comprehensive review of the rule is warranted in light of considerable marketplace changes, such as technological developments and increased video programming options for consumers, since the cap was last modified in 2004.” One likely outcome would be the introduction of tiered pricing for access to many different websites. Internet providers such as Cablevision could force users who wanted to access specific services such as YouTube to pay more for access by upgrading to a “better,” more expensive plan. Furthermore, companies would be able to slow Internet speeds whenever they want.
For example, in the U.K., several ISPs like Andrew and Arnold have censored information. They would be able to filter information wherever it goes including negative content about their companies and political content they deem “inappropriate.” Furthermore, information would be limited to customers who can afford it, while it would be limited for the poor. Unfortunately, the average person does not know what net neutrality is. Therefore, the vote will most likely pass. So why does this matter so much if the vote might pass no matter what? The vote is only a repeal, so it becomes the company’s prerogative to introduce their plans for the Internet. The bottom line is that the only ones hurt are the companies themselves, so if more people know of net neutrality and show outrage it could deter them. Companies are relying on the fact that people don’t know or care (yet) about the issue. Many smaller companies that thrive on free Internet, like Reddit, have already taken to trying to stop larger companies from destroying the Internet’s freedom through protests. In one week, it was reported that the FCC received thousands of calls and emails about the repeal. So, while the vote will most likely pass, the Internet war is far from over. Critics say: it is merely beginning.
Ms. Dolce wowed a chemical company with her solar-powered charger idea. By Alex Rosenfeld ’20 Armed with a $5,000 grant and devotion to educating students about renewable energy, biology and science teacher Jody Dolce has secured the funds to build solar-powered cell phone chargers for West Essex students. The STEM Club overseer acquired the grant on Nov. 1 from German chemical company BASF, who awards grants based on the best proposals. “I really hope this becomes more than just an, ‘Okay, look at this cool thing I built,’” Ms. Dolce said. “We want to build as many as possible. This will be a small movement at first, but as students promote it, it will lead to bigger interest.” Ms. Dolce wrote up the proposal in October for the grant to help fund the proposed solar-powered chargers, with the hope of kickstarting a “makerspace” in the library, which is a station where students could use 3D printing and other material processes to design and build their own projects and inventions. Ms. Dolce’s aspirations are ambitious, she said, but they’re entirely within the realm of possibility. Specific and sufficient materials will be needed, as well as dedication from students, but Ms. Dolce said she is confident that she can teach students that even small innovations can lead to a huge difference. The proposal took two to three weeks to engineer, but the rewards will be well worth it, she said. “Humans are the worst thing to happen to the planet,” Ms. Dolce joked. “I’m not the greenest person on the planet, but little changes make a difference.” BASF describes its yearly science competition as “an opportunity to use problem solving skills and contribute to the solution of a global challenge” and “an opportunity to apply your creative skills and connect with other bright and talented young researchers and BASF experts,” according to its website.
December 2017 Issue 2
Opinion
The Wessex Wire Page 4
Despite being difficult, exposing sexual abusers is a necessity in society
Figuring out how to talk about rape and sexual misconduct is one of the greatest challenges a journalist can face. Sexual violence is an intimate, intense and emotional subject to cover. As high schoolers, especially student journalists, it’s a hard time to orienteer a conversation about subjects students are not used to talking about. We recognize, however, that as journalists, we have a responsibility to shine a spotlight on areas of darkness. We have an obligation to expose wrongdoing and to champion the voices people in power have worked tirelessly to silence. It is our job as a school newspaper to explore w hat nat iona l issues mean to West Essex. What we have found in talking to students and administrators is that the recent frenzy of sexual assault allegations are not just emblematic of Hollywood or politics, but of a societal culture that has long avoided talking about the things that make us uncomfortable. The silence that typifies conversation about sex in the classroom or at home is the same silence that shields predators from justice. The ugliness of sexual assault must not be used as an excuse to shy away from stories of abuse, but rather as the motivating force behind exposing them. It would be counterproductive to try to sanitize this issue.
Staff Editorial The brutality and pain of sexual abuse is what makes standing up for victims so noble. That is why reporting on the culture that breeds that disrespect is crucial. The Wessex Wire condemns sexual misconduct in the strongest terms possible. Sexual misconduct—lewd language, unwanted advances, physical abuse—has no place within civilized societies nor among humans with a functioning moral compass. T h e prom i nence of sexual aggression and coercion in American society has existed in darkness for far too long. We applaud the work of fellow journalists who courageously pursued these stories, and we applaud even louder the numerous victims who have found the power to come forward and share their stories. We decided to dedicate this edition’s center spread to the issue of sexual assault to provoke a long overdue conversation. It is our hope that illuminating student opinions about the culture of sex in America will allow West Essex to reflect on how it views that power. Sexual assault is a difficult thing to talk about. Talk about it anyway.
“” Sexual assault is a difficult thing to talk about. Talk about it anyway.
The Wessex Wire A Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist Paper The Official Student Newspaper of West Essex High School 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 (973) 228-1200 ext. 258 Contributing Staff Monica Barker ’19, Hannah McCrone ‘19, Lauren Czachor ‘20, Amy Grunther ‘20, Gabrielle Kesh ’20, Olivia Lieberman ’19, Frankie Rizzo ’19, Alex Rosenfeld ’20, Danielle Schwartz ’20
Photo BY Alexa Dratch
Senior Danielle Tabatneck checking her grades on the school computer for the fifth time that day.
Genesis is not everything
Stress over seeing grades constantly is detrimental to students’ health. By Dan Laible ’18 For many students, Genesis has become a part of their daily routine—a website invoking worry as you click on the gradebook tab. The ever-lasting shadow of Genesis looming over every student’s head is one of students’ biggest fears. Genesis has been locked from being viewed while final grades and progress reports are being put in, leaving many students flustered. The valuable reason for this, though, is to make the process of grades being transferred into Genesis easier for teachers, according to the Guidance Department. “Look at the big picture,” Guidance Counselor R achel Ciottariello said. “A grade entry does not define you as a student or as a person.” The school needs to come up with a better system for receiving grades because the process now is not working nor is it healthy for students. The removal of gradebook from Genesis only heightens
the fear. Teachers should give you the grades in person before they appear on Genesis, which I think is helpful because you don’t have to see your grade online without any information to back it up. Some students don’t worry over just getting bad grades, but about their parents that are looking at their grades as well. “Every day during last period I check Genesis just so I can prepare to hear it from my mother,” senior Patrick Reilly said. Many students have the pressure of doing well for either their own sake or to help satisfy their parents. This has caused students to become overwhelmed towards the end of a marking period. “Genesis is always stressing me out because I never know when grades are going to be put in or how they will affect my overall grade,” senior Emma Bossaert said. While some students feel very strongly about routinely checking Genesis, others choose not to care. Not caring relieves pressure and helps students in general.
2017-2018 STAFF: Managing Editor & Special Projects Editor Chris Tsakonas ’18
Editors-in-Chief Daniel Laible ’18 Michael Sessa ’18
The Wessex Wire Editorial Policy
Art Director
Alexa Dratch ’18
News Editors Maddie Galligan ‘18 Grace Irwin ‘18
Opinion Editors Emily Johnston ‘18 Danielle Tabatneck ‘18
Photography Editors Ally Schachtel ‘19
Features Editors Alyssa Cristobal ’18 Jordan Flusser ’19 Caroline Quinn ’19
Arts & Culture Editors Sara Amil ‘18 Dylan Lepre ‘19 Junior Editor Hayley Brener ’19
Online & Social Media Editor Shaun Goodman ’19
Sports Editors Michael DiGiacomo ‘18 Heath Kalb ’18 Quinn Delehanty ‘19
Faculty Adviser Mr. Hermosilla
“I do not get stressed because I am confident in my grade,” senior Justin Cruz said. “I can understand why it can get be nerve-wracking, however, if you are pressured to have exceptional grades.” Keeping the amount of pressure that you place on yourself low will help you perform better, but that doesn’t mean to give up on getting good grades either. “While checking Genesis can be a stressful trigger, Genesis is not necessarily the issue of concern,” Ms. Ciottariello said. “Learning to manage stress and anxiety in general is the important life skill that will help students while checking their grades and in life.” Hopefully students will begin to realize that Genesis is not the end all be all of their lives. Try to suggest to your teacher to give you the grade you got on a test or homework assignment to you before it is placed on Genesis, therefore limiting the amount of worry that comes with checking grades. It is hard to lead a happy and positive life while being stressed from school and grades 24/7.
Illustrators Grace Irwin ’18 Michael Sessa ‘18 Rebecca Klein ‘20
The national-award winning Wessex Wire is published with supplemental updates to inform, educate and entertain the approximately 1,200 students of West Essex High School, faculty and community. Unsigned editorials are the consensus opinion of the editorial board and do not always reflect the views of the adviser, staff, administration and/or board of education. Signed editorials reflect the view of the person whose name appears in the byline. The Wire serves as a forum for the expression of ideas and opinions of students, staff and community members. We urge readers to write letters to the editor on pertinent matters of concern. Letters must be signed; however, anonymity will be granted if necessary upon request. Members of the editorial board reserve the right to edit all letters to the editor for length or libelous content. Students, faculty or members of the community with an interesting experience or strong opinion on any subject are also encouraged to write or contact the Wire at thewessexwire@gmail.com.
Several photos in this issue are used under various Creative Commons licenses. For more info and full licensing details, visit creativecommons.org.
December 2017
Page 5
The Wessex Wire: Opinion
Do not ignore mass shootings Juniors:
Take the bus until next year
By Maddie Galligan ’18
From Top: “Protest march in response to the Philando Castile shooting” By fibonacci blue (https://flic.kr/p/JUKjE6), “Turkey” by Jean Beaufort (http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=233812&picture=turkey)`
More and more mass shootings and acts of terrorism take place in America as time goes on. As this continues, we become accustomed to the regular pace of massive killings, and our reactions lessen in severity. It’s as if murderous violence is standard now, and because it’s been going on for a while, people think that it won’t end. After a shooting happens, it’s spoken about for a little while, but society does not often take effective measures to prevent them from happening in the future. Turning a blind eye allows these tragedies to keep repeating. The most recent mass shooting, killing four people and injuring 10 others, took place in a school in Rancho Tehema Reserve, Calif., on Nov. 15. But this stands as only the latest of a long, tragic string of high profile shootings in the past few months. A gunman opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers on the Las Vegas strip on Oct. 1, leaving 58 dead and 546 injured. Another shooting took place at a Texas church on Nov. 5 killing 26 people, including children as young as 18 months. A variable in society’s reactions to these tragedies is the shock level. As more of these tragedies take place, this variable has reduced. The more we are exposed to this sort of violence, the less we think about the outrageousness and devastation of the event. We must not continue on this path of normalizing mass murder. Having frequent mass shootings is not normal or O.K. The longer we go without addressing the issue, the more we are doomed for the violence to continue. The best way to stop it is
By Chris Tsakonas ’18
Photo courtesy of Fibonacci Blue (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Protest march to the Minnesota Governor’s Mansion after the Philandro Castile shooting on July 8, 2016. As news of mass shootings and gun violence reach headlines week by week, Americans must not become numb.
to fully acknowledge the tragedy of the situation. Be mournful, heartbroken and, most importantly, be angry. Be angry that so many innocent people have been wounded and killed by gunmen. Be angry that mass shootings generally don’t have as much of an emotional impact on society as they used to. Be angry that the violence continues without any sign of stopping. “When I first heard about the Texas shooting, I was so upset,” senior Julia Farese said. “I didn’t understand how this could keep happening.” It’s important to recognize that the frequency of these types of shootings is much higher in America than it is in other countries. The United States has 270 million guns and had 90 mass shooters from 1966 to 2012. No other country has more than 46 million guns or 18 mass shooters, according to a Nov. 7 New York Times article. Although America’s
policies, innovations and achievements have influenced countries all over the globe, we are by no means a model nation in terms of gun safety. The large amount of mass shootings is due in part to the ease of which American citizens can access and purchase firearms. Performing a background check prohibits felons, fugitives, drug addicts and others from buying guns. Current federal law requires licensed dealers to conduct background checks on all potential buyers. But, unlicensed private sellers—those who work online and at gun shows, for example—are not required to observe the same policies, according to a June 30 article from Newsweek. “Since there have been so many shootings recently, it’s clear that it’s too easy for the wrong kind of people to get guns,” senior Cooper Steinberg said. Most Americans live somewhere near a gun show, making it so easy to purchase a firearm without
are forgetting about the delight that comes with a hot plate of turkey and mashed potatoes. In a poll of 50 students, 26 percent said that their Christmas celebration starts the same day Ha l l owe e n e n d s . Howe ve r, Thanksgiving is important and should not be skipped over. Thanksgiving is a holiday all Americans can bond over. It is about our nation’s history. When the Pilgrims landed in New England, they befriended the Native American tribe leader, Squanto, who taught them to harvest crops. This celebration of American pride, along with delicious food and time spent with family, is worth holding back the Christmas celebrations for just a few more weeks. Even the media begins giving attention to Christmas at the start
of November. Radio stations turn to holiday music, and Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas has already started premiering as early as Oct. 27. While some students agree that Thanksgiving deserves its own celebration, others believe that there is no such thing as celebrating the holidays too early. “Even though I love Thanksgiving, I think Christmas is so great,” junior Marisa Lotito said. “It should be celebrated all year round.” “Right from Halloween everyone thinks of Christmas instead of Thanksgiving,” junior Adem Kalici said. “People, should celebrate Thanksgiving too!” Watching the parade and stuffing your face with food should be just as eventful as hanging lights and lighting candles.
passing a background check of any kind. People also regularly buy guns from their friends and neighbors, according to the same Newsweek article. In order to reduce the number of gun-related acts of violence in this country, Congress needs to make it harder to purchase firearms. Every state should have laws requiring a background check every time someone buys a gun. There is no reason for this change not to be made because those who are not felons or drug addicts should pass anyway, so they have nothing to worry about. “Society needs to take more preventative action against gun violence,” junior Aidan Pero said. “America can’t go on like this.” This type of violence can no longer be tolerated; we need a new “normal.” By being passionate and getting angry about the newfound regularity of mass killings, we can be more effective in making the madness stop.
Please don’t skip out on Thanksgiving By Olivia Lieberman ’19
From early October until the start of November, most houses are covered in spider webs, skeletons and carved-out pumpkins. But as Halloween comes to an end, houses transform into Christmas wonderlands overnight. By Nov. 1, everyone is in Christmas mode, neglecting the excitement and celebration of Thanksgiving. Although the enthusiasm over the holidays is great, the Christmas spirit trumps the excitement surrounding Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a national American holiday, and it deserves more recognition. The celebration for the holiday is not as big as the celebration for holidays following it. But, that doesn’t mean people should decorate for the following holidays early. To do so means they
Photo courtesy of Jean Beaufort (CC 1.0)
60 percent of students agree that Thanksgiving is overlooked, and deserves more recognition. A holiday spent with family where you can eat apple pie is great. “Christmas is so fun to celebrate, but Thanksgiving deserves celebration too,” sophomore Laura Knodel said. “We have to give thanks for everything good in our lives.”
A major milestone in the life of many high school students is the day that they get their driver’s license. This achievement usually takes place on or shortly after their 17 birthday, during their junior year of high school. This creates a dilemma here at West Essex: Most students have their license, and in many cases their own cars, but don’t have access to student parking until their senior year. Rather than allow themselves to endure the hardship of taxpayersubsidized transportation, many juniors take matters into their own hands by parking at nearby businesses, such as Jumpnasium or 360 Fitness. Everyday, they make the risky uphill trek through the woods to get to school. Others nag their parents to drive them. With all due respect, I find that ridiculous and unneccesary. What possible gain is to be had by going to such great lengths to avoid taking the bus? For the first five years of my time at West Essex, I took the bus virtually every day and enjoyed every moment. My bus was usually on time in the morning and got me to school safely. My driver was a friendly Jamaican immigrant whose bemused comments about fellow motorists made me laugh and filled my heart with joy. To be fair, our busing system does have its flaws. Some bus routes are chronically late, which can be a major inconvenience for students. Others break down, causing frustrating delays. But just because something is broken, doesn’t mean that you should throw it away. As I said before, our tax dollars go toward operating school buses to transport us to and from school. Why throw our money away? What message would that send to our impressionable youth? What we should do is call upon our school board and other local officials to make the necessary reforms to make the system better for all of us. Improving on-time performance and making buses easier for students to take would go a long way in restoring confidence in the system and make students feel better about taking the bus to school every day rather than driving.
December 2017
Page 6
The Wessex Wire: Opinion
Put yourself before relationships Politics doesn’t always run along party lines
By Monica Barker ’19 We’ve all heard once or twice that relationships are difficult. But maintaining a relationship doesn’t always have to be as challenging and misleading as it sounds. Some of the best pieces of advice about making that special connection work are your instincts, even if you don’t always want to listen to them. Students today have various opinions on how to maintain a relationship as a teen. In a poll of 68 students asking their thoughts on ranking different pieces of dating advice, the most recommended guideline was to “only get into a relationship if you know it’s best for you.” Students who responded said this wasn’t a particularly new ideology, but it was challenging. “If you don’t think of the person you’re in a relationship with as one of your best friends, then you shouldn’t be dating them,” senior Rachel D’Allegro said. Dating is a big commitment as a teenager; it is important for both people to be ready for something big to start. Before a relationship gets too serious, remember to keep in mind that it’s more about who they are as an individual. 20 out of 68 survey respondents believe that to maintain a relationship, “it’s important to not allow others’ opinions to reflect on your feelings in a relationship.” “If you don’t like them then don’t waste your time or their time,” junior Jenna Lentz said. When in a relationship, think about yourself and if it’s best for
By Alex Rosenfeld ’20
Photo courtesy of Cher VernalEQ (CC By-ND 2.0)
Two people holding hands as an act of love.
you. There are right and wrong reasons for a relationship, and if you are in it for the wrong reason, just get out of it. 16 out of 68 survey respondents say that, “in a relationship you should not cause tension and drama just for the fun of it.” Rumors tend to start regarding people in relationships. Rather than listening to the drama, talk it out with your partner. In high school, teenagers are still struggling to find themselves, making it more difficult to maintain a relationship. When a teen is determined to keep dating, they’ll do what they can to save their relationship. All teens have their own opinions on dating, whether they aren’t ready for it, it’s too much work or it’s exactly what they want while in high school.
Based off of what happens in West Essex, I’ve seen that many teens aren’t mature enough to maintain a steady relationship, allowing others opinions to take over their relationship. Instead of taking everyone’s advice, focus on your own feelings. But the real question is, if everyone knows the key to maintaining a relationship, why don’t teens want to follow through with it? Sure, that’s easier said than done, but if a relationship is something someone’s heart has always desired, then it’s possible. If there’s a will, there’s a way. Keep in mind, when trying to get into a relationship, it’s for yourself. It is not for the rest of the school. Live your life on your own terms and decide what is best for you.
Whenever I see Hillary Clinton’s mugshot in the news, all I can think of is, “Seriously, that was the best the Dems could come up with?” And yet, whenever somebody says that they do not like Trump, they are immediately labelled as a Hillary supporter. I can list any number of reasons why I hate both. They were both older than the majority of voters, both elitist and neither had any idea what it was like to work. Hillary was giving speeches to snowplow drivers; Trump was giving speeches to coal miners. You think Hillary has ever been behind the wheel of a truck? You think Trump has ever swung a pickaxe? It has been over a year since the election, and both the media and the president are still focused on Clinton. It’s time to move on from Crooked Hillary. With all the commentators on the internet, on television and in our school, I think comedian Bill Burr said it best about the two: “You’ve either got a racist dope, or, like, the devil,” Burr said in his January 2017 Netflix special “Walk Your Way Out.” “How did we end up with these two? This is like the first week of ‘American Idol’… ‘Really, this is what I’ve got?’” I distinctly remember criticizing Trump in eighth grade U.S. History, talking about the irony
of how he “stood” for middle-class workers, while all the workers who built his casinos got completely hosed. “Looks like we got a Hillary supporter over here,” one kid said. This is the reason many of us supported Bernie Sanders. Bernie supported all the things that young people want; cheaper college, more jobs and legal marijuana. “I felt he was the only one who was fighting for the people, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality or income,” junior Genevieve Gustafson said. “He was fighting for more than just rich white men.” Yet, Democrats chose a rich white woman? That’s why I hate the preconceived notion that you have to be entirely left or right. Whatever happened to the middle? Can’t we agree with both the left and the right sometimes? No, because there’s no candidate in the middle. Sure, you can bring up the Independents, but can you name a single candidate who is Independent? There is a solution. Don’t just stand by your party’s leader simply because they are the leader. If you didn’t like Trump, don’t automatically support Hillary. If you don’t like Hillary, don’t automatically support Trump. Eliminate partisanism and stand up for what you believe in. Make your own decisions. That is what a true American does.
Non-chronological feeds on social media are the worst From left:“You, hold my hand, by my side” by Cher VernalEQ (https://flic.kr/p/oe1jxu)
The horrid Instagram feed setup is spreading to other apps and websites. By Sara Amil ’18 It’s no secret that Instagram has gotten rid of its chronological order in your timeline. The popular app did this months ago, but now the change may be migrating to other apps as well. The switch in the order of posts on your timeline is not only annoying, but uncomfortable. I can’t begin to explain how many times I have accidentally liked someone’s picture from a week prior because it just appeared in my timeline randomly. Sorry, I’m not stalking your profile; it’s just the new update! As if this was not already bad enough, Instagram’s sinful ways are starting to spread to other apps. The messed-up timeline was bearable on one app, because I guess eventually you
would get used to it or maybe spend less time on the app. However, now Twitter and Tumblr have adopted this pesky feature. I also end up missing important posts that I would love to see. Instead of seeing the field hockey girls banquet pictures, prom photos are coming up on my timeline! It has caused me to use the app less and less as I’m not seeing new things. When the annoying Instagram change occurred, I figured, “Alright let’s just switch to a different app to be obsessed with.” Unfortunately for myself and many other users, Tumblr and Twitter have joined this disgraceful trend. Now three apps are tainted with this folly. Fortunately, they both have a feature to select the order in which you would prefer to see posts (how considerate), while Instagram remains forcing users to view feeds their way. I think this feature is necessary to keep users on the app. The change just makes me want to leave. The main question people are asking is: Why? Instagram had no reason to change the way a user’s feed is presented, and it is
rather annoying that with developments on other social media platforms that Instagram has still not added a feature to adjust one’s feed to their liking. If Twitter can do it, why can’t Instagram? It’s awfully inconveinent for the everyday user. I do not know one person who prefers their timeline this way. Many users believed that this feature would have gone away quickly after its premiere, due to the negative uproar. However, months later, it still remains to be as annoying as ever. There was no need for the change, as the posts that are shown first are from celebrities and accounts with more followers rather than seeing and interacting with posts from people you actually know in real life. If Instagram’s purpose is to share images among friends, why has it become Photo By Danielle Tabatneck so difficult to see my friends’ posts? Sara Amil frowning at this post showing up All I want to do is open up the app and from six days ago on her Instagram feed. see people I know. Not celebrities, not week old posts. Now, I either have to unFIND MORE WESSEX WIRE follow celebrities or hope that my friends’ @thewessexwire on posts magically show up on my feed. Bring Twitter and Instagram back the old order, Instagram. Your users are begging you.
Features
December 2017 Issue 2
The Wessex Wire Page 7
The Last Minute Friend Gift Guide of 2017 By Alyssa Cristobal ’18 and Danielle Schwartz ’20
The holidays are just around the corner, and time is running out to buy your gifts. Of course you want to buy something for your best friends, but you are not looking to empty your bank account. Take this quiz to find the perfect gift under $20 to buy your friend.
Chipotle Gift Card Watch
Cards Against Humanity
Matching Onesies
Enjoy the first taste of the holiday season with Starbucks By Jordan Flusser ’19 Reminiscing on the holiday season likely brings back memories of the taste of eggnog and sweet smell of gingerbread. Starbucks embraces the holidays with their festive cups and beverages that are only available during this season, and are celebrated by many. They released their menu and new cup design on Nov. 1, featuring their first color-in holiday cup. “We love the idea of everyone making this year’s cup their own,” executive creative director for Starbucks, Leanne Fremar, said, according to the Starbucks website. The cup sleeves for hot beverages
complement the design and say “Give Good,” which Starbucks designated the theme for their holiday campaign this year. Starbucks is also launching a second holiday cup design this year. The second cup, introduced on Nov. 28, and available for only a limited time, is solid red with a white heart framed by two hands coming together. Customers are encouraged to write the name of someone who “warms their heart” on the cup. This cup is also a part of their “Give Good” campaign. “I’m excited to see the new Starbucks cups each holiday season,” junior Ellie Decker said. Although the holiday cup has
changed, their signature holiday beverages are back for the season. Favorites such as peppermint mocha and gingerbread lattes have returned attracting many Starbucks-lovers looking forward to these flavors. New chestnut praline chai tea lattes and toasted white chocolate mochas have also been added to this year’s menu. “Peppermint mochas are definitely my favorite,” senior Julia Russo said. “[Peppermint mochas] really get me into the holiday spirit,” junior Alexis Lombardo said. Starbucks’ favorites add cheer to every holiday season with their joyful designs and festive drinks.
Photo FROM staRBUCKS NEWSROOM
The new Starbucks cup design allows customers to fill it in however they like.
December 2017
Page 8
The Wessex Wire: Sexual Assault
Flood of sexual assault allegations Normalizing rape culture is common, but not acceptable Society must condemn powerful predators to protect women in and out of the workplace.
By Emily Johnston ’18 If the current exodus of abusers in Hollywood, politics and journalism is any indication of the current state of the union, then change is imminent. Sexual assault is inexcusable, no matter who commits it. The ideology that “womanizing is powerful” creates an atmosphere where power hungry men feel they can prey on any woman. Society says more sex equals greater success. That is why celebrities, public figures and others such as Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, a man who had the power to bring up and destroy careers in one phone call, need to be brought to the public eye. It is revolting that since 1980 he has been accused of sexual assault and Hollywood did nothing. Only when it became public knowledge, thanks to the New York Times and a New Yorker magazine story by Ronan Farrow (Woody Allen’s son), did Weinstein leave the industry. It is the duty of those who care to bring about safety. When women are expected to sexually pleasure men to get ahead, such as with Harvey Weinstein, abuse becomes normalized. No person should be expected to exchange sex for career success. This horrific culture of male power abuse cuts across a number of different industries and areas of daily life. Taking advantage of the shock of seeing a star, comedian Louis C.K. would make women watch him masturbate. In his apology about coercion and harassment, he admitted that he held too much power for these women to consent. Confronted with a person in a position of power, people often are scared to say no. Rejecting someone could mean the end of a career, even the end of a life. In 2014, Elliot Rodger, a young man from California, killed seven in a
drive-by because he was rejected. Never having a girlfriend led to an anger at sexually active men and women. So, he went on a shooting spree in Isla Vista. To protect their lives and jobs, women will say yes out of fear. Even our president, Donald Trump, has been accused of sexual assault. Notoriously, in a behind-the-scenes video from “Access Hollywood” recorded in 2005, he said to a journalist that when approaching women, he can just “grab ‘em by the p*ssy.” 20 women have come forward accusing Trump of sexual misconduct. Natasha Stoynoff, a writer for People, describes being pushed against a wall and forcibly kissed by our president. Several others have similar stories. President Bill Clinton is no stranger to accusations either. Juanita Broaddrick in 1990 accused Clinton of violently raping her in her hotel room. Kathleen Willey met him for advice in the Oval Office and was met with him groping and forcing her to touch his crotch. He got away with it, just like Trump did. This issue goes much deeper than party lines. Rape culture is a societal issue. Upon speaking out, such as with the #MeToo social media movement, women are belittled. People ask the same questions: What were you wearing? Are you sure you didn’t give them signs? Were you drunk? These questions are toxic, taking away from the facts of the accusation. Clothing or behavior does not change whether or not someone was assaulted. To think something as simple as a look could mean one was “asking for it” is to perpetuate a culture in which sexual assault is standard. Doubt keeps women and men from coming for ward. Allegations often come out long after abuse because society teaches to keep quiet. One is taught that being sexually assaulted is something to be ashamed of—that it is often the victim’s fault. This attitude must change in order to form a world without assault.
“” Until all victims are respected, abusers will continue to get away with their crimes.
Staff Editorial: Reporting on sexual misconduct essential, PAGE 4 Though women are not the only victims of sexual assault, according to national anti-sexual violence organization RAINN, 90 percent of rape victims are female. Their perpetrators are often males. Until all victims are respected, abusers will continue to get away with their crimes. The fact that the justice system does not give harsh sentences to abusers makes victims feel that charging their assaulters is not worth it. In the United States, according to RAINN, every 98 seconds someone is sexually assaulted. However, only 6 out of 1,000 perpetrators will actually end up in prison. Brock Turner, a college kid from Stanford, raped a girl and received a sentence of just six months in county jail with three years of probation. After getting out on good behavior, he is currently trying to appeal his case on the claim that prosecutors told jurors false information to sway their opinion. It’s great that he was convicted, but clearly it was not enough time for him to repent. It’s a slap on the wrist compared to drug charges; the average being three years according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Drugs are bad, yes, but are they worse than taking away someone’s right to say no? A better world will only happen if rape culture dissipates. Until we begin to teach kids at a young age that no means no, assault will happen. Until we teach kids that girls’ and boys’ bodies are their own, assault will continue to happen. Humanity needs to reevaluate their morals. I do not want to live in a world where rape is normal. I do not want to live in a world where victims must hide in fear of public reaction. To promote the current ideals in place in society is to promote rape culture.If you are horrified by the current exposées, change your behavior and teach people to be better. Educate those around you to be understanding of events like this and please, stop shaming victims. Change is inevitable at this point. Choose the side that fights for a better tomorrow.
Since Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual misconduct in early October, more than 75 m
Students disgusted by abuse, b
“ ”“ “”“ “ “ [Abuse] can be reduced after these men understand what they are doing is terrible.
—Julianna Russo ’20
There is so much that goes on behind closed doors, it’s just bound to happen.
— Joe Masini ’20
I’m glad that finally gaining t stand up and sh issue that is
—Eleonora Tr
I think that th everywhere, b just does not thing
—Ben Fried
I’m disappointed, but not surprised by the amount of sexual harassment accusations.
—Leigha Capra ’19
I feel like there other ways to h and you don’t ha someone to
—Marisleysis R
December 2017
The Wessex Wire: Sexual Assault
Page 9
ignite conversation on sex in U.S.
America must improve its sex education to reduce misconduct
Informing students promotes healthier attitudes about sex. By Michael Sessa ’18
Photo illustration by alexa dratch
men have been implicated in cases of sexual misconduct.
but looking forward to reform
“ ”“ ” ”“”
women are the courage to hed light on an s past due.
rajanoski ’18
his happens but the news cover these gs.
Men in powerful positions commit heinous acts due to a belief that their role makes them indestructible.
— Ian McLaughlin ’18
They think they won’t get caught; they think they can do whatever they want.
—Abby Lonergan ’21
dman ’21
are so many have power, ave to belittle feel that.
Rodriguez ’19
We just need to speak up. We need to be able to say, this has happened ... and this person did it
—Yasmin Cardoso ’20
Since Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual misconduct in early October, more than 75 celebrities and corporate powers have fallen from grace, their colleagues, coworkers and subordinates speaking out about everything from lewd text messages to rape. The sudden and highly public exposure of high profile assaulters has come as a surprise to many and initiated a long-overdue conversation about the culture of sex in the United States. Though sexual misconduct is firmly mounted on the national stage, few have turned their eyes to the place many Americans first learn about sex: sexual education classes in schools. In a startling portion of the U.S., sex education is not being taught well, or even at all. Nationally, health courses rarely provide students with any information they can actually use, and an incredible number of students leave having no greater practical sexual knowledge than they did when the course began. According to 2015 data by the U.S. Department of Education, only 22 states require that sex ed be taught, and just 13 of these specify that the instruction be medically accurate. In Mississippi, the state with the second highest teen pregnancy rate, teachers are forbidden from even demonstrating how to properly use a condom. Many schools also advocate abstinence-only education pro-
grams. New Jersey, for example, has a “stress abstinence law” which mandates purposeful bias in its curriculum, used at schools such as West Essex. Although abstinence seems like a clever way to stifle sexual activity among teens, according to a 2013 study by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, teaching abstinenceonly programs actually increases teen sex rates. Teens have questions about changes in their body and their sexual desires, and ignoring those concerns only promotes the spread of misinformation. While many adults would like to believe all teens will fully abstain from having sex, the reality is that they overwhelmingly will not, and the education system has a responsibility to ensure students receive all the resources they need to do so safely and consensually. Sexual insensitivity has become common in today’s pop culture and vernacular largely as a result of sexual incompetence. Numerous colleges have become involved in publicly damning cases regarding allegations of rape and mistreatment, accused of promoting campus environments conducive to “rape culture.” In October of 2014, in a case that’s since been echoed by many other colleges, students from Delta Kappa Epsilon, a fraternity at Yale, gathered near the female dorms and chanted, “No Means Yes, Yes Means Anal.” Toxic attitudes about sex, such events suggest, are the product of absence—the fallout from not talking openly to teenagers about consent or sexual violence or even about how to respectfully engage in dialogues about sex. What students, teachers and
For more on specific accused in Hollywood, politics and media, visit thewessexwire.com. policy-makers must realize is that a lack of sexual understanding acts as a breeding ground for sexual ignorance, verbal and physical. Educating kids teaches them to respect their sexual partners. Teens who have had sex are not worn out shoes or chewed pieces of gum— they are people. Comparisons like these, common in American health textbooks, not only show a complete lack of regard for the emotions of sexually active students, but also overlook the basic biological functions of the human anatomy. Sex education curricula need to be overhauled with relevant, medically accurate and sensitive content that actually helps students make informed decisions. However, students can help create that change on their own; they must ask questions. They must stand up for their right to know. No misrepresentation of facts in a child’s education should be tolerated. Teens have a right to be informed about the options they face when presented with the opportunity to have sexual intercourse. They have the right to be informed about what consent is, how to use contraceptives and how to have healthy conversations about sex. Schools across the United States have an obligation to recognize that sex is not something to be ashamed of nor scared of, but rather a cornerstone of strong relationships and emotional health. Predators are the products of their environment—perhaps we should try changing the environment.
Administration on lessons learned Assistant Principal Ms. Hoebee sat down with the Wire to provide some insight on how the high school encourages respectful attitudes about sex. What should teens take away What kind of policies does from this flood of sexual mis- West Essex have in place to combat sexual misconduct? conduct allegations?
How can curriculum foster healthy, respectful attitudes about sex?
“The biggest thing kids should think about is how the things they say and do make other people feel. Their words are very heavy sometimes. They don’t always know people’s experiences or how that person will take something.”
“We try to do that through simple, open lines of communication. We do it through character education and teaching the importance of treating other people the way you want to be treated. We teach students how to mediate conflicts.”
“Ms. Tamburri and myself are the school’s affirmative action officers, so we know how to deal with and diffuse those types of situations. We train staff on a regular basis about maintaining a safe and respectful working environment.”
December 2017
Page 10
The Wessex Wire: Features
Marino brings her saxophone skills to Turkey Day parade By Amy Grunther ’20
illustration by Michael sessa
District emerges from opioid crisis strong, but not unscathed Despite its dire backdrop, West Essex has fared the state’s growing crisis well. By Michael Sessa ’18 Through the bars of a Caldwell holding cell, a standout athlete rolled up his sleeves and pointed to the track marks running down both arms. The use of opiate pills following a sports injury had mutated into a heroin addiction, ten bags deep per day. Student Assistance Counselor Anthony Emering, then working at James Caldwell High School, tried to reach him. The next time Mr. Emering saw the 19-yearold, he was dead. A NATIONWIDE CRISIS Now, 16 years later, the opioid epidemic has finally gained national attention. On Oct. 26, President Trump declared the crisis a “public health emergency,” a label that expands access to telemedicine in rural areas and shifts some federal grants toward combating the crisis. While opioid abuse is a nationwide affliction, the affluent, predominantly white suburbia of West Essex—and the veil of secrecy and silence that epitomizes the dialogue on drugs here and in places like this across the country—is prime real estate for what is likely the greatest drug outbreak in American history. “If you call what’s happening nationally an epidemic, I don’t know what you call it in Essex County,” Mr. Emering said. In 2014, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control confirmed that heroin deaths in New Jersey equated to more than three times the national average of 2.6
deaths per 100,000 citizens. In Essex County, that rate was 8.4 deaths per 100,000 citizens, with the highest concentration of deaths occurring in the suburbs surrounding cities such as Newark and Paterson. Unlike the previous drug crises of the urban and minority classes, the torrent of opioid addiction has made its way to a new clientele: teenagers with cars, money and a burning desire to escape. THE EPIDEMIC HITS HOME At West Essex, after use of ubiquitous substances such as marijuana and alcohol, opioid drugs such as heroin, morphine and oxycodone rank next in popularity among students who tested positive in district-initiated drug screenings from 2008 to 2014. Opioids were first detected in student drug tests in 2010, and since then, the deaths of six West Essex alumni have been reported as heroin overdoses. “That’s what haunts me,” Mr. Emering said. “If you’re leaving with an illness or addiction, the system hasn’t worked.” West Essex, though not without failures along the way, has emerged from the epidemic minimally scathed considering its dire backdrop. The school’s sending districts are located just 10 miles from leading drug distribution hubs in Essex County, and major highways run directly through both Roseland and Fairfield. The area’s socioeconomic stature means students often have the budgets and independence to support expensive opioid habits. West Essex’s relative success in containing the spread of the crisis within the district is likely the product of ironclad policy, Mr. Emering said, though he admitted chance could play a role.
“We’ve been lucky, but I like to think you make your own luck,” he said. Mr. Emering described the school’s approach to dealing with substance abuse as “reasonable, articulate and fact-based.” The school digests data regarding everything from attendance and tardiness to academic performance and visits to the nurse, all with the hopes of pinpointing instances of addiction and intervening early. The school’s aggressive approach, though often successful, has its critics. Parents and students have argued the school’s drug screening protocols violate everything from Fourth Amendment rights to HIPAA and FERPA regulations, federal laws that set standards for sharing student health information and educational records. When implicated in substance abuse cases, students frequently take extreme measures to circumvent screenings. The district now employs a number of validity markers in its tests to detect the manipulation of urine samples. Tracking drug use trends and adjusting screening protocols accordingly, Mr. Emering said, is the best way to ensure West Essex has the resources to shield its students from their state’s silent plague. ALWAYS A BATTLE Pursuing those trends, however, can be complicated. Obstacles in obtaining accurate data and applying that information practically can often be a joint breakdown between numerous parties. Figures provided to the school by the New Jersey Division of Addiction Services, for example, do not include those who sought treatment privately or out-of-state. The West Essex community’s access to
these unmonitored facilities means statistics about use in affluent towns such as those serving the district are frequently underrepresentative. Those statistical lapses can often impact district policy. In January 2015, Mr. Emering discontinued a chart that he used to track student drug use at West Essex meticulously for upwards of six years. Though he said the chart has “direct implications on guiding the scope and nature of the district’s drug testing protocol,” difficulties in obtaining accurate data from out-of-district schools, as well as hopsital locations due to HIPAA regulations, made maintaining the chart increasingly complicated. Appropriately responding to the crisis in spite of systemic failures is crucial to holding student opioid abuse at bay, Mr. Emering said, as is educating students about the social stigma of addiction. “This is not a moral weakness that’s proliferating—it’s a brain that’s been hijacked by a chemical,” he said. Principal Caesar Diliberto echoed that message, noting that the school’s interventions must be backed up by what happens in the classroom. “We’re an educational institution, so we tend to take an educational approach,” Mr. Diliberto said. “We try to address it through curriculum, we bring speakers in, but we have all sorts of interventions if we actually suspect somebody might be falling into that sort of pattern.” Mr. Emering, though proud of how West Essex has dealt with the proliferation of opioids, cannot help but feel overwhelmed by the extent of the crisis. “It just keeps raging on,” he said. “There’s no glory in what we do here.”
While most of us were sleeping late and relaxing on our Thanksgiving Day off, junior Catherine Marino was up at 2 a.m. ready to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Catherine and other student musicians from all over the country were given the music opportunity of a lifetime: to be part of the beloved Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and perform live on national television. Catherine began playing the alto saxophone in fourth grade and has been a great player ever since. After spending her time playing in the West Essex Symphonic Winds Band, Jazz Band and Marching Band, Band Director Anthony Fabrizio recommended that Catherine look into the Macy’s Great American Marching Band. “I didn’t know anything about it and then Mr. Fabrizio just brought it up one day,” Catherine said. Catherine filled out an application and sent in a video of her playing in March. She received the exciting news that she was offered a spot in April. When rehearsals began, they were a no funny business ordeal. Catherine and her bandmates were told fooling around was prohibited, and the students got straight to business, learning new music and formations. The night before the parade, Catherine and the other band members all slept at a hotel, and they got on a bus the next morning at 2:40 a.m. They were at the parade rehearsing by 4 a.m. “We were not as tired as we thought we would be because we were so excited,” Catherine said. Whe n t he p ar a d e b e g an , Catherine and her band mates waited at the start for nearly three hours until they performed at the end of the parade where they played their hearts out. Despite the hardships of rehearsals and preparation, Catherine said that her time in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band was truly unforgettable. “I loved it and would love to do it again,” Catherine said. “It is a once in a lifetime thing.”
Photo Courtesy of Catherine marino
&
Arts Arts
Culture
December 2017 Issue 2
The Wessex Wire Page 11
West Essex’s favorite TV specials to get into ultimate holiday spirit These TV specials are perfect to pump up the holiday season. By Gabrielle Kesh ’20 “Slapsgiving,” from “How I Met Your Mother” It i s 2 0 0 7 a n d t h e f i r s t Thanksgiving that the gang is spending together - a tradition that they hope to uphold throughout the years. Meanwhile, Lily tries to plan the perfect holiday for the group, but she keeps getting interrupted. While Barney anxiously awaits the consequences of his loss, Lily is in a panic and Robin and Ted have drama. This episode gives the audience a laugh. The character chemistry is real and this episode is a real fan favorite in the show’s history. “A Very Glee Christmas,” from “Glee”
Illustration by Rebecca KlEin
Several popular shows have released different holiday specials that bring fresh perspectives to the season.
Holiday cheer floods through the halls of Mckinley High School along with classic Christmas tunes. This episode includes renditions of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” and “We Need a Little Christmas.” Along with the music, Glee Club holds a Secret Santa exchange where everyone struggles to find
the perfect gifts. The manipulative Sue Sylvester, who aims to destroy the club, tries to find a way to get all the gifts for herself. The spirited music and interesting plot makes it one that never gets old. “The One With the Armadillo,” from “Friends” It is the holiday season in New York and Ben is coming to stay with Ross. This gives Ross the idea to take the opportunity and expose his son, Ben, to his Jewish heritage. Ben has developed a love for Christmas, and thinks a holiday without Santa Claus is a terrible idea. As this is going on, Rachel is figuring out her living situation. She is planning on living with Joey, but Phoebe wants Rachel with her. This leads to Phoebe taking matters into her own hands and causing some holiday commotion. This funny approach to the diversity of holidays keeps the viewer laughing. The episode may be dated, but it is still beloved. “Blair Waldorf Must Pie,” from “Gossip Girl” Even Manhattan’s most elite teenagers, with their extravagant lives, settle down for the holidays. But in this particular episode, no one is in the holiday mood quite yet. Best friends Blair and Serena get in a fight which causes them to
break their annual Thanksgiving tradition. Serena and her family end up at Dan’s house, where an uncomfortable situation is created for the parents. Blair awaits her father’s homecoming, yet he doesn’t show. At the Archibald house, Thanksgiving is spent in the hospital after Nate’s father attempts to end his life. This episode tackles issues of neglect, betrayal and suicide, which makes it an intense watch. The episode is one that cannot be forgotten. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” from “Grey’s Anatomy” Everyone seems to be in the Christmas mood except for the doctors at Seattle Grace. They are dealing with a boy who needs a heart transplant but doesn’t want one, which sparks a debate between Burke and Cristina. Alex is preparing to retake his exam before the holiday starts. Izzy feels betrayed by her friends and she is struggling to get over Alex. She is also helping a man who fell from his roof while hanging decorations. Everyone is dealing with a lot of chaos and are reminded of the true spirit of the Christmas holiday. They become more aware of the true meaning of it in their daily lives. Overall, it is an interesting addition to the show’s canon and is very popular with fans.
Timeless entertainment for winter vibes Music
By Dylan Lepre ’19 and Caroline Quinn ’19
Movies
“All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey When Mariah Carey releases something, it’s almost always a hit. It was no different for her acclaimed Christmas album, “Merry Christmas,” which dropped in 1994 and has since become one of the most popular albums of all time. The breakout hit, however, is this love song, where Carey says how she doesn’t want presents or anything from Santa, but the man she is after to reciprocate. The song is a staple during Christmas time (one can find it playing on various Christmas stations throughout the holiday) and is perfect for those looking for love this holiday.
“Elf ” There is no surprise this hilarious Christmas comedy is one of West Essex’s favorite holiday movies. Starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, this movie follows Buddy’s journey to the Big Apple from the North Pole in search of his birth father, and his experiences in the real world will not fail to make you laugh. Buddy’s love for Christmas and Santa himself are contagious and this film will put you right into the holiday spirit. The film also stars Zooey Deschanel, who has gone on to star in several different popular TV shows, as Buddy’s romantic interest whom he quickly falls for.
“Last Christmas” by Wham! Forget the Taylor Swift remake—the original song by George Michael and Wham! can never be topped. This song deals with trying to get over the heartbreak of a failed relationship from the previous Christmas. With last year’s death of Wham! lead George Michael, this song is a sad, yet wonderful throwback. It’s not the most heartwarming song, but it’s good for people going through breakups who want to move on and try to find that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. There are many verisons of the song, but the original is the best way to go.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” All of the Whos in Whoville love Christmas, that is except for the Grinch who is determined to ruin the holiday. This festive film follows Cindy Lou Who, while she sets out to rekindle the Grinch’s love for Christmas and show him the joy of the holiday season, which she eventually does. Audiences can’t help but fall in love with the Grinch after watching his heart grow three sizes. His story shows the potential in everyone to find happiness. Despite the ridiculousness of the its main character, it is also a poignant, moving film on love and friendship.
December 2017
The Wessex Wire: Arts & Culture
Page 12
2017 albums to ride into the New Year Kesha —“Rainbow” Aug. 11
Kendrick Lamar—“DAMN.” April 14
This electropop album reached the top of the charts in a variety of countries. Fans hadn’t heard a new song from Perry since “Prism,” which released in 2013, and many were eager to hear what other music she would come out with. Her hope and sole purpose for “Witness” is to allow listeners to relate to and be inspired by her music, and Perry succeeds with songs that vary from fun to dance-y to dark to light. Standout singles include “Chained to the Rhythm” featuring Skip Marley, “Bon Appétit” featuring Migos and “Swish Swish” featuring Nicki Minaj. Specifically, when the album first came out, “Chained to the Rhythm” was a song that everyone knew and one that became extremely popular quite quickly.
“Rainbow” was an exciting release for Kesha fans, as her last album “Warrior” dropped back in 2012. The singer’s personal and professional struggles lead this new album to be creative and unique. Kesha began writing “Rainbow” while she was in rehab; the album emphasizes topics regarding forgiveness, letting go of the past and understanding one’s own self-worth. “Praying” is a stand-out song on the album which successfully showcases the story of hope and forgiveness on others. It draws the attention of listeners as a result of the energy and passion Kesha sings with. She turned a bad situation into a hit song. This album shows maturity that listeners have never heard from Kesha in her past musical ventures.
“DAMN.” made its No.1 debut on the U.S. Billboard 200 this year as well as being certified double platinum, and it earned that title with a triple threat of standout singles: “Humble,” “Loyalty” and “Love.” For the first time, Lamar records his songs in the album with beats inspired by trap, as opposed to his usual hip-hop style. The album has been characterized as conscious rap that draws on elements of trap, R&B and pop. “DAMN.” represents the ideal rap album of 1995 because of Lamar’s efforts to build a modern version of a bridge to the past with his classic style of rap. The album showcases Lamar’s powerful writing skills as he constructs a powerful story through lyrics. and rhythm.
Ed Sheeran—“Divide” March 3
Drake — “More Life” March 18
Taylor Swift—“Reputation” Nov. 10
The follow-up to 2014’s “Multiply” reached the top of the charts in 14 different countries. Ed has made a statement with the singles on the album “Castle on the Hill” and “Shape of You.” These songs draw students and listeners into this album, leaving fans wanting to hear more from Sheeran. The artist leaves a mark on his listeners through the way he slightly steps away from his comfort zone through his new sound. “Divide” is an album filled with catchy songs that listeners quickly got hooked on. Students enjoy listening to the music as it has remained popular throughout the entire year since its release date. Sheeran has made himself known throughout the past few years, and his albums continue to get better, earning him the attraction of more and more fans with each new release. He adds another impressive album to his already impressive lineup of songs and increases his popularity in the music world as a serious performer while also adding familiar songs for his old fans.
“More Life” includes a broad range of genres, including hip hop, trap and pop music. The people took notice of the album as soon as it was released to the public. Some standout singles on the album that listeners cannot stop listening to include “Fake Love” and “Passionfruit.” Specifically, in the summer, “Passionfruit” was played in many public places and many radio stations. Drake’s songs have been a major hit with fans wanting to hear more new music Drake has come out with. It is obvious to listeners that the music in “More Life” was carefully planned out, as the album creates a story for its listeners. The mood, production and melody of the music each comes together to create a perfect sense of time and momentum throughout “More Life.” Drake fans were not disappointed by his album, as it includes a mixture of songs about Drake’s life held together by incredible vocals and beats. It’s something different and a fresh addition to Drake’s canon.
The old Taylor may be “dead,” but “Reputation” breathes new life into what fans came to expect from this beloved pop star. This poporiented album is electronic inspired, including elements of dubstep and trap. Swift explains to her fans that “Reputation” represents her feelings towards the beginning of creating the album, to her feelings when the album recording process ended. Through her music, Swift aspires to send a message to her listeners with every song on the album. She gives her listeners’ the advice to live their lives, instead of worrying about searching for romance. “Reputation” includes both Ed Sheeran and the rapper Future, which is an exciting and interesting twist for Swift fans. Overall, the album introduces Swift’s new sound and fully emphasizes her complete musical transformation from her “Red” days. Most students say that they enjoy listening to Swift more with her new sound, rather than with her old music and persona.
The good and bad of New Year’s Eve shows By Lauren Czachor ’20 New Year’s Eve events are rightfully some of the biggest parties thrown throughout the year. Next to the ball drop, the celebrity performances are arguably the most anticipated moments. Performing at a nationally televised New Year’s Eve party has given many performers the opportunity to end, (or start) the year on a high note, while others are left publicly shamed. In 2016, Mariah Carey had an iconic New Year’s Eve performance. Viewed as creating one of the most popular Christmas songs ever, Mariah Carey has since
dominated the music industry in regards to the holiday scene. But it’s this performance that best could be dubbed a trainwreck. Carey was performing at “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” when she alternated in and out of singing for nearly six whole minutes. She strutted nervously on stage as she claimed she couldn’t hear her tracks because of a faulty earpiece.This incident has tainted her repuatation as a token holiday singer. In 2011, Jennifer Lopez rang in the new year with her steamy medley of her songs “Louboutins,” “Waiting for Tonight” and “Let’s
Get Loud” in New York City’s Time Square at Dick Clark’s Rockin Eve celebration. Her undeniable energy, along with a stunning, sequined jumpsuit got everyone pumped for midnight, whether in the crowd or watching at home. This performance was nothing short of memorable—honestly, who could forget J.Lo strutting around stage performing some of her biggest hits at the time, all in the rain by the way as the final minutes of 2010 approached. Lady Gaga has been known for her wacky outfits and unique concerts and her New Year’s performance back in 2011 in Times
Square was sure no disappointment. She sang a rendition of her singles “Marry the Night,” “Heavy Metal Lover” and “Born This Way” emerging in a black sequinned octopus costume. Gaga entertained the NYC crowd for nearly seven whole minutes as the last performer until the new year rang in. This mini-concert was nothing short of phenomenal and for sure iconic. Photo courtesy of Alexander Fernandez (cc by-SA 2.0)
Mariah Carey was a New Year’s performer in 2016.
Bottom: “Mariah carey” by Alexsander Fernandez (https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexsander7/314674374)
Katy Perry—“Witness” June 9
Top left to right: photos obtained from Katy Perry, RCA Records, Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, Republic Records and Ed Sheeran.
By Danielle Tabatneck ’18
December 2017
Page 13
The Wessex Wire: Arts & Culture
Disney’s past shows to be featured in new service By Sara Amil ’18 The 2000s brought along a lot of powerful symbols and images: Juicy tracksuits, Paris Hilton, UGG boots and flip phones among them. But for many, the most enduring memories came from the TV shows that aired over the decade. Waiting for Sunday night to come, just to be able to see the newest Disney Channel episodes each week defined the childhoods of many West Essex students. Many miss the days where they could sit criss-crossed on the floor and gaze into their TVs to see Miley Cyrus or Selena Gomez. But who says this has to be limited to one’s childhood? Anyone could enjoy these popular programs from Disney Channel if the station continued to air its past shows, but unfortunately access to them are limited. Netflix used to have several of these old Disney shows on its service, but pulled some of the most memorable programs such as “Hannah Montana,” “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” and “Wizards of Waverly Place” in January 2015. It also removed spin-off “The Suite Life on Deck” that same month. These cherished Disney series are made difficult to watch. Netflix has many other Disney shows available, such as “Jessie,” “My Babysitter’s a Vampire” and “Phineas & Ferb,” but for some reason none of the classics. Netflix is not the only culprit,
Photo courtesy of Mark Levin
Disney’s success in the past has prepared them for their future streaming service which is set to debut in 2019.
however. Disney shows are proven more difficult to find for some nostalgic binge watching, as they’re not available on Amazon Prime or Hulu either. The next place to look after searching streaming services would be the network’s website itself, yet this too proves unsuccessful. Disney does not offer streaming of any of their old shows on their website, but there is hope for the future of old Disney shows. Disney is working towards the creation of their own streaming service, where all of their old shows will be available soon, according to Fox News. They are set to remove
all of their content from Netflix prior to the launch of their unnamed service in late 2019. The service will also feature Marvel and “Star Wars” movies, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I feel that more kids our age will use it because we miss all of our childhood shows that they don’t show on regular TV anymore,” junior Emily Torchia said. Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, also recently shared that the company plans to have a price that is “substantially lower” than the current Netflix monthly fee, which is $10.99 for their most popular plan. With all of these appealing
qualities, the question becomes will Netflix be replaced by Disney’s unnamed service? “Personally I love Netflix and think they have a huge range of shows and movies that Disney won’t have,” sophmore Tara Smith said. “Netflix has always been my go to and I don’t think I will ever switch to primarily the Disney streaming service.” Though Disney is not the only competitor to Netflix—others include Hulu, Amazon Prime and HBO Go (to name a few)—the introduction of yet another service where dozens of popular movies and shows will be exclusively fea-
tured could pose a threat to Netflix, who currently houses some of Disney’s programs. To West Essex students, the new service is an exciting addition, but would likely not replace their subscription to the beloved Netflix. “I would never get rid of Netflix, but Disney’s new streaming service could be cool,” senior Sarah Falkin said. Only time will tell if Netflix’s empire will be harmed by the service, but judging from the response from students, it will most likely coincide with Netflix, instead of outright replacing it. Nevertheless, Disney hopes for another success.
Departing Netflix shows anger students From Top “Disney” by Mark Levin (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mil8/2173624051)
By Sam Calick ’19 Netflix was once the end-allbe-all for students’ televisionwatching needs, but lately a few holes have been popping up in the streaming service’s record. Known to students for fan favorites such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Friends” and “Stranger Things,” the service has been removing shows and movies that have been essential to the company’s success. Netflix has saved many fan favorite TV shows and movies from being forgotten after they stopped being aired, until now. Recently there has been a new trend with Netflix; the removal of popular past shows. The most recent and heartbreaking were “One Tree Hill,” “Friday Night Lights” and “Prison Break” on Oct. 1. “How I Met Your Mother” was removed on Nov. 13, and all versions of the “American Horror Story” series have been slowly removed in stages from Oct. 3. — Dec. 6. These sudden changes left users, who were waiting forever, wondering how the series ends,
unless they decide to purchase the series themselves. Students who have not realized that the streaming service will be taking shows down have been met with a rude awakening. The student reaction has been less than positive. Many students have voiced anger at the sudden changes. “I don’t understand why Netflix would put their customers through that pain,” junior Hayley Scheer said. “‘One Tree Hill’ was my favorite show and I personally feel victimized that they took it off.” In a recent poll of 100 students with memberships to Netflix, 44 percent said they were most affected by the departure of “One Tree Hill,” and 27 percent said they were more affected by losing access to the “American Horror Story” series. Students are infuriated about these recent cancellations and 33 percent said they would consider switching to another streaming service because of it. The question of whether or not
these shows are available on other streaming networks may impact Netflix’s popularity. If these series can be viewed on another service, why would students not switch their attention? All of these programs are available for purchase on iTunes, but purchasing multiple seasons can be costly. In light the recente alterations, Hulu has become a large competitor offering similar programs to those of Netflix. Netflix did have the edge as it was ad-free, something Hulu is not, but the recent changes to Netflix’s show selection may drive fans away. Three of the shows recently stripped from Netflix are available on Hulu. “How I Met Your Mother,” “Prison Break” and “American Horror Story” can be viewed on Hulu with a $7.99 monthly subscription. The streaming service showdown between Netflix, Hulu and Amazon has exploded. As of July 2017, subscribers to Netflix skyrocketed to 109 million worldwide. Hulu, only available to the U.S., holds 32 million subscribers,
Photo obtained from Netflix.com
Some shows, such as “How I Met Your Mother,” have been leaving Netflix.
and Amazon is currently behind Netflix with approximately 85 million subscribers. Hulu is at a disadvantage only being avaiable in the United States, whereas Netflix is available in most countries except for China, Crimea, North Korea and Syria. With the recent series removals, Hulu’s substription rate is likely to rise since the shows they offer are more exclusive. “I personally love ‘One Tree Hill’ and I think Netflix should keep it on,” sophomore Tara Smith said. “People subscribe to Netflix to watch shows like ‘One Tree Hill’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother’, so
taking them off is just going to hurt Netflix in the long run.” Despite the negative feedback Netflix has recieved from their recent decisions, there are many highpoints to it. The company is certainly not lacking a plethora of content for its viewers. Although it has been removing popular shows, it has 126 original shows and movies available for subscribers. Among these original programs are fan favorites “Daredevil,” “House of Cards” and “13 Reasons Why.” Although some shows have left, there are still plenty left to enjoy on the website.
December 2017
The Wessex Wire: Sports
Page 14
A midyear look at the major sports teams Fall sports wrap up their season Winter athletes have A quick overview on how each of the fall teams competed against opponents. By Frankie Rizzo ’19 Field Hockey The 2017 campaign was full of championships for the field hockey team. Led by captains Julia Russo, Ashley Iannuzzi, S ar a h Ian nu z z i an d D e v y n Aschenbach, the team won the Essex County Championship and the North Jersey Section 1, Group 2 championship. The team’s final record was 21-2-1. Boys Soccer: 2017 was a promising year for the boys soccer team. Led by captains Cooper Steinberg
and Ryan Murphy, they ended with a record of 10-8-1. Their big achievement this season was that they finished as sectional finalists. With a lot of players returning next year, the team should keep their foot on the pedal into another successful season next year. Girls Soccer A turnaround is a perfect way to describe the girls soccer team. Behind senior captains Brielle Krause, Daria Wendell, Maddie Galligan and Julia Farese, the team went from 5-10-2 last year to 13-7-1, more than double their previous win total. This was an overall successful season, that included a record above .500. Girls Tennis The 2017 season continued the girls tennis team’s cham-
pionship glory. They finished with a 11-7 record and won the Group 2, Section 2 title for the third straight season behind Julia Schwartz, Madison Santaromita, C a r o l i n e B e n Na t h a n a n d Jennifer Ben Nathan. With returning starters coming next season, the team looks promising to continue its championship trend. Volleyball This season involved a really young team getting used to play at the high school level and playing as a unit. They finished at 4-16, but with the team gaining steam near the end of the season, signs point to a good season next year. The season started off slow, but as the team’s confidence grew, a better result came on the court. The team learned to play as both individuals and a team, and their overall performance was improved.
high hopes this year By Josie Berger ’20
Dance Team
Girls Track
“I hope that the team improves on their skills and succeeds on their performances.” —Dana Stelter ’20
“The girls are looking forward to racing well at meets like Group 2 Champs, Eastern State Champs and Meet of Champs.” —Jenna Chan ’20
Wrestling
Boys Basketball
“My goal is to have a winning record as a team.” —Nick Lagreca ’21
“My goal is to improve my game f rom l ast year and work on team bonding.” —Johnny Magliaro ’18
Winter Track
Ice Hockey
“The goal of the boys winter track team is to continue to follow in the tradition of the program.” —Coach Cullen
“Our team goal is to finish at the top of our division and qualify for states.” —Sammy Friedman ’19
Cheerleading
Girls Basketball
“With only 12 girls we work to build our skills, stamina, and reputation. Performing as a small varsity team is challenging, but we make the best of it.” —Sofia Russo ’19
“We want to come together because we lost four seniors and three starters from last year. We also want to try to be Conference Champs again.” —Jess Coia ’20
Junior completes Philadelphia marathon By Frankie Rizzo ’19 Nov. 19 was just a normal old Sunday, unless your name is Kouros Sadeghi-Nejad. For Kouros, a junior, it was time to make history. He was getting ready to run in one of the most prestigious marathons of all time: the AACR Philadelphia Marathon. Of the more than 30,000 people that participated in the marathon, Kouros was the youngest runner. With a time of 3:27:30, he finished number 996 in his first marathon ever. “Many people argue that running a marathon at such a young age poses numerous risks to one’s health,” Kouros said. “But I have always believed that anything is possible with proper training, technique and mentality.” To get into the proper shape needed to complete the race, Kouros went through an intense training regime. This included eating correctly and continuing to run consistency. “I prepared for the marathon with almost six months of training, but I think the race was a culmination of all the years I’ve put into the sport,” Kouros said. “I ran about 50 miles a week with long runs ranging between 18 and 23 miles. I also had a relatively strict diet in order to maintain a low body fat.” Kouros also hit upon the fact that he needed a strong mentality to finish the race. That went along with
Photo courtesy of Kouros Sadeghi-Nejad
Kouros takes a breather after running an impressive marathon time.
him meditating and envisioning himself in the run. During the marathon, Kouros faced multiple challenges. First off, he had 20 mph winds blowing into his face. Kouros could have ended his journey three quarters through the race, but that is when an unexpected run-in pushed him to keep going. “As the soreness began to set in, I saw a most unexpected appearance,” Kouros said. “Thomas Egan’s brother was running the race, and Tom was at the water station when I ran by, and for a brief stint, he ran by my side and it made for a pretty memorable moment in one of the hardest parts of the race.” After the race was over, people would think it would take some
time for Kouros to get back up on his feet, but that wasn’t the case. “I could go into the long recovery process that followed the race, but as most distance runners can attest, a good pasta dinner was enough to satisfy my seemingly insatiable hunger.” What Kouros proved was that hard work comes with rewards, which in this case was showing everyone he could do the slim but possible. “My coach, Mr. Emering, once told me before a race that ‘I don’t believe in luck, I believe in hard work,” Kouros said in an Instagram post. “The harder you work, the luckier you get. This drives me to break my limits and hopefully inspire someone else to do the same.”
December 2017
The Wessex Wire: Sports
Eyes on the prize this intramural season By Grace Irwin ’18 Intramural basketball has been around since 2008 and is open to any student in the West Essex region from grades 9-12. The sport opens an opportunity to play the sport of basketball at a competitive level without the stress of an official high school team commitment. The laid back yet high energy league includes a maximum of 72 players, playing once a week on Friday nights in the middle school gymnasium starting Dec. 8. This year’s league includes a total of nine teams. The middle school gym is open for optional practices once a week, open for any or all teams to participate and work on individual skills. The championship game is set up through a bracket, seeding the teams based on their regular season record. “The creativity and the controlled freedom is the student’s favorite part. The students get to pick their own teams and they play with no adult coaches getting in the way,” Roseland director of Parks and Recreation Michael Colitti who is in charge of running the league said Students of all genders play together in games with two official referees and one adult gym supervisor. Each team is issued uniforms with the team name and color of
By Quinn Delehanty ’19 Student at h letes de dic ate their time in the off season to prepare themselves to be good enough to perform on the varsity level. When making the team, students look forward to getting their letters and then getting a varsity jacket, also known as a letterman jacket. Letterman jackets were very big in the ’50s, but the trend is coming back hard in recent years. The jackets never went away, but now they are an aspect of varsity sports that kids look forward to. “It's weird because before this if you were on a varsity sport you would receive a plaque instead of varsity letters,” Junior Cameron Marino said. A few sports at West Essex participated in the varsity letters and jackets, but not many. Cheerleading and Football were the only two teams participating before the girls soccer team got involved.
Winter Season Previews Fencer qualifies for ‘18 Junior Olympics By Shaun Goodman ’19
Photo courtesy of Dan Laible
The Fat Crew faced off against the People Eaters in Week 1 of intramural basketball on Dec. 8.
their choice. Teams are also allowed to have a coach and need at least five players on the court in order for the game to qualify in the bracket. “It’s relatively low stress. There’s not as much pressure to perform,” senior Alex Franchi said. “There’s a lot more freedom with how you play,” “Intramural lets you play your game, and not have to worry about the politics of playing for the school.” Last year, The Overcats, led by captain Mark Lachenauer, took home
first place, beating the X-Knights in the championship game. This season, senior Julia Farese hopes to lead her team, the Layup Magicians, the only all-female team in the league, to victory. “My friends have been doing intramural for the past two seasons, and always seemed to look forward to it every Friday night. I’m so excited to be a part of the team,” seniorsFarese said. “I hope to get to get at least three layups
in the first game to live up to our team name. I plan to bring home the gold this season.” Championship winners are awarded customized t-shirts along with having their team name engraved on Perpetual Championship Trophy. “I’m working hard for the IMLC(intramural league championship),” junior Patrick Delehanty said. “It’s all about dedication and improving skill.”
Varsity jackets return in full force The age old tradition of varsity players getting jackets is coming back to West Essex.
Page 15
“It was a tradition when I grew up and I wanted my daughter to feel the same level being apart of something so special such as a varsity team,” said Cameron’s father, Chris Marino. “Wearing matching jackets showing others what she has accomplished.” Marino and Andrew McCrone, two dedicated parents, introduced varsity jackets to the girl’s soccer program and the team couldn't have been more excited. With now three programs being involved, more students are hoping to introduce them to their teams. “I think it's crazy how not every sport participates in varsity jackets,” McCrone said. It has been a tradition forever and one that hasn't stopped, except it seems like in West Essex.” Marino and McCrone said they thought it was bizarre that girls soccer receives the physical letters, but never a jacket to put them on. The 2017 season was the first season they got jackets. The jackets were such a big thing a long time ago and the trend hasn't faded out. Letterman jackets are one of the few iconic fashion statements that still remains popular today. West Essex students are hoping to bring letterman jackets back.
Sophomore fencer Kevin Baker will represent West Essex High School at the Junior Olympics in Memphis, Tenn., this coming February and the 2018 Summer National in St. Louis, Mo. Baker has been fencing competitively for four years, but he picked up the sport at a young age. “I like how it’s more individual and you can strategize for the opponent,” Baker said. In November, Baker competed in four different events and won medals for all of them. For the fencing team, Baker’s development and progression has always been admired. “It’s really exciting for us to be a part of Kevin’s journey and help him get to the Junior Olympics, and to see where that goes is amazing,” assistant coach Caitlin Jozefczyk said. Even if Baker does not bring back a gold medal from the Junior Olympics, he nonetheless has a promising future in the sport of fencing.
Aqua Knights reflect on current standings By Heath Kalb ’18
The swim team has had an up and down start to the season, as the girls record is currently 3-1 while the boys are 0-4. The girls are led by seniors Emma Bossaert, Andrea Echo and Sofia Valle while underclassmen Jackie Taylor, Isabella Valle and Isabella Data have also been vital to the successful team. Even though the boys team has had a quieter start to the season, Gene Angeles, Eric Czerwinski and Tristan Simson have all been dominant in their respective events. “This is my senior season so I want to go out and compete as best as I can at every meet and maybe make states,” Simson said.
Wise Words: Coach Cosse
Photo courtesy of Cameron marino, olivia gurriero and Bill styskal
Students show off their stylish varsity jackets. On and off the field, the students flaunt their school spirit.
“When athletes turn their teammates into sisters, that’s when the magic happens.”
December 2017 Issue 2
The Wessex Wire Page 16
Knights celebrate their state championship win against Voorhees at MetLife on Dec. 2 after a lot of hard work during the season.
PhotoS courtesy of BILL STYSKAL Sr.
Football team completes the season on top By Ally Schachtel ’19 The West Essex Knights varsity football team defeated the Voorhees Vikings by a score of 28-14 on Saturday, Dec. 2 to win the North 2, Group 3 State Finals at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. It was the first state championship win for West Essex since 2011. “It was a very exciting day for every player and coach involved and to play as well as we did on the biggest stage meant everything to us,” Head Coach Christopher Benaquista said. “I was extremely proud of the team and all the coaches.” The game got off to a quick start
for the Knights, as on the third play of their opening drive, quarterback Zachary Lemanski fired the ball deep to Will Perez to put the Knights up 7-0 on the 64 yard touchdown reception. Six minutes later, Voorhees quarterback George Eberle threw an interception to junior Joe Dalbo who runs it to the West Essex 45 yard line. At the start of the second, Lemanski launched a deep pass to senior captain Vincent Scaglia who caught it for a 25 yard touchdown, putting West Essex up 14-0 early into the game. “Once our team hit the score 14-0, we knew the game was on our side and the momentum changed,” junior Billy Garofalo said. “We all had a new
mindset while playing.” The third quarter started with a touchdown by junior Philip Lutz only three minutes into the half, pulling them ahead 21-7 as a result of the 46 yard pass. The last score of the game was a touchdown by William Perez in the fourth quarter, which put the Knights up 28-7 with just 2 minutes left in the game. “Playing my final high school game at MetLife Stadium will forever be one of the greatest moments in my life and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else,” Scaglia said “These men will forever be apart of my life.” One key player of the game was
Lemanski, who returned for his first game only five weeks after breaking his hip. Lemanski finished 5-of-8 for 161 yards and four touchdowns throughout the game. The Voorhees secondary was not expecting his return, making him a secret weapon for the Knights. Juniors William Perez and Phillip Lutz combined for a total of 3 touchdowns scored in the game. “My offensive line definitely deserves a lot of credit,” Lemanski said. “They helped carry the team to success and without them none of the magic that happened on the field would have been possible.” Fans from every grade, parents
Perez broke an 18-year record for fastest girls 5K with her time of 19:31.40, and Morello set a new boys record of 16:19.30, breaking Pat Dyer’s record set in 2009. Other members of the team also beat their own personal bests, and the team average of 17:31 also tops the school record time for the State Sectional Championships. “It’s because of our dedication that we’ve gotten this far,” senior Julia Geiger said at a press conference after season’s end. Track and Field Head Coach Anthony Emering agreed, adding that the team’s tight group dynamic helped propel individual members to break new ground. “Our athletes want to do their best because they don’t want to let each other down,” Mr. Emering said, “We live in an age where there is a lot of focus on the individual, I call it the ESPN age, but we have gone in the opposite direction.”
Coming off last season with an injured hip, Perez said she was motivated to challenge herself this season at practice, running at the pace of some of the boys on the team. Perez also admitted that when her races get tough, self-reflection is the key to persevere. “You have to remember why you are doing it, why you started in the first place, because that is going to stick with you,” Perez said. Morello, reflecting on what helped him set his record time, said motivation ultimately came from himself. “I don’t feel pressured, from this school or expectations from other people, but for myself—I want to do better than previous years,” Morello said. “I deserve it. I put in a lot of hard work.” The Knights’ successful Cross Country season comes on the
heels of an even more recordshattering spring Track and Field season from the 2016-17 school year. The team sent 14 athletes to the New Balance National Outdoor Championships, one of two American high school national championship indoor track and field meets, and ultimately had five athletes earn the prestigious title of First Team All Americans. “We are extremely proud that we are among one of the best track teams in the country,” Coach Emering said. The rest of the team is preparing for their upcoming winter and track seasons and the seniors especially look forward to making the year count. “I just want to have fun,” senior Celia White said. “I have some of the best memories coming from track and I want other kids to know how great it is.”
and teachers came out to support the Knights. The crowd was full of excitement as they cheered on their favorite players. The crowd got louder as the game went on and fans could feel the connection between the players and crowd when the final whistle was blown. “Everyone was full of spirit and excited for the game,” senior Evin Lathrop said. “You could feel the energy rushing through the crowd.” “Playing our state championship at MetLife was everything I could have dreamed of and more,” junior Luke Dignazio said. “Can’t wait to do it all again next year!”
Cross Country ‘runs through’ the fall competition WEXC continues recent success with a historic season and records broken.
By Alyssa Cristobal ’18 and Shaun Goodman ’19 The West Essex Track Team capped off a successful Cross Country season on Nov. 11 and broke several school records in the process. A joint effort by the boys and the girls varsity teams allowed them to compete in the Group 2 State Championships, the first time in school history both teams have moved on. Seniors Alexia Perez and Ryder Morello also both set new school records for 5K times. At the Oct. 27 Essex County Championships at Brookdale Park,
Photo courtesy of Anthony Emering
Ryder Morello running for the gold.