The Wessex Wire The Student Newspaper of West Essex Regional High School
Vol. XLV No. 4
April 2011
West Essex High School, 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, N.J.
Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence Photo courtesy of the West Essex Milestone Staff 2011
The West Essex Masquers unveiled “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” on March 24. Above, senior Emily Chicola sings as Belle. For a full review, see page 11.
Art takes on “March Madness”
There were 12 murals in total, were seen on display in the cafeteria. Dormer Mrs. Eileen Dormer’s AP Art His- said, “It’s a chance for the students to tory classes participated in their experience what it’s like to produce, plan, draw and annual “March color real works Madness” Muof art and be able ral competition to finally make on March 17. what they have In groups, the been studying students rethis year.” produced their “March Madchosen work ness” is an imof art on large portant and excitpaper with coling day for Art orful pastels. History students. The competiDormer said, “It’s tion winner nice to watch the was “Woman spirit of compewith a Hat” by “Woman with a Hat” by Henri Matisse was tition; everyone Henri Matisse, the winner of this year’s March Madness. truly wants to win which was reand believes their interpreted by juniors Mike Leonardis, Blair Schul- mural is best.” The murals are currently man and Nicole Del Mauro and senior decorating the school halls and accurately illustrate many famous works of art. Taylor Reed. by Sarah McGrath ’11
Photo by Geordy Boveroux
Inside This Issue:
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News
Music Dept. Disney Trip Crisis in Japan Longo as superintendent
3
Opinions
Cult in Ridgewood Charlie Sheen What not to Wear
Gautieri captures the crown by Sarah McGrath ’11
The third annual Mr. West Essex competition raised approximately $6,000 for the senior class on Thursday, Feb. 24 and Dan Gautieri was granted the title of Mr. West Essex for his overall performance. Grant McGuire and Pat Farrell tied for runner-up and Jake Handler received second runnerup. The panel of judges included English teacher Ms. Toni Ann Zuppa, history teacher Mr. Timothy Glenn and physical education teacher Mr. David Drozjock. The senior boys in the competition opened the show in matching white sweat suits with a choreographed dance to “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” from “The Lion King.” After a quick outfit change, the boys reentered the state and then danced to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” The crowd went wild as the boys put their paws up donned in white wigs and crawled toward the front of the stage. The contestants also competed in sleepwear, formal wear, a talent portion, West Essex wear and a question and answer portion. Some highlights of the different attire worn by contestants included Pat Dyer in a lacy wedding gown, KJ Glenn in a “Black Swan”-inspired tutu and Joey Fusco in a scandalous corset. In the talent portion, Gautieri per-
formed the YouTube dance sensation “Evolution of Dance.” Mike Mitchell and Grant McGuire performed their own version of “Summer Nights” from “Grease” in full costume. A reenactment of “Jingle Bell Rock” from “Mean Girls” was performed by Glenn accompanied by three junior girls. Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time” was performed by Dyer, Joey Fusco, and Handler. Jack Rupple pumped up the crowd with a Richard Simmons workout rendition. Farrell showed off his Irish step dance moves and John Palacio sang and played “La Bamba.” Taylor Reed, a senior who has attended all of the Mr. West Essex competitions said: “This was by far the best Mr. West Essex yet. I could tell a ton of work was put into it by both the guys and the advisors.” Teachers who made the event possible include Ms. Andrea Mondadori, Mr. Chris Benacquista, Ms. Amanda Procaccino and Mr. Anthony Minnella. Gautieri said: “It was an honor to be crowned Mr. West Essex in its most successful year. We were able to raise a ton of money for the senior class. With so many great competitors it could have gone to any of us.”
Photo courtesy of Ms. Donna Mateyka
Seniors Emily Chicola and Micaela Kovary along with juniors Sara Jo Notte and Krista Liotti recently performed in the All-State Choir. In addition, juniors Gina Morrello and Nicole Pigott along with sophomore Joey LaVarco will represent West Essex in New Jersey’s choir next year.
6
Features
Faculty Fashion Meet 2011 Valedictorian SAT Tips
11
Arts & Culture
Bamboozle Blogging Restaurant Review
April 2011
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The Wessex Wire
Music dept. goes to Disney Bath salts: the newest designer drug by Jackie Martorana ’11
The high school music department will be partaking in the Disney’s Magic Music Days Festival in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Sections of the band and chorus departments will showcase their talents May 27-31. West Essex aims to participate in the festival every four years, giving each music student the opportunity to participate during his or her high school career. In order for West Essex to be accepted as a participant, the music department submitted an audition video of the 2010 winter concert. Other local high schools such as Montville and Parsippany are among the thousands of participating institutions that attend at different timeslots throughout the year. Performing Arts teachers Ms. Donna Mateyka, Ms. Christa Sorrentino and Mr. John Scozzaro, along with numerous parent chaperones, will accompany the approximate 130 students on the trip. This spring’s trip continues West Essex’s 20 years of participation in the festival. During their time in Florida, musi-
cians from the SSA Choir, SATB Choir, Knightones, Concert Band, Jazz Band and Marching Band will perform in Downtown Disney. Each ensemble will receive 25 minutes to perform, leaving time for four to five song selections. Students will also have the chance to attend a music workshop in Epcot, run by Disney cast members. On each of the remaining days, students will visit the Disney theme parks and Blizzard Beach Water Park. They will stay at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, which boasts accommodations including piano and guitar-shaped swimming pools. In order to curtail the expenses of the trip, students participated in various fundraisers throughout the 2010-2011 school year, including a holiday gift sale and cheesecake sale. Ms. Sorrentino said, “I [am] looking forward to watching the students have the experience of a lifetime. We get to participate in so many exciting things during our stay and the students can learn a lot from the Disney performers they work with. We’re also looking forward to the warm weather and seeing Mickey!”
by Celina DeLuca ’11
The caffeinated alcoholic beverage, Four Loko, once legal on the New Jersey market, is setting an example for future dangerous human health products. The craze that hit the markets had to be stopped by legislation to ban the sale of these products. Although the Four Loko trend has since died down, “Bath Salts” are coming forward as the available product on the market that can be ingested, serving as a narcotic, becoming ever more popular in the news. Some confusion over the products arose. The products are labeled “not for human consumption,” not to be confused with Epsom salts used in bathtubs. The effects of these products are as strong as methamphetamines, labeled under names such as Red Dove, Ivory Wave and Vanilla Sky. With such serene-sounding names, the drug is being perceived as even less dangerous than other drugs, sold on illegal markets. The main chemical, Methylenedioxypyrovalerone, better known as MDVP, causes hallucinations, paranoia, rapid
heart rate and suicidal thoughts. The products are sold legally at convenience stores in most states. They have been able to avoid bans because they are out of jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration, due to the “not for human consumption” label. Also, according to WebMD.com, the substances are undetectable after ingestion. The substance cannot be found by testing. According to ABC News, drug addict Neil Brown became high on the products and took a knife to his face and body. Twenty-two year old New Jersey resident William Parisio was under the influence of bath salts when he killed his girlfriend of four years, Pamela Schmidt, the Star-Ledger reported. Louisiana has enacted an emergency ban on the products after 125 calls were made to the local poison control, according to ABC News. According to Capitol News Service, Florida banned the products this past week. Senator Charles Schumer (DN.Y.) is working to introduce legislation that would impose a nationwide ban.
Quake effects persist in Japan Longo to act as superintendent by Sarah McGrath ’11
Japan was hit by an 8.9-magnitude earthquake on March 11 that additionally created a large tsunami. The earthquake’s epicenter was under the port city of Sendai, according to The New York Times. The earthquake and tsunami caused major damage to many coastal areas and 400,000 are homeless and without heat and electricity. As of April 25, the death toll is 14,133 and there are 13,346 missing. The combination of the earthquake and water from the tsunami has caused major problems at Japan’s nuclear power reactors, threatening meltdowns and explosions. The Tokyo Electric Power Company operates and is responsible for the reactors that have faced serious problems. Partial meltdowns occurred at two plants on March 13 and an explosion was reported at Daiichi Nuclear Power Station on March 14. Japanese workers used helicopters and fire trucks to cool the plants with sea water and avoid additional meltdowns. People within 12 miles of the nuclear plants were told to evacuate their homes and those further away were advised to stay inside. The plant that exploded released radioactive gases
such as Cesium-137 into the air, which could potentially cause major human health problems like cancer and cell damage. Although the gases from Japan are expected to travel to other countries including the west coast of the United States, the radiation levels will be detectable, but will not be at dangerous levels. Radioactive iodine was found in Japan’s water supply, halting some exports of dairy and produce near the plant. The country’s nuclear regulator warned that highly contaminated water could leak from the crippled nuclear power plant into the nearby ocean. Japan has changed its first assessment of the Fukushima Daiichi power plant from a five to a seven, which is the worst rating on the international scale and the same as the 1986 Chernobyl accident. The human and environmental consequences could last long term. The radiation released thus far only equals 10 percent of that at Chernobyl, but it could eventually exceed it. Signs of economic troubles have been seen across the globe, especially in the U.S. and Europe. Many car companies such as Toyota, Nissan and Honda have seen halts in production and other companies that use parts from Japan are facing shortages.
by Ryan Towey ’12
Dr. Thomas McMahon, superintendent since January of last year, has announced his retirement effective at the end of June. In an e-mail to students, he said, “I would like to wish you all the best as we part ways at the end of this school year.” McMahon will remain on medical leave until his retirement becomes official. Until that time, Principal Barbara Longo will be acting as superintendent, an action approved by the Board of Education on April 21. Although none has been appointed, Longo is hoping for there to be an
acting principal to help with her joint duties. Longo said, “I am really excited to have been chosen and will do all I can to make sure West Essex continues to build on its successes and moves forward in every way.” Longo has worked at West Essex since the 1990s and has put both of her children through the school system. “I believe this is best for the school since I have been here so long and already am familiar with the programs, staff, students and the community,” she said. Of her plans for the future, Longo said: “I would very much like to have this position permanently. I will pursue it when the time comes.”
Upcoming Events Dance Team Show- April 29 AP Testing- May 2-13 Junior Prom- May 13 Senior Service begins- May 17 Memorial Day- May 30 Senior Dorney Park- June 6 Senior Ball- June 10
April 2011 Issue 4
Editorial
Opinion
We’re in high school, right? Or is this the Animal Kingdom? “Mean Girls” said it best: “I know how this would be settled in the animal world, but this is girl world. And in girl world, all fighting had to be sneaky.” Well, girl world and animal world have collided at West Essex. Instead of the psychological tactics catty girls usually use to torture their enemies, punches have been thrown and hair has been pulled. This is not a once-in-a-lifetime experience; rather, this happens on an almost weekly basis. Most cannot walk down the main hallway without stopping to stare as a “cat fight” is taking place. Crowds form instantly around the competitors to watch the scratching and biting commence. Between text messages sent and videos recorded, it seems that almost immediately the entire school knows exactly what happened, even if they weren’t present at the scene of the crime. Girl fights have become the new phenomenon and the crowd keeps rallying around them to continue. Many spectators enjoy watching a girl fight because this drama breaks up their average daily schedule. This is contrary to a fight between two guys, which many people prefer to keep away from in fear of being attacked by the Kings of the Jungle. The halls of West Essex are looking more like the jungle and less like a civilized school every day. Teachers are having a harder time breaking up these brawls due to their intensity. It is time to tame the wilderness of West Essex because these fights are pathetic and ridiculous. As amusing as these battles may be, it is imperative to put these “cat fights” to rest.
The Wessex Wire The Official Student Newspaper of West Essex High School A Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Medalist Paper 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 (973) 228-1200 ext. 258
Managing Editor Brittany Berman ‘11 News Editors Celina DeLuca ‘11 Ryan Towey ‘12 Features Editors Shai Kartus ‘11 Carlye Frost ‘11 Arts & Culture Editors Nikki Maxman ‘11 Madi Berse ‘11 Layout Editor Lacy Tell ‘11 Business Manager KJ Glenn ‘11
2010-2011 STAFF:
Editors-in-chief Geordy Boveroux ‘11 Kelly Mosser ‘11 Opinion Editors Sonia Aviv ‘11 Lisa Feierstein ‘11 Sports Editors Jackie Martorana ‘11 Tom Paranzine ‘11 Copy Editors Sarah McGrath ‘11 Erica Lieb ’11 Adviser Ms. Lo
Section Apprentices Spencer Satz ’12 Alex Schwartz ’12 Griffin Glenn ’13 Regina Walter ’13 Staff Writers Jesse Feldman ‘11 Doug Overbeck ‘11 Jack Boyd-Diaz ‘12 Mikayla Cimilluca ‘12 Nicole Del Mauro ‘12 Ed George ‘12 Paul Haramis ‘12 Julie Kayzerman ‘12 Lee Shearin ‘12 Louis Coniglio ‘13 Molly Dickman ‘13 Samantha DiGrande ‘13 Sam Gilbert ‘13 Danielle Meyer ‘13
The Wessex Wire Page 3
West Essex students drink too much bottled water by Brittany Berman ’11
The United States consumes approximately 1,500 plastic water bottles every second and 50 billion bottles of water are bought each year, according to treehugger.com. About 2.5 billion bottles of water are sold per year in New York State alone, and if you stacked them up end to end, they would reach the moon, according to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Let’s bring this down to a smaller scale. The West Essex student population is a perfect example of how many water bottles are consumed each day. The AP Environmental Science students collected water bottles from two lunch periods in March, and the results were unbelievable. During two periods of lunch, they collected about 131 water bottles, which means that the approximated total for the four periods of lunch would be 262 water bottles. Using this information, it is estimated that the West Essex students would use a total of 23,580 plastic water bottles per year. A family of eight also donated their water bottles for the class’s research. During the two-week time span, the family consumed 105 water bottles which is equivalent to about 13 water bottles for each person. The problem is that the amount of energy to create these bottles is immense and 80 percent of these bottles end up in a landfill and are not being recycled. In New York, the oil that is used to make the water bottles used every day is equal
to the amount of oil it takes to power 120,000 cars a year, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Using plastic water bottles has an adverse effect on the environment. Toxic gasses are released during the production of the plastic and greenhouse gases are emitted while the bottles are shipped and delivered. Purchasing plastic bottles is also a waste of money. A pack of 24 Poland Spring bottles costs $5.99, which adds up over time. There are many other alternatives to using plastic bottles. SIIG water bottles, which are eco-friendly and reusable aluminum bottles only cost about $22. Another alternative is a Water Bobble, which is a reusable bottle that has a built-in filter inside of it and costs $35. Using reusable bottles gives one the option to use tap water. Tap water is just as safe and clean as bottled water, contrary to what the public believes. It contains nutrients that may be lost in bottled water. Tap water is also much more environmentally friendly and costs practically nothing. While it would be ideal for the students of West Essex to change to reusable or filtered water bottles, it is not always convenient, considering how most students do not want to use the water fountain to refill their water bottle. If our school continues to consume an immense amount of plastic water bottles, then the best we can do is make sure that these bottles get recycled.
Wire Editorial Policy The national award winning Wessex Wire is published with supplemental updates to inform, educate and entertain the student body, 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 free 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.
Photo by Sonia Aviv ‘11
A collection of water bottles on display in Ms. Lippi’s Environmental Science class.
April 2011
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The Wessex Wire
What not to “W.E.ar” at school Bi-winning or bipolar? by Carlye Frost ’11
“There’s school wear, and there’s weekend wear,” middle school Vice Principal, Lisa Tamburri, always preached to her students. Although our school isn’t very strict on its dress code, I think it’s pretty obvious that nobody should be coming to school wearing anything you wouldn’t wear to visit your grandparents. It’s not that hard to follow the guidelines our school sets for us, but some people still find it nearly impossible. According to our student handbook, “Short shorts which are too tight and/ or revealing or skirts which end higher than mid thigh” and “extremely low cut, tight fitting clothing with fishnet or bare styling in the midriff area, ‘see through’ clothing of any style” are prohibited. Yet, every day as I walk through the hallway I can point out several students who are deliberately violating this rule. So what’s appropriate and what’s not? There’s nothing wrong with showing some skin, but when I can see your entire stomach, you’re definitely crossing the line. Senior Kristi Kovats said, “Some girls even wear belly shirts when they are not at all flattering to their bodies. ” Senior Mike Wiatrak agreed and
said, “It’s not only an eye sore, but it’s an embarrassment.” Also, American Apparel tight dresses and skirts, although cute and stylish are the type of clothes you wear when you go out at night, not when you’re sitting in math class listening to your teacher discuss triangles. Senior Alyssa Balz said, “some people need to cover up. We don’t want to see our teachers dress like that, and guess what? It’s mutual.” Try keeping a cardigan in your locker to wear over your clothes if necessary or put on a tank top under your cropped tee. There are plenty of other clothing options one can wear to school and still look nice. I know a plethora of people who are able to dress in style and look classy at the same time, why is it so difficult for others? Jeans, boots and a cute shirt have the ability to flatter a girl’s shape, so why is it necessary to wear close to nothing in order to show your body? There’s a time and place to look like you’re going clubbing, and that’s when you’re actually going clubbing—not when you’re coming to school. So next time while looking for an appropriate outfit to wear to school, remember this article and realize that if one chooses to come to school looking promiscuous, people will judge—it’s human nature.
Brooke Mueller (also a porn star) filed a restraining order against Sheen. He had Lately, the name “Charlie Sheen” has two children with ex-wife Denise Richbeen the joke of the written and spoken ards, who currently has a restraining word, almost as if he is the new Lindsey order against Sheen. While his strange Lohan. The ex “Two and a Half Men” star interviews may be absurdly comical, his is now amidst a new legal and family feud abuse of women is certainly not. and an explosion of fame. Although he is On the rumor about Sheen going the most well paid to rehab, he told actor on television, ABC News, “I earning almost $2 am on a drug, million per episode it's called Charof “Two and a Half lie Sheen. It's not Men,” there is not available because much to respect about if you try it once Sheen. His drug adyou will die. Your dictions and strange face will melt off personality, although and your children pitiful, have become Photo courtesy of tvguide.com will weep over almost comedic to your exploded the public. body.” Regardless of whether Sheen’s To help kick off his recent surge of condition is actually from drug abuse or fame, Sheen joined the Twitter world. simply from psychological tribulations, He figured using Twitter, he could it’s extremely hard not to laugh at his scream about his “goddesses,” “win- ludicrous comments. ning” and “tiger-blood-pumping” veins. The only reason I can see as to why As of April 24, Sheen has over three Charlie Sheen is attracting so much fame million followers. Sheen seems to have lately is because people are shocked they a thing for prostitutes and porn stars, didn’t realize his problems sooner. Sheen and currently lives with Natalie Kenly, a may think he is “winning,” but the public graphic designer, and Rachel Oberlin, a sees through him. While it’s sad and sadisporn star, whom he has dubbed his “god- tic, the truth is that people love to watch desses.” His sons were actually taken celebrities fail, and Charlie Sheen’s career from his home after his soon-to-be ex is on a downward spiral.
followers, to be the “The Holy Father” or the second coming of Jesus Christ. After his passing in 1985, his wife Zahng GilJah began running the church and was referred to as “The Holy Mother.” The church quickly spread into the United States when soldiers returned from the Vietnam War after being baptized. I had a lot of questions prior to my visit to the church for a Bible study in February, which are available 24/7, seven days a week. When I arrived, I was asked by a Korean man at the desk to complete a survey, which would determine what I would be studying. After putting down a fraudulent address, phone number and last name, I handed in the survey. After a few minutes, I was introduced to my teacher for the day, Pablo. Pablo was friendly, but he had a large creepy smile that refused to leave his face. Once we sat down and I calmed my nerves, he pulled three books out of his bag. One was his personal Bible and another was a Bible for me. The final one was labeled “evidence book” which was filled with support of the church’s radical theories. The evidence book was twice the size of the Bible itself, which is when I knew I was in for an
interesting night. Our one-on-one lesson was mostly about the church’s main belief in the Sabbath Day. While most other churches have the Sabbath Day on Sunday, the Church of God designates Saturday as their holy day. They believe this because the Bible says the Sabbath Day is the seventh day of the week, and the calendar has Saturday as the seventh day. As Pablo went on with the lesson, he began to share some stranger beliefs. He told me that the Roman Catholic Church worships Satan because they have their holy day on Sunday and supplied questionable evidence to support this claim. Another friend of mine also experienced the church through our mutual friend. “I was told that we are all angels who sinned in heaven,” she said, “because of that we had to be sent back to earth.” But their beliefs go deeper than that. She said: “When a two-year-old is acting up, that is because they are still a bad angel. But the worst part is that they think when a child is stillborn, they were so bad they did not deserve a second chance.” I was stuck in the Church of God for
by Madi Berse ’11
Church investigation: Does a cult exist in Ridgewood? by Geordy Boveroux ’11
It started this past summer of 2010. One of my closest friends, in search of some higher meaning, began frequenting a church that, as time passed, seemed to have more and more questionable aspects of it. She raved about the place of worship referred to as “Zion” as she started going to the church every day. As she got even more involved in the church’s business, I knew something was suspicious. My biggest concern arose when she announced she was going to South Korea for 10 days in March, but could not tell me what it was for. After doing some research on its history and with my friend pushing me, I decided to go to the World Mission Society Church of God, almost convinced I was on my way to a cult meeting. The World Mission Society Church of God is appropriately located on 305 Godwin Ave., Ridgewood N.J. Ridgewood is not the only location of the church, as it was originally founded by Ahn Sahng-hong in South Korea in 1964. The church is non-denominational, but follows the Bible verbatim. Sahng-hong is considered, by the
over three hours. They kept finding a way to keep me around until they could baptize me, something I was offered three times by Pablo, which I politely declined each time. Finally at around 10:30 p.m., I was able to leave. I was still left with many questions, but I knew to have them answered I would have to continue to attend Bible studies and services, which is something I was not prepared to do. Since I was not a “brother,” Pablo declined to answer some questions of mine, such as why the followers refer to the church as “Zion” or why they were sending my friend on the Korean trip. While the World Mission Society Church of God can attract many followers, there are many aspects of it that would not make it surprising for the church to be a cult.
Please Recycle This Paper
April 2011
The Wessex Wire
Does it bother you...?
by KJ Glenn ’11
It bothers me that over a year after
the mysterious bathroom incidents occurred, the guys are still forced to sign in and out of the restroom. Not only is it annoying, it is inefficient. For what purpose were the cameras installed if the teachers are still forced to monitor the urination habits of the male student population? Not to mention the fact that the girls have never had to sign in is sexism, if you ask me. It bothers me that the administration cares more about students being late to homeroom than cutting class or starting fights. Senior Mike Wiatrak said, “Every day I have to sprint from my locker to my first period class in the horseshoe in order to escape the wrath of Mr. Diliberto.” It bothers me that the new café services teachers all the time and denies students on a daily basis. Even when I am able to buy a bagel, the cafeteria lady gives me a dirty look, like I stole 15 Snapple bottles and threw them in my backpack. We need to establish a feeling of trust and sincerity in this café between students and employees, otherwise the future looks bleak. It bothers me that a lot of the gals in our grade are being hypocritical as they complain about all the talk of college decisions. As many females shroud
their college applications and decisions in a veil of secrecy, I can’t help but ask, what’s the point? It doesn’t matter whether you applied to Harvard University or Caldwell College - no one cares. You are going to go to college no matter what, and it really depends how you do once you’re there that determines your future. I am bothered that this is my last newspaper article in The Wire. I want to give a shout out to Tom, who has been there through thick and thin. Hey, it’s been a great run. And to my successor in the coming issues: you will never be able to overtake my “Does it Bother You?” prestige.
Senior KJ Glenn in pensive thought about what bothers him at West Essex High School.
Page 5
The Blackberry versus iPhone debate Blackberry is the fact that BBM actuby Sonia Aviv ’11
During the past couple of years, phone technology has greatly increased. More people are purchasing smartphones and more cell phone companies are hooking customers with extra $15-20 monthly fees for required internet usage. Lately, it seems nearly impossible to find a basic phone that does nothing more than call and text. In February, the smartphone world was shaken when Verizon Wireless came out with the iPhone. Prior to this, AT&T had been the only carrier to offer the Apple phone. Its Verizon Wireless debut further increased the competition between the smartphones, causing tension between “Crackberry” addicts and iPhone lovers. At West Essex, we have a mixture of both. So, which is the better smartphone? A Blackberry owner myself, I can say I would never trade it in for the world. The iPhone’s touch screen is an immediate turn-off to me. I would much rather have a keypad that can actually be typed on than a touch screen one that “clicks” to impersonate a keypad. Also, who could live without Blackberry messenger, commonly known as BBM? “I can’t stand touch screens,” said senior Melissa D’ascoli. “I love that the Blackberry doesn’t have one. And BBM-ing is so much different than texting. It’s faster and more casual.” Even more intriguing about the
ally informs you when a person reads your text. “That way you know when someone is ignoring you,” said senior Ally Menzel. Simply, it can be summed up with three words: “Blackberrys are great,” said sophomore Ryan Lerner. However, loyal iPhone owners disagree. With the iPhone, it always seems like “there’s an app for that.” Those who love technology would definitely find the iPhone to be more suitable. “I love my iPhone,” said senior Kurtis Tinfow, “the internet connection is so fast.” Senior Bridget Sweeney, who does not own a smartphone, has been looking forward to getting an iPhone. “I would definitely pick the iPhone over the Blackberry,” she said, “the iPhone is so cool.” Unlike Blackberrys, which often become faulty or slow, the iPhone is notorious for staying speedy and strong. Although I personally would recommend the Blackberry, the smartphone choice is up to you. If you love to gossip with your friends, hate touch screens and feel comforted by being able to know when someone has read your text, the Blackberry is for you. But if you are more of a “techie,” don’t mind the touch screen and are impressed by cool apps, go for the iPhone. If you’re going to need to pay an extra $30 a month, at least pick the smartphone that’s right for you.
Female journalists at risk abroad Stereotypes of “New Jerseyans” by Sonia Aviv ’11
As the conflicts in the Middle East have escalated, many have begun to question the safety of female journalists who are traveling to report on these incidents. In war and terrorridden countries, especially ones in which women receive hardly any respect, there are potential threats of rape and even murder for these female reporters. Although this is true, I believe it is a woman’s personal choice as to whether or not she can handle the violence. In mid-February, female CBS News Correspondent Lara Logan suffered severe sexual assault while covering the protests in Egypt. Though she had protection, she was separated from the rest of her crew and the guards in the midst of all the frenzy. According to The Huffington Post, Logan was grabbed by a group of men and assaulted violently. Had it not been for a group of Egyptian women who saved her, she may not have survived. Although this story is obviously extremely upsetting, it bothers me that it
raised a question about the allowance of women in conflicts abroad. Not to say that this is the first time an occurrence as such has happened, but there have been male journalists who have been murdered or abused abroad as well. Recall, for example, the attack Anderson Cooper faced in Egypt. Cooper, who according to The Huffington Post, faced 10 punches in the face by Mubarak supporters, did not bring doubt to the allowance of males abroad. It seems as if when a man is attacked, it brings question to “people’s” safety, but when a woman is, it brings question to only “women’s” safety. There is no denying that traveling to these places is dangerous, yet it would be unfair to say that only men should be permitted to cover such stories. Any dedicated journalist deserves the right to first-handedly cover such stories, despite his or her sex. With proper protection and perhaps a safe distance, I believe that both men and women can report on these incidents. Perhaps women are at a greater risk, but it should be their choice whether to take that risk or not.
by Carlye Frost ’11
When people ask me where I’m from and I answer with New Jersey, almost half of them reply with a “Really? You don’t look like it.” I look at them questioningly, trying to understand the picture they formed in their head of people from N.J. Most, however, then cover up their remark with “well, I mean you just don’t look Guido.” That’s because I’m not. Just because I’m from N.J. does not mean that I’m automatically a “Guido.” People who are from other states now consider every single human being living in N.J. to be a part of the “Jersey Shore” cast, which, for the majority of us, is clearly not the case. For people who are unfamiliar with New Jerseyans, they tend to form their own stereotypes from what they’ve either heard about or have seen on TV. The stereotype “Dirty Jersey” has now formed two meanings. Originally it was known for all of the industry and sewage systems seen as visitors step off the plane at Newark Liberty Airport, however, now even the people them-
selves are being called dirty. Why? Who really knows, it could easily be the reputation all of the N.J. featuring shows have on our state. There are so many different stereotypes towards N.J. Have you ever heard someone with the response of “Noo Joisey?” when you tell him or her you live in Jersey? I, for one, have never heard anyone who lives in this state ever pronounce it that way, but everyone out of state seems to think so! Now, there are some stereotypes that are completely accurate as well. People think we’re extremely loud— true. People think we’re psycho on the roads—also true. Most of us know the feeling of being stuck behind a slow driver and wanting to slam our heads against the dashboard repeatedly. There just seem to be some traits all New Jerseyans have in their blood. Even though I only listed a few, the New Jersey stereotypes go on and on; some you can relate to, and some are just so bizarre that the person who mentions it clearly doesn’t know anyone from New Jersey.
April 2011
The Wessex Wire
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Happy 50th Anniversary, West Look who’s back in class by Jack Boyd-Diaz ’12, Louis Coniglio ’13, Samantha DiGrande ’13 and Doug Overbeck ’11
Ambyr Craw, Tara Levine, Erica Triano, Maria Raffa, Cynthia Song and Melanie Dungo at the 1997 West Essex junior prom dancing and enjoying each other’s company.
Where were W.E. 50 years ago? by Regina Walter ’13, Nicole Del Mauro ’12 Spencer Satz ’12 and Jesse Feldman ’11
The West Essex campus and organization current students are so accustomed to did not always exist. When the school opened its doors in the early 1960s, only one building existed on the plot of land. What we now know as the middle school was the local public high school for all pupils over 40 years ago. The school had a double session. The first session went from 7:00 a.m. to noon for students in grades nine through 12, and the second from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the younger kids. Just a few years later, administrators decided a second building was necessary to accommodate the towns’ expanding populations. The change was welcomed by students and faculty. The Feb. 10, 1961 edition of the Wessex Wire featured an article detailing the school’s
new “Transition and Orientation Committee.” The committee’s goal was to ease the transition for classes moving from what is now the middle school to the high school. Floor plans of the new school were distributed to students and each town had one hour to tour the new school. To accompany a new school, West Essex students adopted a new sense of academic and athletic pride. Decades later, retired teacher and current substitute and coach Mr. Don Albanese feels the same way. “Overall, I’ve had a great West Essex experience. I like the people here. I wouldn’t still be here if I didn’t,” he said. The school has experienced numerous superficial alterations since its 1961 inception. Although we might not be able to relate to single-session days and 40-student grades, we all know well West Essex’s tradition in academic excellence, camaraderie and athletic pride which began in its earliest days and endure today.
While some of us are looking to get out of high school as soon as possible, there are also those who can’t wait to come back as professional educators. Several faculty members call West Essex their alma-mater. Having seen the school community from both the perspective of a student and that of a teacher, these individuals have a distinct type of insight to offer on the happenings at our school and how they ended up right back where they started. We were curious to know what lures graduates back to West Essex. For some, it was “luck of the draw.” Mrs. Bartello and Mr. Freda, for example, stated that there were simply job openings here when they were looking for work. “It was really a coincidence,” Mrs. Bartello admitted with a laugh. “But the five-minute commute is great.” Coming back to familiar halls certainly has its benefits, according to alumna Ms. Neceskas. She explained that one of the best as-
pects of teaching at her former high school is the comfort level. Having grown up in this environment, she feels that she knows how things work here. She feels it allows her to teach more effectively. When asked about changes the school has experienced over the years, former students told us some of the most drastic changes have been to the building itself, referring to the construction completed four years ago. Some of the graduates now teach in wings that were not even a part of the school when they sat in class years ago. As for changes that extend to deeper matters than infrastructure, it would seem that West Essex hasn’t changed much at all in recent years. “High school is high school,” said Mrs. Bartello. Although the building itself has undergone extensive construction since their years, the students-turned-teachers do not feel that the atmosphere itself has evolved much at all. Students still partake in extracurricular activities, there are still cliques among the community and West Essex is still driven towards academic excellence.
Mike Kelly goes for the takedown as Knights wrestling won the Group IV and Essex County Championships in 1982.
Photo by Melissa Kuscin
Timeline created by Erica Lieb ’11, Carly Schlecker ’11, Chris Carragher ’11 and Ryan Towey ’12
April 2011
The Wessex Wire
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Essex Regional School District! W.E. changes over five decades by Alex Schwartz ’12 Danielle Meyer ’13, Mikayla Cimilluca ’12 and Ed George ’12
With its 50th anniversary ap-
proaching, we are taking the time to look back on the improvements that made West Essex the school it is today. Ever since it’s opening in 1961,the school’s administration, alumni and the Board of Education have taken major steps towards improving the school. By advancing technology, beautifying the campus and making other improvements, West Essex has come a long way. It has upgraded some of its facilities during summer vacations, including paving the entire parking lot and creating a new welcome wall and sign at the entrance to the driveway. However, we must appreciate the other changes made to our school in the past. We always think of West Essex Regional Schools as both the middle school and the high school, but it wasn’t always this way. Up until 1969 when the high school building was established to house the upperclassmen, the campus only consisted of the junior high school building. In 1988, the Board of Education approved a maintenance and improvement plan, which worked to develop the campus and establish a new sense of school pride among the Knights. Another change many find surprising has to do with substance use on campus. While today smoking is strictly banned, it used to be permitted in between classes until a large opposition of students fought for a ban in 1989. Major change to the athletic facilities occurred in the 1990s. Today, lacrosse is considered to be one of the most popular sports at school, but it has only existed here for 30 years. Travis Field has also seen significant changes over the years. The grass has been transitioned to a turf field, the bleachers have been
remodeled and the paved entrance to the field painted. Many changes have been implemented regarding sports and have helped to make the Knights a legacy on the field as well as off. Many of the most significant improvements to the school and its campus have come within the past decade. The construction at West Essex a few years ago brought about the additions of the 200 and 800 wings. There have been an immense amount of technological improvements, including the installation of smart-boards, purchasing of laptops and the replacement of blackboards with whiteboards in many classrooms. There are new lockers throughout the school, as well as new windows in all classes. The new additions also include improvements to the cafeteria system and the beautification of the campus in general. These embellishments made to West Essex over the past 50 years have contributed to improving the school, and have made the students’ learning experience more effective and successful.
Liz Elyias Marian and George Nelson starred in the 1971 production of “Music Man”
Seniors Richard Park, Gretchen Erdman, Judy Goodman, Shari Cooper, John Lathrop, Diane Albinson, Wayne Beckwith and Path Mathews, are winding themselves up for the 1963 senior week ahead.
April 2011 Issue 4
Feature
Hindsight is 20/20 for 20/11 by Nikki Maxman ’11
Seniors are in the final stretch of their high school careers and for the most part, they just want the end to come already. There is so much excitement to look forward to that a lot of times we forget to look back. It is always hard to stop and ask yourself what you would have done differently, but for the sake of the underclassmen, seniors have thought up things they would have done if they could turn back time. Among all the standardized tests, college applications, acceptances and rejections, it is very common for students to become overwhelmed. Senior Kristen McClain said, “Don’t panic! Everything will work out in the end.” Though it is definitely easier to say after the fact, I’m sure many seniors would agree they wasted too much time and energy stressing about schoolwork, grades and college. Senior Sam Bernstein said, “Students should make sure they can handle the classes they choose to take because schedules can be very demanding.” Students often try to pile on the advanced classes and while they do look good on a transcript, it is critical to remember that the letter grade next to it is just as, if not more, important.
Senior Grant McGuire, also an athlete, said he would make some changes if he could redo his past four years. “I would try harder to balance my academics and athletics. Athletics seemed to be the most important thing at the time but in the long run, what you learn in school sticks with you forever,” he said. Seniors expressed that they would also change the way they were on the social end of things. Senior Kathleen Jennings said, “It is really important to start branching out to all different people before senior year because when that time comes, it is great to have a lot of friends.” Senior Jordan Prince said, “I truly wish that I embraced all the great opportunities that West Essex offers. For example, I wish I supported the school’s Tricky Tray and was involved in more clubs.” Looking back on high school, students will reflect on what they did outside the classroom more than what test scores they received. Students in all grades are looking to get out of high school as fast as they can. But what people sometimes fail to realize is that no matter how much they hate high school, they have no choice but to go through four years of it- why not try to enjoy it?
Exciting clubs hit West Essex by Lisa Feierstein ’11
Faculty fashion frenzy by Erica Lieb ’11
The way a West Essex student dresses has a high level of importance amongst the student body. Although students do care what their friends are wearing and can be quite critical, the people whose outfits we are judging the most are the people who stand solely before us every single day writing on the chalkboard, teaching us a new formula or demonstrating a lab. Yes teachers, we notice what you are wearing, and by a poll given to as many opinionated West Essex students as I could find, we came up with an elite list of the “best dressed teachers.” What are the qualifications to make this prominent list? The candidates made the list through a combination of their coordination skills, their ability to match, the diversity of their clothes (Yes we notice if you wear the same outfit more than once a week), and of course the attractiveness of the actual clothing. First, we have the accountant, the business teacher spectacular, the softball coach phenomenon, also known as “Mondo.” Ms. Andrea Mondadori can be seen sporting anything from a classy vneck sweater with black slacks and heels, to a blazer with a cool t-shirt underneath. You can see her chilling outside room 407 in skinny jeans or cargo pants (she totally has the legs to pull them off), and an adorable top. “Mondo has an awesome look. She shops at the same stores I do but manages to put her outfits together much more fashionably than I can,” said junior Hannah Pappas. Next we have the English teacher, who is a new and fresh face in the halls of W.E., but has made her way onto the list of best dressed teachers. Ms. Lauren Neceskas, former West Essex student, also has an eye for fashion. Her long brown hair, always in a cool up-do or braid accentuates her variation of knee length skirts, high heeled leather boots, solid colored sweaters and
Ms. Mondadori
beautiful jewelry. Neceskas’s style consisting of floral or solid colored dresses from H&M and Toms shoes dominates the 700 wing. Next we have the chemist whose fashionable taste is infamously a combination of floral scarves, chunky pearl bracelets and ruffled colorful cardigans. She is the walking J-Crew catalogue and quite frankly I am envious of her eloquent wardrobe. Who is this fabulous dresser? The one and only Ms. Lippi. Mr. Neil Fardin is one of the most well dressed Mr.’s of West Essex. Fardin can be seen in his dragon lair wearing bow ties, square or round glasses, Manchester United zip-ups or all black with a solid colored tie. The only man who can pull off this chic look is the mysterious Fardin. Fardin has a timeless look and takes the cake for donning the most traditional and classic outfits. According to the critics, some of his best looks include the tan corduroy blazer paired with the pale blue chinos (allegedly they are from Hollister, but his true shopping destinations are currently unknown). He can be seen on chilly winter days in a puffy royal blue coat and a red bandana to block his luscious locks from blowing in the wind. So to all faculty, if you thought that judgmental and critical high school students were in your past, here’s a reminder that we are still here and are fully aware of the outfits you put on to come to school. Congratulations to Mondo, Ms. Neceskas, and Mr. Fardin for making the best dressed teachers list. Special shout out to distinguishable unique dressers Mrs. Dormer and Mrs. Ford for bright colors and funky jewelry. Also, honorble mention goes to Ms. Lippi, Ms. Procaccino and Mr. Ciabaton for their high end taste. All West Essex teachers should look at these fabulous teacher dressers and be inspired to change up there style a bit to make the day more exciting for their students.
Ms. Neceskas
Mr. Ciabaton
Photos by Lacy Tell & Erica Lieb
Usually, the innovative additions to our school are added in the beginning of the school year, which have included, the opening of the student café and the separate sandwich room in the cafeteria. However, in the past few months, new student organizations have been established in West Essex, such as the English National Honor Society and the Irish Club. The English National Honor Society, advised by English teachers Ms. Toni Ann Zuppa and Ms. Olivia Macaluso, has recently been inviting juniors and seniors to apply for membership. The motto of the West Essex chapter is gelast sceal mid are, which is Old English for “duty goes with honor.” Students have been selected based upon their minimum grade point average of 3.75, achievement of at least an A- in their English classes and completion of literary service projects. The English National Honor Society induction was held on April 28 and the society will induct a new group of students next year.
The Irish Club is another new student association. The club, directed by Mr. Patrick McGlynn, celebrates Irish culture and customs. The club held Irish dance performances during West Essex’s week of cultural displays and celebrations and also held a school wide contest on St. Patrick’s Day. “What the Irish Club can bring to West Essex is the chance to display another of the many cultures this student body has to offer. The Irish have made many contributions to society and for those students who have an Irish background, and even those who don’t, this club will be an opportunity for them to learn what those contributions are,” said McGlynn. The Irish club members explored the contributions of Irish poets throughout the month of April, National Poetry month, as well as other facets of the culture of Ireland through film, travel and food. The club is also currently seeking more members. “As they say on every St. Patrick’s Day, there is a little Irish in everyone and our members enjoy being a part of that,” said McGlynn.
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April 2011
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Public vs. private school: The price of education by Molly Dickman ’13 Samantha Gilbert ’13
Kids are taught to strive and to succeed in school, so that one day they can get into a good college and make something of themselves. A common stereotype today is that private school students have an easier time reaching this goal because of opportunities given to them that public school students do not receive. However, through reading published reports and interviews conducted at West Essex Regional High School with both college counselors and ex-private school students, it is clear that the common stereotypes that go along with high school education are incorrect. One of the controversial aspects of private school is the inclusion of mandatory uniforms. Almost all private schools require them, and for various reasons. Sophomore Marisa Malanga, who attended Trinity Academy in Caldwell for seven years, was required to wear a uniform because it “united” the students. On days that the students don’t feel like wearing the heinous outfits, they are
obliged to pay $1 to dress down. According to junior Tommy Caprio, who formerly attended Seton Hall Prep for two and a half years, uniforms were enforced “to help the learning process, but I felt it didn’t.” In addition to uniforms, there is another contributing factor to the difference between private and public schools: academics. Many people assume that due to the steep tuition private schools are automatically more academically challenging than most public schools. This, however, is not always the case; according to both Malanga and Caprio, public school is more difficult, even though the Catholic private schools are stricter. According to West Essex Guidance Counselor Mrs. Linda Grancaganolo, “Students from private schools seem to have Math and Science difficulties when they come to a public school. We seem to be moving quicker.” Grancaganolo also concluded that “a student who has been in an honors class in the private sector has difficulty being successful at West Essex; it’s too challenging.” Not all students attend pri-
vate schools for the academics, but many do hope to be receiving a great education. Is private school really worth the price? Academics are not the only aspect of private school that fall short of expectations. According to Malanga, public school is much more competitive than private school. When asked where she felt more pressure to succeed, she said, “I feel a lot more pressure to succeed at West Essex because there is so much more competition here.” That competition is present because of the large number of students at West Essex compared to those at Trinity where Malanga’s entire grade consisted of no more than 24 other students. The opinion that public school outranks private school is not limited to former private school students and college counselors. According to a report done in 2006 by the United States Education Department, federal math and reading tests “debunked the widely held belief that public schools were inferior to their private and religious counterparts.” These reports show that although at first it seems that
private schools have the advantage, once certain variables such as gender, family background and race are put into account, the “perceived advantages melted away.” Debate over the positives and negatives to both public and private schools will always exist. There are pros and cons to both types of schools: with private schools you get a good education, with a strong name backing you on your college application. However, to attend such well known, prestigious schools you must pay a small fortune and lose bits of your individuality. Public schools are filled with a diverse population and courses that sometimes cannot be offered at private schools, but there is the underlying stigma that the quality of education is not at the level of private institutions. In the long run, it is what students choose to take from their education and the ability for teachers to instill the love of learning into their students that matters. No matter where you decide to attend high school, you will receive a great education as long as you make the best of it.
Mirror images: West Essex Knights celebrity lookalikes compiled by Shai Kartus ’11, Carlye Frost ’11 and Lacy Tell ’11
Macaulay Culkin & Jesse Asche ’12
John Krasinski & Matt Piscitello ’11
John Cusack & Greg Mead ’13
Photos courtesy of Facebook.com, binsidetv.net, buddytv.com, blogspot.com and showbizchicago.com
David Schwimmer & Louis Paparella ’11
April 2010
The Wessex Wire
SAT craze: Put that test to rest by Kelly Mosser ’11
Sophomores are dreading them. Ju-
niors are obsessing over them. Seniors are just glad they’re over. SAT stands for “Scholastic Aptitude Test,” which implies that one’s results are a reflection solely on his or her natural skill. Despite this fact, many people believe that there are in fact strategies students can use to beat the seemingly infinite string of mundane sentences and exasperating algebraic equations that is the SAT. Several seniors who scored well on the exam and rank at the top of their class offered advice on how to succeed. Mark Dipsey told his secret to success on the Critical Reading section, emphasizing the importance of time management. “Read the passages thoroughly but quickly. If you're not too fast of a reader (like me) the time can get really tight on that section.” Students must demonstrate the extent of their vocabulary. “There are definitely words that are used more commonly on the SAT than others, and lists of them can be found online or in study books,” Dan Gautieri said. As for the math section, Amol Kaluskar believes that it’s important to check over answers, since it is easy to make careless mistakes. Making elementary errors is not only infuriating, it’s also extremely avoidable.
Some find the Writing Section unpredictable. “Prepare three or four topics you know well that can apply to many of the essay prompts such as Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Mike Yang. Another helpful hint is to save time by skipping unnecessary things on the test. “Become familiar with the directions, since they never change,” said Mrs. Dana Bartello, who teaches an SAT prep course. Steve Walter reminds students of the golden advice we’ve been hearing since the third grade Terra Novas. “I would advise eating a breakfast high in protein and an always important glass of milk,” he said. Mark Traverso reminds students that the ACT exam should not be overlooked in the college process. “Many schools like to see that you have taken both tests, and most of the time you will do better on one test than the other,” he said. These students all had one common suggestion that they couldn’t stress enough: relax! “The day of the test, you can't change whether you've prepared enough or not, and freaking out about the future will only hurt you,” said Kathryn Picardo. Once you get over the psychological component of the exam, it really does become more manageable. Ben Minden had an encouraging tip for students. “If you budget your time wisely, there is not a problem on the test you cannot do.”
ValedicTORYan 2011 by Nikki Maxman ’11
Through the countless AP and honors classes taken, the textbooks and novels read and the various classroom discussions, the most important thing senior Victoria Sansone learned during her high school years was “balance is key.” The motto must be somewhat accurate because it led Sansone to earn herself the title of the West Essex Class of 2011’s valedictorian. Many times, people assume that the valedictorian strictly eats, sleeps and studies (because a lot of times that may be the case). However, Victoria, or “Tory” as her friends call her, does not fall anywhere near that category. She said, “Of course academics were always important to me, but I didn’t let them ruin my life.” Sansone considers balance to be the most important trait, and it comes as no surprise bearing in mind her demanding schedule. Along with academics, Sansone considers music to be a major part of her life. She plays the bass, piano and violin and has participated in multiple ensembles throughout the years. Sansone said, “I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends and relaxing.”
Sansone attributes much of her success in school to her encouraging parents. She said, “They were usually the ones telling me to take it easy. I put a lot of stress on myself but they never put additional pressure on me.” Sansone’s own desire to succeed and her family’s support are the two main factors Sansone believes aided her to becoming valedictorian. It was after watching “Legally Blonde” in second grade when Sansone first dreamt of graduating first in her class. She heard the word valedictorian and thought it was “valevictorian” which sounded like her name. It wasn’t until freshman year that Sansone began to really excel as a student. Sansone said, “My favorite subjects are math and US History, however, I enjoy most classes I take because I learn something new in each one.” Next year Sansone plans to study at Cornell University. Her advice to students entering high school is to pay attention in class and keep up with work because it is very easy to fall behind. She added, “Students should not try to push themselves too hard because it is crucial to find balance by taking some challenging courses and some regular classes that are also enjoyable.”
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The artistic soul lives on: Remembering Sydney by Sarah McGrath ’11
In memory of Sydney Gross, Art teacher Ms. Eileen Dormer and Sydney’s mother Ms. Lori Duckstein hosted an Art-a-Thon on March 27 at Congregation Agudath Israel in Caldwell, to raise money for Saint Barnabas Pediatrics as well as the Sydney Gross Memorial Scholarship Fund. Sydney Gross is a former West Essex student who passed away in a car accident in August 2009. Her ardent passion for the arts has not been forgotten. Several hundred young children, family members and West Essex students attended the art-a-thon to participate in events including: portrait painting, a photo booth and letter writing. Senior Sydney Karp, a friend of Gross and Art-a-thon attendee, said, “It made me feel like we were not just there to raise money, but to really celebrate Sydney’s life and the impact she made on so many people.” Gross intended on pursuing a future in art and during her time at West Essex she participated in the Art Club and National Art Honor Society. Ms.
Dormer said, “She had such a bubbly spirit and it’s happy to know we remembered her in this way because of her love of art.” These events were held not only to remember Gross, but also to encourage others to be able to express themselves and pursue their dreams.
Look who’s cheating... by Kelly Mosser ’11
We’ve seen it in the movies a million times. “John Tucker Must Die,” “Mean Girls” and “17 Again” all incorporate high school students who cheat on their boyfriends and girlfriends, and the list does not stop there. In these microcosms, somehow the guy manages to play multiple girls at the same time, and the ladies don’t find out about his infidelity until some encounter with one of the other girls in the bathroom or a rumor in the hallway. Cheating is definitely common in the adult world where business lives can be kept totally separate from personal lives. But in the high school sphere, where we spend time with the same people inside and outside of school, how common is cheating, and what exactly defines the offense? The first question to explore is what high school students actually consider cheating. Some people feel that like the term “hooking up,” the teenage definition of “cheating” is also toned down from the meaning of the word among adults. In a poll of 100 West Essex students, 32 students felt that cheating constitutes as regularly talking to or texting a person other than a boyfriend or girlfriend. In a generation of Facebook, Twitter and text messaging, this definition of cheating is likely a novel belief among
people, and is something that movie makers have yet to truly explore. Sixty students felt that the line of unfaithfulness is drawn at kissing, and eight reported that they believe that it takes even more than that to be guilty of cheating. Though it might be difficult to execute in a small high school like West Essex, the survey showed that cheating is definitely present among high school students. Of the 100 surveyed, 10 admitted to having “cheated,” based upon their personal interpretation of the word. More people were willing to admit having been cheated on; the results came in at 19 people. It must also be considered that high school students do not always date within the limits of their high schools. It is common for teens to date people from other high schools in the area. Many also have boyfriends or girlfriends in college, where the social scene is completely separated from that of high school. These dispersed relationships may explain the ability of some people to cheat without getting caught right away. Although cheating can be considered a taboo subject and may generally be kept quiet, unfaithfulness is definitely present at the high school level, though not to the extreme that Hollywood portrays in the movie theaters.
April 2011 Issue 4
&
Arts
Culture
The Wessex Wire Page 11
“Beauty & the Beast”: Masquers tell the tale as old as time by Ryan Towey ’12
As always, seeing a Disney classic brought me right back to my childhood. The Masquers production of Disney’s “Beauty and Beast” was performed on March 24, March 25 and twice on March 26.
was truly impeccable and it’s as if she were cut out of a story book. Chicola truly proved her stage presence after
Belle’s love interest, the Beast, played by sophomore John Hilaire, demonstrated equal capability in his acting
Review Having been present on opening night, I noted how prepared the performers truly were. The set was much more extravagant than it has been in recent years. Building a complete castle and creating effects like an exploding machine, the stage crew and head of set construction Mr. Lee Oberg truly outdid themselves. The costume design also involved greater detail and the performers carried themselves well. Senior Emily Chicola was born to play the lead role of Belle. Her voice
Photo courtesy of West Essex Milestone Staff 2011
The “Beauty and the Beast” cast performing for a full auditorium of dazzled fans. her role behind the scenes of “Little Shop of Horrors” in which she was the voice of the man-eating plant. Dan Hargrove, who played her devoted father Maurice in his first musical, performed and sang more than adequately.
skills. While his voice left me wanting a little more, it was ample for his role. The Beast finds his enemy in Gaston, the arrogant suitor of Belle, who was played by sophomore Joey Lavarco. Lavarco performed well as an arrogant macho
girls of many ages. The Food Network is a phenomenon that people never seem to be able to get enough of these days. Besides the television show, there are books and magazines, and now they have their own blog (blog.foodnetwork.com). It is a “foodies” dream. They give recipes, food ideas and television highlights. The photographs of the food are so enticing even the novice cook is tempted to whip up a fabulous meal or to try a special treat they have never tried before. Molly Ford shares her thoughts on life in her blog, “SmartPrettyAwkward” (smartprettyandawkward.com). She gives advice from different points of view, how to be smarter, how to be prettier and how to be less awkward. There are interesting articles and websites to check out, and you can gather great tips for both dealing with friends or dealing with your fellow workers. It appeals to readers who aspire to be a well-rounded individual. You can never be too smart or too pretty, but being less awkward definitely makes life easier. Some West Essex students even have their own blogs. Junior Alexa Farnese said, “I blog to keep up with what my friends are doing and to give my friends updates on what I do as well. I mostly
do it so I can spread my original music and to get advice on what songs to put on my demo coming out in spring.” Most personal blogs don’t ascend to national fame, but some quickly acquire an extensive following. Julie Powell was an unknown writer until she blogged everyday about cooking
man, and the Silly Girls who devotedly follow him throughout the play were a source of a few laughs. The true comedians of the play, however, were the servants in the Beast’s castle. Juniors Jesse Asche and Tommy Keegan, who played Lumiere and Cogsworth respectively, had great comical chemistry. Lumiere’s romantic interactions with Babette, as played by sophomore Marisa Malanga, were equally hilarious. Nikki Pigott, who played Mrs. Potts, was the unsung hero of the production, singing “Beauty and the Beast” with precision, setting the mood for the whole play. When Chip, played by seventh grader Matthew DeFazio, ran into the arms of Mrs. Potts, one’s heart simply had to melt. When the whole cast sang the theme song one last time together, the audience swayed light-up roses that were sold during intermission. I felt like a kid again, waiting excitedly to meet the cast after the show. I had completely forgotten that I would see them at school the next day like usual.
Blogging: a new cyber method of communication for the world by Lacy Tell ’11
Blogging became popular for the same reasons diaries were once popular, people sometimes need to get things off their chest by writing it down. Blogging allows a certain freedom where nobody is judging you and telling you what you can or can’t write. It is a creative and interactive way for individuals to express themselves and for readers to learn about topics for which they have passion. There are many different types of blogs and they can differ in content and the way they are written. They range from personal blogs, food blogs, fashion blogs, travel blogs, to political blogs. “Sushi with my Girls” (sushiwithmygirls.com) pokes fun at stereotypical well-educated girls. The blog is written anonymously and geared toward college-aged girls. The weekly posts range from daily dramas with boys, clothes and friends. The idea of a blog is for the reader is to be able to recognize a little bit of herself in the remarks, and then be able to laugh about it. One of the most recent posts gives an analysis of what each post and picture comment left means in the sushi girl world. The seemingly frivolous subject matters talked about in the blog resonate with
Julia Child recipes. Her blogs were so popular that she garnered a book deal which she called “The Julie/Julia Project” and that was made into the film “Julie & Julia.” Blogging is a compelling avenue of communication in our modern world.
April 2011
The Wessex Wire
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Spring into fashion
Spring 2011 Lookbook. Bright colors and crazy patterns may not be for everyone, but With the snow melted away and the a little splash of excitement here and there skies finally turning to a clear blue, it’s can’t hurt. Colorful, thin belts can make time to put all those UGG boots away and any outfit more intriguing and can make a exchange them for cute flip flops. With a dressy outfit more casual and fun. new season comes new fashions you need Don’t let spring showers get in your way to wear to make it through the summer. of having fun this spring. Buy some cute According to ELLE, runway styles that are rain boots for the season to compliment any “in” this spring outfit. Hunter rain season include: boots are very pop“Blue Jean Baby” ular and cost $125 tailored suits and for the Original dresses that exTall Women boot. tend the classic They can be found blue jean look beat Bloomingdales, yond just the pant, Lord & Taylor or bright and jewelonline at huntertoned “Building boot.com. If you Blocks” patterns feel Hunter Photo courtesy of Bellevogue.com on shirts, dresses boots are too and tunics that pricey, head over provide a play- Preview of 2011 spring runway trends to Target for fashful look, full body ion- ably fun and “Lace Race” demore reasonably signs that provide for a very sophisticated priced alternatives. look and “Into the Wild” trends which If you’re at a loss for stores with adorinclude animal shapes and jungle themed able, affordable, spring styles, check out patterns on clothing, along with feathered Urban Outfitters or Forever 21. skirts, which prove animal prints are still Take advantage of the inevitable change in this spring. of season and add new trends and styles to Stripes and floral prints are in with your wardrobe. A picture may be worth matching bow accessories and chunky a thousand words, but you don’t need to heeled shoes or flats to complete any outfit spend thousands in order to make it this spring, according to the Forever 21 through spring looking trendy. by Shai Kartus ’11
Dance Gavin Dance’s album fails to impress by Geordy Boveroux ’11
A lot can happen in four years. For the Sacramento, Calif. based band Dance Gavin Dance, there were four lineup changes and four full-length albums in that span of time. Dance Gavin Dance first gained notoriety after their debut album “Downtown Battle Mountain.” Soon after its release, lead singer Jonny Craig was kicked out of the band and Guitarist Sean O’Sullivan also left. Screamist Jonathan Mess and bassist Eric Lodge all left the group after their self-titled release. After what was left of the band released a third album entitled “Happiness,” guitarist Will Swam and drummer Matt Mingus decided to bring back Craig, Mess and Lodge to record a new album called “Downtown Battle Mountain II.”
Review The album starts off with a song entitled “Spooks,” which at first sounds like classic Dance Gavin Dance, until Mess begins screaming in a different tone than
usual. The band fails to achieve the the seamless integration of Craig’s melodic vocals with Mess’s harsh screams in this album. Continuing through the record, it sounds as though they are a startup garage band unable to find their sound. Swan is playing some form of high-pitched guitar work that cannot be defined under any genre, while Craig puts in about a third of the effort he did in “Downtown Battle Mountain.” One of the few bright spots is the single “Heat Seeking Ghost of Sex,” as it is the closest the album can offer to the sound of the band’s first record with a catchy chorus. The song “The Robot With Human Hair Pt. 2 ½” is quality, but it should not be considered the second best song on any record from a veteran group like Dance Gavin Dance. Dance Gavin Dance will be playing at Warped Tour this year, but so far the year should be considered a disappointment for the group. “Downtown Battle Mountain II” had everyone thinking they were going to get to hear the original Dance Gavin Dance. Instead, they get a mess of an album with barely any songs worth having on their iPods.
Photo courtesy of John D’Esposito
John D’Esposito, West Essex graduate and mastermind behind the Bamboozle Music Festival, poses in Times Square, New York City.
W.E. graduate takes music industry by storm by Nikki Maxman ’11 Madi Berse ’11
“In 1991, West Essex was really good at field hockey, football was just becoming its own and there were a lot of bomb scares,” said former West Essex student John D’Esposito. Not much has changed since he attended school here. However, D’Esposito claims that he was afraid to tell people he was into music. In that aspect, much has changed. John D’Esposito, a North Caldwell resident, is the proud creator of the Bamboozle Music Festival. In an interview, he said, “I hope I broke down barriers for people at West Essex. When I found out people from Cash Cash were from West Essex it meant a lot.” Unlike so many years ago, there are many music fans and bands at our school. D’Esposito said he came up with Bamboozle because he was tired of going to festivals and seeing the “same old stuff like the Warped Tour.” He wanted to showcase artists and help them hit the main stream. “Bamboozle started as punk and emo, but we always wanted to be a pop festival,” said D’Esposito. He claimed if they didn’t hit main stream then they weren’t going to go far. Bamboozle has been going strong for eight years and in that time music has vastly changed. “This year more than ever we are diversifying,” D’Esposito stated about the bands that will be playing in this year’s festival. He is most looking forward to having Boys II Men perform this year. After he performed in the first talent show in West Essex history, “that’s when I knew I wanted to be in entertainment. When I went to get
my diploma the principal said ‘good luck in the entertainment industry.’” He transferred from Seton Hall back to West Essex his junior year in high school for diversity. D’Esposito went to Gettysburg College and majored in Entrepreneur Management. Of all Bamboozle performances, D’Esposito’s favorite was Linkin Park in 2007 and he said, “Weird Al is up there.” Bamboozle started off just in New Jersey and has expanded. It is now also located in Chicago, LA and 25 other cities around the country. “In high school all I cared about was math, but I was terrible in school. I’m not a preacher of education but there are a lot of things to take out from the class room. I wasn’t a student from the books; I learned from the street,” said D’Esposito. He is still friends with kids from high school and loves to go back home. “It’s so refreshing to see my high school friends. They don’t want anything except to hang out.” Among his high school friends was current teacher Mr. Freda. D’Esposito said he would love to come back to West Essex and bring a band and hang out. D’Esposito feels that this world needs a change. He thinks people aren’t aware of the power they could have and does not want to see anyone’s talent go unappreciated. Growing up, he had to find out for himself what his full potential was; he was never guided there. He said, “You can get there you just have to try and not let people tell you that you can’t. Kids used to laugh at me, but look at me now!” Bamboozle will take place April 29, April 30 and May 1 at the new Meadowland Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J.
April 2011
The Wessex Wire
Are you a second season Gleek? by Celina DeLuca ’11
In its second season, the Fox network hit show, “Glee”, is still captivating its viewers. The cast of unknowns playing pariah high school students premiered in May 2009 and the season started in September of the same year. The show has also been picked up for a third season.
Review The cast of Broadway-experienced singers average three to four new cover songs an episode. Most often, a theme is incorporated, making viewing new and exciting every week. Personally, I love all of the covers, and the cheesier the better. From an oldie such as Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” to the newest covers of songs like Katy Perry’s “Firework” the harmonizing works for the cast. With the new addition of an all boys glee club, “The Warblers,” an appreciated new, fresh sound has been introduced. Although the episodes are sometimes very extreme and unbelievable, the concepts add to the smart satire of the show. It over exaggerates the lives of high school students and adds appreciated laughable twists. The cheerleading “Cheerios” coach, Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), and Glee Club adviser, Will Schuster (Matthew Morrison), give consistency to the program with their never-ending feuds and battles. The female football coach and her high school team ignite controversy as it consists of many Glee Club mem-
bers, including Artie Abrams (Kevin McHale) a student in a wheelchair. To top off the bunch, the leader of the pack, Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba), is oblivious to the world around him. The boundless characteristics of the individuals obviously lead to a neverending string of fantastic story lines. The most controversial episodes thus far have dealt with teen drinking and sex in high school. Taking it to the extreme, the characters held parties, were intoxicated at school and made fools of themselves during a performance in front of the entire student body. Going so far as to have the teachers and students become “drunk” remarkably highlights the point being made in a ridiculously funny, yet startling, manner. I didn’t care for the episode regarding teen sex, which aired March 8, but had its moments. An important talk between struggling gay student Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer) and his father, Burt Hummel (Mike O’Malley), was definitely the highpoint of the episode. I was going to try to not sound too much like a “Gleek” but I’ll have to admit that every song the cast produces ends up in my iTunes library. I hope no one can hear them blasting through my headphones at the gym; that would be embarrassing. But at least I’m not alone. West Essex students seem to be behind the sitcom as well. Junior Stephen O’Neill dressed up as “Finn Hudson” while his girlfriend, Krista Liotti, donned “Rachel Berry” attire for Halloween this past year. “‘Glee’ is such a good show,” he said, “I love how the cast spontaneously breaks out into song.”
Photo courtesy of entertainmentweekly.com
The cast of Glee posing for Entertainment Weekly for their second season of the show.
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Frank Anthony’s: love at first bite by Brittany Berman ’11
I ate Frank Anthony’s three nights in one week last month. This is extremely abnormal for me, but I could not resist this delicious meal. I am usually opposed to having the same thing back to back but at Frank Anthony’s I had the opportunity to have a great different meal every time. Frank Anthony’s on Bloomfield Ave. in Verona, N.J. is a great place for a night out or ordering in. Not only is Frank Anthony’s a deli but also a pizzeria, restaurant and caterer.
Review I went to Frank Anthony’s with four of my friends and every single one of us genuinely enjoyed our meal and savored each bite. The staff was extremely accommodating, only adding to the great experience we had. For example, they allowed us to order from the deli menu while sitting in the restaurant and even brought me extra dressing the two times I asked for it. We had a motley meal of wraps, salads and sandwiches. One of my friends had an A-bomb wrap with grilled chicken, bruschetta, mixed greens and fresh mozzarella and someone else had a Castellano wrap which included arugula, roasted peppers and mozzarella. They took the grilled chicken out of the wrap to make it a vegetarian option to accommodate my friend. I split the Martino sandwich and
Caesar salad with my friend. The Martino sandwich may not appeal to your palate, the mixture of all its components (grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and baby greens) works together wonderfully. The Caesar is not thick dressing or anchovy, rather it is thing, light and not overpowering. Also, the croutons are literally big pieces of bread that have been cooked. You may be thinking that a Caesar salad is a waste of your time because it is a standard menu item, but trust me on this one; it is by far one of the best Caesar’s I have ever eaten. Each was reasonably priced as well. My friends and I split the check and each paid less than $10.00. I have also had Frank Anthony’s many times with my family. Some times for a “night on the town,” and others we ordered in. My family loves the pizza. I have to give credit where credit is due, it is unbelievable. The thin crust matched with the fresh and wonderful toppings are what make this Grandma pizza pie different than any other. My family and I have also had the antipasti and many of the entrees, both which I cannot complain about. My advice though it to start off with a Caesar salad, have a Martino sandwich and if you can handle it, try the pizza. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu-it truly is all delicious. So next time you’re looking for a new, tasty and reasonably priced restaurant, make your way down Bloomfield Ave. to Frank Anthony’s.
Netflix: the next best thing by Madi Berse ’11
Sometimes (when our homework is finished, of course) we like to sit around, relax and watch a movie or a show. When you don’t feel like dealing with the monotony of everyday commercials on television, there’s Netflix. For just $8.99 a month, you can watch an unlimited number of movies or television shows whenever you want on your computer. I first used Netflix earlier this year when Ms. Linn Bailey suggested our English class watch the film version of Arthur Miller’s play “Death of a Salesman.” After discovering the one month free trial, I took full advantage and watched various movies and shows I had never seen before. At the end of the month, terminating my subscription was out of the question. Instead of spending those extra dollars on lunch food or at Starbucks, save it instead to watch some great movies. One of the best parts about Netflix is that it offers internet video streaming or “Watch Instantly” for selected titles. Once you hit
play, you can watch your movie right on your laptop or computer. Otherwise, you can choose from over 90,000 titles, including movies, documentaries, TV shows and more to add to your queue. The movies in your queue are sent to your house and you send them back, postage-free, to Netflix to receive the next movie in your queue. Other plan options include: two DVDs at a time for $14.99 a month, three DVDs for $19.99 and four DVDs for $27.99. While some might use Netflix to watch all their old favorite movies, I would suggest watching new movies or shows. In fact, Netflix actually gives you suggestions based on how you rate the movies you have already seen. Personally, I love to watch old seasons of TV shows that aren’t on TV anymore, like “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Friday Night Lights” and “Californication.” If you are looking to watch movies that just came out of the theater, Netflix won’t do the job. However, if you enjoy watching movies and have the extra time, you should take advantage of Netflix’s inexpensive and convenient facilities.
April 2011
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McDonald makes W.E. history by Julie Kayzerman ’12
Lauren McDonald, senior girls’ track and field captain, had led the team to success for the past four years. McDonald made her debut as a freshman, where she immediately emerged as a varsity sprinter. She soon became the first female pole vaulter in West Essex history. McDonald shines in the 200-meter sprint, where she holds the school record with a time of 26.43 seconds, and runs a personal best of 12.61 seconds in the 100-meter. She also holds the school record for pole vaulting with 10 feet, but is on pace to clear 10’6” before the spring season comes to a close. Girls’ spring track and field coach Stacy Gadek speaks highly of McDonald: “She is an excellent role model who is very determined. She gives 100 percent effort with every workout and encourages the underclassmen to do the same.” McDonald’s love for the sport is obvious by the way she challenges herself to do better. Her passion was put to the test last year at the state sectional meet when she missed her call for the 200-meter because she was still competing in the pole vault. Her only option was to run the heat by herself, as all the other competitors had already completed the race. McDonald took the challenge; as she flew through the final stretch in her race, she received a standing ovation Photo courtesy of Ellen Gallagher
The Wessex Wire from appreciative fans. She left her heart on the track and ran a time of 27.19 seconds, qualifying her for the 200-meter finals. She then completed the 200-meter finals in a time of 26.81 seconds, placing 4th and qualifying for the state group individual meet. She also qualified for the 100-meter and pole vault as well. McDonald became the first female in 10 years from West Essex to qualify for the Meet of Champions in the 100-meter dash. She is ranked as the 14th pole vaulter in the state and is likely to find her way back to the Meet of Champions this season. McDonald’s outstanding successes h a v e n ’t g o n e u n noticed, as she was recently named Essex County Scholar Athlete of the year. McDonald said, “It is an honor to be able to represent West Essex. I feel like my hard work has paid off and as a senior, it’s a great achievement.” Although McDonald will be graduating this year, her track and field career is far from over. She has already committed to Monmouth University, who offered her an athletic scholarship for Division I track and field. “I love track; I know that I’m never going to get an experience like this again. Even in college it’s going to be a different dynamic. I love the team, I love the coaches and I’m really going to miss it. But I’m so grateful for everything it has given me,” said McDonald.
Huskies net third NCAA championship by Paul Haramis ’12
The magical season for the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies ended with a national championship on April 4 in a 53-41 victory over the Butler Bulldogs. It was the third title for the Huskies, and third title for head coach Jim Calhoun. Calhoun became the oldest coach to win a national championship at 68-years-old. Upon earning his third championship, Calhoun joined an exclusive group of coaches. The group consists of John Wooden, Adolph Rupp, Mike Kryzyewski and Bob Knight. “It’s very sweet,” Calhoun told ESPN. “I have no bitterness towards anybody.
I don’t. You can write what you want; you can say what you want to say. I know who I am, where I’m going and what I’ve done.” UConn’s junior guard Kemba Walker wrapped up one of the most memorable postseasons in NCAA history with the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award. He was also named MVP of the Big East Tournament after leading the Huskies to an unprecedented five wins in five days. This tournament will be remembered as arguably the most unpredictable and biggest bracket buster of all time. Only two out of the approximately 5.9 million brackets submitted to the ESPN Bracket Challenge correctly predicted the Final Four.
Reflecting on high school sports career by Tom Paranzine ’11
It was my freshman year and about a month away from the start of the hockey preseason, so I picked up all of my athletic forms and prepared my mind and body for the season. The daunting process of handing in these forms could alone turn anyone away from playing. Yet on that first day of practice after the 10th suicide sprint, it got tougher. I barely had enough oxygen in my body to ask, “What have I gotten myself into?” It took another three years for the answer to become clear. The common saying “It’s not over ‘til it’s over” is used often in athletics, knowing that after the current contest you will live to play another day. However, when my senior season came to a close, an overflow of emotions engulfed me and I realized it was really over. There was no tomorrow, next week or next season. It became reality that I would never put on a West Essex Knights jersey again. There is nothing like going out on top. Ending your high school career with a victory is a rare and remarkable experience. If you are fortunate enough to end your career as a champion, cherish it, because there is no better way to go out. When my junior year ended and we were
crowned state champions, it set lofty goals for my senior year. When my senior season ended with a devastating playoff loss, it would have been easy to let my high school career be remembered as a disappointment. After looking back, I realized that I have had way too many memories over the past four seasons to let my career end in any sort of negative fashion. All of the great times far overshadowed this single, although disheartening, loss. Soon after my season came to a close, I began to find some of the answers to the question I pondered upon my freshman year during those grueling sprints. It is a strange feeling when you go home immediately after school and have nothing to do. My sports experiences have done so much for me. When it is all said and done, there may be a few specific wins or losses that stand out in my mind, but the life lessons I took away from sports are far greater. I understand how sports have changed me as a person, made me more mature and taught me how to overcome adversity. The list of positive outcomes is endless, but in the end, the more you take away from your high school athletic experience, the more valuable your career actually was.
April 2011
The Wessex Wire
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NFL vs. NFLPA: No end in sight Track: off to the races this spring representative of the firm’s employees.” In by Jesse Feldman ’11
other words, the NFLPA announced that Months of tense negotiations to come they would not be representing the playup with a new Collective Bargaining ers in the negotiations moving forward. Agreement (CBA) came to an abrupt end The NFL responded by officially locking on March 11. The NFL and its owners out the players at midnight that night. As made a last ditch offer to the NFLPA to expected, many fans were outraged by the try and avoid the lockout, however, ac- prospect that there may be no football next cording to NFLPA year. Senior Jake Handler Cartoon by Madi Berse ’11 President DeMausaid, “I can’t imagine life rice Smith, there without the Jets and fantasy were still “signififootball.” cant differences” The answers to many between the two fans worries could possibly sides. The differlie in a Minnesota court. ences included The decertification by the sharing of the nine NFLPA allowed the playbillion dollar aners, as individuals, to file nual revenue, an antitrust lawsuits against 18-game schedule the NFL. The United States instead of a 16Antitrust Law does not game schedule allow anti-competitive be(proposed by the havior and unfair business owners, but denied by the players), use of practices. instant replay and ruling on head shots. The lawsuit, filed by star Quarterbacks Just a short while later, Smith re- Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Peyton emerged from the negotiations and in- Manning, among others, centered around formed NFL fans all across the world what this law and how the lockout would enthey didn’t want to hear. He explained that courage “anti-competitive behavior.” the NFLPA had broken off negotiations Editor’s Note: Since this article was with the owners and they would be decer- written, an injunction was granted for tifying. Decertification, by legal definition the players to end the lockout. CBA is, “a firm withdrawing a union’s official talks still continue under Federal merecognition as the exclusive bargaining diation.
Gym is for the athletes, not the average by Lee Shearin ’12
Each day I am given the opportunity to expend some of my energy through the majesty of athletic competition. Yet, each day I am also presented with the roadblock of my so-called “peers” preventing me from achieving athletic excellence. I realize that every person has the right to partake in gym athletics, but I believe that gym should be both optional and segregated by ability. I am sick and tired of dealing with inferior gym athletes, much less participants who are not serious at all. When I am in a sport that requires some degree of teamwork, I can forgive if you are not athletic, but if you do not try, remove yourself from my gymnasium. When I get in “take-over mode” and I see a girl slapping the volleyball downward, I get upset. How on earth does she expect the ball to go over the net? It’s just not possible. Then in the same breath, these girls have the audacity to tell me that I have either been hogging the ball too much or should have taken the hit for them. When I give you an opportunity and
you disappoint, do not expect forgiveness or another opportunity. Many students dread gym class and it should be their decision to become lethargic slobs, much like it is their decision on what they eat in the cafeteria. Many people could not care less about gym and do not desire the exercise it provides. At the same time, there are some who enjoy gym and are terrible athletes. These specific people are both dangerous and truly delay potential brilliance in real gym athletics. I propose that gym is made to be completely optional and then segregated. Those who do not want to take gym will miss out on the exercise – but by their own choice. Those who are not athletic and pose a danger on the playing field can play with one another (and sufficient protective equipment), while hardworking athletes can enjoy a good competitive event. In no way do I think I am the most gifted of athletes, but I work up a sweat in gym and wear it proudly. However, I am held back from the rank of gym-class-hero by my classmates. It is time to realize the problem, and act accordingly.
by Tom Paranzine ’11
After finishing the 2010 season as Super Essex Conference Champions, the varsity track team is entering this spring in stride. The team has filled the month of March with hard work and intense preseason conditioning in order to be in the best shape possible. Despite the losses of key leaders Tom Gasbarro and Mike Cimilluca at the end of 2010, the team looks to be strong this year, led by seniors: Pat Dyer, Lauren McDonald, Matt Melillo, Jon Martinez, Carlos Mariscal, Sam Bozzone, Sam Rolli, John Boutilier, Gianni Grasso and Chris Kitchen. In addition to the stacked senior class, the team’s success weighs heavily on contributions from juniors Stephen O’Neill and Matt Mitchell.
For many of these athletes, running isn’t just a seasonal sport, but rather a lifestyle. It begins in the fall with cross country and then continues into the winter track season, so by the time the spring rolls around, these track athletes are in tip-top shape. Mitchell said “I run every day. It is hard work but I love it.” Each event has a strong anchor and good supporting members. Dyer leads the distance team, McDonald anchors the girls sprinting team as well as the pole vault, O’Neill leads the sprinters and Melillo and Kitchen form the backbone of the throwing team. Both McDonald and Dyer are former state place winners. The Knights have gotten off to an undefeated start so far this year, beating Orange, Glen Ridge and rival Verona.
Devils fail to clinch postseason spot – first time in 15 years by Tom Paranzine ’11
It is not often that the 12th seeded team in the Eastern conference is considered the “hottest” team in the NHL. Yet, the New Jersey Devils erupted throughout the midseason stretch and attempted to make a push to the post season. The Devils organization expected successful play in 2010-2011, however, the season proved to be anything but that. The Devils received a devastating blow less than a month into the season when alternate captain Zach Parise went down with a knee injury that required surgery. As New Jersey sat rock bottom in the standings in the Eastern Conference and the NHL, management decided to cut ties with long time Devil player and, at the time, current coach John Maclean. Former head coach Jacques Lemaire was hired to replace Maclean. Despite the hiring of Lemaire, the Devils still remained in last place in the NHL. Both fans and the organization began to consider the season a failure, shifting their focus to the future of the club. On Jan. 7, New Jersey dealt team captain Jamie Langenbrunner to the Dallas Stars and received a second round draft pick in this year’s draft. The trade also opened up $2.8 million in salary cap room. With apparent motivation from the shaken up locker room, the Devils began to appear in the “W column” more often. The new success began with a three-game winning streak – two against the Tampa Bay Light-
ing and one against the Philadelphia Flyers. The players began to learn Lemaire’s systems of play and have since been playing their best hockey of the season. As the month of February began, the Devils settled into a winning rhythm. They went on their longest winning streak of the season at 9-0-2 and in the last 22 games the Devils went an impressive 18-2-2. Ilya Kovalchuk, beyond a shadow of a doubt, was the most scrutinized Devil in 2010, but he has regained his scoring touch in the second half of the season. Kovalchuk has tallied 22 goals and 23 assists for 45 points, including eight game-winning goals. However, it is not just his scoring production that is impressive, it is his ability to transform into a two way player. Lemaire told globeandmail.com, “It’s the kind of thing he’s been doing to show he can play at both ends. It’s nice to see, we’ve been working with him.” However, their virtually undefeated success was not long lasting – the win streak came to a close during March, despite their strong start at the beginning of the month. The Devils began to be consistently inconsistent as time went on. Over the course of six games New Jersey just had one win, making a deep hole even deeper to climb out of. A Devils season that started out as a total bust, miraculously turned into a wild chase for a playoff birth. Although the New Jersey Devils will miss the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, they still gave fans a drama filled season worth watching.
April 2011 Issue 4
The Wessex Wire Page 16
Baseball team aims to repeat 2010 success in 2011 by Jackie Martorana ’11
The 2010 baseball team brought home an unprecedented number of honors, including a number one Star Ledger state ranking, a State Championship title and the Greater Newark Tournament Championship title. At the end of last year, the team graduated a core group of strong senior players, including two outfielders, two catchers, two infielders and a relief pitcher. Even so, the team is optimistic for the upcoming season, with the majority of the pitching rotation still intact and some new, up-and-coming players added to the roster. Senior pitchers Dan Gautieri, Dave
Jesch and PJ Lawless, who boasted a combined record of 22-0 in 2010, will be on the mound once again this year. Senior Chris Carragher has taken over the third base position from last year’s Tim Perrotta, while senior Jake Handler replaces former shortstop Mike Rafanello. Seniors Francesco Damiano and Jesse Feldman are new additions to this year’s squad. Junior Vin Cosenzo returns to first base, as former starting second baseman junior Ralph Velardi shifts to center field. Junior Jimmy Kenny continues to be an intimidating force at the plate. With many new, younger players taking the field, the boys aim to live up to last season’s camaraderie. So
far, the veterans and rookies have been able to mesh smoothly. “It is difficult for upcoming players to come into such a respected program and instantly be the successors of a State Championship team. Having said that, they have handled it extremely well thus far and the team is coming together just as good, if not better, than I have seen in my three years on varsity,” said Handler. Among the rookie players is sophomore second baseman Mike Marotti, who the upperclassmen describe as a “brick wall” on defense and a threat on the base paths with his speed. Tough competitors include Delbarton, Seton Hall and, of course, crosstown rival Caldwell. Caldwell proved
Player profiles: Lacrosse captains by Jackie Martorana ’11
Photo courtesy of Heather Prinzo ’13
Senior captains Alexa Ramos, Allissa Kerr, Brianna Schauer a n d J a c k i e M a r t o r a n a l o o k t o r e p e a t l a s t y e a r ’s s u c c e s s as State Section Champs with this year ’s young team.
Softball team off to slow start by Griffin Glenn ’13
The softball team has a tough act to follow in 2011 after winning last year’s State Section. Thus far, the team has posted a 6-5 record, but is looking to bounce back after early season struggles. Since last season, the team has graduated five starters, which means that over half the team is comprised of new faces. Four seniors head the squad, supported by a single junior and remaining underclassmen. As expected, youth and inexperience have factored into the team’s play. The Knights jumped out to a great 3-0 start, but then lost five of six games. The Knights then showed their tenacity by coming back with a
win against MKA, 18-1. Senior catcher Allissa Kerr, senior shortstop Brianna Schauer, senior third baseman Alexa Ramos and senior first baseman Jackie Martorana act as captains. Their success this year is largely dependent on the ability of the underclassmen to step up. Such underclassmen contributors are freshmen pitchers Courtney Mensch and Jenny Shaw. Regardless of their struggles, the team still believes that it can have a very successful season. Ramos said, “We have struggled early on because we are in a very tough conference. We have a very young and talented team and are just starting to come together. The team is really beginning to click and will prevail as the season progresses.”
to be even more of a threat than anticipated, defeating the Knights in their season opener on April 4. Caldwell trailed 4-0 for the majority of the game, finally coming alive in the seventh to take a 5-4 lead and overcome West Essex. Despite their early loss, the Knights continue to emphasize the importance of focusing on one game at a time, “pitch by pitch.” Since opening day, the team has bounced back to an impressive 8-1 record. Lawless said, “We were number one in the state, but that was last year. We were state champs, but that was last year. It’s time to make a new name for ourselves, and to show everyone that last year was not a fluke.”
Joey Fusco – The four-year varsity starter is rounding out his high school lacrosse career as one of the 2011 senior captains. Fusco is a midfielder who began playing lacrosse in sixth grade. Since then, he has played every winter in an indoor league and during the summer for Trilogy Lacrosse. Joey earned several honors during both his sophomore and junior seasons, including Second Team All-Conference, First Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State. Fusco cites professional players Ryan Boyle and Matt Striebel as his greatest influences and describes his favorite part of the game as “beating a defender and stinging the bottom corner.” Fusco’s greatest memory is West Essex’s win to become County Champions during his sophomore year. He has committed to playing at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. Fusco, a three-sport athlete, has also played soccer and basketball throughout high school.
Kayleigh Thies – Thies is a senior and three-year varsity starter who plays the center position, and is one of this season’s girls’ lacrosse captains. She began playing lacrosse in third grade and has since been involved in various club teams, including Tri-State Lacrosse and a winter league at the Indoor Sports Pavilion in Randolph. During her time on the varsity roster, Thies earned First Team All-County. Her greatest lacrosse memory involves West Essex’s 2010 win against Oak Knoll. With two seconds left in the game, Thies’ goal broke the tie score and earned West Essex the victory. She describes the game as an experience that “made [her] confidence level increase extremely.” Kayleigh’s greatest influence is her cousin, Kevin Cassese, head mens’ lacrosse coach at Lehigh University. “He introduced me to the sport, and helped me with college recruiting,” said Thies. Next year, she will attend Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., where she plans to play lacrosse as well as field hockey.