The Wessex Wire (November 2008)

The Wessex Wire The Student Newspaper of West Essex Regional High School

Vol. XLVIII No. 1

West Essex High School, 65 West Greenbrook Road , North Caldwell, NJ

Incoming Freshmen: Fresh Or Not So Fresh Transfer

Election Day: WE Votes McCain

by Victoria Gualtieri ‘09

In an attempt to inform the students of West Essex of the issues addressed in the election, the WE-VOTE committee and history teacher Beth Vaknin organized an “Election Day” on Oct 16.

For the first three periods, juniors and seniors participated in two sessions run by teachers who discussed the main issues debated in the election.

Students received a list of the sessions in their English classes a few days prior and marked their top three choices. Attempts by the WE-VOTE committee were made to accommodate the students’ choices.

Vaknin stated the concept of this day spawned from the school’s intention to “capitalize on the students’ interests of the election.” While, voting seniors uncovered information on the candidates’ policies, juniors and seniors unable to vote learned more about the process of elections, in the hopes that the experience will aid them in the future.

During the lunch periods that day, students voted on a broad array of topics, from favorite musician up to choice candidate. On Friday, Oct. 17, the WE-VOTE committee announced that John McCain beat Obama in 242-223 victory.

Overall, Vaknin considered the day “very successful”, though if she was to do it all again, she would make some changes.

“I would have changed the assembly,” Vaknin said. “There were technical problems, and the video presentation did not go as planned.”

After the presentation, there were SEE ELECTION DAY PAGE3

Inside This Issue:

2

News

November 2008

by Jenel Conde ‘09

-photo courtesy of Christian Delmotte The West Essex Marching Knights 2008 to 2009 season exceeds previous records as the knights approach regionals and Atlantic Coast Championships.

Marching Success Propels West Essex To Number Six

by Emily O’Neill ‘10

The football, field hockey and soccer teams start mid-summer to begin preparation for their fall seasons, and the West Essex Marching Band is right there with them. Practicing in the unbearable August heat, the Marching Knights have 3-7 hourlong practices in order to learn their music and positions on the field.

The West Essex Marching Knights won the group championship for Chapter X in the Tournament of the Bands at their home competition Sunday Nov. 4 for the second year in a row. This competition propelled the marching knights into the top ten of the group three bands for the regional and Atlantic Coast Championships in

Sportsfest Drug Tests

3

Feature

Calendar Controversey Student Gambling

the upcoming weekends.

The West Essex Marching Knights are currently ranked 6th in the Atlantic Coast Championship (ACC) group III division after receiving a 90.2 ranking during a competition held on Oct. 25. Last year, West Essex earned 9th place in the competition which was the first time in history they placed in the top ten.

More consistently, the West Essex Marching Band has been one of the top ranked bands in the Tournament of Bands (TOB) organization each year. The TOB is a non-profit organization that is divided into 13 chapters. It includes bands from nine different states and over 400 active schools participate.

SEE MARCHING BAND PAGE2

10

Arts & Culture

New York Film Festival “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell”

For the first time in about thirty years, the freshmen have shifted from the Junior High School to the Senior High. To some, change is unnecessary; to others, the alteration will allow West Essex to become a conventional high school.

Upperclassmen have strong opinions about the decision to move the ninth grade. Senior Angelo Locantore believes this year, “the hallways are jam-packed.”

Junior Jaclyn Franzi agrees and recalls feeling “like a sardine in the hallway.” She also feels that “there is a huge age gap.”

To diminish the age differences, the entire freshmen class eats lunch during fourth period. “Having lunch fourth period is like eating breakfast and by the end of the day, I’m starving,” freshman Jackie Fusco said.

The incoming freshmen have mixed emotions about the transfer.

“It is very crowded and a lot of kids are older [than me] so that is intimidating,” freshman Alexis Miller said.

In contrast, fellow freshman Natalie Cafone, is enjoying her permanent stay at the Senior High. “I like the high school because I like seeing everyone on my [field hockey] team and I also like that there is no second floor.”

The sophomores, who are also new to the school, have opinions on the freshmen as well. “With the SEE FRESHMAN PAGE2

15

Opinion

Cameras In School Drinking Age

November 2008

The Wessex Wire

Sportsfest Shakes Things Up at West Essex

by Brian Agostini ‘09

Sportsfest has been a long standing tradition at West Essex. However, the 2008 event put a new spin on a familiar night.

“Sportsfest was different this year for the following reasons: the new t-shirt design, the price for the tshirt was a lower price ($10) and it was the same at the door, there was no dance this year, and this year the teams competed against each other in new events and actually won something: a trophy and bragging rights,” Senior Class President Ryan Funsch said.

Students agreed that had improved greatly. “It was more fun than last year and more people,” senior Joe Taylor said.

The fall sports teams competed in a scavenger hunt, hula hoop contest, pie-eating contest, Knock Out, and musical chairs.

“There was a Spirit Contest winner. This was which team had the most spirit through the event, which was the volleyball team. The Field Hockey team won the overall prize

Mrs. Jean Zuhl has big plans for her new astronomy and meteorology classes.

Zuhl wants her classes to appreciate the many features of the atmosphere.

“I’m hoping that people who take meteorology will be able to appreciate the science of weather and be able to understand how weather forms,” she said.

Zuhl’s testing procedures for the course will consist of specialized projects, rather than general written exams.

“I think that a variety of assessments, such as projects, gives every student an opportunity to be as successful as she or he wants to be,” Zuhl said. This is her third year working at West Essex and her eighteenth year teaching astronomy and meteorology.

Besides her previous teaching

By Alinoel Navia

BOOK CLUB: The first book up for discussion was Twilight by Stephanie Meyer.

The next meeting will be held later this month, where members will plan a trip to see Twilight and collecting children’s books for an elementary school in East Orange. Visitors are welcome!

the sports fest trophy and bragging rights of Sportsfest,” Funsch said.

However, no contest is complete without a little controversy. Several team captains thought it was ironic that a Field Hockey player created the scavenger hunt and that the team ended up winning. The team started early and was accused of knowing what to look for in advance.

“The race was over so quick, that there had to be some kind of conspiracy behind it,” senior Jared Laxer said.

Sportsfest is a fundraiser for the senior class. The representatives from the senior class are the organizers and ran the show. This year it was Ryan Funsch, Gianni Durso , Lindsey Georg, and Dimirti Rensis.

“In my opinion, it was much better than last year because of the new events and the enthusiasm from the teams and the kids,” Funsch said.

Taylor agreed. “There was a lot more people there this year and it was a lot more fun. I just wish there were more activities and it lasted a little longer.”

Marching Success

experience, Zuhl’s personal life has influenced her as well. Her love for astronomy is due in part to a very special wedding ring, which is actually a meteor rock. Her husband, a private meteor collector, gave this gift to her.

“When we first met,” she explained, “he cut one of his meteorites in half and gave me half as a gift.

When we got married, we decided to make our rings out of a meteorite as a testament not only to the poetry of wishing on shooting stars, but also as a symbol of who we are as astronomers and as people.”

Another passion of Zuhl’s is astronomical quotes. She is particularly moved by “Gravity cannot be held responsible for two people falling in love,” by Albert Einstein. She is also inspired by the quote, “Sometimes I think we’re alone. Sometimes I think we’re not. In either case, the prospect is staggering,” by Arthur C. Clarke.

The 2008 field show is entitled "American Faces." “The show is a tribute to a variety of American Heroes," the new marching band director Mr. Delmotte said. It includes four pieces of music: Shenandoah, Simple Gifts, American Faces Part 1, and American Faces Part 2.

Senior Lindsey DeLillo, who is drum major along with senior Joe Cappello, described the show as "inspiring and energetic."

"During the show, we conduct the band to make sure everyone's playing the music at the correct tempo and at the same place," DeLillo said.

"When we aren't performing we are basically a link between the staff and the rest of the band, and we try to make sure everything that needs to happen gets done."

To jump-start their preparation for the Marching Band season, the students attended band camp. At band camp, band members woke up early and practiced for approximately eight hours a day. "It’s a bonding experience more than anything," junior Andrew Theirman said.

Zuhl Teaches Students to Reach For the Stars

by Michael Goldstein‘09

Club Bytes

Page 2

FILM CLUB: Attention television journalists! A new film club, started by senior Matt Liotti, will be working on a project to cast morning announcements from a video rather than the loudspeaker.

FRENCH CLUB: Bonjour. French Club is planning their annual international dessert contest and crepe sale. This month, members will hold a Guitar Hero party at the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant.

KEY CLUB: The October agenda included servicing the Caldwell Street Fair, representing West Essex Key Club at the Fall Rally in Six Flags, participating in a Crop Walk to end world hunger, and fundraising through a Halloween bake sale.

Former President Mara Alessi received a $500 award from Kiwanis Club Advisor Dr. Tammy Kaminski for exhibiting excellent leadership skills, contributing the most hours of community service, and participating with enthusiasm.

ROUNDTABLE: The Knights Roundtable has gotten back together for the school year to create their annual literary magazine. Monthly, members will meet to prolifically edit and workshop each others’ poems and stories.

SPANISH CLUB: ¡Hola! Spanish Club is off to a fresh start; the next Spanish club meeting will be held at Jose Tejas where the members will discuss future fundraising projects and potential activities.

From Page 1

The marching band had their first competition on Oct. 4. West Essex hosted the competition and the Knights received a score of 79.3. A week later, at Matawan, the band earned an 82.85, and on Oct. 1, at Roselle Park, they received a score of 86.20.

"With the show complete now, we are aiming to get top five in the ACC's this season," junior Michael Lupo said.

Freshmen From Page 1

freshmen in the high school, we are not the youngest ones,” Sophomore Kristen McClain said.

Despite a mixed consensus from students, teachers are confident in the decision to move up freshmen.

“As part of the culture of a high school, they belong here,” English teacher Dana Bartello said of her freshmen students. “It may be hard to adjust initially, but the ninth grade will eventually mesh with the older students.”

This move was originally planned to occur four years earlier; however the construction was not complete until this year.

November 2008

Boronow Promoted To Supervisor Of Arts

by Shai Kartus ‘11

Mr. John Boronow has recently been promoted to the head educator of the arts department. Having grown up in Verona and moved to North Caldwell as a seventh grader, Boronow is an alumnus of West Essex High School.

“The most important thing I can do [for West Essex] is support the teachers and students in their endeavors.

My responsibilities will include Art, Music, Family & Consumer Science and Industrial Arts, and as such I will need to give equal support to each of those varied programs,” Boronow said.

In college, Boronow worked as an assistant manager for “Quick Check.”

He considered this job greatly to be his set career since teaching jobs were tough to come by. However, Boronow finally received a teaching job. “I have spent my entire teaching career here at West Essex; I think I made the right decision.”

Boronow’s favorite part about teaching is the students. “Seeing [the students] grow and seeing them `get it` as they perform; it is very rewarding.”

The head educator of the music department admitted that he never really considered who his role model in life is. “I suppose to some degree it would be Abraham Lincoln, my favorite president. He served during

The Wessex Wire

very difficult times, and had determination, integrity, and courage.”

With a new position, Boronow is not planning to retire any time soon.

“I have a three-year old daughter, so retirement is too far away to think about yet.”

Throughout his years of experience, Boronow has acquired advice to dispense upon to the upcoming class of seniors preparing to graduate from West Essex High School in the imminent year to come; “take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, and do not limit yourself to those in your field of interest. You never know where new adventures

Election Day From Page 1

Page 3

News News Bytes Bytes

By Dylan Cascino

Wildfires Devastate Southern California

King Children Go to Court

Wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds in Southern California raged through the region. Thousands of families were evacuated from their homes during the fires.

According to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, money was not spent on fighting the fires in southern California, but on public safety instead.

Mr. or Mrs. Music Teacher?

A California elementary school music teacher underwent a gender change this summer, shocking the parents of the students upon arriving on the first day of school. The teacher’s identity, once a woman but now a man, was kept a secret from the public, out of respect to her personal privacy. Many parents have pulled their children out of the class since the news has been let out.

ing the video was geared toward democratic candidate Obama.

“It was an attempt to force [certain] viewpoints on us,” senior Jules Jacobs said.

However, Vaknin explained that there was no bias intended in regards to the length of the Obama video.

“This effect was unintentional,” Illegal Immigrants Get Vaknin said. The assembly was Busted in Iowa meant “to be unbiased, but ended up becoming biased.” Vaknin added A recent raid of a town in Iowa that she had originally hoped to have resulted with federal agents rounda speaker at the assembly to address ing up nearly 400 illegal immigrants the students. from nation’s largest kosher meat“We looked for local and state politi- packing plant, Agriprocessors. The cians [to come speak],” Vaknin said. raid was the largest work-force raid “But it ended up not working out.” in American history.

The three remaining children of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scoot King continued to feud over their mother’s personal papers.

The argument has now led the three (Martin III, Bernice, Dexter) into court in Atlanta. According to Dexter King, he is “saddened by the family feud.”

49 States Down, 1 to Go The last of the series of statequarters has finally been minted, as the state quarter for Hawaii is set to circulate on Nov 3. The coin features the former monarch, King Kamehameha I, stretching his hand toward the eight major Hawaiian Islands. The quarter also includes the state motto, “The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness,” in Hawaiian.

Bad Night’s Sleep

Roughly 1.6 million cribs made by Delta Enterprises have been recalled after two babies suffocated due to a defect in the crib. It was discovered that the defect came from a lack of support from safety pins that are intended to prevent the drop side of the crib from lowering too far. The defect left a gap big enough for a baby to fall in and suffocate.

Monday Drug Test Reflects Weekend “Fun”

by Sonia Aviv ‘11

The Kinnelon School District Board of Education has proposed mandatory drug testing for all students who participate in sports or extracurricular activities or have a school parking permit.

The so-called “Friday Night” test screens for ethyl glucuronide, or EtG. Unlike many tests, this one can detect drugs and alcohol consumed up to 80 hours before school on Monday. Therefore, if a student is tested on Monday morning, any drugs or alcohol consumed on Friday night would be detected.

This proposal has caused much

controversy within the community of Kinnelon and with educators all over New Jersey. Some feel that testing will protect students from illegal and potentially dangerous activities while others believe that it is an invasion of privacy and oversteps the bounds of the family.

Although random drug testing is not currently a controversy at West Essex, someday it may become one.

“Why does the administration have any concern for what students do out of school?” sophomore Justin Calabrese said. “The number of students attending school on Monday would definitely be affected. Kids cut school already; the last thing needed is to give them another reason to do

so.”

Many argue that despite student concerns, the decision should really be in the hands of parents. “My parents would not approve of the random drug testing,” sophomore Sam Bernstein said. “It is insulting to the parents because it suggests that they cannot handle parenting on their own.”

On the other hand, some students feel that their parents would agree with the testing. “My parents would find relief to this random drug testing,” said junior Jaclyn Franzi. “It would probably lessen the amount of drugs and alcohol consumed, but I still feel like it is a huge invasion of privacy. Yet, it would be possibly

beneficial in stopping underage drinking.”

Sophomore Sydney Karp disagreed. “Drug testing can never completely stop the consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs. It may lessen it, but the kids who are frequently doing it are going to continue doing so.”

Karp echoed the thoughts of many other students.“Personal life is strictly personal. Students should make decision for themselves and the school should not interfere.”

Please Recycle this Newspaper

November 2008 Issue 1

Feature

The Wessex Wire Page 4

Did You Check Your Wall Today? Students Addicted to Facebook

By Kelly Abbot ‘10 You saw it first on Facebook-Brad and Susie broke up, Brittany had a huge party this weekend, and Lauren and Melissa are definitely fighting.

This is the kind of drama that high school teenagers love. But now, thanks to Facebook, an online social network, we can find that information much faster.

Facebook has become the fourth most trafficked website in the world.

It has more than 110 million active users. Users join networks controlled by city, work place, school, and region. Students and teens add friends, send messages and post personal information. They can also write on people’s “walls”, upload photos, join groups, and add many assorted applications.

With more than millions of people on Facebook daily, there has to be some hype to this web source. But what is it? What makes teens and students spend an average of thirty

minutes a day on a website? Basically Facebook is an online high school cafeteria, only better, because everyone can see everything.

“It is such an easy way to stalk the people you go to school with. I find out information about people I don’t even talk to,” an anonymous student at West Essex said.

If you are “friends” with someone on Facebook, you have complete access to their lives. By just checking out someone’s page, you can see who they are dating, who they are friends with, what parties they have been to recently and who they are currently talking to. It is every high school teenager’s dream.

As a recent survey of one hundred students shows, West Essex has indeed joined the rest of the country in a complete addiction to Facebook.

When asked how many times they check Facebook a day, 56% of the students said five to ten times, while 28% said more than ten times a day.

Only 4% said that they do not check

Facebook daily.

West Essex contributes to the 1.7 billion pictures posted of high school and college students on Facebook.

Of the students polled, 100% said they upload pictures to Facebook.

“I put pictures on Facebook almost every weekend,” an anonymous student said.

Facebook is quickly becoming every high school and college’s main gossip source. Every student surveyed said they use Facebook to find out information about people they go to school with.

It is almost scary to think about how big Facebook has become and

to know that it is only getting bigger.

Students from all over the world are suffering from “Facebook Addiction.”

A whopping 98% of students at West Essex said they believe that they are infatuated with Facebook.

Some students described Facebook as “creepy” and “stalkerish,” while many said it is “amazing.” Either way, people are logging on all over the world and it has developed into a serious compulsion.

“I’m pretty sure all of my friends have and use Facebook. Our school has an addiction to it,” junior Chelsea DeGiacomo said.

-photo courtesy of Kelly Abbot

Grancagnolo Addresses College Concerns As Senior Anxiety Heightens, Counselors Take Action

by Brittany Berman ‘11 Nikki Maxman ‘11 Kelly Mosser ‘11 Applying to college is typically an extremely stressful time for high school students. In order to help reduce students’ anxiety, West Essex guidance counselor Linda Grancagnolo believes that students should start preparing for college after eighth grade instead of waiting until their junior year. She urges students to bear in mind that their official transcripts begin after ninth grade.

Because applications are timeconsuming, Grancagnolo says that students should never wait until the last minute.

“Be prepared and create a list of colleges that work for you during guidance counselor meetings,” said Grancagnolo. “Visit those schools and prepare appropriate essays for them, and secure your teacher recommendations before the end of junior year.”

Grancagnolo believes an imperative step preceding the actual applications is taking the PSAT’s, and the next step is taking the SAT’s. Students can prepare for both of these tests with either a tutor or one of many available preparation classes.

According to Grancagnolo, the most important requirement of the college application process is to stay in touch with one’s guidance counselor, and it is the “best way to ease stress”. Visiting the guidance office regularly, Grancognolo believes, will help both students and counselors

choose an appropriate college. Also, the guidance counselor will be able to create a college recommendation essay based on a fuller understanding of the students.

Many high school students are unsure of the number of schools they should apply to. Grancagnolo recommends applying to eight schools: four “target” schools, two safety schools, and two reach schools.

“I have been advised by admissions representatives that it is dangerous to write about how the death of a loved one has changed your life. Not because it is unimportant, but because it has been used so many times,” Grancagnolo said. “You should also never write with negative attitude, sarcasm, or condescending tones because these are never received well.”

Colleges always require a counsel-

or’s letter of recommendation, and most schools request two letters from teachers. Students are suggested to ask teachers from their academic subjects or their intended major to write their letters.

Many students worry whether they have a sufficient number of extracurricular activities on their applications. Grancagnolo states, “In my conversations with various admissions representatives, they prefer a student who is passionate about a particular extracurricular activity or community service project and is consistent with it.”

“It is very important to try to find the perfect fit [from researching undergraduate admissions] on the college’s website. This is definitely the beginning of the process. From here, all other factors begin to enter in: location, size, activities, etc.”

November 2008

The Wessex Wire

Page 5

Where Are They Now: Marietta Alessi

by Celina DeLuca ‘11 Marietta Alessi left West Essex last year looking forward to a great future at Washington University in St. Louis, where she would pursue a major in fashion design, and a coveted internship at Seventeen Magazine.

Alessi realized her interest in the university during a tour of the offices in the summer before her senior year. There she made contacts to aid her future application. As her senior year started, Alessi sent articles she had written to an acquaintance at Seventeen magazine.

She submitted pieces of writing, including interviews with Project Runway host Tim Gunn and former contestant Kevin Christiana, as well as two professional models and

two fashion shows. Seventeen was so impressed they not only gave her an internship, but offered her the only intern position that requires working five days a week.

“And no, I don’t do Starbucks runs,” Alessi said.

Alessi has written eight articles that have been put online. “Since I’m an intern, we don’t write articles for print, and I don’t have a byline on the articles online because [we are considered] part of the Seventeen family.”

Even though Alessi has not gotten official credit for her work, she recently interviewed the Naked Brother’s Band and a picture of her and the band mates was used in her article. Also, as the only intern who is always there, she gets to work with all facets of the magazine.

“Every day I do something different, and that’s what I love about my job,” Alessi said. “I get to help out everyone: health and fitness, entertainment, confidence coach, lifestyle/fashion, business, web, photography.”

In only a few months at Seventeen Magazine, Alessi has met numerous celebrities. The personalities Alessi has crossed paths with so far include Shawn Johnson, Shontelle (singer of T-Shirt), Cody Linely, and the cast of both Degrassi and Naked Brothers Band. She is about to meet Mitchel Musso.

The internship keeps her on the cutting edge of popular culture.

“Start listening to are Justin Nozuka, Amy Kuny, and Danger Radio, those are three very different and very talented artists that you should look

out for.”

Alessi credits landing this internship today because of her experience on The Wessex Wire. She explains that she learned all her social skills in high school, such as the knowledge to be more communicative and outgoing.

“If you allow yourself to be open to these opportunities, you can get lots out of it,” Alessi said.

Her advice to students who would like to follow in her footsteps is “no matter what your intention is for the future, I would say do not hesitate to chase your dream today. You can edit your life later, look back and say, `oh I should’ve done this and that` but if you over analyze every decision you make with school, family, or your dreams you’ll be missing out on what could be.”

Late Show Producer Takes A Stroll Down Memory An Alumni Honoree Sits Down for an Exclusive Wire Interview

by Ben Sunshine ‘09 Rob Burnett was honored on Oct. 20 by the West Essex Hall of Distinction. Known for producing, writing, and directing the Late Show with David Letterman and co-creating the television series ED, Burnett is also the president and CEO of Worldwide Pants Incorporated, a television and film production company. Burnett went on to graduate from Tufts University and now resides in Connecticut with his wife, son, and two daughters. Burnett, class of 1980, is one of the many successful West Essex High School alumni and he was kind enough to do an interview for the Wire.

Wessex Wire: Did you know what profession you wanted to go into when you were in West Essex? If so, what were some influences in your life during high school and did West Essex have any influence on your career?

Mr. Rob Burnett: For good or bad, I knew that I wanted to be a writer from around age 8 or 9.

I’m not exactly sure why I made

that decision, but I do remember in fourth grade a teacher read a story of mine in front of the class.

It was about the pilgrims. Afterward, a cute girl came up to me and said, “That was pretty good.”

I’m pretty sure that’s what did it.

West Essex had a huge influence on my career. I drew on my experiences in high school heavily when I was writing “Ed.” My favorite “Ed” stories were deeply personal and many related back to a perspective that I formed at West Essex. In high school I was probably meant to be a full-fledged geek, but I found that I could compensate for my utter lack of coolness by being funny. As Ed says in the pilot episode, “If you’re not born with broad shoulders and a square jaw, there’s only one way to get the girl: make a complete jackass out of yourself.” That pretty much sums up my philosophy.

WW: What was the transition like from college to establishing yourself as a successful producer? Did you experience any hardships or bumps in the road?

RB: As a student I was always a little bit underachieving. I did manage to get good grades

and go to a good college -- Tufts -- but I never really put myself into 5th gear. It was because I never quite understood how school and grades would lead to becoming a writer. It all certainly helped, but the path wasn’t direct.

ball will land foul and it won’t matter whether you run. But the one time that ball stays fair, the guy who ran every time will be standing on second base with a double.

That’s the best career advice I can give anyone. It’s what When I graduated college I got I tell my kids. Run out evan internship at the Late Show. ery ball as hard as you can.

Once inside those walls, I not only found 5th gear, but invented WW: What exactly does your a 6th. I was finally pointed in job entail on an average day? the direction of my dreams and RB: My job varies a lot depending seeing the prize just over the on whether I am in production on horizon was all I needed. In my a show. When I was doing “Ed” early 20s, I would wake up at 5 or “the Knights of Prosperity,” a.m., work on a screenplay until 8 I spent most of my time writing, a.m., and then be the first one in but also had to spend time on the office and the last one to leave the set and in the edit room. It’s -- often at 10 p.m. Every day. an insane amount of work -- an Period. I just wanted it too badly. amount that you can never finish. Your instinct for working is Some of the best advice I ever got to complete your work and then in my life was from two of my go home. Running a prime time coaches at West Essex -- Hugh show you find that you cannot Albanesius and Bob Schnauffer. I finish the work. So instead, you remember once hitting a ball down wake up, work as hard and as long the right field line in a varsity base- as you can until you have to sleep, ball game. I didn’t run because I then wake up and do it again. could see it was curving foul. They said, “What if it landed fair? Does We used to shoot “Ed” in Northit hurt you to run? Is there any vale, New Jersey and I lived on downside in running?” They told the Upper West Side of Manhatme that 99 times out of a 100 that SEE ALUMNI INTERVIEW PAGE6

November 2008

Alumni Interview

The Wessex Wire to the aforementioned cute girl, is the reason I became a writer.

aspect of “Ed” that I get a lot of reaction from is the tradition of Ed and his buddy Mike making stupid WW: What aspect of your shows do ten dollar bets with each other. fans usually tell you they like the most?

From Page 5 RB: “Ed” seemed to touch people There was one silly bet where Ed tan. So I had a reverse commute on a deep and personal level. and Mike are in a diner, and Ed -- I was leaving the city as people There’s actually a group of fans tells Mike that he’ll give him 10 were coming in. I loved it because who get together from all over bucks if when the waitress comes there was never any traffic. One the country once a year and next over, he orders a hamburger by day I left work and suddenly ran weekend I was invited to go to saying “Burger Me” and nothinto a huge traffic jam. I thought, their annual lunch. Another sillier ing more. Last year I was in a “This is weird. I wonder what’s going on.” I then realized that I had left the office at 6:30 in the make it look in favor of the gambler.

by Stpehn Kinslow ‘09 morning and was hitting rush hour This then hooks the player and if Jon Struss ‘09 traffic of people coming to work. they lose, they feel the need to try The legal gambling age for most and win their losings back.

When I’m not in production, I still places around the country is 21. At our age, money is more of an spend a lot of time writing. Right This law, however, seems to have object than a value. Kids can ask now we’re trying to transition into no affect on the student population their parents for money and then movies so I’m working on a screenblow it away in seconds on a poker play. I also oversee the Late Show, of West Essex. game or sports bet. the Late Late Show, and bunch A survey shows that approxi- “Gambling is very addicting, I of other things we’re developing. mately 88% of the senior boys have have lost a lot of my money and my gambled or are currently gambling WW: Which show do you enjoy do- on sports or poker games. It seems ing more, Late Show or ED and why? that the seniors grew up in the era

by Lisa Feierstein ‘11 RB: This is a very hard question where poker and gambling have for me. Being Head Writer and It would be safe to assume that become a craze or addiction.

Executive Producer of the Late nearly every student at West Essex Computers have simplified this Show is like no other job in the was looking forward to having a half process by allowing the person world. First of all, for a guy who day on Monday, Sept. 29 for the first cares deeply about funny things, behind it to lie. The poker websites day of Rosh Hashanah, the annual the chance to work with Dave ask for your age before allowing Jewish New Year celebration.

Letterman on a daily basis is noth- you to enter the site. In NJ, the For the many Jewish students ing short of thrilling. What’s also gambling age is set at 18 and casi- that populate the school, it mostly great about the Late Show is that nos 21. What this means is that the meant either hosting an elaborate it’s real old-time show business. underage gambler is left with the and meticulously planned dinner or You’ve got big stars showing up, illegal bookie or the poker/sports- attending one with extended family. you’re writing for a live studio For the non-Jewish student populace, betting computerized servers. audience -- every day when those which makes up the vast majority of “The simplicity to gamble at our cameras roll, it’s just plain exciting.

West Essex, it meant a half day to age is easy, I can just log on to my be spent leisurely and possibly with computer and start betting,” senior With “Ed”, the writing is longer friends. Unfortunately, this highly Matt Benavente said. form and you get to say things that anticipated half day was canceled.

The gambling age is set so high are important to you. You get to West Essex Regional School Disso that the person(s) gambling are try to say something about life, trict administrators did give students mature and know what is at stake. about a personal feeling or a perthe following day, Sept. 30, off from Casinos and websites have fixed spective you might have. And then school, but did not allow a day off for odds and advantages to winning but it goes out in front of 8 or 10 milthe second day of Rosh Hashanah to lion people. Once we were giving a allow more days to be available for seminar at the Museum of BroadFebruary break. Students also did casting, and a guy came up to me not receive days off for Columbus afterward and asked me to sign his Day, Martin Luther King Day, and copy of “Walden.” His favorite epthe Jewish holiday of Passover, for isode of “Ed” (and mine, too) was reasons unknown. entitled “Live Deliberately” and “We shouldn’t get Martin Luther was a bit of an ode to Henry David King Day off,” senior Lexi Cariano Thoreau. To be able to share a said. “West Essex isn’t a black feeling and connect with someone school – only about half a percent of like that is extraordinarily gratithe school is black. It would be nice fying. And probably, in addition to get a day off, but we shouldn’t

Page 6 restaurant in Vermont and two college kids recognized me and came over. They told me they were huge “Ed” fans and that they and their buddies always do “Burger Me” to each other.

The fact that I’ve been able to spread my own asinine behavior to strangers is the most a guy like me can hope to achieve in life.

When It Comes To Underage Gambling, W.E. Is All In

parents money betting and playing cards with my friends,” an anonymous student said.

Gambling is a problem all over the world. There are many stories of homes being lost and families being torn apart due to the losses of gambling. It is an addiction and it can start as early as high school because of the translucent ways around the law.

Calendar Causes Controversey

honor it.”

Mrs. Beth Vaknin, history teacher, agrees that students should not be given days off for Martin Luther King Day or Columbus Day, but her reasoning is different. “People would just do nothing [on these holidays] instead of thinking about what it means – we wouldn’t be able to discuss them in class. If the community feels strongly enough, then we should have days off. I’m not against it.”

Sonia Aviv, a Jewish sophomore, stated that West Essex cares and focuses more on Christian needs more than Jewish needs “But we have to go with the majority. West Essex is a mirror of the whole United States – this is a Christian culture,” Vaknin said. “Aren’t the Jewish people used to being a minority?”

Although she was generally unconcerned about not getting most of the Jewish holidays off, she does view not getting the appropriate days off for Passover as being “more problematic”.

However, Vaknin was not angry and said that she could understand the reasoning behind the decisions of the administrators. “I’m not bitter.

And quite frankly,” Vaknin paused, a slight smile on her face. “I would rather have a February break.”

November 2008 Issue 1

&

Arts

Culture Review: Men Behaving Badly, But The Book Is Worth Reading

by Kelly Abbot ‘10

Teenagers today do not read books for pleasure. If I am reading in school, my friends usually make snippy remarks towards me. It is uncommon for anyone to ask me about what I am reading, and when they do, I’m sure it’s only to be polite. But then came the day I began reading this new book.

I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell,

by Tucker Max, tells all the gross and hilarious stories of his life. Max writes of excess drinking, embarrassing sexual encounters and just being one of the guys.

Now, you might be thinking that he probably acts like any other frat-boy with a high testosterone level, but Max has a gift for storytelling.

While reading, I had to believe that all of Max’s stories were true. I don’t think it’s possible for a person to make up of some of the situations Tucker Max found himself in.

Here’s an idea about who Tucker

Max is: Max gets himself banned from a nation-wide chain of hotels because he made a mess in one of the lobbies when, let’s just say, he could not control his bladder. Max is not a normal human, like the rest of us.

He gets into numerous drunken fights and has many regretful nights.

Max brings a girl back to his house that he shared with a few friends.

His friends return home and Max is embarrassed because the girl he brought home was somewhat over weight and unattractive. Max yells at her and tells her that she must sprint through the back of the house leaving all her belongings behind or climb out the window.

I am certainly not condoning his behavior and at many times during the book I wanted to meet him and slap him across the face because of how he treated women. However, it makes for great stories. Some include: “Everyone has “that” friend,”

“Quite the vacation,” “Tucker goes to Vegas,” “This’ll hurt just a little,” and “She won’t take no for an answer.”

Readers react strongly to Max. One said, “I find it truly appalling that there are people in the world like you. You are a disgusting, vile, repulsive, repugnant, foul creature.

Because of you, I don’t believe in God anymore. No just God would allow someone like you to exist.”

While another said,“You are the coolest person I can imagine existing. If you slept with my girlfriend, it’d make me love her more.”

If you are looking for a funny read, check out I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell. I found myself laughing out loud while reading. Girls, try and look at it with a sense of humor but pray to God that you never meet anyone like Tucker Max. And guys, this book might help you to find something fun to do with your friends, but please do not become Tucker Max.

Jack Is Back: New Season of 24

by Stpehn Kinslow ‘09

For the seventh time, Jack Bauer has 24 hours to counter terrorist’s attacks and protect his fellow Americans. Fox 5’s hit show 24, is set in Africa this season and promises to be the most intense season yet.

Season six started 20 months after season five ended. Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) was captured by the Chinese government for hurting them in season five. President Wayne Palmer (DB Woodside) has arranged a deal with the Chinese to get Bauer back to help with a terrorist Jack has worked with before.

He then finds out that six nuclear weapons are going to be detonated on that day. From an earlier lead, Jack realizes that his father and brother are the reason why the nukes are in the country in the first place.

This is the first time his brother and

father have been on the show.

During all of this, Jack is given information that his former lover, Audrey Raine (Kim Raver) died in a car crash in China trying to save him from the Chinese government.

Bauer breaks down when he hears this news and can’t work under this depression. He is then asked to leave the case and go home to mourn for his loss.

Within the main conflict, Jack’s father kills his brother to hide information from CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) and kidnap Jack’s nephew, Josh Bauer (Evan Ellington), for ransom.

Jack is able to find his father on a water building with Chloe’s help.

He finds his nephew standing over his father’s body. This is the climatic point of the show where Jack has to make a decision to cover up the story or tell the truth about his father’s death.

He then has to react quickly; the missile launched by the military is coming to destroy the building. He sends Josh to the helicopter, leaving his father to die. Bauer barely makes it back to the helicopter as the missiles hit and everything is set on fire.

By far, the best scene of the season was the last 30 seconds of this episode. There were more action and surprises here then throughout the whole show itself. This is what makes the program so interesting to watch. It takes suspense, action, and realistic characters to be a show like 24.

This was season six in a nut shell.

I would have to say that this season was the second best of the six. Viewers can only hope that season seven will be as intense as season six and will shock 24 viewers around the world.

The Wessex Wire Page 7

Recovery Never Sounded So Sweet

by Alyson Roseman ‘10

For the days where nothing is right and the weight of the world rests solely on your shoulders, there is finally an album with a message that instills enough faith to get by.

The Glass Passenger is the second album from the self proclaimed American rock band Jack’s Mannequin, and contains nineteen songs all written by lead singer Andrew McMahon.

McMahon was diagnosed with leukemia following the release of the band’s first album Everything in Transit. The diagnosis was followed by several months of treatment, ultimately ending in McMahon’s full recovery. From the summer of 2007 to 2008, McMahon composed songs that depict an unscathed portrait of a cancer survivor.

The music behind the raw lyrics consists of piano melodies, complimentary drum and guitar beats. The instruments blend with McMahon’s vocals nicely and create an atmosphere that is solely Jack’s Mannequin.

Highlights of such a highly anticipated album include “Caves,” which begins with a simple piano melody and soft vocals. “The marrows collide in rebirth/In God’s glory praise/ The walls fell and there I lay/ saved.”

McMahon continues to reflect on his past experience as the song gains tempo and a flood of guitars and drums enters the mix.

In contrast, “Crashin’” begins mid tempo with a more pronounced guitar beat as McMahon’s voice blends with the music. “And even if my voice comes back again/Maybe there’ll be no one listening/And even if I find the strength to stand/It doesn’t mean I won’t go on.”

McMahon sings simply of the fear he has upon returning to the music industry. McMahon, along with the rest of Jack’s Mannequin, should not worry and may find themselves with an even stronger, more supportive fan base.

November 2008

The Wessex Wire

Page 8

Reviews by: Daniel Spada ‘09

24 City [Er shi si cheng ji] (Jia Zhangke, 2008) Jia Zhangke’s latest film, 24 City, is a hybrid of documentation and fiction, half scripted and half genuine firsthand accounts. Jia weaves both filmmaking points of view seamlessly. It is difficult to differentiate between what is scripted and what is not.

The plot, although holding little importance, is still central to Jia Zhangke’s filmmaking. 24 City chronicles the destruction of Factory 420, a real industrial unit in southwest China where planes were repaired and parts were made for North Korean use in the Korean War. In place of the factory, a modern housing development is being erected. Throughout the film, three generations (from the 1950s, 1970s, and present day) of five real people and four characters (played by famous Chinese actors) come full circle to tell the story of their hometown, Chengdu, during each of their specific time periods.

Jia’s film retains an unsentimental, but affecting feel through the personal stories of each character that

are largely political in scope, bringing to light the trouble with China’s socio-economic infrastructure. The accounts are filmed in a delicate matter, mostly in close-ups, and expose a microcosm of life that many human beings, regardless of ethnicity, political beliefs, or socio-economic background, can connect to.

Yu Lik-wai and Wang Yu’s camera leaves no frame unfilled, offering a hyperrealistic aspect to 24 City, which was shot in digital by Jia Zhangke.

The cinematography ultimately relies upon spatial relationships, and the feeling evoked is astounding. There is certainly a share of shots that deserve mention: an overhead shot of a staircase with someone walking up; some people playing mahjong (the score thoroughly enhances this scene); a woman walking, holding a bottle connected to an IV like a torch (a subtle reference to China hosting the 2008 Olympics possibly); a butterfly on a window ledge in a room that is sparsely inhabited; part of a building being annihilated and smoke completely filling the frame.

The camerawork is fluid, bringing to mind the works of Alain Resnais and Michelangelo Antonioni, and presents the absolute opposite feeling of the interviews: that although this demolition is only a small riff in China’s history, it holds a significance that is possibly larger than life. Jia hits rewind and documents small stories so that China’s uncertain future will not forget this moment and place in time.

There is another aspect that brings Jia’s commentary full circle: the score. The beginning and middle of the film are characterized by orchestral compositions and old Chinese pop songs, which evoke a strong sense of nostalgia. Nearing the end of the film, the music switches to a somewhat ambient, techno, and new age sound.

Although some critics will come to the conclusion that Jia Zhangke abuses the fade-to-black during each interview, there is certain effectiveness in using this technique. Jia is attempting to preserve each little story told, and the fade-to-black demonstrates how he saves each in a little capsule for China’s future generations to remember.

Joan Chen’s understated performance as “Little Flower”, a nickname

The Wrestler (Darren Aronofsky, 2008)

After The Fountain, Darren Aronofsky’s immensely ambitious science fiction romance that spans over one thousand years, many did not know in what direction he would head. Fortunately, he has maintained his vision with The Wrestler, which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, and created a vehicle

in which Mickey Rourke could show his talent as a truly gifted actor.

Aronofsky trades the flashy style that complemented π and Requiem for a Dream for a sincerity rarely found in today’s cinema.

Mickey Rourke plays Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a professional wrestler who is twenty years past his

prime. He bears all the weight of a career that should be long over and the aesthetics of a man who has been through far more than the average person on the street. He is a man who is completely dedicated to his sport, however The Wrestler is not merely a sports movie. Although the script is filled with clichés such as a divorced

acquired by this character because she resembled Joan Chen in the 1980 film Little Flower (Xiao hua), is a testament to Jia’s filmmaking. It’s hard to distinguish the fact that her character is not a real person and Jia infuses her few short scenes with some light humor that recalls the humor in each real person’s anecdotes.

Zhao Tao, an actress Jia frequently uses in his films, presents the ideal amount of restraint needed for her character to work. One of the most sumptuous images in the entire film is in her segment. It is a shot of her hanging her arms on the window ledge of a Volkswagen New Beetle in a field of yellow flowers with immense buildings looming behind her.

In the Q&A session after the NY premiere of 24 City, a viewer asked the question “What is the role of your filmmaking in China’s struggle over memory?” Jia Zhangke responded “I feel compelled to make films to reflect on the current era with memories”.

Jia’s role is a complex one, one of definitive responsibility in not only educating future generations on what was lost through personal memories, but also warning them that change will always be the eminent driving force in China’s future. stripper attempting to create a better life for her and her child and an estranged daughter that the main character knows nothing about, Rourke, with the help of Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, and Aronofsky’s ability with the camera, rises above the material at hand.

Even though The Wrestler isn’t truly a sports movie, the best scenes take place inside the wrestling ring

November 2008

The Wessex Wire

Page 9

Tony Manero (Pablo Larraín, 2008)

the Chilean citizens in line. People Larraín experiments with lensing found with anti-Pinochet flyers are and specifically, shooting certain killed. There is a sly reference to a scenes out of focus. He succeeds quarrel between Chile and Argentina brilliantly with just one shot: Raúl, who appears out of focus, sitting over a piece of land.

It came as no surprise when Pablo adjacent to a river. Throughout the Screened at Cannes in the DirecPaola Lattus, Amparo Nogeura, and Larraín replied to a question regard- whole film, there are other glimpses tor’s Fortnight, Pablo Larraín’s Héctor Morales convincingly per- ing his influences citing the Dardenne of truth in Castro’s performance, but second feature, Tony Manero, is a form in supporting roles as Raúl’s brothers as an inspiration. The hand- this is the defining moment. Larraín harsh critique of Chile’s oppression girlfriend, his girlfriend’s daughter, held camerawork gives the film a is definitely talented with the camera, under Dictator Augusto Pinochet in more intimate, personal feel and the and someone to look out for from and her boyfriend respectively.

1978 Santiago, but also a portrayal of Larraín’s social, political, and most close-ups are appropriate. There is a his native country in Latin America, a fanboy gone completely mad. Alimportantly, societal commentaries magnificent scene involving strobe Chile. though the film is difficult to watch are subtle yet substantial. Every once lights and Raúl dancing on glass tiles on occasion due to its unpleasant in a while the police show up to keep which displays the suitable editing. nature, it never becomes in the least bit predictable or overwrought.

Beautiful cinematography pervades Manero opens with Raúl, a sallow throughout the film, although one of 52-year-old enraptured so much with the most affecting shots is near the Saturday Night Fever that he will end: the mother, whose eyes express stop at nothing to fulfill his dream Winner of the Jury Prize in the Un ery family has secrets that he or she what language cannot, standing of becoming Tony Manero. Sadly Certain Regard at the Cannes Film would rather not share. along on a beach, in deep thought. he discovers that it is in fact Chuck Festival, Tokyo Sonata is a big step Although the film veers off its Teruyuki Kagawa, who played Norris week on a third rate Chilean in a different direction for director tracks right after a messy dream the father, hit every right note. The TV celebrity look-a-like contest Kiyoshi Kurosawa, who is primarily sequence nearly three-fourths of the film would have lost a majority of that he wants to compete in. Later known for his artistic work in the way through, it finds perfection in its effect if Kagawa wasn’t able to its imperfections. The last quarter of be so expressive through his body scenes depict Raúl killing innocent J-horror subgenre. people in the most ruthless way pos- After recently being laid off at his the film works on an absurdist level, language, facial expressions, and sible, including bludgeoning an old job as a salaryman at a top company while the beginning excutes the eyes. Haruka Igawa gave a subtle woman who was just mugged and in Japan, Ryuhei Sasaki decides straightforward narrative technique and reserved performance, making then stealing her color television set against telling his family for fear quite well. sure not to become over-the-top as to fund a new glass dance floor. He of losing his power as a father in a The persisting anxiety present the mother who is secretly greatly kills in the name of Tony Manero, somewhat old-fashioned patriarchy, throughout the entire film up until in distress. Kenji, the younger son, and why not? Who would notice or still existing in Japenese society. the last scene is augmented by the portrayed by teen actor Inowaki Kai, even care about these deaths under Working from a story by Australian sound design, which was revealing gives a star-making performance and Chile’s tyrannical government? writer-director Max Mannix, Kuro- only at the most necessary moments. proves that he is definitely someone There is an underlying current of sawa explores the issues involved Kurosawa’s director of photography, to keep on the radar. With the least morbid humor that runs through- when the foundation of a family and Akiko Ashizawa, structures every amount of screentime, Kyôko Koizuout Tony Manero, only enhanced the identity of its lead figure slowly scene so that what is not actually mi, as the older brother, is adequate,

by Alfredo Castro’s dedicated and begin to crumble under the weight seen by the audience is just as impor- utilizing the power of language more tant as what exists inside the frame. than anyone else in the cast. brutal performance. Although the of keeping up appearances. social-realist aspect of the film Kiyoshi Kurosawa posesses a would seem to detract from some similar attitude towards family life The persisting anxiety present throughout the of the humor, in a number of cases as European auteur Michael Haneke it does not. Castro’s conviction as (Funny Games, The Piano Teacher, entire film up until the last scene is augmented Raúl makes some scenes, like the Caché). The thesis of Tokyo Sonata by the sound design, which was revealing only rehearsals and the repeated view- is the misconception of the average at the most necessary moments. ings of Saturday Night Fever, have middle-class family operating as a comedic value as opposed to the representation of what is right in bleak reality of Pinochet’s Chile. society, while each member of ev-

Tokyo Sonata [Tôkyô sonata] (Kiyoshi Kurosawa, 2008)

and backstage with exchanges between the wrestlers. Rourke’s training pays off, as evidenced by the perfectly executed choreography.

Not a single line of dialogue spoken backstage seems scripted and Aronofsky shoots these wrestlers with the aforementioned sincerity that marks an admiration for their dedication to their occupation. While the film may seem like a tragic por-

trayal of a man who will do anything for his dreams and his fans, there are a few comedic touches, including Randy working at a deli counter after a dangerous match which ends his wrestling career – or at least should have.

Aronofsky’s austere filmmaking, composed mostly of close-ups and clearly embraces the cinéma vérité, is complented by Clint Mansell’s

restrained score, although he lets the classic 80s rock songs effectively encapsulate the prime of The Ram. The excellent New Jersey locations show a more honest, greyer side of the Garden State. T he film is difficult to watch at times, especially during a scene in the deli involving a meat slicer, but it is also a rewarding experience.

Man is shown in his most primal,

self-destructive state, wherein he will do anything to uphold his appearance– including going tanning, taking steroids, dying his hair, and defining himself as his fans see him.

In the end, The Ram knows there is no other way out. It is a sad ending, but a satisfying one that honors the life of a man who understands that his identity could not be complete any other way.

Wire In-Depth A Close Look at the 2008 Presidential

Vol. XLVIII No. 1

Speical Edition Insert

Presidential Profiles:

Election

November 2008

Barack Obama v. John McCain

by Victoria Gualtieri ‘09

Senator Barack Obama has acknowledged the major concerns facing our country and has outlined not impossible, idealistic plans, but effective and reasonable ones.

His New Energy plan consists of practical goals, such as guaranteeing that ten percent of the country’s electricity will come from renewable sources by 2012 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent in under 50 years.

On the subject of healthcare, Obama has offered a detailed solution to make health insurance affordable and accessible to everyone.

He endeavors to lower the cost of healthcare for a typical family by $2,500 through investments in health information technology and care coordination. Regarding the situation in Iraq, Obama firmly intends to responsibly end the war by carefully phasing out troops, and believes that America should refocus its efforts on al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

When addressing an audience, Obama is able to present these goals in a clear, concise fashion. His blunt yet eloquent speeches do not make the listener feel as though they are being suffocated in a tangle of lies and platitudes, but rather as though they are being spoken to by someone whose sole intention is to deliver honest information.

Senator John McCain’s plans sound, superficially, like very pleasing ideals. It’s e a s y to cheer for someone who promises tax cuts, and

boo at someone who wants to raise taxes. When carefully examined, however, one would see that Obama’s tax plan is the only one which would move the country toward relief it of its financial burden. It would give 95% of Americans a tax cut, whereas McCain’s policy would only provide corporations with tax cuts.

Nowhere in McCain’s plan is it stated how he will aid middle-class Americans, nor how tax breaks to corporations will contribute to solving the financial crisis. Whereas Obama states that he will “create jobs by offering middle-class tax cuts,” McCain merely states that more jobs are needed.

Many of McCain’s arguments consist of restating a problem, then following it up by announcing that he would like to fix it without ever providing the means he intends use in order to do so.

It is difficult, however, for the American people to stay focused on these issues, as McCain seems intent on running a campaign that uses vague phrasing and deflection as major strategies. Instead of the issues, McCain too often picks apart and misinterprets Obama’s speeches. A recent example of this phenomenon is how McCain reacted to Obama’s “pig in lipstick” comment, which was meant as a description McCain’s habit of taking his policies and dressing them up to make them appealing.

McCain spun this statement and said, in an outraged speech, that Obama had called Palin a pig and should apologize. It is this kind of reactionary nonsense that makes McCain’s campaign so disingenuous.

The definitive stances that McCain does take often have little basis to support them, and with McCain’s unwillingness to completely explain these positions, the public is left wondering. McCain is decidedly pro-life, and has stated earlier in his political career that abortion should only be allowed if the woman was SEE Obama PAGE2

by Matt Benavente ‘09 Zach Rothkopf‘09

When it comes time to vote, the decision should be based on who is best for the country and who will be able to turn America around. John McCain is everything the American people need in a leader in this time of crisis: experience, the confidence to take chances, and optimism.

One thing that McCain has which his opponent does not is experience.

Before McCain entered politics he was a commissioned officer in the United States Navy, which besides giving him the military knowledge essential for the commander in chief, also gave him leadership experience.

After his career in the Navy, John moved on to the senate.

During his extensive 20 years in the Senate, he has had a consistent voting record; McCain has been fighting to get rid of earmarks and pork barrel spending. He also has a solid 25 year pro-life voting record and voted for strict constructionist judges. McCain’s second trait is his independent thinking. Unlike Obama, which the National Review ranks as the most liberal senator, John McCain has shown that he is not afraid to look past partisanship to get the job done.

McCain is not what his opponents claim as another “Bush”. When comparing McCain’s voting record to Bush’s, McCain has voted against Bush and his party on issues such as abortion, crime, taxes, and immigration. Based on his mentality and concrete proof, McCain is someone who would put politics aside and examine both sides of an issue in order to get things done for the country.

Finally, McCain is optimistic and hopeful, not just in his policies, but for the American people. It’s hard to believe a candidate who, while in

Pennsylvania belittled small-town voters by claiming that they, “cling to guns and religion,” truly respects all Americans. When asked why he was running for president, John McCain responded “I believe in the greatness of this nation as a beacon of goodwill throughout the world… each and every one of us has a duty to serve a cause greater than our own self-interest.” McCain understands that the country is enduring hard times, and instead of focusing on the “past mistakes” of the last eight years, he is working to improve our great nation for the present and the future.

The traits that McCain possesses are the exact opposite of his opponent, Barack Obama, who lacks much experience, preaches hope instead of actually planning to get things done, and has a negative view of his own country.

McCain’s opponent, Barack Hussein Obama, is a dishonorable, extremely leftist Senator who has never passed a bill and who only has 140 days of U.S. Senate experience.

Obama stresses higher taxes on the wealthier people of America and his voting record in the Senate clearly shows it. He wants to raise taxes during a financial crisis and make so called “tax cuts” on the middle class. Middle class tax cuts would be impossible to achieve if Obama i m p l e ments all of the government programs he promises.

Even after these

SEE McCain PAGE2

Election 2008

McCain From Page 1

tax cuts, hundreds of billions of dollars will still have to be covered.

That really makes sense, especially since the last times taxes were raised during a financial crisis the country spiraled into the Great Depression.

What Barack Obama does not seem to understand is how the top 50% of income earners cover 97% of all income taxes. Why should we penalize the people who are keeping consumer spending flowing and who are already paying the majority of taxes?

Obama also believes in attacking big businesses with higher taxes.

This policy would be devastating to the creation of more jobs because corporations would be taking in less money, which means they would also have less cash to supply jobs and medical benefits. Also, one of Senator Obama’s main views on taxing is that he wants to raise capital gain taxes from 15% to 28%. What this means is that when you go to sell your house the government is going to take 28% of whatever profit is made on the sale. In countries such as Germany and Japan capital gains taxes do not even exist and their economies are prospering.

What does Barack Obama plan on doing with all this tax money?

For one, Obama plans to use such tax money in order to socialize our country’s healthcare system. Socializing healthcare goes against everything our founding fathers based this country on, such as free enterprise and little government intervention.

Also, nationalizing healthcare would mean less medical efficiency, and longer waiting lines. The distribution of healthcare should not be to everyone, but based on a free market and competition which, would lead to better treatment and cheaper prices. Senator Obama has promised healthcare to 47 million people who presently do not have it. Out of these 47 million people only 9 million are actually citizens. Paying for 47 million people would not achieve tax cuts and would most likely bankrupt our nation.

Questions should also be raised about the fact that Obama’s two financial advisors, Franklin Raines and Jim Johnson both served as CEOs of Fannie Mae. The reason this is such

Wire In-Depth a big deal is that both can be considered equally responsible for Fannie Mae’s collapse, which triggered the collapse of other major banks, and has led the U.S. into a financial crisis.

Both of these men have also received very large payouts because of Fannie Mae’s collapse. Recently, Obama has been making it a point that CEOs should not be receiving these types of payouts, while his own advisors are the ones he is criticizing.

Another crucial issue involved of this election is the topic of energy use.

Senator Obama wants to reduce the cost of oil and gas prices in the United States, but he still refuses to vote for offshore drilling. Instead of offshore drilling, which has been constantly rejected in the present Democrat congress, Obama wants to continue to send billions of dollars in checks over to Middle Eastern tyrants and Venezuelan Communist Dictator Hugo Chavez, for our oil. Maybe there will be a point where he will finally realize that we cannot continue to heavily depend on foreign countries (who we do not share good foreign relations with) for our oil. If he wants to reduce prices so badly, possible solutions would be offshore drilling and nuclear energy. Finally, Senator Obama plans on cutting spending on our country’s homeland security program and military by billions of dollars. Right now the United States still faces threats of terrorist attacks every day, obviously something that the Senator does not understand.

We need someone who we can trust to handle the Presidential position, especially in times of economic panic and constant threats of terrorism in America. The only candidate suitable to be the 45th President of the United States is clearly Senator John McCain. Senator McCain is an honorable man, and who will bring integrity back to the Presidency, not someone who was involved with past crooks.

When it comes time to vote really look at the issues, and determine who will help as a country and as students in the long run.

Don’t choose and endorse a candidate based on cliché speeches, race, or what the celebrities say. Vote for the candidate who loves and has defended his country, and who has a clear plan to get us out of this financial crisis. Put country first, vote McCain

Page 2 Obama involving how he is friendly with Black-Islamic and anti-Semitic radical Louis Farrakhan, who is also funding Obama’s campaign.

by Matt Benevente ‘09 The main point is that the media The most important influence on has not come close to calling out this election other than the debate Senator Obama on these issues, and over issues has been the media instead they take shots at Governor coverage. It is apparent that the Palin’s experience, and Senator mainstream media has had more of McCain’s age and relations with a liberal influence in its support for President Bush. In my opinion the Senator Obama. It seems that Sena- media should be exploiting Obama tor Obama is treated like a celebrity for his shady connections and lies, with the media and is never asked the especially since he is running to tough questions about his policies, represent our great nation. past, or record.

Recently, Sarah Palin was given an interview by Katie Couric of CBS. The interview had been far from fair From Page 1 and instead consisted of mostly questions, which had nothing to do with raped, but would not provide rape the issues of this election or America. kits. McCain also opposes the EmMaybe Katie Couric or whoever else ployment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would ban employinvolved in the liberal media should ment discrimination based on sexual do an interview with Mr. Obama and orientation and gender identity by “grill” him on his past. They should adding them to the Civil Rights ask the Senator how he plans to fight Act. terrorism, when he has served on a Arguably, McCain’s worst decision Chicago board with known domes- in his entire political campaign was tic terrorist William Ayers, whose his choice of Alaskan governor Sarah home Obama started his campaign Palin as his running mate. By selectin. Maybe the media should also ask ing someone with little experience, McCain has successfully eliminated Barrack Obama about his involvehis only legitimate argument against ment in ACORN as a trainer and Obama, one that he trotted out time lawyer. If you don’t already know and again: that Obama’s inexperiACORN is an organization which ence will hinder him as president. pressures banks into making faulty Less than twenty months ago, Palin loans to people unfit to pay them was the part time mayor of a town back, and has also been indicted in with only 9,000 residents. She has several states for buying votes with virtually no experience with foreign or social policy. cash and drugs.

The media should further ask McCain seemed to hope the fact that Palin is a woman would sway Obama about how he has stated that the Democratic women who favored he’d be willing to sit down with Hillary Clinton in the primaries to Mahmoud Ahmadinjed (an Iranian vote Republican, despite her vastly President who wants to destroy Israel different policies. This is insulting and hates the United States) without to women, and was ultimately a any preconditions or government failure. sanctions. Instead of constantly criti- John McCain’s only consistency cizing Governor Palin, maybe these this election season has been his commentators need to ask Obama use of negative politics to attack and deride Barack Obama, instead about his connections to the Reverof engaging in civilized discourse. end Jeremiah Wright and his church, Obama, for all his inexperience, is where Obama sat for 20 years and actually attempting to change the listened to an anti – American radical toxic political climate that Ameripreach Black Nationalism. Further- cans have become accustomed to. more, the people should be informed Perhaps only a man who has not about Senator Obama’s involvement been corrupted by years of wading with the Chicago slum landlord and through soulless, bureaucratic red political fixer, Tony Rezko, who tape can be the one to succeed in this endeavor. funded the beginning of Barrack’s campaign and even bought his home.

Note: All articles in insert are Interviews should also be done with the opinions of the writers.

The Media

Obama

Election 2008

Wire In-Depth

Page 3

The Issues: An Analysis

Abortion

by Alyson Roseman ‘10

Three out of ten girls become

pregnant at least once before their twentieth birthday, according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

These teenage girls could choose life for the unborn baby or a different path. Either way, the ultimate solution to the predicament would depend upon the outcome of the 2008 presidential election.

“With the amount of young girls in this country who are pregnant and will become pregnant, the issue of abortion is very important.

We need a president who will be respectful of these women and take care of them,” junior Camille D’Elia said.

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama, along with running mates Sarah Palin and Joe Biden, differ in opinion on abortion. According to JohnMcCain.com, McCain and Palin are part of the pro-life movement and believe in “the courage of a pregnant mother to bring her child into the world and the compassion of civil society to meet her needs and those of her newborn baby.”

Palin has taken this stance a step further by announcing that she would be against her own daughter getting an abortion even if raped. McCain, on the other hand, believes it is acceptable to get an abortion in the case of rape or incest. The two politicians both agree that it’s acceptable to consider an abortion if the mother’s life is in danger.

“I think that a baby is a baby, no matter what stage they’re at and unless the mother’s life is in danger, it would be wrong to allow a mom to have an abortion,” junior Laura Bolger said.

Democratic candidates Obama and Biden disagree and believe it is the woman’s right to choose the fate of her unborn child. Obama has strongly opposed limitations

on late term abortion medical procedures. According to Obama-McCain. info.com, he feels that “a woman’s ability to decide how many children to have and when, without interference from the government, is one of the most fundamental rights we possess.”

Furthermore, Obama supports the idea that teens under the age of eighteen should consult a legal guardian before deciding to abort.

“I believe, like Obama, women have the right to have control over their bodies. If McCain were a female his policies would be differ-

ent,” junior Emma McCann said.

The two conflicting viewpoints have sparked animosity between the Democrats and the Republicans.

Prior to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Obama’s campaign created a radio ad that emphasized McCain‘s pro-life stance and encouraged women to stand up against McCain and his belief in revoking their right to choose.

“It is a roundabout way of showing Obama’s pro choice position and I think in today’s political world it is sometimes necessary for candidates to use negative ads to emphasize

The Environment

by Jack Boyd-Dias ‘12

Global climate change is a topic which continues to prove itself to be a complex subject which successfully baffle scientists and other experts who assess the issue.

There are two opposing sides to the difficult predicament. Is the problem man made or is the climate change due to warming and cooling cycles which are perceived to be solar originated?

This is an issue that has become increasingly popular amongst politicians in the past decade.

“It may be happening, it may not be,” West Essex science teacher Mr. John Schneider said. “Most likely a combination of both, however, I don’t believe that our contribution is as dramatic as many other people do,” Schneider said.

Like many global warming skeptics, Schneider believes “The history of the ‘environmental movement’ is populated by anti-governmental, anti-capital, anti-industrial, anti-progress, morally-relativistic progressives, many of whom transitioned from the anti-Vietnam activism of the ‘60’s. Could there be a not-toothinly-veiled agenda on their part?”

Although c2 emissions produced from factories, cars, and other oil burning activities contribute to global warming, it is difficult to determine the true cause of our changing climate. Volcanoes around

the world emit three quarters of one percent of the human output of carbon dioxide. Large explosions from volcanoes have the potential to lower the earth’s temperature one degree or more for five years which is extremely drastic.

Also, it has been proven that the earth does go into cooling and heating periods, an example would be the ice age. “There was a time when glaciers a mile thick covered New Jersey. Where’d they go? They melted. I’m sure it wasn’t cars, factories or industries,” Schneider said.

Research shows the earth does go through intense climatic changes which are not caused by humans.

However, many believe that while

[their] position,” junior Sarah Ganton said.

McCain bashed Obama for avoiding the question an evangelical minister posed to him addressing the issue of pro-life policies. McCain then spent several minutes comparing voting records on abortion related issues, and stated,“[Obama’s] extreme advocacy in favor of partialbirth abortion and his refusal to provide medical care for babies surviving abortion should be of grave concern to reasonable people of goodwill on both sides of this issue.” the earth does go through natural heating and cooling periods, mans’ actions have expedited this process.

According to the National Geographic website “The work of some 2,500 scientists in more than 130 countries, concluded that humans have caused all or most of the current planetary warming. Human-caused global warming is often called anthropogenic climate change.”

English teacher Mr. Tom Kenny agrees. “With our short- sighted decisions with regard to the environment, we will therefore be short-changing our children and grandchildren for generations to come. There may very well be no more important issue as we press forward into the 21st century.”

Operation Iraqi Freedom

by Stephen Czachor ‘12

After Sept. 11, the majority of the people in America united and decided that we should begin the war on terror. Consequently, the United States invaded the countries of Afghanistan and Iraq. These wars, particularly the war in Iraq, have sparked controversy on the national level, in terms of the presidential candidates and other politicians.

The war in Iraq is costing the United States 10 billion dollars a month and countless American lives. The United States is trying to implement

a democratic government in Iraq and stabilize the tension between the three major religious groups, the Sunnis, the Shiites, and the Kurds, who continue to attack each other on a daily basis.

The students of West Essex have diverse views about the War in Iraq and solutions about how to win and/ or end the war. “We should not set a timetable, we should wait until the job is done and then start a phased withdrawal,” freshman Stephen O’Neill said.

Fellow freshman David Shields believes that we should set a timetable SEE IRAQ PAGE4

Election 2008

Wire In-Depth

Page 4 sessment to ensure that teachers are into any certain school. He lays out a well trained and prepared to teach. In desire to establish a positive reputaaddition, they plan to create Teacher tion for the American school system, and other college level classes by Residency Programs to provide but fails in his policy blueprint to lay 50% by 2016 and also provide grants 30,000 highly-trained teachers to out any tangible plans to create any to students at community colleges high-need schools. reform. He calls for well educated if those colleges don’t offer that op- Finally, they will create the Ameri- children and better teachers, but does portunity. can Opportunity Tax Credit, which not provide any material proposals.

They will also create teacher schol- will ensure that the first $4,000 of arships that will cover four years of a college education is free for most undergraduate or two years of gradu- Americans, cover 2/3 of the tuition ate schooling for teachers who are at the average public university, willing to teach for at least four years and ensure that community college in an area of high need. And, in addi- tuition is free for most Americans, tion to the teacher scholarships, they given that these recipients provide

by Andy Maxman ‘09 will reward teachers with increased 100 hours of community service. salaries and specialized bonuses.

John McCain states that he would Moreover, Obama will make sure like to empower parents with the Obama and Biden support an inteachers are prepared by creating a ability to choose the correct school creased in infrastructure and personvoluntary national performance as- for their children and not be forced nel along the border. They also wish to increase the number of legal im-

Education Platforms

by Andy Maxman ‘09

Barack Obama and Joe Biden support various college outreach programs that help students from low-income families gather information regarding college and prepare for a college education. In addition, the pair supports College Credit Initiatives and plan to create the “Make College a Reality” Initiative which hopes to increase participation in AP

Iraq From Page 3

for the return of our troops from Iraq but “if something happens (in Iraq), the timetable does not need to be followed through”.

Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate for President of the United States, believes that the United States should set a timetable for the return of our armed forces from Iraq and that we should divert our forces toward Afghanistan where the Taliban has reemerged and where Al-Qaeda is at its strongest.

Mike Heller, a 10th grader, agrees with Barack Obama’s plan. “Our soldiers should be removed from Iraq immediately.”

Senator John McCain, the Republican candidate for President of the United States, thinks that the United States must “finish the job” in Iraq so that we maintain the proper public image among other significant countries. John McCain wants the troops in Iraq to help the Iraqi government to establish a stable and prosperous state in Iraq.

“If we take our soldiers out of Iraq now, Iraq will be a chaotic nation and all the soldiers that died will have died for nothing,” sophomore Tom Paranzine said.

Out of 30 students surveyed at West Essex, the majority of the students agree with John McCain’s view that we should “finish the job” in Iraq.

Whether you believe that the United States should begin a phased withdrawal of the troops or not, there is no doubt that the War in Iraq is costing many lives and valuable money.

Immigration Reform

Foreign Policy

by Andy Maxman ‘09

Obama has made clear his desire to encourage strong ties between the US and Israel, to work toward ending the genocide in Darfur, and to implement a “responsible, phased withdrawal.”

Under this plan, the troops would be successfully removed from combat in Iraq by the summer of 2010.

McCain maintains his strong com-

mitment to the war and believes it is “strategically and morally essential for the United States to support the Government of Iraq to become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people.”

He believes that we should continue to support (monetarily and with human resources) the counterinsurgency strategy. Finally, he believes we must support political reconciliation and the Iraqi economy.

Crime and Law Enforcement

by Andy Maxman ‘09

Obama and Biden support the COPS program which will put 50,000 police officers on the streets. They support ex-offender incentives which will help reformed convicts find work after they are released from prison.

The pair also supports local community innovations such as the CeaseFire program, which have been proven to reduce violence in urban areas through community action and cooperation.

Obama also supports investments in twenty neighborhoods around the country to ensure that

youths have promising futures.

The pair will also work to end gun violence and racial profiling.

McCain has taken strong stances against internet predators and child molesters. He will require convicted sex offenders to send their email addresses and instant message identities to national databases. He will also crack down on child pornography.

He believes in Supreme Court Justices who follow the constitution rather than engage in “judicial activism,” which he considers an attempt on the part of justices to reform the constitution.

migrants in order to meet a demand for jobs and keep families together.

They will also crack down on employers who hire illegal immigrants, thereby removing incentives for illegal immigration.

Obama also believes that illegal immigrants in good legal standing should be able to pay a fine, learn English, and move to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens. Finally, the pair supports the development of the economic infrastructure of Mexico, consequently decreasing the desire of Mexican nationals to immigrate to America.

McCain’s highest priority is to finish securing the American border and make sure that Governors of border states certify that their borders are secure.

He will also prosecute employers of illegal immigrants and implement an employment verification system that will ensure that American workers are not illegal immigrants.

He will use this system in tandem with the Department of Homelanad Security to further prosecute the employers of illegals.

[McCain and Obama] wish to increase the number of legal immigrants in order to meet a demand for jobs and keep families together.

Opinion

November 2008 Issue 1

Editorial

It has become clear that this election is and will have been one of the most tumultuous in history. History will be made. Either an AfricanAmerican man or a Caucasian woman will work in the White House come January. So with this most historical election we invite the students of West Essex to open their minds, to embrace diversity, and to accept differences.

Where there is tolerance, there is civility.

Where there is understanding, there is fairness.

Become informed and make educated decisions.

It was clear during the WE Vote Election Assembly that the student body took to the election’s issues with fierce passions. Students strongly defended their candidates, Parties, and values. The political horizon looks bright for the students of West Essex.

We, The Wessex Wire, endorse Awareness.

We promote Action. Listen, read, learn, become informed, become politically active, and make a difference.

The Stress Test for Seniors

by Alinoel Navia ‘09

College. Either that word has reminded you of a ton of to-do’s you haven’t completed for you application, or you’re set to go and just can’t wait to step out of your parents’ reach. As for me, I’m not exactly there yet. My “to-do list” is less than half done.

The stress doesn’t start senior year or even junior year; it’s earlier. For me, it was the moment my ninth grade guidance counselor decided to pull me out of my English class— then force me to answer a questionnaire which would help narrow down my career choices to the pathway most suitable for my personality. I was unimpressed. At fourteen years old, a little questionnaire packet with a cartoon spaceship on the cover was going to tell me what to do with the rest of my life? I beg to differ. However, it did get me thinking, “What will I do?”

I was bothered. Some kids go into college undeclared, some kids choose a major their parents want them to choose, and some kids, like me, don’t want to think about it. So I pushed the subject to the back of my mind.

Yet it came back to haunt me. I found out that procrastination was my worst decision. By junior year, SATs and ACTs and first APs were on the way.

Outside of school, people started asking, “What colleges are you applying to?”

I thought, defensively, “I don’t know. I have no clue. I don’t want to think about it, and I’d really like for you to mind your own business and leave me alone.” What rolled out of my mouth was, “I’m not sure yet.”

“What did you get on your SATs?” “I didn’t take them yet.”

The Wessex Wire Page 14

The Wessex Wire The Official Student Newspaper of West Essex High School

A Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Crown, Gold Medalist Paper 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, New Jersey 07006 2007-2008 STAFF:

Managing Editor Andy Maxman, ‘09

Editor-in-chief Stephen Kinslow, ‘09

News Editors Alyson Roseman, ‘10 Ben Sunshine, ‘09

Opinion Editor Mark Walsh, ‘09

Features Editor Victoria Gualtieri, ‘09

Sports Editor Jenel Conde, ‘09

Arts and Culture Editor Kelly Abott, ‘10

Copy Editor Andy Maxmam, ‘09

Design Editor Elliot Kartus, ‘09

Advisor Anne Baney-Giampoala

Staff Writers Kelly Abbot, ‘10 Brian Agostini, ’09 Sonia Aviv, ‘11 Matt Benavente, ‘09 Brittany Berman, ‘11 Jack Boyd-Dias, ‘12 Dylan Cascino, ‘09 Jenel Conde, ‘09 Stephen Czachor, ‘12 Celina DeLuca, ‘11 Evan Elberg, ‘09 Victoria Gualtieri, ‘09 Nikki Maxman, ‘11 Kelly Moser, ‘11 Alinoel Navia, ‘09 Emily O’Neil, ‘10 Samira Paydar, ‘09 Alyson Roseman, ‘10 Zach Rothkopf, ‘09 Joseph Russo, ‘09 Dan Spada, ‘09 Jonathan Struss, ‘09 Ben Sunshine, ‘09

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 advisor, 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.

Republican Platform - 2008

Then I’d receive a forced smile, but I knew I was falling behind because I had not taken the SAT until the end of junior year. By then, for my responsible peers, it was the second or last—if they had not finished their testing already, either.

I didn’t score as well as I’d anticipated the first time, and I’m waiting anxiously for my second SAT score before the November application deadline. It’s fall of senior year

-Drawn By Francesca York

now. My college essay is a mess, my testing isn’t complete, and I haven’t built my resume or filled out my Common Application. I’m having trouble choosing between majoring in engineering or predentistry. I can’t stop freaking out.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, my procrastination has led me to exponential consequences. And they bite, big time.

November 2008

The Wessex Wire

Page 15

College Presidents Aim To Lower Drinking Age

by Evan Elberg ‘09

Currently, there is a major debate going on in this country as to whether or not the drinking age should be lowered from 21 to 18 years old.

At the forefront of the debate are college presidents that believe lowering the drinking age to 18 will decrease binge drinking on college campuses.

In July, 2008, these college presidents instituted The Amethyst Initiative. The Amethyst Initiative is an online petition that only college presidents can sign in an effort to convince Congress to lower the drinking age to 18. I completely agree with The Amethyst Initiative. Binge drinking is a serious and dangerous problem, which has only gotten worse with the 21 year old drinking age. High school and college students are drinking, that’s a fact. Young adults need to be taught how to drink responsibly, not recklessly.

The drinking age was raised to 21 in 1984, when the activist group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving won over a majority of Congress by telling them that by raising the drinking age it would reduce the number of

alcohol-related traffic fatalities for 18-20 year olds, and that the adolescent brain is affected by alcohol differently than a 21 year old brain.

They also argued that the younger one drinks, the more likely they are to develop alcohol dependency later in life. As a result of those arguments, The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 was established and required all states to raise their minimum drinking age to 21 or lose 10% of their state highway federal funding under the Federal Highway Aid Act. By 1988, the drinking age was 21 in all 50 states.

But still, alcohol remains the number one youth drug problem in the United States.

More young people die from alcohol related incidents than from all other illegal drugs combined. Five thousand people under 21 die each year due to underage drinking. It’s obvious to me, that the 21 year old drinking age is not the solution.

Since the early 1980’s, before the drinking age was raised to 21, statistics show that there is a continuing decline in drinking and driving

among 18-21 year olds. This is not because the drinking age is 21, but it is directly related to the tougher drunk driving laws and the increase of college students using campus shuttles and taxis. It has no direct correlation to having raised the drinking age. In fact, since raising the drinking age to 21, statistics show that more college students binge drink than ever before, especially girls.

I believe the drinking age should be lowered to 18. College and high school students are drinking no matter what the drinking age is or isn’t. So we need to deal with the problem, not sweep it under the rug. Binge drinking is at an all time high and it is a very serious problem. So, if raising the drinking age to 21 has not worked, now what? 25? 30? Many young adults end up drinking irresponsibly because they have to hide what they’re doing. For many, drinking

is all about the pursuit. It is their “forbidden fruit.”

Almost every country around the world does not have a drinking age.

These countries have fewer drinking related problems among teens and their children learn to drink responsibly at home so it becomes a part of their culture. Research published by the World Health Organization states that while European teens drink more frequently than American teens, they do not binge drink as often or drink as much at one time as American teenagers. Only a few countries on the entire planet have a drinking age higher than 18. Japan and Ireland are at 20 and the United States along with, Indonesia and Egypt are at 21.

Raising the drinking age to 21 did not work and I think it’s time to lower it back to 18. If that can’t be agreed upon, then 19. At 19, almost all high school students are excluded and almost all college students are included. Let college students be safe and smart on their own campuses.

They see and deal with college drinking first hand so who would know better than them? If you’re going to drink, drink responsibly and know the facts and the laws.

Enjoy Your Life, And Let Others Enjoy Theirs Too

by Andy Maximan ‘09

Of late I’ve spent a lot of time considering life, its importance, and its meaning. One of the most important conclusions at which I’ve arrived is that life is truly beautiful. I have spent a couple of class periods thinking about life, my life, and other people’s lives, and I’ve realized that we are so lucky to be living. I haven’t had any near death experiences recently, nor did I discover that I have any degenerative diseases, but I still managed to arrive at this conclusion.

So glorious is this life, and so great is the potential of human beings, that we should all be unconditionally

happy to be alive. What a privilege it is to enjoy the fruits of this earth and of humanity.

So I encourage you to downplay the stresses of college and high school and focus on the excitement and the glory of your youths. Don’t forsake your responsibilities, but do take time to appreciate your surroundings.

If you are stuck on the question of your future and future job, consider this: what do you truly love to do? Is money worth more than happiness?

Can money buy you happiness? I am surely not saying that the answer is no, but it may be in certain cases.

Money lubricates everything. It is easier to live, and to give, when you

What right does anyone have to dictate the parameters of anybody else’s quality of life? The answer is none.

have money. But don’t relinquish a passion for gardening for a career in accounting.

And, again, make sure you spend time everyday enjoying the pleasures of life. John Lennon once said, “Time you enjoyed wasting wasn’t wasted.” If you like the outdoors, go for a walk. If you like the water, go for a swim. It will make you a happier person.

And along with enjoying your own life, I encourage you to adopt one more concept, as I have attempted to do: do not make anyone’s life any less enjoyable than it can possibly be. What right does anyone have to dictate the parameters of anybody else’s quality of life? The answer is none. I acknowledge that it is not easy to be nice and easygoing all of the time. I’m sure that of all the people I have ever met, only a few (fewer than five, surely) truly are “pure.” But I will tell you, almost

unnecessarily, that no one likes being called names or being made to feel that they are any less good than another person. Don’t be the one to cause those feelings.

I have made kids feel bad in the past. I will openly admit that. Not to admit it would be a travesty. But at least I have the presence of mind to realize it myself. And I am trying my best (with slow but sure progress) never to make anyone feel any way I wouldn’t want to feel.

So I’ll ask you simply to check yourself every once in a while. Make sure you aren’t the cause of anyone’s lack of contentment. Is that the person you want to be? Is that the legacy you envisioned for yourself? As Spike Lee said, “Do the right thing.”

Enjoy your life, and make the lives of others better. Be a better person than you were yesterday. That’s all anyone can ask.

November 2008

The Wessex Wire

Page 16

Big Brother Is Watching Does it bother you that...

Why The New Security System Is An Unnecessary Invasion of privacy

by Elliot Kartus ‘09

“How do you like your stay so far at West Essex Regional Penitentiary?” That is the question that one former West Essex student asked me this September. He, like many former students and current students was taken by surprise when he heard about the new security installation at the school or when they showed up to school on the first day of school, under its watchful eye.

The new security system includes numerous cameras inside and outside, new door locks, motion sensors, and alarms on all the doors in the school. Almost 100,000 dollars was budgeted and spent on this project.

The new installation was first discussed by the Board of Education (BOE) during the 2006-2007 school year, when we studied in the “atmosphere of fear.” The lockdown incident last year also propelled the debate about the system. The school board eventually came together unanimously to vote for cameras.

There are some concerns that have been raised over the security system.

Comments like “we can afford all these cameras… but can’t put a roof over the walkway by the main entrance?” or that “The cameras will be good to record the water that is constantly leaking through the roof of the school.”

These issues, though probably brought up in jest, are serious concerns. The cameras though, did not directly affect anything in the school budget. The security system was purchased via a lease according to Mr. Mados, the Board Of Education’s business administrator.

The lease works like this; the payment for the cameras is split into four parts. Each part is taken care of in a different year’s budget. This money is allotted separate from the rest of the school’s budget.

This year, the school’s previous lease payment has ended. The security system is replacing that.

Therefore, no money was taken

from the walkway to be put toward the security system, but did the system get the upper hand above the roof? Currently the roof is in desperate need of repair. The hallways, gyms, and classrooms all suffer from leaks. A room in the math wing has been shut down because the ceiling could no longer withstand the pressure from the water.

According to Superintendent Mario Cardinale, the school is getting started on a movement to get the roofs fixed, to most likely replace them. This is clearly a project of great magnitude and a very expensive one too.

Could the roofs have been replaced and paid for by a lease like the cameras are now or should that have taken the spot of the previous lease?

Monetary concerns are not the only thing about the cameras that bother the students and faculty. The main issue is the invasion of privacy.

Do students in this school really need to have their every movement in the hallway monitored? West Essex is not a trouble school we do not have issues that most other schools do not.

The lock down of last year and the bomb scares of previous years being the exception. The lock down though, was handled without video assistance.

There is not an extreme level of violence in West Essex. The occasional fight does occur, but they are almost immediately broken up and the perpetrators handled. Cameras can be used in order to get more information on who as actually involved in the incident of how it started, but there is still the possibility of the cameras providing a false sense of the situation. Vocal evidence to corroborate misinterpreted video evidence would prove a solid case against innocent participant in an incident. Sometimes even the most exact evidence, e.g. DNA or video, can be incredible.

I also do not see the cameras as a major deterrent against drug activity in the school, the main reason being that there are no cameras in the bathrooms. (Good thing that is not legally allowed or we would probably see a little black bulb in all of

with Evan Elberg, ‘09

Does it bother you that the owners of professional teams can raise their ticket costs to an outlandish price, but you’re not allowed to bring in a bottle of water?

With the new stadiums set to open in the New York area, (Nets, Mets, Yankees, Giants, and Jets) team owners are making impossible for the average Joe to attend a sporting event with his family.

The Giants have now hiked up the cap on ticket prices from $115 to $700 per game. A season ticket in the lower tier has been bumped up to as much as $20,000. So, for a family of five, the cost of a season could now be over $100,000. Why not go out and buy a nice Ferrari instead? This does not include parking, drinks, food, desserts, and souvenirs. And you know how much an eight year old boy can devour.

Buying a suite at the new Citi Field has doubled in price and is now between $250,000 and $500,000. At that price, maybe the Mets will stop choking every September. For the new Yankee Stadium, suites are now between $600,000 and $850,000- almost one million dollars. Maybe with the new prices we can actually see the Yankees in the playoffs or have the Mets close out a game.

A personal seat license, or PSL, gives the ticket holder the right to buy season tickets for a certain seat in a stadium. Too bad no one can afford the new ticket prices. Under these new PSL guidelines, a person has to pay for the right to pay for his season tickets.

Instead of season tickets, it might be better to invest in something else, perhaps a college education. Stadiums need to stop all this hogwash of ticket prices and get back to the way things should be, like cheering for your team to take home the Lombardi Trophy or getting a banner hung in MSG. Maybe the owners of these teams should be more concerned with that than what color to paint one of their five houses. the men’s rooms.)

Any drug use that takes place in the bathrooms will continue to take place in the bathrooms. Any drug use that takes place on school grounds will probably continue to take place. The cameras are being used for evidence only, and students know this.

The main issue with the cameras though, is privacy. Even though I feel that I personally do not do much in school to the point where I fear the cameras. Their presence, nevertheless is still unwelcome. I do not need to be constantly recorded as I go through my daily routine at West Essex.

I do not speak only for myself in saying this. Many students I have talked to agree that they do not appreciate the large loss of privacy.

These feelings have also been echoed by members of the faculty.

The staff feel that the cameras are an invasion of their privacy also.

Some teachers have joked that since the cameras are there, they actually have to report to their hall duty this year. But now some teachers not only feel that they should report to duty, but that they should be extra uptight about interrogating students about passes. (That though, and how it is done, is a separate issue.)

So now, instead of progressing forward into the future, West Essex has stepped back into 1984. Every day, we, the students and faculty, walk the halls under the watchful eye of the administration’s version of Big Brother.

Its great timing for me to be graduating though, since next year, I hear the school board has decided to bring in Hugo Chavez as the new assistant principal and head of security.

November 2008

Page 17

The Wessex Wire

Exciting Finish Sends Girl’s Tennis to State Tourney

by Ben Sunshine ‘09

The task for the Lady Knights tennis team was simple: win and make the state tournament; lose and fall short of their team goal.

The Lady Knights tennis team, coached by Barbara Bruchac, came into Grover Cleveland Park on September 25th against Mount St. Dominick needing a victory as it was their last game before the cutoff for entry into the state tournament.

With all of the pressure and anticipation surrounding the match, the girls came out with a hard-fought 4-1 victory. The conditions were not favorable as it was cold enough that most players had to wear sweats.

However, the only loss came at first singles and that match was fought

for till the very last point.

“This was definitely the most important game of our season and we wanted the win more than they did,” senior Jessica Kabrt said.

Entry into the state tournament was definitely a goal at the start of the season but it was not as if the team was so content that they could guarantee anything.

“Our goals are to remain at .500 and hopefully make the state tournament and progress as far as we can,” senior Co-captain Chelsea Goodman said during team tryouts.

This year’s lineup features three of last year’s seven starters with a fourth, senior co-captain Chelsea Goodman, sharing time at the doubles positions. Considering that none of those returning starters are seniors, the team has performed

considerably well thus far.

“The loss of players definitely affects any team, but as a Senior I have seen past teams adjust well to the Varsity level and this team has done the same,” senior co-captain Alana Goodman said.

The doubles teams are comprised of three new varsity members and one returning member. Junior Cocaptain Emily O’Neill and freshman Blair Shulman make up the first doubles team while sophomore Lacy Tell and sophomore Lynnli Wang make up the second doubles squad.

The lineup openings have also allowed sophomore Carly Agrifolio to earn the first singles position with an equally deserving junior in Megan Muñoz solidifying the second singles spot. Senior Jessica Kabrt

made her way all the way up to the third singles spot after playing first doubles on the junior varsity team last season.

Not to be left out are the players sure to make contributions both on and off the court this season. Senior co-captains Chelsea Goodman and Alana Goodman, senior Brooke Sunshine, freshman Nikki Entin, and sophomore Brittany Berman round out the 2008 Girls Tennis team.

The team has also played in the annual Essex County Tournament where the girls split their two matches.

The team will now look to earn victories in their remaining scheduled matches and hopefully some state matches.

Boys Soccer Struggles Through Rough Season

by Jenel Conde ‘09 Dylan Cascino ‘09

The boys’ Varsity Soccer team did not finish their season up to par with a record of 6-10. The team was unable to make it to states, yet Coach Giampapa claims “We are a much better team than our record indicates.”

Senior captains Stevie Kinslow, Jack Skeels, Joe Taylor, and Zack Vitencz led the team. Other seniors

include Brian Agostini, Dan Bozzone, Dave Steinfeld, Tom Meyer, Matt Clancy, Jeremy Ramos, and Mike Fede. Kinslow totaled nine goals, making him the lead scorer for the Knights. About halfway through the season, Kinslow was moved from offense to defense.

“Injuries prompted us to move Steven back for only a few games to give support to the defense,” Mr. Giampapa explained. “The team was very supportive of this move.”

Boys Varsity Soccer team end season at 6-10.

Mr. Giampapa gave details about the team’s connection with each other.

“Every year teams have different chemistry and flow. This year the team has a different level of technical and tactical ability.”

The underclassman are led by seven juniors: Tom Black, Pete Deolp, Anthony Gambino, Tom Gasbarro, Jared Koval, Tom Martin, and George Rollins. Also included on the team are four sophomores: Pat

Farrell, Joe Fusco, Mike Pezzuti, and Joe Raimondo. The lone freshman is Eddie George, rounding out the squad.

As far as what the team will look like next year, Giampapa believes “there are a number of junior players who could step up and be outstanding leaders.”

“Every year leaders emerge and show their strength and leadership skills. It remains to be seen who these players will be.”

-photo courtesy of Sue Taylor

November 2008

The Wessex Wire

Page 18

Player Profile: Tom Bianchi

West Essex Football Knights Clinch Iron Hills Conference

by Mark Walsh ‘09

The Knights won an overtime thriller on Oct. 24 against Mendham to remain undefeated at 7-0. With a 14-7 overtime victory, the West Essex Football Knights have clinched back to back Iron Hills Conference Championships.

“It was a well fought and well deserved victory for us,” Head Coach Dave Drozjock said.

With their most difficult opponents behind them, the Knights are looking to finish off a perfect season en route to Group 2 North I State Championship.

“We have had an unbelievable season this year, and we hope to finish it off with our third straight state title,” senior quarterback Kyle Kovats said.

The Knights success is due to their high powered offense (37.3 ppg) and a stingy defense that has let up two

touchdowns in only one game this season.

Among the offensive standouts are senior running backs Ryan Higgins and Jon Struss. Higgins has compiled over 400 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Struss has gained over 600 yards of total offense with nine touchdowns. Rounding out the backfield is junior fullback John LoCascio who leads the team in rushing touchdowns with eight.

Though the Knights offense is based around their running game, their success through the air is in large part because of the tandem of Kovats and Bianchi. Senior tight end Tom Bianchi has been Kovats’ top receiver all year and is tied for the team lead with three touchdown receptions.

“He is such a big target it’s impossible for him not to get open,” Kovats said of Bianchi.

Though Bianchi is an offensive

by Matt Tomsey ‘09

threat, his play on defense has made the Knights one of the best in the state.

“We are a tough unit that refuses to get pushed around,” Bianchi said.

Along with Bianchi, the Knights defense is lead by linebackers Jon Notte, John LoCascio, and Andrew “Varsity Val” Valeriani. Rounding out the defense are defensive backs Kyle Kovats and Jon Struss.

The Knights have dominated their schedule this season, and hold the number 17 rank in New Jersey and the number one rank out of all Group 2 schools. With two regular season games remaining, the Knights have clinched home-field advantage -photo courtesy of Jenel Conde throughout the playoffs.

The Knights close out the year against the Summit Hilltoppers on Nov. 7 on Senior Night.

“We hope to close out the year on a high note and head into states with some momentum,” Dr ozjock said.

Tom Bianchi exerts the same control over his future as he does on the football field. Bianchi, a senior captain of the 8-0 West Essex Knights, has received many scholarships from colleges, and has also interested several other colleges with his play making ability.

West Point, Cornell, and Towson have all offered Bianchi a full football scholarship to play for their respective teams. Other schools scouting Bianchi include UConn, Syracuse, Maryland, Delaware, Northwestern and Monmouth.

“It was always a dream of mine to play football in college” stated Bianchi. “It’s nice to be recruited by many schools.”

Bianchi doesn’t have to decide where he will play until February. In the meantime, he will evaluate and visit the schools that are interested in him, including an official visit to West Point in December.

Girls Varsity Soccer Makes Strides Toward Improvement Lady Knights Make States Finish Regular Season With Winning Record

by Jackie Martorana ‘11 Geordy Boveroux ‘11

With a record of 6-5-1, the Varsity Girls Soccer team is working towards a stronger second half of the season. “They have the work ethic and heart I expected” Coach Bryan McNaught said.

Even after losing four graduating seniors, the team is still considered to be “more cohesive and deeper off the bench” when compared to last year’s team, according to McNaught.

Led by captains Mia Gardner and Michaela Schwartz, the team is comprised of mostly upperclassmen.

Seniors include Michelle Bertscha, Gabriela DeMassi, Kim Meade, Brittany Odgers, Stephanie Pedano, Liz Toumanios, and Casey Valerian.

Juniors, Chelsea DeGiacomo and Caroline Spry were deemed

the most improved players from last season. Additional juniors are Kelly Abbot, Gina Barretti, Carissa Castiglia, Casey Cerza, Chrissy Coplon, and Sloane Serpe.

New to the team are two freshmen, Alina Vitencz and Shannon White, and one sophomore, Melissa Kuscin.

In addition to a stronger second half, playing in the state tournament is a main focus for the team.

However, the road to the tournament is not an easy one. In a tough Iron Hills Conference the girls have played against an undefeated Mendham (8-0), as well as Summit and Chatham.

West Essex has already faced these three teams in away games, losing to Mendham and Summit, while tying Chatham.

-photo courtesy of Kelly Abbot

Senior Captain Mia Gardner takes the ball down the sideline during a home game.

The girls will get a chance at revenge, as they finish their season with home games against these three teams.

Despite his belief, the team can still

improve.

“I believe this team has potential each year. They’re going to be successful this season and in years to come,” McNaught said.

November 2008

The Wessex Wire

Page 19

Unlucky 13: Yankees Miss Playoffs For First Time In Over A Decade

by Jon Struss ‘09

The year was 1993. The batteryoperated toothbrush was just created, Whitney Houston was topping the charts, the U.S. had troops in Somalia, not Iraq, the X-Files were debuting on Fox, and the Yankees were not a playoff team.

Thirteen years later the Yankees have established themselves as the powerhouse of Major League Baseball, making the playoffs for thirteen years in a row, starting in 1995.

During this streak, the Yankees won four World Championships (1996, 1998-2000), six American League pennants (1996, 1998-2001, 2003), and ten American League East titles

(1996, 1998-2006).

Back to reality, the 2008 New York Yankees have managed to break their streak of thirteen consecutive playoff berths, and have taken a back seat to the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.

With all these championships and years of success, this leads to the puzzling question of what went wrong.

It may have started with the firing of beloved Yankee manager Joe Torre. Torre led the Yankees to thirteen consecutive playoff appearances and four World Series titles and was fired after the Yankees early exit from the playoffs in 2006.

The Yankees also failed to make

any big name acquisitions in the offseason and opted to stick with young pitchers Phillip Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Joba Chamberlin, as well as veterans Mike Mussina and Andy Pettite. Hughes and Kennedy both turned out to be busts, with Hughes getting injured and Kennedy not pitching up to his potential.

Injuries also plagued the Yankees throughout the year. Ace ChienMing Wang was sidelined early on in the year and rookies Hughes and Chamberlin were both injured down the stretch. Starting outfielder Hideki Matsui and catcher Jorge Posada were also injured for most of the 2007 season.

Alex Rodriguez, who signed a

lucrative ten year, $275 million contract, failed to follow up on his outstanding 2006 MVP year. Derek Jeter seemed to finally be past his prime, and Bobby Abreu and Robinson Cano both had terrible seasons compared to years past. The play of these four stars was a major factor in the Yankees inability to win.

With these mishaps, and the Red Sox and Rays putting constant pressure on the Yankees, the Yankees were finally eliminated from the post season.

Next year, in a new ballpark the Yankees look forward to get back to their winning ways and reestablish themselves as the best team in baseball.

Freshman and JV Sports Round-Up Football

Matt Candarella and Mark Wells.

The defense has had sound contributions from Mike Jones, Matt Rando,

by KJ Glen ‘11 Omar Aly, Mike Malanga, and Harry Neugold.

The West Essex Freshman foot- “The toughest challenge is going to ball team has gotten off to a trebe living up to great expectations,” mendous 5-0 start. With only four Freda stated. “Around this league games left, the team looks poised to and in our program we expect our become the first undefeated freshteams to do well.” man football team ever.

Although the toughest challenges “We are a hardnosed team that may still be ahead, the team is plays with an attitude,” said Jason confident in their abilities and look Freda, head coach of the freshman forward to future tests. football team. The freshman team, along with the Varsity team, is still unbeaten.

by Lacy Tell ‘11 With wins over Dover, Morris Hills, Hanover Park, Parsippany, The freshmen girls Field Hockey and most recently Parsippany Hills, team has started the season with a the freshman knights are yet to be record of 7-1-1. They have been fully tested, but upcoming oppolead to excellence by Ms. Amanda nents are looking to put a dent in Procaccino, an art teacher at West their perfect record. Next on the Essex High School. schedule is Mendham, followed by “This team has been the easiest to a tough Chatham team which may work with so far out of all the teams be the deciding game in their quest I have coached,” Procaccino said. for a perfect record.

She feels that each team has a dif The freshman knights are led by ferent dynamic and she thoroughly two talented quarterbacks, Paul enjoys working and playing with Haramis and Thomas Filipow. The these girls. backfield is led by DJ Hamker, “Coach Proc knows and loves the Garett Reese, Stephen O’Neil, and game very well and the whole team Anthony Pompei. The wideouts are loves having her as our coach.” HanRalph Velardi and Isaiah Durval. nah Pappas, one of the freshmen field The unsung heroes of the team, hockey captains said. “This team has the lineman, include Vincent Agbeen so successful because we work rifolio, John Lisella, Alec Miller, well together,” Pappas added.

Vito Rizzo, Anthony Romito, Dom With seven wins, the team has Valeriani, Loni Veliu, Tyler Little,

Field Hockey

Dance Team

of months.

“J.V is doing four dances this year, two being hip-hop and lyrical,

by Nicole Del Mauro ‘12 and the show will be shorter than Many may consider dance to be usual,” Weston said. more an activity than a sport. For The show and team wouldn’t be the girls on the West Essex Junior possible without the coach, Dana Varsity Dance Team however, it’s as DelGrosso.

“She’s a really good coach and much a sport as football.

After entering High School, danc- she teaches us a lot,” Briele Salvo, ers had to try out and be placed in freshman captain said. either J.V or Varsity. The youngest Of course, being captain of any dancers from the Jr. High will auto- team or club is a great position to matically be placed in a team specifi- hold, but with something as new as this it’s really a great accomplishcally for the 7th and 8th graders.

“There was a lot more pressure this ment. year, worrying if you wouldn’t make With a coach and captain leading the team, but it was worth it,” fresh- the way, these eight young dancers man team member Victoria Weston will try their hardest to be the best team they could be and make this said.

As usual, the dance teams will new system a sure success. hold their annual show in a couple had many remarkable games. The one that is most remembered in Procaccino’s mind was their game versus West Morris Central on Oct. 1, 2008.

“We have not played West Morris Central in field hockey in a number of years, so we went into the game not knowing what to expect from their program,” Procaccino said.

Procaccino felt they were a tough team, but West Essex prevailed, winning 1-0. Besides winning, this game was special because the team had to deal with the loss of their goalie, Amanda Tomaselli, due to an injury.

Unfortunately, she will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

“I am proud of my new goalie for stepping up and I am proud of all the girls for keeping their heads high.”

Procaccino and the girls have one main goal for this season. This goal is to play with class and represent West Essex well. “We come across a lot of teams that display poor sportsmanship on and off the field, therefore we make certain we are respectful of all teams, coaches, and referees at all times.”

November 2008 Issue 1

The Wessex Wire Page 20

Words From Wallace

by Mark Walsh ‘09

It’s time to say goodbye to the traditional New Jersey high school athletic conferences, because the NJSIAA’s new conference league realignment plan was released earlier this month.

The new conferences will consist of six “Super Conferences” which feature a variety of divisions in each conference.

West Essex’s new conference will be Super Conference 1. Super Conference 1 will feature three different divisions entitled the A, B, and C Divisions. West Essex will be place in the B Division along with future rivals Belleville, Nutley, and Orange.

Super Conference 1 will consist mostly of schools from Bergen and Essex County. The three different divisions were put together based on enrollment. The divisions will still compete in regular season play with the exception of football season. The football schedules will feature games between teams in the same division.

I believe that these new conferences will provide for more exciting competition at West Essex athletic events. West Essex athletic teams will be facing much more competitive schedules with the new realignment of the conferences. It’s time to forget about the blowout games that occur almost on a nightly basis during the school year.

Super Conference 1 will feature some of the Knight’s arch rivals such as Seton Hall Prep, Columbia, and cross-town rival Caldwell. This new conference will feature much more competitive opponents for West Essex athletic teams.

The Knights will deal with many inner city schools with more size and speed then West Essex, such as East Orange, West Side, and Bloomfield Tech.

Though there are old rivalries that will be renewed with the realignment, it’s time to say goodbye to some classic matchups that will no longer take place. Sentimental games such as the “Cardone Cup,” the yearly meeting between the West Essex and Hanover Park football teams will never again be played.

-photo courtesy of Jenel Conde

Field Hockey Dominates the Play Ground

by Mark Walsh ‘09

The West Essex Field Hockey team has finished off another successful season. On Oct. 18 the Lady Knights defeated Montclair High School 3-0 to capture another Essex County Championship. “It was a great victory for us,” Head Coach Jill Cosse said.

The Lady Knights currently have a 14-1 record heading into the state playoffs. Their one loss to Summit was avenged with a 1-0 victory of the Hilltoppers on Oct. 23.

“It was a big confidence booster for us, since we lost to them earlier in the season,” Senior Midfielder Breada Farrell said. The Knights are currently ranked 6 th in the state.

“I am looking forward to compete for my fourth state championship,” Senior Captain Ali Cassera said.

Ali Cassera and Gianna D’urso are seeking their fourth consecutive State Championship.

“We have been together for so long, nothing would be better

“We have been together for so long, nothing would be better than having four rings,” Cassera added. than having four rings,” Cassera added.

The nights are led by three senior captains who bring a lot of experience to the table. Captains Breada Farrell and Ali Cassera lead a talented midfield which has produced 14 wins this season.

Senior Goalie Noell Gomez has led the Knights to several shutout victories this season.

“These girls are one of the main reasons for our success,” Cosse said.

The Knights are also lead by forwards Michelle Hagel and Junior Gia Nappi who is team leader with 15 goals. Other contributors include Juniors Heather Barretta and Jen Weissbach. Underclass contributors include sophomore Kristen McClain and freshman

forwards Natalie Cafone and Jackie Fusco.

The Knights close out the regular season against Oak Knoll; who currently is ranked number one in New Jersey. “It is always good for us to compete against top competition,” Cosse said.

The Knights a re looking forward to closing out the regular season on a high note before the playoffs.

The Knights open up the playoffs against Hackettstown on Nov. 4th.

They hold the number two seed in the state playoffs.

“We are fortunate enough to have a high seed in the playoffs this year,” Farrell said. “I hope that we can play well enough and win one more ring before I graduate.”