Volume LII
Second Edition
November 2017
Eastern Regional High School
1401 Laurel Oak Road
Voorhees, NJ 08043
Starstuff creates magic on stage By CRYSTAL OSUJI ‘18 Entertainment Editor
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ETV Plus. Page 3
What are We Thankful For? Page 10 & 11
astern theatre performed its annual Fall play, Peter and the Starcatcher, from November 2nd to 4th. Peter and the Starcatcher is a background story of “Peter Pan.” Peter, in the story, is known for being the boy that never grows up, living in Nevereverland with the Lost Boys. But how did he become that figure? Peter Pan was an orphan that never met his family. He and two other orphan boys were put on the Neverland ship to be sent by Slank, the captain, to the island of Rundoon to become snake food. On this ship, they meet Molly, a starcatcher in training. She realizes that the valuable trunk of starstuff—bits of star that fall to earth—was switched from her father’s ship to hers. Molly takes on the mission, with the help of the boys, so the trunk can be safely transported to the Queen and not fall into the wrong hands. Dr. Molotsky, a physics and environmental science teacher, is the head of the theatre department. Every year around fall time, he sits down with a bunch of plays trying to see which one he likes the best. “We were looking for a play that appeals to both kids and adults,” said Dr. Molotsky. Along with picking a play that would put on a good show, he also picks out a cast that can execute it well. The students involved with the theatre program have
Hannah Eksteen fixes Samantha Youse’s hair before the production. Photo by Paige Rehill ‘18
been working with Molotsky for a while, but every year during casting they give something new. “Every year I ask myself ‘do we have students that can play these roles?’ I let the audience determine where the students fit best,” said Dr. Molotsky. One character that gave the audience many laughs was Black Stache, played by senior Robert Sundstrom. “It [Black Stache] was an incredibly fun role to play
because I was able to take a lot of liberties with the role.” Kayla Kantakusin, a senior, was also excited for her role in Peter and Starcatcher. “In this year’s fall play, I played both a mermaid and a sailor. It was a lot of fun because I got to not only sing, but learn choreography as a mermaid.”
See STARSTUFF. Page 5
Easing congestion in parking lot
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Thor Review. Page 14
Eastern Football and Coach Doherty. Page 20
By HAYLEY BELUCH ‘18 Editor-in-Chief
eginning on October 23, Eastern administration eliminated left turns within the main parking lot in an effort to reduce morning congestion. According to Principal Mr. Tull, the school enacted this suggestion primarily to address safety concerns for student drivers, passengers, and students walking into school. “Mornings had cars driving in multiple directions,” said Tull, which created havoc. Mr. Tull cites that students in the lot now only have to look to the right, especially when crossing into school. He believes this facilitates a better, safer traffic route. Although this procedure is only in place in the mornings, Mr. Tull doesn’t see a similar procedure being out in place in the afternoons any time soon. “At the end of the day,” said Tull, “students all drive mainly in one direction, following the buses.” The hazards of the morning were created as buses, drop-offs, and student drivers crossed paths. Many students have suggested that this new procedure is connected to the transition to front of school limitations on student parking. Mr. Tull said the commonality between the two is concern for student safety. This recent change relates more specifically to driving hazards, whereas the previous transition was an attempt to keep student parking in one area to ensure their safety. The school wanted to keep student parking in the front to prevent non-permissible activity in the back parking lot. Similar to the reactions the recent elimination of student parking in the back of the school garnered, this new procedure has caused mixed reactions within the school. Senior Jess Kinser says the traffic from the parking lot has not disappeared, but moved elsewhere. “Instead of traffic in the parking lot, it has spread to areas that are not normally congested in the mornings, making it extremely hard to get to school after 7:00,” she said. “The traffic light on
A barrier blocks a left turn in the morning. Photo by Lauren Casole ‘19
route 561 backs up to the Dunkin’ Donuts in Gibbsboro now.” Another senior, Kat Keleman, has also voiced her opposition. “What’s the point?” asked Keleman. “The parent-drop off problem is the nose of the problem,” she said. “It makes it difficult for people who are trying to park.” Although there has been staunch resistance to this procedure change, other student drivers are in favor of the plan, or neutral. Senior Paige ReHill falls in the latter category. She drives to
See PARKING. Page 5