Issuu

Volume LIV

December 2019

Second Edition

Over 200 students took a survey on Lunch and Learn. Pages 8-9 The Voyager staff commemorates Abbey Road. See pages 10-11

Eastern Regional High School

1401 Laurel Oak Road

Voorhees, NJ 08043

Freshmen win Spirit Week for the ﬁrst time By AVA HANCOCK ’20 and EVELYN STEELE ‘21 Managing Editor and Associate Editor-in-Chief

aves of shock rippled throughMcAleer Stadium on the night of October 25th. The freshman class had just won Spirit Week, defeating the class of 2020. Senior class president Lexi Levin was deflated. “We all worked so hard. It’s our last year and we lost to freshman,” she said. The seniors had spent nearly a month working on their themes and wall decorations. Class officers and student volunteers stayed after school hours to help finish their class walls for nearly a month. Needless to say, this was not the fairytale ending they had hoped for. Spirit Week is an iconic aspect of American public high schools that has existed for decades. Its purpose is to boost student morale with a variety of activities

The freshmen win in stunning fashion, and contests, but nine years ago, Eastern seniors took it too far. Senior class advisor Mrs. Pearson-Youse remembers the week clearly. It was her ﬁrst year teaching at Eastern (she had come from teaching at another high school) and the seniors had lost spirit week. In retaliation, during ﬁeld events, they threw paint and bleach in the parking lot, in the school, and on the school building itself.

Victory for Marching Band By EVELYN STEELE ‘21 Associate Editor-in-Chief

he Eastern Marching Vikings season was full of colors as the marching band took on the theme of kaleidoscope. It was based on “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka where three colors were introduced throughout the show with three different gray backdrops becoming full of color by the end. With ﬁve different sections including color guard, battery, pit, winds, and brass,

Arianna Reischer wins best drum major. Photo supplied by Debby Roccia

the marching band totaled 77 members this season. They won states and continued to Atlantic Coast Championships where they won second out of 19 bands competing from 9 states. This included individual awards of high auxiliary and best drum major. Best drum major was awarded to Junior Arianna Reischer during Atlantic Coast Championships. This title is judged separately from that of the overall band’s score. This factor means that Reischer will be the conductor during the 6ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia and conducting the Tournament of Bands All Star Marching Band. Success didn’t come easy to the band this year as they lost many seniors, and the underclassmen had a lot to learn. Their record fluctuated throughout the season from fifth to tenth to finally finishing second overall. “This year, the time and dedication that individuals put in practicing and improving their performances was the driving force that made this season successful,” said Reischer when reflecting on this season. Reischer’s role of drum major is of extreme importance, drum major conducts the band, makes sure they’re constantly together, and is the face of the team. Standing on the podium has more to it than on the surface. “The real role of drum major goes much farther than keeping time,” said Reischer, “it’s about leadership, responsibility, and above all, making sure everyone feels accepted and important to this activity.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

defeating the seniors in the Tug-of-War. After this event, administration buckled down on the student body. “Once they did away with field event, it became very much a non-event,” said Youse. “There is nothing as exciting as having the entire student body outside the stadium cheering on their class,” Mr. Lindenhofen, student council co-advisor of 18 years and current junior class advisor, said. “There was definitely something to the field

Photo by Sami Frankel ‘20

events that was a school wide event and when that went away it took a few years to recover.” This year, however, seemed like a turning point, like the Saratoga of Eastern’s spirit week saga. “I felt that this year we started to get a little bit more interest,” said Youse. “I was really pleased to see the seniors stepping up and getting more involved than they had in past years. That CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Artist Leo Sewell shows one of his pieces to the art students.

Photo by Ms. Hughes

Turning a childhood hobby into a life-long career By FAITH MENDELSON ‘21 and YISHFA NISAR ‘21 Staff Reporters

eo Sewell just wants joy. “I just want people to smile,” he said to art students in the Performing Arts Center in November. Having created 4,000 works in the last ﬁfty years, Leo Sewell has reconstructed the traditional idea of art.

Inﬂuenced by Marcel Duchamp, with the intention of confusing the viewer, Sewell has stepped “outside the box” and has experimented with sculpting, always looking for new ways to catch the viewer’s eye and attention. Leo Sewell was born in Maryland in 1945. Growing up, he frequently went to his father’s shop and playedsa with junk. The budding artist would bring objects home and take them apart, fascinated by the things others saw as garbage. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

December 2019 News After 44 years of teaching, Mrs. Brattstrom passes on the torch 2 The Voyager

about teaching are her students, primarily the students she keeps s the 2019 school year apin touch with afproached, Mrs. Brattstrom ter high school. felt it was time to move “They keep me on from teaching the likes young. It’s alof Frankenstein or Shakeways nice when speare’s Hamlet. they come back With many of her family members living to visit,” she out of state, including her one-year-old said. A number grandson, the flexibility of retirement will of years ago, a allow her to spend time with her grandformer student of son and visit family more often. “I never hers had told her thought that I would leave in the middle about his Compoof the year, but I want to be with my famsition professor ily at times when we don’t have school at Rutgers, who breaks,” said Mrs. Brattstrom. warned students Upon graduating from Kean University, not to expect any Mrs. Brattstrom began her career as a subbetter than a D stitute teacher in 1975 in Central Jersey, on their first esbefore marrying and moving to Glasssay. “He was very boro, where she provided supplemental excited to tell me instruction for three years. She received that he ended the Mrs. Brattstrom smiles as she hands out “Hamlet” for the last her first full-time teaching job in 1979 at class with an A Penns Grove Regional on the back burner during the school year, High School. She beso my time for it [reading] is limited to “I’ve been extremely because of what he had gan teaching English at the summer.” fortunate to work with learned about writing a Eastern in 2001. Mrs. Brattstrom is also a passionate dogamazing faculty and people paper during his senior Mrs. Brattstrom’s from all departments in the year of high school,” lover. “I would like to spend more time impact has reached far district who have enriched said Mrs. Brattstrom. with my dogs and start up pet therapy beyond the classroom with them again,” which consists of takmy life, and I know I’m Aside from being able walls. A number of her ing her dogs to places such as nursing going to miss them. It’s to spend more time former students are time to pass on the torch.” with family, Mrs. Brathomes or special-needs classrooms. now successful teachIn some instances, retirees feel like they tstrom looks forward to ers at Eastern, such as have too much time on their hands, but traveling and reading Mr. Tyrell, Mr. Isshak, and Mrs. Liberti. Mrs. Brattstrom is not worried. “When I for her own pleasure. “That has had to be One of the things she will miss most was at home while my children were in By AARON ARNSTEIN ’20 Staff Reporter

Spirit Week upset being said, the freshmen wanted it. They worked very hard and they earned their win. So as much as it was disappointing, I don’t feel that we lost because we were apathetic- it’s just that the freshmen did more.” The freshman class came ready for spirit week, and this showed through their participation in most of the categories. “I believe that all of us in the class could do great things, so I thought second or third I would have been pretty happy with, but I knew we wouldn’t be coming in last,” said freshman class president Gavin Ems. “I have never ever seen a class with so much spirit before and they really have set the bar really reallly high. I don’t even know if they can surpass it next year,” said student council co-advisor Senor Gary. After forfeiting the academic challenge, the class of 2023 didn’t seem as much of a threat to the class of 2020, until that fateful Thursday tug-a-war when the freshman class pulled their lead by beating the senior class. Many seniors opted out of dressing up for theme days, especially TV show day where seniors were assigned Nickelodeon. “We picked Nickelodeon because we thought it would be easy to make a wall out of, but people just didn’t care to dress up,” Levin said. The homecoming dance was seen as a success this year, as nearly a third of the student body showed out. Ems used this popular event to raise money for his class’s dollar drop jug. “Personally I would ask for the extra dollar because it was $9 to get in [to homecoming]. I would go to TIR rooms and shake it in peoples’ ears.” In total, $1,200 was raised, half of which went to the Food Bank of South Jersey and the other half to the Alicia Rose Foundation. Junior class historian Eddie Wu was “the can man” during spirit week, bringing in a total of 200 cans himself. These cans were donated to St. Andrews Catholic Church in Voorhees.

Continued from page 1

Photo by Eddie Wu ‘21

Participation is vital to racking up points during spirit week, but the student body as a whole could’ve seen more of it.“We could’ve seen more participation from the rest of the grade, the more hands the better,” said Wu. “What I honestly like about spirit week now is you’re not forced to participate. Students who want to be involved and want to participate do and have a great time. It builds throughout the week,” said Lindenhofen. “Our school has no spirit, no matter how hard you try. Everyone thinks they’re too cool to dress up and participate,” said student council president Ariana Nam. Spirit Week coordinator Jason Finberg agreed, saying, “I have respect for [the freshman class]. They cared enough to dress up and we didn’t.” As for what classes can do in the future, Mr. Lindenhofen urges students to be more inclusive. “It shouldn’t be 5% of the class doing all of the work and participating in all the events. You need to reach out to people and encourage them to do their share and get involved.” Ems will never forget the moment. “I was at the football game and I was with the other class advisors and we went bonkers. It was pretty insane,” he said.

school, I had much more time to pursue my hobbies, and yet it seemed as if the days were never long enough,” said Mrs. Brattstrom. While entering retirement can be exciting, she realizes it will be hard to say goodbye to the only profession she has known for the past four decades. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to work with amazing faculty and people from all departments in the district who have enriched my life, and I know I’m going to miss them. It’s time to pass on the torch.”

Bracing the cold, walkers raise $900 for DECA Community Project

I The junior hallway featured Disney themes. Juniors came in third, after freshman and seniors. Final point totals: Freshmen: 207, 000; Seniors: 203,000; Juniors: 145,000; and Sophomores: 103,000.

time to her seniors.Photo by A. Arnstein ‘20

By Voyager Staff

DECA also hosted a Pancheros fundraiser, t was cold, but the walkers came earning $134.00 on October 29. for a good cause. The last fundraiser, Jean Day, for staff The walkathon took place on was held on Friday, Dec. 20. the McAleer Track on Saturday, November 12. The event raised $450. Walkers received DECA bracelets. The club also sold the bracelets during school the following week, raising another $192. So far, DECA has raised $900, but the funds are still coming. They hope to raise over $1,000. It’s all for NJ DECA Statewide Community Project. The charity for 2019-2020 school year is Good Grief, an organization that helps DECA members display their swag at the commuity families, teens, and walk. From left to right: Zaid Mehmoodd, Sahil Doshi, children who have lost a Wesley Andrews, Nikhil Mathews, Parth Shah. Photo by Barbara Lowery close loved one.

Members make signs to support DECA’s cause Good Grief. From left to right: Brooke Ruiz, Sofia Boubsis Aniyah Bilgrami.

Photo by Barbara Lowery

December 2019

News

The Voyager 3

Drama club’s fall musical provides comedic relief NEWS BRIEFS Child porn found in Sturbridge

By AVA HANCOCK ‘20 Managing Editor

lly Mazza and Jake Fritz are feeling nostalgic. As seniors, this is their last fall musical. “It hasn’t really hit me yet that it’s almost over, but it’s definitely a really weird feeling,” Mazza said. This year’s fall production is A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and composed by Stephen Sondheim. The show follows a young slave named Pseudolus, played by sophomore Nick Vitale, as he tries to get a young courtesan named Philia, played by Mazza, to fall in love with his master, played by Fritz, in exchange for his freedom. The show is a comedy set in ancient In the song “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid,” the males imagine a Rome, and putting on a satirical musical world where women attend to every need and desire. From left to right: Jason has its challenges. “It’s difficult to keep Shacket ‘21, Nick Vitale ‘22, TJ Rickey ‘20, Luke Magette ‘20. the comedy consistent,” said Fritz, “The Photo by Mr. Michael Sirdashney jokes are old to us, but they’re new to the audience, so keeping that same energy the witty quips, a relieving reaction for “This show is so funny and all of my every time is one of the most important the hardworking cast. friends are here, so it’s been really fun,” and most difficult parts.” The cast agrees said Mazza, who has been involved in Vitale agrees. that, although it’s theater since seventh grade. “I love the theater club “There’s jokes been challenging, it’s And though Mazza and Fritz are and all the people and Dr. throughout the whole still as fun as ever. preparing to say farewell to Eastern’s Molotsky and Curt [Foy],” thing, and they all Walking into the theater club, it seems they are ready said Vitale. have to land,” he said. theater on the first day to pass the torch, and Vitale is eager to The cast has had to get of dress rehearsal is hectic as expected, accept. their chemistry right in order to deliver with costumes in garment bags strewn “I love the theater club and all the people the jokes perfectly, but Vitale is confident over chairs and Dr. Molotsky, the show’s and Dr. Molotsky and Curt [Foy],” said that the show is running smoothly. director, giving orders. But the room is Vitale. At a preview of the show on November filled with chatter and laughter, as the cast A Funny Thing Happened on the Way 20, the student audience laughed away at prepares to run their two-hour production. to the Forum ran from November 21-23. when explaining the success of the band. so rewarding.” “I think it’s the attitude that everyone had. Other components of the band comprised Continued from page 1 Everyone was so worried because we lost of the percussion and pit, whose sergents High auxiliary, which in layman’s term so many seniors last year but because include Kayla Yap and Regina Kollender, is best color guard, was awarded to the everyone was striving for the same goal, both seniors. marching band for this season. The color there was a bigger motivation.” Kollender plays marimba and has been guard consists of one senior, six juniors, Mr. Stanz has been advisor of the with the band for four years. “We started one sophomore and four freshmen for a Eastern Marching Band for 13 years. off really rocky.” said Kollender, “This total of twelve members. The freshman and rookie class was one whole show was dedicated to Alejandro Junior Lydia Tate is color guard captain of the largest Stanz has seen, but with Mejia who passed away from cancer and has been with the marching band dedication came success for the band. “It and me and a bunch of seniors who for three years, participating on flag line comes down to the kids buying into the knew him wanted to honor him. He was and weapon line which includes rifle and program and going out, performing and a model student and he gave 110% and sabre. As guard captain, Tate is there to we needed to honor him. We have done being consistent in performance each help and is the link between the band and fairly well especially since my freshman week,” said Stanz, “much like a team who guard. She works with whoever needs it year so I wanted that to continue after I has consistency in each play, we have to and goes out for retreat when awards are leave and so do other seniors as well. We have consistent performances.” announced. want to leave a legacy of not only us, but “I am so lucky to be able to conduct an “When I first joined, I wasn’t on any Alejandro.” ensemble like Eastern,” said Reischer, teams in middle school or anything,” “This program is so special, and with the Kayla Yap has also been with the band for said Tate when describing her time with incredible drive from these freshmen and four years and has been on keyboard for the guard, “it gave me an overwhelming underclassmen, I’m confident that we’re her time in the band. “Winning states was sense of community and friendship that I in excellent hands for the next few years.” huge this year because everyone thought loved and this season especially has been we were going to get second,” said Yap

Marching Band

Mr. Sewell inspires the artists of tomorrow.

From page 1

Instead of seeing this junk as “trash,” its struggles, Sewell advises aspiring young Sewell saw it as both a new artists to pursue their passions: idea and a new project; he found a new “Now, art is a growing section. purpose for things that would otherwise (It has a) combination of classical be considered useless. techniques with the digital. It is an Eighteen years later, Sewell attended area I would pursue now and if you the University of Delaware in 1963. “Art want to, should.” can be anything and it really was in the Ms. Hughes, who teaches art, was Sixties,” he said. Art in fortunate to have the Sixties was bold and He found a new purpose for Leo Sewell visit. colorful; it was all about things that would otherwise be “The students and considered useless. teachers who were expressing emotions and exploring new ideas. able to attend his Turning his childhood hobby of playing lecture were impressed by his work, with junk into a career, he wrote his level of celebrity, and kindness,” she masters thesis on collecting junk. Sewell said. took his passion, what fascinated him as Her favorite thing about the a child, and turned that passion into a discussion was that when he was career. “I wasn’t out to save the world,” asked what his purpose. “He just he said, “I was out to play with junk.” wants to make people happy,’” she However, making his passion into a said. paying career did not come easy. Sewell “Leo Sewell is a great example of said, “It had gone a month and the phone the idea that you can turn just about anything into art,” she said, “even a Mr. Sewell holds his Wheaton hadn’t rung. That was very upsetting. pile of junk, with creativity and hard terrier as Ms. Hughes smiles in front of his Certainly there were insecure times.” Although making art into a career has penguin. Photo supplied by Ms. Hughes work.”

Peter Schad, 65, on Monday November 25, was charged with possession of child pornography with an investigation ongoing. According to the Office of the Camden County Prosecutor said, “detectives from the High-Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU) of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Members of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are investigating.” On the 200 block of William Feather, “Authorities located numerous digital devices in the home that…were taken to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office’s HTCU Forensic Lab to be analyzed.” - Arianna Morales ‘22

Rutgers football brings back Schiano Rutgers football jumped on a golden opportunity this past Sunday, when talks with former head coach Greg Schiano concluded with an eight-year, $32 million contract. Schiano, the head coach from 2001-2011, led the program to winning records in six of his last seven seasons at Rutgers. The deal, which almost fell through days earlier, has reinvigorated many of the Rutgers football faithful and gives the program newfound success for the first time in years. - Aaron Arnstein ‘20

Decriminalization of marijuana in NJ State leaders are privately discussing a plan to decriminalize marijuana and put an end to arrests for pot possession. For decriminalization to become legal, both the state Senate and Assembly would have to pass a bill and the New Jersey Governor Murphy would have to sign it into law. Talks about decriminalization have been revived after Sweeney and other top lawmakers announced last week they were dropping their latest push for lawmakers to pass a bill that would legalize weed in the state and instead move forward with a plan to ask voters to decide next November. - Laura Silenzio ‘ 23

High School Football Game Shooting

On November 16, 2019, a high school playoff football game became deadly when someone in the stands opened fire. When the game between the Camden Panthers and the Pleasantville Greyhounds stopped due to an active shooter, fear and panic struck the spectators. One of the lost lives belonged to ten year old Micah Tennant. As a spectator of the game, he was shot and immediately transported to the nearest hospital in critical condition. On Wednesday, six days after the shooting, he was pronounced dead. Following the shooting, the Philadelphia Eagles announced that the game would be resumed on Lincoln Financial Field that Wednesday. Many of the players played in honor of those wounded or killed in the shooting, especially Tennant and there was a moment of silence. Coach Dwayne Savage of Camden said, “We always preach to our guys, that’s our safe haven. We forget about all of our problems on the football field,”. However, this devastating shooting broke the safe haven of the players, and broke the hearts of Micah Tennant’s family. -Faith Mendelson ‘21

Features

4 The Voyager

December 2019

By MATT STEINSALTZ ‘20 Editor-in-Chief

he impeachment inquiry involving President Donald Trump is different than anything the American people have seen before. For the first time, a president is facing re-election, while being investigated by the House of Representatives for impeachment. A difference with the current impeachment inquiry compared to previous ones is its partisanship. In the Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton impeachment cases, there was very little opposition to the impeachment proceedings. With the current proceedings, we are witnessing a completely partisan opinion. All of the Democrats voted for the proceedings to continue, while no Republicans voted yes. However, the Democrats control the House of Representatives so they were able to push the proceedings forward. Considering all of the above, the impacts on the 2020 Presidential Elections could be substantial. There are upsides and downsides to both.. According to “60 Minutes” correspondent John Dickerson, an upside for the Democrats was a chance to highlight the negatives of President Trump’s first term. They can use the impeachment inquiry to show that he is corrupt and can’t be trusted to be the leader of this nation. Dickerson also said that Democrats can come across as revenge seekers by doing anything they can to smear the President and get him out of office. This has been a popular opinion amongst Republicans throughout Trump’s first term when he faced the Mueller probe. For the Republicans, according to Dickerson, they have a chance to defend the President and show support for him. They can also use the idea that the Democrats are doing whatever they can to

get Trump out of office, because they can’t find another talking point to defeat him. However, they risk destroying the traditional values of the office of the POTUS. If the Republicans continue to defend him, even though it becomes clear he was guilty, they could look foolish. It is up to the voters to decide how they feel. They may see it as a Democratic smear campaign or just Trump being corrupt. Things could also blow up in the face of each party. However, it is clear that the impeachment proceedings will have a major impact on the 2020 Presidential Elections.

NIXON 1974

TRUMP 2020

Artwork By Abby Love ‘21

How will impeachment impact the 2020 election?

The inescapable whirlwinds of the impending impeachment hearings of Donald J. Trump investigate into Ukrainian energy provider Burisma Holdings, which had employed Hunter Biden, the son of 2020 Presidential candidate Joe Biden. Needless to say, the Democratic Party wasn't too pleased, and launched a formal impeachment inquiry on Sepoes anyone truly know what’s happening anymore? As the impeachment inquiry against President Donald tember 24th. If President Trump is impeached, it would only be the third ocTrump rolls on, it doesn’t feel like any “progress” is being made. Everyone knows that what President Trump currence of such charges in presidential history. Only Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton have been impeached, did was unethical, but is impeachbut neither were removed from office. ment really a likely outcome of the whole Though with each passing day, the possibilities situation? If President Trump is of impeachment decrease, as both sides lock into At this point, I’m not entirely sure. impeached, it would a stalemate-of-sorts. Both the Democrats and Everywhere you look, there seems to be some mention of the ongoing hearings. Look only be the third occur- Republicans will endlessly fight for their side, at your phone? Ukraine notifications crowd rence of such charges pulling as many arguments, trivial or monumenyour home screen. in presidential history. tal, as they can. It’s almost as if the quantity of the arguments matters to them more than the acAsk your history teacher? The floodgates Only Andrew Johnson tual topic of the argument. open, and an hour-long discussion about the and Bill Clinton have As someone who would rather sit on a nearby history of impeachment ensues. been impeached, but lounge chair than dive into the political pool, Turn on the television? Views of men and women, dressed fancily in suits and skirts, neither were removed there seems to be no sense of direction in this trial. Each side points fingers at the other, with are forced into your eyes. With the extensive from office. no real dividends seeming to be anywhere close. media coverage and attention that the topic Even if nothing comes of the hearings, no U.S. has received going back to the summer, what citizen will soon forget the events of the past few months. For really happened with Trump and Ukraine? A July 25th, 2019 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian Trump, it’s a very bad look, coming in the midst of a questionable President Volodymyr Zelensky holds most of the answers. In term as President of the United States. But for much of America, the now-infamous conversation, Trump requested that Zelensky it’s nothing more than a blustery, disorganized whirlwind.

By ANDREW SHINKLE ‘22 Sports Editor

Five easy steps to impeachment

Graphic by Evelyn Steele ‘21

December 2019

Features

The Voyager 5

Trump, Ukraine, and impeachment: How did we get here? By LAURA SILENZIO ‘23 Staff Reporter

he word of the year is “existential.” But the word of the month, at least in the United States, is impeachment. President Trump has been fixated on Ukraine as a solution to his political problems. In five months, his obsession upended American foreign policy and threatened his presidency. How did we get here? Aides in the White House Situation Room clustered around the speaker as Trump picked up the phone in the White House residence and was connected to Volodymyr Zelensky, the newly elected president of Ukraine. Like a usual presidential conversation with a foreign leader, there were scripted talking points and a predigested news release recounting an exchange yet to take place, but this conversation had not gone as planned. Not only had he gone off the talking points, the conversation ended with Trump asking Mr. Zelensky to “do us a

favor” by investigating his political rivals. This included former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., his son Hunter Biden, and a debunked theory that Democrats conspired with Russia to interfere in the 2016 election. Mr. Zelensky hoped to cement a relationship with the American president. But even before he took office, his aides suspected that the route to Trump ran through Mr. Rudy Giuliani rather than the State Department or the National Security Council. This conversation had turned into a threat for Trump’s presidency. Officials and top American diplomats testified to the call being inappropriate and not in line with American National Security goals. Democrats used November fifteenth’s hearings to move the focus of their growing case into the White House and back to the July phone call they see as the centerpiece of an abuse of power from the man in charge. Kurt D. Volker, the former United States special envoy to Ukraine, testified that while he was aware Trump wanted an investigation of Burisma, he did not

President Trump meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in September. The White House

make the connection at the time between Burisma and the Bidens. Democrats continued to push back against what they saw as efforts by Republicans to tease out the name of or information about the whistle-blower whose account of the July 25 call helped lead to the impeachment inquiry. Democrats wanted to redirect attention back to actions by the president, who they believe withheld the $391 million in assistance earmarked for Ukraine. It may be too early to fully know the

Whistleblowers: the needed guardians of democratic countries

just heard something dangerous. . . I am anxious for my country. . . I fear for my job. I am the whistleblower. Whistleblowers undeniably lead truth into the limelight. But, this whistleblower ultimately altered American history. Although unknown, the whistleblower has become synonymous with President Trump’s future at the White House. When the whistleblower overheard President Trump asking Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate his political rival on the stipulation of American military aid, this mysterious person came forward to make the public aware of President Trump’s asking price. Consequently, an impeachment hearing was called and the whistleblower has evidently changed the history books. What does a whistleblower have to do with the impeaching of a president? Merriam Webster defines a whistleblower as “an employee who brings wrongdoing by an employer or other employees to the attention of a government or law enforcement agency and who is commonly vested by statute with rights and remedies for retaliation.” Whistleblowers have always been an integral part of the accountability of those in power. The first whistleblowers documented in American history accused Naval officer Esek Hopkins of torturing British

soldiers. During the Civil War, whistleblower laws were refined and given more power. When the Union Army was sold inferior supplies, the federal government passed the False Claims Act to protect all citizens who file a lawsuit on behalf of the government, if they believe the government is being scammed. The act also entitled the whistleblower to half of the damages won. The most relevant whistleblower law that is currently influencing the impeachment proceedings is the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989. This act protects the identity of any federal government employees, preventing alienation and further ensuring the protection of a whistleblower’s identity. However, the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 only requires that an identity is kept secret by the inspector general, not by any member of Congress or even the president. Former Acting Director of the CIA, John McLaughlin told NPR that part of the reason why federal laws do not prohibit the president from outing a whistleblower is that the concept was never considered within the realm of possibility before Trump took office. If President T r u m p announces the whistleblower’s i d e n t i t y, Congress’

Who’s who in the impeachment trial By AARON ARNSTEIN ‘20 Staff Reporter

response will be unprecedented. President Trump is technically not breaking any laws by releasing the whistleblower’s name, unless the whistleblower loses his job or is physically harmed. As president, however, his job is to uphold the integrity and trust of the American people. Is that a possibility if he fails to defend the right to free opinion? The whistleblower is upholding the rights granted by the Constitution and is ensuring that American people are granted the opportunity to hear the truth. The anonymous source has the courage necessary to risk national derision to uphold the integrity and accountability of the federal government. Tom Devine, the legal director for the Government Accountability Project, told NPR that the impeachment proceedings depend on a much larger picture than “illegality.” It’s about the free flow of information that’s a prerequisite for law enforcement and for the Constitutional system of checks and balances,” he said. Artwork by Leah Snyderman ‘22

By SASHA TUDDENHAM ‘20 Features Editor

effect the hearings are having on public opinion. Television ratings and opinion polls released in recent days suggest that public engagement has so far fallen short of hearings at the height of Watergate and the impeachment of President Bill Clinton. After three days of public testimony, House Republicans appear to be holding together in Trump’s corner, unconvinced that it warrants a remedy as drastic as impeachment.

Fiona Hill: From 2017-July 2019, Hill was the senior director on the National Security Council in charge of U.S. policy with Europe, including Ukraine. Publicly testifying, Hill debunked the theory of Ukrainian meddling during the 2016 Presidential Election. Alexander Vindman: A Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, Vindman is the Director of European affairs on the National Security Council. While testifying, Lt. Col. Vindman expressed recognition of a clear quid pro quo while listening in on the July 25 phone call between Trump and Zelensky. Gordon Sondland: He serves as the U.S. ambassador to the European Union In September, he exchanged texts with Bill Taylor, the top diplomat in Ukraine, speaking of withholding aid from Ukraine in exchange to investigate the Bidens. During his testimony, he admitted that he believed there was a quid pro quo between the two sides. Marie Yovanovitch: She was the ambassador to Ukraine until her resignation in May, caused by attacks led by Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Guliani, who accused her of being unloyal to the president and trying to interfere with Trump’s Ukraine policy. Mick Mulvaney: The acting White House Chief of Staff and Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Trump told Mulvaney to put a hold on aid to Ukraine. Mulvaney is alleged to have known about a possibile quid pro quo with Ukraine. Mike Pompeo: Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, was one of the individuals who listened into the July 25 call between Trump and Zelensky. He has been criticized for failing to defend Ambassador Yovanovitch after her abrupt resignation. Rudy Guliani: The former mayor of New York is currently President Trump’s personal lawyer. He headed efforts to convince Ukraine to open an investigation into the Bidens and has been criticized for playing a major role in Ambassador Yovanovitch’s resignation.

Features

6 The Voyager

December 2019

Dual credit classes are growing, offering many benefits

By MATT STEINSALTZ ‘20 Editor-in-Chief

he dual credit program is growing, and so are opportunities it presents. Over the past four years, the dual credit eligible classes has grown three fold. The program allows for high school students taking dual credit eligible classes to receive Camden County Community College credit. The dual credit program has been around for a while, but in recent years the administration has focused on providing students with the opportunity to graduate with college credit. So they have reached out to Camden County Community College to see what classes could become dual credit eligible. This year AP Language and Composition and AP Literature have been approved for dual credit. The process was quite simple. “All we did was submit our syllabus and have a meeting with the dean of the English department at Camden County. After that we were approved,” said AP Literature teacher Mrs. Pomerantz. Because their curriculum is already over the top, they The list of courses available for dual credit is growing. Those courses highlighted have been approved, but are not currently offered. didn’t have any changes to make to their curriculum. Supervisor of Guidance, Mr. Susko, said they have to the discretion of each school. “I have seen state schools made an effort to identify classes that are eligible. “We and private schools, big schools and small schools, near are always going to look,” he said. schools and far schools accept the Camden County credit. With college credit being available via dual credit, It’s completely up to the school,” said Mr. Susko. AP registration could be impacted. “It is certainly a When compared to AP credit, it isn’t really much possibility that AP registration could be impacted, but different. Some colleges accept AP credit and some the district’s philosophy is to provide the opportunity for don’t. It’s a risk reward, but a risk worth taking. credit,” said Mr. Susko. An AP test costs $94, while a dual credit class is $150 to The school is willing to take a hit on its AP registration apply for. Compare that to the thousands of dollars that numbers, if it means offering more opportunities for their same class costs, it’s a bargain. students. Mrs. Pomerantz and Mrs. Steller haven’t seen In the 2018-2019 school year, 339 students applied much of an impact on their AP registration numbers. for dual credit, so students are taking advantage of the They both said that most of their students have registered opportunity presented to them. With more classes eligible for the AP Exam. “However, it is a wait and see game for this year, the number should only go up. the long term impacts. A prime example of a student taking advantage of dual The students may have more opportunities, but they also credit was last year. A student graduated Eastern with an have more decisions to make. Do they sign up for the AP associates degree (2 year degree) from Camden County. test, Dual Credit, or both? He did get some credit from option 2 (taking classes at “My advice would be to do your research. Find out what Camden County), but got a majority of his credits from the colleges you are looking at prefer and then make your dual credit. decision,” said Mr. Susko. Mr. Susko knows it’s a valuable opportunity. “To be able The Camden County credit is transferable to all New to graduate high school with college credit is awesome,” Jersey State schools, for example, Rutgers, TCNJ, he said. Graphic by Matt Steinsaltz ‘20 Stockton, etc. However, once you leave the state it is up

Getting out the youth vote: exercise your rights By SASHA TUDDENHAM ‘20 Features Editor

tudent activist Nicole Markus cannot wait to vote. “Teenagers are literally the ones who will be affected the most by government decisions,” Markus said. “We have just as much (and sometimes more) knowledge than adults and the capability to speak up and make a change.” Voting is a right granted to all American citizens over the age of 18, yet only 56% of Americans exercise their right to vote, the Pew Research Center found. For over a decade, the highest recorded young voter turnout of those 18-29 was only 20% in the nation. However, when teenagers were made aware of politics and realized they disagreed with the decisions of their policy makers, many decided to take action. The amount of student voters more than doubled to 40.3% between the 2014 and 2018 midterms, according to Tufts University’s Institute for Democracy & Higher Education. Markus became involved in activism when she realized the government did not share her beliefs. She has joined activist groups and attended young leader seminars to ensure her voice is heard. Many state colleges have organized “early-voting sites” to encourage student voting. Additionally, most private colleges have supported absentee voting for any students who are unable to return home to cast their vote.

The University of Michigan challenged their rival schools to see who could get more of their students to vote. Binghamton University even promised prizes, such as television sets or games, to the dorm building that registered the most voters. Conversely, many state legislators are giving colleges grief for their effort to increase voter turnout. States like Texas and New Hampshire are beginning to block out-of-state students from voting because college campuses are not considered a permanent residence. Legislators in such states claim students cause an unfair advantage to differing political views for as the Pew Center found 58% of voters registered as democrats. In the Supreme Court ruling, Symm v. United States, it was decided that blocking anyone’s r i g h t to vote over the age of 18 violates the 26th amendment, which promises a vote to anyone over the age of 18. Even after the ruling, states are trying to stop an overwhelming “democrat” vote as colleges makes voting more accessible to out-of-state residents. Still, many policymakers remember that voting is created to give everyone a voice. New Jersey Assemblyman Greenwald realizes that politics revolve around the principle of listening to one another to find an agreement. If people can look above “divisive politics,” people will actually be able to work together to invoke positive change, he said.

“It’s about including people with diverse backgrounds in the conversation, and ensuring that everybody has a chance to have their voice heard,” he said. Greenwald belives that teenagers, despite being unable to vote, need to advocate for issues that matter. Just like Markus, any teenager can get involved in politics, even if they are under the age of 18. AP Government teacher, Mr. Hering, teaches students how to make an informed, well-rounded opinion about current and past politics. The class covers everything from constitutional federalism to the American political process to conducting an in-depth analysis of the 3 branches of government. To make the democracy the healthiest it can be, there needs to be informed citizens in every age group of American society, Mr. Hering said. Current events are always prominent when discussing history, especially the “concepts of constitutionalism” and the “debates over strong vs weak central governments.” Students leave AP government knowing the necessity to vote and to encourage others to vote as well. States that require a civics course to graduate high school hold higher community service rates and civil engagement,

the Corporation for National and Community Service found. New Jersey does not require an independent civics class. Instead, legislators simply ask for two years of social studies classes with an emphasis on civics. Eastern does encourage civil engagement by requiring community service to graduate, offering rigorous United States History courses, and maintaining an inclusive student counsel. Senior Abigail Prutchi, who is both involved in student counsel and is currently enrolled in Mr. Hering’s AP government, believes voting is every American’s “civil duty.” “Think about how it can effect you and how your vote effects people that you know, people around you, your family,” Prutchi said. “If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain about the government because you chose not to make your voice heard.” With an increasingly divisive political climate, youth voting numbers have seemed to increase, college students are fighting to have easy access to voting, and civics classes are becoming increasingly vital. Teenagers need to pay attention to the political climate and to the policies legislators are approving to ensure their opinions are being fairly represented. “To teenagers who aren’t involved with politics: you should be,” Markus said. “This is your life the government is influencing, and you should be there to give your consent or dissent for policies at every step of the way.” Artwork by Sara Tuddenham ‘20

December 2019

Features

The Voyager 7

The art of hate-following in Gen-Z By AVA HANCOCK ‘20 Managing Editor

s I was scrolling through Twitter in my TIR period, I came across an interesting article on my “Moments” page entitled, “I was Caroline Calloway.” I had never heard of Caroline Calloway before, much less the woman who wrote the article, Natalie Beech, but I’m a sucker for a good exposé, and I could tell I was in for a wild one. This was two months ago. The second my ﬁnger tapped that link, I fell down the rabbit hole. To sum up the article and all its quirks and curveballs, a 20-something-year old Natalie Beech recalls her friendship with Instagram inﬂuencer Caroline Calloway, for whom she ghost wrote captions for in 2012-2013 and helped craft a book proposal for in 2016. Natalie raises anecdotes from their college and post-graduation years together, painting herself as the poor, lessattractive sidekick to Caroline’s rich and beautiful genius. For example, she tells a story about the time her and Calloway went on a trip to Europe together, which consisted of Natalie playing photographer for Caroline and then sitting in a hotel room later in the day drafting clever captions that she would get no credit for.

Another time, years later, Caroline much she loves and misses Natalie, how abandoned Natalie at a bar in Amsterdam, much she believes in her, and how her taking their Airbnb key with her, and adderall addiction was to blame for their forcing Natalie to run around the dark, unfair treatment towards Natalie. foreign city for hours before finding a She’s revelling in the attention, reposting museum bathroom to sleep in. every article that defends her in some A rtw or capacity and bragging about the famous Every horrible, cringey k by actresses that are fighting to land a role anecdote ends Av a H in the movie about her and Natalie’s with Caroline an co friendship. consoling ck ‘2 0 In between these posts, she advertises her homemade art, which is essentially just cut-out paper glued on to other pieces of larger paper priced Natalie, upwards apologizing of $200, a n d profusely, telling writes her she’s beautiful extremely and worthy. detailed The whole relationship captions about reeks of toxicity, but every reader can find vague the male models she reflections of their own lives dates. and relationships in the story. I, like many other people, If you can’t identify the Caroline have begun Calloway in your life, then it’s probably hate-following Caroline. In other words, you. I waste my time and data engaging with If you’re thinking, “who cares?”, the her posts and stories just to find more answer is Caroline. Since the article reasons to hate her. I know it’s wrong and pretty pathetic, was published on The Cut, she’s posted but why can’t I stop? I have an on Instagram obsessively— about how

uncontrollable urge to bring up Caroline in any conversation revolving around social media, even if no one knows who she is. To quote Cady Heron from Mean Girls, “I could hear people getting bored with me, but I just couldn’t stop.” The psychology of hate-following is perplexing. I couldn’t unfollow Caroline even on my best day. Watching her manipulate her audience of nearly a million people makes me feel better about myself in some weird way. She may have a beautiful Manhattan apartment and can afford said apartment just by selling Henri Mattise knockoff art, but at least I’m loyal and self-aware, right? Right. I do a similar thing with a Reddit thread called “Am I the A**hole?” where people post anecdotes where they were made out to be the bad person in the situation and then ask if they were truly in the wrong. The thread has so many followers that don’t even post anything, but just lurk, silently “tsk-tsking” all of the foolish people who so clearly are the antagonists. As long as social media exists, people will hate-follow. It’s a way to validate yourself without actually acting on your feelings. It’s wrong and a waste of time and shameful in every way, but it’s an unavoidable symptom that comes with being a part of Gen-Z. With technology at our ﬁngertips 24/7, it’s just too easy to let the lives of other people consume you.

School needs serious modifications to alleviate student stress As pre-teens and adolescents begin to realize what grades and standardized By JONAH GUTTERMAN ‘21 test scores really count for, this can Staff Reporter trigger an overwhelming explosion of anxiety. When eighth grade rolls around, tress is literally an inescapable, teachers and parents begin to explain the inevitable aspect of our lives importance of getting the best grades every single day. No matter possible in high school and how those how hard you try to block out, grades will eventually determine the odds reduce, and cope with stress, of getting into prestigious universities. it’s still always there. With the “mental As a 13 or 14 year old kid, you are health awareness movement” on the rise suddenly being told that your academic in the past decade, students, teachers, success for the next four years children, and adults alike are becoming essentially determines your future. That more aware of the causes and effects of is an extremely difficult concept to anxiety. understand for young teenagers whose Stress and anxiety are common things brains are not yet fully equipped with that almost everyone in the world reports critical thinking and decision-making encountering at least one time, or many skills. Soon thereafter, school goes from times, during their lifetime. However, an a place where you “try your best” to a increased amount of anxiety can begin to place in which your success supposedly be a cause for concern when it starts to influences your adult life and beyond. become more than just a ‘typical’ thing. When high school begins, the pressure But where does this anxiety all stem intensifies, and quickly. Many students from? are told they “have to” take higher-level, In an upper-middle class suburban rigorous classes town such as in order to make You are asked very few times, Voorhees, an their resume and area specifically if ever, what your high school transcript look known for its “grade point average” was. as attractive excellent quality You are asked very few times, as possible for of education, when applying if ever, how many “A’s” you many children are to potential got in your high school class. under immense colleges. pressure starting In the eyes of at a very young many, a grade age to “be the best.” In school, sports, and next to a student’s name depicts not activities, kids are pressured to succeed just how well one performs on tests and and perform superiorly to their peers. quizzes, but actually how intelligent that Starting as early as 5th or 6th grade, student is. Put simply, this perspective students are pushed hard by parents and that some people may have is absolutely teachers to work as hard as they can and unequivocally false and unfairlyin order to achieve the best test scores based. and numerical grade results they can. In even more recent days, such as the This extreme academic competitiveness past year or two, there is now much talk starting at such an early age instills strong that “colleges do not take SAT or ACT values in the minds’ of many students that scores into account as much as they used it is important to do well in school, which to.” Apparently, some colleges around the is of course a great value to have. nation are now even unwilling to accept However, this competitiveness can or acknowledge these standardized test eventually begin to have negative scores as a means to getting enrolled into emotional and psychological effects on their school. the tender brains of middle-school aged So now, this puts us back in the exact same students.

place we started… why are parents and teachers putting so much pressure on the shoulders of teenagers to have to “score above a 1300” on the SAT when apparently the test is now becoming obsolete? Well, this is now the question we all must begin to ask ourselves as anxiety issues and depression skyrocket and standardized test scores and grades, in some cases, may begin to plummet. What is really more worth it to us, as a society, in the long-run: the mental stability of our next generation or how high of a score one can achieve on standardized tests? What is a more important skill for our youth to possess: learning how to be a kind and successful person in the real world by being able to communicate effectively

Artwork by Ava Hancock ‘20

with one another, or calculating the Pythagorean theorem and memorizing the quadratic formula? Well, the truth is, there really is no “right” answer. But, I’ll leave you with something interesting to think about as I conclude this article. As an adult in the working world, you are asked very few times, if ever, what you got on the SAT. You are asked very few times, if ever, what your high school “grade point average” was. You are asked very few times, if ever, how many “A’s” you got in your high school class. What the young people of today need in order to succeed in adult life are skills such as real-world problem solving, understanding how to deal with everydaylife situations, and knowing how to recognize the feelings of others’ around them.

8 December 2019

Lunch an

nd Learn

The Voyager 9

10 The Voyager

Opinion

December 2019

Ways to improve the classroom experience are many and critical

Eastern Regional High School 1401 Laurel Oak Road Voorhees, NJ 08043 856-784-4441 www.voyager-online.org YouTube: ehs voyager Twitter: @ehsvoyager Instagram: @ehsvoyager

Editorial Staff

Matt Steinsaltz: Editor-in-Chief Ava Hancock: Managing Editor Josh Meyers: Associate Editor-in-Chief Evelyn Steele: Associate Editor-in-Chief Val Lapinson: Associate Editor-in-Chief Jacob Saﬁer: Opinion Editor Jake Fritz: News Editor

Many online assignments are reproduced from other sources which allows students to copy answers and not truly think about the material. To fight the lack of engagement in classrooms, we need to take a step back in time. Technology looks impressive, but it is being overused. We need to go back to original work and not cheating. Another issue that is plaguing the younger generation is an inability to manage their workload. With more pressure being placed on students than ever, students are constantly bombarded with homework, projects, and tests. Many students lose track of their assignments b e c a u s e of Google Classroom. M a n y teachers will rapidly post assignments without even announcing them in class. Teachers need to limit their reliance on technology to convey messages to students, but students must also be proactive. While teachers should do more in person, students need to adapt to the changing world and check for any assignments on their own time. Time management skills are essential in the world after high school. Students need to learn on their own how to plan out completion of assignments and know what they are working on. After all, teachers won’t care if you do your work or not in college- it is up to the student to take the initiative. The classroom experience for students can be significantly improved by increasing engagement between the students and teachers. Students should not be doing work just for a quiz, but to actually learn. Technology also needs to be used efficiently. Students need assignments that they cannot cheat on or else there will be no true learning. And distractions caused by technology must be prevented so maximum engagement can be achieved.

Staff editorial

Sasha Tuddenham: Features Editor Jenna Preston: Entertainment Editor Andrew Shinkle: Sports Editor Sami Frankel: Video Editor

Staff Reporters

Aaron Arnstein, Abigail Love, Adam Saladino, Allan Belizaire, Antonia Zong, Arianna Morales, Clare Fitzpatrick, Ethan Mack, Faith Mendelson, Faith Sirdashney, Jonah Gutterman, Joseph Loverdi, Laura Silenzio, Leah Snyderman, Matthew Chowansky, Nate Grifﬁn, Valerie Nguyen

Letters to the Editor

Submit signed letters to Room 605 or email ehsvoyager@gmail.com Walter Bowne, Advisor: Room 605

Cartoon by Melissa Wangsa ‘20

astern has long relished its tradition of educational excellence. It is consistently ranked among the top three high schools in Camden County. The resources here are plentiful. Students are armed with iPads. The school is fully loaded with Macs and Smart Boards. Educational resources include an inviting Media Center with books and an unlimited information on online databases. From fashion to calculus, the school offers a buffet of courses. It even offers numerous AP courses. Any student who struggles can attend teacher ofﬁce hours or Academic Support in the Learning Center on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. That we know. But despite all of this, issues with testing, classroom instruction, and misuse of technology still plague classrooms and prevent students from learning effectively. A big issue in the classroom is an emphasis on testing. Many tests and quizzes do not truly evaluate a student’s abilities. A common misuse of testing is open-note quizzes. Many teachers assign readings to students for homework and evaluate them the next day with open-note quizzes. However, most students don’t take good notes. Many students cheat and copy online notes. Students need to be given ways to learn without having an opportunity to cheat. Many students also run into issues with classroom instruction. There are many instances where students are unable to learn due to them being distracted or not being able to follow the lesson. A large issue with teaching, though, is the lack of any teaching at all. Most teachers at Eastern are excellent at conveying the curriculum to students, but there are also classes where most of the work is busy-work. Work such as textbook readings and worksheets is being constantly assigned by teachers, leaving little time for any interactive lessons or student engagement. Another problem with busy-work is that it is mostly deferred to online. Students used to have to physically read a textbook and think about their answers to a problem. But now with the iPads, students do not have to read anything at all. Almost all worksheet answers are available online for anyone to access. Technology has ruined students’ engagement in the classroom. While Eastern is at the top of the charts in its stockpile of tech, it is used very poorly and inefﬁciently. While students’ easy access to information should be a useful resource that helps with learning, it has become the opposite. It is being used to cheat and bypass actual learning. Computers are a great way to save paper and minimize our environmental footprint, but we need to relook how we use it. To avoid this problem of cheating and relying on the internet, teachers need to assign work that requires critical thinking. A simple worksheet can easily be completed by looking up the answers.

Short-e-torials Rowan University

Suicide isn’t the answer

When I ﬁrst heard about the three suicides at Rowan University, my heart dropped out of my chest. I immediately texted my good friend, who is currently studying at Rowan, to see if he was okay. Fortunately, he was, but he happened to be in the building next door to where the suicide attempt occurred on Thursday. As he was walking out of class, he saw the ambulance driving in. While I’m glad my friend is alright, I am still worried about other college students. As a senior in high school, many colleges showcase a friendly and supportive environment. Both the staff and fellow students are there to support and help you through a hard time. Suicide isn’t, and should never be the answer to escaping your problems. BY FAITH SIRDASHNEY ’20

Philly Dispatch

Yo, banning e-cigs is not enough

Teenagers across the nation are addicted to vaping and while its dangerous effects are still unknown, lung disease cases are on the rise, causing debates on how to deter young developing minds from further ailment. Banning is one option, however according to history this seems to have the opposite effect. So maybe if the terms of the ban are more clever than traditional bans, like how Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney approved a bill that bans high-nicotine e-cigarette sales at public stores in which teens and children are allowed to enter. It will take more than FDA commercials to scare off teens, and more through public education on the matter. By ARIANNA MORALES ‘22

The 38th Parallel

DPRK Won’t Back Down

North Korea announced that they’d completed another “important test” for an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) on Sunday. The test was most likely on an engine for an ICBM, and was completed at the same site that the DPRK began to dismantle after denuclearization talks with the US. It’s clear that the global community needs to do more with the DPRK. North Korea continues to test nuclear missiles despite promising to denuclearize, and stronger measures (especially pressure from North Korean allies like China and Russia) need to be taken to prevent them from possibly launching one on an enemy such as the US or Japan. By JOSEPH LOVERDI ‘22

You’re all just bricks in the wall

Trump’s “Wall” affects Americans, too

The reason behind President Trump’s decision to build The Wall was to halt drug trafficking and illegal immigrants to the United States right? Well, little did he know, that Americans would soon find faults in that plan, and attempt to dismantle it. As Trump begins to progress with building “The Wall,” he ran into a little problem. In order to start construction, he would need to occupy much of southern Texas’s land. To no one’s surprise, Texans aren’t very happy with this development. The government has since started to send official documents to residents in Texas, saying that they would like to take a look at their land. If the residents don’t agree, they will find a lawsuit at the front of their door. Since the wall’s purpose was to help Americans, and make our lives better, why is it instead driving hundreds of Americans out of their homes in the southern U.S? Americans shouldn’t be driven out of their homes to oblige by something that’s meant to protect them. By ANTONIA ZONG ‘22

The Voyager 11 Opinion Is vaping actually better than smoking? Studies show it’s still toxic By LAURA SILENZIO ‘23 Staff Reporter

s vaping actually better than smoking? Is vaping bad in general? Among youth, e-cigarettes are more popular than any other regular tobacco product. There are so many things we don’t know about what chemicals actually make up the vapor and how they truly alter someone’s physical health over a long period of time. Johns Hopkins’ Michael Blaha, M.D., M.P.H., wrote the article, “5 Vaping Facts You Need to Know” about the vaping epidemic. He wrote, “Many e-cigarette users get even more nicotine than they would from a tobacco product – you can buy extra-strength cartridges, which have a higher concentration of nicotine, or you can increase the e-cigarette’s voltage to get a greater hit of the substance.” Why are people using this as a way to quit smoking when e-cigarettes are just as addictive? This product can have been more of the addictive substance then the actual product you are trying to get away from! Many people just end up continuing to smoke both traditional and e-cigarettes. In 2015, the U.S. Surgeon General reported that “e-cigarette use among high school students had increased by 900 per-

cent, and 40 percent of young e-cigarette users had never even smoked regular tobacco.” Even back in 2015, many teens were using e-cigarettes. More and more kids are doing it now. E-cigarettes are supposed to be a way to get people to stop smoking. Not only is it more addicting and doesn’t really help you quit altogether, it’s attracting young teens and giving them their own version of a cigarette. The makers of vapes advertise it so kids will buy it. Many teens are so uneducated about it that they believe it’s better than actual smoking. Some vape brands produce very little vapor, allowing for discreeness and have different ﬂavorings that appeal to teens and adults. People who’d never smoke otherwise are now starting to vape because it’s marketed to make it seem like a ﬂavored vapor. If it’s really supposed to only help people quit smoking, why do the executives make it so appealing? The smoking rate has been declining for years, but now with the increasing popularity of vapes, more and more people are giving in to nicotine. Plus, much more evidence is needed to show its capabilities for legitimately quitting these tobacco products. Reversing all of that work into the global effort to stop smoking is mov

College Board greed evident in AP registration change

When the registration was in March, it gave the power to the students because they would have a better sense of how much they know the course and if they ith the AP test registrawill do well on the exam. If a student tion having come to a was struggling in the course, they had the close on November 1st, chance of saving $94 on a registration fee, students across the counknowing that the chances of getting a detry have frantically had to cent score were low. Now, it is more of a choose whether or not they will take the shot in the dark because students have no test in May. For those who don’t know, clue how the AP course will go for them. the Advanced Placement test registration Come time to take the test, the registraused to take place in March. This year, the tion fee could be a huge waste of money, College Board decided to change the regand if they decide to cancel, there is a istration date, which has been a surprise to cancelation fee. On the other side of the students and faculty. coin, this works to College Board’s benWhile the change has taken many stuefit because they won’t lose the students dents off guard, one common question who decide to not take the test like they about the matter is: “Why change the did when the registradate?” College Board According to Total tion was in March. has been adamant about Registration, College College Board also how the change in date of registration will re- Board made a stagger- claims that through sult in higher scores ing total of $1.12 bil- their study, they saw an increase in test scores through their own study lion in 2017 and has in minorities, but Toin the 2017-18 camincreased its revenue tal Registration, an orpaign of tests. They say that with the regis- in ten of the last eleven ganization that helps schools get through the tration being sooner, years. AP exams, looked into students will be more the study and explained motivated through the that, “3,141 additional low-income test year to try harder in class, study more at takers at the pilot schools but only 742 home, and ultimately score higher on the additional scores of 3+. This gives a pass AP exam. However, it is hard to exclude a rate (scores of 3+) of 23.6 percent for the more sinister aspect to the change: money. ‘additional’ low-income test takers. AnAccording to Total Registration, College other way to look at this is that 76.4 perBoard made a staggering total of $1.12 cent of the low-income students who were billion in 2017 and has increased its revcoerced to take the exams because of the enue in ten of the last eleven years. The new deadline, late fees [and] cancellation organization has been under fire continufees did not pass (scored a 1 or 2).” ously for their nonprofit title when high Students around the country have tried ranking officials use their power to make to take matters in their own hands by crehundreds of thousands of dollars. ating a petition to stop the change, howevWith so much money coming in for Coler it looks like the 120 thousand students lege Board, how does changing the regiswho have signed the petition online will tration date make such a huge difference? not see their wish granted since College Now while worrying about getting into Board has not budged. the groove of the new school year, SATs, From the point of view of a high school college applications, and everything in student, the whole situation just makes between, students have to add the regisme angrier at an organization that has tration to their stress. The smaller window caused so much stress for myself, and so of time to make a decision can force rash many other students. decisions before the student knows if they are fully capable of taking the test. By ADAM SALADINO ‘20 Staff Reporter

Artwork by Allison Bruner ‘23

December 2019

ing the world backwards. Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of death and is responsible for about 480,000 American lives lost each year. It doesn’t have to be this way. How can we end America’s vaping epidemic so we can live happier, healthier lives? It starts with you.

The Voyager staff conducted a survey of over 400 Eastern students regarding vaping. The staff is working on a future double-spread story about vaping. Look for this in-depth story in 2020.

Politically Speaking Middle East

with Jacob Saﬁer ‘20

The Trump Administration is considering signiﬁcantly expanding the United States’ presence in the Middle East, including 14,000 additional troops in order to counter the threat of Iran. While Trump made a campaign promise to get out of the Middle East, this is the right decision because Iran is threatening the stability of the entire region and the world. They are arming and funding terrorists in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Yemen and are reportedly on track to developing a nuclear weapon very soon. At the same time, the people of Iran are protesting day and night to have freedom. The United States needs to stop the Iranian threat from growing before it is too late.

Hong Kong

China is hitting back at the United States for passing a mostly symbolic bill that sanctions Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations in Hong Kong following massive protests that have been ongoing since early summer. The protests initially began as a reaction to an extraction bill passed by the government that would undermine the autonomy of Hong Kong from mainland China. The protests have switched gears and become more of a fight for freedom and human rights. Since the U.S. is publicly supporting the protesters, China is angry and is threatening U.S. military exercises and is halting progress in the trade war. Even though Trump’s stance could affect progress with China, it is essential that we stand up for what is right. It is time we put our values over short-term economic interests. Back in October, the Houston Rockets General Manager tweeted in support of the Hong Kong protests. As a result, Chinese media suspended television contracts with the NBA. Since then, there has been an outpouring of support among U.S. fans for freedom in Hong Kong. This upset the NBA because they could lose profit they make from Chinese viewership. But standing up for freedom is the right thing to do. It’s time we stop letting China control us and start standing up for ourselves and all those oppressed around the world.

NATO

President Trump left a NATO summit early after an embarrassing video was released showing French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte talking negatively about the President. This is deﬁnitely a setback in relations between the U.S. and its European allies. The President of the United States deserves respect and it was right for him to leave and not take the disrespect from world leaders.

Israel

Back in October, I wrote about how Israel had second elections and the formation of a new government was uncertain. Today, the formation of a new coalition is seeming less and less likely and third elections are more probable. Despite Israel’s domestic troubles, its progress with the U.S. has been immense. The Trump Administration just changed the United States’ longtime stance and now says Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) are not illegal. Standing by Israel’s right to settle in Judea and Samaria is essential to Israel’s security. Israel faces a threat from all its borders and it cannot let terrorists enter its entire eastern border. It is important for the U.S. to stand with Israel no matter who is in charge of either government.

12 The Voyager

Entertainment

December 2019

The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” for the non-fan

By JOSEPH LOVERDI ‘22 Staff Reporter

et me put this out - I’m not a Beatles fan. Shocking, I know. You know that one snobby music fan you’re friends with who reads Pitchfork all the time and listens to indie music only? That’s me. Radiohead’s my favorite band, and they’re the total opposite of the Beatles: abrasive, inquisitive, and most of all: kind of scary. I never really listened to the Beatles as a kid, and I sure haven’t listened to one of their albums all the way through. Until one day in journalism when Mr. Bowne (our teacher, James Murphy look-alike, and a huge Beatles fan) played Abbey Road full stop on its 50th anniversary. So, here’s Abbey Road, the Beatles’ seminal 1969 album, for someone who doesn’t like the Beatles. For some context - in 1969, the Beatles weren’t exactly the best of friends. Guitarist George Harrison was spending more time with Eric Clapton, John Lennon was getting more political and spending time with his (horrible singer) wife Yoko Ono, and Paul McCartney was moving in a pop direction. They also did a lot of drugs, mainly LSD. And the album’s first (and bestknown) song,

“Mean Mr. Mustard” truly brings the medley in, and is a short song inspired by a newspaper article about a miser who hides his money so he couldn’t spend it. It’s an okay song, and blends into another rocker with

“Polythene Pam”, which is about a cross dresser. It’s reminiscent of their old music in a good way, as it’s short, clean, and concise.

“I appreciate the Beatles, as all four members are fantastic instrumentalists.”

“Come Together” deals with LSD. It’s a campaign song for LSD pioneer Timothy Leary, who was going to run for governor of California. “Come Together” is a decent song. The lyrics make no sense, which makes sense because it’s about drugs, and the guitar playing from Harrison is pretty good. “Something” is George Harrison’s song, and it’s written about his wife Pattie Boyd. Paul McCartney plays the drums, and they’re not the best, as he’s not a natural drummer. Harrison was also never really the best singer, but he sounds good on this one he croons for the one he loves. He didn’t even want to do it in the first place, offering it to Joe Cocker and Jackie Lomax before recording it himself. Overall, it’s just meh. Another well-known song, and one that’s pretty sentimental (Frank Sinatra called it one of the greatest love songs ever), but it doesn’t really vibe with me. “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” is about a medical student named Maxwell Edison who kills three people (his girlfriend, a lecturer, and a judge) with a silver hammer. Excuse me, what? John Lennon said it was about karma, but my guess is that there was a LOT of drugs that went into the creative process for this song. The electric piano is interesting, but I didn’t like it that much. Yet that’s the only bad part about the song. It’s a happy song about a not happy subject with great instrumentals in the vein of Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks”, and I enjoyed it a lot.

“She Came In Through The Bathroom Window” was another

song offered to Joe Cocker, and he turned it down (but he’d cover it later). I don’t know why he did though, cause it’s a great song that’s essentially “Mean Mr. Mustard,” but with weirder lyrics.

“Golden Slumbers” was written by Thomas Dekker, a famous British writer, and it’s a shift from the previous three songs, ending the medley. It’s less of a rocker, and more of a piano ballad about fatherhood. I don’t really care for it, as Paul’s raspy voice returns for the worse. It kind of ruins the song for me. “Carry that Weight” sounds exactly like the beginning “You Never Give Me Your Money”, and is seen as a manifestation of the Beatles carrying the weight of being famous. “The End” starts with a Ringo drum solo (good), but isn’t even the end of the album (bad). It’s still pretty good though, as I love Ringo’s choppy drumming on the song and the hard-rocking guitar solos. It ends with a false ending though, and I hate false endings. Come on

“Oh, Darling” is basically a 50’s love ballad. Paul wanted his voice to be raspy like singers from that era, and Lennon hated that (he wanted the song to be perfect). I can understand why, as I don’t particularly like raspy voices. It’s another meh song. I appreciate the way Paul wanted to approach this song, but I don’t feel like it’s executed properly.

guys, just end it once! The last song is “Her

Majesty”, and it closes out the album

well. It’s 23 seconds, and is yet another meh song. It’s just Paul on his acoustic guitar, and it doesn’t impress me.

“Octopus’s Garden” is Ringo’s song, and I say GIVE STARR A

CHANCE! I listened to this as a kid in elementary school and it drew me in, and I still love it today. This is the best song on the album, no questions asked. Great drumming, perfect backup vocals, and beautiful piano and guitar fills ring throughout the joyous song. If there’s one song anyone should listen to from Abbey Road, it should be this.

And thus ends Abbey Road. I was expecting it to be some sort of masterpiece, yet I’d say it’s just a good, but not great, album. I feel mostly indifferent about Abbey Road after listening all the way through it.. I appreciate the Beatles, as all four members are fantastic instrumentalists, but they’re not really my cup of tea. Personally, I’d recommend other British albums like Radiohead’s 2007 classic In Rainbows, Blur’s seminal 1994 release Parklife, and Franz Ferdinand’s 2004 eponymous debut, all of which are fantastic. I’d give Abbey Road a solid 7 out of 10. Not my favorite album, but the bright spots (“Octopus’s Garden”, “Here Comes the Sun”, “You Never Give Me Your Money”) are really good.

“I Want You” is John Lennon’s supposed masterpiece on the album, but when you say the title of the song in every sentence, it gets really annoying. It’s also EIGHT MINUTES LONG. This song is about Yoko Ono, who once wrote a poem consisting of the word ‘water’ and nothing else. I guess that rubbed off on him, and not in a good way. Not to mention that the jam session is just droning. By far the worst song on the album.

“Here Comes The Sun” is another classic, and you can’t go wrong with it. It was written by George during a time of upheaval for the Beatles, as there was a bitter clash between Allen Klein and John Eastman (Paul’s wife’s brother who was hired to represent them all) over who would manage them. Harrison wrote it at Eric Clapton’s house during a flash of optimism, and it rubs off on the track. It’s a bright and sunny song sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. Another one I’d recommend. And now we get to the medley. It’s the last 10 songs of the album, and they’re

See more Abbey Road reveiws and opinions from the voyager staff online at www.voyager-online.org

all supposed to blend together yet are unfinished as all hell. “Because” is the first song from it, and it’s super trippy. It doesn’t cater to my taste at all, and I don’t like it at all. It has nonsensical lyrics, weird organ fills, and a lack of guitar.

“You Never Give Me Your Money” is our first McCartney song, and it’s about his wife Linda. It’s a good one, starting with a more lo-fi feel (less bombastic arrangements, more quiet), and then, all of a sudden, McCartney’s voice gets all low, and he sing-talks (it’s like rapping, but not). The best part of any Beatles song is when he does that. After “Octopus’s Garden”, “You Never Give Me Your Money” is the best song from Abbey Road. Truly fantastic. “Sun King” is another trippy song that Lennon went from loving to hating, and I can see why, as it’s a dreamy song, yet another type of song I don’t cater to. It’s an ode to Louis XIV, the French “sun king”. Why would you write a song about Louis XIV? He wasn’t even a good king!

“I’d give Abbey Road a solid 7 out of 10. Not my favorite album, but the bright spots are really good. “

Photo by Sami Frankel ‘20

Artwork by Jenna Preston ‘22

The Voyager 13 Entertainment “Abbey Road” album of The Beatles turned 50 years old in September

December 2019

During class in November, Mr. Bowne played the entire album for his journalism class. The assignment was to develop an article from a variety of perspectives to honor the album’s legacy.

Harrison’s ray of light

An in-depth look at the optimistic hit, “Here Comes the Sun.” By FAITH MENDELSON ‘21 Staff Reporter

ere Comes the Sun: four words anyone who listens to music can identify immediately. The seventh song on the Beatles last recorded album, “Abbey Road”, has become a trademark in the music industry. This song stands the test of time, having been released in 1969; 50 years ago. The optimistic song was written by George Harrison in the garden of his friend Eric Clapton’s country house. Harrison uses an acoustic guitar to make the song light and airy. He was at Clapton’s house to avoid attending a meeting at the Beatles’ Apple Corps organization. The song begins with light guitar strums, giving the song an airy, happy feel. The lyrics begin with the title: “ H e r e comes the s u n ” . T h e s e lyrics express happiness for the end of a sad period of time. At the end of a rainstorm, Artwork the sun comes out, brightening the sky. This phrase is uplifting and gives hope to those who are going through a rough patch, telling the listener that better times are ahead. Following the phrase “Here comes the sun”, the listener hears a happy, upbeat “Doo, Doo, Doo,” keeping the tone light and airy. “Here comes the sun, and I say it’s alright”: this lyric expresses how the sun coming up assures the singer that everything is okay and better things lie ahead. The sun rising is reassuring and calming.

Moving into the bridge of the song, the listener hears: “Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here” These lyrics expresses how the singer has been struggling with something for a while. The long, cold, lonely winter is a metaphor for the hardships the singer has experienced. The words “It feels like years since it’s been here” follows. This shows that the singer feels like his life has been ‘dark’ for a while and he hasn’t seen the ‘sun’ in years. The listener hears the chorus again, and followed by the chorus is: “Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces. Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here.” Harrison says that the smiles return to their faces because when t h e sun comes up and darkness goes away, everyone seems happier. “Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting. Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been clear.” These lines express how the singer feels like it’s been cold and dark for so by Victoria Lapinson ‘20 long, but now it’s finally clear, warm, and bright again. The chorus plays twice more to close out. This song is all about knowing good things are ahead. Although bad things occur, everything has a way of working itself out, and eventually things will look bright again. “Here Comes the Sun,” reminds listeners that despite the darkness the sun will rise again, and with repetition introduce an overarching message of the song: “It’s alright.”

What does it mean to have The Beatles on your brain?

By ARIANNA MORALES ‘22 Staff Reporter

“Sun King” hypnotizses you into relaxation, calmness, and a sense of peace with its slow tempo. The lyrics of “Something” resonate with the emotion humans are most obsessed with: love. What makes up our music preferences is the predictability of the music. Levitin notes that a balance between complexity and simplicity is what attracts us to like music. “When a musical piece is too simple we tend not to like it, finding it trivial. When it is too complex, we tend not to like it, finding it unpredictable.” The first song on Abbey Road -- “Come Together” demonstrates the tightrope of predictability; the predictability lies within the tempo, rhythm, and timbre introduced at the beginning of the song, and of course the chorus: “Come together, right now / over me”; while the unpredictability lies within the verses: nearly all the verses have little relation other than including the word “he”. Finally, music can be described as a form of communication between listeners and artists. A moment of time in which the composer and the listener expose their vulnerability. “This sense of vulnerability and surrender is no more prevalent than with rock and popular music in the past forty years… We allow them to control our emotions and even our politics--to lift us up, to bring us down, to comfort us, to inspire us”. In “The End” the lyric “The love you take / Is equal to the love you make” satisfies the melody to “Come Together”, encouraging us to strengthen our community and inspiring us to spread love in the sense of loyalty, kindness, generosity, gentleness, and faithfulness within each other. Neuroscientist and musician Alan Harvey said in his TEDx talk, “Music binds us in a way that language rarely does. It is a social communication system that… has helped us come together and to work together… I am convinced that what we choose to do with... [the] power of music can help drive us towards a more cooperative society and a far more connected world.”

t’s 7:05 when I wake up to blue and red lights flashing in front of the bus. The bus was stopped due to an unfortunate car crash on the way to school. I had been desperately trying to escape reality and fall asleep, yet I ironically woke up to “Octopus’s Garden” from Abbey Road by the Beatles. A song about enjoying life in your own little world. The day before, Mr. Bowne exposed my ears to the magic of the Beatles with “Abbey Road.” When I took a second listen to the album to study it, I started to fall in love with the album; in fact, it was the only music I listened to for the rest of the day. Although the bus reached the school later than expected, I reached my journalism class with high spirits to write how music, specifically Abbey Road, attracts new fans even after fifty years of their album release. Scientists have been trying to make correlations between music and the brain for a very long time, asking questions like, why does music exist? What is music? What aspects of music dictate our preferences in music? First off, music can be defined as a dynamic and organized relationship of different elements like loudness, rhythm and so on to form a piece of art designed for our ears. When you’re listening to a song, our brain makes connections from the melody to our memories, from the pitch to provoke certain emotions, and from the timbre to convey the mood of the music. Neuroscientist and musician Daniel J. Levitin wrote Our Brain On Music explaining how our brains process and respond to music: “Each time we hear a musical pattern that is new to our ears, our brains try to make an association through whatever visual, auditory and other sensory cues accompany it.” These are three examples from Abbey Road Women of Abbey Road by Leah Snyderman ‘22 that exemplify how our brain connects the elements of a song and applies them to ourselves to evoke certain desires and emotions: “Octopus’s Garden” definitely plays with our imagination when the Beatles create an atmosphere separate from reality and invite you to join them in a world unbounded by the laws of reality.

December 2019 Entertainment Season 2 of “The End of the F***ing World” is more angsty than ever

14 The Voyager

By JENNA PRESTON ‘ 22 Entertainment Editor

here is plenty to love about Season 2 of “End of the F****ing World.” In Season 1, the finale ends with a main character getting shot, so it wasn’t completely certain whether or not there would be a second season. Luckily, the show returned this month after a twentyfive month hiatus. This season deals with the realistic results of two teens on a crime spree. The second season finds James and Alyssa recovering from the physical and mental adjustment of living a life similar to Bonnie and Clyde. They’ve realized that it was the teen mentality making them have so many extenisial questions of their purpose and destiny. Both of them find that going back to their normal lives is completely boring. Alyssa returns to her uncomfortable and awkward pace and returns home to live with her aunt. She starts a new job, not involving crime, but at a cafe where she finds a new respect for people. In Season 1, you can see how easily she has outbursts towards people. You begin to

see her maturity in Season 2. She’s no longer living life based off the impulsives that often time get her in trouble. While all seems cool on the surface at her new job and attempt at life, she is boiling internally and runs into James after a night of overwhelming and overpowering internal chaos. Just like Alyssa, James has made a change in his life after the shooting. He is no longer an insane psychopath, and has made more mature decisions since the incident. It is strange how the show forgot terrible his mentality was since he goes to therapy and and is somewhat emotionally stable. Until tragedy strikes. The season pulls the misfit couple back to each other, while finding a way for them to exist in the pool of bad luck they always create for themselves. They quickly come to the realization that skipping town for the second time isn’t going to be as exciting as it was when they were rebellious teenagers. Alyssa soon enough understands that she is no longer the rebellious kid she once was and if she continued making these terrible decisions they would actually hurt people this time. James knows this too

Unpopular opinion: “The Fault in Our Stars” is not worth the hype By VALERIE NGUYEN ‘23 Staff Reporter

ecently, I read the famous “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. I’ll warn you now that my opinion on the novel is an unpopular one. “The Fault in Our Stars” did not deserve all the hype it got. In all honesty, it just disappointed me. My review of the book is going to be negative and it’s probable that it will inflame the fans and praisers of the supposed ‘best’ novel. If you absolutely love this book and think no one should detest it, then please steer clear of this review. The thing that bothered me the most about this book would have to be the fact that it didn’t seem like it was written in the perspective of a teenager suffering from cancer. For example, “You know what sucks? CanDutton Books cer. You know what else sucks? Dying.” Was this supposed to make the audience For example, on page 15, she says “He laugh? There’s no real emotion or interest was hot. A nonhot boy stares at you rein the book. lentlessly and it is at best, awkward, and, First off, I felt that the characters didn’t at worst, a form of assault.” She seems have a personality. The main characters, to be a very shallow character that I just Hazel and Augustus, had the same boring could not bring myself to connect with. character traits. They Despite being the most were both know-it-alls predictable thing in the and simply too wise, Disappointed is an novel, the romance that even if they were fac- understatement. I expected develops between Haing death. They conbetter from such a zel and Augustus came stantly were saying highly acclaimed novel. out of nowhere and is extremely philosophicompletely underdecal things that Dumbveloped considering it ledore or a middle aged Renaissance man is the centerpoint of the novel. They basiwould say. Green failed at writing his cally fell in love at first sight within mincharacters in the perspective of a teenagutes of meeting one another. er. It seemed like he was trying too hard to The plot was super predictable. I could connect with a teenage audience. tell what the next move of every character Hazel did not think before she acted would be almost every single time. or spoke. She agrees to go to Augustus’ Overall, “The Fault in Our Stars” is a house within minutes after meeting him. really shallow novel where I felt the canWhat if he was some serial killer? You cer was in a way put in the backseat. The can’t just go and do that when you don’t writing was cheesy and filled with irrelknow the person. Well, unless you are alevant metaphors. I’m disappointed that ready dying and are truly wanting to live the novel did not live up to its reputation life on the edge. I mean what could posbecause I wanted to love and connect with sibly go wrong, right? it. Hazel is a very flat character who lacks Disappointed is an understatement. I true development. You never learn much expected better from a highly acclaimed about her other than the fact that she hates book like John Green’s “The Fault in Our support groups and loves Augustus. Stars.”

but has no one left. He almost doesn’t care about the pain because he’s already been through so much and doesn’t think it could get better with anyone else. For much of the season, James holds his father’s urn very closely, almost clinging onto it for the entire season. He begins to develop the realization that he has never had healthy connections with Alyssa or his own father. His growth throughout this season is drastic, but it still seems natural because he is always awkward and bad at life. Yet, you see him caring more for other people, developing empathy, and wanting more in life than pain. Season 2 of “The End of the F***ing World” is dramatic, funny, and has a large chunk of drama and tension. Last season had more of an ongoing series of bad events and conflicts. This season is more

Netflix

of a slow simmer, where you are waiting for something bad to happen. By the season’s end, you will learn from this small group of kids. With such an overwhelmingly optimistic end, hopefully there will be even more angst and conflict in Season 3.

“Booksmart” is funny in all the right ways By JONAH GUTTERMAN ‘21 Staff Reporter

“B

ooksmart,” some would say, could be classified as 2019’s “movie of the spring.” Debuting in theaters on May 24th, this was the first ever film directed by actress Olivia Wilde. The unbelievably relatable comedy features an array of character personalities and an extremely diverse and unique cast. Actress Beanie Feldstein stars as the main character of the movie, Molly Davidson, an 18-year-old high school senior who also happens to be the President and Valedictorian of her large high school class. Pairing alongside Feldstein is fellow actress Kaitlyn Dever starring as Amy Antsler, the sidekick-best friend and classmate of Molly. The movie attempts to portray the present-day American high school, and does a fantastic job doing so, as it is absolutely relevant and hilarious at the same time. Between the notoriously disgusting high school cafeteria to students boasting their extravagant and flashy cars, the movie nails the stereotypes and imagery which would usually comes to mind when thinking of a typical high school in the U.S. in 2019. The hilariousness of the movie begins immediately with the opening scene: Molly waking up to a rather “assertive” alarm clock by talking to her and giving her motivational advice (with a few curse words mixed in) for the day ahead. After that, Molly and Amy head to school to begin their daily high-school adventure for the second-to-last time. It’s the day before their graduation, and they’ve worked tirelessly to succeed academically throughout their entire

high school tenure. But there’s just one problem: They’ve never gotten the thrill of going to parties. Molly begins to feel regretful that she never got to experience the party-life of high school, so she suggests that her and Amy need to go all-out on the last night of their high school life. Amy is strictly opposed to the idea only because she doesn’t want to ruin their perfect reputations as excellent students. After arguing about it, Molly finally persuades Amy to go out and have the type of exciting night that they’d never yet participated in throughout high school. The movie is so comedic and easilyrelatable to viewers because of all the classic “everything that could possibly go wrong does go wrong” moments throughout the entire movie. Another reason the movie was so highly praised was because of its racial, ethnic, and sexual diversity. The primary on-screen cast consists of many people of Asian, African-American and Hispanic backgrounds. There are also multiple gay and bisexual characters portrayed in the movie which truly depicts many American high schools in today’s society, with a very large prominence of the LGBTQ community in the recent years. Amy’s character Netflix Films actually happens to be lesbian, and throughout the movie there are many times where the viewers can observe her confronting and experimenting with her sexuality. This added yet another element of a real-life experience or situation many people go through in high school. Overall, the movie received very high ratings and general positive feelings across the board. Although there was much exaggeration and overemphasis on many of the events that occurred throughout the movie, the magnification of everything is what makes for a hilarious comedy that is very much relevant in today’s society.

Sports

December 2019

The Voyager 15

Fusion Arena marks the dawn of a new sports era

Set to open in 2021, the Fusion Arena will offer worldclass experiences for eSports players and fans alike. By ANDREW SHINKLE ‘22 Sports Editor

f you told any person in the 80s and 90s that you wanted to watch someone play video games, they would likely want to refer you to a mental hospital. The late Ralph Baer, the inventor of video games, probably never thought people would want to do such a thing. But, in 2021, a groundbreaking architectural marvel will open in the heart of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex for that very purpose. For the past decade, the booming industry of eSports, where video games are played professionally, has experienced a torrid increase in popularity. By the end of 2019, the global revenue for eSports is expected to reach over $1 billion. It’s safe to say that the industry is here to stay, for the foreseeable future. When you think of Philadelphia sports, thoughts of the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, 76ers, and Union likely fill your mind. Although not yet on par with those sporting juggernauts, the Philadelphia Fusion are not to be overlooked. In 2021, the team will move into a $50-million, state-ofthe-art stadium designed specifically for

eSports competitions, currently under the working name of Fusion Arena. Sophomore and Overwatch enthusiast Edmund Lu expressed his excitement for the new project. “I think that it’s really exciting, because we are actually able to go to an eSports arena that’s close to us, and we can feel more related to the game,” he said. Overwatch, Blizzard Entertainment’s 2016 first-person shooter game, has a massive following among gamers everywhere. Consequently, the game has its own professional league, the Overwatch League. Back in 2017, the Fusion were one of the league’s twelve founding members. Although each team plays their matches in front of a live crowd, almost all of their fans are spectators from the privacy of computer or television screens. At the 2019 Overwatch League Grand Finals, which took place on September 29th, just over 11,000 spectators gathered inside the Wells Fargo Center to witness the San Francisco Shock’s resounding victory. A much larger average of 1.12 million people viewed the event online or on television. This begs the question; does eSports really need its own dedicated stadiums?

Coach Przybylski returns from Heights to lead girls basketball

Sophomore Mikey Callan offered his opinion on the matter. “It’s similar to a football game; you can watch it at home on your TV, and you can also go to them personally at the stadium,” he said. With two balcony bars, seats fitted with USB ports, suites and boxes available, the Fusion Arena will surely offer experiences for eSports viewing that your phone or television cannot supply. As the era of online eSports marches

Photo by Andrew Shinkle ‘22

onward, the upcoming Fusion Arena only looks to build upon the sizable success of the booming industry. Having a definitive, physical presence right in the center of Philadelphia’s finest sports teams will help foster a cultural identity for the growing popularity of the Philadelphia Fusion. “The new stadium is a good way to show that eSports is becoming more and more relevant to everyone in America, and all around the world,” Callan said.

The only girl on the gridiron When both of her parents received new job offers, her family made the move from their Rosenberg, Texas home, which is in the suburbs of Houston. ho says that girls can’t On the field, Duque shifts between play football? playing safety and running back, and is Traditionally a malecurrently training to become a kicker. Her dominated activity, football career began in 8th grade, when football is one of the she had a mental epiphany of sorts. most physically-taxing sports around. “I’m that one girl who plays football with A deeply-rooted stereotype in society the boys outside, and one day, I thought is that the “tougher” boys play football, ‘Hey, life is too short;’ might as well play while the girls stick for the school,” she to playing field said. hockey, softball, Although being the soccer, or other lesssingular female in an impactful sports. otherwise completely However, there’s male sport would one helmet on the psychologically Eastern sideline affect many people, with long, brown Duque isn’t fazed. hair flowing out the “Hit me just as bottom. hard; I signed up for Meet sophomore football, so that’s Jasmeen Duque. what I’m going to Some may be get,” she said. unfamiliar with the name, but that’s As a leader and a trailblazer for young because she’s a new student here at women in the sport of football, Duque’s Eastern for the 2019-2020 school year. family is very supportive and encouraging of her budding career. “They’re like my little cheerleaders. You’re going to hear my mom screaming in the bleachers every game,” she said. In school, Duque enjoys the subject of math, and plans to major in engineering at college, using her skills from the robotics team. Outside of school, some of her favorite activities include color guard, soccer, golf, dancing, basketball, and cheerleading. As for whether she will continue playing football in the coming years, Duque preferred to keep it a secret, leaving it up to fate to decide. “I will keep it a mystery, as the future has many possibilities,” she said. In the end, Duque has one piece of inspirational advice that she wants the world to know. “It’s all about your mindset; it’s Jasmeen Duque speeds down the what you believe that you can do. If sideline, evading Paul VI defenders. you can dream it, you can achieve it.” Photo by tedsilary.com By ANDREW SHINKLE ‘22 Sports Editor

By JOSH MEYERS ‘21 Associate Editor-in-Chief

astern’s new girls basketball coach has her eyes on the prize. Following a fifteen-year stint as an Eastern assistant coach and one season at Haddon Heights last year, Kristen Przybylski will return to the girls basketball team as the head honcho. “I’m an Eastern alumni so I went here, played here. Eastern has a special place in my heart, so I just wanted to come back to where it started for me,” she said. Przybylski’s passion for the game began at a young age. “I’ve been playing basketball since I was five, so it’s always been my main sport,” she said. Przybylski feels that her extensive experience was a deciding factor in her naming as the head coach. As a health and wellness coach, she also had a leg up on the other contenders for the job. “My enthusiasm and passion for the sport all played a role in it. Being a people person helps a lot,” she said. Przybylski finds inspiration by remembering her former coaches. “Being a coach is a tough job, but you get to be an influence on these kids. A lot of my coaches had an influence on me as a person,” she said. Her coaches always believed in her and constantly pushed her toward her goals. Przybylski will bring what she learned to the hard court. This year, Przybylski wants to run an uptempo game style, and hopes that her girls will be passionate and never give up. “They’re athletes,” she said. “I think we will find what works for them, and be successful building on that.”

The Fusion Arena site lies in Parking Lot F of the Wells Fargo Center.

“Hit me just as hard; I signed up for football, so that’s what I’m going to get,” she said.

Kristen Przybylski returns to Eastern, and will plan to bring girls basketball back to the playoffs. Photo supplied by Coach Przybylski

Steven Picot, Eastern Athletic Director, believes that Przybylski is a great fit for the school. “Bringing her back as a head coach is great for our school, our school pride, and our girls basketball program,” he said. Picot has high aspirations for the team with their new head coach. “I think they will fare well,” he said. “She (Przybylski) brings a lot of excitement and I think the girls that know her are excited to have a chance to play under her. I’m looking forward to the season,” he said. “I’m happy to be here,” Przybylski said. “I’m excited. I can’t wait for the season to start and get working with the girls.”

“I’ve been playing basketball since I was five, so it’s always been my main sport,” she said.

Sports December 2019 Freshmen steal Spirit Week as football falters at Homecoming 16 The Voyager

By ANDREW SHINKLE ‘22, AARON ARNSTEIN ‘20, ADAM SALADINO ‘20 Sports Editor and Staff Reporters

othing quite matches up to the sheer excitement that the Homecoming Game brings. Always a premier event at Eastern, the wild, hard-fought Spirit Week culminates in a final chance to earn points for your class. If your class truly takes school spirit to heart, there’s always the opportunity for a valiant last-stand. Historically, the seniors have reigned supreme in Spirit Week. Despite the best efforts of their opposition, no one has consistently been able to take down the senior dynasty. In the brisk, evening atmosphere of the final Spirit Week event, an underdog rose above the pack, and defied the odds to bring down the senior class. Accompanied by an exhilarating cage-match against Hammonton, the game-time atmosphere was something to behold. Eastern came out of the gate with a roaring start, catching Hammonton by surprise with an onside kick. They started the high-scoring affair with a Mike Suarez rushing touchdown from two yards out. After the opening blow, the Vikings enjoyed a quick defensive drive, recovering a Hammonton fumble less than a minute later. Midway through the second quarter, Suarez tallied his second rushing touchdown of the night to hand Eastern a 14-7 lead. While their offensive unit was for the most part strong, the Vikings were haunted by countless turnovers, especially leading up to halftime. In the last minute of the half, Eastern gave up the ball twice, including a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Both teams’ quarterbacks fired the ball well throughout the second half, as Eastern started the second half with a 43-yard touchdown to wide receiver Jordan Diaz. Hammonton answered back with a 32-yard passing touchdown late in the third quarter. One of the most crucial plays of the game occurred with 10:30 left in the fourth, when Eastern turned the ball over in the red zone, wasting a golden opportunity to make

it a one possession game. Despite the missed scoring chance, Suarez responded with a third touchdown, closing the deficit to 3527. Unfortunately, the Vikings couldn’t complete the comeback, losing the Homecoming Game by a final score of 35-27. From the stands, the combination of the competitive nature of Spirit Week and the fighting spirit of the team created an electric atmosphere. The metallic rings of kids jumping on bleachers and students attempting to crowd surf set the scene. Students from every class came out to get as many Spirit Week points as they could. In the early parts of WR Justin Moore walks the tightrope after making a catch. Photo by Andrew Shinkle ‘22 the game, the student section shocking announcement. was flooded with seniors, who displayed dominance over “And coming in first place with a total of 207,000 points, the rest of the school. “Go home freshmen” could be the Class of... 2023!” The statement echoed across the heard all the way to Voorhees Middle School. stadium with absolute elation from one side and utter At halftime, students were biting their nails to hear the disbelief from another. The freshmen had upset the senior news of the Homecoming King and Queen, but more class. importantly, the results of Spirit Week. Name after name, To add insult to injury, the chant “Go home seniors” the Homecoming Court was called announced, with started from the crowd, and this time could likely be students supporting each and every member. When the heard all the way to Berlin Community School. One winners, Amanda Middleman and Jacob Goldstein, were senior expressed his emotions, saying, “I can’t believe we announced, the crowd went crazy. lost to the freshmen, I’m gutted right now.” After the results were announced, it was evident that For the seniors, this had been a night to remember, students were ready for the big news: the winner of Spirit for all the wrong reasons. A loss to the freshmen and a Week. It felt like time stood still in the crowd, with groups gut-wrenching loss on the field to Hammonton. For the of friends huddled together, awaiting the momentous freshmen, this had been a week filled with increasing announcement. excitement, and culminating in jubilation. Using a megaphone that could be heard across the entire No matter which grade you are in, this was definitely a stadium, senior Sandford Zeng announced the results. Spirit Week to remember. With the anticipation building to a climax, Zeng made the

By AARON ARNSTEIN ‘20 Staff Reporter

ield hockey fell just short of their ninth Tournament of Champions title with a heartbreaking 4-1 defeat to Oak Knoll (NJ), the number one team in the country, according to MaxPreps. It was fitting that the two national powerhouse field hockey programs faced off to determine the New Jersey state champion. Eastern held its ground for most of the first half until Oak Knoll broke the scoreless tie with 4:54 left in the first. Eastern was never able to recover, allowing three more goals in the next 10 minutes. Sophomore star Ryleigh Heck gave Oak Knoll the credit they deserve but was unsatisfied with her teams’ performance. Per Ryan Lawrence of South Jersey Sports Weekly, “Oak Knoll is a great team. They’re No. 1. …. By the end they just

kept going and we collapsed. I don’t think we brought it all out tonight,” Heck said. On a brighter note, the field hockey team won their 21st consecutive Group 4 State Championship this season while finishing with a final record of 23-2-0, with both losses coming against Oak Knoll. Looking ahead to next season, the team will lose a handful of seniors, such as Rutgers-bound midfielder Elise Pettisani and goalie Nina Santore. The Senior Class finish their high school careers with a staggering final record of 97-6-1, including one ToC title. Overall, legendary Head Coach Danyle Heilig was very pleased with their season, per Ryan Lawrence of South Jersey Sports Weekly. “They had a great state tournament run. Winning a 21st straight state championship game was outstanding. This would have been great icing on the cake but it just wasn’t our time this year.”

The Girls Field Hockey team finishes another season. Photo supplied by Grace Ferriolo ‘21

Photo supplied by Jamie McGroarty

2019 Field hockey season ends with a loss to Oak Knoll in ToC

Despite the loss, Girls Soccer team will look to have a bounce back year.

The Agony of Defeat:

Girls Soccer falls short of ultimate goal in semifinals were ranked as the number one high school in the nation for most of the season. They also won the South Jersey Group 4 he Girls Soccer team’s season title along with many other accolades is came to an end with a heart- nothing to be ashamed of. Individually, captain Kelli McGroarty, breaking 1-0 loss to Hunterdon Central in the Group 4 semi- arguably the most decorated individual to finals. The loss snapped a 42- come through the program, registered 40 game unbeaten streak, the number one goals and 20 assists, while setting a prohigh school team in the nation according gram record with 275 points, an honor previously held by Amirah to topdrawersoccer.com. The senior class will gradAli. Junior Riley Tiernan Due to cold temperatures, uate with a 86-7-7 record, led the team in assists and the games were moved to winners of three Olympic holds the all-time assists the following afternoon. Conference Championrecord with 77, and still Various reasons such as ships, two SJ Group 4 has one more season left parking issues forced NJtitles, and one State under her belt. SIAA to move the games Group 4 championship. Rutgers commit Sara away from neutral sites. Hunterdon Central phenom Emily Mason Brocious held down the back-line, and scored the lone goal early in the first half. is likely to win her third First-Team All Eastern had many opportunities to equal- South Jersey honor later this year. Senior ize, but could not convert. “I thought the Olivia Alves accrued 12 shutouts behind second half we played much better with the net while sophomores Cami Silvestro much more energy. We hit the crossbar a and Devyn Shapiro also stepped up big. The senior class will graduate with an ascouple of times and had our chances...It’s a brutal way to end such a great unexpect- tounding 86-7-7 record, winners of three ed season, but that’s the game of soccer, Olympic Conference Championships, two unfortunately,” said Eastern coach Jamie SJ Group 4 titles, and one State Group 4 championship. No matter this year’s final McGroarty, per NJ.com. Despite the loss, the girls finished with result, the seniors have left an indelible a final record of 25 wins and 1 loss, and impact on the program’s storied history. By AARON ARNSTEIN ‘20 Staff Reporter