Eastside: January 2020

www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 53 No. 4

Cherry Hill High School East: 1750 Kresson Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

■ By Remy Abrams (‘21) Eastside Culture Editor

It’s 2010. You are blasting “I Gotta Feeling”

by The Black Eyed Peas through your bulky Monster Beats headphones by Dr. Dre with the long, knotted cord connected to your iPod Shuffle. Posters of Justin Bieber hang above your bed while you sip your SunnyD and snack on your Gogurt. From Silly Bandz to Airpods, the past decade was home to a multitude of trends that defined the childhoods of many.

Commercials are blasting on Disney Channel all week about the upcoming “Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana” episode. During recess, you and your friends plan a watch party with an unlimited supply of Scooby-Doo Snacks. The night of the episode has arrived and you gather in your living room as the clock ticks down to 7 p.m. But wait. You forgot to grab the Scooby-Doo Snacks from the basement. You race down into the basement as your friends scream, “IT’S ON!” This feeling of extreme excitement and anticipation accompanied with the adrenaline rush of running to the TV controlled our childhood.

However, nowadays, Netflix and similar streaming services are eliminating that rush of emotions as the clock ticks down to the allotted time of the episode. Now, if you want to watch a show, you search it on Netflix and can watch it within

Inside This Issue

a second. Did you miss what a character said?

Now, you can easily rewind and find out. Despite the anticipation that new streaming services have eliminated, it is now painless to satisfy the craving of a show.

Though our childhood shows seemingly lost prominence in the world of 2020, a new service has helped resurface our childhood favorites.

Disney+ offers a multitude of childhood TV shows and movies, ranging from “Lizzie McGuire” to “Lemonade Mouth.” This new service has combined the urge to rewatch shows from our childhood in search of a feeling of nostalgia and the ability to watch the shows offered with the click of a button.

Although he modernized his look and lost the fashionable swip-swoop Bieber cut, Justin Bieber has dominated the music charts from the beginning to the end of this decade. To this day, if you ask anyone in Generation Z, it is likely that almost half of those people can recite the entire Ludacris rap from Bieber’s 2010 hit “Baby.”

Following the release of this song, his career skyrocketed. The jumpstart to his notable career led to the extreme success in his 2015 hits “Sorry” and “Love Yourself.” Though Bieber began his career capitalizing on his heartthrob attributes, nowadays he has evolved into a man who maximizes his popularity to advocate for mental health and other worldwide issues. Bieber Fever

Parents with disabilities: an insight on student life Features, Pg. 9

January 2020

Photo Illustration by Eli Weitzman (‘20)/ Eastside Webmaster

may be one of the most contagious yet incurable conditions.

While it’s not the Year 3000, the JoBros are back and better than ever. The Jonas Brothers had a wildly successful career throughout the 2010s, both musically and in the cinema through “Camp Rock” and their show “Jonas.” However, the brotherly band had a six-year-hiatus from 2013 to 2019 which broke the hearts of millions, though they lived on through the posters on teens’ walls. But towards the end of the decade, their fans got a surprise: the band reunited.

Though one difference was seen through Nick Jonas’s new placement in the middle of the brothers on the cover of their album instead of Joe — sorry Kevin, not yet. Although the brothers did our generation a disservice with the temporary break-up, the band began the decade with extreme popularity and is ending it the same way.

While looking back at the 2010s, it is clear that the decade introduced a great deal of trends — whether or not they were fashionable or of quality is a personal choice (yes, this is a reference to Crocs). The decade laid the foundation for the lives of our generation in some of the most memorable ways possible. Through the struggles and hardships of the decade, the shows, movies, music and even snacks have brought happiness to the world.

With that being said, welcome to 2020.

A look back at music industry legends Culture, Pg. 13

The past and present of East’s gymnasts Sports, Pg. 16

NEWS

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EASTSIDE

January 2020

New year, new updates for schoolwide policies ■ By Ziva Davis (‘22)

Eastside Staff

With the coming of the new year, Cherry Hill East has implemented many new policy changes. These changes will impact how East students, faculty, staff and community members adjust into the year.

New updates include more information with the ongoing bathroom issue, construction renovation and future events.

In an attempt to solve the issue of too many students gathering in East’s bathrooms during class time, the turnstile and signin policy was put into place in November of 2019, man-

dating that students must sign out of their classroom and sign into the bathroom they will be using. As of November, teachers have been assigned positions located near the entrance of the bathrooms with a signin sheet and instructed to allow only four students in the bathroom at the same time. In the past there was no limit as to how many students could use the bathroom at once.

The policy has not had the level of positive impact the administration hoped it would.

“Students should not feel uncomfortable while utilizing the bathroom facilities,” said Principal Dr. Dennis

Perry.

Last year, the bathrooms were locked because of vaping and vandalism issues which caused students from Student Government Association (SGA) to use their voice to keep the bathrooms open. Students who need to use the restrooms should be able to use them, Perry said.

“The bathrooms will remain open this year, unless they are not working…,” said Perry. “We will try to have the lines move more quickly by allowing more students in the bathroom at a time.”

Currently, certain bathrooms remain locked.

There are also new con-

struction plans for the building as well. The entire project is supposed to be finished sometime during the 2020-2021 school year.

The construction team plans to replace the cafeteria wall in Cafeteria 2 in April.

More areas, such as the cooking room, photo room and 3D art room will be undergoing construction in April because the wall facing the courtyard is descending into the group.

Other areas near the cafeteria will be closed, including the photo room. Students will not have access to the main photography room because construction to move equipment from outside of

the school near the football field into the courtyards will be going on, as well as the removal of the wall.

Administration hopes that the new construction renovations will only take four months.

Multicultural Day will most likely be in the DiBart Gym and the East Gym this year, for the auditorium will not be ready by that time. Perry hopes that the auditorium will be ready by the end of the year for middle school graduation.

To continue with the changes, there are going to be new morning drop-off bus procedures to improve students safety beginning in early April.

the students have never Cosenza (‘20). short scene with a partner gotten a chance to perform,” In the class, students in which they will perform said Mr. Pete Gambino, the learn about different acting and receive feedback. director of the Drama Detechniques and how to be “There is a talkback afpartment and teacher of aware of their surroundings terwards so [the students the Studio II class. as well as the performance in the performance] have Each of the difan opportunity ferent scenes have to explain their two to four students process and the on stage performing audience has in them out of the the [chance] to twenty-five students ask questions in the class. about it,” said Studio II is the Gambino. most advanced actEach scene ing class that is only project follows available to students a different who have completed theme.

This Living Theatre and year, there is Studio 1 and has a Shakespeare been in the school for unit, puppet Angelina Witting (‘22)/ Eastside Culture Editor show quite a while. unit, “It’s a truly won- Studio II students smile during a meeting. contemporary derful class! So much unit, among so that this is my second and themselves. On some others. At the end of the year taking it,” said Alicia days, students perform a first semester, a student’s

final grade is determined by a performance.

“I’m preparing by heavily practicing my scenes, perfecting my block and also practicing my improv skills to get ready for the show,” said Nala Jackson (‘20).

Last year Mr. Tom Weaver taught the Studio II class; however when he retired, Gambino took over and brought new information into the class.

Half the scenes will be improvised and half from existing plays. Cosenza said that this year, the Studio 2 students want to reach the audience by showing them the importance of improv and the skill of being able to think on your feet, while also involving them a little more throughout the show.

Students rehearse for forthcoming Studio II showcase ■ By Max Gaffin (‘22)

Eastside News Editor

On January 30, students in the Studio II class at East will perform a number of short scenes in the Little Theatre for the Cherry Hill community.

The class will perform around fifteen short scenes in which they will showcase what they have learned in the class, during their time with the drama department at East and how they are growing as actors and students in the school.

The scenes are student produced, meaning the students in the class directed and will perform them on their own.

“Some of the scenes they did in the class and others are new scenes that maybe

Students engage in Unity Day discussion ■ By Ziv Aimsili (‘22)

Eastside Staff

The third annual Unity Day at Cherry Hill East, on January 16, was a day in which students could express their feelings and thoughts concerning their position in the school environment, including topics such as discrimination, inferiority and kindness.

Unity Day was originally formed as a collaboration of African American Culture Club (AACC) and Interact Club to give students an opportunity to freely and comfortably express the challenges they have to face daily as well as for students to seek empathy for others who feel uncomfortable or discriminated against at East.

Occurring on the Thursday before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, this event represents what Martin Luther King stood for and shows students at East what they can do to continue his legacy as individuals.

This yearly event is meant to spark discussions that would normally not come up in typical conversation in reference to how students feel in the big space of East.

Adviser of AACC, Muslim Student Association and this year’s Multicultural Day Adviser Ms. Yanell Holiday wrote the curriculum for the activities carried out during the day.

She also decided on the themes she felt were important to discuss, along with Ms. Deborah Barr, Interact Club adviser. Holiday said that this event was “really to embody what [Martin Luther King Jr.] tried to [accomplish] which was equality, an understanding for one another, and a respect for one another.”

Holiday and Barr both have impactful roles in the high school concerning student advocacy. Daily, they both get to speak to a lot of

students without formally teaching them, so they both get to know students at East on a deeper level.

Holiday explained that some students do not feel comfortable at East, and Unity Day is the perfect opportunity for them to express themselves.

During previous Unity Days, students have shared that they have been discriminated against, stereotypically attacked and excluded by other students at East.

Barr said, “We need to approach the topics with sensitivity as there were definitely things I heard that shocked me about students being [excluded].”

Unity Day has opened the eyes of many, showing both students and teachers that some students cannot find their place at East, or have a hard time staying true to their identity. One of its main themes for this year was to take action instead of being a silent bystander. They wanted to inspire students to be welcoming and accepting of each other.

Holiday said, “Part of my drive for Unity Day is to [motivate] kids to be kind to one another. The world is a cruel place and we just have to look out for one another and care for each other as far as our East community.”

Though open to everyone, Barr and Holiday really emphasized the presence of culture clubs at the event, as it brings more diversity and students are able to learn more about a multitude of students who do not have the same stories or backgrounds as them.

Each group could then share individual feelings regarding students’ perception on their place at East.

The goal of the event was to raise awareness for students who do not feel welcomed at East, as the event taught students to listen to and respect the feelings of their peers.

COMMUNITY

January 2020

EASTSIDE

Page 3

Local students organize Camden Climate Strike march

Maggie Balderstone (‘20)/ Eastside Staff

Students in the South Jersey area protest for awareness of climate change and advocate for laws to be passed to protect the environment.

■ By Emily Mahaffy (‘20) Eastside Features Editor

With shouts of “Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Fossil fuels have got to go,” a group of about 40 students and advisers from Haddon Heights High School in Haddon Heights, NJ, marched around Camden City Hall and Rutgers University-Camden’s campus on December 6.

Organized by junior Ritwick Tati of Haddon Heights High School through Camden County High School Democrats (CCHSDems), the students held a rally in front of city hall in order to raise awareness about climate change in New Jersey and the rest of the country. This rally was held in conjunction with other climate change strikes throughout the nation.

“A lot of people don’t really think that New Jersey is affected by climate change… but people usually forget coastal New

Jersey—especially Camden and by the shore, as well,” said Tati. “Just because those will be the first places to go if sea levels continue to rise. Also, Camden and Newark have the highest lead water pollution rates [in the country].”

State records show that lead levels in Newark’s water have exceeded 15 parts per billion, the standard set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Above 15 parts per billion, the EPA requires public water systems to take action in reducing lead contamination in water supplies. Newark’s lead levels were 52 parts per billion between January and June 2019.

The aim of the Camden Climate Strike was to pressure Mayor Frank Moran into signing the Green New Deal pledge, which holds cities and states accountable to enact legislation “to help fight for a livable future,” said Tati.

The strike also hopes

to push for the reduced construction of fossil fuel plants in New Jersey.

“Governor Murphy has proposed about 14 new fossil fuel plants to be constructed in the next year, so we want to try and shut that down,” said Tati.

The rally started off with speeches by several high school students. Alexa King, a junior at Haddonfield Memorial High School said in her speech that “climate change is the most pressing crisis we as a species face… there is no other threat that has such a widespread impact. No other threat that puts so many people in danger. No other threat that will so clearly end in global calamity.”

King added that corporate agendas have been a driving force for climate change. She explained that while individual action is important, the target of these strikes are the “dangerous, destructive policies” of big businesses that hurt the environment.

vided for interested participants. There is no limit to how many tattoos one can submit and no restraint on who can submit, which can give up-and-coming tattooers a chance to be recognized for their work.

In addition to the tattoo aspect of the convention, the event features at least one entertainment show each night. The Enigma, the viral performer who was featured at the Guinness World Records, is one of the many performers that will make an appearance at the convention. These aspects of the event are a few reasons why the convention attracts so many participants each year.

One of the main goals of the convention is to exhibit

and spread the beauty of tattooing. While many value the art of tattooing because they are able to turn bodily scars into art, some get tattooed to express themselves in creative ways. Others get tattoos that commemorate something, like a wedding date.

Whether one was looking for a good time in the city, a killer new tattoo or a chance to learn and collaborate with other tattoo artists, Villain Arts hopes its convention was a fulfilling experience.

“These guys really know what they’re doing! They are friendly, helpful, and informative,” noted a reviewer.

“We’re looking to get real legislation, like the Green New Deal, and real action.

And if this is what it takes, then we’re willing to do it,” said King.

Senior Andrew Alexander, striker and student of Haddon Heights High School, said that while the Green New Deal is not perfect, “it’s our first real step in taking down a lot of big businesses, big oil—things that are destroying our Earth for profit.”

While walking around Camden, NJ, pedestrians, motorists and schoolchildren stopped to watch the students march by them. Some people waved, honked or even shouted along to choruses of marching chants.

In terms of getting more of the South Jersey community involved, Collette Ayscue, a freshman at Haddon Heights High School, said, “The more Youth Democrats clubs that we have in our schools in South Jersey, the more that we can come

together and have bigger group activities and protests and have more of a change and an impact. The more people and teenagers we have to raise their voices, the better.”

And the teenagers let their voices be heard: outside of Camden City Hall, speakers stood atop park benches with megaphones in their hands. While walking through the city, leaders started chants, such as “When I say student, you say power. Student. Power!”

Students, such as Alexander and senior Luca Sirman of Haddon Heights High School said that by coming out to these marches, students are taking back control of their future.

Sirman added, “I think it’s one thing to say that climate change is bad… to say that you’re going to do something. But then when you take action, it makes a difference and actually shows that your action expresses priorities.”

Tattoo Arts Convention needles its way into Philadelphia ■ By Katherine Li (‘23)

For Eastside

Villain Arts, an organization known for its screen printing and tattoo conventions, hosted its 22nd annual tattoo convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Starting January 17 and ending January 19, single-day tickets were able to be bought for $22 online or at the door, whereas a three-day pass deal was offered at $45.

The Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention is an event for both attendees and vendors. Not only is it possible to get tattooed by one of the 1,500 professional tattoo artists attending the convention, but there is also an annual tattoo contest pro-

Lily Cohen (‘20)/ Eastside Art Director

COMMUNITY

Page 4

EASTSIDE

January 2020

Forever Your Overwatch helps protect victims ■ By Jacy Dickstein (‘22)

Eastside Features Editor

This story features descriptions of domestic violence. Readers are advised to use discretion.

Eastside encourages anyone living in an abusive situation to seek help or call New Jersey’s 24/7 Domestic Violence hotline: 1 (800) 572-7233.

For a myriad of reasons, some societal, some personal, it is often difficult for victims of abuse to speak out. A local organization is trying to make it easier.

Forever Your Overwatch works to strengthen people who are current and former victims of mental and/or physical abuse. Employees of the foundation visit clients’ homes and install means of security to serve as some protection in the case of a break-in. Volunteers and those who are part of the organization run through what they call “rehearsals” with clients to simulate what the victims should do to best defend themselves.

They also offer self-defense classes to help those struggling feel more safe with their own body.

Founder of the organization, Nick Luciano, vocalized how Forever Your Overwatch has made an impact on those who ask for help.

“We’ve worked with 150 clients since we started last year,” said Luciano, “but in one example, a man approached this woman’s house as he was trying to beat her up or do God knows what to her. Luckily, when he went to go open the door, an alarm that we installed in her house went off, and a camera that we helped set-up caught him.”

He said that the police were able to then detect the man in the pictures, and the woman credits the organization with saving her life.

Luciano walked Eastside through the steps of how they would handle the situation from start to finish. Typically, the organization finds clients through domestic violence agencies such as the Camden County Women’s Center, Providence House or through prosecutors’ offices. These types of people are usually distraught from coming out of an abusive relationship, and some come right from being hospitalized from an attack. Others have received a plethora of threatening calls and messages.

If the client chooses to do so, volunteers would then go to the client’s homes and set up motion sensor front doorbell cameras, alarms on the windows, remotes to arm the front door and the backdoor, door security bars, in-house motion sensors and a door-stop alarm for the bedroom. They also leave behind papers with tips on how to stay safe inside and outside the home along with checklists to remind victims of all necessary precautions. They also sell SMART pepper spray that

has LED strobe lights, alarm sounds, and a feature to call all emergency contacts informing them that the user is in danger. It also sends a text of the user’s exact location to all emergency contacts.

“When somebody who felt threatened or in fear of their lives [has] that look in their eye that says, ‘I can now sleep tonight,’ that’s when I know I’ve done my job,” said Forever Your Overwatch Vice President Zisa Belfer.

Clients of the organization praise its services.

“They came here tonight to install home security for the safety of me and my daughters. We were in a domestic dispute and he came here to help us with protection,” said one client.

The client went on to say she would “recommend this organization for anyone going through this type of situation.”

Forever Your Overwatch started in 2018 and was unintentional. Luciano said he began by teaching active shooter response drills to women struggling to feel a sense of power after being involved with violence and abuse. He taught a class to a group of women living in a shelter without security. The women said the self-defense is great, but asked what they should do if the abuser breaks in with weapons. He then listened to their comments and started a GoFundMe on his Facebook page and many people donated money towards the cause, so he bought the shelter alarms and security systems to restore victim’s mental peace.

“I got a call from the shelter and they said one of the women said her ex-boyfriend is going to come over tonight and kill her. I then went over to her house and helped her. Little by little I started getting phone calls because word about what I’ve been doing had spread. It just grew from there,” said Luciano.

A team of one man and one woman go to the client’s houses together to best ensure the comfort and security of the victim.

This team is comprised of volunteers from all over the state.

“Once we realized how close to home these victims were and how many more need our help, it’s changed the entire way I look at safety,” said Belfer.

Luciano and the Forever Your Overwatch foundation are making strides to help victims regain their sense of power in a secure environment.

Karissa Murray (‘20)/ Eastside Community Editor

Candymakers convention comes to Crowne Plaza ■ By Sophia Sitnick (‘20)

marketing, safe food handling and emerging trends are addressed. The show is South Jersey got a whole designed to help those who lot sweeter when the 141st have dedicated their lives to Philadelphia National Canmaking the world sweeter. dy, Gift, & Gourmet Show With a rich history in opened its doors at the the Philadelphia area, Crowne Plaza from Sunthe Philly Candy Show is day, January 26 through sponsored by the Retail Tuesday, January 28.

Confectioners Association While a confectioners of Philadelphia (RCAP), a convention dedicated to non-profit trade association.

S i n c e 1 9 1 8 , R C A P has continued to enrich the knowledge of confectioners by providing information related to candymaking and retailing.

RCAP’s m i s sion is to “provide a network for confectioners to share Courtesy of the Lees family i d e a s , Joe and Fran Lees pose for a picture at the company’s booth.

Eastside Community Editor

showcasing decadent treats and providing continuing education for candymakers may sound like something from a page of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the show is an important semi-annual event for top candymakers.

Offering a wide range of seminars, demonstrations and exhibits, topics such as manufacturing,

solve problems and... develop their candy making skills.” A goal of the Philly Candy Show is to provide a forum where confectioners can share information and inspiration. The show features companies of all sizes, from world-renowned corporations to mom-andpop shops.

Seminars provide a chance to discuss relevant topics in the candy business. Some hot topics include food safety plans, managing shipping costs and advertising on social media platforms. According to Joe Lees, owner of Casani Candy Company and secretary at the Philly Candy Show, many seminars are taught by the best in the field. They provide confectioners with great learning opportunities.

Seminars cover “anything that you could possibly need for your business,” said Lees.

The exhibition room is set up with a plethora of booths like a typical trade show, but instead of filling a bag with the boring giveaway items such as pens and stress balls, these companies showcase their sweet inventory for all who wish to to indulge.

The samples are plentiful for three days at the show,

where healthy eating is next-to-nonexistent.

Kandy Hughes, manager of Kelly’s Kandy & Nuts, in Collingdale, Pennsylvania and Executive Administrator of RCAP, described how the show is an immersive learning experience.

“The candy show is not only a place that you can go and find different kinds of candy to sell in your shop, but it’s also a place where you can go and learn new techniques that you can apply to whatever you’re working on in your own retail space,” said Hughes.

During the past few years, Hughes has observed some new trends in the confectionary world, including Harry Potter themed candy, spicy chocolate and candy featuring bacon. Hughes noted that it is always exciting to see the new machinery, flavors and food items exhibitors on display at the Philly Candy Show.

All in all, the passion that shines from within the professional confectioners was on full display at the Philly Candy Show. Even though the event was not open to the public, through the knowledge the show affords, however, every Philadelphia-area candy lover can expect to be in a “world of pure imagination.”

January 2020

EASTSIDE

Æ

The Score tells Everything!

2018 Y2 Students' College Board SAT Test Scores

Page 5

Page 6

COMICS EASTSIDE

New Year’s Resolution List by Melissa Vital (‘23)/ Eastside Staff

Party Like It’s 1920! by Samantha Roehl (‘20)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Happy New Year! by Alexa Atlas (‘22)/ Eastside Online Editor

Join the crew, Eastside Art needs YOU! It’s never too late! Come to F087 during LB1 or LB2 for more information.

No journalism experience required.

January 2020

FEATURES

January 2020

EASTSIDE

Semon’s presidential bid launches East SGA

■ By Lily Lazarus (‘22)

Eastside Sports Editor

Leadership positions are nothing new to Tyler Semon (‘21), Cherry Hill East Student Government Association’s vice president.

Ever since seventh grade, Semon has been involved in Student Government Association (SGA) and leadership roles, striving to make a difference in his school. For the past few months, Semon made a run for public office at the state level through the New Jersey Association of Student Councils (NJASC).

While Semon was a qualified candidate to represent East at the state level, the process was not easy. During the previous summer, Semon attended the Leadership Training Camp, or LTC, which is open to anyone who is interested in attending and is required for eligibility in running for public office. At the camp, Semon was taught leadership development and general speaking skills.

After visiting the LTC, submitting applications, giving speeches to East SGA members and receiving recommendations, Semon was elected by both the student body and class SGAs to represent East as a school in the state SGA election.

“Now that he has been elected, we travel to New Brunswick High School for

pre-election meetings, and then if he is chosen to run, [he will attend a winter conference] for the whole state of student government, and that is the time when he could be elected,” said Mrs. Katie Radbill,

game and an opportunity to set a legacy for new East involvement,” said Semon during his campaign.

Not only was he passionate about this new involvement, but his advisor was also very confident in him.

Courtesy of Mrs. Katie Radbill

Student body SGA members support Semon at TCNJ. advisor of SGA following Semon’s East election.

While Semon was already elected by his fellow officers at East, he had to attend different venues and meetings with other officers before he could run in the state level election. Not only did this involve him and his advisor, but also required his commitment and support from his parents.

“I am very excited for this new opportunity. I feel that it is a whole new ball-

“I am excited for him,” said Radbill. “I think this is a great opportunity for [Semon] but also for the school to have a voice.”

No student from East has been sent to run for public office in the past 27 years, but Semon helped put East back on the state level.

“I am most excited for the future of East and hopefully our involvement with the New Jersey Association of Student Councils,” said

audition and they like your pieces but they want to hear more, then you have to have backups. My two main songs are ‘I’m Not Waiting’ by Andrew Lippa and ‘Where or When’ from the show ‘Babes in Arms. My two main monologues are ‘Adult’ from Christina Masciotti and ‘Fall’ by Bridget Carpenter,” said Cosenza.

Though there is a large variety in selecting what one wants to audition with, the selections are still dependent on what each school specifically allows or wants. Additionally, not every school utilizes the common pre-screen, so further practice and selections are required.

Once students select what pieces they will be sending into different schools, a prescreen video of singing, dancing, acting and/or playing instruments is sent to the schools. If the school or university approves of the prescreen, an in-person audition is arranged, which determines a decision of admission for that particular institute.

“If they like you, then you pass your pre-screen and go into an audition. You basically have to audition to audition,” said Cosenza.

For both Feudtner and Cosenza, their process began earlier than most students. Cosenza began working with an audition coach last November, building up her repertoire and also researching the programs.

As for Feudtner, he began narrowing down his list of schools during the summer, determining what was

needed for the pre-screens.

“I started the process over the summer by touring the different schools, and I narrowed down my list and went online to find out what was needed for prescreens and in-person auditions,” said Feudtner.

In each audition room and in the pre-screens, both Cosenza and Feudtner showcase their talents.

Feudtner further explains that using “what [he] had learned from East and other shows and being gung-ho about getting everything in and doing everything [himself]” helped him in his application process.

One of the biggest challenges for those applying to theater programs is the competition, since both academic and theatrical performances are taken into consideration and because of the large pool of students auditioning with the same pieces for the same spot. To put that into perspective, for a white female who is applying to fifteen different musical theater programs, the average number of acceptances is two.

“It’s a mind game of saying this is what I do best and this is what I’m proud of. It’s pretty hard mentally, but you get through it and become proud of yourself,” said Feudtner.

The process of applying to these schools may be daunting, but in the end, the students emerge understanding what they want in their program.

“I remember that was the first moment where…

I saw my name at the top

Semon.

On December 18, 2019, it was decided by NJASC that Semon and Yohanna Bauerdorf of Pemberton Township High School would be the final candidates for state president.

Winning a position on the state council affords East a new voice on the state level, but also the recognition and exposure in May when SGA visits Six Flags Great Adventure for its annual New Jersey Student Government ceremony. If elected then, Semon would have had the opportunity to represent East.

On January 8, Semon and fellow East SGA members went to The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) for the state election. East representatives carried posters to campaign for Semon and both candidates presented speeches to student representatives from many NJ schools.

In the end, Bauerdorf won the position of state president. However, Semon and Radbill are hopeful that this first experience will help East build momentum on the state level.

“East will continue sending representatives to NJASC events and have representation at the meeting of the National Student Government Conference,” said Semon about the opportunities that East will have on the state SGA level for years to come.

Eastside Staff

The process of applying to colleges takes seniors dozens of hours, from filling out the proper forms to writing essay after essay.

It gets even more difficult and lengthy for those applying to certain theater programs.

President of Thespian Society, Alicia Cosenza (‘20), and Vice President of Thespian Society, Jackson Feudtner (‘20), are both pursuing musical theater programs and can provide valuable insight into this highly competitive process.

The process begins by deciding which pathway to pursue and then finding the correct program and piece for that specific role. “[There is a] common pre-screen [a uniform set of accepted pieces and monologues]with a ballad and an upbeat song from before 1970, but there’s a huge selection in songs, two monologues, one that’s contemporary and one that’s Shakespeare and sometimes a wild card,” said Feudtner.

For Cosenza, the selection of the pieces relied on which aspect she wanted to pursue: musical theater or vocal performance. Musical theater includes singing, dancing and acting whereas vocal performance is just singing. In the end, Cosenza chose pieces that reflect her admiration of musical theater. Her pieces highlight the range in her skills.

“You have to keep a big repertoire. If you go into an

■ By Emily Mahaffy (‘20) Eastside Features Editor

of the cast list, when I said okay, I can do this, I can make this work. From that point on, I said this is what I am doing; I need to start formulating my plan,” said Cosenza.

If you’re feeling adventurous this new year, try carrying around a bag to collect all of your trash.

Sounds gross, but when you’re staring down at a plastic bag full of everything you’ve thrown away in a day and then think of that multiplied by 365 days a year, you’ll realize how much you’re really wasting.

But if that’s not your thing, I have the stats for you: every year the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collects data on municipal solid waste (or trash) generation and disposal in the United States. The most recent report based on 2017 data found that the average American generates 4.51 pounds of waste a day, totalling roughly 1,650 pounds a year. How trashy.

So, how can we limit what we throw out? I’d like to introduce you to the zero waste lifestyle: repurposing items in order to extend their life cycle.

About a year ago my family and I committed to lowering our waste output.

We still have a long way to go before we can call ourselves zero waste, but we’ve learned a few things along the way.

Like food shopping for instance: not only do we waste a lot of food in America, but we also waste a lot of resources on food packaging.

All of those little tear-off baggies in the produce section add up. I suggest bringing your own small bags (preferably not plastic) or even ordering mesh fruit bags online. You can still easily stick the produce label on the bag and then take it off once you get home.

Now this one seems simple: use reusable containers, bottles and straws. I feel as though many people know this one, but there’s a difference between knowing and doing. Even in my own environmental science class do I see people drinking out of plastic water bottles.

If you prefer to bring your own lunch to school, consider using reusable packaging.

Swap out the plastic cafeteria fork for a reusable one from home. Instead of using plastic sandwich baggies, use containers or washable silicone snack bags. (Protip: keeping food containers from restaurants or leftovers is a really easy way to reuse plastic!) If you feel like going the extra mile, you can order or make beeswax wraps for your sandwiches and other snacks.

While this time of year seems to be full of empty promises and cliché resolutions, challenge yourself to throw less trash out. One item per day not going to a landfill is 365 items kept out of landfills by the end of the year.

Infographic by Jacy Dickstein (‘22)/ Eastside Features Editor

Art by Lily Cohen (‘20)/ Eastside Art Director

Theater students face the college audition process ■ By Liam Reilly (‘20)

Page 7

FEATURES

Page 8

EASTSIDE

January 2020

Wilson wins the Miss Cherry Hill pageant crown ■ By Angelina Witting (‘22)

Eastside Culture Editor

homeless people now so that by the time they become adults, homelessness is less of an issue. Wilson holds her stance on learning disabilities

Wilson was awarded the People’s Choice Award at the NAM pageant.

In order to win this award, people outside of the pageant system vote

Pageant queen” is not a term that most people associate with C h e r r y Hill East.

Yet, as of 2019, East is home to Miss Cherry Hill Junior Teen Brynn Wilson (‘22).

Wilson began pageants a little over a year ago, entering her first pageant with no coaching.

For her first pageant, she entered into the photogenic category (where a contestant submits an assortment of headshots) and she won fourth runner up out of 45 total contestants.

Because she was in Courtesy of Brynn Wilson (‘22) the top ten at the state Wilson competes in the formalwear category at 2019 National American Miss pageant. pageant, Wilson gained the title of Miss Cherry very close to her heart, as she grew on a competitor by donating Hill and a spot in the National up with dyslexia, which made readmoney. Whichever contestant American Miss (NAM) pageant that ing very difficult and overall slowed raises the most money gets would take place later that year her workflow. However, she has to donate the money they in November in California. Wilson learned that time management has raised to a charity. At competed in the talent and photomade it more manageable. this pageant, the money genic competitions in both the state Wilson has “coaching calls,” as Wilson raised was doand national pageants. she likes to call them, two times a nated to a charity that For her talent competition, Wilweek with her coaches Chris and helps kids struggling with son chose singing for both the state Shayla Montgomery, who live in Leukemia. and national pageants. At the state Oregon. This means all her coach“I was so excited to be pageant, she sang “When Will My ing and pageant preparations must able to help kids feel more Life Begin,” a song sung by Mandy be done over FaceTime. During her comfortable in their bodMoore and from the Disney movie, calls, they prepare for potential inies,” said Wilson.

“Tangled.” At nationals, she sang terview questions and rehearse her Wilson also explained “A Million Dreams” from the movie, introduction for the competition. the importance of public “The Greatest Showman.” “A MilHer introduction consists of a minservice in the pageant lion Dreams” includes American ute-long speech where she is able to community. For her Sign Language (ASL), but Wilson talk about what she is involved in, own public service she was able to perform the song bewhere she is from and the causes works with Distributcause she knows ASL. she advocates for. ing Dignity, a non-profIn her pageants, each contestant “I really like a challenge, which it that helps distribute has a cause, or main platform that was one of the reasons I went to femine products to they advocate. Wilson’s main platnationals. I knew I would have to homeless women. She forms concern learning disabilities work at this and I know it’s going to also actively volunteers and homeless people. She underbe a challenge, but I would be able at the food bank and the stands that students are the future to overcome it,” said Wilson.

Ronald McDonald House, and generation and must advocate for

is involved in theatre and the vocal department at East.

“Being able to be up on stage in front of all those judges who were former Miss USA’s or Teen USA’s, it was super cool to be able to talk to them and get my story out there,” said Wilson about her favorite part of the national pageant.

Wilson explained why she chose to enter the NAM pageant circuit as opposed to others because of what they look for in a pageant queen.

“National American Miss really focused on how people have confidence and how they really portray themselves.

It’s not all about looks, and that’s what really hooked me on NAM,” s a i d Wilson.

Pageants of the past: East’s Junior ■ By Aine Pierre (‘20)

Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Every year, a group of senior boys parades across the stage as part of the annual Mr. East pageant.

This is all that remains of the pageantry that once reigned here at East, in the form of the Junior Miss competition.

Now known as the Distinguished Young Women competition, the Junior Miss pageant is a national competition in four stages: high school (as in one competing against others from East), county, state and national. The organization that runs it gives out

millions in scholarships to empower young girls in education and has done so since 1958. Past national winners include Broadway actors along with former ABC Nightly News anchor Diane Sawyer, who won the pageant in 1963.

For many years throughout the 1980s and 1990s, East hosted the state competition, as well.

East’s Junior Miss competition was in large part organized by the late Ms. Joan Bruno, who first brought the pageant to East and ran its East branch.

“She taught business at Cherry Hill High School East for more than 40 years

and served as a class advisor. For many years, Joan was the driving force behind the New Jersey Junior Miss Pageant,” reads her obituary.

The competition at East involved an extensive selection and judging process, as is outlined in the 1989 edition of Eidolon, East’s yearbook. Thirty seniors were weeded down to six finalists through evaluation of academics and performance in interviews.

Then, the finalists had to display “physical fitness, stamina and coordination” as well as their “poise, appearance and posture.”

After Bruno gave up her

role but continued to teach, no one took over her pageant responsibilities and the pageant stopped at East. Mr. East, which started during Junior Miss’s run at East, i s the only pageant left.

A list of past East Junior

“They don’t care how long you’ve been doing pageants.

It’s more how you present yourself and how you look up on stage and how you interact with other people.”

Wilson plans on continuing with the state competition coming up in August. She hopes to further her outreach for both the homeless and those who deal with learning disabilities in school.

Misses

Miss winners include : ‘82: Stella Eleázar ‘83: Bonnie Ross ‘84: Not Listed ‘85: Lisa Washington ‘86: Maureen Shields ‘87: Debbie Bluth ‘88: Miriam Zibbell ‘89: Angela Lin ‘90: Ruby Chang ‘91: Not Listed ‘92: Cindy Kam ‘93:Tricia Rellosa ‘94: Lindsey Lichtman ‘ 9 5 : K a t e Lowenhar ‘96: Liz Elsas Art by Emily Collins (‘20)/ Eastside Staff

FEATURES

January 2020

EASTSIDE

Page 9

Parents with disabilities: students’ perspectives ■ By Defne Alpdogan (‘20)

Eastside Features Editor

With various amounts of work in each class, athletics, clubs and extracurricular activities, high school students have a range of responsibilities. Some students, however, have a different sense of responsibility. Instead of cleaning their rooms and finishing their homework, these students take the extra step to lend a helping hand in their homes and to their parents, who have disabilities. According to a recent National Institutes of Health Survey, around four million students have parents with disabilities. While the report does estimate that value to be closer to nine million, due to the subjective definition of disability, these students are faced with a task like no other.

For Carly Robinson (‘20), her role at home completely changed in sixth grade.

“My dad was able to do everything until I was in sixth grade. He had an upper respiratory infection that went up to his brain and then he went into a coma for a couple of months.

After he got out of his coma, he hasn’t been able to walk and he has trouble speaking and eating and doing a bunch of everyday things,” said Robinson.

To accompany this new change, Robinson’s home responsibilities, along with her actual home life, changed dramatically. Additions like a stair lift, machines that allow her father to stand and ramps were added to help her father transition into his new life.

With this new dynamic added to her family, Robinson faced an alteration to her family role. Instead

of acting like a 12-year-old, Robinson had to take a step up and take responsibility.

“I had to grow up a lot faster. Instead of having

to always be beside him.

“I have to sit with him at meals to make sure he is paying attention. I have to keep reminding him to do

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a disease that involves the immune system attacking the protective layer around nerve cells,

Marc Celine Nicholas (‘21)/ Eastside Staff

to worry about myself as a sixth-grader, like most sixth-graders do, I had to start worrying about my dad and caring for him,” said Robinson.

Throughout her middle school and high school years, Robinson, along with her family, has been taking care of her father. As soon as the school day ends, Robinson has to go home and make sure her father is never alone. Due to her father’s condition, he sometimes has the need to stand up; however, if he does, then there is a chance of him falling. To prevent him from injuring himself, Robinson and her family have

things and I have to make sure he is awake. He can never be alone so we always have to split the responsibility being with him,” said Robinson.

With a similar role in the household, Kurt Comber (‘20) assumes various tasks to help his mother.

“My mother has [Multiple Sclerosis], she has been diagnosed for some time now — ever since I was two years-old. At first, it was pretty bad, I was a newborn, so I did not get the heat of it, but my sister was in high school then.

She got pounded on by the emotional mood swings,” said Comber.

making it more difficult for the brain to send signals throughout the body. This attack of the immune system wears down eyesight and certain cognitive skills.

“She speaks before she thinks. That is not her fault; she cannot do anything about it. And her mood swings. One minute she will be loving and next, you’ll be getting yelled at for an hour,” said Comber.

As Comber’s mother lives at home, Comber has constantly learned from her. In seeing her struggle, Comber finds that he has gained a sense of patience over the years. He feels that as he has grown older, he

has understood how to deal with his mother’s condition and how to better help his family, as well as becoming closer with his mother.

“Especially since I can drive now, I can do errands for her and do all this that I could not have done ten years ago,” said Comber.

Even with a schedule busy with sports and school, Comber has to make sure to help at home. After swim practice, he has to help take care of his dog, clean his house and help out his dad as much as possible.

With two completely different stories, Robinson and Comber live in a household that obligates them to become independent. They still do face difficulties daily; however, they have learned to live with it. For Comber, it is the idea that someone can look very “normal” and still have a disability in his life. And for Robinson, it is hard for another individual to understand what she goes through since her situation is different from that of a typical teenager.

“People don’t really understand what I have to go through, and I don’t expect them to, but it is kind of hard, I have to be home and I can’t go out with my friends because I have to sit with my dad, and when people don’t understand things like that, it is kind of hard,” said Robinson.

While they go through obstacles on a day-to-day basis, their lives are forever changed.

“It takes some person to deal with that. It started to get worse now, but I am used to it. She has been doing great, she is the strongest person I know. She is my number one supporter, I thank her everyday for it,” said Comber.

Dads with disabilities: a daughter’s perspective

■ By Emily Mahaffy (‘20)

Eastside Features Editor

When I was in 6th grade, my dad, my sister and I moved out of our three-story home.

My dad could no longer make it up the steps, and there was no point living in one-third of our house.

My dad has a rare neurological disorder known as Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), in which inflammation of certain nerves in the body destroy the protective fatty covering of the nerves. This inflammation interferes with nerve signaling and can cause the loss of nerve fibers, leading to weakness, paralysis and impaired motor function.

For a little over a year my dad had full dependence on a wheelchair to move around, as he could not feel his legs or his hands. Luckily through Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) treatments, my dad was able to regain most feeling in his hands and legs and now only relies on a cane to get around. While this has caused a lot of relief for my family, it has led to other medical complications and expensive treatments.

When I think back to that time in middle school, I remember feeling really confused. I was resentful almost, because I did not understand why it was happening or why it had

to affect me. I think that seeing my dad hooked up to the IVIG machine in my living room every month normalized the situation for me, so that now it’s “just another treatment day” to the both of us. But when I take a step back, it makes me really appreciate the resiliency of the human body.

I would like to say that my dad had some great quote to impart that would make this situation fit comfortably into the whole scope of the world, but I think his actions — his ability to just get up in the morning, to sit through treatment, to not give up when his body failed him — gave me a good guiding principle.

Similarly, my stepdad has Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is more comEmily Mahaffy (‘20)/ Eastside Features Editor monly known as Lou Geh- Emily Mahaffy (‘20) and her family at an ALS awareness walk in 2016. rig’s disease. Some people may even remember it from the ALS Ice Bucket Chalgan failure. to think about the future when it lenge in 2014. Back then, my family To me, that’s really scary to think comes to both my dad and my stephad no idea that he had ALS and of and it’s much easier to write that dad, I try to remember the little we participated because it was a down than to process it. day-to-day things. fun internet challenge.

But we still have a good time. My To me, this is my life and it’s ALS is a progressive neurodefamily bought a handicap-accessible normal. Every now and then somegenerative disease that targets van so that we can take my stepdad thing will happen, like the instalnerve cells. Essentially, lateral moout in his motorized wheelchair. My lation of our new front door ramp, tor neurons, which send signals to stepsister and he even drove to Tenthat will sober up the moment, but muscles in the body, degenerate. nessee in the “Golden Nugget” (our then I think of all the memories I This will cause muscles in the body name for our gold 2006 Dodge Carahave made with the two of them. I to atrophy, leading to the loss of van) this past summer. like to say that we make the best of And though it is sometimes hard a bad situation. muscle movement control and or-

EDITORIAL

Page 10

EASTSIDE

January 2020

Editorials represent the views and opinions of the Eastside Editorial Board.

Weighted grading lacks logic

Starting this school year, Central Administration mandated that East teachers move to a uniform weighted grading system.

Each department was saddled with a one-size-fits-all system for a large majority of classes. While this may seem like an easy way to make classes more equal, in reality, it has done the opposite, as teachers have attempted to manipulate the categories to get back to their old systems. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the system benefits students at all.

The system as it currently exists designates major categories that have weights attached to them.

For example, in English, “minor assessments” are worth forty-five percent of a student’s marking period grade, “major assessments” are worth fifty percent and the district benchmark is worth five percent. What fits into each category can be subjective, however, as some teachers feel they were not given proper training as to the meanings of these categories, according to interviews conducted

by Eastside.

Additionally, due to these weights, if there are fewer homework as-

signments than tests, one homework grade may end up impacting a final average more than a research paper that took one month to write. Eastside finds this unacceptable; grades should be a representation of how well one learns material, not the result of a convoluted math equation.

Eastside does not object per se to having a weighted grading system; however, the weighted grading system at hand was formed mostly without the input of teachers. According to two teachers in the Math Department, suggestions and concerns that were sought from teachers were largely ignored. In the Math Department specifically, teachers feel the weighted system does not work for all its levels, which span from R to AP. There are similar concerns in other departments.

The student body is also largely opposed to the weighted grading system.

Of 473 respondents to an Eastside survey distributed through Google Classroom, just under 70% signaled dissatisfaction with the current system, as opposed to just over 11% who signaled support. The remaining 19% reported that they

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did not know enough about the system to form an opinion. The majority of student concern is about how weighted grades tend to drive their grades down.

For example, a student who earns a grade higher than their current class average may see their grades suffer because their average in that category is above the grade received. One teacher did the calculations and found that her students’ grades would be an average of four percent higher before the weighted system, which she believes better reflects the hard work of her students.

The district’s main argument for the system is that it creates uniformity not only from classroom to classroom, but from East to West, as well.

“The biggest thing this year is there’s consistency in content areas in both high schools, Cherry Hill East and Cherry Hill West, with how both types or categories of assignments are weighted when the marking period grades are determined,” Superintendent Dr. Joeseph Meloche told Eastside.

However, Eastside believes that departments at East and West should be

able to devise systems that are suited to the unique classroom environments of the two schools. East should not be bound to the needs of West’s classrooms, nor should West be bound to the needs of East’s.

One thing is for certain, the current weighted grade system has frustrated teachers and put students at a disadvantage. The mandated system takes away teacher individuality, while the vague categories can be confusing for students.

If weighted grades are to have a future at East, Eastside believes that the district should let departments figure out the grading system that works best for their own classes. If not, Eastside suggests a return to the way things were. This would let teachers decide what is best for their own classrooms, be that a total points system or a weighted grade system of their own design. Eastside believes this would be far more beneficial to both teachers and the student body than the current system.

With teachers jumping through hoops and students dissatisfied, the question arises: who benefits from this system?

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Eastside 2019-2020 Editorial Board

Contact the Board:

Managing Editor: Jacob Kernis Editors-in-Chief: Ali Koenig, Aine Pierre, Samantha Roehl Adviser: Mr. Greg Gagliardi News Editors Max Gaffin Isabella Levin Lauren Smith

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OPINIONS

January 2020

EASTSIDE

Page 11

Election Day must become a federal holiday ■ By Tomer Goldfinger (‘22)

Eastside Online Editor

America prides itself on being the world’s champion of democracy and freedom. However, Election Day’s status as simply a day of voting for public office rather than a federal holiday challenges this belief. The public’s influence in the government comes from voting for their elected officials, and yet this influence may be obstructed by voters being preoccupied by work on Election Day, rather than focusing on the future leadership of the country. By designating Election Day as a federal holiday, voter turnout may rise, a sign of a thriving democracy.

In America, Election Day is the Tuesday following the first Monday of November. This means that Election Day can fall anywhere between November 2 and November 8, but more importantly, it always occurs during a normal work day for most Americans.

According to a recent Pew Research Center study, America’s 55.7% voter turnout ranks 26th out of 32 developed democratic states in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. A vast majority of these countries designate Election Day as a federal holiday or make it occur on a weekend so more citizens are able to exercise their constitutionally defined right to vote than if the election was decided midweek.

Furthermore, according to the Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans, around 70 percent,

agree that “high turnout in presidential elections is very important.”

This is because as a greater percent of the United States’ population votes, a more accurate representation of the beliefs of the whole American public is shown in Congress and in the presidency.

America’s low and unhealthy voter turnout can be partially attributed to the lack of a special designation of Election Day as a day off of work. Many jobs in the U.S. are your typical nine-to-fives.

This workday schedule coincides with the hours of open polls in the U.S.. Although times vary, many polls open at around seven to eight in the morning and close at around seven to eight at night. This leaves little time for the average American worker to vote, especially given the notoriously long lines at some polling stations and long traveling distances to some locations. This inconvenience for the average American may be a factor in the low voter turnout.

But beyond the nitty-gritty, the more simple reason to add Election Day as a holiday is obvious: everyone else does it and it works well for those countries. Many European countries like Austria, France, Germany, as well as others, have their elections scheduled on either weekends or holidays, when their workers are free. These countries’ elections are marked by a much higher voter turnout percentage than the United States’.

In fact, Belgium ranks #1 in the world for voter turnout and, not

coincidentally, their Election Day always occurs on a Sunday. Same with Sweden, who ranks #2, according to the same Pew Research study.

Historically, America has had many highturnout elections.

Between 1840 and 1896, election participation peaked at around 80%, according to the Washington Post.

In the most recent presidential election in 2016, this number has dipped to only 55.7 percent of eligible voters participating.

Today, the public lacks the zeal for voting that they once had. However, this country can take one step in the right direction with the introduction of Election Day as a federal holiday.

The most recent attempt to pass such legislation occurred in the House of Representatives, where Democrats passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act. However, this attempt is doomed to fail in the Senate because of the iconic, and all too common, Mitch McConnell death

sentence.

McConnell denounced the bill as “a [Democrat] power grab that’s

Jeffrey Kaminer (‘21)/ Eastside Art Director

smelling more and more like exactly what it is.”

McConnell pledged that the bill was “not going to go anywhere in the Senate... Because I get to decide what we vote on.”

Without bipartisan support, this legislation cannot be passed. Despite how much some members of congress are dragging their heels on this legislation, making Election Day a federal holiday remains a necessity in order to advance the United States’ democracy and make it more representative of the views of the people, arguably the most important part of our republic.

New lunch break duties hinder access to teachers and catch up with friends.

But this school year, finding teachers during the lunch Lunch time signifies an breaks has become more opportunity for East studifficult due to the new lunch duties teache r s are required to perform.

As a way to watch o v e r s t u dents m o r e e f f i ciently d u r ing the lunch breaks, teache r s Vicki Kahn (‘20)/ For Eastside h a v e dents to meet with their been positioned throughout teachers, to ask questions the school to make sure evor make up work while still eryone is where they are alfinding time to eat lunch lowed to be. This new policy ■ By Brielle Lampf (‘23)

Eastside Staff

also allows students more freedom throughout the school, as they are free to go where they wish in order to do what they need to do; in other words, the bathrooms have been unlocked.

An unintended side effect of this, however, is that scheduling time with teachers is no longer a simple task. With teachers not knowing where they may be placed each day, finding an adequate time for students and teachers to meet becomes quite difficult.

Ms. Noreen Cunningham, an East English teacher, said, “My schedule feels very complicated. I would prefer a smaller, quieter environment with fewer children in a homeroom.”

Being out sick or going on trips requires students to make up immense amounts of school work and tests. Planning these make-up dates becomes one of the greatest challenges in day-to-day school life upon arriving back at

East with the teachers acquiring more varied lunch duties. For instance, how are teachers supposed to monitor tests during a lunch break if the test is being taken in the Library Annex where the teacher is assigned? How can the student be expected to focus?

The teacher cannot leave their assigned location, yet the student would clearly struggle to produce their best work in such a chaotic environment. Nobody wins.

Vice Principal Mr. Ted Beatty, a proponent of the policy, said “the new policy came by way of teacher voice.”

However, this new policy prevents students from getting the extra help they may need. If a quiz or test is quickly approaching, a student may need assistance as soon as possible.

The new policy, however, limits the time a student may get with their teacher.

“In the old-fashioned schedule, [the students]

always knew where to find me. I had a homeroom in my classroom which was a club… and students could come by for extra help,” said Cunningham.

While there are many cons to the new policy, it’s hard to ignore the realized benefits. Undeniably, the new policy limits hallway congestion. Teachers encourage movement at their posts at all times, preventing large groups from congregating in the hallways and little nooks.

Overall, the policy can be considered as hazardous to a student’s education, despite its noble purpose of creating more student freedom. Even if such a time is coordinated, with the limited availability of teachers, longer lines of students will be forced to wait. The new ever-changing lunch break “duties” for teachers is counterproductive to success at Cherry Hill High School East and needs to be reformed.

Why wait until New Years to make improvements?

■ By Harry Green (‘20)

Eastside Opinions Editor

It’s New Year’s Eve: Family and friends fill the living room as the television displays NBC’s countdown to the ceremonial ball drop, when the USA’s east coast enters 2020. A number of features abound — bottles of champagne (or sparkling apple cider, for the kids) rests on a table, while 2020 glasses, party hats and streamers sit close by.

During the festivites. someone is inevitably asked, “So, what’s your New Year’s resolution?” While many often make such resolutions — nearly half of Americans, according to the Washington Post — only one in five of these people actually follow through, according to Forbes, and after 30 days, less than ten per-

cent actually accomplish their initial goal. Why is this?

Fundamentally, it is because such resolutions are based on an arbitrary date, January 1, that most resolutions fail.

Rather than representing a true commitment to lasting change, New Year’s resolutions serve as a type of ritual. It has become a tradition to set such goals, and equally so to abandon them.

Failing New Year’s resolutions has become a cultural touchstone. Despite the ineffective practice of making resolutions at the beginning of a new year, individuals seeking to make legitimate changes in their lives should not despair.

Instead of setting extravagant or otherwise unrealistic goals each new year, many would be better served by resolving to make small but lasting changes throughout the year.

T h e m o ment o n e ident i fies an

aspect of their life as something changeable, they can change it promptly. This can occur at New Year’s, certainly; however, it could occur at any other time. A personal commitment to personal growth, no matter when, is more likely to lead to lasting change than New Year’s resolutions.

Ultimately, while the celebration of the new year can be a time for enjoying family and reflecting on the past year, it remains an arbitrary and ineffective basis for change.

Thus, when it comes time to make a positive change to one’s life, there’s no reason to wait until January 1.

After all, every minute spent waiting for the countdown could have been utilized bettering oneself.

Art by Brooklyn Hawkins (‘23)/ For Eastside

CULTURE

Page 12

EASTSIDE

It is a New Year, but is it really a new me?

■ By Aiden Rood (‘23)

Eastside Staff

A new year brings new goals and hope for most.

But for many, those goals will fall incomplete and that hope will culminate in empty results.

Polling from the Business Publications Corporation found that healthy eating, additional exercise and weight loss rank as the top three resolutions, with financial savings and the adoption of hobbies rounding out the top five. However, many of those goals are unsuccessful, as a University of Scranton study shows that just eight percent of New Year’s resolutions are actually successful.

Analysis from the social

fitness network Strava further stipulates that 55% of new yar’s commitments are abandoned by January 12 each year. With history and statistics not on goalsetters’ side, carrying out a resolution can be difficult.

With low odds, some people don’t partake in the tradition at all.

“I don’t make new year’s Resolutions,” said Gina Liu (‘23).

Liu said the idea of goals for the new year seems kind of arbitrary to her. In her view, it is important to make long term goals and work towards them — just not in association with the new year, which she believes adds pressure that’s unnecessary and unhelpful.

For the seemingly small

group that participates and succeeds in the resolutions, however, the challenges that they face can help propel them to achievement.

“It’s just [about] the determination, really,” said Eric Li (‘23), who made a successful resolution in 2019 to be more productive.

Li said that in achieving his goal it was important to make and complete smaller goals that built up to achieving the larger one.

Lindsey Ledbetter, general manager and head coach at Crossfit Hygge Cherry Hill, works to motivate clients to complete their fitness and health goals all year long.

Ledbetter said that “finding the value in what you want to do” is important

in completing a goal. Furthermore, she explained that success depends upon having accountability and a supportive community.

Ranging from academics to fitness, many resolutions were made in 2019 and many more will be made for 2020.

Whether you succeeded in completing a goal for 2019, abandoned a resolution before the year’s end or didn’t partake in the tradition at all, 2020 offers opportunities for self-improvement. If you set small goals to build upon, find support and accountability and work hard to achieve a goal, 2020 just may be the year that you defy the New Year’s Resolution odds and complete your annual goal.

al flare.

When I picture an ideal “warm winter outfit,” I imagine heavy Under Armour, cold gear accompanied with a big sweatshirt and comfy sweatpants.

Although this typical winter outfit is represented

for me, entails jeans and a cute sweater.

“By dressing nice at school, it gives me a chance to express myself, even when it’s cold out,” said Julia Wolfson (‘22), who prefers to dress cute at school rather than bundled up in

A winter battle: bundling up or dressing up?

■ By Jessica Levin (‘22)

Eastside Buisness Manager

In the winter, students at East prefer to throw on their favorite outfit rather than bundle up for the extremely cold temperatures. Although they may look cute, are these clothing items really keeping them warm?

From experience, I️ can tell you that although some girls choose to dress to impress, it does not necessarily satisfy the need to stay warm.

Whether going to school, dinner or a party, many girls will confess that the weather only partially impacts how they dress, whether that means wearing long sleeves and pants or short sleeves and shorts.

When it’s cold outside, throwing on a cute, comfy outfit seems to be more ideal than the traditional bulky winter attire that simultaneously allows them to show their own individu-

by some of the students at East, in the hallways you will see the majority of students wearing what I consider a “cute outfit,” which,

winter.

In addition to what the students enjoy wearing, cold gear can also be expensive. It is easier to throw

on that sweater, rather than buy costly cold gear, such as a heavy North Face coat, which, suprisngly, can cost up to $300. From my own experience, I personally loathe putting on my hefty winter clothing items all together, and just the thought of luging them around school with me is extremely unpleasant.

Aside from the economic burden that accompanies winter attire, it is a pain to wear layered clothes in a school with inconsistent temperature. East classrooms during the winter can reach extreme heat.

However, the short, yet brutal, walk to and from the school parking lot is dreadful in the cold. That being said, it is extremely difficult to decide whether to wear clothes that will make you freeze outside or melt inside. Instead of throwing warm clothes over cute clothes and trying to squeeze that large winter coat in your backpack, students, including myself, just wear our trendier clothing items no matter how cold it may be.

of likes. This is where mental health comes into play.

Hiding the number of likes can take away the burden of “needing” likes. Instead, users can focus on posting the content they desire to share with the rest of the community.

Students at East were asked about their opinions on Instagram hiding the number of likes.

“I believe that Instagram getting rid of likes is a good thing because it can be tempting to want to get validation through the amount of likes you get on a post.

But that’s never what Instagram was intended for,” said Beth Escobar (‘20).

“All forms of social media should be connecting people to each other instead of lowering people’s self confidence because they didn’t reach a certain amount of likes.”

Escobar emphasizes that social media should be utilized to bring people together rather than bringing each other down.

However, when asked about their opinions on this new idea, some bring up the point that for popular

influencers with millions of fans, the number of likes tie into their income, so it will make it more challenging for influencers to adapt to this change. Instagram says that they will take all this feedback into consideration before making any permanent decisions.

“I think that likes are good for marketing and influencers on Instagram, but for the average person, the likes are not necessary and they lead to comparison with others.” said Francesca Crawley (‘20).

A large percentage of Instagram users are not

influencers. Crawley states that this makes viewing the likes unnecessary for the majority of users.

There are mixed feelings on this change that Instgram has been testing out recently. Hiding the number of likes can be beneficial as it assists in helping people care less about how others view them and start taking and posting for the sake of sharing creativity and moments with the people around them. Although some people argue against the idea, many people view this as an opportunity to alter societal norms.

Photo by Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor Photo Illustration by Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Yena Son (‘22) and Esther Tian (‘22) model the two most distinct styles of winter.

How much do you like Instagram’s latest liking feature?

■ By Jiseon Lee (‘20)

Eastside Photo Editor

Starting November 2019, Instagram began hiding likes from specific users in the United States.

Instagram announced that it is testing this feature on select users in various regions worldwide.

“We want your friends to focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get. You can still see your own likes by tapping on the list of people who’ve liked it, but your friends will not be able to see how many likes your post has received,” said Instagram in a statement.

Scrolling through Instagram, it is clear who cares about likes and who does not care. Many users would post on their Instagram story, after posting a picture “LMP (like my pic)” indicating they want their followers to give their post a like. In some cases, users would go through their own feed and evaluate their pictures and videos and debate whether or not they should archive or delete the post depending on the number

Collage by Jiseon Lee (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor

January 2020

■ By Eli Weitzman (‘20) Eastside Webmaster

About a year or two ago, there were only really two big streaming services: Netflix and Hulu. These two companies were founded to provide a centralized place to stream content at an affordable rate for the average consumer. There were a few smaller services as well, like Prime Video, Vudu and HBO Now. Flash forward to 2020.

NBC has pulled fan-favorite shows like “The Office” and “Friends” from Netflix.

Disney has pulled all their films and television shows from streaming services.

CBS has produced exclusive “Star Trek” content only for their service. There are now countless streaming services, from NBC’s Peacock to HBO Max and Apple TV+. Everyone has decided now to get a piece of the streaming market. And Netflix and Hulu are left in the dust without their most popular content.

This is a huge problem.

Every which way, new streaming services are appearing. And our old ones are slowly losing their way.

Soon, you’d have to be subscribed to six different services to keep watching your favorite TV shows.

And the problems don’t stop there. Cost is another huge factor in the mix. Services range from around six dollars all the way to fifteen dollars per month!

So imagine, if you may, you are a standard consumer who likes to watch “Star Trek,” “The Office” and Star Wars. Well, you’d first have to subscribe to CBS All Access, a $6.99 minimum monthly price.

In addition, you’d also need to subscribe to NBC Universal’s Peacock to see The Office (pricing is unknown at the time of writing, but assume more than five dollars). And lastly, you’d have to pay $6.99 for Disney+ to see Star Wars. That totals to potentially almost twenty dollars, all so you can watch your favorite shows.

The real problem here is simple. We need to go back to the old ways. Have only one or two services; don’t jump on the bandwagon.

The only way to get there now, sadly, is for yet another company to step up. This company would need to be able to create an all-in-one subscription, which automatically subscribes the user to all the services they would want. But, in retrospect, this puts us back at square one, as instead of building a service that was cheaper and made to compete with cable, it will just end up creating the same issue as cable did. Except worse, as every channel you would ever use has its own set price. And the circle of content continues.

CULTURE Do legends really never die?

January 2020

■ By Karissa Murray (‘20)

Eastside Community Editor

On December 8, 2019, Jarad Higgins, better known as rapper Juice Wrld, died on the floor of Chicago’s Midway Airport from a drug-induced seizure. He turned 21 just a week before.

About a year-and-a-half prior to his death, Juice Wrld released a song entitled “Legends” in which he says, “What’s the 27 club?

We ain’t making it past 21.”

The song was in reference to the death of rappers XXXTentacion and Lil Peep, both of whom had died suddenly within the several months before the song’s release date. This was not the first time an artist has written a song in connection to another deceased rapper and ended up meeting the same fate; XXXTentacion collaborated with Lil Peep posthumously on the song “Falling Down,” recording a verse that Lil Peep wrote for the song. The song wasn’t released until after XXXTentacion met his own end.

In the wake of Juice Wrld’s death, the lyrics of that once heartfelt tribute became a haunting selffulfilled prophecy, not unlike those before him.

Being a famous musician has always been a deadly profession.

The world of “drugs, sex, and rock’n’roll” is chased by many, but very few anticipate the consequences of such high highs. Through the decades it seems as though the more impactful the artist, the harder they fall. For example, John Lennon was assassinated on the street in front of his apartment by a crazed fan at 40. Kurt Cobain succumbed to his heroin addiction and depression, eventually committing suicide at 27. Before him, the “27 club” was filled with musicians who struggled and died from similar vices, like Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. In more recent history, Amy Winehouse passed away at the same age in 2009.

Nowadays, as Juice Wrld said, it seems as though artists are dying even younger, as they are able to find

EASTSIDE

success earlier in life. This is due to the power that the internet has to heighten the accessibility and spread of music. Rapper Mac Miller started to make a name for himself in the late 2010s when he was still a teenager in high school. He had gained so much popularity that by 2011, at age 19, he had a full-fledged rapping career. Although he made it longer than the other rappers who died in recent his-

tory, he still passed away in 2018 from a drug overdose at the age of 26.

The curious part is, what makes these deaths in particular so important?

People die, even celebrities, and although still very sad, we hear of the passing of older musicians fairly frequently. Yet when artists die before their time, when people still feel like they had much more to create, they feel robbed. It transforms their work from some unlimited supply that we take for granted to a treasured time capsule of not only their lives, but ours as well. Even after decades pass, in the case of Kurt Cobain, people still wear Nirvana shirts and listen to their music all the time even though it’s been a quarter-century since his death. It’s also pretty unlikely anyone is going to

stop listening to the Beatles anytime soon, either. That leaves us with the question: Do we make people legendary because of their impact while they were alive or because we appreciate what we had more now that it is gone, and in turn heighten their importance in the wake of their death?

Almost every artist who has died prematurely has released some type of posthumous album or collection

YouTube videos and Instagram photos, there is a comment mocking their death or chastising them for losing so much potential and opportunity by dying so young. As more time goes on past their deaths, the negative comments increase and often become harsher. These negative commenters usually cite their purpose as trying to shut down the idolization of drug addiction and mental illness. This is a fair claim; however, commenters are often brutal and heartless in their delivery, and it seems as though the people writing them forget that the deceased celebrity they are coming after was a person, with problems just like anyone else and a family who loved them that has been left behind and is mourning a real loss.

It’s a lot less likely anyone would speak so callously of someone who died in such a way whom they knew personally, but it just goes to show that even in death, the dark side of fame cannot be so easily escaped.

“People need to stop getting kicks from people’s deaths, bottom line is that most of the artists who have died have quality music that they were clearly passionate about. Instead of remembering people for their work, people choose to disregard that person’s life because they Collage by Ali Koenig (‘20)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief didn’t agree with something they did or said, of music. This is because or weren’t a fan of their muthey often sell just as much sic,” Jack Connor (‘20) said. as, if not more than, the Every generation has music that person made an identity, a struggle, a when they were alive. Even message and, most of all, a incomplete demos stitched sound. into songs will be slurped It is no surprise why up by fans of the deceased, most remembered figures new and old. It is common of any time period are ofthat the artist will gain ten musicians. With a cereven more recognition and tain amount of relatability fans after their death, after to their lyrics, originality media and mourning fans in their sound, a bit of luck bring attention to the situand good timing, they are ation. On an even deeper able to encapsulate the level, it makes that once voice of their time. Many huge celebrity seem more can be considered influenhuman, more relatable, tial, but those who are reas we remember that no membered as “legends” ofmatter the level of fame or ten die young, if not in the fortune, we are all human height of their career. They and, therefore, we all ineviare forever frozen in time, tably pass on. never to age and never to With as much glorificachange — forever a symbol tion these artists receive of an era. These people tend after death, there is just to become something much as much backlash and habigger than themselves in tred. For every “Rest In death, and fans never seem Peace” comment under to let go.

Page 13

Rest In Peace

In memory of those who lost their lives too soon, Eastside’s culture editors dedicate their January playlist to you: Rest easy, legends never die. by

“Legends” Juice Wrld

“Falling Down”

by Lil Peep & XXXTentacion “Star Shopping”

by Lil Peep “Self Care” by Mac Miller “Jocelyn Flores”

by XXXTentacion “Cobain” Peep

by

Lil

“Come Back to Earth” by Mac Miller “The Brightside”

by Lil Peep “Rich and Blind”

by Juice Wrld “Beamer Boy” by Lil Peep Scan our QR code to listen to our playlist.

SPORTS

Page 14

EASTSIDE

January 2020

Brothers push each other in final season together ■ By Remy Abrams (‘21)

Eastside Culture Editor

Though most sibling relationships comprise of stealing clothes or fighting over who gets to sit shotgun in the car, the interaction between the Greene brothers is built around passing the basketball.

Ryan Greene (‘20), pictured left, has been playing Varsity Basketball at East for the past four years as a starter. However, in 2018, Ryan Greene ceased to be the only Greene on the court for the Cougars, as Drew Greene (‘22), pictured right, joined the squad in his freshman year.

He managed to impress his coaches to the point in which he was given a Varsity jersey during his first year at East. To make varsity is a highly esteemed achievement which both brothers achieved in their respective freshman years.

“It’s the best feeling in the world to play with not only [my] brother but [my] best friend. He’s pushed me and I’ve pushed him every day since we were in elementary school,” said Ryan about sharing the court with his younger brother.

Since both of their freshman

years, Coach Dave Allen has coached them through their high school basketball experience and enjoys how these two brothers interact with each other on and off the court.

“They are two brothers with a symbiotic relationship,” said Allen. “They are going to work really well together this year.”

Ryan and Drew Greene not only p u t endless e f fort

and passion into basketball during the season, but they also train tirelessly at The Blue Barn and Explosive Sports during the off- season.

The brothers started playing when

they were around three or four years old and grew up adoring the game. Whether it was in their driveway or hitting the gym with their trainers, basketball has always been an important factor in their lives.

Their first game together was when Drew was in sixth grade and Ryan was in eighth. Although their career together began as Beck Bobcats, they truly shine as Cougars.

“We have been battling against each other since we were little kids and we still do it to this day,” said Drew.

Not only have they watched each other develop on the court, but they also grew up knowing they were following in their father’s footsteps.

Their father played basketball at the University at Albany.

The brothers support each other on and off the court, with Drew looking up to his older brother.

“For the longest time we have been playing basketball together and I’ve always looked up to him and tried to learn different things about basketball and

put that into my game,” said Drew.

D u r ing Ryan’s junior year season, he was accompanied by his younger brother for the first time on the East court.

Fellow varsity teammate Ryan Bloom (‘21) has a first-hand view of the brothers.

“It’s so awesome watching them play together. They push each other, they compete and they connect as they do on and off the court,” said Bloom.

“I know they have each other’s backs and will support each other through the good and bad when on the court.”

Though the previous 2018 basketball season may have been the first time that the brothers were seen on the East court together, their successes certainly had something to do with the years they spent practicing together.

“It’s so fascinating [to play with Ryan] because when we are on the court together it feels like we have a different kind of chemistry that allows us to be connected in a different way than other players,” said Drew.

This upcoming season will be the second, and last, season the brothers will be playing together at East.

Together, the two brothers and the rest of the team will look to bring a winning season to East.

“Playing with [Drew] this year is the most unique and exciting thing that I will ever do in my basketball career and I will not take it for granted,” said Ryan.

“We have been dreaming about this since we [first] went to East games [once] we moved here and I can’t wait for [this] opportunity.”

Photos by Christian Aiken (‘23)/ Eastside Staff

Bleached hair shows swim team unity

right when I brought up the idea, but the few who did not want to Eastside Staff bleach were not forced to,” said Funari.

At Cherry Hill East, the Boys’ From the start, the team memSwim Team has a unique tradibers demonstrated spirit for their tion of bleaching their hair when team by bleaching their hair. they advance to the state finals — As the years progressed, more though it is not mandatory for the team members participated. team members to participate. This In the past, the team has used tradition has taken place for the their pasta party before the state past four years. semifinals to bleach the hair of When the team bleaches their those who did not get the chance to hair, it allows them to establish a have it done on their own. unified front going into state cham“ [ T h e pionship t r a dition] meets. shows how “[When] strong our we all friendship is walk on since we’re the pool willing to deck lookbleach our ing the hair as one,” same, it said swimmakes us mer James look more Kwak (‘22). united as East stua team,” dents can said swimeasily recmer Nick ognize the Pezzella members (‘22). of the Boys’ T h e Allie Rosen (‘20)/ Eastside Staff Swim Team tradition, h o w e v e r , The Boys’ Swim Team celebrates after their from a quick glance in the is more win, proudly donning bleached hair. hallway, as than just team memthe color of their hair. bers of all grade levels are united “It really brings the team togethby their hair. er for one goal near the end of the “It’s cool to see how a group of season: to hopefully win the state guys who could be freshmen to sechip,” said Bobby Irwin (‘20), team niors all share something together,” captain. said Irwin.

JT Funari (‘19), an alumnus of The swim team has been very the swim team, started the tradisuccessful at meets, which they tion in his sophomore year at East. credit to their tradition.

“Most of the team trains with “We know when it’s time to their club team and the team buckle down and swim fast when doesn’t really spend a lot of time towe bleach,” said Funari. “I think it gether outside of [swim] meets and speaks for itself, with us winning pasta parties. I just thought that two out of three state championeveryone bleaching their hair would ships with yellow hair.” bring the team closer together, sort These swimmers and the rest of a brotherhood kind of deal,” said of the team look forward to the Funari. chance of winning their third state Though, of course, not everyone title in the past four years, with wanted to bleach their hair. bleached, bright hair.

“A lot of people were on board ■ By Nicole Vital (‘22)

Check out eastside-online.org

January 2020

SPORTS EASTSIDE

Area teams use DiBart Gym

Point Guard Ryan Greene (‘20) said that the increase in the number of teams DiBart Gym, home to utilizing the DiBart Gym East’s Cougars, has also bewill have a minimal impact come a den for other school on the Cougars’ play as, mascots. “[Camden] will play their This basketball season, home games later at night, lions, panthers and even probably around 7:00 p.m. vikings will come hungry when we play at home at to devour their opponents 3:45 p.m.” in East’s DiR e Bart Gym. cently, The DiBart Camden Gym will be H i g h home to the School Camden High has had Panthers a lot of for the new publicity, season and with 6’9” will also host senior various other L a n c e high school W a r e basketball committeams’ games ting to as a neutral the Unisite of compeversity tition. of KenWhy the t u c k y change? Renover ofovations are fers from being done Michito Camden gan, Ohio High School’s Andrew Maier (‘20)/ Eastside Photo Editor State and gym, leaving New Jersey basketball players play in DiBart. m o r e . the Panthers Ware is without a ranked home court for the season. basketball.

36th in the nation for the “East is easily accessible Being considered “neuclass of 2020 and will be usfor all teams coming into tral ground” for all of the ing DiBart along with the New Jersey and charges new teams using East’s rest of his team. Another other high schools the regufacilities is another reason big name playing in DiBart lar high school rate for gym why East’s gym is attracis Wildwood Catholic High time, unlike Rutgers Camtive to other schools.

School’s team. den or Rowan University,” Located between the JerRecently ranked 56th on said Paul Blocker, Jr., assey Shore and PennsylvaMaxPrep boys’ basketball sistant coach of the Camnia latitudinally, as well as top 100 preseason rankden High Panthers. being longitudinally central ings, the Crusaders will Additionally, the popuwithin the state, allows for demonstrate their abilities larity and the publicity accessibility for all teams in DiBart against Archthat comes along with these around the area. bishop Wood. Overall, talteams necessitates a gym With the skills that loent will be showcased in that can fit all of the visical teams possess, many DiBart this year that comes tors and players. Not only schools are taking possible from all over the state. does this make East’s gym home court advantages With this development, attractive to outside teams and distance into account basketball fans at East will and coaches, but it is also to make the game as objecbe able to experience naone of the only gyms in the tive as possible at DiBart. tionally ranked teams and area that can fit thousands As for the effect on the Couplayers right on their home of people. gars, East Starting Varsity court.

■ By Nate Pullano (‘20)

Eastside Video Editor

Page 15

“I personally think it’s great; you saw it last year, during the Camden vs.

Haddonfield game for the Group II finals, the entire place was sold out with thousands of fans watching right in DiBart,” said Mark DiRugeris, Jr., assistant coach of Wildwood Catholic High School

Allen finds success, comfort at the hockey rink only for herself, but for her mother, too.

“Ever since my mom Since fourth grade, a mapassed away the summer jority of Becca Allen’s (‘21) before high school, I’ve used time has been spent on the hockey to guide me through ice rink with a puck at her her loss and I think it has feet and a stick in her hand. really has been helpful. I Hockey is not only a fun always feel so motivated beactivity for Allen, but also cause she is watching over something she gravitates to me. I always keep the date in both good and bad times. she passed, or a message Whether she is overto her witten on my stick tape,” Allen said.

Allen’s mother is not her only source of inspiration. Her older sister, Sarah Allen (‘19), used to play for a boys’ hockey team.

She inspired Allen to be an ice hockey player. Similarly, Allen played for a boys’ team before switching to the Princeton Tiger Lilies, a girls’ team, when she was in seventh grade.

Hockey is a huge commitment, similar to many other sports. However, Allen attends practice two days a week for which she has to travel up to an hourand-a-half round trip. On top of her ice hockey games and Courtesy of Becca Allen (‘21) practices, Allen also Becca Allen (‘21) (center) shows off her moves on the ice. plays field hockey ■ By Amanda Merovitz (‘22)

Eastside Sports Editor

run with school work or just needs to blow off some steam, hockey is always there for her. Not only has it allowed her to escape the stress of books and homework, it also helped her navigate a huge life changing event. The summer before her freshman year, Allen’s mother passed away.

After her passing, Allen has played every game not

Graphic by Ali Koenig (‘20)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

at East. She loves both sports and the people on her teams. All her sports take up a lot of her after school time and keep her extremel y busy. “[If] a game f o r field hocke y overlaps a practice for [ice] hockey, I will have to skip [ice hockey] practice.

S o m e t i m e s I have a game for field hockey and have to leave right from that to ice hockey. I usually don’t get to touch my homework until 11 p.m.,” said Allen.

Although hockey has

played a key role in her life for so long, Allen is not planning on continuing to play hockey in college, instead hoping to focus more on her academic career.

This is going to be a huge change in All e n ’ s life because she has been playing multiple sports for most of her life. Allen may not continue with hockey, the sport that she loves, for much longer. But she will certainly never forget her years of hard work, dedication and passion that she put in.

Photo courtesy of Becca Allen (‘21)

SPORTS

January 2020

EASTSIDE

Page 16

Gymnasts inducted into East Athletic Hall of Fame degree in special education while she simultaneously coached both artistic and rhythmic gymnasts at naNew inductees of Cherry tional levels at the Will Hill East’s Athletic Hall of Moor School of Gymnastics Fame, Mrs. Carolyn (Corbi) for ten years (from 1982 to Schultz (‘80) and Dr. Marc 1992).

Cardelia (‘81), have Schultz’s been honored as two teaching of East’s finest athjourney beletes. Both Schultz gan in the and Cardelia reprePennsauken sented East in gymSchool Disnastics competitions trict, where and won a plethora she was a of awards and titles. special eduSchultz, or “Capcation teachtain Corbs” as her er and she teammates called eventually her, became interbecame a priested in gymnastics ority schools after watching Olga initiative Korbut perform in consultant the 1972 Olympics. for the New Inspired by Korbut, Jersey Edushe started competcation Asing for a club team sociation outside of school, (NJEA). which gave her a S c h u l leg up as a gymnast upon entering East.

Courtesy of Carolyn Schultz (‘80) tz’s journey “I would definitely Schultz performs at a compeittion on the bal- through life not say my favorite event ance beam for the East Girls’ Gymnastics team. would have been to compete in was the complete floor routine, especialwas sadly halted during without her gymnastics caly since I loved to perform her sophomore year in 1982 reer, and she plans to conand entertain the crowds, after injuring her ankle to tinue to cherish the sport as but my best event was the the point where she could long as she lives. uneven parallel bars,” said not walk.

Cardelia, conversely, Schultz.

“It was devastating — restarted gymnastics after Schultz claimed many alizing that I could no lonbeing approached during titles, including being the ger compete in gymnastics, his sophomore year by Mr. first person — male or fedoing the thing that I loved Lou Frank, the East Boys’ male — to be named onto with all my heart. HowGymnastics coach at the Courier Post’s All-South ever, I took it as a blessing time, who encouraged him Jersey Gymnastics Squad in disguise; I would have to join. for four consecutive years. never been able to become His talent was almost Additionally, her score on a special education teacher, natural, as in his sophothe uneven parallel bars of which eventually led to me more year the Courier Post 9.8 continues to be the rebecoming the President of named him a South Jercord in South Jersey. the Pennsauken Education sey All-Star Team MemHer dedication was obAssociation,” said Schultz. ber. Throughout his East vious to those who knew Schultz ultimately decidcareer, Cardelia earned her; she remembers quickly ed to return to New Jersey many individual awards; eating whatever she could and attend Glassboro State perhaps his most impresas she raced straight from College, now Rowan Unisive was placing fourth in East gymnastics practice versity, in order to finish the all-around competition to her private gymnastics her Bachelor’s and Master’s at States. practice.

■ By Lalitha Viswanathan (‘22)

Eastside Sports Editor

Her success eventually led to her committing to Western Carolina University, where she was given a full scholarship as a Division I gymnast. However, Schultz’s gymnastics career

He was sought after by numerous colleges, including William and Mary, Michigan and Syracuse.

However, his acceptance from Princeton University was unmatched, and he ultimately decided to compete as a Division I Tiger.

“I honestly applied to Princeton because of my parents, not at all believing I would actually be accepted,” said Cardelia.

His collegiate gymnastics career achievements included first place for

“Training for the Olympics takes three to four hours out of a day, full-year, which [does not] leave you a whole lot of time to study for med school. I think I always saw myself attending medical school. I know I made the right choice.”

After college, he was not completely ready to part from his love of gymnastics.

A year after he graduated from Princeton, he became an Assistant Gymnastics Varsity Coach for East while preparing for medical school.

His gymnastics career stopped there after he tore his ACL while dismounting from the rings.

“I could not afford to get hurt any time after that, so I decided to call it quits,” said Cardelia.

Up until five years ago, Cardelia and one of his PrincCourtesy of East Eidolon eton teamCardelia (middle) poses with teammates mates used for a picture in the 1981 East Eidolon. to walk on their hands his floor routine in the during Princeton reunions North Atlantic Gymnastics for about forty to fifty feet League (NAGL) and second in front of viewers, but place in the Ivy League Cardelia decided he could Championships his senior no longer put his body on year. Additionally, he was the line. an All-Ivy athlete all four Although his gymnastics years at Princeton. journey ended, Cardelia is However, Cardelia had forever grateful for the opto choose between training portunities he was given as for the Olympics or attenda gymnast. The memories ing medical school. and friendships he made “Honestly, I think realin gymnastics have shaped ity set in,” said Cardelia. his path through life.

Balderstone commits for gymnastics and cheerleading ■ By Jamie Bookbinder (‘22)

Eastside Staff

In a rare occurence nowadays at East, Susannah Balderstone (’20) was awarded an athletic scholarship and committed to Limestone College, located in Gaffney, South Carolina, for gymnastics and cheerleading.

To earn the scholarship, Balderstone needed to get good grades and submit videos of her tumbling skills from both running and standing positions three to four times a week for six months. While Balderstone is relatively new to cheer, she has been a gymnast since the age of seven. She first got in-

volved in gymnastics by attending a class as a guest with a friend. She has dedicated herself to the sport ever since.

Balderstone has always committed herself to her sports. Over the years, she has devoted substantial amounts of time working out at TNT Elite Gymnastics in Maple Shade.

Her practice schedule typically has her training from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., five days a week.

In addition, from November through April, she regularly participates in competitions. She began competing in trampoline competitions at age seven or eight and now participates in several gymnastics events, including floor, tumbling and trampoline.

Her favorite gymnastics event has always been the floor routine, where she performs tricks and choreography.

“It is a good way to express yourself; gymnastics is very expressive,” said Balderstone.

The USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Program ranks gymnasts in levels 1 through 10, with 10 being the highest level. Balderstone earned level 10 in floor exercises and also the trampoline. She has regularly competed in annual regional competitions at level 10, which has included gymnasts from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.

She views her first place win at level 10 in the floor exercises in 2018 as her biggest accomplishment to date.

Another accomplishment: when Balderstone was 12, she broke the NJ state record with a 9.775 on floor, while in level 8.

Two years ago, at the Atlantic Coast gymnastic competition, Balderstone broke

her ankle and tore her rotator cuff. As a result, she redirected her athletic energy toward cheerleading, since it is easier on the body than gymnastics.

Balderstone found that cheer was “such a Maggie Balderstone (‘20)/ For Eastside friendly en- Balderstone talks to her coach before vironment” performing a floor routine. and that she liked it betmental support to keep goter than the environment of ing. It gives you courage,” gymnastics. She also found said Balderstone. that as a whole, gymnastics Balderstone credits her is more serious than cheer. mom as her biggest supHowever, she has missed porter because she has alher gymnastics friends ways attended her practicsince withdrawing from es and competitions. competitive gymnastics.

In addition to practicing Balderstone’s cheer cheer herself, Balderstone practice has been paying coaches two and threeoff. Recently, she won the year-olds in gymnastics at Greater-Midwest CheerTNT Elite.

Expo competition in Ohio.

All in all, Balderstone While she enjoys cheer, looks forward to competing gymnastics still holds a in cheer and gymnastics at special place in her heart Limestone College and takbecause she credits it with ing the next step in her life. fostering toughness.

“Gymnastics is a very inArt by Alison Maier (‘23)/ dividual sport. It gives you For Eastside