The Smoke Signal Pascack Valley High School
June, 2016 Volume XII, Issue I
“Where there’s smoke there’s fire”
pvsmokesignal.com
Senior year: not the end, only the beginning College and careers soon to come
Photo by Kyle Comito
PV seniors gathered in the new gym duing lunch on “Decision Day”, May 2, to show off their new college apparel and take pictures with their friends. By Brianna Ruback Associate Editor in Chief Senior year (noun): \sēnyər yir \ 1. the fourth, final, and arguably most desirable year of high school As high school students in our last semester, we are soaking up what is left of our time as “big fish in a small pond.” While we have enjoyed the wide variety of privileges, such as leaving school grounds to go out to lunch, sitting front row at the much-awaited Friday night football games, and having access to the school parking lot (though there is the notorious Stonybrook trek for many), these days are passing before our very eyes. Soon enough, we will be saying our farewells and going off on our own paths. For the soon-to-be college students, there is an abundance of new opportunities that they will be granted as part of the “college experience.” In college, there is significantly more flexibility when creating a class schedule. One of the main purposes is to gain real-world experience for their future careers; therefore, students can choose classes of their liking. While many colleges have their own specific requirements, they are far less restricting than those of high school and do not hinder one from pursuing something that they are genuinely interested in. The privilege of picking classes enables students to select the time that they will be attending in accordance to their own wants and needs, which is definitely a benefit for those who are not early risers. Furthermore, one of the major differences between high school and college is that in high school, you have to be there, while in college, you want to be there.
In addition to the vast array of academic opportunities, there is also newfound freedom that is acquired in college. PV senior, Chelsea Lee, explained that she is most looking forward to “living a different lifestyle and becoming (more) independent.” Senior Jack Ottomanelli, who is considering a school in North Carolina, agreed. “I’m most excited to live somewhere new,” Ottomanelli said. For those who will be living on a campus away from home, they will no longer be forced to succumb to parental rule, as they are inevitably more self-reliant and and will be able to make more autonomous decisions. While the departure from high school and separation from long-time friends may be emotional for some, the idea of going to an entirely new school with a student body consisting of completely different people is one of the most sought-after features of breaking away from the previous high school clan. Sarah O’Reilly explained, “I feel like we have been friends with the same people since we were five (years old), so it will be nice to meet new people.” In college, we are likely to encounter people from all over the country with different cultures and backgrounds, and they will have their own unique experiences to share. These experiences may contrast what we as high school students living in the confining bubble of suburbia consider “the norm.” This will allow us to gain new perspectives and broaden our horizons. “I am excited to meet new people and just be exposed to different ways of looking at life,” senior Victoria Oliveira said.
In high school, many of us are typecast. Whether you were known as the jock, theatre kid, or brainiac, these labels do not have to be everlasting. In college, it will not matter who you were in high school because now, you can be anyone that you want to be. The introduction to a new environment diminishes that ever-so-present need to fit in because there are more opportunities to find your
place and discover who you truly are. With less than five months until graduation and seven until college, the days are fleeting, and all that seniors can do is make the most of what is left of our high school experience. While entering a world that seems so foreign may be daunting, we need not worry. Now that we are given the means to turn our dreams into our reality, the possibilities are endless.
Photo by Rebecca Silverman
June 2016
College destination map All information is according to a survey sent out by The Smoke Signal Made by Lauren Cohen Managing Editor
California 1- Harvey Mudd College Ashley Le Illinois 2- Northwestern University Ejin Hur 3- University of Illinios Maggie Deegan Michigan 4- Michigan State University Amber Arbegast Jordan Lauber Matt Truglio 5- University of Michigan Ana Beyer Ohio 6- Ohio University Colin Dedrick Joseph Schnugg Jake Giambona Peter Pescatore Pennsylvania 7- Carnegie Mellon Evan Tinati 8- University of Pittsburgh Jenn Tran Samantha Buldo Kacie Barry Talia Piretra Rachel Barcelona 9- Penn State University at Altoona Sang Won Lee 10- Penn State University Daniel Schneiderman Zekun Peng Dominic Zipfel Kyra Belva 11- Shippensburg University Abby Lee 12- Gettysburg College John Looes 13- Bucknell University Janine Warner 14- University of Scranton Calvin Ralph 15- East Stroudsburg University James Poggiogalle 16- Muhlenberg College Maggie Capone Laura Santo Lauren Smartenko 17- Lehigh University James Setola Neekta Pico
18- Delaware Valley University Caitriona McIntyre 19- Villanova University Lauren Dentato Andrew Flores Jack Smolen Adam Aloi 20- West Chester University Nick Timpanaro Emily Panno 21- Widener University Grace Twomey 22- University of Pennsylvania Meghan Doody 23- Temple University Ben Kantrowitz Olivia Sariol 24- Drexel University Eun Hye Cho New York 25- Rochester Institute of Technology Eric Lang Jimmy Spillane 26- Syracuse University Alex Borrelli 27- Skidmore College Theo Morris 28- SUNY at Albany Haley Ames 29- Ithaca College Evan Jones Brianna Ruback Pamela Molyneaux 30- St. Thomas Aquinas College Ashley Lagrosa Joe Solda 31- Fashion Institute of Technology Marissa Green 32- New York University Kasane Tonegawa 33- Pace University Sydney Krantz Justin Balestra 34- St. Johns University Jack Ottomanelli Vermont 35- University of Vermont Tyler Carlo New Hampshire 36- Southern New Hampshire University Rami Saliby
Massachusetts 37- University of Massachusetts- Lowell Nicole Molyneaux 38- Berklee College of Music Jared Kullberg 39- Northeastern University Hana Shapiro Nick Urbaniak 40- Worcester Polytechnic Institute Patrick Flinn 41- Amherst College Eric Liu 42- University of Massachusetts- Amherst Natalie Blazina Jenna Westley Connecticut 43- Fairfield University Joanna Connors Ashley Kasperavich 44- Sacred Heart University Katie Gallagher Brianne McGuire Colette Dabaghian Emily Smith 45- University of New Haven Jessica Deer 46- Quinnipiac University Andre Varteresian Melissa Jones Caitlin Earls 47- University of Connecticut Josh Cohn Rhode Island 48- Roger Williams University Katie Revie 49- Johnson and Wales University Kenny Mars 50- Providence College Eric Ziccarelli 51- University of Rhode Island Chelsea Lee Alexis Lawrence Justin Purcell Thomas Palamidis Joseph Williams Katerina Grammatikos Alex Pleasic New Jersey 52- Ramapo College of New Jersey Rob Carcich
Rachel Doherty Keith Doherty Alexa Hacopian Michaelanthony Santos Olivia Housley Olivia Ward 53- William Patterson University Abigail Jones Mike Affrunti Tina Casamento 54- Bergen Community College Emily Blackton Christina Campanelli Ryan Bennett Hannah Burke Rita Shapiro Addison Muska John Kalb 55- Montclair State University Emily Blackton Sarah Liccardo Natalie Bade Brenna Fitzmaurice Cassidy Mazzone Gabrielle Koolery 56- Seton Hall University Allie Leicht Sun Jae Lee Olivia Sozio Nicole Sadej 57- Kean University Paul Catalano 58- Rutgers University Maura Trojnar Nadia Hassan Jane Christiansen Matthew Namendorf Juliet Alves Brandon Chow Kevin George 59- Westminster Choir College of Rider University Joel Noonan 60- Rider University Jess Kohan Kevin Dougherty 61- The College of New Jersey Casey Futterman Julianna Douglas Anastasia Maltsev Vanessa Rutigliano Alicia Illian Justin Lewbel Cassie Chicles 62- Brookdale Community College Lexie Soluri
June 2016 MAP CONTINUED 63- Rowan University Nicole Hayden Sean Keohane Robert Joseph Jonathan Piccinich Sean Kim Christian LeBow Jesse Shiber Delaware 64- University of Delaware Hannah Gottfried Mike Gramegna Jillian Dean Mike Pimpinella Julia Rose Silverman Maryland 65- Stevenson University Corinne Schroeder
66- Towson University Brooke Matar 67Loyola University Maryland Jaimie Smith 68- Johns Hopkins University Joseph Figueroa 69- University of Maryland Keri Callaghan Maya Stanislwaski Alex Robinson Kyle McManus 70- Catholic University of America Claudia Ralph Virginia 71- James Madison University Gina Criscuolo
72- University of Virginia Daniel Ayoub 73- Virginia Tech Alexis Pitersky North Carolina 74- Duke University Noelle Garbaccio South Carolina 75- University of South Carolina` Sarah O’Reilly Tiffany Lowe Nick Stevens Brian Widholm 76- College of Charleston Noah Malik Georgia 77- Georgia Tech
Editor in Chief bids a fond farewell out of our comfort zones,
By Vanessa Rutigliano but we can finally take the Editor in Chief time now to smile at how Looking back, it’s hard to imagine what my last two years of high school would have looked like without The Smoke Signal. Probably a lot less busy (and a lot less stressful), but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. From covering events to leading meetings to tracking down writers to publishing stories, it’s been difficult to find time to take a step back and see the amazing work we’ve been able to accomplish this year as a staff. It is my pleasure to announce that The Smoke Signal has earned itself several awards this year, including a First Class rating with two marks of distinction by the National Scholastic Press Association, six SNO (School Newspapers Online) badges, and the SNO 2016 Distinguished Site award. My fellow staffers and I have had to work incredibly hard, constantly taking risks and pushing ourselves
much we’ve grown this year. I’ll never forget the friendships I’ve made, the laughs I’ve shared, and all the pizza parties and inside jokes I’ll never forget. I’m so proud of the community we’ve created. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Editor in Chief of The Smoke Signal this year. It was never easy, but this job isn’t supposed to be. The lessons I’ve learned here will always stick with me; running this newspaper was truly a highlight of my senior year. That being said, it should be made clear that my staff and I were never alone. I would first like to thank Mr. Bill Rawson, who deserves so much more recognition than he would ever allow himself to receive. He spent countless hours attending meetings, helping writers, and teaching our staff the “do’s and don’ts” of journalism. He showed us the
ropes, helped us to grow, and encouraged us every step of the way. He truly went above and beyond his duties as our advisor, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that. I’d also like to thank Mr. Matt Morone, my former English teacher, who gave me the confidence to join the paper in the first place. His constant encouragement and words of advice have helped me tremendously throughout my high school career. Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone on this year’s Editorial Board: Brianna Ruback, Kyle Comito, Lauren Cohen, Robyn Roznitsky, Chandni Shah, Madison Gallo, and Kayla Barry. Specifically, I want to thank Comito, who has stepped up as an editor very recently but has proven to be one of the most talented and dedicated members on our staff. His positive attitude and strong work ethic have set himself apart this year, and I’m proud to announce him as next year’s
Owen Rosini 78- University of Georgia Daniella D’Angelo 79- Savannah College of Art and Design Danielle Weisfeld Alabama 80- University of Alabama Zak Terzini Luciano Perini 81- Auburn University Will Gallagher Florida 82- University of Tampa Noah Adoff 83- Palm Beach Atlantic University Cooper Frey 84- Florida Atlantic Uni-
versity Simon Carbonell 85- Florida Gulf Coast University Shannon Solotar
Not pictured on map: England University for the Creative Arts Alex Pearson Canada University of Toronto Bianca McLean Fiona McLean
Infograph made by Kayla Barry
Editor in Chief. With Comito leading the way, I have no doubts that The Smoke Signal will uphold its reputation of excellence and continue to grow as a distinguished student publication. I couldn’t be more excited to start a new chapter of my life next year at The Col-
lege of New Jersey, where I’ll be joining last year’s Editor in Chief, Justin Cook. With Rawson and Comito leading the way, I can’t wait to visit pvsmokesignal.com from my college dorm room and be proud of the work I see. Congratulations, Smoke Signal staffers, and thanks for all the memories.
The Smoke Signal Staff 2015-2016 Editor in Chief: Vanessa Rutigliano Associate Editor in Chief: Brianna Ruback Managing Editor: Lauren Cohen Sports Editor: Claudia Ralph Photo Editor: Curstine Guevarra Social Media Coordinator: Ashley Lagrosa Adviser: Mr. Bill Rawson Principal: Mr. Tom DeMaio Website: pvsmokesignal.com Facebook: The Smoke Signal Twitter: @pvsmokesignal Instagram: @pvsmokesignal Snapchat: pvsmokesignal YouTube: Smoke Signal
PV junior Kyle Comito (left) is The Smoke Signal’s incoming Editor in Chief. Senior Vanessa Rutigliano (right) is the 2015-2016 Editor in Chief and will be attending The College of New Jersey next year.
The Smoke Signal welcomes input from all members of the Pascack Valley High School community. Please contact Mr. Rawson for information (wrawson@pascack.k12.nj.us). Since the Smoke Signal is the voice of the student body of Pascack Valley High School, opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of other Pascack Valley students, teachers, administrators or the Board of Education. Articles are often reproductions that first appeared online and were deemed accurate at the time of original publication.
June 2016
Photos by Curstine Gueverra and Rebecca Silverman, except for lower right (Twitter)