SENIOR ISSUE
Vol. XLV No.5
West Essex High School, 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, NJ
DORNEY PARK
Senior Issue -- June 2006
A senior tradition, Dorney Park is an opportunity for seniors to celebrate the end of finals and senior service together with a fun-filled day of roller coasters and water rides.
Top left: Ben Elberg, Dan Fitzgerald, Julie McClain, Will Story Above: Bettina Mianulli, Shannon Collins Left: Jeff Mastrangelo, Kate Scozzaro, Adam Lintz, Greg Shapiro Bottom left: Cristin Mustillo, Steve Buryk Below: Violeta Zuberi, Lindsay Gelfand, Lindsay Wood, Danielle Balsamo, Tina Zuberi, J.T. Stevens, Krystina Wolverton, Daria Matturro
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Top right: Meghan Haug, Jackie Melecio Above: Kevin Buge, Kyle Perez, Greg Aschoff Below: Teddy Cox, L.J. Caprio, Dan Skeels, Alyssa Agrifolio, Alex Hayes
Left: Matt Napolitano, Dan Boysen, Evan Balter, Billy Kinslow, Jim High, Mike Taussi Below: Kristen Dalonges, Nick Zirpoli, Lucia Contuzzi, Krista Rieckert
Above: Kim Caputo, Daniele Stefanelli, Nicole Carroll, Jessica Lombardo, Adam Nisivoccia, Sam Campos, Danielle DeCampo Above right: Mike Gelberg, Rob Szpila, Pete Cokleski Right: Mike Mejia, Sean Graham, James Lucero, Kim Pierce, Ant Picciuto, Bobby Gembarski, Maria Baab, Jimmy Hammel
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I will always remember... "...prom, when Mr. Benacquista pulled me aside and pointed out that not one person was sitting down. That feeling of togetherness was really sensational. Everyone was up and having a good time on the dance floor. It felt like that was the first time we became a united senior class, even though we were all just ending our junior year." Julie McClain
"...baseball with crutches in the art hallway for 3 periods." Toni Pompei, Lindsey Lawless, Nicole Donatiello, and Danielle Balsamo
"...winning the state champs in field hockey this year. It was incredibly memorable for me and the rest of the team." Jessie Atieh "...going up in front of the whole school and singing “Kiss From a Rose” acapella. Though it was incredibly embarassing and nerve-wracking, I thought it came out to be a big success, and I got a good laugh out of the school." Mike Gelberg "...'it originated in infinity.'" Danielle Rubin
"...running out of the tunnel at Giants Stadium, the crazy prom weekends, and all the good times. Thanks for the memories everyone." Ant Picciuto
"...walking into West Essex and having great times with all my best friends. Now that I look back, it’s never going to be the same…I’m really going to miss [West Essex] and everyone in my class. Our High School experiences are life long memories and we made them count." Jackie Melecio
"...prom last year. I stopped dancing for a minute and looked out at the dinner tables "...when Mr. Millison [was forced into an and they were completely empty. Every extended hiatus from subbing] after single person at the prom was on the dance floor...it showed how much fun and how close suggesting the school create handicappedaccessible exits, after he singleour grade really is." handedly helped several special-needs Alyssa Agrifolio students escape the school during a fire alarm." Alex Kahn
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS To the Class of 2006: As we look back on the past four years of high school, one thing has been constant: change. We have changed locations, moving from the junior high to the senior high; we have changed classes and teachers, friends and enemies, clothing and hairstyles; and with the onset of construction came a drastic change in atmosphere. Working on the Wessex Wire for the past three years, we three have reported and commented on these changes and others. However, both before and during our tenure at the newspaper, we have been witnesses to the events that, like our upcoming graduation, prompted change that would affect us forever. Though we may all be different from one another, we are also, in many ways, the same. We all have played the role of witness, even if our perspectives have differed slightly. We witnessed tragedy. As seasoned seventh graders, new eighth graders, and still relatively small fish in a big pond, we watched the events of September 11th unfold right before our eyes. Now, almost five years later, the memories that linger still, will continue to tie us together as a class. We will always remember the people we were with and West Essex, the school we attended, when 9\11 occurred. We witnessed fear. When we moved to the senior high our sophomore year, we were, admittedly, a little bit frightened. The previous year we were running the school as freshmen who knew all the teachers and got a full period lunch. As sophomores, that sense of power changed, and we now had to start fresh in a new building with seniors who were, as we probably are now, quite Dear Editors & Senior Staff Members, How fitting that in the college spread you should invoke the words: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart” because you, yourselves, truly defined what we, on the staff of the Wire, so affectionately and lovingly came to recognize, thanks to Greg Pino, as the “heart of journalism.” In that heart I discovered so much of what I can only identify as an unending reservoir of love. And from that love swelled the fortitude, the fire, and the finesse necessary to take great care of something which would have been so much easier to abandon. But you didn’t. You found such courage of heart, even as juniors, to assume such demanding leadership roles that required an exhaustive effort and innumerable hours to rise to the challenge. Make no mistake—I had faith in you. I believed in you. I felt proud of you, always. Sure, all of us at one time or another became cranky, and that included me (not to mention your parents—I’m sure we all remember that first late night). Granted, at times, we all asserted what we needed to do for ourselves. We stood our ground, we called one another to task, but we had to love what we were doing on some level, really love it, in order to hang in there, to come back, to finish the job, to be here when all others had ended the year not to mention an entire high school career. Now, those of us who must carry on without your leadership, your know-how, your wit, your wisdom, and your infectious laughter, (not to mention some misguided but albeit appreciated political leanings) are already feeling the hole that you will leave behind in this collective heart, but we also know that we are and will continue to be enriched by having known and having worked alongside all of you.
cocky. We made it through, though, never forgetting the classic high school events that were right around the corner. We witnessed glamour. In dresses and tuxedos, we danced our way through the junior prom. After some fine displays of frolicking, slow dancing, and otherwise getting our groove on, Alex Hayes and Julie McClain took the stage as the newly crowned prom King and Queen. At the close of the evening, in stunning black and white limos and party buses, we made our way down the shore, to comedy clubs, and to various other postprom activities. We witnessed controversy. Along with the classes of 2005 and 2007, we bid farewell, perhaps too soon, to the beloved Mr. Leo “Caps” Caporale. He was let go at the end of the 2004-2005 school year, but we didn’t let him leave without a fight. We and the seniors spoke up for Caps at board meetings and protested in the most effective way we knew how. We posted signs, we made T-Shirts, and despite the reckless actions of a few, we organized a walkout that, if nothing else, got Caps the attention he deserved. We witnessed stress. As the first class to take the grueling new SAT, we sat, pencils tapping, answering questions to a section, the purpose of which we didn’t even understand. After years of anticipation, with SAT scores in hand, we applied to our dream schools, resulting in joy for some and disappointment for others. In the end, though, we are all spending our post-high school years the way we were meant to spend them. We witnessed the end. As we attended our last football game under the lights, our last Sportsfest, our last midterms, our last
shirt-and-tie Tuesday, our last dance, and our last day of school, we realized that these types of milestones would be a rarity once we graduated. However, though possibly lacking the intense spirit of high school activities, we have plenty of other events ahead of us in college, in marriage, in parenting, and in life. After years of bearing witness, time has caught up with us. Whether we’ve been waiting anxiously for it, dreading it, or something in between, graduation is here, and with it comes a sense of unity in that, through the past four years, for better or for worse, we all “made it.” On graduation day, we will be a sea of nervous smiles, perfect hair, and uncomfortable polyester gowns—we will be West Essex graduates. Gone are the days of timidly walking to homeroom with your best friend on the first day of school, filling out green hall passes, and catching up on the gossip between classes. Gone are the days of walking to the buses, leaving cars on Squire Hill, and fighting for senior parking. And most important, gone are the days when we can say “I’m a senior in high school.” We three hope that everyone in this graduating class looks back on high school with a smile, but also looks forward to the future that awaits. Good luck in whatever your future endeavors may be, and remember the theme of this year’s senior issue: “fear not for the future, weep not for the past.” Sincerely, Marissa Grossman Jon Kartus Jen Tomsey
LETTER FROM MS. LANE TO SENIOR STUDENTS In keeping with that advice you shared from Confucius to go “wherever you go . . . with all your heart,” I will add what I read once by Yogi Desai: “Do everything with so much love in your heart that you would never want to do it any other way.” I know that years from now when I think back to this special shared commitment, I will remember all of your individual and group efforts. I will remember that you stayed as late as necessary, came in during lunch and study, ran back and forth between work, Roundtable, and Wire, came back after tutoring and appointments, missed appointments, showed up in with food, ran out to A+, came in with illnesses, mentored young budding journalists and edited their copy to help prepare them, to encourage them, to convince them that they, too, could do what you did. You missed dinners with your families, gave up your friends, and made your friends and parents come in and bring us dinner. You even brought copy home for them to read, and you did so (when I really think about it) with relatively little complaint but with so much love. Marissa Grossman, I have been greatly moved by your capabilities, your strength of conviction, your keen intellect, and your passion, even when we have disagreed. Such passion can only be borne of commitment and love for what you believe, what you hold dear, and it is stunning. Jon Kartus, above and beyond your many, many talents, I will always appreciate your willingness to be open, to consider other points of view and your generosity to give credit where credit is due. Such graciousness is borne of a deep and abiding respect for self and others. Jen Tomsey, I can never thank you enough for
stepping up when we needed you, especially when you had no plans to do the job of editor, for maintaining a smile no matter how stressful a situation became, for always remaining respectful no matter what the circumstance, and for giving of your enormous creativity and talent in creating a visually appealing feature section. You exhibited true grace under pressure. Ben Elberg, “Does it bother you that . . . I will never forget your willingness to take on extra work and to seize upon the opportunity to make an altogether important contribution in launching a new column much to the pleasure of our readers? I hope not because the memory will live on long after you have left. Greg Pino, I will be eternally grateful to you not only for coining the phrase but for being the keeper of the “heart of journalism” so much so that your presence continued to be felt and appreciated even long after you had moved on (oh, and thanks for the cookie and for playing on behalf of the Wire in the Ping Pong Tournament—both meant a great deal to me). Sam Lerner and Jesse Finkelstein, your three year commitment as staff reporters made a significant difference not only to the growth of our paper but also to me. To make a such a commitment and to see it through your senior year is no easy feat. Please know that I not only looked forward to seeing you— I loved seeing you every day, (and I got the inside scoop on what I should be wearing and how much I should be spending--not that I pulled it off). Erica and Danielle—How unsuspecting you must have been when you entered our intense little world. Kudos to you for making it through two years, Erica, and to you, Danielle, for hanging in there during this
very challenging one. I say challenging because I know that you never expected it to be so intense, but I congratulate you both for writing and for ultimately publishing under such demanding circumstances. Most of us think of love as a feeling, but love is a verb; it’s something you do. And I know how much love it takes, especially for editors, to put out this paper. You must have loved this paper well. I am so proud of your accomplishments, your choices, your courage to pursue and publish stories that affected people significantly and that sometimes elicited criticism all in the name of uncovering and publishing the truth for what you considered to be in the best interests of all. Thank you for loving this paper so well that you risked writing and publishing stories, when necessary, that you knew might cause you to lose favor with your peers. You truly and consciously cared, and out of that caring, you wrote not only what you thought your peers wanted to read but also what you deemed important enough for them to have to read. In the end thank you also for loving the truth and for sharing your truth as students. Truth is the one value that can begin the process of righting the wrongs and healing the damage caused by deception and ignorance. Although I believe that the more you love during the process of doing, the more joyful it will be for you, I know that we didn’t always realize the joy at the moment of the doing. But as I sit here tonight, I am facing two truths: the presence of love I feel in this “heart of journalism,” which you have come to embody, and the bouquet of blessings that, through continuing to know all of you, is blossoming in my heart. Love, Ms. Lane
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Congratulation “Wherever you go, go with Lindsey Agnello Arizona State University Alyssa Agrifolio University of Delaware Katrina Albu Hunter College Kimberly Alimonti New England School of Art and Design Sabrina Anton Drew University Jessica Atieh Bucknell University Samantha Autorino University of Colorado Maria Baab Coastal Carolina University Irene Bakogiannis County College of Morris Danielle Balsamo County College of Morris Evan Balter Penn State University Santo Barretta Hofstra University Alexander Bass Tulane University Jocelyn Berkman Muhlenberg College Andrew Bernosky Penn State University Kelly Blauvelt Bloomsberg University Daniel Boysen Quinnipiac University Kevin Buge Villanova University Stephen Buryk Lehigh University Michael Bustamonte William Paterson University Gabby Cafone University of New Hampshire Taylor Campbell Castleton State University Samantha Campos Drexel University LJ Caprio University of Richmond Kimberly Caputo Penn State Hazelton Nicole Carroll Marywood University Kelly Casmano University of Rhode Island Natalie Cerasia Villanova University Anthony Cerza County College of Morris Ed Christiana Marist College Lena Chuzhin Georgetown University Christopher Clavin Boston College Petar Cokleski Lehigh University Shannon Collins University of Scranton
Jeffery Connelly Arizona State University Lucia Contuzzi Montclair State University Teddy Cox University of Vermont Analiese Crosby University of Scranton Gina Curro Seton Hall University Danielle D'Accampo Bergan County College Michaelo D'Urso Sacred Heart University Brittany Daidone East Stroudsburg University Kristen Dalonges Fairleigh Dickinson University Matthew DeTroia University of Tampa Heather DeVries Fairfield University Alison DiGiulio Rowan University Alex DiStasi New York University Jacquelyn DiStasi University of Maryland Nicole Donatiello Centenary College Joe Droz Elon University Carly Eastern Franklin and Marshall College Danielle Egnozzi Rutgers University Benjamin Elberg University of Richmond Angelica Erianne College of the Atlantic Nicole Farnese University of Delaware Liam Farrell University of Scranton Jesse Finkelstein Syracuse University Daniel Fitzgerald Drew University Alexandra Fredericks University of Rhode Island Jason Galante Fairleigh Dickinson University Poonam Gami Drexel University Michael Garman Susquehanna University James Gasparini Nova Southeastern University Albert Gasser Rutgers University Michael Gelberg Haverford College Lindsay Gelfand Rowan University Bobby Gembarski Lycoming College Elizabeth Gennaro Marist College
Joseph Gessner Montclair State University Alyson Grazioso St. Joseph's University Stuart Gross University of South Florida Marissa Grossman Barnard College Jonathan Hamilton County College of Morris James Hammel Pace University Zachary Handler Montclair State University Meghan Haug James Madison University Alexander Hayes West Point James High Montclair State University Timothy Hill Montclair State University Kyle Hubay County College of Morris Derek Jacobsen Merrimack College Blair Johnson University of Rhode Island Alexander Kahn Tufts University Raina Kaplan Cornell University
Jonathan Kartus Tulane University Billy Kinslow University of Scranton Gary Kong Eastman School of Music Daniel Landy University of Pennsylvania Brad LaPoff Cornell University Matthew Laracy Rowan University Samantha Leigh University of Delaware Kristen Lenihan James Madison University Samantha Lerner Indiana University Hilary Levine Elmira College Rachel Levinson Towson University Carol Li Columbia University Jessica Lim Boston College Adam Lintz Manhattan School of Music Erik Lipkin Nova Southeastern University Michael Lisa University of Wisconsin-Madison
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s Class of 2006!
ll your heart.� ~Confucius
Jennifer Lisella Seton Hall University Jessica Lombardo Montclair State University James Lucero Northeastern University Richard Lyons North Carolina State University Timothy Mariconda County College of Morris Jair Martinez Hofstra University Ashley Massa Drew University Jeffrey Mastrangelo Boston College Daria Matturro Caldwell College Julie McClain University of Pennsylvania Joseph McDonough County College of Morris Douglas Mead Virginia Tech University Angie Meka Montclair State University Jacqueline Melecio University of Rhode Island Ashley Mensch Notre Dame University Bettina Mianulli Hofstra University
Paul Minai West Virginia University Stephen Mirsik Montclair State University Michael Morelli County College of Morris Melissa Mullin Capri Cosmetology Kelliann Mulvihill College of Saint Elizabeth Christy Munn Johnson and Wales University Cristin Mustillo Denison College Matthew Napolitano Sacred Heart University Patrick Nappi Sacred Heart University Santino Nasisi Caldwell College Adam Nisivoccia Art Institute of Philadelphia Kimberly Noa James Madison University Christina Oliveira University of Rhode Island Jon Oyola Seton Hall University Jon Pak University of Miami Sarah Pannullo Art Institute of Philadelphia
Kimberly Pantages Northwestern University Devisha Patel Philadelphia University Anthony Pellegrino County College of Morris Kyle Perez Arizona State University Caitlin Petry Villanova University Kevin Picardo The College of New Jersey Anthony Picciuto Penn State University Kimberly Pierce William Paterson University Daniel Pignataro Rensaleer Institute of Technology Gregory Pino Syracuse University Christopher Pivko Ramapo College Toni Pompei William Paterson University Robert Pordon Boston University Dana Puchalski Montclair State University Danielle Quetel Penn State University Madonna Quintana County College of Morris Erica Reed County College of Morris Joanna Ricciardi University of Rhode Island Krista Riekert Johns Hopkins University Michael Rolandelli St. Bonaventure University Danielle Rubin University of Hartford Mark Ruggiero Ramapo College Paul Rybacki County College of Morris Alexandra Saad The College of New Jersey Pina Salluce Rutgers University Julianne Santangelo Fashion Institute of Technology Nicholas Santomauro Dartmouth University Michael Sayers Drew University Danielle Schaeffer University of Rhode Island Molly Schaeffer Bard College Brittany Schwartz University of Rhode Island Jennifer Schwartz Rutgers University Kathryn Scozzaro University of Rhode Island Eric Seidel Stetson University
Gregory Shapiro George Washington University Arthur Shikman University of Maryland Daniel Skeels Wesley College Daniele Stefanelli Penn State University JT Stevens University of Rhode Island Daniel Stivaly Rollins College William Storey Northwestern University Robert Szpila New Jersey Institute of Technology Michael Taussi Ramapo College Mark Tedesco Montclair State University Allison Timpson Binghamton University Jenna Tobia College of Saint Elizabeth Jennifer Tomsey University of Maryland Olivia Tong Johns Hopkins University Christina Tornatore Hunter College Elizabeth Trainor The College of New Jersey Samantha Trella Boston College Nicholas Troia Rutgers University Destinie Tucker American University Ryan Turner William Paterson University Jorge Valazquez U.S. Marine Corps Kimberly Viola Florida State University Chloe Visco Fairleigh Dickinson University Nicole Weston Boston College Marissa Wojcik Penn State University Krystina Wolverton Rowan University Lindsay Wood Towson University Bradley Yates Indiana University Roger Young Miami University of Ohio Maryam Zaringhalam New York University Nicholas Zirpoli William Paterson University Valentina Zuberi Montclair State University Violeta Zuberi Montclair State University Stephen Zurawiecki Arizona State University
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Senior Ball June 16, 2006 The Newark Club
“'Cause these are the days worth living, These are the years we’re given, And these are the moments, These are the times, Let’s make the best out of our lives.” -The Calling
(Above) Period 5 accounting class reunites at ball from left to right Eric Seidel, Mike Rollandelli, Dan Skeels, Teacher Andrea Mondadori, Jen Tomsey, Zach Handler, Mike Mejia, Stuart Gross and centered Mike Sayers
(Above) Sam Leigh, Jessie Atieh, Nicole Weston, Cristin Mustillo, Lena Chuzin, Analiese Crosby, Kristen Lenihan and Raina Kaplan strike a pose while waiting for the limo.
(Left) Sam Lerner, Jimmy Hammel, Jenna Tobia and James Lucero mingle during the cocktail hour of ball.
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(Left) “Twins” Jen Tomsey and Natalie Cerasia wearing the same dress during cocktail hour at The Newark Club.
(Above) “Table 2” Will Storey, Alex Kahn, Sam Lerner, Brad Lapoff, Mike Lisa, Dan Landy, Ben Elberg, Jesse Finkelstein, Alex Bass, and Greg Pino enjoy a chicken and steak dinner.
(Above) Back Row: Mike Gelberg, Raina Kaplan and Kevin Buge. At table: Elizabeth Trainor, Jessie Atieh, Greg Aschoff, Cristin Mustillo, Heather DeVries and Sam Leigh stop dancing the night away to eat dinner.
(Above) Jocelyn Berkman, Hilary Levine and Molly Schaeffer are all smiles on the dance floor. (Left) Evan Balter, Mike Taussi and Dan Boysen take a last minute picture before heading off to ball.
(Right) Pre-ball Dan Landy, Ben Elberg, Alex Kahn, Sam Lerner, Will Storey, Juie McClain, Jubie Santangelo, Brad Lapoff, Jesse Finkelstein, Greg Pino, Alex Bass, and Michael Lisa. -All pictures courtesy of Jen Tomsey, Katie Rosenberg, Jessie Atieh, Sam Lerner
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DODGEBALL 2006
The Second Annual Dodgeball tournament was held on Tuesday, June 13. Many seniors attended what would most likely be one of their last major school events.
Jessie Atieh and Kristen Dalonges of "The Haters," pose for a picture with "Donald's Pizza Heaven" team member Krista Rieckert before the games begin.
Mike Taussi and Kyle Perez prepare to play a match with their team, "The Haters."
Julie McClain and Greg Pino watch the first round of the tournament, scoping the competition for their team, "The GU Snot Soldiers."
Ant Cerza, Mark Ruggiero, and Gabby Cafone of the "Ruff Ryders" look intimidating in their matching black and white outfits.
"Fear not for the future, weep not for the past." ~Percy Bysshe Shelley
Goodbye Class of 2006... Mural by Sean Graham, Adam Nisivoccia, and Krista Rieckert