Class of 2013 Special Pullout Section: Pages 5-16
Massapequa High School
Vol. LXI – No. 4
4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 www.thechiefonline.com
mhsthechief@gmail.com
Navy SEAL from Massapequa killed in training exercise BY NELSON GOMEZ MANAGING EDITOR
SOURCE: U.S. NAVY
It’s always upsetting when a serviceman dies, but when that loss strikes close to home, it’s a tragedy. Such is the story surrounding the death of Special Warfare Operator Third Class Jonathan Kaloust, a Massapequa native who died on May 15 when, according to military officials, the Humvee he was riding in overturned during a training exercise. Park Boulevard was lined with hundreds of Massapequa residents who came to pay their respects during his memorial service on May 24, when Kaloust was buried at Pinelawn National Cemetary. Onlookers arrived adorned in red, holding American flags in silence out of respect for the fallen SEAL and his family. Navy sailors, Nassau County police officers, and the Massapequa Fire Department were also present, as was Massapequa Park mayor, Mr. James Altadonna.
“It’s an honor to have this young man here, and we’re saddened by his loss,” Mr. Altadonna said. “It hits home, the sacrifices these young men and women have to make.” Kaloust was twentythree years old when he died. He attended Massapequa High School and was a star wrestler from 2003 to 2007, lettering all four years in high school. After graduating, he began wrestling for Binghamton University. The news of his death sent ripples through the community — the Friends of Massapequa Wrestling organization (FOMW), for example, encouraged its members to attend the memorial service. “Jon was a born leader, always someone others wanted to be like,” legendary former Massapequa High School wrestling coach Mr. Al Bevilacqua said. Massapequa residents in attendance were equally saddened by the SEAL’s pass-
Jonathan Kaloust, a Massapequa native, was buried on May 24.
ing. Those who have or had children enlisted in the armed forces sympathized with the Kaloust family’s loss. “It means a lot that they
keep everybody in their hearts and minds,” Massapequa Park resident Angelo Meloro said, whose own son is enlisted in the Coast Guard. “Sometimes
we take for granted what [those who serve in the military] do for our country.” Following Kaloust’s death, flags were raised at half staff throughout Massapequa and Massapequa Park, including Massapequa public schools, from Wednesday, May 22 to Friday, May 24. A makeshift memorial of red, white, and blue flowers was also erected on the front lawn of MHS. Though Jonathan did not have the opportunity to serve for more than a few years, many admire his sacrifice. The crowds stretching down Park Boulevard were as strong an indication as any of the community’s pride in Jonathan Kaloust’s brave contribution to his country. “That kid had something this country needs,” Mr. Bevilacqua said, “and that’s people who love our country.”
Lack of stop signs leaves drivers backed up, stressed out BY MEGHANA RAO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Society generally views a teenager passing his road test as the ultimate rite of passage of adolescence. He no longer has to worry about being restricted by his parents’ agenda when it comes to prioritizing his own needs. Many parents get nervous at the thought of their children driving on dangerous roads filled with careless drivers. My parents have told me time and again that it’s not my driving that they’re concerned
about, but rather it’s the fact that I’m driving in hazardous conditions. Before I started driving, I would normally respond to their anxiety with an eye roll; however, after seeing many dangers on the road from a driver’s perspective, I realized that my parents could not have been more correct. Oddly enough, I made this realization as my mom was driving me to school one morning. We turned onto Beverly Avenue, which intersects Cartwright Boulevard. As we got closer to the stop sign at
BRANDAN LAWRENCE//THE CHIEF
Are stop signs necessary to prevent accidents among students?
the intersection, I started to panic as I imagined all the accidents that could have occurred. The traffic from Cartwright never stops because there is no stop sign at its intersection with Beverly. However, Beverly does have a stop sign perpendicular to Cartwright, which means that drivers on Beverly have to wait for quite some time before it is safe for them to pass the intersection. I always think that this problem could be solved if a stop sign were placed on Cartwright at this intersection. Evidently, I am not the only one in a rush to get to school, as there are many impatient drivers who try to cross Cartwright too quickly and put themselves at increased risk of collision. It’s not only the passengers in the cars who are prone to injury but also the pedestrians on the street. “I walk by [the intersection] every day,” junior Eric
Hoffman said. “It’s very unsafe because drivers do speed down this road and do not look for people walking. There absolutely needs to be a stop sign.” Getting a stop sign installed is no easy feat. Generally, in order to get a new sign approved, the organizer must get a certain number of co-sponsors on a petition from fellow residents. Additionally, the organizer of the drive would need to present the case at a town hall or city council meeting and would also need to lobby officials such as senators and assemblymen. This whole process would undoubtedly take several months. However, there are some short-term solutions for this problem. Students could perhaps find alternate ways of getting to school to avoid the dangerous intersection altogether. “Some people come the same way to school every day.
If people find alternative routes to school, it would lighten the [traffic on] the road,” said Dean Patrick Howard. He also suggested additional routes, such as driving along Merrick Road and going through the Roslyn Savings Bank parking lot, so one would be driving directly on Cartwright and could turn onto Jones Street with more ease. After talking to Mr. Howard, I realized that it is not possible to control traffic completely. This problem only occurs in the morning when students need to get to school. During the summer, however, the traffic in this area is significantly reduced, but it is still important that a stop sign be installed because even one accident is one too many. Until then, students must take matters into their own hands by using different routes to get to school and by remaining patient and vigilant when crossing this intersection.
SPECIAL REPORT
JUNE 5, 2013
THE CHIEF 2
BRANDAN LAWRENCE//THE CHIEF
Plan B One-Step is now an over-the-counter contraceptive for girls ages fifteen and older with no prescription required to purchase it.
Plan B and FDA decision: what students should know BY NELSON GOMEZ AND MEGHANA RAO MANAGING EDITOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
“I’m very comfortable with the decisions [the FDA] [has] made right now, based on solid scientific evidence, for girls fifteen [years of age] and older,” President Obama said to an audience in Mexico City in early May, referring to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of lowering the age of sale of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs, also known as Plan B) to women fifteen years of age and older without a prescription. The debate surrounding this new regulation is highly controversial. Supporters believe that this new ruling will significantly lower the number of unwanted pregnancies in the United States, while opponents to the idea believe that it will encourage teenage promiscuity in addition to marginalizing the role of parents now that minors no longer need parental consent to purchase the pill. It is important for high school students to evaluate all sides of this extremely pertinent topic in order to fully understand the effect that it will have on their lives. Supporters of the decision have pointed to studies showing a potential decline in teenage pregnancy as a major reason to make Plan B more readily available. After reviewing research regarding the effects associated with making emergency contraceptives more readily available, FDA officials concluded that women ages fifteen and older understood how to use Plan B properly. By educating teenage audiences about the drug,
officials feel that there is little risk in making ECPs more widely available. “The data reviewed by the agency demonstrated that women fifteen years of age and older were able to understand how Plan B One-Step works, how to use it properly, and how it does not prevent the transmission of a sexually transmitted disease,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said. Many people fear that girls will be encouraged to have sex earlier because of the pill’s relative ease of accessibility. Thus, rates of transmission for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) could potentially increase. Childhood innocence has also been called into question, as this decision has further reduced the role that parents play in their childrens’ lives. Technically, a fifteenyear-old needs a signed document from a physician to bring Tylenol on a school trip. However, that same fifteen-yearold can now buy an emergency contraceptive pill without her parents’ knowledge. That idea alone makes some parents across the country very uneasy. Opponents believe that the new public policy should have greater involvement from parents, rather than disregarding their voices entirely. “Parent-teen communication regarding the medical and moral issues involved with sexual behavior should be encouraged,” Anna Higgins, Family Research Council’s Director of the Center for Human Dignity, said.
In the midst of the controversy regarding the FDA’s decision, some social progressives have suggested going even further in easing age restrictions on contraceptives. Proponents of lifting requirements for age identification state that while children need a prescription to bring medication to school, there is nothing stopping them from walking to a pharmacy and buying medicine there, and that Plan B is held to a higher standard because it involves sex. “While we fully support this expansion of access to birth control, we continue to believe that the administration should lift all unnecessary restrictions to emergency contraception,” Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, said. “[It is critical] that women be able to get emergency contraception quickly and without hurdles.” Although Planned Parenthood has declared Plan B One-Step to be universally safe, the effects of the pill on younger girls are not yet known completely because the regulation was passed so recently. For this reason, many believe that politics have taken precedence over science and women’s health. If a young girl is in a situation in which she needs to take an emergency contraceptive pill, she may need the counsel of an adult. “[The use of the pill] depends on the responsibility of the child and the guidance of the parent. It should be something that parents should be involved in if it is going to be available to younger teens,” health teacher Mr. Michael LaBella said.
Over the course of this debate, it has become highly apparent that the public is split on the impact that access to Plan B will have on the social and family lives of teenagers. Optimistic students believe that in some cases the pill would allow a person to have more control over a seemingly difficult situation. “I think that making the Plan B pill so accessible is important because it can reduce the number of unwanted or unplanned pregnancies, and it will also give women a third option besides pregnancy,” junior Christie Flanders said. On the other hand, some students think that the new-
found freedom associated with the pill may come with a price. “I think that the pill enables teenagers to make poor decisions,” junior Sarah Rudnick said. “There are other ways to handle bad situations. Fear keeps people from making poor decisions. This regulation takes away the fear.” Ultimately, students should be aware of the consequences of using emergency contraceptive pills and the risks of engaging in unprotected sex. The use of emergency contraceptive pills is such a controversial issue because it has the potential to change one’s life.
NEWS
JUNE 5, 2013
THE CHIEF 3
Retirees: farewell to some of the faces of MHS BRANDAN LAWRENCE//THE CHIEF
From left to right: Mr. Izzo, technology teacher, Mrs. Neubauer, secretary, and Mrs. Kamen, special education teacher, will all retire after this school year.
Mr. Izzo
BY MATT COLOZZO
Mrs. Neubauer
BUSINESS MANAGER
Along with the 2012-2013 school year, Massapequa High School will say goodbye to longtime teacher Mr. Bruno Izzo. He has been a part of the technology department for twenty years, although he did not initially expect to become a technology teacher. Mr. Izzo remarked that his time at Massapequa High School was rewarding and enjoyable. “There were good days and bad days, but the good days were enough to keep me coming back,” Mr. Izzo said. “Teaching is a really difficult job if you do it right,” Mr. Izzo said. Mr. Izzo must have had a hard time, because he was certainly doing the job right. I personally had the chance to be in one of Mr. Izzo’s classes. He had plenty of interesting stories to tell and observations to discuss. The students of Massapequa High School will miss Mr. Izzo and wish him luck in his retirement.
Mrs. Kamen
BY MEGHANA RAO
BY NELSON GOMEZ
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MANAGING EDITOR
This year, Massapequa High School is saying goodbye to one of its most beloved secretaries, Mrs. Laura Neubauer. Mrs. Neubauer has been working in the General Office for fifteen years, remarkably holding the same position for her entire career. Mrs. Neubauer truly loved her job, and that has made her experience all the more memorable at MHS. Students and faculty will miss Mrs. Neubauer’s smiling face and welcoming demeanor. She, too, will miss the friendly members of MHS. “The people are so nice here. Everyone is so lively and wonderful,” Mrs. Neubauer said. Mrs. Neubauer has exciting plans for her retirement. “I’ll be taking a trip with [my] family to the Dominican Republic,” she said. “I’ll also be spending a month in Europe.” After many years of hard work, Mrs. Neubauer deserves this time to enjoy it with friends and family.
As students and faculty leave at the close of this school year, one seasoned Massapequa educator has chosen to take a more permanent leave. Mrs. Sherry Kamen, a longtime member of the Massapequa School District community, will be retiring after twenty years. Mrs. Kamen began her career in Massapequa in 1993 with certification in special education and has taught within the school district ever since. Mrs. Kamen planned on becoming an elementary school teacher. Life had different plans for her, though. “When my own children started school I realized that my oldest had difficulty learning and was classified as a student with special needs,” Mrs. Kamen said. “That is what gave me the desire to get my Master’s degree in Special Education.” Mrs. Kamen will miss MHS and the “familylike” relationships she fostered with her students.
Teacher cuts will leave their mark on the district BY JOE FIOLA
CHIEF COPY EDITOR
The recent months have been a sad time for many Massapequa teachers and staff members, as declining enrollment and the state’s new property tax cap have forced the district to eliminate thirty-five teaching positions as part of its proposed spending cuts for the 2013-2014 budget. At Massapequa High School, a total of nine teachers were excessed. The science department was hit the hardest, losing four of its teachers. Additionally, the languages other than English (LOTE) department lost two of its teachers, while social studies, health,
and physical education each lost one teacher. Being excessed is different than being laid off, according to the New York State School Board Association. Those who are excessed are entitled to a period of seven years during which they hold the right of first refusal to reclaim their positions in the district if they once again become available. In the interim, these teachers are free to look for work elsewhere. District administration has advised the excessed teachers of their rights in an effort to help them move forward. Though these teacher cuts benefit the district in a
financial regard, it is necessary to consider the void that will be left by these teachers, whom Principal Dr. Barbara Williams describes as “exemplary.” According to state law, excesses are primarily based on seniority. While the law protects teachers based on seniority, people have differing opinions. “They need a better system of teacher cuts than seniority,” sophomore Kelly Flaherty said. “My chemistry lab teacher, who is one of the best science teachers I’ve had, is getting [excessed].” “It is certainly debatable whether the seniority system is
2013-2014 school year. Why is this happening? The school’s only programming teacher, Mr. Christopher Garcia, offered a few suggestions. According to Mr. Garcia, small class descriptions and handouts are used to promote the classes. However, this year, due to the aftereffects of Sandy, the flyers were not distributed at Ames. “With the amount of technology integrated into our everyday lives, we need to promote the importance of how the technology works,” Mr. Garcia said. These classes
teach the basics of computer programming in a certain language. The concepts learned can be applied to all programming languages as well as other aspects of computer science. In addition to being informative, these classes are also enjoyable. From my own personal experience, students learn more than just programming skills. The class tests logic and math skills while offering new challenges that can be overcome by means of trial and error. Although the classes
the best way to decide [who to excess], although it does have its merits,” junior Mike Novet said. Others, such as AP Chemistry teacher Dr. Paul Hesleitner, argue that more information about the process as a whole should be made available to the public. “I think there needs to be more transparency,” he said. “People just want to know what’s happening and why, so they can answer their own questions.” Dr. Hesleitner also expressed concern about how these cuts will affect class size. “I’m just a little upset about how increase in certain class sizes will affect student
learning,” he added. “When they say class size doesn’t change, they mean on average. To the individual student, however, there may be an impact for better or for worse.” Other teachers agree. “Any time we lose faculty, it’s going to affect students. It’s a sad thing,” orchestra teacher Marjorie Spagnolo said. “I feel like the more teachers there are, the better it is for the learning process.” Irrespective of the opinions that individuals may have on the matter, it is clear that these teachers will be sorely missed.
Low enrollment tears bytes out of programming classes BY MATT COLOZZO BUSINESS MANAGER
JESSICA GRAFF//THE CHIEF
Neither of the beginner programming classes offered by Massapequa High School will be on anyone’s schedule this following school year. The reason is simply because of enrollment. There are not enough ninth graders signed up for Intro to Java or Visual Basic. As a result, AP Computer Science, which is offered as a follow up to these classes, won’t be running. Futhermore, Web Design 1 and 2, Production Design, and Engineering will not be offered during the
Programming student working on a problem set
may not run this year, incoming sophomores will still have a chance to take the AP class if they are able to take the prerequisite classes during their junior year. With opportunities growing daily for jobs in the computer programming field, it is sad to think that these classes will remain empty. Hopefully, more student interest will correct this problem and prepare Massapequa students for a future in which technology will consume our lives more and more each passing day.
EDITORIAL
JUNE 5, 2013
THE CHIEF 4
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Meghana Rao MANAGING EDITOR Nelson Gomez CHIEF COPY EDITOR Joe Fiola
PROVIDED BY DANIELLA BURNS
COPY EDITOR Katie Cresser Mike Letzter PHOTO EDITOR Brandan Lawrence BUSINESS MANAGER Matt Colozzo Outgoing Senior Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joe Zappa MANAGING EDITOR Jessica Graff COPY EDITOR Melanie Sheehan EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Allie Latini ADVISER Elyn Coyle Editorial Policy
The Chief, the student newspaper of Massapequa High School, is an open forum to discuss the student body’s issues and concerns. Members of The Chief will make every effort to publish following the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and invasion of privacy. Consistent with the first amendment of the United States Constitution, the staff also will refrain from printing material that may incite students, be a violation of MHS’ Student Code of Conduct or disrupt school operations. The editorial board of The Chief welcomes and encourages submitted letters, stories, cartoons and/or any other student feedback to the editor. Please send all submissions to mhsthechief@gmail.com. Letters sent by email may need to be verified by student signature before publishing. • Although letters to the editor are not printed, names will be published upon request. The Chief has the right to deny publication of any editorial, column, review or comment. • Grammatical and/or spelling corrections will be made; however, the content will not be altered. • All columns, reviews or commentary are strictly the opinion of the writer and may not represent opinions held by the school board, administration, sponsors, parents, student body or advertisers. However, all editorials reflect the viewpoint of The Chief editorial board.
Members of the YES Community Counseling Center (pictured) were key organizers of Massapequa Breathes on May 18.
EDITORIAL
Rising from the rubble, Massapequa breathes “We took this storm. It hit us hard, but we’re still standing strong.” These powerful words, which were spoken by Town Councilman Joseph Pinto, reflect Massapequa’s tenacious spirit in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Though it has been several months since the storm ravaged the East Coast, its effects—both tangible and psychological—are still being felt. Even though many Massapequa families have reverted back to their normal routines, some are still displaced and others have not fully recovered from the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. In light of this reality, YES Community Counseling Center and the Massapequa Chamber of Commerce partnered with the district to organize Massapequa Breathes. The event, which took place at
Berner Middle School on May 18, was designed to be a relaxing afternoon of fun, food, and freebies for the members of the community. “It’s really a recognition of what we went through,” Dr. Thomas Fasano, Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, said. “When everybody works together, we come out stronger.” The community certainly went through a lot, but times of trial and hardship tend to bring out the best in people. Sandy impacted everyone differently, and those who fared well frequently chose to lend a helping hand to those in need of assistance. In the seven months since Sandy struck Long Island, Massapequa residents have become more active in helping those who are still reeling from being in the crosshairs of
the storm. Sarah Haberlack, a junior at Massapequa High School, was displaced due to storm damage and was forced to live outside of Nassau County. After seeing the recovery effort put in by the community, she believes that Sandy’s aftermath made the members of the community closer. “I’ll admit that while I was living in Queens, it was tough to manage school, sports, and a social life,” Sarah said, “but looking back, I think everyone affected by Sandy can say that the storm taught us all how to adapt to a bad situation, and it’s made the community stronger.” In keeping with this spirit of kindness and compassion, a wide array of local businesses and student organizations came to Massapequa Breathes to show support for the com-
Distribution: 1,600 copies
ALLIE LATINI//THE CHIEF
Massapequa High School 4925 Merrick Road Massapequa, NY 11758
In spite of extensive damage, Massapequa remained strong in the aftermath of the storm.
munity. Members of the Chiefs Challenge club helped visitors to fill out Certificates of Recognition that they could bestow upon deserving individuals who had helped them during the storm. “We just try to spread kindness,” club Vice President Nicole Plaia said. Members of the Massapequa Kiwanis Club, an organization dedicated to community service, were also present at the event. “This is a great way to pull together a community that has been hard hit,” said an organization representative. “It’s wonderful to be a part of Massapequa.” Service-oriented Girl Scouts, who had recently completed their Gold Award projects, also attended the event and took the time to explain their work to interested members of the community. The outpouring of support and compassion was very moving, and it seemed that the attendees enjoyed the camaraderie—as well as the free food. “There are still people that aren’t in their houses, but every little bit of progress is a good thing to see,” Cliff Freer, a lieutenant in the Massapequa Fire Department, said. As time passes, the trials and tribulations of last October will become a distant memory, while Massapequa’s spirit of altruism and goodness will continue to live on. In the words of Nassau County Legislator Michael Venditto, “Massapequa does continue to breathe. Massapequa does rock. We are going to have a happy, healthy, and safe summer.”
SENIOR DIRECTORY begins on p6 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF p9 EDITORIAL & YEAR IN REVIEW p12
JUNE 5, 2013 Vol. LXI, ISSUE 5
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Melanie Sheehan: an under-the-radar valedictorian BY JOE ZAPPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Becoming valedictorian of a class of seven hundred students is no small feat. It takes more than intelligence; it takes an unwavering commitment to excellence over the course of four years. “It takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice,” class of 2013 valedictorian Melanie Sheehan said. “Sometimes it takes spending your Saturday nights with your books, and it also comes down a little bit to
luck.” Ever modest, Ms. Sheehan took some people by surprise when she was announced as having the highest GPA in Massapequa’s graduating class this year. Such surprise is nothing but a testament to her anomalous humility, a trait to be applauded just as much as her assiduity. Undoubtedly, there is much she could brag about if she wanted to do so; in addition to being valedictorian, which she considers her
greatest achievement thus far, Ms. Sheehan is also a National Merit finalist, an editor on the school paper, and a leader on the varsity swim team. Yet, she does admit that she is “kind of quiet.” Some may not know that she transferred here in ninth grade, which left her particularly reticent in certain situations over the past few years. Since the announcement, this inconspicuousness has faded. “More people know who I am
and know that I am a good student. I do not think many people knew me because I was so quiet,” Ms. Sheehan said. Next year, Massapequa’s valedictorian will study English as well as communication and media studies at Fordham University. “A big part of my decision was a scholarship,” Ms. Sheehan said. “Fordham also offers the best of both worlds--it has a campus but it’s also a city school which promotes social awareness.”
She is eager to get involved in the TV station at Fordham in addition to community service and swimming. Whatever the future holds for Melanie Sheehan, there is no doubt that she will continue to represent the best that Massapequa has to offer. She is humble, hard-working, and talented, and we are all certain that those traits will take her far.
Nicole Heneveld: life’s her stage and she’s directing BY JESSICA GRAFF MANAGING EDITOR
Many teenagers spend valuable hours complaining about their lengthy homework assignments, lack of extracurriculars and socialization, and their inability to keep high grades in challenging courses. Nicole Heneveld, the salutatorian of the class of 2013, however, is not one of these students. Throughout her years in high school Nicole has continued to excel in all of her courses in hopes of reading that sacred acceptance letter to the
school of her choosing. Nicole did not take the easy way to get good grades; rather, she challenged herself academically in advanced placement courses such as her favorites, AP English Literature and AP French. She skipped out on her out periods and even sacrificed personal downtime to participate in all eight of the high school musicals and drama productions here at MHS, as well as the last Ames production of Bang, Bang, You’re Dead. Along with these time-consuming and rewarding after-school
activities, Nicole has been the president of the school’s chapter of the International Thespian Society for the past two years, and she participated as a Chamber Singer and a select choir singer in Cantante. Nicole has also had the time and ability to help make the Visions Art and Literary Magazine a success as editor-in-chief of the publication. Having chosen this rigorous schedule and the overwhelming workload and responsibilities of extracurriculars, Nicole plans to continue to push herself to
her limits and expand them throughout her college career and thereafter. Planning on pursuing a career in writing or acting, Nicole tells The Chief that she is “well aware that I am choosing a difficult path, one that is uncertain and terrifyingly difficult to navigate. But I am confident that with time, practice, patience and a little bit of luck, I may find myself living the life I have imagined.” As we wish luck to Nicole in achieving all of her aspirations, she wishes luck to the seniors-to-be, the class of 2014. “Cherish the time you
have here,” Nicole said. “Senior year will be gone before you know it, so definitely take this opportunity to see your friends and learn all that you can before you go to college.” A true role model and an inspiration to all students, Nicole Heneveld is held in high regard by her teachers and fellow classmates all of whom wish her the best on her journey sure to be filled with creativity, life, and laughter.
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STUDENT DIRECTORY
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Kyle Abele Iona College Undecided
Katie Bauer James Madison University Kinesiology
Jessica Cachia Nassau Community College Business Marketing
Shannon Cooney Fashion Institute of Technology Fashion Design
Tiffany Abruzzese Sacred Heart University Exercise Science
Alexandra Bennett Chapman University Undecided
Krystle Callan SUNY Albany Biology & Pre-Vet
Giuseppe Coppola Nassau Community College International Studies & Italian
Stephanie Adamo SUNY Oneonta Business Economics
Paul Bentz SUNY Stony Brook Undecided
Andrew Camarda CUNY Baruch Finance
Mike Cordara SUNY Maritime Facilities Engineering
Bryan Ader SUNY Geneseo Engineering
Matt Bianco Seton Hall University Undecided
John Carbonaro Nassau Community College Hospitality
Dan Corrente SUNY Farmingdale Undecided
Carl Ajana Pace University Finance
Amie Bicocchi SUNY Plattsburgh Undecided
Anthony Carlisi SUNY Farmingdale Computer Engineering
Kristen Costa Hofstra University Secondary Education
Brian Alvarez SUNY Albany Psychology
Bryan Bilski SUNY Delhi Undecided
Eric Carpentieri Nassau Community College Civil Engineering
Anna Costanza SUNY New Paltz Creative Writing
Catherine Anderson Villanova University Undecided
Cynthia Bohenek SUNY Farmingdale Liberal Arts - Science
Zachary Carroll SUNY Cobleskill Liberal Arts
Jake Anderson Suffolk Community College Automotive Technology
Christopher Bonetti SUNY Binghamton Engineering
Kimberly Cassa SUNY Oswego Undecided
Conor Coughlan University of Scranton Exercise Science & Physical Therapy
Rebecca Andes SUNY Potsdam - Crane School Music Business
Anthony Brennan Salve Regina Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Castro Iona College Speech Pathology
Brett Ansbacher Rider University Accounting & Finance
Taylor Brickmeier Five Towns College Music Technology
Catherine Catrone Briarcliffe College Paralegal
Nick Anto SUNY Buffalo Architecture
Erin Brown Queens College Music
Gabrielle Arato Coastal Carolina University Psychology
Rebecca Bruch Long Island University Animation
Matthew Celi Horry Georgetown Technical College Undecided
Alexandra Dananberg SUNY Geneseo Biology
Jason Arnold SUNY Maritime Mechanical Engineering
Kaitlin Bruckner Marist College Elementary Education
Joe Ciccone Montclair State University Finance & Business
Ben Dash University of Michigan Political Science
William Artus Adelphi University Business
Russell Bruskin SUNY Oswego Accounting
Jake Cohen Mount Saint Mary College Communication & Broadcasting
Adam Davi Boston University Business Administration
Olivia Axelberd Adelphi University Undecided
Chris Brussell SUNY Farmingdale Criminology
Gina Coizza Johnson & Wales University Business Management
Michael Delaney Seton Hall University Business
Holly Azueta Mount Saint Mary College Nursing
Anthony Burgois SUNY Geneseo Osteopathic Medicine
Joe Colucci SUNY Farmingdale Architecture
Brianna DeLauro Mount Saint Mary College Nursing
Lexie Bacotti SUNY Geneseo Secondary English Education
Carly Burke SUNY New Paltz Early Childhood Education
Melissa Comis Molloy College Child Study & Special Education
Frank DelGiudice Towson University Undecided
Kelsey Baeyens Nassau Community College Undecided
Daniel Burke CUNY Baruch Undecided
Nicholas Comito Immaculata University Undecided
Nick D’Elia Siena College Undecided
Caragh Baierlein Pace University Arts and Entertainment Management
Hayley Burke Marist College Liberal Arts
Sean Conboy Loyola University Business
Justine Delligatti SUNY Plattsburgh Nursing
Kimberly Cooke St. Joseph’s University Speech Pathology
Danny DeLuna University of Vermont Mechanical Engineering
Ryan Cooney Lehigh University Civil & Chemical Engineering
Joseph DeMarco Connecticut College Economics
Alyssa Basil Spiga Bakery & Seaford Bagel
Katherine Byrne Saint Joseph’s University Early Childhood & Special Education
Kelly Daley George Washington University Undecided Dylan D’Amalio Nassau Community College Undecided Natalie D’Amico Quinnipiac University Diagnostic Imaging
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Dana DeMartino Nassau Community College Nutrition & Health
Johanna Erdman Suffolk Community College American Sign Language
John Fursa Manhattan College Civil Engineering
Navindra Harriram Nassau Community College Business
Samantha DePasquale Siena College Biology
Chris Esposito Quinnipiac University X-Ray Technician
Jaclyn Gaetani Nassau Community College Nursing
Kevin Hartman Northeastern University Civil Engineering
Gina Deperino Arizona State University Accounting
Anthony Exposito Nassau Community College Criminology
Jamie Galati Indiana University Early Education
Bridgette Hartz Nassau Community College Undecided
Emma DePiro SUNY Buffalo Physics
Stephanie Faldetta Nassau Community College Secondary Education & Spanish
Alexandria Gallagher Mansfield University Cellular & Molecular Biology
Shannon Healy Rutgers University Chemistry
Samantha DeSousa Roger Williams University Legal Studies
Tara Farley SUNY Cortland Speech & Hearing Sciences
Danielle Gariglio University of Rhode Island Communications
Amy Heisinger Mount Saint Mary College Nursing
Darah Diaz Mount Saint Mary College Nursing & Spanish
Thomas Farrell Jr. SUNY Maritime Marine & Environmental Sciences
Samantha Gdanski SUNY Brockport Exercise Science & Kinesiology
Nicole Heneveld Adelphi University Theatre Arts
Dominique DiBartolo SUNY New Paltz Undecided
Rebecca Fatscher SUNY Farmingdale Nursing
Brianna Gibbons LIU - C.W. Post Public Relations
Melissa Herbe Arizona State University Biomedical Engineering
Thomas DiBlasio SUNY Stony Brook Electrical Engineering
Elizabeth Ferriola Western Connecticut State University Early Childhood Education
Caitlyn Gibbons Iona College Criminal Justice
Joseph Hiller Siena College Psychology
Chris Gil SUNY Binghamton Business Administration
Katie Hingher Siena College Biology & Pre-Med
Conor Ginnane SUNY Cortland Psychology
Matt Hirsch Ithaca College Integrated Marketing Communications
Brian Diehlmann SUNY Farmingdale Aviation Administrator Jaclyn DiMartino Boston College Nursing Justin DiMuccio SUNY Albany Business Law Vinny DiPolito SUNY Farmingdale Criminal Justice Elizabeth Doherty SUNY Geneseo Biology Cassidy Donohue Stevenson University Psychology Kevin Doran Adelphi University Business Joseph Doria Nassau Community College Liberal Arts Kelly Dougherty West Chester University Undecided Jessica Doughty Fordham University Environmental Policy Tyler Dowd SUNY Geneseo Undecided Tim Duerr SUNY Cortland Biology Alana Durkin Hofstra University Elementary Education & Math
Nicolette Festa John Jay College Forensic Psychology Becca Fetherston Cazenovia College Equine Business & Management Joe Fiakos SUNY Maritime Engineering Carly Finelli University of Delaware Psychology Shane Finkel North Carolina State University Applied Mathematics Rob Fitzpatrick SUNY New Paltz Business
Stephanie Giurlando University of Maryland Education Ben Goess Florida Institute of Technology Biomedical Engineering Ryan Gordon Nassau Community College Undecided Jessica Graff Rider University Business Economics
Lauren Fitzsimmons SUNY New Paltz History
Jonathan Grant Colgate University Molecular Neurobio & Biological Psych
Rachel Flanders Hunter College Undecided
Nicholas Grant University of Delaware Music Education
Jackie Flor SUNY Binghamton Biology & Pre-Med
Jillian Grennan SUNY New Paltz Psychology & Spanish
Russell Formes SUNY Maritime Marine Transportation
Donald Grupski Adelphi University Criminal Justice
Allie Frascati SUNY New Paltz Education
Ashlie Guinness SUNY Plattsburgh Undecided
Julia Friend Mount Saint Mary College Nursing
Kaitlin Habekost SUNY Albany Psychology
Eric Hitchings SUNY Albany Accounting Grace Hoar SUNY New Paltz Biology Stephen Hofmann Towson University Undecided Robert Holohan U.S. Air Force Chris Icart Nassau Community College Business Alana Jacaruso Mansfield University Early Childhood Special Education Sarah Jackson Hunter College English Camille Jakubowski Seton Hall University Biology Jane Jordan Siena College Accounting Eddie Kaercher Nassau Community College Liberal Arts Lauren Kalt Molloy College Nursing
DEAR SENIORS
JUNE 5, 2013
THE CHIEF 9
Dear fellow seniors, When the time comes to graduate, people often simplify their reflections to positive platitudes and their comments about the future to naive conjectures. As this is my last article for The Chief, I intend to be candid with the few of my fellow seniors who might pick up this paper. Therefore, I cannot tell you that the past four years have been the best of my life, or that each one of us can go on to change the world; I have a more uplifting story to tell. My niche is academics. That is a slightly more dignified way of saying the plain and simple truth of which many of you swiftly informed me six years ago: I am a nerd. In a few months, I will be joining a community of six thousand nerds from all 50 states and 84 different countries, all of whom share the passion of learning. Many of those nerds grew up around a bunch of other nerds from small private schools whose parents planned for them to end up at a nerd paradise for their first year of college; on the contrary, I grew up here. Before you misunderstand me, though, let me explain. I do not regret growing up in a public school class of seven hundred kids, all of whom have different niches. At Massapequa, we are not fortunate enough to have a broad range of ethnic diversity, but we have an immense range of personal diversity. We are all impassioned by different things. Some of us are nerds, some of us are athletes, and some of us are artists, but through six years of sharing the same living environment, we have learned to coexist. Over those six years, it has not all been pretty. Given the class of seven hundred distinct individuals of which we each form a part, we have all probably felt misunderstood or out of place at some point. Yet, by the end of senior year, we come out understanding how to deal with many types of people, and we all find our niche eventually. Ultimately, I am glad to have spent the last four years at MHS. However, I must be frank; I am gladder to leave MHS. It is not that I have not valued my time here or that I do not value the people I met here. Undoubtedly, I will take part of Massapequa with me as I move on. Yet, the most discouraging notion I have heard from a peer is the fear of graduating. When one leaves he does not leave the past in an untouchable void. We will always have our memories of MHS and the ability to contact each other, but the future is far brighter. The future is the chance to find your passion and focus on it. It is the chance to embrace liberty, whether that entails choosing classes that interest you, making new friends who better connect with you, or searching for a job that leaves you feeling fulfilled. The past four years as MHS students have been a growing experience, but they are not the high point in our lives. The high point in any life is the point of utmost liberty. While in high school we have led a structured existence sometimes meaninglessly repetitive, after high school we will have many more choices to make and much more freedom to make them on our own. I cannot candidly conjecture that we will all have the opportunity to change the world, but I can honestly say that we will all have the opportunity to mold a life that suits us as individuals. The near future offers freedom incomparable to that which any high school experience can provide. Take advantage of that freedom, and you will be well on your way to life’s pinnacle. Best wishes, Joe Zappa
Dear Class of 2013, Forrest Gump once said, “My mama always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Two weeks ago, a roommate and I were sitting on my bed after spontaneously leaving our homework to go stalk a celebrity event, and in the spur of the moment we decided that we might as well devour the entire box of chocolates that had been sitting in my room (because that’s really the only way you can recover from not getting a good glimpse of Justin Timberlake). Maybe it wasn’t the best idea for 2 A.M., nor was it the best idea to play 2000s pop songs simultaneously, but that was probably the closest moment that I’ll ever have to living out what “life is like a box of chocolates” really means. You really do never know what you’re going to get. I didn’t know that this roommate – one of the random people that I was assigned to live with – would quickly become one of my best friends, one that I know I’ll have for the rest of my life. I didn’t know what moving to New York City would bring me. And I certainly didn’t know what going to college would be like. I never knew what I was going to get – and that’s okay. You’re not supposed to know everything yet. I’ll admit that I really had no idea what to write for this article until that moment. I even asked former Chief editors for help (see, some best friends from high school will always be there), hoping they could tell me what a more traditional college experience is like since mine is far from it. And while I can’t say that anyone’s college experience will be exactly what he or she thinks it will be (my life in Manhattan is less like the glamour of Sex & the City and more like the grimy ordinariness of GIRLS), what I can say is that you will find something that will make you happy, no matter how minor it may seem in the scheme of things. What I really mean to say is, look for moments; moments which aren’t necessarily related to anything academic or collegiate. You’ve all heard the standard college advice: you should balance work and a social life, try to sleep, and pursue something that you love. It’s all true. There is really not much in life that is more valuable than taking the chance to chase a dream, and college is your outlet to start erasing the line between your dreams and reality; but what so many of us forget while immersed in the first year of college is that our life is happening around us. Sometimes we all forget to pay attention to small, inconspicuous moments, like taking a spontaneous five-minute walk off of campus, avoiding your homework and going to that favorite place you found, or trying to cook a three-course meal with your roommate when you should have been sleeping. Remember to do those things, too. I promise, you will all find your box-of-chocolates moment that will make everything worth it, in spite of all the ups and downs of freshman year. As I write this while riding the train back home, having just officially left my first year at Fordham behind me, I realize that sometimes there is truly no greater feeling than coming home. Some of you may choose some new directions, some of you may stay on your planned path, some of you may transfer to find where you belong, and some of you may have known where you belonged all along; but in the midst of all these new moments that will make up your future, never forget where you came from; your home, your family, your old friends. College may change some stuff, but those three things will always be very much a part of you. So, to everyone in the class of 2013, I wish you the happiest of moments in all that you do. Good Luck, Jenna Fratello
JUNE JUNE5,5,2013 2013
STUDENT DIRECTORY
THE CHIEF 10
Adam Kammerer Nassau Community College Undecided
Jared Lamm SUNY Cortland Community Health
Peter Licari University of Hartford Civil Engineering
Natasha Macri Syracuse University Accounting
Jasmine Kapamas Molloy College Nursing
Jennifer Lander University of Rhode Island Marine Biology
Adam Licht SUNY Buffalo Architecture
Marigrace Maley Westminster Choir College Music Education
Keon Karimabady Vassar College Mathematics
Melissa Lantry University of Rhode Island Pharmacy
Victoria Maley Rider University Human Resources
Mark Kasschau SUNY Binghamton Undecided
Jessica Larkin University of Scranton Nursing
Joelle Limone Central Connecticut State University Undecided
Tyler Kaufman Hofstra University Forensic Science
Stephanie LaTorre University of Scranton Accounting
Christopher Kelly Mount Saint Mary College Nursing
Steve Laudage Worcester Polytechnic Institute Aerospace Engineering
Tyler Keogh SUNY Cortland Undecided
Kayla Lawless New York University Sports, Hospitality & Tourism Management
Anthony Luchs University of Pittsburgh Marketing
Nadine Lebek University of New Haven Forensic Science & Biology
Morgan Lukaszewicz Muhlenberg College Business Administration
Alexandra Lettieri Pennsylvania State University Communication Disorders & Sciences
Jake MacAvoy Gettysburg College Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chris Lewis Hofstra University Mechancial Engineering
James Macchia Manhattanville College Biology
Albert Libardi SUNY Delhi Hotel Resort Management
Kelly MacGilvray Molloy College Nursing
Kyle Kinsley Nassau Community College Accounting Chelsea Knott Northeastern University Engineering Robert Koemm Nassau Community College Criminal Law & Forensics Alexandra Lake Nassau Community College Undecided Maxine Lake Nassau Community College Undecided
Kyle Liquori Nassau Community College Architecture Corinne Lizzio Northeastern University Physical Therapy Harry Lowe LIU - C.W. Post Business
Jordan Maneri Nassau Community College Undecided Matt Mangione SUNY Farmingdale Science/Technology for Society Nick Mangone Hockey Jessica Manson Nassau Community College Liberal Arts Chris Maraboli Nassau Community College Business Emily Maracic Quinnipiac University Occupational Therapy Jesse Mariani Nassau Community College Undecided Anthony Martello Nassau Community College Undecided Teresa Martusciello SUNY Stony Brook Civil Engineering
JUNE JUNE 5, 5, 2013 2013
STUDENT DIRECTORY
THE CHIEF 11
SOURCE: ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHY
Victoria Mascetti Penn State University Communications
Joseph Micara Nassau Community College Undecided
Michael Masiello Stevenson University Finance & Accounting
Nicole Miedl LIU - C.W. Post Radiologic Technology
Siobhan McCaffrey Fashion Institute of Technology Fashion Merchandizing Management
Erica Modena Manhattan College Health
Erin McCarthy Adelphi University Biology
Stephanie Modiest Mount Saint Mary College Nursing
Edward Nightingale SUNY Farmingdale Business Management Law Enforcement Explorers
Evan Perrino New York Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering
Shannon O’Connell Bloomsburg University Nursing
Emily Perednia Coastal Carolina University Communications
Peter Olivares SUNY Cortland Biomedical Sciences
Michael Petroglia Nassau Community College Criminal Justice
Lynsey Pagan SUNY Farmingdale Undecided
Jillian Pfeifer Colorado Mesa University Business
Alaina Pantano Adelphi University Nursing
Brandon Pfirman Quimby Equipment
Tim McConnell Manhattan College Engineering
Joseph Mogavero Fordham University Honors College Undecided
Ryan McGuire Fairfield University Accounting
Cailey Monaghan Nassau Community College Early Childhood Education
Angelica Papantoniou SUNY Farmingdale Psychology
Andrew McShane Nassau Community College Fire Science
Kevin Monahan Nassau Community College Marketing
Rachel Meaney SUNY New Paltz Communication Disorders & Sciences
Brianna Morisi Loyola University Business
Kristen Pashkoff University of North Carolina at Charlotte Elementary Education
Eryka Membreno Nassau Community College Biology & Life Science
Daniel Moschella Hofstra University Business
Moria Paskett SUNY Farmingdale Biology Sara Patrissi SUNY Farmingdale Nursing
Chris Meyer Marist College Business Finance
Emily Munson University of Maryland - College Park Bioengineering & Pre-Med
Jacklyn Patterson York College of Pennsylvania Undecided
Emmalee Meyer Villanova University Engineering
Sergio Musso SUNY Farmingdale Professional Communications
Scott Pemberton James Madison University International Business
Rosemary Pimental University of Delaware Athletic Training & Exercise Science Nicole Pitta St. Joseph’s University English Nicole Plaia SUNY Purchase Sociology Lena Pollich Adelphi University Exercise Science Thomas Polly Manhattan College Civil Engineering Jenna Portogallo University of Maryland Undecided
EDITORIAL
JUNE 5, 5, 2013 2013 JUNE
THE CHIEF 12
In defense of the printed word in a growing digital world BY JOE ZAPPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
JESSICA GRAFF//THE CHIEF
Last spring, MHS administration informed my fellow editors and me that—due to hard financial times—The Chief may not have been able to publish as many print issues during the 20122013 school year as it had published the previous year. Given the recent launch of our online paper and the need to cut unnecessary spending wherever possible, we were told that central administration hoped we would move towards a purely online paper, gradually reducing the frequency of print publications due to their cost. While we acknowledge the necessity of frugality, every one of The Chief’s editors knows that our paper would not be the same without several print publications each year. Print publications are the pride of any high school newspaper; while our online paper is growing and is something we take pride in, a high school newspaper simply ceases to be a newspaper without the paper aspect. “As an editor on The Chief, nothing was more rewarding than having my peers read and comment on my work,” Nick Barbieri ’12 said. “The print paper made that possible—students did not have to search for the paper online; it was handed to them. An online paper would never deliver that response.” In addition, all emotional reasons aside, the newspaper is one of several extra-curricular activities offered at MHS which distinguishes our school and our students from others on Long Island; the district should continue to support print publication of The Chief until print newspapers become obselete, because our print publications play an integral role in demonstrating the strength of Massapequa’s students. Firstly, the school newspaper is an invaluable tool for any ambitious student looking to build his leadership and writing skills as well as his resume. I can speak to this importance personally, as my work on The Chief was the focal point of my college application.
As a major element of my common application essay, the activity I wrote about in my common application, and the primary talking point of my college interviews, The Chief played an integral role in my acceptance to Brown University. My time as an editor and writer for the newspaper has also greatly strengthened my writing skills, ability to work with others, and ability to lead a group of peers—all key skills I will take with me to college. In fact, while extra-curricular activities are a major part of any college application, they are especially relevant to top universities, as applicants with near-perfect test scores and GPAs can easily be rejected by these schools; it is the it factor that helps one obtain an The Chief wins Second Place behind 5 year winner Bayshore as Best Newspaper acceptance letter from a top school, and quality the publication currently enjoys. Long Island. It is clear that a print leadership positions in work-intensive, On Wednesday, May 22, The publication is still the standard for a regionally competitive clubs such as Chief’s staff went to the Long Island successful high school paper, and with mock trial and The Chief can be the fac- Press awards at Hofstra University. four issues of an average sixteen pages, tor which distinguishes a Massapequa This year, The Chief received an un- The Chief could not be expected to student from others in an Ivy applicant precedented sixty-three awards at the maintain a standard of excellence relapool. ceremony. Most notably, the publication tive to other papers—many of which “Selective colleges consistently was honored as the second best high print monthly—if it printed fewer issues refer to involvement with the school school newspaper of all thirty-plus high per year. newspaper as a desirable extracurricular school newspapers on Long Island that The Chief is a source of pride for activity,” guidance chairperson Mr. Paul entered, a source of pride for its editors, the school district, a major resource Weber said. “The ability of students to advisor, and for the district. for any student wishing to improve his write creatively, express their thoughts, Principal Dr. Barbara Williams resume, and an invaluable experience and find their own voice is integral to attested to the importance of The for students interested in leadership or the selective college admissions pro- Chief. “The newspaper does perform journalism. Reducing funding for our cess. The school newspaper provides a very specific function. It documents print issues or discontinuing funding a platform for development in all of what happens in a specific year and altogether would undermine our ability these areas.” can be used as an archive to assess to inform the student body, preclude To cease funding of print publica- how students felt about something at us from creating an overall publication tions of The Chief would be to take away a given time. It also prepares students which can compete with the best on this potential it factor, and in doing so for college because it is a very intense Long Island, and ultimately mitigate deprive ambitious students of a pathway commitment.” the importance and desirability of a to both a better resume and a more fulWithout its four annual print pub- position on our editorial staff, devaluing filling high school experience. As last lications, The Chief could never have the club as an asset for students whose year’s chief copy editor Nick Barbieri earned such high praise from the Long time on the paper may help them gain said, students would never attain the Island Press. In fact, very few of the acceptance to prestigious universities. same sense of fulfillment as editors of awards offered to newspapers concerned Thus, it is the earnest hope of our editors the paper if it were not printed, making online layout and writing. Furthermore, that the district will continue to fund the the hours of effort necessary to be an ed- first place winner for newspaper of print issues of The Chief, both so that we itor of The Chief less appealing to future the year and perennial contender for may continue to do what we love and so students. In addition to a less rewarding the big prize, The Maroon Echo of that Massapequa’s students may experiexperience for future editors, removal Bayshore High School, does not even ence ever-increasing success. of The Chief’s print publications would have an online issue, as is the case with also make it impossible to maintain the many other high school publications on
2013: A YEAR IN WITTY AND WEIGHTY COMMENTARY SOURCE: SHOW PAGE NICK.COM
LAWRENCE K HO//MCT CAMPUS
Movies
World News President Obama reelected to second term Gun control reform sought after mourning of Newtown victims Romney identifies real reason for budget deficit: Big Bird Music
Ben Affleck gets snubbed by Oscars & then wins every award known to man
Drake started from the bottom...of Degrassi
TV Shows
The Hangover finally cured
“I’m gonna pop some tags. Only got $20 in my pocket.”
“Amanda Please” STOP
School News
This year’s biggest bully: Hurricane Sandy Varsity Grill finally opened, then closed, then opened With Haiku up and running, students are running out of excuses
SOURCE: MACKLEMORE.COM
The Mr. Massapequa drought continues
The Office is no longer open for business Sports Everyone lost: Rangers, Islanders, Knicks and Giants all fall short Tebow only tebows from the sideline during 2012 season on NY Jets Brooklyn steals back the Nets
JUNE 5, 2013 Vol LXI Issue 5
The Chief Senior Issue Editorial Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joe Zappa MANAGING EDITOR Jessica Graff COPY EDITOR Melanie Sheehan EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Allie Latini ADVISOR Elyn Coyle Special thanks to the best advisor Mrs. Coyle for all of her hardwork throughout the 2012-2013 school year.
JUNE JUNE 5, 5, 2013 2013
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THE CHIEF 13
Massapequa Federation of Teachers A Union of Teachers and Secretaries Local 1442 To Our Graduating Seniors‌ Be sure you are right and then stand. At first you will be denounced, then you will be deified. At first you will be rejected, then you will be accepted. First men will swear at you, then if you wear well, they will swear by you. First the sneer and then the cheer. First the lash, then the laurel. First the curse, then the caress. First the trial, then the triumph. First the cross, then the crown. For every scar upon thy brow thou shalt have a star in thy diadem. Stand somewhere and let humanity know where you stand. Stand for something and let humanity know what you stand for. Be sure you are right and then STAND. ‌Gordon
Congratulations!
STUDENT DIRECTORY
JUNE JUNE5,5,2013 2013
Gabby Rabinoff Fashion Institute of Technology Graphic Design
Alexandria Rizzo California University of Pennsylvania Graphic Design
Brooke Ready Shippensberg University Undecided
Meaghan Roefs SUNY Oswego Biology & Pre-Dental
Salvatore Realmuto Drexel University Architectual Engineering
Morgan Roessler SUNY New Paltz Undecided
Colleen Reedy West Chester University Undecided
Gabrielle Romanelli SUNY Cortland Spanish Education
Tiara Rei Arcadia University International Studies
Sidney Romano SUNY Farmingdale Education
Brianna Renda Hofstra University Pre-Med
Christina Roselli SUNY Stony Brook Biology & Pre-Med
Gina Renga University of Arizona Biology
Ryan Rosenbaum Virginia Tech Art & Graphic Design
Alex Restrepo University of Delaware Biology
THE CHIEF 14
Brianna Saba Parsons the New School for Design Graphic Design
Daniel Schneider Salisbury University Athletic Training
Amanda Sagona Fashion Institute of Technology Advertising & Marketing
Nick Schnelle Sacred Heart University Biology & Pre-Med
Caitlin Sanchez West Virginia University Nursing
James Seedorf Seton Hall University Accounting
Jennifer Santry SUNY Albany Biology
Christian Seftner Nassau Community College Undecided
Rachel Sausner Indiana University Undecided
Anna Seneta SUNY Albany Business
Brian Sayrafe US Merchant Marine Academy Engineering
Morgan Shaw Iona College Elementary Education
Jesse Schaefer SUNY Albany Accounting
Melanie Sheehan Fordham University English, Communications & Media Studies
Donald Roy U.S. Army
Spencer Schiappa University of Miami Undecided
Ryan Riggs University of Scranton Physical Therapy
Alexa Ruffino Philadelphia University Physician Assistant
Mike Schiraldi SUNY Albany Business
Joe Riley LIU - C.W. Post Undecided
Wyatt Russo SUNY Oswego Business
Courtney Schlesinger SUNY Oswego Adolescent English Education
Brielle Ringle Ithaca College Athletic Training
Michael Ruvio Nassau Community College Undecided
William Schlich College of Holy Cross Economics
Chris Simpson St. John’s University Pharmacy Allison Smith SUNY Cortland Speech and Hearing Sciences Emily Smith College of Holy Cross American Sign Language Interpreting Kyle Smith University of Rochester Engineering
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Ryan Smith CUNY Baruch Psychology Elizabeth Smoller Adelphi University Honors College Undecided Thomas South Nassau Community College Undecided Rebecca Stegner Fashion Institute of Technology Fashion Merchandizing Emily Stork The School of Visual Arts Animation Krystal Strafford Nassau Community College Fashion Mike Sugamele St. John’s University Legal Studies Kelsey Sullivan University of South Carolina Advertising McKenzie Suntzenich University of Rhode Island Pharmacy Narali Taglialavore Bloomsburg University Psychology Kathleen Tamborrino Virginia Tech Engineering
STUDENT DIRECTORY
THE CHIEF 15
Kayla Vaglio SUNY Oswego Zoology
Ashley Warnock Mount Saint Mary College Nursing
Renee Vaiano The College of Saint Rose Social Studies Education
Lauren Taylor SUNY Albany Accounting
Keith Warns SUNY Stony Brook Physics
Alberto Valenti U.S. Navy
Angelica Tesoriero Wake Forest University Psychology
David Van Nostrand SUNY Farmingdale Undecided
Kevin Wasson Nassau Community College Undecided
Samantha Tighe University of Rhode Island Business
Meagan Vazquez SUNY Old Westbury Elementary & Special Education
Samantha Tolentino York College of Pennsylvania Computer Engineering
Christopher Vigilante Cabrini College Business
Angela Toscano SUNY Buffalo Pharmacy
Liz Vigilante Towson University Marketing
Alexa Toyas Adelphi University Criminal Justice
Samantha Vigilante University of Hartford Communications
Alexandria Tudisco New York Institute of Technoloy Nursing
Amanda Viola Adelphi University Psychology
Liam Tuohey New York Institute of Technology Business Administration
Megan VonBargen University of Maryland - College Park Chemical Engineering
Angelo Tarzia U.S. Marines Brian Tavella New York Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering
Joanna Urli University of Alabama Mechanical Engineering & PreMed
Katie Wall University of Delaware Communications & International Relations
Brandi Weiss SUNY Farmingdale Undecided Thomas Whalen Centre College Behavioral Neuroscience Kailey White James Madison University Political Science Tim White Champlain College Game Design Briana Wick Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Science Physician Assistant En Lei Wu SUNY Buffalo Psychology Kristin Yevoli SUNY Stony Brook Marine Science Joseph Zappa Brown University International Relations
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FEATURE
JUNE 5, 5, 2013 2013 JUNE
THE CHIEF 16
Goodbye, until we log onto Facebook once again BY MELANIE SHEEHAN COPY EDITOR
ships for us. If a real effort is not made, our friendships will disintegrate just as quickly as they would have without social media.
On the other hand, the opportunity to really see old classmates and have face-toface conversations with them may encourage us to continue
Whether the impact of social media will be positive or negative is left to be seen. Are we missing out on a fun experience by skipping reunions and
Generations of students are using Facebook to reconnect with classmates and keep in touch, as we will in future years conversation about the joys and disappointments of life after high school is much more vital to a true friendship than glancing through pictures on a Facebook page. “Even though I think it’d be nice to stay in contact,” senior Jen Lander said, “I think it’s better to actually see people in person and reflect on the memories of high school.” Therefore, we must be careful not to depend entirely on social media; we cannot expect the Internet to maintain our relation-
The high school reunions, too, that have become so commonplace, may cease to have any real purpose. For years, graduates have looked forward to seeing old classmates, discussing how their lives have changed since high school, and reminiscing about the memories of young adulthood. Will people bother going to a reunion in ten years, when all of that can be done in the comfort of our own homes by the click of a button?
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the tradition. While the Internet may be more convenient, perhaps the new memories we will form at our future gatherings will be worth our time. Perhaps social media will actually encourage people to attend high school reunions by connecting more people and providing topics of conversation. “I would see what everyone’s doing [on social media sites], but then I could talk to them about it [at reunions],” senior Joanna Urli said.
JESSICA GRAFF//THE CHIEF
For decades, graduation has meant saying goodbye; graduates bid farewell to both their school and their classmates. Our parents and teachers fondly remember the people they knew in high school, wondering how their lives unfolded. For years, we probably assumed our lives would follow the same pattern. Now, however, with the immense impact of social media, the connections we have made here at Massapequa High School may not disappear so suddenly. Social media will certainly play a role in our keeping in touch with friends we have made here. Without a doubt, we will be able to stay in contact with more people than we otherwise would have been able to. Because of social media, “Everyone can stay connected over a long period of time and over long distances,”senior Steve Laudage said. No longer will graduates ponder, “I wonder how he is doing” or “Did she ever realize her dreams?” Additionally, a larger network of contacts will help us in the future, as we search for jobs. In the competitive job market, getting a job often depends on who you know. By keeping in touch with more people from high school, we can build a larger network of friends who can potentially help us in the future—an advantage our parents never had. However, we must realize that a greater quantity of
friendships does not necessarily indicate elevated quality. Oftentimes social media is insufficient in truly depicting the realities of our lives. A
other, less formal gatherings in favor of using social media to keep in touch, or is social media an innovative tool which will help us maintain our connections as we leave Massapequa? The only clear answer seems to be that, for better or worse, social media will make our lives beyond high school much different than those of any generation before us.
FEATURE
JUNE 5, 2013
THE CHIEF 17
BRANDAN LAWRENCE//THE CHIEF
Students should visit college campuses such as that of Columbia University (above) over the summer to better decide where to attend.
Summer, juniors, and college: info for campus visits BY KATIE CRESSER COPY EDITOR
Summer is a time to hang out with friends, go to the beach, and avoid summer reading, but for many juniors, summer will be their main opportunity to visit colleges that they may be interested in applying to. No matter what type of student you are, college visits are a vital part of the college decision making process. How do you decide which colleges to visit? Research is never a bad place to start. Make a list of things that are important to you in a college, such as size, location, academic programs, and tuition. The guidance office offers a website known as Naviance, which can help you filter through colleges based on various criteria. Don’t worry if you don’t know exactly
what you’re looking for in a college. College visits are supposed to help you figure that out. You can appreciate certain college characteristics, such as size and location, much better in person as opposed to sitting at home and looking at brochures or browsing websites. What should you do during a college visit? First, you should probably check the college’s website to see what time they have tours or information sessions. Next, tell them you’re visiting. Not only will this let the college know that you’ll be there, it also shows them that you have a strong enough interest in their school to come visit. This could be an important factor for the college’s admissions process. If the college is far enough away to necessitate an
overnight trip, try to visit other colleges in the area as well. Don’t visit more than two colleges in a day, however, or you will be too exhausted to retain any information. Once you are actually at the school, be sure to pay attention. Bring a notebook to take notes during any presentations. They don’t have to be detailed and centered on statistics and figures, as all that information can likely be found on the school’s website. Instead, try to focus on the little things that can’t be learned from a website, such as school traditions. Don’t be afraid to ask the presenter questions, especially about things that concern you. Does the college accept AP or SCALE credits? What is the most important aspect of an application? Most likely, the presenter will be an admis-
sions counselor who could potentially read your application if you decide to apply. What should you do during a campus tour? The best part about a college visit is a campus tour. Most tours are led by current students. Take advantage of this by asking the tour guide questions about their application process. Why did they apply to this college? Where else did they apply? How did they finally decide on attending this college? Where are their favorite places to eat? What are the dorms like? Student tour guides often give the best advice and answers because they have been through the college decision process. They are also much more forthcoming with information that may not paint the school in the best light.
What now? Finally, after you finish the visit, make sure to write down what you liked and what you didn’t like about the school. For example, if you thought that Columbia University was your dream school but you didn’t like the urban campus, you know that you can cross New York University off your list. Don’t forget to send the school an email or a letter thanking them for having you. This establishes more contact between you and the college, which can only help during the admissions process. The most important part of college visits is making sure you have a good time. The college search process can be a lot of work, but some of it can be fun. You will certainly benefit from all the work when you find the college that’s right for you.
Jones Beach treading water in Sandy recovery efforts BY BRANDAN LAWRENCE PHOTO EDITOR
One of the many activities Long Islanders enjoy during the summer months is a pleasant trip to the beach. And with plenty of outstanding beaches to choose from, it is clear why they are such a large part of their lives. However, many of these beaches were destroyed last October by Hurricane Sandy. The damage done to the beaches was very severe; they suffered a great deal of erosion and pollution, and they also lost much of their boardwalks and jetties. Long Island beaches and inland parks suffered almost one hundred million dollars in damages, according to CBS News. Although repair efforts were put on hold at first due
to the tremendous amount of damage incurred by the rest of the Island, many Long Islanders now back in their homes are wondering when they will be able to get back to their beloved beaches. This has put a great deal of pressure on the Parks Department to restore the beaches to their pre-Sandy conditions. Jones Beach is currently being rebuilt. This beach has been given a lot of attention in terms of restoration, suffering from significant erosion and major damage to its boardwalk. Severe damage to its electrical, plumbing, and sanitation systems, in addition to large amounts of debris left behind by the storm, are currently being repaired. As is imaginable, repairing the damage is no easy task.
Although a huge portion of the work for this cleanup has been done by private contractors and more than two hundred other contract employees, there is still plenty of work to be done. To prevent a reoccurrence of the damage that was suffered during the storm, many steps are being taken in order to strengthen the beach itself. For example, Governor Cuomo announced on May 23 that one and a half miles of the two mile boardwalk on Jones Beach have been repaired with stronger materials, like Brazilian hardwood. This is to ensure the stability and resilience of the boardwalk to weathering and damage. The bike path, which formerly ended before Field 5 now extends through that
parking lot all the way to the boardwalk. “I rode all the way to the beach for the first time since Sandy this weekend,” English teacher Mrs. Kathleen Tonn said. “It was the first night of the concert series at Jones Beach Theater. Long Island is back in business.” Also, the beach’s electrical panels were raised anywhere from ten to twelve feet above their original positions in order to protect them from damage during possible future flooding. Protective measures are being taken for the access routes that lead to the beach. The traffic lanes that encircle Robert Moses State Park are being rebuilt due to the extensive damage that they encountered during the storm. In addition, much of na-
tive vegetation and about five miles of protective sand dunes that were destroyed by Sandy are undergoing restoration. “There is a significant amount of work ahead at Jones Beach in terms of looking at our infrastructure to prepare for the reality of rising sea levels, damaging storms, and rebuilding,” Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. An estimated 550,000 cubic yards of sand were brought into Fields 4 and 5 at the Robert Moses State Park, according to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Long Islanders are still looking forward to visiting some of their favorite beaches this summer. They are also looking forward to knowing that these beaches will be safer and stronger than ever before.
FEATURE
JUNE 5, 2013
THE CHIEF 18
How to: newspaper nails BY MEGHANA RAO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
PROVIDED BY MIKE COLOZZO
Newspaper staff members hold some of the many awards won for high school journalism.
The Chief wins accolades at LIHSJA BY KATIE CRESSER COPY EDITOR
The Chief staff brought home a total of sixty three awards at the Long Island Press High School Journalism and Awards ceremony at Hofstra University on Wednesday, May 22. In addition to an impressive number of first, second, and third place awards, The Chief won second place for Newspaper of the Year, and Conor McMillin won third place for Story of the Year for his article, “The 1950’s shooting at MHS: rumor confirmed.” Joe Zappa, senior and Editor-In-Chief, received an honorable mention for Student Journalist of the Year. These awards reflect the the overall quality of the high school newspaper as well as the hard work of the individual students and the advisor, Mrs. Elyn Coyle. Long Island Press hopes that this recognition
will both motivate and excite students who are interested in journalism. Members of The Chief received a good workout by the end of the night as they were constantly walking up to the stage to accept their awards. On top of winning second place for Newspaper of the Year and third place for Story of the Year, The Chief took home seventeen first place awards, thirteen second place awards, twenty third place awards, and fourteen honorable mentions. The Chief also placed first in the Reporting Hurricane Sandy category for its entry, “Voices of the Storm,” which Mrs. Tonn’s composition class contributed to. Furthermore, The Chief received second place for its news site, TheChiefOnline.com, and an honorable mention for its Sports Special Section. Mass-
apequa students swept the Online Arts & Entertainment, Online Feature, and Online Editorial categories. More than twenty five students received accolades for their work. The number of awards that The Chief brought home this year alone surpasses the number of awards won in previous years combined. Members of The Chief feel very honored and grateful to receive these prestigious awards.
Nail art has become one of the biggest trends recently. If you ever have a lazy day during the summer, try out this cool design!
Materials
White/neutral colored nail polish Clear top coat Sterile alcohol pads (rubbing alcohol works just as well) One page from any newspaper, cut into ten small pieces (each about the size of your nail)
Procedure
1 Start off by painting a white basecoat on your nails.
2
Make sure your nails are completely dry. Cut a small piece of the newspaper to fit the size of your nail.
Visit TheChiefOnline.com for the full list of awards.
Ryan Mullahey wins Warped Tour raffle
3 Place the newspaper on your nail. Put the alcohol pad on top of the newspaper and press it on your nail for about twenty seconds. The text should transfer onto your nail like a tattoo.
Lucky winner Ryan Mullahey won two tickets to attend Warped Tour 2013 at Nassau Coliseum on July 13. Ryan’s name was drawn at random from a pool of entrants who correctly answered at least one trivia question of the week.
Due to MHS’s recycling efforts, Mrs. Bloom’s class is proud to announce that $800 has been donated to various charitable organizations. The recycling students would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to students, teachers, custodians, and all those who have helped to make this possible. Special thanks to Pequa Beverage for generously accepting donations. GLEN STUBBE//MCT CAMPUS
4
If you are using rubbing alcohol, simply dip the newspaper piece into the rubbing alcohol and place the strip directly on your nail. Be sure to put two coats top coat on your nails immediately after removing the alcohol pad so the text does not fade. Your newspaper nails are now complete!
ENTERTAINMENT
JUNE 5, 2013
THE CHIEF 19
ROBERT DUYOS//MCT CAMPUS
Performers such as One Direction (above, in concert), Lil Wayne, and Pitbull will hold concerts on Long Island this summer.
Upcoming summer concerts sure to rock the Island BY JILL HAND STAFF WRITER
This summer, be on the lookout for some hot new music under the sun. There are great musical artists and bands coming to Long Island; be sure to check them out. “I love summer concerts. I don’t even care who plays. As long as it’s good music, I’ll go,” sophomore Nicole Feeley said. Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry will be performing at the Nikon Jones Beach Theater on May 31. Rascal Flatts will be performing hits from its newest album “Changed”
and The Band Perry will be performing songs from its most recent album “Pioneer” which was released on April 2, according to Ticketmaster. com. The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two” and “Done” have been climbing the charts each week. However, the band is most known for its song “If I Die Young,” found on its introductory album “The Band Perry.” On June 1, Pitbull and Ke$ha will also be playing at the Nikon Jones Beach Theater. Pitbull’s album titled “Global Warming” includes
the hit song “Feel This Moment,” which features Christina Aguilera. Ke$ha will also be performing selections from “Warrior,” her latest album, which includes songs such as “Die Young” and “Crazy Kids” featuring Will.i.am. Tickets cost as little as twentyeight dollars. On June 28 and 29, One Direction will be invading Jones Beach. Their newest album “Take Me Home” consists of popular songs such as “Live While We’re Young” and “Little Things”. A new Australian band called “5 Seconds of Summer” will open up
the concert. Lil Wayne and T.I. will be performing on July 19. Released in early 2013, Lil Wayne’s newest album “I am Not a Human Being” features T.I. who raps alongside Lil Wayne. After staying out of the spotlight for a few years, the Jonas Brothers are finally back and will be performing on July 20. One would think that these tickets would be exorbitantly priced, however, they are only 25 dollars. “I love Jonas Brothers, so I’m definitely going to try and get tickets. It’s a once in a lifetime op-
portunity!” sophomore Olivia Geraghty said. Lastly, the new group Imagine Dragons is coming to Jones Beach on July 25 to perform songs from its hit album “Night Visions” with songs such as “It’s Time” and “Radioactive”. The show is sure to be a sellout. There are several concerts this summer that feature many different styles of music. Be sure to buy tickets now for your favorite music group to truly make this summer one that you will never forget.
AP Art students display strokes of genius at art show BY MELANIE SHEEHAN OUTGOING COPY EDITOR
After a year of painting, chalking, sketching, and sculpting, the AP Art students held their annual art show in the upper gym on April 24 and 25. Family and friends were awed by the amazing talents of the students. “The art was fantastic,” senior Angela To-
scano said. “I was so shocked that the art was done by high schoolers.” Each AP Art student must create pieces that are focused on one concentration. Ranging from Beatlemania to tattoos and piercings, each concentration gave viewers insight into the students’ varying interests and emotions.
The art show was a culmination of the work done by the students over the past year; in May, students sent their pieces to the College Board to be graded for college credit. Before sending the art, though, each student was given an opportunity to celebrate his achievements. “It was stressful, but it was worth it,”
AP Art student Elizabeth Solomons said. “I’m proud of what I accomplished in the last few months.” The journey to the art show was certainly a difficult one, but the adversity helped the AP Art students to grow into a family. The students supported each other throughout this process, and were able
to celebrate their achievements together. “I was very proud of my students,” AP Art teacher Mrs. Gale Domingo said. “[The students’] talent and level of dedication to their artwork was inspiring.” The art show will remain a wonderful memory for the students beyond high school.
Summer film premieres you won’t want to miss BY JEFF HOROWITZ STAFF WRITER
June 14 Man of Steel This movie is another installation of the Superman franchise with Henry Cavill as the Man of Steel and Amy Adams as Lois Lane. It could be compared to Batman Begins of the Batman franchise, with Christopher Nolan as one of the writers.
June 21 Monsters University A prequel to the 2001 hit, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman) are back in school. They’re not the inseparable pair that we saw in the original Monsters, Inc.
July 5 Despicable Me 2 The minions are back and Gru (Steve Carrell) must join the Anti-Villain League to help stop a dangerous new super criminal. The minions themselves have a spin-off movie planned for 2014.
July 26 The Wolverine Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is poised to fight the Silver Samurai (Will Yun Lee) in Japan. This movie will debut after X-Men: The Last Stand.
Photos courtesy of official individual movie websites
August 9 Elysium Matt Damon is the lead in this future flick, taking place in 2154, where the wealthy live on a man-made space station above a ruined Earth where the rest of the population resides. Jodie Foster stars as an official trying to prevent immigration from Earth to the station.
THE CHIEF 20
JUNE 5, 2013
SPORTS Chiefs take home county championships
Girls lax
BY KATIE CRESSER COPY EDITOR
PROVIDED BY THE HEALY FAMILY
PROVIDED BY THE DOWD FAMILY
Tyler Dowd, one of the players who led the Chiefs to victory. county title after three years of BY MIKE LETZTER COPY EDITOR coming up short as a runner-up The number one ranked in the county finals. Ian Kirby boys varsity lacrosse team scored three goals and had an defeated number three ranked assist while Paul Dilena had Port Washington in the Nassau some tricks of his own. Paul Class A boys lacrosse champi- Bentz and Scott Pemberton onship at Hofstra University each added two goals as the Chiefs crushed Port Washingon Tuesday, May 28. This year, the Chiefs ton 16-3. were hoping to win their first
The varsity baseball team celebrated after winning its title. The number four ranked Alex Cosenza pitched a comboys varsity baseball team, plete game shutout. In Game looking to win their first coun- 2, Bobby Honeyman and Nick ty championship since 2009, Comito each had two-run sinswept the best-of-three series gles in the second inning to against number one ranked give Massapequa a 5-0 lead. MacArthur in Game 1 of the Patrick Healy took a no-hitter series on Wednesday, May 29 into the fifth inning as Honeyat SUNY Farmingdale. man pitched the last two inThe Chiefs took a lead in nings that saved Massapequa. Game 1 of the series as starter
How athletes prepare for senior year: Jill Pfeifer BY KATIE CRESSER COPY EDITOR
Next year will be an exciting time for senior athletes. Throughout the following year, many athletes will commit to colleges where they will play varsity sports. In order for current junior athletes to get to that point, it’s important for them to have a productive summer by practicing their sport and working hard.
The girls lacrosse team made a major splash this season storming to an 8-7 record, claiming the second seed in Nassau County. However, the Chiefs had one more obstacle to overcome before becoming county champions: a game against Farmingdale. This is a familiar storyline, considering these two teams have met at the county finals for the past seven years, and the Dalers have always come out on top. The Chiefs played the Dalers on May 29, leading the majority of the first half before surrendering the lead in the second. The Dalers defeated the Chiefs by a score of 9-11 on their way to their eighth consecutive county championship. Regardless, the girls put up a tremendous fight and still had an amazing season.
Jill Pfeifer, a current senior and lacrosse player who committed to Colorado Mesa University, has some advice on how to stay in game shape during those dog days of summer. In order to stay fit, Jill’s coach gave her a workout packet at the end of the school year, which involved going to the gym everyday. That does not mean Jill worked out by herself all sum-
mer. She played pickup games at Burns Park with other members of the Massapequa lacrosse team. Along with the school team, Jill played for her summer lacrosse team, the Long Island Wave. Additionally, Jill participated in seven tournaments throughout the summer. However, one should not be alarmed by Jill’s hectic schedule. “I went to the beach and slept as much as I could,”
Jill said. Visiting Colorado Mesa University was one of the highlights of Jill’s summer. She stayed for a weekend to get a feel for the campus, but more importantly, she played with the current members of the lacrosse team during a practice session. College visits are a vital part to the college decision making process, especially if one plans on play-
ing a varsity sport. While it can be tempting to take the summer off, Jill’s busy summer leading up to senior year helped to prepare her for her college playing career. “There is nothing I want more than to win,” Jill said. “It is the greatest feeling in the world to have all your hard work pay off.”
ers fans’ assertions, Potvin did not suck. He helped the Islanders to four straight Stanley Cup victories between 1980 and 1983 and beat the Rangers in four straight playoff series. By the time the 1990s rolled around, the sun had set on the glory days of the Islanders and attention shifted to their cross-town rival. The Rangers eliminated the Islanders from the playoffs in 1990, but the Islanders fans clung to their chants of “1940,” a reference to the last time the Rangers had won the Stanley Cup. That chant was silenced forever in 1994 when the Rangers swept the Islanders on their way to their fourth Stanley Cup championship. Since then, the rivalry between the once bitter enemies had cooled off. The Islanders failed to make the playoffs thirteen of the last seventeen seasons while the Rangers endured a playoff drought from 1998 to 2004. While Rangers fans took delight in tormenting the Islanders about their unsuccessful
draft picks, poor performance, and drop in game attendance, the “Battle of New York” had lost its meaning with the Islanders in the basement of the Atlantic Division. This year, the rivalry has been resurrected by the unexpected similarities between the teams. The Rangers didn’t achieve the heights they had last year as they did not secure a playoff spot until the second to last game of the regular season. While they eventually gained the sixth seed, the Rangers didn’t achieve the high expectations that had been set after their deep playoff run last year. The Islanders were also a surprise, but a much more pleasant one. They returned to the postseason for the first time since 2007 and breathed new life into an old rivalry. Games between the Rangers and Islanders became relevant again as the two teams jockeyed for playoff position as the regular season came to a close. In this year’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, the
Islanders faced the top seeded Pittsburgh Penguins while the Rangers took on the Washington Capitals for the fourth time in five years. The Rangers dropped the first two games of the series, but ultimately eliminated the Capitals in seven games by winning four of the last five games. In the second round of the playoffs, the Rangers will play the Boston Bruins, another Original Six team. The Islanders’ return to the playoffs wasn’t what many fans had hoped for. For example, the Islanders fell to the Penguins in six games. Still, it is not all doom and gloom for the team from Long Island, as both the Islanders and their fans consider this year a success. As the Islanders left the Coliseum ice, they were serenaded by “Let’s go Islanders” chants from the home crowd. The future looks bright for the team, led by league MVP nominee John Tavares. One can be certain that the Islanders are the road to recovery.
The Rangers didn’t fare much better than their cross town rivals. After eliminating the Washington Capitals in seven games, the Rangers barely avoided a sweep before being eliminated by the Boston Bruins. While this is not the season that Rangers fans were hoping for, they can see promise for the future. Trade deadline acquisition Derick Brassard exploded for twelve points in the first twelve playoff games of his career while rookie Chris Kreider scored an overtime game winning goal. While the Rangers and Islanders didn’t meet in the playoffs this year, the two New York teams are set on a collision course and will no doubt meet in the coming seasons. Goals will be scored, punches will be thrown, and saves—as well as history—will be made. The “Battle of New York” will once again be fought on — and off — the ice.
Islanders and Rangers: keep your enemies close BY KATIE CRESSER COPY EDITOR
The New York Rangers and the New York Islanders have one of the most intense rivalries in sports — or do they? Six meetings a season and less than thirty miles between Madison Square Garden and the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum have fostered a bitter hatred between the two New York teams. However, each team experienced their ups and downs, causing the socalled “Battle of New York” to change over the years. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the upstart Islanders had a leg up on the older, more established Rangers. One famous incident included Islanders defenseman Denis Potvin, who checked Rangers forward Ulf Nilsson, breaking Nilsson’s ankle. From that moment on, Rangers fans rained down chants of “Potvin sucks,” and a tradition was born. To this day, no matter the opponent, Rangers fans are happy to break into a round of these chants. Contrary to the Rang-