The L ghthouse Vol. XXVIII, No. 1 Lyndhurst High School November 2014 A familiar face returns as high school’s principal By Nicole Plonski While she has left behind dreams of a veterinary career, she has not left behind Lyndhurst. DeMarco is a Lyndhurst par- Beneath the inspirational quotes on canvas are walls ent, homeowner and community member. painted a warm shade of orange. Against one of the four walls During DeMarco’s time as a student at LHS, she placed stands a bookcase. To the right are two chairs and a small third in the county for discus. Till this day, track and field is table. Yet, most importantly, straight ahead is a desk that be- still a part of her life. longs to a familiar face in the school and community. This February, she will be traveling to take part in the Dis- Mrs. DeMarco has returned to LHS with a new position. ney Princess Half Marathon in Disney World, Florida. In She is now seated as principal in the relocated and redeco- addition to her interest in running, DeMarco said she also rated principal’s office, or the heartbeat of the school, as she enjoys reading, spending time with family and being around likes to call it. town. DeMarco is an LHS graduate who went on to attend Seton “We have to find a way to step away from what we do, either Hall University. She graduated in 1992 with a teaching de- professionally or in our focused day in order to get more in gree and the title of valedictorian. In the following years, she touch with our thoughts and our mind,” DeMarco said. “Be- earned a master’s degree in English as well as one in Educa- cause then, we return to what we do feeling better.” tional Leadership from Montclair State University. DeMarco is married to her highschool sweetheart and has “Change is chaos and chaos makes us step up to our plate,” four kids, one of whom attends LHS. She said not only do her DeMarco said. “We always have to see an experience as some- son’s friends see her when she is at home in sweatpants and a thing that will be helpful to us in the future.” hairband, most likely chasing after the family’s dog, she also DeMarco said she has taken every opportunity that has gets to see students in their authentic lives. come across her path, teaching at a kindergarten level all the “Here, there is a plan in place for how they are spending way to twelfth grade Advanced Placement English. Then, last their time and what they are doing,” DeMarco said. “When year she took on the role of principal at Washington School, we get to be out and see students shopping in a mall, or walk- a Pre-K through third grade school. ing through town, or doing their sports and activities or even DeMarco said one of the biggest aspects of her transition in the supermarket, we often see a side of them in even just a Courtesy of Nicole Plonski A lifelong Lyndhurst resident, Mrs. DeMarco returns to LHS to serve as to the high school is that LHS is much larger than Washing- short conversation... that’s very different than in the school principal. Last year, DeMarco was principal of Washington School. ton School. She also said in elementary school there is more environment.” communication with parents while high school students Junior Vincent Dorio knows DeMarco as a result of being Freshmen Claudia Connolly and Gaetano Ricciardi have take more responsibility for their own educations. She said friends with her son, Junior Matt DeMarco, and playing only known Mrs. DeMarco as an administrator, not as a she likes the atmosphere because the students are involved sports with him. He said it is cool to see his principal in two teacher. in shaping their own educations. different environments, realizing that educators have lives “She is really nice and always says hi to me in the halls,” Ric- “Our main focus is to create a culture or environment based outside of their work. ciardi said. He said it is awesome that a principal remembers on the way our students feel, that does support and enrich “Mrs. DeMarco acts very professional when I see her both in his name, and not for a bad reason. the instruction that we want to provide,” DeMarco said. school and outside of school,” Dorio said. “She doesn’t forget “She is very approachable,” Connolly said. “Students can This school year, DeMarco’s central goal is to return to the who you are.” feel more comfortable going to her knowing the person who fundamentals and build upon that. She said she wants to Senior Jamie Cirne had DeMarco as her English teacher is supervising our school is always going to be there for her concentrate on attendance, communication and the use of when she was a sophomore. students.” devices already at hand, such as the iPads. “[DeMarco’s] hands-on approach to leading our school cer- DeMarco said she wants students to know how good they Education is now DeMarco’s passion, but she has not al- tainly will be effective and memorable,” Cirne said. “She will really are because sometimes individuals can be their own ways seen herself working in this field. DeMarco said she set a precedent that other principals will want to follow.” worst opponents. originally wanted to be a veterinarian, saving all the animals Cirne said the new principal is a natural leader who has “To speak sincerely from my heart, I am proud to be rep- in the world. It was not until she had to put her pet cat to the rare ability to get along with everyone. Cirne also noted resenting this school,” DeMarco said. “I feel we dominate in sleep that she had a change of heart. DeMarco’s confidence and consistent energy. respect and the kindness of our students.” New mascot twerks her way into crowds’ hearts By Emma Flusk fall to the ground, [and] sometimes I twerk. That’s why I am [known as] the ‘Twerking Mascot.’” Senior Ruka Olunlade has big paws to fill as the high Senior Tori Intindola said having Olunlade as the mascot is school’s Golden Bear mascot. Voted most spirited senior for like having another cheerleader on the team. the yearbook Hall of Fame, she brings energy and enthusi- “Ruka definitely adds more enthusiasm to the games. I per- asm to the football field. sonally love having her on the field with us because she just Cheerleading Coach Mrs. Ruiz said Olunlade separates has that personality to make everyone smile and have a good herself from previous mascots with her “Rukaness.” time on and off the field,” Intindola said. “She always keeps “She’s more outgoing in school, as opposed to not being everyone happy during the games even if we are losing.” outgoing with just the bear head on,” Ruiz said. “Ruka is Olunlade took her school spirit to the next level when she more than just a mascot dancing on the sidelines. She has had a dance off with another bear mascot from the Haw- embodied the spirit of our school and is sharing that spirit thorne team. She said she started it off by pretending to pick with fans of all ages.” her nose and wipe it on the other bear. This was followed by Ruiz said Olunlade learns sideline cheers, and she is also a “twerk off” that Olunlade said she won. learning the dance to “Thriller,” a song the LHS band plays Olunlade makes it a priority to interact with little kids, during halftime. On top of these cheers and dances, Ol- offering high fives and hugs as well as letting the young fans unlade goes into the stands and motivates the audience to try to pull off her gloves. dance and move around. Using her creativity, she also gets “There are kids who want me to chill with them the whole the crowd cheering. game,” Olunlade said. “If I could do that, I would.” “My routine is whatever my mind feels like doing. I could all Intindola said Olunlade will be a hard mascot to replace. of a sudden feel like doing ‘Soulja Boy’ or the ‘Dougie’ or the “She’s one of a kind, and there’s not another person with her Courtesy of Jessie Bolton ‘Stanky Leg’; whatever comes to my mind,” Olunlade said. personality to do what she does on the field,” said Intindola. Senior Ruka Olunlade, the new Golden Bear mascot, excites fans on “Sometimes I do silly things like pretend I was punched and Nov. 7 during a football game between LHS and Rutherford High School. The perfect pie Addicted to TV? Comeback against You haven’t Don’t worry. rivals tasted apple pie if You’re not alone.|9 Girls soccer destroys you haven’t tried competition against this.|7 New Milford. |11 Check out “The Lighthouse” on the LHS website! 2 The Lighthouse November 2014 Question: What fictional town would you most like to visit and why? COLUMN COLUMN What would What would Newman do? Carucci do? Compiled by Lucinda Garcia Compiled by Lucinda Garcia Right off the bat, I do like that I’m only There are so many fantastic answers to asked what town I’d like to “visit” and not Courtesy of Emma Flusk this question, such as Woodbury, San Diego Courtesy of Lucinda Garcia “live in.” The reality is until I retire to beauti- (home of Champ Kind’s Whammy Chicken) ful San Diego, SoCal the only place I’d want crime boss who dresses like he’s going to and Cliffordville (named after billionaire will sing the lyrics to “La Bamba” by Ritchie to live is in this amazing NYC Metro area.