The Rocket Review Raritan High School’S Official Newspaper

The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

Dear Seniors Coney Island Mermaid Parade By: Thomas Grady By: Alissa Maldonado Dear Seniors, The world’s largest art parade, the Coney It has been a long four years since you first Island Mermaid Parade will be taking place on stepped through these doors. A lot has changed June 17th, 2017 at 1pm. The parade will start on in your character. Starting freshman year almost West 21st and Surf Avenue and it will end near scared and nervous for high school, to run- Steeplechase Plaza. It is a rain or shine event ning the school by winning back-to-back Clash meaning it will take place no matter what. The of Classes.? Happy times and heartache have Coney Island USA resident not for profit arts cen- passed and now it’s almost over. The teachers ter puts together this entire event. This year will you might’ve loved or disliked, have all made an be the 35th annual year of the mermaid parade. impact on you someway or another. Now some of Not only is it one of the world’s largest art pa-

you will be going to college this September and rades, but it is also one of New York’s more spec- JUNE 2017 some of your friends will continue to stay with tacular summer events. This event isn’t just about you. But how do you want to be remembered? Do people dressing up as mermaids, there’s far more you want to be the class clown, the most caring, meaning to what’s being celebrated, like unique- the weird one, or even the teachers pet? No mat- ness and individuality. The parade showcases ter how your high school career went, you will be over 3,000 creative individuals from not only the remembered. five boroughs, but everywhere. You have made an impact on so many lives. The parade specifically highlights Coney Island’s Your presence in the classroom might have driv- pageantry over the years. Unlike some other en your teachers and peers crazy, or they loved parades, there is no ethnic, commercial or reli- you. You’ll remember the great days and the hard gious intention behind it. Usually the people who ones. You’ll remember your high school sweet- are participating in the parade make their own hearts. And you’ll remember the celebrations, costume as a way to express themselves. This proms, and all of the adventures you’ve gone on. is so important because it allows people to ex- High school holds a special place in the heart press their originality. The event brings hundreds of many adults. It’s a great 4 years that you’ll of thousands of people to an amusement park never get back. No matter if you did a sport, or a in just one day. The art that is bringing everyone part of a play, or even if you were in a club, you’ll together is supposed to be looked at as a great remember those times. But now, you’re going way to start off the summer.The Mermaid Parade to college. New experiences will be made, new was founded in 1983 with there being three inten- people will come into your life, and they could tions. change who you are as well. Be safe out there. The first intention being creating self-esteem in a Well, this is it, June 22nd is the day. You finally district that most of the time is disregarded as just get to leave. Enjoy the real world and all of the entertainment. Next, to let artistic New Yorkers perks of being an adult. Say goodbye to your publicly discover self-expression. Not to mention, teachers and friends, cause college is waiting to bring mythology to life for residents who either for you with open arms. Enjoy the rest of your lived on Mermaid or Neptune street. Hence why life and make sure to come back for the reunion. there is a Queen Mermaid and King Neptune Peace. chosen every year. This year the Queen Mermaid The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

and King Neptune will be Deborah Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie. This event is surely some- Flag Day thing you don’t want to miss if you want to start By: James Borg the summer off right! On June 14, 1777, Congress undertook the first official U.S. flag. Years later in 1937, we created HONOR THY FATHER “Flag Day” to celebrate this special occasion, By: Jacob Gambino following in many other countries footsteps. This For the past forty-five years, the third Sunday holiday honors one of many occasions where our of June has been known as Father’s Day; a day American patriotism is shown, and we celebrate to celebrate everything our fathers have done the joy of being part of this great nation. Along- for us. Compared to Mother’s Day, which has side many other holidays such as Fourth of July, been celebrated for over a century, Father’s Day it gives a day for Americans to come together and

seems like a young holiday. In truth, the Ameri- celebrate our great history. JUNE 2017 can version of Father’s Day has been a concept that has been celebrated for almost as long as On days like this, it is important to take time to Mother’s Day. reflect on how lucky we are to live in a nation Father’s Day had its humble beginnings in such as ours. We have running water, don’t need Fairmont, West Virginia in 1908. A woman named to worry about meals, are protected, and most Grace Golden Clayton was mourning her father, importantly have unalienable rights as a human who died during a mining incident that claimed being, established by the founding fathers who the lives of over 200 other fathers. She implored used Lockean Principles. On June 14, a flag of the local pastor to perform a special sermon in this nation standing for these principles and rights their honor. Because the event was fairly local it to their citizens was adopted. In times of war and never really got popular. crisis the nation was able to organize and beat However, on June 19th, 1910, a woman one of the most powerful nations on the Earth named Sonora Dodd held an event at a YMCA in at the time, Great Britain. For over 200 years, Washington honoring fathers. She would promote we have been able to use these freedoms es- and celebrate it regularly, and even got manu- tablished under that flag. The blood, sweat, and facturers to join her side and help support the tears, of all the generations of this great nation cause. By this point the idea had gained national through the years have been poured into that attention. Congress was asked to sign it in as a flag, and we should remember it as such. national holiday but it was declined several times. Many Presidents openly supported the idea, and in 1972, after several requests, President Richard The Best Years of Our Lives Nixon signed Father’s Day as an official national By: Alexandra Varga holiday. Since then it has been celebrated every It’s graduation season! Time to throw up your third Sunday of June. Traditionally, children and cap and receive your diploma. It’s been said that mothers give their fathers gifts such as ties and high school is the best years of your life and you homemade crafts. So on Father’s Day, we en- will remember special moments throughout the courage you to celebrate and honor your father four years. Each senior has an experience that or fathers for all that they have done for you. they can look back on in the years to come. Here The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

are a few experiences that have changed people was a hit and left audiences singing and dancing. in their high school career: Spring sports ran a great season, and they all tried their hardest. All of us decided on our colleg- “ When we won Clash of the Classes for two es on May 1st and became excited for the years years in a row. It was honestly so much fun and to come. Now is the countdown to senior prom I’m so happy I got to spend those moments with and graduation, and everyone is making the most my best friends.”- Sarah Grady of their last few days in Raritan High School. “The DC trip, but specifically the bus rides there and back and going to see the Christmas lights It truly has been a great senior year. I would like with a bunch of the seniors after.”- Marina Vur- to thank all of the teachers and administration for chio helping us get to this point. You have taught us “It has to be the whole soccer season for me. so much and I will carry you and your teachings JUNE 2017

JUNE 2017 Winning a division championship and playing with with me through life. We have all learned a lot my boys one last time was something I’ll never from each other and I couldn’t have asked for a forget.”- Mike Pruscino better class to be a part of. Let’s treasure these “The senior trip was one of the best times of the moments forever and remember the journey. To year. It was a lot of fun hanging out at the resort end with a quote as I usually do, “Thanks for the with everyone in the class.”- Tom Mills adventure- now go have a new one!” “Winning clash for a second time in a row was so incredibly empowering. Even though we knew we RHS Senior Prom 2017 were going to win, it was still a matter of pushing By: Alissa Maldonado each other to the edge to find that success we Attention all seniors and anyone else who is desired.” - Isaiah Mercado going to the Senior Prom!! If you haven’t been “My favorite part of senior year had to be per- informed yet, prom will take place on the 9th of forming in both Drama Club productions with June. The place to be at is the Jumping Brook my fellow seniors. There is nothing like being Country Club at 7pm. The country club is in onstage with your best friends, especially for the Neptune, NJ and is one of the top country clubs last time together.” -Christine DiNapoli in Monmouth County. The food is exceptional and From our first day to graduation, we have all the resort is on a 225 acre golf course. Anyone made our own memories. Each section of the who is asked by a senior is allowed to accompa- year was full of fun. Fall sports blasted off the be- ny them for the evening. Even though prom starts ginning of the new year and A Midsummer Night’s at 7, it is assumed that you should get there at Dream enchanted the stage as the fall produc- least a half hour earlier to get settled. There was tion. Everyone began to apply to colleges and an informational meeting about both junior and figure out what they want to do for the rest of their senior prom earlier in May. There are certain lives. Winter sports came soon after, carrying dress codes and safety guidelines that have to an amazing season. We went on a senior trip to apply. Skytop Lodge that gave us the fun of both spring It was mandatory that all parents of prom-goers and winter. After we returned, we had our annual attended. If you missed the meeting, there was Clash of the Classes and the Class of 2017 won another one about two weeks later for those who for our second time in a row. Young Frankenstein hadn’t gone yet.Also, if you plan on sitting with The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

a group of friends it is essential that you reserve who have stuck by my side through thick and your table. The earlier you reserve the seats at thin. My friends have been the absolute best and your table, the more likely it is that you will get I’ve been blessed to have them in my life. I am what you want. For some this is their last high actually lucky enough to have friends that have school prom, so make it count. Junior and senior been with me since the days of Kindergarten. Na- prom are both very exciting events during your tional Best Friends Day is one of those days that Raritan High School experience. But Junior Prom makes you count your blessings. can’t compare to the last prom of high school. To the friends that have been my ride or die Granted, Senior Prom to me seems like the most since day one, I salute you for dealing with me important, in that it’s like the last hurrah before because I am extremely stubborn. I can tell that graduation. I am not an easy person to deal with on a daily It’s also one of the last time you and your basis so it’s a miracle that you guys have been

class will be together. Of course pictures are a here for a while. Whether it was helping me with JUNE 2017 big thing during proms, the go-to place for a nice a wardrobe malfunction or study for a big test, scenery picture is the Keyport waterfront. Many they have been a huge part of my life. Honesty of the girls attending this prom have submitted is something that I tend to value over everything pictures of their dresses on social media. There is else and these people have kept it real since the an instagram page that is solely dedicated to the beginning of our friendship. RHS Senior Prom and female prom-goers post To my more recently acquired friends, get pictures of their dresses to avoid duplicates. Ev- ready because it’s going to be one bumpy ride. eryone going should dress to impress as you will I’m not the easiest person to be friends with but look back many years from now and remember you guys were crazy enough to deal with me. this spectacular night. But, I’m thankful to have you in my life nonethe- Not to mention, safety is also another topic less. I don’t make friends easily so the fact that that has to be stressed for any prom.Many se- you’re here is a miracle to begin with. I probably niors are 17 and 18; old enough to know right charmed you with my witty humor and unique from wrong. Sure you can have fun and enjoy personality. There’s something to be said about your time at prom, but make conscious decisions. my friends in general. They are some of the fun- Make conscious decisions not only at prom, but niest, caring, and amazing people I know. This after prom. A lot of people go out after their proms National Best Friends Day I’ll be hanging out with and don’t always make the best decisions. It is my friends. What will you be doing? important that you think of yourself and others more than usual on this night. Taste of Times Square By: Dylan Latorre National Best Friends Day ` Have you ever wondered what it would be By: Katherina Contreras like to experience every culture of food around There’s officially a day to recognize your best the world in one spot? Well for it’s 24th time in 24 friends for everything they do and it takes place years the Taste of Times square comes around on June 8th. This day honors those special again. And no where else better than in New people in your life that have your back no matter York city, where many call the crossroads of the what. I want to dedicate this article to my friends world. The outdoor festival will take place on The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

Monday, June 5th from 5 to 9pm. It will include against danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” more than 50 food vendors and restaurants! response is a typical reaction meant to protect a Featuring some of New York City’s best, Frankie person from harm. But a person with PTSD may and Johnnie’s Steakhouse, Carmine’s, and feel nervous or scared more frequently by some- John’s of Times Square. There will be dishes thing that reminds them of the event. from every culture around the world ranging from italian cuisine to spanish even chinese. Dishes Some symptoms of PTSD are: agitation, irritabil- will range anywhere from 1 to 6 dollars on West ity, hostility, hypervigilance, self-destructive be- 46th street between and 10th avenue. havior, social isolation, flashbacks, fear, severe There will also be new restaurants that take anxiety, mistrust, insomnia or nightmares. place in the festival as in, Burger and Lobster, and Waffles and Dinges. Including all the food Some famous or well known people with PTSD JUNE 2017 that is going to be served, in addition music from are: JUNE 2017 some of the best musical Artists in New York City. Including a beer garden that will be set up and Whoopi Goldberg- After watching two planes col- represented by Heartland Brewery. The Taste lide in mid-air, she developed PTSD. Each time of Times Square festival has gotten bigger and she boards a plane she is known to have panic better every year and has become a iconic day in attacks. New York City’s history. There has been record sales already for tickets to attend the festival. Mick Jagger- When Mick’s girlfriend committed People are flocking from not only all over the na- suicide, he developed PTSD. tion but the world. The Taste of Times square this year will be a once in a lifetime experience. It’s al- Oprah Winfrey- She did a show on sexual abuse most unbelievable that every year it will improve in 1986 and revealed that a relative raped her and get better! when she was only 9 and was later abused by many people for several years. She had a baby Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder who died early. By Caitlynn Hunter Chris Brown- A rehab facility has recently con- firmed that the famous singer Chris Brown had Have you ever witnessed something unseemly? a history of aggression mainly due to PTSD and Or something you can’t unsee? If you have you bipolar disorder. might want to do everything to forget it. But, some people can’t un-see it and they may have Redhead Day Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or otherwise By: Thomas Grady known as PTSD. PTSD is a disorder certain Celebrating a day that has to do with you al- people get when they experienced a shocking, ways has a special place in our hearts. For me scary, or dangerous event. I can celebrate a few types such as St. Paddy’s Day, Swedish Day, and Norwegian Day. But one It’s normal to feel afraid or nervous after a day that sticks out to me is Redhead Day. In traumatic experience. Fear triggers many split- Chicago on June 10th and 11th, the town will be second changes in the body to help defend hosting two Redhead days this year. The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

Redhead Days Chicago is an American itera- ages, they have the right idea with releasing mov- tion of the original Redhead Days celebration ies in June. held in Breda, The Netherlands; where it is called Roodharigendag. Each year, Redhead Days Chi- The releases began on June 22, 1955. Lady cago organizes several events and gatherings for and the Tramp tells the story of a stray mutt red-headed folks to enjoy together such as pa- named Tramp and an American Cocker Spaniel rades, photo shoots and outdoor parties designed named Lady as they fall in love and try to adapt to instill a sense of pride and camaraderie. to each other’s lifestyles. Walt Disney helped with With all of the discouragement gingers get, we the production of this movie before passing away deserve a day or two. In Milan in late May, the in December 1966. Disney released The Rescu- city hosts their own ginger days for 3 straight ers, the story of two mice in the United Nations days. In January, the weirdest of the redhead hol- who help with abductions all over the world on

idays is Kiss a Ginger Day. And finally, as before June 22, 1977. When Disney reached its Renais- JUNE 2017 mentioned, Breda, The Netherlands holds 4 days sance period, the company released most of their of redhead festivities; the most in the world. movies in June. Starting with The Lion King on Gingers have been a minority all around the June 15, 1994, movies such as Pocahontas, The world and even might go extinct by 2060. This Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Mulan and is because there is less than 2% of redheads Tarzan were all released in June within a span of left in the world. With the remaining in the world, 5 years. Disney then released Atlantis: The Lost gingers get to embrace their fellow redheads and Empire in June of 2001 and it was a big flop in enjoy one of the last generations ever, together Disney’s eyes. The public wasn’t appreciating the as one big group. movies the way that they used to and the company was not liking the financial drop. The last A Magical Month for Movies movie that the company released in June was By: Alexandra Varga Lilo & Stitch, the story of a mischievous and lov- Over a span of 93 years, the Walt Disney Ani- able alien and his best friend in Hawaii. mation Studios has been creating iconic films to share with people around the world. Each year, The Walt Disney Animation Studios was actually Disney releases a film in order to keep audiences very strategic in their move to switch releases to coming back for more. Beginning in 1955, Dis- November. The branches within the company, ney began to release a ton of their films in June. such as Pixar Studios and Marvel Studios, began Although some of the films may have been flops, releasing their films in the summer season. The many of them drew large audiences. Why, you top three of Pixar’s highest-grossing films hap- may ask? It is said that movies released in June pen to have been released in the month of June: have some of the highest grossing box office Finding Dory, Toy Story 3 and Inside Out. The numbers. It is the start of the summer season company decided that this would be the perfect and people enjoy sitting in the air condition for a time to release their movies as they also released couple of hours and watching a movie with their Cars, Ratatouille, WALL-E, Cars 2, Brave and families. Kids have more time since they are off Monsters University during this time as well. from school and parents want to spend quality Marvel Studios also released their movies in the time with them. Since Disney is a company for all summer months as to get more of an audience. The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

Plenty of other companies release their movies The sight and mention causing adrenaline during these months in order to draw a larger To run right through your very veins crowd. Disney began a trend that lives on through You’re dying to cut into something new today. Thank you to the Walt Disney Animation But you’re stuck in place, dreams buried Studios and Pixar Studios for releasing these Under blowing sand amazing films and congratulations on finding A hearth never to be warm again the best strategy! To quote our happy snowman --- from Frozen: “Sometimes I like to close my eyes, Ghosts don’t haunt places, they haunt unfulfilled and imagine what it’d be like when summer does dreams come.” And gray faces Forgotten pillowcases

JUNE 2017 A Ghost’s Confession Don’t let them haunt you JUNE 2017 Do not cry for me when I pass Instead run to the strongest winds Pull your heart out Swim to the deepest trenches ______Climb up the highest hills Isaiah Mercado And welcome me home.

There is nothing more harmful than doubt I WANT CANDY Do not doubt the fact that we live on By: Jacob Gambino Through essence of aura and despair June is officially National Candy Month, a I promise you will still see me month to celebrate the many delicious and sug- As glitter in the air. ary treats that we all know and love. Candy comes in all shapes and sizes. From bars to (I’ll make sure you understand the suckers to caramels to chocolates to gummies. Meaning of life) Confectioneries have very humble origins that date all the way back to our time as cavemen. That self-doubt sucks the color right out of your Candy had a very simple beginning in the form soul of honey. Ever since our cavemen ancestors first It makes sure even the strongest winds licked a beehive (likely getting stung in the pro- The deepest trenches cess), we have been obsessed with honey. The And the highest hills ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians would Won’t ever know how bold your actions cover nuts and fruits in honey as a way to make Could’ve come to be. them taste sweeter. Honey ‘candy’ was also often used for medicinal purposes like aiding with Promise me digestion. You’ll make sure each aspect of life Long before the Romans and Egyptians start- Untouched and untold ed using honey for candy, the Mesoamericans Will never be nothing more than the edge of a discovered cocoa. Cocoa was melted in order to knife make a primitive form of chocolate milk, which The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

was used as an aphrodisiac. It was believed that In Ancient Mythology all the months have some cocoa beans were a gift from the gods, so it was stories to them, this is because polytheistic reli- reserved for the wealthy and powerful. When the gions/beliefs (the worship of more than one god) Aztecs started taking over Mesoamerica, they usually have stories like this even if they are began trading with the Mayans. Eventually cocoa small. It was very common to develop stories of beans became a form of currency. gods and goddesses, in order to add some depth Sugar candies became popular when it was to their religion. discovered that you could crush sugarcane to As well as in other significance, Catholics cel- get powdered sugar. It was boiled, melted, and ebrate the month as the Most Sacred Heart of powdered onto or into other foods. Much like the Jesus. There are many little holidays that will take honey candies of the ancient Mediterraneans, place, such as National Flip Flop Day in America. sugar was used mainly as medicine. Because it Worldwide, Father’s Day will be celebrated, and

was expensive only the wealthy were able to pur- World Music Day will also take place. The friday JUNE 2017 chase it. Candy stayed as a food and medicine after Father’s Day is take your dog to work day almost exclusively for the rich for many years in the UK and the US. So overall, June is a very afterwards. eventful month with some impressive historical Different types of candies based on these significance. three substances started being made in the 1700s. As factories began opening up, candy be- Should a Great Change Come came more common. Regular people were able By: Dylan Latorre to eat it if they wanted, and it became more of a Since as long as I can remember, high school snack than a medicine. Lollipops, hard candies, and most of my growing up always started so caramel, and chocolate bars started becoming early in the morning. As I got older school started insanely popular. Over time, candy became the earlier and earlier. Now recently in Monmouth mass production that it is today. Twizzlers, Mike County and the state of New Jersey, high schools & Ikes, Gummy Bears, M&M’s, Hershey’s, and are starting to change their start times to later more have become household names. If it wasn’t on in the morning around 9am. This is because for our ancestors experimenting with honey, sug- recently the National Sleep foundation released ar, and chocolate, we wouldn’t be able to savor a statement saying how teens around the ages of the sweet treats we know and love today. 13-18 need until at least 9am to be able to function and learn. History of the Month June Taking this all into account and being a teen- By: James Borg ager myself I can ultimately agree with this. Every The month of June actually has a lot of mytholog- day I have to wake up before 7am to go to school ical and ancient history to why it is named June, and I do not feel like myself. This goes for many and also what it is known for in mythology. June of my peers as well. It’s a topic discussed a lot. It in Latin is Junius, and this was the name for it in is also one of the reasons I know many teens fall ancient Rome. There are many different stories asleep in class. Our sleep schedule ranges from in Roman Mythology that will say how June was about earliest at 10pm to 12p.m. We need more named, most commonly said to be named after sleep to be able to function better at school. Juno (the goddess). The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

The districts that have changed their school starts To isolate yourself amongst a sea of abstract time in the past 2 years have released reports thought and aspiration? stating that their academic scores for the school There is nothing more worse than the sounds of have dramatically improved. This is because violins breaking those teenagers are sleeping later and are more Horse hairs snapping; the silence of music alert when it comes to learning. To me and many speaks louder than sobs it is believed that this is a great idea and something that needs to happen nationwide. Schools Do you understand what it’s like to feel mentally need to start later, not only for the health of teens, robbed? but the better of our education system! ______Isaiah Mercado JUNE 2017 JUNE 2017 Square House Awards on The Great White Way Two sides of the cube By: Alexandra Varga I can’t control the direction they choose Throughout the different forms of entertain- Sitting inside a melting house ment in the United States, there are awards for Fetal position for a quicker drown each of these branches. The movies have the You’ll hear violins if you go down town Oscars, television has the Emmys, and music has the Grammys. In early June each year, Hanging for dear life off of the Broadway shows come together to celebrate their edge of the spastic landscape achievements at the Tony Awards. Honoring both Trying to prevent harm by building musicals and plays, the Tonys encompass the stone walls with no windows, no escapes spirit of theatre and show the true beauty of the arts. Currently holding 24 categories for competi- Smoky chambers like flowing smog tion, they share live-theater with the world and You have to avoid the forest with blue fog celebrate the Great White Way. There are shadows waiting for wrong steps, The 71st Annual Tony Awards will be held on wrong moves June 11th, 2017, at Radio City Music Hall. It will While I wait for a presence that’ll cause me to be hosted by Kevin Spacey, who won a Tony swoon Award in 1991 for his role in Lost in Yonkers. The ceremony starts at 8 PM with a red carpet event “The best way to any man’s heart presented before it. Some important categories Is through his fourth and fifth rib” and nominees include: The shadows scream, they seep in from the cracks Best Musical In-between each spine that lines my back Groundhog Day Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Do you understand what it’s like to shake hands Come From Away with death? Dear Evan Hansen The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

Best Revival of a Musical ed the case for why the statue should be made. Falsettos The reasoning behind the statue being created Miss Saigon was to show the greatness of the Union’s win of Hello, Dolly! the civil war. That is the defining moment of the end of slavery in the United States. Laboulaye Best Play then contacted French officials to start construc- A Doll’s House, Part 2 tion of the statue. One of the great myths is that Indecent the United States helped fund and create a site Oslo for the statue to be built this is false. Laboulaye Sweat inspired a sculpture named Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi to create the statue for the United Best Revival of a Play States.

Jitney The preceding thought was that after the statue JUNE 2017 Six Degrees of Separation was created and given to the United states it The Little Foxes would inspire the French people to show that Present Laughter they to could have freedom, as at the time it was The most nominations went to Natasha, Pierre a monarchy in France. Overall, the statue to this & The Great Comet of 1812 with 12 nominations, day has become a piece of history and will be for- with runner-ups Hello, Dolly! with 10 and Dear ever. The Statue of Liberty is located in New York Evan Hansen with 9. The committee also chose City and does more than show promise to im- to include the Sound Design category for both migrants. It’s a huge tourist attraction in America plays and musicals after it’s absence for the past claiming upwards of over 5 million visitors a year! 4 years. Many people are predicting that Dear The Statue of Liberty shows more than just a Evan Hansen may be the next Hamilton of the iconic figure for the United States, but a hope for awards. There will be plenty of musical perfor- the world that anything can be accomplished. mances and outstanding presenters. This night for theater fans all over the country will be fan- tastic and full of joy and laughter. To end with a VIDEO GAMES quote that all theater fans should know, “Act well By: Jacob Gambino your part; there all the honour lies”- Alexander From the 1960s to now, video games have Pope. become one of the biggest mediums in entertainment. While there are several consoles and thou- Statue of Liberty sands (if not millions) of video games in existence By: Dylan Latorre nowadays, they had much humbler beginnings. The Statue of Liberty has become nothing less than one of the most iconic figures in United Video game consoles originated in the 1960s States history. But can something so amazing and 70s with the Magnavox Odyssey. A few years and that represents America perfectly have been later, Atari released their Pong console, which created by another country? Well back in 1875 was an instant hit. Pong became a household a man named Édouard René de Laboulaye, the name. Several companies released consoles president of the French anti-slavery society stat- and video games between then and the 1980s, JUNE 2017 - - - - -

the latter reached only moderate acclaim. Soon afterwards the PlayStation 2 was released, which quickly became the most best selling console Gamecube It outshined Nintendo’s in history. Xbox. In 2005, Microsoft and even Microsoft’s unveiled the Xbox 360, which was a massive success and helped solidify Microsoft as a ma The PlayStation 3 was jor video game producer. step further and released the Sega Genesis. The Sega Genesis. step further and released the the NES, but it Genesis was vastly superior to Nintendo away, wasn’t powerful enough to wipe its next console. especially after the release of System, a The Super Nintendo Entertainment SNES The NES. vastly superior console to the out of the water. was so popular that it blew Sega Mario to combat Nintendo (and Their last effort of the first Sonic the specifically) was the release was huge and it Hedgehog game. While Sonic the Genesis, Nin greatly impacted the sales of of sales and tendo still won in the end in terms popularity. Sony eventually entered the video game mar ket with the Sony PlayStation, one of the first consoles to have fully 3D graphics. Nintendo and success with the Sega followed the PlayStation’s Nintendo 64 and the Sega Dreamcast, respec While the former was massively successful tively. Nintendo released the Nintendo Game Boy, a the Nintendo Game Boy, Nintendo released The Game gaming console. portable handheld other popular Nintendo Boy spawned several This Tetris. Pokémon and franchises, including second stab at handheld was actually Nintendo’s years earlier they released the gaming. Many the G&W console. Unfortunately Game & Watch like much However, was not very successful. Game & Watch R.O.B., a character named Mr. Bros. series, rep was added to the Super Smash console. resenting various games on the take things one Sega eventually decided to ------The Rocket Review Rocket The

Sega making the Sega Master System, which unfortunately wasn’t quite as successful. In 1989 over the video game market, especially with the lead to This popularity of the Mario character. The success of the NES inspired the com The success pany Sega to compete with them for dominance Bros. franchise, though that began many years later. worked with the system for certain games. While R.O.B. itself was not particularly successful, the character lived on through the Super Smash through marketing. They treated it like a toy through marketing. and packaged it with R.O.B., a small robot that (Metroid), Simon Belmont (Castlevania), and (Metroid), Simon Belmont (Castlevania), Kirby (Kirby). Nintendo took great precautions to make sure the NES was a success, mostly gest icons and most popular characters, including gest icons and most popular characters, Zelda), Samus Mario (Mario), Link (Legend of medium until 1983, when Nintendo released the medium until 1983, when Nintendo The Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom. big video gaming’s NES is birthplace to some of After this, video games became a less popular several hundred leftover E.T. cartridges, as well several hundred leftover E.T. and consoles, and as several other failed games Mexico. buried them in a landfill in New cials for it. When it came out it was panned for its cials for it. When it came out it Atari gathered horrible gameplay and graphics. trial, a video game based on the Steven Spiel trial, a video game based on the Atari hyped it up as berg film of the same name. several commer much as they could, creating untested video games were being released. The games were being released. untested video Terres The Extra most infamous is perhaps E.T. However, Atari almost lead to the demise of video Atari almost lead to the demise However, library and to expand the 2600’s games. In order unfinished and/or several make more money, bigger hit than Pong, outshining consoles that Pong, outshining consoles that bigger hit than more advanced at the time. were technologically but the biggest one to come out during this pe but the biggest an even Atari became Atari 2600. riod was the Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper Official School’s High Raritan

JUNE 2017 The Rocket Review Raritan High School’s Official Newspaper

released to combat their success, though it was Rio de Janeiro in 1992. World Ocean Day has only somewhat more successful. Nintendo even- been officially recognized by the UN as of 2008 tually released the Nintendo Wii console, which which marks the official date June 8th. boasted being one of the first consoles to include full motion controls. While the console sold great- The Ocean Project also allows people like you ly, most games didn’t sell quite as well. and me to participagte in events all around the world. There’s even one locally that everyone Eventually the 360, PS3, and Wii were all should participate in. At Jenkinson’s Aquarium in discontinued and replaced with the Xbox One, Point Pleasant, you can learn about the issues PlayStation 4, and Wii U respectively. The Play- the oceans face as well as learn how everyone Station 4 was a huge success, greatly overshad- can keep it clean and healthy. There are dive owing the Xbox One and the Wii U. The Wii U demonstrations, activities, games, and crafts! The

unfortunately did not do nearly as well as Nin- event is on June 10th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. JUNE 2017 tendo hoped and was replaced with the Nintendo Switch, which came out March 3, 2017. I know that everyone is getting extremely excited to go to the beach this summer but you can’t visit That is the history of video gaming consoles, a beach that contains trash. To keep beaches mostly the more popular ones. Video games have clean this season, make sure you bring all of your come a long way, from systems that only had one garbage with you and throw it out in their respec- game and needed to be plugged directly into the tive bins. Everyone should try to refrain from leav- television to video games that utilize 3D graph- ing waste… that means even beach toys. Keep- ics and virtual reality. Video game consoles have ing the beaches clean makes everyone happy: become household staples and a much more the ocean and all the people visiting the beach. respected medium in recent years. Keep that in mind this World Ocean Day when you celebrate!

World Ocean Day By: Katherina Contreras

World Ocean Day is a celebration of keeping our oceans clean and healthy. This takes place on June 8th every year. This day helps raise awareness on how to protect the oceans from the pollution that humans inflict on it. Whether we like to admit it or not, the oceans provide us with many resources. We must keep the ocean healthy for future generations. The Ocean Project promotes and coordinates World Ocean Day and has been doing it for 15 years now. The idea for having a day like this came when the Canadian government proposed it at the Earth Summit of