The Mrs. Alexander Awarded
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The Cardinal Vol. LXXIII No. 4 Pompton Lakes High School May 2014 Mrs. Alexander Awarded ‘Teacher of the Year’ “Mrs. Alexander conveys a genu- In addition to being a talented teacher, Mrs. Alexander ine delight in teaching that is further also has some hidden talents and skills, including reciting bolstered by students’ sincere interest the alphabet backwards in less than ten seconds. Her in pursuing knowledge beyond the favorite hobbies consist of word games such as “Words target language,” said Principal Vin- with Friends” or crossword puzzles, in addition to some cent Przybylinski. “Mrs. Alexander of her favorite activities, which are swimming, snorkel- gladly takes on the responsibility of ing, and having a good time with her colleagues. helping all pupils learn English as a “Mrs. Alexander works with a small group of students, second language or English only and not only to help them learn English but to assimilate to achieve their potential in every facet this country, community, and school,” said Mrs. Lucia of their lives.” D’Alessandro, a guidance counselor at PLHS. As a student, Mrs. Alexander Ultimately, Mrs. Alexander is most grateful when attended DePaul High School where hearing the success stories of her former students. she graduated 2nd in her class. From “She is the reason I fit in here. She motivated me to there, she went on to earn a bache- be confident and try to make friends. She was more than lor’s degree in French, certification in just a teacher; she was like a mother,” said senior Elisa education, and endorsement in ESL Diana. “She made learning simple but meaningful, which at Fairleigh Dickinson University I’ll always remember. She’s the reason why I can speak (FDU). Mrs. Alexander then went English.” on to teach for 32 years, 24 of which Mrs. Alexander is truly honored to receive such a have been spent in the Pompton prestigious award, especially considering the way in Lakes district as an ESL teacher. Pri- which it was presented to her. The moment Dr. Paul Am- or to teaching at PLHS she was em- oroso, the superintendent, came into her first period class ployed for eight years at DePaul High to give her the award will forever remain an unforgetta- School as a French teacher. However, ble moment in her life. she switched interests in her teaching “It was surprising but gratifying for the years I’ve subject through the enlightenment been doing this. I am extremely appreciative to the won- Mrs. Alexander was recognized as ‘Teacher of the Year’ by her colleagues. from foreign students that desired to derful staff I work with for the nomination,” she stated. learn English. When she began teach- Although Mrs. Alexander plans to leave the teaching By TAYLOR IRAGGI ing in Pompton Lakes she worked in profession in the near future, she intends to continue to Editor-in-Chief all four schools daily encountering students of all ages. be a lifelong learner, even in retirement. Eventually, she moved to PLHS permanently. “I’ve learned such a wealth of knowledge out of my “I knew by 2nd grade that I wanted to become a 32 years of teaching, and it’s so exciting to learn some- Mrs. Betsy Alexander, who teaches English as a teacher,” Alexander said. “However, it wasn’t until high thing new every single day,” she said. “I look forward to Second Language (ESL), was honored as “Teacher of the school that I knew I wanted to become a language teach- continuing to learn in this next step of my life.” Year” by the Pompton Lakes Board of Education and the er. Originally, my plan was to become a Latin teacher but Pompton Lakes High School (PLHS) faculty on April 28. at the time Latin was dying out in most school districts.” Bowling Repeats as State Sectional Champs By ZACH PAGLIARONI 610 series in the sectional final. 699 series at the county meet and Assistant Editor The Cardinals had control also performed strongly in state for the majority of the sectional play contributing to a major part match but were challenged by a in the Cardinals advancement The Pompton Lakes Bowling good Hawthorne team through- throughout the tournament. team had a chip on its shoulder out. “We came together as a coming into the season. Although “They gave it everything they unit and fired on all cylinders the Cardinals entered the 2013- had but we had just enough to when it mattered most,” said 2014 campaign as the reigning overpower them and keep our Schoonmaker. “When everyone North I Group I sectional cham- season alive,” said senior Spen- was on top of their game we pions, they proved their domi- cer Schoonmaker. were nearly impossible to beat.” nance once again by duplicating The sectional championship The bowling team now joins last year’s performance earning win earned the Cardinals a spot the football and baseball teams them a second straight title. at the Meet of Champions. The at PLHS who have successfully After a perfect 16-0 regular Cardinals placed 5th against defended their sectional titles in season, the Cardinals went into some tough competition, includ- their respective sports. Although their North I Group I cham- ing Central Jersey power Immac- bowling may not be as popu- pionship meet with plenty of ulata, who took home the title. lar throughout the school, the confidence. Head Coach Doug The Cardinals were led by players on this team still take Batsch’s squad had beaten most 3 First Team All-County selec- tremendous pride in what they of the teams they were set to tions, senior Dillon Cilento, ju- have accomplished. face that afternoon in group and nior Frank Magyar, and freshmen “Bowling isn’t much of a league play already. The Cardi- Nick Cilento all chipped in to the spectator sport, but we put in nals knew their biggest competi- Cardinals success. The Cardinals the same amount of work as any tion would be themselves. won the NJIC Colonial Division others athletes and this year’s “We knew we had to prove with ease behind the strong play success is something the entire that we could rebuild with new of upperclassmen. Dillon Cilento building can be proud of,” said people stepping up in certain bowled a county high 277 this Cilento. Members of the State Sectional champtionship bowling team were all smiles spots. Each member of the team year and was consistent through- With multiple underclassmen after winning a second consecutive title. handled their roles very well and out his senior season. Magyar, a returning such as Nick Cilento we wound up on top,” said senior Second Team All-North Jersey and Frank Magyar next sea- perhaps three peat in the section season run. Dillon Cilento, who bowled a Selection, bowled a team high son, the Cardinals are poised to and make an even deeper post 2 The Cardinal NEWS/OPINION May 2014 ‘Survivor’ Winner Delivers Powerful Message for Zohn, including how to overcome mental dents mocking or discouraging others, they could teach and social challenges over the course of 39 about their strengths, interests, and skill sets. days living in Kenya’s Shaba National Re- Be a necessary member of the group: The last point serve, and what to do with the million dollars that Zohn asked of students was to learn to become that he was suddenly awarded. He challenged necessary members of the group. While on Survivor, himself to be as unselfish as possible, which he had to form relationships that would eventually lead led him to co-founding Grassroot Soccer. to victory. Simply put, he became too valuable to the After winning a million dollars, many may members within his tribe that needed him. Zohn became consider what to buy first. However, Zohn so valuable that he is the only contestant in the show’s thought differently and considered how being history to not receive a single vote against him, which unselfish is self-empowering and can help speaks volumes about his character and worth. contribute to living a better life. This message Being a part of a community means that people are is an essential one, and is one that all high unified and living in harmony with people contributing to school students need to learn. Many high a group. It means that people can work together towards a school students spend their days wondering common goal and can contribute to the group by sharing what smart phone they should buy next, or their skills and talents. Each member of the community what kind of car they want to buy the day should bring something special that is needed and appre- they get their license. Being unselfish doesn’t ciated by the group. More people should strive to become necessarily mean spending that money on a part of their community, and students can achieve this someone else or giving it to a charity, but tak- by being a contributing member of a team, club, school, Ethan Zohn encouraged students to be an active member in their community ing a minute to do something for those who or other group. They should strive to be someone that has by being unselfish and becoming leaders and teachers. are less fortunate or may not have the same character and someone that people want to be around. opportunities in life. As a winner of Survivor, a Division I soccer coach, By ALEX DEBONTE Be a leader: It only takes one person a professional soccer player, and a two-time cancer Editor-in-Chief to make a difference, and Zohn is living proof.