ALL STARS UNITE THE LUCK OF THE IRISH SHOOTING FOR SUCCESS The East defeats the West St. Patrick’s Day brings Boys basketball ends in the annual NBA All Star tradition to people its season with pride game.|10 everywhere. |6 despite injuries.|11 TheLighthouse Vol. XXVII, No. 5 Lyndhurst High School March 2014 Au revoir to ‘Beauty and the Beast’ By Kristen D’Amico pride and success in completing all of our perfor- mances and while doing so, completing an amazing It is 6:30 p.m. and the audience enters LHS’s au- accomplishment and adventure. It was very reward- ditorium. As they take their seats, whether it be in ing to see everyone gleaming with pride,” Wise said. the balcony or the main floor, they are buzzing with Director Mrs. Ruiz said the most memorable mo- excitement. ment working on this musical was the evening the When the clock strikes seven, the lights dim and cast received its costumes. the orchestra in the pit begins to play. The curtains “The costumes were obviously a key part to the open and the audience’s attention is drawn to the enchantment of the production of ‘Beauty and the stage for the prologue in which the story of “Beauty Beast,’ and during that moment when our vision and The Beast” is being recounted. truly began to come to life, it was such a joyful expe- This Disney musical tells the tale of a young woman rience for myself and the cast,” Ruiz said. named Belle, played by Junior Shanice Aquino, who Although most of the songs focused on the seri- learns to see past the Beast’s horrifying appearance ous emotions of Beast and Belle, musical numbers to fall in love with the kindness in his heart. The role like “Be Our Guest” held the audience’s attention of Beast was played by Junior Frankie Perez. with their magnificence. Sophomore Devin Yunis, a Choral Director Ms. Wise said she was pleased with three-night spectator, said this piece was his favorite the final product, explaining that all the hard work part of the musical score. of the directors, cast and crew paid off. “I found it so interesting and exciting when all of “All of the characters were on the stage feeling the the dishes and utensils came down the aisles. It was magical,” Yunis said. Sophomore Renee Lindholm played the role of a champagne glass and a villager. “My favorite part [of the experience] was probably the rehearsals because they were always energetic and fun. Even though we had to be serious, we al- ways had time to have fun. Being in the musical was amazing. It was like having another family. I loved every moment of it,” Lindholm said. Junior Tyler Landells portrayed Cogsworth, the straightlaced clock. “This year’s musical is definitely up there in my fa- Courtesy of Christiane Piezas vorites. Making the musical great [required] every- Kitchen utensils come alive in the the “Be Our Guest” number (above), Belle and Beast take centerstage in their one to be devoted. I met new, really cool people and dance (above right) and Gaston is surrounded by the silly learned from others’ experiences during the pro- girls (bottom right) during LHS’s annual musical. cess,” said Landells. Students explore new subjects through Virtual High School By Ashley Stephens taking VHS courses get the experience than face-to-face classes because it’s ence and it sounded interesting. I en- of online learning, which will be bene- mostly independent. An upside is I can joy this class because it is a challenging The LHS media center is a venue for ficial in their college years.” do assignments whenever, but I have course to take.” typing assignments, printing home- Available VHS courses range from to manage my time and not push ev- Despite their difficulties, both Bogen work and doing research for important Anatomy and Physiology to Fanta- erything till the end. Online classes are and Spahiu said they would take on an- essays. It is also a place where students sy and Science Fiction Short Stories. more peaceful, but it would be hard to other VHS course in the future. take VHS courses. Psychology is a popular and notable take more than one or two courses,” DeForge, who has been supervising VHS, or Virtual High School, is of- favorite among VHS students at LHS, Bogen said. VHS since last March, said she enjoys fered as an elective at LHS. It gives stu- DeForge said. Bogen said the biggest difficulty she her work with the program. dents the chance to select from a long Sophomore Mary Bogen, who moved faced was managing her time. “It gives me an opportunity to help list of course options and interact with to East Rutherford at the end of Feb- “The anxiousness of putting too much students in a unique and modern en- other students and teachers through ruary, is among the students who reg- stuff off is a feeling I have learned to vironment. There is always something an online interface. istered for psychology. do my best to avoid. Last minute panic new every day,” said DeForge. VHS Site Coordinator Mrs. DeForge “I chose psychology because I thought can be inspiring at certain times, but is in charge of monitoring these stu- it would be interesting. I wasn’t sure the relief of having done assignments, dents as they work on these courses in what to expect going into it, though. readings and discussion posts before the media center. DeForge encourages As the course went on, I really enjoyed deadlines needs no inspiration,” Bogen students who are self-motivated and it. There were so many interesting peo- said. good at time management to register ple to learn about and several theories Students who are taking a VHS course for VHS classes. that I read about I’ve applied to mov- agree that it is not as easy as one would “Online learning takes dedication ies, books and life,” Bogen said. think. and independence,” DeForge said. VHS classes give students the oppor- Junior Aren Spahiu said the biggest “Taking a VHS class is a great way to tunity to learn in an environment oth- struggle of a VHS class is keeping up round out a student’s schedule and, in er than a traditional classroom setting with the workload. turn, teach them new skills. VHS is a where they are being instructed by a “You have to be self-motivated and Courtesy of Xavier Locke global consortium. Students from all teacher. stay on top of it,” Spahiu said. “I chose Senior Giuseppe Pollicino studies mythol- around the world participate. Students “Taking a class online is different to take AP Biology because I love sci- ogy in a half year VHS course. Check out “The Lighthouse” on the LHS website! March 2014 2 TheLighthouse Question: If you could be a character from any movie or show, who would it be and why? COLUMN COLUMN What would What would Newman do? Ringen do? Compiled by Bianca Fata Compiled by Bianca Fata This is another really tough question. First off, I am honored to be nom- What network do I even choose? ABC inated for this article. As for movies Family? That could be too “Afterschool or TV shows, I should have you know Courtesy of Bianca Fata Courtesy of Bianca Fata Special”-like. Cinemax? That could be a I am a big fan of all comedies across little too risqué. First off, he is best known for being the board and legendary actors and like to be more up to speed on keeping Maybe, I can go the movie route. For a weather guy, and a weather guy has actresses—Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, my room clean at all times. some reason, or MANY reasons is the the sweetest gig on the news. He can Will Ferrell, Melissa McCarthy, Chel- Phoebe is just a classic character who better saying in this case, my male stu- “swing and miss” more than a Major sea Handler, all members of the SNL loves animals and has a pretty crazy dents loved “The Wolf of Wall Street.” I League Baseball player and can be inac- cast and many more that make others life background. I envy her amateur saw the movie eventually and they cer- curate with his forecasts. The weather laugh for a living. music talent and consistently posi- tainly lived a fast and insane lifestyle, forecast can be: “It’s supposed to snow Choosing a character is difficult be- tive spirit. Rachel is played by Jenni- but I was exhausted after that movie. I today.” And if I’m wrong, you’ll love it cause there is so much good talent out fer Aniston, who was married to Brad would NEVER want to be Jordan Bel- because we had no snow. If it did snow, there. To make my choice easy, I would Pitt… enough said. Plus, I wish I had fort, played by Leonardo DeCaprio. I’m right and you were warned. have to go with my all-time favorite her Bloomingdale’s discount. Plus, let’s be blatantly honest here, Leo I could be wrong most of the time, show. The cast of “Friends” is quite the All the characters are great, and I ap- wishes he had my suave style. Heck, and it wouldn’t matter because I could group of characters. It is my absolute preciate their witty one-liners. I would we’ve won the same number of Oscars. always do the typical weather man favorite show and will always be.