How to be Happy Top Six Books at RMHS RMHS Alumnus Drafted by MLS by Vishal Puran by Caitlin Castel Soccer by Haris Mahmutbegovic Page 4 Page 8 Page 16 The Crown
Winter Pep Rally 2017 by Ali Baric On Friday, December 22, 2017, RMHS held its annual winter pep rally for its winter sports program. Athletic director, Mr. Jon Duncan, recognized both boys and girls basketball, competition cheerleading, and the winter track program. Students were involved in interactive activities such as the RMHS obstacle course and the first ever "2 Ball" tournament. Juniors Joey Correa and Marilyn Grandov were the grand champions of the "2 Ball" tournament. Mr. Duncan said, "RMHS is very proud of all of its athletic programs and the dedicated student athletes who take part in our various athletic activities." He also stated, "Don't forget to show school spirit and support your friends at the games throughout the year."
RMHS Alumnus: Matthew Squillace Returns By Haris Mahmutbegovic On December 15, 2017, RMHS alumnus, Matthew Squillace returned to his old high school to mentor Mr. Carozza's business education classes. Since graduating from RMHS, Mr. Squillace has been busy in both the classroom and the world of business. Mr. Squillace graduated from Ramapo College and is the owner and founder of the GOATcase and the owner and founder of Social Cadre. GOATcase is a premium cell phone case. Social Cadre is a social media advertising campaign that enables consumers to find particular advertisers. Squillace said, "I have always been interested in sales and providing services for clients." He said, "Becoming an entrepreneur requires an internal drive to be successful." Mr. Carozza said, "I am very proud of Matthew and I am very happy for his successful business ventures and I wish him continued success."
Page 2 The Crown Heroes & Cool Kids Stay in Your Lane By Alyssa Hernandez By Hongbin Yun Meet the Staff! High school can be a terrifying and stressful experience since it is a new environment with new faces. People find “If you listen to my message, you will be a better individual,” said Mr. John Fuqua of the Steered Straight themselves stuck trying to fit in but the easiest way to make new friends is to join a club or sport at your high school. I have had Program who visited RMHS on December 14, 2017. Vice principal Ms. Martyniuk introduced Mr. Fuqua to the the opportunity to be a part of Heroes & Cool Kids since my sophomore year at Ridgefield Memorial High School. It has been RMHS community and stated the purpose of the Steered Straight presentation is to create a safer school and a better one of the best experiences in my life and has taught me to be a leader and a role model to the younger generation. environment for all individuals. Being a part of such an inspiring group of individuals has motivated me to evaluate the impact that my decisions have Mr. Fuqua is a passionate speaker who wants individuals to hear his story of a difficult childhood. His story on those who look up to me. The program allows me to interact with the sixth graders and ease their worries about attending focused on his life growing up with a mother who was a crack addict and a step-father who was incarcerated for a the high school. It gives them the opportunity to anonymously ask questions to high school students about any topic. Some of drug related homicide. the lessons taught to the students include bullying, bettering their health, and substance abuse. Many children have dealt with While the drugs that people use may have changed over the years, their impact is just as great. According to Mr. bullying first hand whether they were the victim, bully, or bystander. Many of them struggle with understanding what to do when Fuqua, in New Jersey there were over 500 overdose deaths in 2016. they encounter bullying so we have a saying that we tell the kids which is “If you are a bully, stop. If you are a victim, get help. While growing up in Bridgeton, New Jersey, he was exposed to a dysfunctional family and a neighborhood If you’re a bystander, get involved.” Once the kids hear us say this slogan they remember it and carry it with them since they that was plagued by drugs, gangs and crime. While in school Mr. Fuqua heard a “Scared Straight” presentation by want to be exactly like the “heroes” when they go to high school. a professional athlete named “Big Al.” During this speech Fuqua cried because Big Al’s message focused on his It is a remarkable feeling knowing that I have the ability to impact these kids lives with just a few simple words. The own drug abuse. Fuqua understood the pain of drug addiction because of his own mother’s struggles with crack program teaches them important life skills like sportsmanship, conflict resolution, and positive lifestyle choices. As the teens addiction. During the rest of his childhood, Mr. Fuqua tried to make the right decisions regarding life. in the program we act as the mentors to these younger children and the best part is that there are three different visits spread out Mr. Fuqua was the first member of his own family to graduate from high school and then college. His main throughout the year so the students have the ability to get to know their mentors. For me, being a part of this program has given goal as a professional is to educate and inform students about drugs, alcohol and smart choices. me the chance to gain the courage to publicly speak in front of the class and build my character as I teach the students. I have gained the strength and wisdom to become a leader and speak out about the important issues that children face everyday. I would recommend that every high school student has the ability to be a part of this influential program at least once in their lives. Being a part of this club has given me the opportunity to meet new people part of the same program from all different schools around New Jersey. My outlook on life has really changed since I’ve realized that I do have the ability to transform Chief Editor: someone’s life for the better. All in all, Heroes & Cool Kids is not only a school club but a life changing program. Haris Mahmutbegovic “You miss every shot you don’t take.”
Chief Editor: Hongbin Yun “Make it a great day or not, the choice, is yours.”
Chief Editor: Ali Baric “Be a beautfiful cupcake in a world of muffins.”
Class Advisor Andrew MacDonald “Work hard and enjoy high school.”
Class Advisor Anna Georgiou “Love what you do and do what you love.”
The Epilogue Lasts Forever The school yearbook needs new members to join the 2017-2018 Epilogue staff. Yearbook staff members work with Mrs. Holley, Ms. Abene and Ms. Ferraiuo- lo in creating the RMHS Epilogue. If you are inter- ested in joining the yearbook staff, please contact Ms. Vega, Ms. Abene or Ms. Ferraiuolo. Page 3 The Crown Heroes & Cool Kids By Alyssa Hernandez Meet the Journalists! High school can be a terrifying and stressful experience since it is a new environment with new faces. People find themselves stuck trying to fit in but the easiest way to make new friends is to join a club or sport at your high school. I have had the opportunity to be a part of Heroes & Cool Kids since my sophomore year at Ridgefield Memorial High School. It has been one of the best experiences in my life and has taught me to be a leader and a role model to the younger generation. Being a part of such an inspiring group of individuals has motivated me to evaluate the impact that my decisions have on those who look up to me. The program allows me to interact with the sixth graders and ease their worries about attending the high school. It gives them the opportunity to anonymously ask questions to high school students about any topic. Some of the lessons taught to the students include bullying, bettering their health, and substance abuse. Many children have dealt with bullying first hand whether they were the victim, bully, or bystander. Many of them struggle with understanding what to do when they encounter bullying so we have a saying that we tell the kids which is “If you are a bully, stop. If you are a victim, get help. If you’re a bystander, get involved.” Once the kids hear us say this slogan they remember it and carry it with them since they want to be exactly like the “heroes” when they go to high school. It is a remarkable feeling knowing that I have the ability to impact these kids lives with just a few simple words. The Isabel Ricon program teaches them important life skills like sportsmanship, conflict resolution, and positive lifestyle choices. As the teens Age:17 in the program we act as the mentors to these younger children and the best part is that there are three different visits spread out Grade:11 throughout the year so the students have the ability to get to know their mentors. For me, being a part of this program has given “When you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine. me the chance to gain the courage to publicly speak in front of the class and build my character as I teach the students. I have gained the strength and wisdom to become a leader and speak out about the important issues that children face everyday. I would recommend that every high school student has the ability to be a part of this influential program at least once in their lives. Being a part of this club has given me the opportunity to meet new people part of the same program from all different schools around New Jersey. My outlook on life has really changed since I’ve realized that I do have the ability to transform someone’s life for the better. All in all, Heroes & Cool Kids is not only a school club but a life changing program.
Andy Garcia Areas to Visit Near Ridgefield Age:16 By Carlos Gomez Grade:11 “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” Ridgefield is a small town that is quiet yet close to many wonderful attractions. There is a nice park where children can play and where couples can take nice walks in. There are basketball courts and in the summer the local pool is open for members and guests. There are numerous great places to eat such as Cafe Tivoli and Gotham Diner. In April, Ridgefield holds its annual carnival and has “A Night Against Drugs." This event is when the community of Ridgefield comes together to host a night against drugs and there are many games and attractions for the community. Not far from Ridgefield is the great city of New York City. New York City is massive with many unique people. The city of New York has many attractions to see and many things to do. The New York Knicks play at Madison Square Garden. Rockefeller Plaza is a wonderful place to visit during the Christmas season. There is also the Empire State Building where you can take a tour and go to the 102nd floor and its observation deck. In New York there is also the subway ride. The subway of New York is a nice transportation where you can find some street performers and a variety of people. Another attraction that New York City has to offer is the Statue Of Liberty. The height of the Statue of Liberty is 305 feet high. Many people think that it was made in the U.S. but actually it was made as a gift from the French Luke Becker sculptor Frederic Auguste. Age:16 Grade:11 Ridgefield is a small and quiet town but its inhabitants have many “If people aren’t laughing attractions to see. In 2018 make it a priority to take in some of our area's greatest at your goals, they’re too sights. small.”
Amanda Silva Serendipity Needs You!!!!! Age:17 Do you like to write? Do you like to draw? Are you interested in being part of the creative culture at RMHS? If you Grade:12 answered yes to any of these questions then you need to get involved with Serendipity. Serendipity is our school’s art “Positivity, determination, and writing group. See Ms. Ferraiuolo in room 202 for more information. motivation” Page 4 How to be Happy! Meet the By Vishal Puran Journalists! In today’s world, many people are upset, negative, and do not care anymore about anything. I have been in a situation like this, but I came out stronger and happier than ever. One of my first tips is to not hold a grudge against anyone or anything. Let it go; life goes on no matter what. To be happy you have to find something you love. When I was depressed, I didn’t care at all. My grades were terrible and I didn’t care what happened. But there was something that I learned through this experience. It is to stop sweating the little things. Let's say you receive a bad grade on a test. Use that as motivation to do better on the next one. Stop thinking about negative things instead think how you can turn anything into a positive situation. No matter what people may say, keep pushing yourself forward. Think about your future and that should help you move ahead. Now don’t go on into dreamland, think of something realistic like getting a good paying job that you enjoy. Think about making tomorrow the best day you have ever had. Go and do something you enjoy such as bike riding, or running or even hanging with friends after school. The people in your life are important and keep people that care about you in your life. They will be there for you even if you think you will “fall.” Talking about your problems with a trustworthy friend is a great way to get rid of something on your mind. Some of you are now saying,“Do not trust people,” I used to think the same, but when you start talking to people, you see that there is a lot of good people. Christina Solis Age:16 If you choose to stay by yourself, try listening to some music. Listen to something that reminds you of good times and Grade:11 hopefully this will make you smile. For me, Soca and Reggae make me happy. For others, it might be rap, or techno, or even “Everything happens for a reason.” jazz. Try different genres of music. Music is amazing and research has shown that it can “bring people back to life.” “Allez" by Teddyson John always puts in me in better spirits. Becoming happy is about leaving all the bad problems and your past behind, looking forward to the future, and to just being happy. I suggest you give it a try...it won’t hurt. Under any circumstances don’t let anything trouble you, go into life and enjoy it. Life may be considered long, but it is short; time moves fast! So live an amazing life where you won’t regret not asking that special person out, or regret not going on that amusement park ride. Life is about taking a chance, so go ahead and don't deny yourself. Just remember to be happy and go with the flow of life, you can shape your destiny and future.
Carlos Gomez Age:18 Grade:12 “Live life to the fullest.”
My Ambition By Nico Lopez Sara Gjurkaj High school is the peak of childhood and the Age:17 Grade:12 last step before adulthood. This is where teens use the “You can’t love someone information they have acquired throughout their schooling until you love yourself.” to find that one thing that they are passionate about. Once that is found that is when it is time to start thinking about what we really want to do with our lives. The beauty of this is that anyone can truly become anything they want to become. It is just a matter of whether or not you have the ambition and drive to go forward and apply your knowledge. As a child I always took great interest in math class. In fact to this day it is still the only class I really enjoy. Math is simple for me. I just naturally understand it. It is great when you find that passion because it feels like your happy place. No matter what problems I have in Nicholas Lopez my life when I am doing math everything else kind of just Age:17 fades out in the moment and the only thing on my mind is Grade:12 solving what I have to do. Although at first I did not really “I only see my goals, I don’t believe in failure.” like math that much I was great at it, and when I am I good at something I enjoy doing it and getting better at it because it feels amazing to be good at something. All throughout high school I did fairly well with my math classes and I have been thinking about taking my passion for math and creating a future for myself based on it. Although I am not sure where I would like to go with math, I will let my studies at college help me to find my way. Another great thing about math is that you have a multitude of different options as a career. I know I have the drive to become everything I want to be and nothing will stop me from achieving my goals. Hopefully, math will Dean Hot help me add everything together for a wonderful future. Age:17 Grade:12 “Everything happens for a reason.” Page 5 Marshmallow Challenge: By Mr. Polifrone In the Marshmallow Challenge, each team has 20 minutes Meet the to work together to construct a spaghetti tower that has a Journalists! marshmallow on the top. The winning team will have the tallest tower standing unassisted. One of the keys to working in a group is teamwork and problem solving. This requires creativity, innovation and thinking outside the box, but also being able to develop a plan and execute it as a team. The winners of the Marshmallow Challenge were students Kasey Arriaga and Sebastian Sierra. Congratulations to Kasey and Sebastian for their determined effort and sustained teamwork.
George Yakoubian Age 15 Grade 10 “Have fun and enjoy high school.”
From Left to Right: Kasey Arriaga (Student), Sebastian Sierra (Student), Nicole Penabad (Teacher Assistant) Education is Key in Making Important Decisions By Hongbin Yun
On Friday, January 19th, 2018 the Narcotics Task Force Julia Miano of The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office visited RMHS to Age:15 provide an educational and insightful presentation on drug Grade:10 use in modern society. “Do not let obstacles defeat Detective Valdivia and Detective Waudby informed you.” students of their experiences as narcotics detectives in Bergen county. According to Detective Valdivia, there have been over 600,000 drug related deaths since 1999 in the United States. In 2017, there were approximately 65,000 drug related deaths in the United States. “More people are dying of drug overdoses each year than during the entire Vietnam War,” stated Detective Waudby. Teenagers are susceptible to drug addiction through two avenues stated Detective Valdivia. Legitimate injuries where doctors prescribe opioid medication and experimentation are the two most prevalent ways that individuals become involved with heroin. In 2016, Bergen county experienced 320 overdoses Caitlin Castel Age:17 that resulted in 92 overdose fatalities. The heroin and Grade:12 opioid epidemic has resulted in more incidents of criminal “Eating is a necessity.” activity said Detective Waudby. Incidents requiring SWAT intervention has quadrupled in the past several years stated the detective. More people are acting irrationally while under the influence of drugs or when suffering from withdrawal. The two detectives shared their knowledge of drug addiction and law enforcement and stated the purpose of the presentation is to educate individuals rather than to incarcerate individuals. Detective Waudby said, “Over 85 percent of all drug addicts suffer from relapse.” The final part of the presentation was made by Ben, a recovery specialist. He has been clean and sober for the past 26 years and said that his mission in life is to help Jayeun Kim individuals take back control of their lives. He said, “I have Age:14 Grade:9 seen the worst of life and I am striving for the best for you.” “Life is a climb but the view is He said that his heroes are Detectives Valdivia and Waudby great.” because they are trying to help individuals and society. RMHS principal, Ms. Seabold said, “I would like to thank the three gentlemen for their informative and passionate presentation regarding drug use in modern society. It is an important message for everyone to hear.” Page 6
Quotable Quotes from The Crown Staff Meet the The Crown staff would like to provide quotable quotes on topics ranging from love and Journalists! happiness to dreams. Enjoy our favorite quotes on topics that mean the most to us. Love and Hapiness By David Andreu Love and happiness are two of the most essential parts of life. Throughout the ages people have always had ideas about love and happiness. Enjoy some of my favorite quotes on what means the most to me. "The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." — Victor Hugo "All, everything that I understand, I only understand because I love." Stanley Darko — Leo Tolstoy Age:17 Grade:12 "And remember, as it was written, to love another person is to see the face of God." F “It’s better to try and fail — Les Miserables Fabriana Taranto Phoebe Richiez than to not try at all” Age:17 Age:17 "It's a very dangerous state. You are inclined to recklessness and kind of tune out the rest of your life Grade:12 Grade:12 and everything that's been important to you. It's actually not all that pleasurable. I don't know who “Life goes on.” “Calm, cool, and collected.” the hell wants to get in a situation where you can't bear an hour without somebody's company." — Colin Firth "To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved, that’s everything." — T. Tolis
Rebecca Lozano Age:17 Grade:12 Justin Kim “We know what we are, but jAmanda Arodes Age:15 know not what we may be.” Age:17 Grade:10 Grade:12 “Work hard and the grades will “Calm, cool, and Collected” show for themselves.”
Love
By Paige Pallota
Love is such an important part of everyone’s life. It’s a variety of different emotions and feelings that hold a strong and positive affection to simple pleasure. Love is just a strong attraction and a personal attachment. People indulge in love because it makes them feel good about themselves. There are many quotes that give the true meaning of Mario Giordano T.J (Timothy) Casciano Kyla Bonaguaro love. Age:15 Age:17 Age:17 “For it was not in my ear you said softly, but in my heart. It was not my lips you Grade:10 Grade:12 Grade:12 “Treat others the way they treat “Become a Legend” “Life is too short to be kissed, but my soul."- Judy Garland. you.” someone else.” “All a girl really wants is for one guy to prove to her that they are all not the same.” - Marilyn Monroe “Because you can’t find a prince doesn’t mean you can’t find a princess.” - Zayn Malik. “The heart wants what it wants." -Selena Gomez “You make me happy in a way no one else can." - Joey Correa
Vishal Puran Jude Durkin Age:16 Age:16 Grade:11 Grade:11 “The less you reveal, the more “Perfect has seven letters, so does Vanessa Pallotta they can wonder.” meeeeee, coincidence.” Age:16 Grade:11 “Life’s a crime, but the view is great.” Page 7 “Once you stop learning, you start dying.” Albert Einstein
Meet the Journalists! Relationships by Andy Garcia Romantic relationships are very hard to figure out and define. These quotes help realize the true meaning of a relationship. “Truth is everybody is going to hurt you: you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for.” - Bob Marley “3 things I want in a relationship: eyes that won’t cry, lips that won’t lie, and love that won’t die.” - Wiz Khalifa “Treasure your relationships, not your possessions.” - Anthony J. D’Angelo “To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved.” - George MacDonald. “If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they’re yours; if they Phoebe Richiez don’t they never were” - Richard Bach. Age:17 Alexandria Minervini Grade:12 Thanks to these quotes once again, relationships can be realized as something Age:17 “Calm, cool, and collected.” not to be just thought of as a physical thing. Grade:12 “Everything happens for a reason.”
jAmanda Arodes Age:17 Grade:12 “Calm, cool, and Collected”
David Andreu The Power of Age:17 Grade:12 Dreams by “Money is the wave.” Caitlin Castel
“A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” - Colin Powell “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” - Harriet Tubman “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” - Walt Disney “Remember your dreams and fight for them. You must know what you want from life. There is just one T.J (Timothy) Casciano Age:17 thing that makes your dream become impossible: the fear of failure.” - Paulo Coelho Grade:12 “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit.We are all the same “Become a Legend” in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” - Wilma Rudolph
Paige Pallotta Age:17 Grade:12 “Hold your head high or the crown will fall.”
Jude Durkin Age:16 Grade:11 “Perfect has seven letters, so does meeeeee, coincidence.”
Alyssa Hernandez Age:16 Grade:11 “Enjoy the little things.” Page 8
Top Six Books at RMHS By Caitlin Castel
Literature teaches humanity about life and the lessons that all people need to learn. Listed below are six books that RMHS students read that teach many life lessons.
Night by Elie Wiesel Night is a memoir by Elie Wiesel who recounts his experience while in the Nazi German concentration camps of Auschwitz and Buchenwald. With his father, Elie was chosen to go left which meant forced labor while his mother and three sisters went right which meant the gas chambers. Throughout the memoir, Elie describes his efforts to stay with his father, but when his father starts to decline in health, he views his father as a burden. The memoir allows people to understand the horrors of the Holocaust and teach them never to let it happen again.
The Last Lecture by Jeffrey Zaslow and Randy Pausch The Last Lecture is a nonfiction book about everything Randy Pausch wants his children to know after his pancreatic cancer takes his life.The book is based on his famous “Last Lecture” at Carnegie Mellon, titled “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” The book stresses the fact that everyone should live their life to the fullest and have fun because they never know when it will be taken away from them. The book is filled with various life lessons from finding the best in everyone to fighting the “brick walls” that keep us from our dreams.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee should be a must-read for all students. Throughout the novel, Scout Finch, the main character of the novel, learns many lessons and undergoes many changes in her life after her father decided to represent a black man in the South during the days of the Jim Crow laws. The book teaches many lessons from racism to courage to stepping into someone else’s shoes.
The Crucible by Arthur Miller The Crucible, a play written by Arthur Miller, is based upon the real life witch hunts of Salem, Massachusetts. The play shows how mass hysteria, the town fearing that people are witches, can destroy the town. The play teaches people to be honest because they can end up hurting themselves and others. Arthur Miller teaches people to never let fear or pride make the decision to do the wrong thing.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald The Great Gatsby, another timeless classic book, is about a wealthy man who tries to buy his way to happiness. Jay Gatsby, finding himself in love with Daisy Buchanan, decides to use his wealth to impress her and to get her to fall in love with him. The book teaches lessons like to not judge others because not everyone has the same advantages as each other and that money cannot buy happiness, no matter how hard you try.
The Stranger by Albert Camus The Stranger is a story about a man who is rejected by society for being himself. All throughout the novel, the main character, Monsieur Meursault, tries to fit into society after the death of his mother. However, he finds himself making the wrong decisions and ending up in trouble. The book deals with the issue of society judging others for not conforming and teaches people that the only way to be happy is to be yourself.
Literature transcends time and the lessons that they teach are invaluable to humanity. Page 9
2017 Year In Review
My New Year's Resolutions By David Andreu
I can’t believe that it is already 2018. Since it is a new year that means New Year's resolutions. There is always something that you can improve upon and I wold like to share my 2018 resolutions with you. My 2018 resolutions focus on my mind, body and soul. My first resolution is to cut down on the amount of time I spend on social media.Too much social media can be a bad thing, especially when you start comparing your real life to someone’s seemingly picture-perfect online life. Take a step back from social media and just live your life. I will only check social media three times a day. Social media takes up al ot of my time that I feel like I can put into better activities. My second resolution is I want to eat healthy because consuming a healthy daily diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and a moderate amount of unsaturated fats. I will exercise frequently and this will help me to maintain a healthy weight. A healthy lifestyle can reduce chronic diseases. Healthy lifestyles prevent certain health disorders, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. If you take care of yourself, you can keep your cholesterol and blood pressure within a safe range thus reducing your risk of cardiovascular ailments. Healthy eating also improves your memory. My third resolution is to "Pay it Forward" by volunteering for local organizations. Whether you decide to volunteer once a week or once a year it is important to help important charitable causes. By paying it forward you can help others but also help yourself. I hope to maintain my resolutions throughout the year and beyond. At the end of the day all I want is to be the best person I can be. Enjoy 2018 and consider making some resolutions for yourself. Page 10 2017 in Review By Phoebe Richiez The clock struck midnight and everyone jumped from their seats to kiss and wish the best to their loved ones. A year later, this is all I remember from the first day of the 2017 year. I had spent the countdown with friends and family at church, where the pastor led us in prayer into a new year of blessings and triumphs and growth. As a whole. I would have to describe 2017 as such: a year of growth and triumphs. Well at least in my personal life. I can’t say the same for the country as a whole. Many say 2017 sucked mainly because of our political situation, but even so I don’t think something such as that should ruin your entire year. While we can; make the most of it, which believe it or not we have. People are no longer afraid to use their voice and make their resistance known. But anyways, 2017 became an important year for me. One in which growth took a grand place in it. I never would have imagined last year that this year I would be where I am today. I don’t have the same worries anymore, or the same friends, or the same priorities. 2017 was my junior year, also what we all like to call hell year. Never again would I like to see myself back in such a place as that one. I clearly remember having to take on way too many responsibilities with barely ever any time to breathe. The beginning of 2017 was very stress filled. With junior year chaos, a job to attend to on the weekends, and with musical season on top of other extracurricular activities, I felt like I was drowning. But now when I look back at it, I realize it was so worth it. When it came time to fill out my activity sheet for college, I filled that sheet up in less than a heartbeat. In March I had turned 17, and it was time for me to take my road test at the DMV. Man was that a wake up call. It really showed how with some things you’re just on your own, and people are going to be harsh and won’t always sympathize with you. The people who had to test me were probably the harshest people I have ever met and I mean when it comes to knowing how to drive it’s a serious thing; but I just wasn’t ready for such an intimidation. I took the road test twice. First time was on my 17th birthday like the majority of high school students,and the final time was three weeks later. I remember feeling like such a failure when I didn’t pass, and even worse on my 17th birthday. I’d have teachers ask me in front of the whole class if I had gotten my license, and I’d have to fake a wry smile and say “no,” followed by a lame excuse. BUT, what I happened to learn that month was that second chances are worth taking, and sometimes even third and fourth, and there’s no shame in that either. Over the summer of 2017, I spent every single day working until September at Wendy’s. Working 8-10 hours a day was quite exhausting, but I finally had money of my own to spend and save. The funny thing about working at a popular fast food chain was seeing almost everyone from school over the summer. Usually I keep to myself in the summer, but since I was working at such a place, I’d see everyone. It was crazy seeing the amount of times in a week the same people would go eat at Wendy’s. Eventually when I started to partake in school activities again I had to quit my job because of time and school work. Towards the end of 2017 I joined the musical as I do every year, and finally landed a lead role. Now it’s just a matter of remembering lines and staging and choreography. But overall it has been a productive year of growth and learning, and I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store for me. Why 2017 Was a Great Year By Jude Durkin Now that 2017 is over, what can we say about it? Are we going to follow the popular opinion that is was a bad year? Or are we going to focus on the good and not only the bad? Based on politics, riots, and society, people believe 2017 was a let down when in reality the world has had great success. Some animals have been taken off the endangered list, peoples heroism has shown due to the devastating effects of the hurricanes (Irma, Harvey, and Maria), and many others including advances in medicine and societal changes in the world. In 2017, the global media picked up all of the problems and none of the solutions. People have to remember that their first word of the year is most likely “happy” and people have to stay happy throughout the rest of the years in order to go forward. In 2017, there have been many animals taken off the endangered list or even an huge increase in population. This list included the snow leopards, humpback whales, and giant pandas. Of course, there are many more but these animals faced extinction like no other. The fact that these animals are no longer endangered shows that humans are able to work together for a good cause. Even though humans are the main reason these animals were on the list, it shows a great change in society that people can come together and protect them. There have been very devastating natural disasters in the world this past year. There have been hurricanes as well as earthquakes. People may use these disasters as a reason why 2017 was bad, when in actuality these devastations showed the good quality of the human race in times of distress. Many peoples lives were impacted by these hurricanes and there is no denying that, these people needed as much help as they could get and that is what they got. Acts of heroism and courage emerged in bad times as people offered as much help as they could give. Even the president showed up to help those affected by a hurricane. The greatest things that happened in 2017 was the medicine advances, societal changes, and improvements in science. In 2017, same-sex marriage became legal in even more countries which includes Finland, Malta, and Germany. In Serbia, women have gained more rights, women can now drive and have the right to government services without consent of their guardians. Other than societal changes there has also been improvements in medicine and science. Death from measles has reached an all time low at 90,000 per year, which is the first time the number was under 100,000. HIV/AIDS is now not the leading killer in Africa. Bioengineers in Spain are able to make functioning skin from a 3D printer. And lastly, smart glasses came out that allow the legally blind to visualize objects around them. In conclusion, 2017 was a pretty good year despite all of the hate that it got. Some animals have been taken off the endangered list and or has had its population increased. These animals include snow leopards, humpback whales, and giant pandas. Acts of heroism and courage showed out after the devastating effects of the hurricanes that occurred throughout the year. Lastly, improvements in science and technology as well as societal changes has made 2017 extraordinary. Deaths from common diseases has decreased majorly, new technology allows for the legally blind to visualize objects around them. People need to learn to see the good side of the world and not only the bad and instead of talking about the problems they should learn to fix them. Page 11
My 2018 New Year’s Resolution By Paige Pallotta New year resolutions gives people the opportunity to take something that they didn’t do the year before and make a change for themselves by succeeding in it. Some people take these resolutions very seriously. While others give up after a certain amount of time. In reality it’s important to keep up with your resolutions. It can give you a chance to work for something that you really want to achieve in your life. As the year 2018 begins I would like to share with you my new year resolutions. As a young teenage girl there are many resolutions that I would like to succeed in this year but here are some that I would like to pay close attention to.
One very important resolution of mine is to become healthier. I rarely go to the gym or do any kind of physical activity. In order to succeed in this resolution I would have to start going to the gym or just take a walk everyday to clear my mind and strengthen my body. I would also have to start eating healthier. My everyday eating plan isn’t exactly what you call the healthiest diet. I have to start eating more fruits and vegetables in order for my body to obtain the right nutrition it needs.
A second resolution of mine that I would like to accomplish this year is to get as best as I can academically. This year is the end of my high school journey. As my last couple of semesters come to an end in my senior year I would like to receive all A’s as I did my first semester. As I start college I would like to show the professors how hard I truly work and what my grades prove. I would like to begin and end my college career with amazing grades just as well as I did for high school. This will require a lot of studying and preparation that I know if I put my mind to I can handle.
A third resolution that I would like to say I accomplished this year is to go further in my modeling career. There is nothing in this world I love doing more than modeling. Normally I am a shy person who sometimes likes to stand alone in the crowd, but when modeling I love to stand in front of everyone and conquer my fears by showing everyone who I really am. My absolute dream in 2018 would be to get a call from an agency in New York that would like to work with me and take me as far as I could go.
A final and important resolution of mine is to make my own money. With so much always going on in my life there is never enough time to fit in a job. I would love to make my own money by finding a modeling job that would pay me for walking for them or taking my photos. In 2018 I would like to say my job is working for an agent in the city or modeling for a major company in Times Square. Hopefully by doing this I could go even further and take this to LA and become a celebrity!
In conclusion, I want to take all of my top four resolutions to heart. These resolutions are so important to me and I hope to make a serious change in 2018. There is no holding back this year, no time to waste and no exceptions! Resolutions mean succeeding and I am hoping with every part in me that I will succeed with these resolutions. I will definitely put my mind, heart and soul into achieving at least two or three of these. I can’t wait to see what 2018 brings for me and what else it has in store. A Year of Lessons By Christina Solis The year 2017 was a year full of blessings for my family and me. 2017 held a lot of lessons and success for us. Although there were a few of inevitable hardships, there were always high moments that lifted our spirits. A lot of good change happened this year. This year my family and I moved out of our hometown. I also grew a close bond with my cousin and my brother. 2017 allowed me to grow independently and to step out of my comfort zone. I realized a lot of things along the way. Having to leave people you grew up with to meeting completely new people can be challenging. Moving to Ridgefield made me realize a lot of things. One thing was that I needed to mature and open myself up more to people. Second, I should not take everything seriously. Life is about having fun and living as if it were your last day. The last and most important lesson I learned is to always strive. My mom always says to me “La vida es de luchar” which translates to “life is about striving”. Everytime I had a setback, my mom reminded me to always get up and try again. In this new year, I hope to take these lessons with me along the way. I hope this year will be a year of success and prosperity. I know there will be difficulties along the way, but I will keep in mind the three lessons I had learned.
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Top Four Formula 1 Drivers By: Vishal Puran
Mount Rushmore is an iconic landmark. It shows four of the best presidents we have had. They will go down in history as the most influential presidents we have had. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson are the great faces that have been carved onto a mountain. If Formula One had the same principle applied to them, then these would be my four picks. Kimi Räikkönen, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, and Nico Rosberg. These four drivers are breathtaking when they are on the track. All of them handle their cars with great skill and finesse. Sebastian Vettel is a four-time Formula One World Champion. He won from 2010 to 2013. Nico Rosberg has won the 2016 world championship. These two drivers try to be number one every race. The skill they both have is unlike anything in the history of racing. They know exactly where they want the car and they put it there. Lewis Hamilton is about to make history himself. So far throughout the season, he has been taking first place. Now Kimi Raikkonen, on the other hand, is much more different. The last championship he won was back in 2007. But he is known to be one of the fastest drivers on the track. He has pushed cars to their limit sometimes breaking them. His nickname is “ice-man” because of how calm he is when he is going 233 mph. He is a total savage when is comes to Formula One. “Ice-Man” holds back nothing when it comes to racing. Kimi Raikkonen just keeps pushing and pushing! The Incredible overtakes and saves he has done is something no one has ever seen. The car is an extension of his body. These four guys will go down in history for their records and driving skills. Almost no competitor out there can even come close to them. They are on another level of racing.
Mount Rushmore of the San Diego Chargers By Jude Durkin The San Diego Chargers or now known as the Los Angeles Chargers were founded in 1960. The chargers began their first year in the NFL playing in Los Angeles but moved to San Diego a year later and wound up going back to Los Angeles in 2016. The reason I’m calling this the Mount Rushmore of San Diego instead of Los Angeles is because these player are most known for their play on the San Diego Chargers. These are my 4 players I would put on the San Diego Chargers Mount Rushmore. Ladainian Tomlinson Ladainian Tomlinson is one of the greatest running backs to play the sport of American Football. Ladainian Tomlinson was the greatest running back the San Diego Chargers have ever had or even one of the greatest the NFL has seen. His impact on the Chargers was phenomenal. He racked up 145 rushing touchdowns which is second of all time behind Emmitt Smith and 13,684 yards which is 5th of all time. Ladainian Tomlinson has 1 NFL MVP award, 5 pro-bowl appearances, 3 time all-pro, and is now part of the NFL Hall of Fame. He now works as the special assistant to the owner of the Chargers. Antonio Gates Antonio Gates is one of the greatest tight-ends the NFL has ever seen. Antonio Gates is the Chargers Tight End. He is still on the team since he was drafted in 2003. Antonio Gates currently has 11,339 yards and chances are that he will get more. Currently Antonio Gates and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers have the highest quarterback to tight-end scoring combo. In the year 2017, Antonio Gates broke the record of most touchdowns scored by a tight-end which is 112 surpassing Tony Gonzalez who has 11l. Antonio Gates is still playing but does not get as much play time as the newest Chargers tight-end Hunter Henry. Antonio Gates is also a future hall of famer. Philip Rivers Philip Rivers is now considered to be the best QB the Chargers have had, even better than Dan Fouts. Philip Rivers is a phenomenal QB despite the past couple of years. Rivers was drafted in 2004 along side Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. Philip Rivers was originally picked by the New York Giants but then later traded to the Chargers in exchange for Eli Manning. Philip Rivers is 10th of all time for passing yards with 48,781 passing yards. Philip Rivers is also 7th of all time in passing touchdowns with with 335 touchdowns. Philip Rivers is still playing and has appeared in the Pro Bowl 6 times. Philip Rivers is also 9th of all time for passer rating with a score of 94.8. Phillip Rivers is still playing as of 2017 and is an obvious choice for the NFL hall of fame soon after he retires. Junior Seau Junior Seau was one of the greatest Linebackers in the NFL. Junior Seau was an amazing linebacker for the San Diego Chargers. He unfortunately passed away in 2012 after his 20 seasons in the NFL. Seau was drafted by the Chargers and played 12 seasons with them and later left to go to the Miami Dolphins and after that he won a superbowl with the New England Patriots. Throughout his career Junior Seau had 56.5 sacks and 1,522 tackles. Due to his success in the regular season Seau was voted to the pro-bowl 12 times and was first team all pro 6 times. Seau was inducted into the NFL hall of fame for the San Diego Chargers. In conclusion, the San Diego Chargers have had some great players, unfortunately they couldn’t win a superbowl with these players. Ladainian Tomlinson was a phenomenal rb which led him to gain an NFL hall of fame award. Antonio Gates currently holds the record for touchdowns by a tight end which will help him get an hall of fame in future . Phillip Rivers is a great Quarterback who is 7th all time for touchdowns even without winning a superbowl. Junior Seau was one of the greatest linebackers the NFL has seen and unfortunately passed away in 2012. These 4 greats changed the way the Chargers have played the game as well as paved a walkway for future players. Page 13
The Mount Rushmore of Classical Composers By Christina Solis There are several significant composers, but only a few could createThe Mount Rushmore of Classical Composers. History is blessed with the greatest composers along with their great works. These top classical composers have written some of the most relaxing and beautiful music in the world. The first on my list would have to go to Johann Sebastian Bach. He was a composer and musician of the Baroque period. Bach wrote universal masterpieces in every genre. He perfected the music systems and forms. He used many harmonic delays, enriched chords, modulations, far tonal regions and secondary dominants which were unknown at his time. His music has influenced every later generation of composers and musicians. Following Bach would have to be Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart’s first compositions were short works produced at the very young age of five. He wrote solos (sonatas and concertos) for nearly every instrument of his time. One brilliant thing Mozart did was that he composed different genres, more so than many other composers. Third and fourth on my list would equally go to the exceptional Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms. Beethoven's work was revolutionary, revealed emotion, and transformed the Classical Era into Romantic. Brahms also worked in the Romantic period. He composed for symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, piano, organ, and voice and chorus. His best-known compositions include 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 1 violin concerto, 32 piano sonatas, and 16 string quartets. He achieved all this despite being completely deaf for the last 25 years of his life. These composers not only created magnificent music, but influenced the world of music.They each created and changed music in their own way. Musicians nowadays are influenced and inspired by these extraordinary musicians.
The Mount Rushmore of Social Media Stanley Darko No doubt, over the course of this bustling technological age, the importance of owning and maintaining a successful social media profile is of more relevance than ever. More social media platforms are popping up than their followers can count. Now, it’s about time we recognize just which of these newly engrained pieces of ourselves in our daily lives are the real MVPs who changed the game for everyone. Honestly, what credibility would this list have if the one and only Twitter were not going to be mentioned. To this day there’s still very few if any social media at all quite like the little chirps of people cracking jokes, sharing ideas, or being socially active. The limits to which creativity is set to a small amount of any words of your choosing has made communication to the whole community around the world much more impactful. Since 2006 it’s been the go-to place for news of any kind. Continuing the trend of entrepreneurial companies, Facebook is just as important and just as popular. Mark Zuckerberg’s idea to create a platform in which people can share information through posts, status updates, and videos have been a staple in the formula to create a social media empire. Though there is no award for longstanding or founding platforms like Facebook, it’s one of the longest standing forms of mainstream media always managing to increase its relevance in today’s culture. Snapchat is the next contender on the list created in 2011; it’s leading the next generation of millennials down the path of short, colorful, fleeting pictures and small videos. While only a mobile app and far younger than any of the other candidates on this list the impact it’s been able to make moreso on the other social media apps, particularly in the vein of adopting the entire premise behind making short disappearing videos, at the very least connoisseurs of the internet can tell it’s more than a trend and will most likely continue to evolve and adapt to the culture. The final social app; an old often underrated and underused application that back when it was first introduced was seen as puzzling Not to have an account. Talking about Skype, it was the most prominent form of video chatting for its time. It was one of the first to accomplish this enhanced feature. There will always be the fact that despite almost every social media app being capable of this now, Skype was a pioneer for the feature and helped it reach prevalence in the culture we use it so often in today. Now, while some may argue with the importance of each of these applications or even the importance of social media in general, it can’t be denied that social media is engineered around everything we do in society. No matter how big or small the news, it’ll always somehow end up on everyone’s social radar. This list is really a recap regarding the impact and change that is so little talked about these figureheads and go-to sites for social needs, which over time have poured out years worth of their own essence to both create and expand with society in 2017. Page 14
Our Mount Rushmores
Mount Rushmore was created by American artist and sculptor Gutzon Borglum. The Mount Rushmore project took place from 1927 to 1941 upon its completion. Mount Rushmore is located in Keystone, South Dakota. Sculptor Borglum featured American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Borglum considered those four presidents the most influential American presidents in history. For years journalists have written "Mount Rushmore" articles chronicling the four most influential people or things of a topic. Whether it is the "Mount Rushmore" of the Yankees or rock and roll music, journalists have their opinions on these important topics. Enjoy our staff's "Mount Rushmore" articles.
Mount Rushmore Of My Life By Alex Minirvini When someone says to you, “Who is the Mount Rushmore of rock and roll?” The questions means who are the four most important or influential people in rock and roll. Today, I am writing about the Mount Rushmore Of My Life. There are a lot of important and influential people and things in my life today. I am thankful for each and every one of them. The four most important ones are my family, my dog, my friends and myself. My family is the most important and influential people in my life. I live with my mother, my father and my sister, Angela. My mother is always there for me and I can talk to her about anything. My father is the pillar of strength in our family. He provides everything we need. My father and I are the exact same person on the inside. My sister is my best friend forever. I am so grateful to have her in my life because it’s like I have two of everything. My dog feeds me pure happiness. He is a big, yellow labrador named Rocky. He is one of the most happy and calm dogs you will ever come across. Everytime I am sad, I go straight to Rocky and he comforts me with kisses and cuddles. Rocky was the first pet I have ever had. He is now three years old. I love that he and I are so young because we get to grow up together. I really have no idea what I would do without my friends. Through thick and thin, they have always been there for me. Years of family problems, breakups, gossip and we were always by each other's sides. I have five best friends and their names are Susie, Sara, Lauren, Jackie and Krystina. This has been our friend group since the middle school days. These girls never fail at making me happy and I am eternally grateful for them. At the end of the day, you always should look out for yourself. That has been my mindset for the past few months. I am not a selfish person at all, I even put others before myself sometimes. However, I always make sure to have my own back. I enjoy having my own job, my own money and my own things. I make sure to love myself more and more each day. Having confidence and being comfortable in your own skin is an extremely important part of your life and your happiness. Page 15
Mount Rushmore of Rock and Roll musicians By Sara Gjurkaj Rock and Roll has been around for quite a long time. Rock and Roll first started coming around in the late 1940’s-1950’s. People from all over the world adored the music and the very talented musicians who created the music.
1.Kiss- The band Kiss was formed in January 1973 in New York City. The band members include Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley. Their incredible entertaining talents brought millions of fans to their tours throughout their time. Their makeup, costumes, and music captivated many people throughout the world. With 75 million records sold worldwide, Kiss will always be an icon. 2.Elvis Presley- Many refer Elvis Presley as the king of Rock and Roll. When he recorded a song with producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records in 1954, his music career began. People loved this singer so much that his concerts brought millions and women would kiss his car and leave it marked with their lipstick. Elvis won three grammy’s and sold over 600 million records worldwide. Elvis died on August 16,1977 from an overdose. To this day, he is considered one of the best musicians to have ever lived. 3.The Beatles- The Beatles were formed in Liverpool 1960 as an English Rock band. The members include John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are known as the best selling band ever. The Beatles sold over 800 million albums worldwide. They have received seven Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards. The Beatles were put into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. 4.The Rolling Stones- The Rolling Stones were formed in London, England in 1962. The members included, Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, and Ian Stewart. The Rolling Stones were put into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and in 2004 they were put into the United Kingdom Music Hall of Fame. The Beatles were ranked by Rolling Stone magazine on the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" list. Their estimated album sales are above 250 million. To this day many people still listen to their music and are continued to be adored worldwide.
The Mount Rushmore of Television Shows By Amanda Silva Mount Rushmore is a large memorial in South Dakota. It recognizes the grand presidents of the United States. It includes presidents like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. When people refer to something like a TV show as the “Mount Rushmore of television”, they mean it is the most recognizable or likeable aspect of that category. To me, “Impractical Jokers” is the Mount Rushmore of TV. It is a show that is played on truTV that brings laughter and joy to the viewers. The show consists of four lifelong friends who compete to embarass each other and the episodes primarily take place in the NJ/NY area. They do the extreme to crack a laugh for themselves. For example, for one episode they four men split into pairs. They set themselves up with hidden cameras and microphones at a mall. The goal was to go “fishing” for bags with a long fishing rod. Whichever team successfully got the most bags won. The idea of the show is to win as many of these games as possible. The person or team with the most losses at the end of the show must face an extreme punishment. For instance, one punishment was to get all facial and head hair shaved off. The victim of this punishment was Mur and he had his niece’s communion to attend the following day. I was introduced to “Impractical Jokers” years ago by my older cousin. It was playing in his living room one night while family was over. The parents were talking amongst themselves and not paying attention to what was playing on the TV. Little did they know that such a hilarious show was playing.When they finally came to the realization, laughter filled the room. Ever since that night, all family get togethers consist of watching one or two episodes of the hilarious bunch. Page 16
RMHS Alumnus Drafted by MLS Soccer By Haris Mahmutbegovic
Congratulations to “Class of 2014” alumnus Christopher Lema for being drafted by FC Dallas in the 2018 MLS Soccer Draft. He was drafted with the 34th pick in the draft. Lema, a midfielder, played four seasons at Georgetown University. Lema had a standout career as a Hoya. In 2016, Christopher was named first team “All-Big East.” He was named the team’s MVP for his junior year. He started all 17 games for the Hoyas during his junior season. Lema said, “It is an honor to be drafted and I am very excited to be going to Dallas.” He noted that the 2018 MLS Draft and the start of training camp are within a week of each other and then he will be packing and traveling to Dallas to start his career.
Learning About Government with the Mayor of Ridgefield By Ali Baric
On Wednesday, January 24, 2018, Mayor Anthony Suarez came to RMHS to work with students from Mrs. Carlson’s class on the responsibilities of local mayors to their town. Mrs. Carlson’s class had been working on a local government history unit. Students learned about towns and villages and built their own Smallville, U.S.A. model for the classroom. Each student from the class wrote Mayor Suarez a letter and asked him if he could visit their classroom. Students were well prepared for their meeting with the mayor. They had constructed interview questions and took notes during the mayor’s responses. Mayor Suarez discussed the responsibilities of his job. He explained property taxes and what they are used to pay for. He discussed how he works in conjunction with the town council, the borough attorney and the town planner to make the town run efficiently. Mayor Suarez, an alumnus of RMHS, credited his high school teachers for making an impact upon his life. His history teacher, Mr. Manto, had a major influence on his educational path. During high school, he learned that time management was key for being successful. After graduating from RMHS, Mr. Suarez attended St. Peter’s College and majored in history and economics. After graduation, he attended Fordham Law School. Mayor Suarez is a practicing attorney who has his own law firm. He said that he enjoys being active and by balancing family, law career and mayoral duties his day flies by very quickly. Vice Principal Ms. Martyniuk said, “Mrs. Carlson created a wonderful unit on local government. Bringing in Mayor Suarez to the classroom provided an interactive learning experience for the students.”