The Lighthouse Vol. XXX, No. 4 Lyndhurst High School: 400 Weart Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 February 2017 Lyndhurst celebrates a century now one of the busiest streets, Ridge Road, Remo said. “I hope to keep it that way for ing,” D’Andrea said. trolley cars roamed past the police station generations to come.” Assistant Football Coach and Dean of on Palazzo Corner where Mariachi Grill Senior Tyla D’Andrea, whose parents Students Mr. Castagnetti has been a Lynd- now stands. moved to Lyndhurst in 2003, said she ap- hurst resident since he was fi ve years old. Picture a theater on Stuyvesant Avenue, a preciates the town’s diversity and enthusi- In 1975, his family moved to Lyndhurst horse race track on Travers Place and many asm. D’Andrea’s family moved to Lynd- from East Rutherford to offer support to his small shops run by European immigrants. hurst because of the opportunities and grandmother after the death of his grand- This is what Lyndhurst looked like in the overall safety of the environment for rais- father. early 20th Century. ing their children. “I consider myself a lifetime Lyndhurst The town we now know as Lyndhurst “Our town is full of pride,” D’Andrea resident…. It’s a family atmosphere,” was previously known as the Township of said. “It’s pretty cool to say that because Castagnetti said. Union, with the western part referred to as As a college student, Castagnetti com- Kingsland and the eastern part referred to muted to New Jersey City University. Af- as Lyndhurst, according to the Lyndhurst The town [is] small ter graduating, he substituted at LHS until Historical Society. “ a teaching position opened up as a health In 1917, 747 residents voted to change enough that everywhere and drivers education teacher. He said he the town’s name to Lyndhurst. On May 8, you go, you see a familiar has 11 years left until he is eligible for re- the single name for both sections of the tirement and fewer than three years until town was adopted due to practicality. face smiling. his oldest child goes off to college. Cast- According to the 1910 United States cen- agnetti said he would like his children to sus, the population of Lyndhurst was 4,076. not a lot of towns have the type” of spirit we live in a dorm during college so they can In 2010, when the U.S. conducted its most do. Whether it be at football or basketball experience life outside of Lyndhurst. Photo by Jillian Cancela recent census, the population was 20,554. games, everyone [has] spirit to show.” “I want them to be happy,” Castagnetti The Little Red Schoolhouse is the site of the Between the years 2011 and 2015, the av- D’Andrea said she shows her Lyndhurst said. “If Lyndhurst is a part of my kids’ fu- Lyndhurst Historical Society’s museum. erage income per household was $70,344. pride by attending basketball and foot- ture, Lyndhurst will have its arms open for Junior Marilyn Remo’s grandparents ball games as well as wearing spiritwear them.” By Jillian Cancela were the fi rst in her family to live in Lynd- in school and around town. She said her Castagnetti said he has never considered Editor hurst. They came to the U.S. from Italy to favorite aspect of Lyndhurst is that it is a moving out of Lyndhurst and does not see seek a better life and a better education. small community where everyone knows himself living anywhere else. Imagine walking down Valley Brook Remo and her family have been Lyndhurst each other. “I’m in Lyndhurst. I’m from Lyndhurst, Avenue only to fi nd it clustered with trees residents for over 50 years. “The town [is] small enough that every- and I am Lyndhurst,” Castagnetti said. “If rather than concrete buildings. On what is “Lyndhurst has been my hometown,” where you go, you see a familiar face smil- you cut me open, I’m blue and gold.” Spreading kindness in honor of Rachel Joy Scott By Alexa Barreiros “We know that we need to give Freshman RJ Alvarez, who is related to spreading kindness. tens, but there’s always a good Staff Writer people a chance, to get to know part of Pascual and Cyril’s peer “I think some will and some group of kids who will take ac- them before we judge them or la- group, said he was inspired by the won’t take in what we learned,” tion in change and start the chain No student was prepared for the bel them. And so, Rachel gave us assembly, its challenges and goals Alvarez said. “Not everyone lis- reaction. It only takes a few kids.” heart-wrenching story of Rachel a formula. It really works for me Joy Scott, the fi rst victim of one in my life. It will work for you too of the worst school shootings in if you can put it into practice,” history, which took place at Col- Krings said. umbine High School in Colorado She said Scott had lofty aspi- in 1999. rations and expressed a desire to Kristi Krings, a representative live on in people’s memories long from the non-profi t organization after her death. Rachel’s Challenge, visited LHS “Today, that goal has become a on Jan. 16 to discuss Scott’s leg- reality. If you go halfway around acy with the freshmen and their the world to Australia or New Peer Group Connection leaders. Zealand or China or India or Ban- “The presentation was one like gladesh, they know about Rachel I’ve never seen before…. The and her challenge,” Krings said. speaker had a way of captivat- After Krings’ presentation, the ing the whole audience and kept freshmen and peer leaders were us focused throughout the whole invited to sign a banner vowing to presentation,” Peer Leader Maris- accept Rachel’s Challenge. sa Hackett said. Then, the students received train- In her presentation, Krings ing to build compassion and kind- shared Scott’s quest to inspire a ness. The ninth graders worked worldwide chain reaction of kind- together to brainstorm challenges ness. beyond Scott’s original proposal As an assignment for her 11th and create an action plan to fur- grade English class, Scott wrote ther kindness at LHS. about her plan to make the world One of the ideas suggested by a better place through a fi ve-part Senior Josh Pascual and Jillian challenge that consists of seeking Cyril’s peer group was speed the best in others, avoiding prej- friendship. Similar in structure udiced behaviors, dreaming big, to speed dating, students would choosing positive infl uences and spend time socializing with sev- Photo by Alexa Berreiros speaking with kindness. eral peers one-on-one. Freshmen Matt Vargas and Angelina Barcia (left to right) sign a banner to take on Rachel’s Challenge on Jan. 16. Upgrade on Confi dence Age is just a tradition | 2 is key | 3 number | 11 Check Us Out Varsity jackets Students tackle Young athletes get a new look for controversial issues step up during ON THE WEB underclassmen. in the Debate Club. swim season. issuu.com/LHSlighthouse The Lighthouse 2 NEWS & FEATURES February 2017 Sporting LHS pride Updated varsity jackets warm up underclassmen By Jamie Connors Staff Writer As you walk down the hallways, you see underclassmen sporting their varsity jackets. This apparel is a result of a new set of requirements that make varsity jackets avail- able to more students. Prior to last year, in order to obtain a varsity jacket, students needed to have played a varsity sport for at least two seasons. However, during the 2015-2016 school year, students with one season of varsity experience became el- igible to receive a jacket. The varsity jacket costs $149. Each patch that is added Photos by Zully Arias and Jillian Cancela on costs an extra $25. The jacket’s cost is subsidized, with LHS graduates who took part in the high school’s journalism and creative writing programs address Ms. Pastor’s journalism classes an additional $100 per jacket contributed by the Booster on Jan. 11 and 12. Nicole Plonski and Nicolette Fata (bottom, left to right) both served on the editorial board of The Lighthouse. Club. Sophomore Giulia Pezzolla was one of the fi rst fresh- men at LHS to receive her varsity jacket. She earned it for her participation on the varsity soccer team. She also ran Hard work pays off for in varsity meets on the track and fi eld team in the spring. Pezzolla said the current standard for receiving a jacket has been a positive change. “Everyone, even if they are younger, should be reward- The Lighthouse alumni ed for their athletic accomplishments and achievements,” Pezzolla said. By Nazli Tiyaloglu sion 1 track team did not start smoothly, but Torppey said Last year, varsity jackets were also redesigned. Students Staff Writer with hard work, she rose to success. were given the option to add a large “L” on the left chest. “[The] summer of my junior year, I went to a pole vault- Former staff members of The Lighthouse returned to ing club. Every day, I drove an hour to this club. I prac- their old stomping grounds on Jan. 11 and 12 to discuss ticed for three to four hours, six days a week. I came back I am proud that the varsity life after high school with Ms. Pastor’s journalism classes. the next year and broke the school record,” Torppey said. “ The panel discussions included Adrianna Caraballo “Someone had the record before then.