Popeyes chicken Is it ime to Follow us on sandwich delete TikTok? causes chaos Federal government Social Media Is this sandwich really launches investigation worth the hype? | 5 due to national security @LHSLighthouse concerns. | 6 The Lighthouse Vol. XXXIII, No. 3 Lyndhurst High School: 400 Weart Avenue, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 January 2020 Poets compete for top honors at 10th Annual photos by Angelena Barcia, Alexa Barreiros and Alyssa Ferrara Senior Fabiana Soto-Gallego, sophomore Casey Cirne and senior Yara Attia (left to right, clockwise) were top finishers at the 10th Annual Winter Poetry Slam on Dec. 20 in the media center. Retired pub- Winter Poetry Slam lic speaking teacher Mr. Snyder (center) served as head judge. By Melanie Fallas to participate,” Cirne said. “It slam. Instead, Cirne said she was “A boy I met at a party inspired tience…,” said she was inspired Staff Writer looked like a good opportunity to hoping to receive an honorable this poem…. He is the one who by the emotional challenges some make connections and share my mention award. assaulted me,” Soto-Gallego said. people face. Tears and laughter filled the story.” “When I heard [head judge] She said she started writing po- “I felt surprised and honored at media center on Dec. 20 as 39 She said tragedy served as inspi- Mr. Snyder begin announcing the etry during her sophomore year the same time when I found out student poets shared their work ration for her poem. names of the honorable mentions when her friends entered the slam I placed,” Saiti said. “I got in- at the 10th Annual Winter Poetry “The loss of my father is such and top places, I started feeling and suggested she join them. spired by the topic of happiness, Slam. a large part of who I am. I rarely hope that maybe my name would “At first, it was to get out of and so I decided to write about the Sophomore Casey Cirne, who share this aspect of myself with be one of them,” Cirne said. class, but then I realized that I struggle that many individuals go earned first place for her poem even my closest friends, so I was “[Placing] first was definitely a actually loved writing poetry,” through to reach that point.” titled “Three,” said she only re- inspired to write this piece as a surprise.” Soto-Gallego said. “Writing poet- Saiti said she began writing po- cently became interested in writ- way to express how I have been Senior Fabiana Soto-Galle- ry lets me release any emotions I etry in 2018. ing poetry. feeling in a way that others could go captured third place with her have.” “I would write when I would “This was my first poetry slam. understand,” Cirne said. poem titled ‘To Him,” which was Sophomore Albina Saiti, who find myself [with] free time. Writ- [English teacher] Ms. Pastor en- She said she did not imagine her a message to the person who sex- won an honorable mention award ing helps me express my thoughts couraged all members of my class poem would earn first place in the ually assaulted her. for her poem titled “The Pa- CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 LHS welcomes 7 schools for Super Instant Decision Day By Sumaia Safi signed up to participate score,” Rowland said. “It mapo, which charged the Staff Writer in Super Instant Decision is basically a 10-minute in- normal $65, waived the ap- Day. At the conclusion of terview, and the school lets plication fee for participat- Senior Yara Attia walked the event, the participating you know right on the spot ing students. through the doors of LHS students received over 60 if you’re accepted.” Prior to the event, students on Dec. 12 with both ex- acceptances and more than Super Instant Decision filled out an online applica- citement and nervousness. $500,000 in scholarships Day occurs every year tion form and printed out She was prepared to face that were awarded on the right before holiday break. their SAT or ACT scores multiple college represen- spot. Rowland said the timing is as well as their college es- tatives in hopes of gaining Guidance counselor Mr. intentional so students can say. Rowland and guidance acceptance into their aca- Rowland said Super Instant begin the break relieved to counselor Ms. Lutz, who demic institutions. Decision Day may seem have a couple of acceptanc- organized the event, printed Last month, representa- intimidating at first but is es. out the students’ transcripts tives from Caldwell, Fair- a great opportunity for stu- Seniors signed up for and teacher recommenda- leigh Dickinson, Felician, dents to market themselves. the event at Student Ser- tion letters. Kean, New Jersey City and “It is a chance for the vices, where they selected Rowland described Su- photo by VICTORIA NIEDBAL Seton Hall Universities as students to meet with an the schools to which they per Instant Decision Day as Senior Nicholas Leonardo and senior Bianca Miyata well as Ramapo College admissions representa- wished to apply. All of the awesome. (left to right) both received acceptances at Super In- met in the media center tive instead of just being institutions in attendance CONTINUED ON stant Decision Day on Dec. 12. with the 34 seniors who judged on a GPA or SAT with the exception of Ra- PAGE 2 The Lighthouse 2 SCHOOL NEWS January 2020 In new Unified and Law Enforcement Clubs, students focus on community and careers By Carolyne Mooney looking to become police officers Staff Writer an opportunity to take steps that bring them closer to achieving Students in the Law Enforce- that goal. ment and Unified Clubs, both of Passamano said students in the which are new to LHS this year, club get a sense of what being a are taking steps towards inclusiv- cop entails and learn about the ity and career preparation. important role of training. The Unified Club, which is “I want the students to take ad- meant to give all students an in- vantage of this club and use it for clusive environment where they their future [even] if they do end can be active, started at the K-8 up becoming a part of law en- level before coming to the high forcement,” Passamano said. school. Dean of Students and Uni- He said he is planning to take fied Club advisor Ms. Ringen said the students on a few field trips the organization gives students an this year that may include a shooting range, a jail, the Bergen County Courthouse in Hacken- “I grew up knowing sack, N.J. and the Freedom Tower in New York. a lot about law “I want my students to keep enforcement, and moving forward and apply as- Sergeant Passamano pects of law enforcement into their future life, do [their] best has been a big part of and go to college,” Passamano my life.... [W]hen I said. heard he was running Photo By Faiza Chowdhury Senior Michael Failace said he The Unified Club traveled to the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, N.J. on Nov. 20 for the Fall joined the Law Enforcement Club it, I knew I had to be Youth Summit hosted by the Special Olympics of New Jersey. The summit consisted of presentations because he has always been inter- a part of it.” and activities meant to inspire Unified Clubs from all over the state to create inclusivity and diversity ested in a career in law enforce- within their communities. ment since his grandfather and by Special Olympics New Jersey, agents in our own unique way,” led by School Resource Officer father both decided to become opportunity to get involved in an and students from about 10 high Rivera said. Sergeant Passamano, who said he police officers. open-minded organization. schools were in attendance. She said even though the club came up with the idea for the club “I grew up knowing a lot about “If anyone does find their own “This trip [allowed] students is new, the members have already because students were telling him law enforcement, and Sergeant talent in working and educating, [who are] a part of this club to formed connections and devel- they want to enter professions Passamano has been a big part of they can specialize [in] it in col- interact with each other and other oped a sense of unity. She said relating to law enforcement. He my life,” Failace said. “I have a lege and their future life,’’ Ringen students as well,” Ringen said. engaging in sports training and said he was happy to see so much lot of respect for him, and when I said. Sophomore Jaylene Rivera said playing together has helped the excitement about the club, with heard he was running it, I knew I The club took its first field trip being part of the Unified Club has group develop friendships and 50 students showing interest in had to be a part of it.” on Nov. 20 to the College of St. given her the opportunity to so- understanding. joining. Failace said he is looking for- Elizabeth in Morristown for a Fall cialize, assist and mentor others Rivera said she intends to re- Passamano said the club gives ward to the field trips because Youth Summit where attendees whom she would never have in- main a member of the Unified students a chance to interact with they will prepare him for his fu- participated in activities like ice- teracted with otherwise. Club for the rest of her time at police officers and see what a ture career. breakers, goal-setting and action “We learned to include every- LHS and in college.