Opinion:
"In a perfect world: Growing up shouldn't be like this" Page 4

Fashion:
Winter previews... find out what's hot, or not Page 2

News:
Bartley construction builds controversey Page 7

Arts & Entertainment:
Find out what Robin Williams is up to Page 10

Sports:
Volleyball team serves up another perfect season Page 8

Student Life:
Sandy Hook trip is "shore" to please Page 12

Go to pg 9 for games and an event calendar on pg 11 to see what's happening at WMC

New teachers give WMC thumbs up

by Kayla Booth
New teachers give our school great reviews. Even though all new faculty members were not interviewed, those who were praised the school for its students, teachers, administration, and curriculum. The most notable comments were raves about the school's "support system" among students, teachers, and the administration.

"It's more of a team," says Dr. Danielle Kayal, a new physics teacher, describing the science department. She described the benefits of a larger department, stating that because there was so much support, she could pull from the experiences of others.

Miss Courtney Bertos, a Spanish teacher and JV field hockey coach, agrees. "There's a constant support among the administration and teachers, students, and department-wise." After coaching the girls on the team, Bertos has called her athletes "persistent, hardworking, and positive." She also noticed that the coaches of different sports are close, which transcends to their athletes, creating an environment of support and school spirit.

Miss Jane Larsen, a French teacher and JV tennis coach, was also impressed by her girls, calling them "polite and respectful." Larsen is a 1997 graduate of West Morris Central, and she was amazed by the number of students in the halls.

As for academics, Miss Larsen praised the IB program for its emphasis on foreign language. Miss Bertos agreed, stating, "The World Language department is something WMC can brag about." She was impressed by the large classes, variety of levels, and the different languages available.

Every new faculty member interviewed was pleased with the support system both within separate departments and the administration. The variety of diverse subjects and the student body astonished WMC newcomers.

$30 million expansion halted

by Amber Cook
New gravel parking lots. Trailers on campus. The installation of the sewer line. Everyone has felt the impact of the alleged expansion to the school. So where is it?

It has already been two and a half years, and WMC has yet to see the promised dome-top gym, added classrooms, and an expanded auditorium. The 30 million dollar plan to expand the school has come to an abrupt stop.

According to a September issue of The Observer Tribune, high bids for the school construction already caused a necessary reduction in the building plans. A more conventional plan has

been set forth with the elimination of domes. The last two bids on the budget have proved unsuccessful, and there is no set completion date for the building in the near future.

The projected expansion was approved in March 2004. The question arises now of whether or not the design has been delayed too long. The upcoming classes are larger than ever, and WMC may not be able to accommodate the fast approaching entrance of the eighth grade class.

Students need to stop complaining about when the building is going to begin and how it's going to affect their educational environment negatively. The bottom line: construction is not happening for a long time.

Coming up at WMC
Semi Formal, Sat. December 9. 7-11PM Tickets on sale 11/30-12/7. Cost: $20

Senior Picture Retakes, December 4-7 A-wing conference room, by appointment only. Call: Normandy Studio (908) 755-0431

The West Morris Central Highlander has undergone some changes. You are now able to peruse through a lengthier paper with a modified format. The new paper has a stronger emphasis on varied sections delegated by different editors to better serve the students. Thanks to Loris Ravera for the new Highlander logo.

Is 'fake bake' worth the risk?
Tanning may improve looks, impair health

by Kathleen Griese
Tan skin equals beauty in today's standards. To many, risking serious health problems later in life does not matter. As I walk down the halls, I am amazed by how many unnaturally tan people spend their afternoons and evenings inside of a tanning booth. It's winter; no one is naturally bronzed.

Indoor tanning has become popular over the last twenty years because many sun goddesses realized it was quicker to spend twenty minutes in a bed than to lie in the hot scorching sun for hours on end. On average, more than 1.4 million minors utilize the United States' 50,000 tanning salons (NY Times).

We live in a society in which instant results are desired and expected.

"People don't have time to lie in the sun so they just go tanning" says senior Kate Weger, an employee at the Tanning Spa in Chester. She mentioned an instance in which a woman entering

the salon was thrilled to spend only twenty minutes achieving the same tan she would by lying in the sun for hours.

Tanning may save time, but it does not save money. At the Tanning Spa, a tan in the regular bed is $6.42 (fashionable protective eyewear included), and at Electric Beach in Budd Lake, a tan is $5.35. Even the New Jersey State government realized the popularity of the practice, adding a 7% tax to tanning earlier this year. My question is: Why does America tan?

"People think they look better while tan," says junior Lindsey Wohning, who works at Electric Beach. Kate Weger and senior Allison Fitzgerald agree that people tan for superficial reasons. Tanning has become a fashion trend, and most people have neglected to realize the bad health effects or consciously dismiss them.

"People value looking better while ignoring the bad side effects," Allison says. Many teenagers know the health effects, but some do not.

Skin cancer, wrinkles and premature aging are the most well known negative effects of the practice, but when senior Nicole Ort was asked about her feelings on skin cancer, her immediate reaction was: "Me…lan..oma? What's melanoma? I don't even know what that is." Perhaps the reason why so many people tan is that they do not realize how serious the risks are.

The World Health Organization claims that along with the risks of malignant melanoma (the most fatal of all skin cancers) and premature skin aging, avid indoor tanners risk eyesight. Cataracts and pterygium (a white cover over the cornea) can form from excessive tanning.

Wrinkles? Cataracts? Death? These are serious risks that should be addressed by a person wanting to tan. You must ask yourself: is looking fabulous now worth the detriments later?

School of fashion: students display variety of styles

by Emma Hudson
Walking through the hallways you will see dozens of different styles. There's the "I got up at 5.30 AM to get ready" look and its complete opposite, the "I got out of bed 5 minutes ago." Some people sport the popped collar, others go for the leggings under the mini skirts. Whatever style you can think of, chances are someone in school is wearing it. Here are just a few examples of Long Valley fashion.

Nick Leonard, Senior "The more obvious, outrageous, loud, stupid, crazy and big, the better!"

Alice Boudes, Senior "I try to keep my style fun yet sophisticated."

Hussain Danish, Senior "I like to think of myself and my clothes as eccentric, yet in the norm."

Alice Boudes, Senior "I try to keep my style fun yet sophisticated."

Betsey Ramage, Senior "I love being cute and dressing up, but usually I just try to be comfortable and easygoing."

OPINIONS

Editor: Jesse Regis

In a perfect world Growing up shouldn't be like this

by Jesse Regis
Saturday morning: no alarm clock, no school, no reason to bathe. Paradise awaits. I begin to make plans for this sunny day when I realize the amount of homework that will be due Monday morning. Instead of spending the day with friends, or pursing an interest of mine, the objective for today is two essays, a lab, a packet, bookwork, and reading from a book that I have minimal interest in. I decided to put college essays, scholarship research, and SAT prep aside for today. I hear children laughing in the background and my kid sister calling me from below my window, asking me to come outside and play.

I explain to her that I am working and cannot step away from my computer for fear of senioritis completely crippling my work ethic. Growing up I have been taught to prioritize. There should never be anything that comes between me and my family, but for me it always seems that clichéd, universal morals never ring true when it comes to certain things, working at home being one of them. "Don't do anything you don't want to" and "Just say no" are useless. They have kept me away from smoking though, props to my D.A.R.E officers.

I complete every assignment just in time to watch Celebrity Fit Club at 10 p.m. Reflecting on the day I realize that I have done nothing that has made me grow as a person. Another mundane day that was supposed to be mine, but I sacrificed it in a flaming effigy to the homework gods.

A senior in high school, this is my last year to dodge my responsibilities before entering college where everything matters. Instead of exploring different possibilities, and essentially enjoy my youth, I am a machine designed to crank out essays and complete bookwork.

Teachers should make the world their classroom and keep students from choosing between family and studying for hours to get an A that may or may not have value to a student's intellectual development. Students need more field trips, and time for independent study. It is time to cease the creation of classes around AP and IB tests, and what colleges will require. School has become about survival, not growth.

I can honestly say that I remember each field trip I have been on. From the Great Swamp in 2nd grade to Hershey Park and Gettysburg in Middle School, I can think back to those days with pinpoint accuracy. Only thing is though, I cannot tell you what I did the day before, or after any of these trips. They are blurs that contained some sort of lesson, of which I cannot recall.

People learn from novel experiences that take them to new places to see fresh things. What does every college admissions view book say? Explore the surrounding community and make the area your classroom: visit museums, see a show, dine at different places and submerse yourself in a culture you would not experience otherwise. Teachers should give more homework assignments that involve getting up and out of the house with work that actually applies to life. Make work more relevant to current events to enlighten the sheltered life of so many at school. The way things stand now, I am in a constant struggle with myself between completing assignments or venturing into the world to try new things. If teachers assigned work that forced students to look beyond their backyard, school would foster a diverse environment of young adults, genuinely prepared for the real world, and not lethargic blobs who go to college with good grades, but no useful knowledge to show for it.

An Open Letter to Freshmen

by Ellyn Van Evra
Dear Freshmen,
Welcome to West Morris Central High! Although it has been a few months since the start of school, we realize that you are just getting used to the schedule and classes; here are some points you really need to know to get through this year smoothly.

First, the rotating schedule can be hard to tackle your first year so here are some pointers. Break the day into two blocks, morning and afternoon. This makes remembering homework and what books you need a lot easier. Also, memorize the day pattern of 4-3-2-1. If you get that down the rest of your schedule will follow. If all else fails carry your schedule around with you.

Teachers expect more from you because you are in the high school, so don't turn in middle school work. "The history teachers are the hardest in the building", remarked senior Kathleen Griese, "so do your best on every assignment and don't slack."

The halls are super crowded so if you are going to talk to your friends, don't do it in the center because you will get trampled on! "The C-Wing is the worst," says senior Jenn Checkley, "if you can avoid that you're good." Also utilize the breezeways in good weather; they will get you to your class quicker, and you will be able to get a breath of fresh air before diving into your next class.

Rumors of Freshmen Friday always seem to start within the first month or two of school, but very rarely are they true. However, there is some truth to them; the upperclassmen are on their third or fourth year in WMC and they deserve some respect. Most seniors agree though if you keep your place and don't develop an ego you will be ok. So good luck and we hope you like WMC as much as we have come to like it!
Sincerely,
The Upperclassmen

What not to wear

by Cori Tedesco
We all know those stores that you can't live without: Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister, American Eagle...the list goes on. And with fashions going in and out this winter season, it might be hard to keep up. Luckily, a few trendy students are here to help with the ever-changing styles.

"Ew, the bubble dress style is horrendous," says senior Carly Guenther, and I would have to agree with her. These dresses are not fashionable or flattering, and if you think that you can make it work, chances are you can't.

Then there are those ever-popular leggings beneath the mini skirt. If you have the legs to make it work, good for you, but please don't put them under shorts! That would be a major fashion don't. And of course, for those students who love to sport the sweatpants and pajamas to school, please remember to at least take the time to shower. "We like it when people look nice and clean," says juniors Chip Slack and Danielle Rakus, "So showers are in!"

No complaining from IRT students

by Aubrey Krajewski
Six hundred eighty one students have an IRT according to guidance office records, but it looks like revolts for more freedom will not occur any time soon.

School policy states that for IRT, a student needs to be in the library, cafeteria, or at a meeting with a teacher or counselor. Although the policy says otherwise, students can make quick trips to the bathroom or locker with a pass.

"I think we should be allowed to go wherever we want, whenever we want," says junior Jen Casazza. Others also wish they could go in and out more.

The emphasis is on the word "independent" time. If the period is for individual use, the opinion is that students should not be restricted so much. "Some policies are ridiculous," junior Meredith Renaldi says. "The one I don't like is that we can't use the fitness room."

Only a small amount of students noticed a difference in policy. "Last year they didn't care what we did," says junior Megan Rathbun. However, others did not see any difference in restriction. Students either don't notice or don't care about the rules. "What's a sophomore going to do? We can't drive yet," says tenth grader Giovanna Fuela. Those who can feel it'd be nice to leave more often. "But you don't want lunch detention, so you have to stay here," said senior Frank Stefanelli.

NEWS

Editor: Nicole Wadler

Even George Washington disliked traveling Schooley's Mountain

by Nicole Wadler
America's earliest summer resort and spa, Long Valley, is surprisingly not as dull as everyone believes. I decided it might be interesting to research Long Valley but I didn't expect to find anything worthwhile. I was wrong.

According to an article published in February of 2002 in the Daily Record, Long Valley was originally occupied by the Lenape Indians but then German Protestants settled there in the 1700s and named it German Valley.

The name was then changed during World War I to distance the town from Germany. The Long Valley, New Jersey website reports that there is a rumored story that General Washington had to travel through Long Valley several times and he commented that Schooley's Mountain Road was awful.

Many old mines exist on the mountain and these were used during the American Revolution to get iron for ammo. In 1830, ore taken from mines above Long Valley was so magnetic that miners couldn't use metal tools. The Colonial Army had to use horse drawn carts down the mountain and it is said that General Washington stated that the curves in the road were dangerous.

Schooley's Mountain couldn't have been so bad as it was used as American's earliest summer resort and spa. The water mineral springs attracted vacationers. In 1815, the mineral spring was said to be the purest water in the nation. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, travelers came by rail and by stage coach for the waters of the spa.

As I continued browsing I also found other surprising information. According to the Middle Valley Historic District website, Long Valley was the filming location for the 2003 movie "Anger Management" with Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler. Who knew? Also, on the HBO television show "The Sopranos," there was a reference to someone getting killed in our very own Hacklebarney Park.

Long Valley serves as the birth place of Mike Dodge who is now an exceptional college basketball player for the NCAA Hartford Hawks.

So now before you automatically claim that Long Valley is boring and there's nothing to do, remember it's not as unexciting as you may think.

Sugary drinks expelled from high school

by Lauren Armstrong and Tachira O'Connell
According to The Food and Drug Administration, the average high school student drinks more than 53 gallons of soda each year, more than any other drink, including milk, juice, coffee or water. As child obesity increases, high schools all around America are cutting out soda in order to try and stop it. However, is soda really affecting our health? According to former President Bill Clinton it's helping. "This one policy can add years and years to the lives of a very large number of young people," says Mr. Clinton.

Mr. Clinton has helped to create cutbacks that will aid a large number of students. Although schools are making cutbacks on soda and candy, there are many other high - calorie treats out there that are affecting our health. For example, two mozzarella sticks have 190 calories, 430 milligrams of salt, and are 20% saturated fats. Most students don't even realize the intake of salt and saturated fats in their diets, because they don't care, as long as it tastes good. The worst kind of soda is Mountain Dew with an outrageous 19 teaspoons of sugar and a staggering 93 milligrams of caffeine. There are also numerous health risks that come along with drinking both diet and regular soda. According to www. cspinet.org/liquidcandy/ , soda increases the risk of osteoporosis, tooth decay, and, the yellow No. 5 dye found is these drinks can cause symptoms such as hives, asthma, and other allergic reactions.

While the Center for Science in the Public Interest and The Food and Drug Administration believe that taking soda out of schools will help students, it is just as easy for these students to bring soda from home, diet or regular. So, students should beware of the effects of soda, because you may regret it when your teeth start falling out.

WMC by the Numbers

compiled by Jesse Regis
Statistics play a big role in college research, but what about our school? Below are stats that may put things in perspective.

Senior Class Size: 334
Average Class Size: 20.5
Average SAT score ('04-'05): 1130
% Graduates to 4-year college: 72.1%
% Graduates to 2-year college: 19.9%
% Eligible Students Taking AP Tests: 23.4%
Number of AP Tests Offered: 19
% Scoring 3 or Higher on AP Tests: 79.8%
% Faculty with Advanced Degrees: 73.3%
Statewide Rank 41/316
Source: NJ Monthly (9/06)

Our World in Numbers Environmental Awareness

compiled by Amber Cook

17 --amount in millions, of barrels of oil used each day in the United States. source: www.offshore-environment.com

100,000 --number of marine mammals killed each year due to plastic waste in water and costal areas.80 source: www.grinningplanet.com

80 --percentage of items Americans throw away that could be recycled. Despite this, our recycling rate is only 28%. source: www.ecocycle.org

26,000,000 --number of trees that could be saved each year if we recycled all the news- papers in the U.S. printed on a typical Sunday. source: www.ecocycle.com

40 --percentage of America's rivers that are too polluted for fishing, swimming, or aquatic life. source: www.grinningplanet.com

131, 588 --amount of sq. miles of rainforest land that is lost every year to destruction. source: www.savetherainforesst.org

Yearbook class decides on theme Seize the day!

by Táchira O'Connell
Carpe Diem, a Latin phrase meaning, "seize the day", is the yearbook theme for this year. Betsey Ramage, Tiffanie Summers, Tachira O'Connell, and Nicole Ort are the group members that came up with the idea. "Nicole was the one who said 'carpe diem'," according to Betsey. Tachira remembered that there was a quote in the movie "Dead Poet's Society" about carpe diem and Nicole found that it related to West Morris Central.

Carpe diem relates to this school year, not only for the seniors but new teachers, new students, and new foreign exchange students as well. "Carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your life extraordinary," as John Keating said. For their presentation the group decided to show a clip from the movie. They all believed that it made their choice stand out and made the judges Dr. Reilly, Mr. Moscatello, Mrs. Lichatin, and Ms. Stern understand their major influence.

The group met with the cover and the girls were very "excited" because they were designing the cover with a professional. All they revealed was that the yearbook was very classy and nothing compared to their original concept.

STUDENT LIFE
Editor: Amber Cook

Interest spurs German Club

by Tom Dianora
The German Club's recruitment of 17 new members at the school activity fair signifies a new interest among students, as well as the club's highest levels of size and popularity in quite some time. Ironically, however, most of the club's new members do not even study German.

Senior Chris Blair, co-president of the German Club, advertises a popular German novel to WMC students.

"It is not a requirement for club members to take German," says club co-president Chris Blair, a senior. "Part of what we do as a club is educate not only others, but ourselves about the German language and culture. Most people thought that they had to be taking German in order to qualify for club membership, but at the activity fair, we made it clear that that is not the case. I think that this helped us recruit more members."

In addition to not having to study German, Blair feels that another reason why a large number of students have joined the German Club this year is simply because the activities are fun and interesting. According to Blair, a major part of the German culture is about having fun. Among other things, the club often watches movies to gain an education and awareness of the German culture. In fact, they plan to soon watch a movie and answer questions based on it, and they will then submit their answers to the Goethe Institute in Germany for a chance to get scholarships. So, in this case, the club's activities offer the possibility of significant incentives in addition to being interesting and educational.

The overall goal of the club is to offer a glimpse into the German culture to both our school and community. This year, the club would like to try to increase its involvement in the community. Blair is hopeful that they will be able to have several community activities. "As of now, we are still pondering the possibilities for community activities. We hope to be able to do something that is both fun and educational." Blair also mentioned that he has dreamed of having a German cultural parade through downtown Long Valley, even though it would obviously, as he realizes, be very difficult to set up. Even so, with the German club's rapid growth, Blair feels that anything is possible, and is optimistic that the club will do several fun and interesting things in the community, even if they are not on the scale of a parade.

With many new members, fun and educational activities, and hopes for significant community involvement, the German Club is quickly growing in popularity, and by continually exploring more options regarding activities, the club's expansion will likely continue.

Feeling claustrophobic? Better avoid crowded hallways!

by Kelly Caggiano
"Ouch!" complained junior Erin Flannery when asked about the crowded hallways. "They're way too crowded! C wing is always packed!" Students continue to complain about the crowded hallways, but continue to use the same hallways and make the normal jam worse.

Crowded hallways have been a problem going as far back as 1959. In an old issue of the Highlander from November 1959 an article talks about the crowded hallways, particularly, the C wing by the music classroom.

When asked which hallway is the most crowded, both sophomore Kyle Richards and senior Carlee Schmidt agree; the C wing is the problem. Although the location has changed, the C wing is still "In the beginning of school, freshman have liable excuses because they don't know where they're going, however, when the school year goes on, C wing gets bad and it gets aggravating because of the intersection after the gym by the hallway" Schmidt stated when asked what the problem was. Obviously people need to remember that they are not the only ones in the hallway and they need to continue to move and not stop for an extended amount of time between classes.

Part of the problem is the freshman. Not just this current freshmen class, but when everyone is a freshman, they too contribute to the crowded hallways. One way to look at it is the freshmen are like bad cholesterol, or LDL. LDL blocks vital arteries and veins in your body, and frosh block vital hallways. Blood vessels are forced to push through the clog, just like everyone in the hallways is forced to push through the freshman. Eventually bad cholesterol can cause a heart attack, just like freshmen can cause a traffic jam and make people come to a dead stop in the hallways. "Too many people are going the same way; the school is overcrowded," Richards said.

Now that the problem has been identified, how do we solve it? Some helpful shortcuts may help you avoid the rush.

Need to get from the D wing all the way down to math in the F wing? No problem! Leave the D wing heading down the C wing, and then make a right turn past the sandwich stand. Then make a left turn at the intersection. You should go past the office and continue down A wing through the breeze way. By taking this route you avoid almost the entire C wing and don't hit the jam!

How about gym class to the newer part of the F wing? Don't worry! Immediately after you leave the locker rooms headed toward the C wing, go out the door on your left. There is a little paved pathway you can take that leads to the F wing. There are two doors available as well. The first door on your left will be unlocked, but the door in front of you will not be. All you need to do is bang on the door window and someone should let you in!

What about going from the cafeteria to science on the other end of the C wing? Simple: by avoiding the middle portion of the C wing, you'll make it to class on time. Just use the same short cut from the D wing to the F wing. Then, when you get to the F wing, you can head back up to the C wing to get to science.

These are only a few of the numerous alternate routes you can take to get to your classes. If everyone avoids the C wing whenever possible it will be far less crowded, and then those who have a class in the middle of the C wing can get to class on time. So remember these simple short cuts next time you're in a jam!

Senior Snaps by Emma Hudson

Recently I sat down with two '07 seniors to find out how they're dealing with the stresses of college applications, schoolwork, and senioritis.

Mac D'orio
Applying to… Gettysburg, Lehigh, Lafayette, Bucknell, and Penn State

Favorite thing about senior year…
"Going to various sporting events this fall and embarrassing myself with my friends."

Advice for underclassmen…
"Do your homework every night, study a lot, and don't watch any reality TV. Except for Laguna Beach."

Looking forward to…
"The second half of the year where the stress of college applications, schoolwork, and looking really good everyday is not as intense."

Anything bad about senior year…
"The fact that some of the underclassmen are taller than I am."

Thoughts on graduating in June…
"I will feel somewhat torn between sadness, confusion, nervousness, and excitement for college, starting a "new chapter" in my life, and finally graduating."

Impact on WMC of the class of '07…
"We will have a lasting impact on WMC because of the great personalities, hard workers, strong athletes, and awesome kids from the class of 2007."

All-time favorite quote…
"Yeah, well. The Dude abides." - The Big Lebowski

Amanda Diaz
Applying to… Cornell, Syracuse, Brown, and UPenn

Favorite thing about senior year…
"Fewer classes and less homework = more free time!"

Advice for underclassmen…
"Do your work now to be able to get into any college you want and then you can relax once you're in."

Looking forward to…
"The last half of senior year, once college is all set and I can take a break from working and being stressed out."

Anything bad about senior year…
"A lot of people I hung out with left for college this summer. Also, doing applications is not all that fun."

Thoughts on graduating in June…
"I'm ready to leave, so the only thing I'm going to be sad about is leaving my friends and family."

Impact on WMC of the class of '07…
"The class of 2007 is going to leave a huge void both in academic and athletic leadership. The underclassmen will really have to step up to fill it."

All-time favorite quote…
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." - Albert Einstein

New policy reduces sweets in school

by Kelly Caggiano
Sugary foods and candy are rapidly disappearing in schools across New Jersey. The Model School Nutrition Policy, better known as the health food policy, is being enforced in schools across the state.

This new policy is not just the removal of foods with the first ingredient of sugar; it's more detailed than that. According to the American Obesity Association, 30.4% of teens age 12 to 19 are overweight and 15.5% are obese. The Model School Nutrition Policy aims to change these statistics by following these general goals and objectives:

1. provide "students with healthy and nutritious foods"

2. support "healthy eating through nutritious foods"

3. provide "students with the opportunity to engage in daily physical activity"

This information was obtained from www.state. nj.us/agriculture/ and the complete list of goals can be found here as well.

Do you agree with the policy? "Yes, because it keeps me from being fat," stated, sophomore Peter Griese. Another student said, "NO! Why should the school be allowed to sell foods that are high in fat, but not high in sugar?" In the middle is Kelly Mulcahy, a junior who stated, "It's good to have healthy food because our world is over-weight. However, my favorite candy is no longer sold at school."

As for me, I'm on the fence about the policy as well. It's good that our government is taking action to introduce healthier foods in our schools. However, as young adults we should be allowed to decide what we eat. We should take responsibility for the decisions we make and deal with the consequences if we don't take care of our bodies.

School nurse, Mrs. Carol Pace stated, "I think schools are role models for students so we personally should have healthy eating habits, both as a staff and an institution. Initially I thought it was extreme, but in the long run we should model good behavior. Hopefully the students will model what we do."

So how has the policy affected West Morris Central students? "I have to carry more money to buy anything now," complained senior, Jared Matthijssen. I have heard from classroom teachers that they have noticed a positive difference," Mrs. Pace said. Although some students disagree on the necessity of the policy it has already proven that it has the potential to be effective in the future. My advice to disgruntled students is if you want a snack that the school no longer provides, bring it from home. You won't have to pay for it and you will have it from the start of your lunch, rather than getting up during lunch to go wait in a long snack line to buy it.

The school is providing healthier alternatives to the usual junk food. However, the policy only limits the sale of foods with high sugar content. In order for this policy to take more affect it should be spread more evenly among the different categories of food. The policy needs to limit not only highly sugary foods, but extremely fatty foods as well. If the policy does this in moderation, we can still have some sugary foods sold at school, but have a better balance of foods. Although the Model School Nutrition Policy is showing a positive difference, it needs to be revised in order to make it more effective.

Bartley Road construction ahead of schedule

by Chris Fegan
The Bartley Road construction is proceeding "slightly ahead of schedule," says Assistant Principal Gilbert Moscatello.

The project, which has been going on since late August, is expected to be completed in January. It is currently half-finished, but crews are now working on the most difficult part. They have had to lay sewer pipe as deep as 18 feet in the ground and have had to descend in a steel box each day in order to do so. Every day they descend less and move closer to the school. Therefore, the construction is moving along rapidly.

Although the construction is proceeding well, Mr. Moscatello noted that safety is more important than speed. "Safety is the number one issue for all concerned," says Mr. Moscatello. He added that "due diligence" must be used in the construction. Since the construction is moving along so quickly, however, North Four Bridges will now be closed in addition to Bartley so that crews can work in that area. Consequently, students will be forced to use Route 24 or other detours to get home. Though this development will no doubt be an aggravation to many students, it must be kept in mind that the faster construction crews work, the sooner Bartley Road will be opened again.

Mr. Moscatello also disclosed details about what will happen when the construction reaches the school. He said that there will be a short period of time when the construction will affect small areas of the campus. The most important of these is the circle in front of the school.

Construction will take place on this area for two to four days, and Mr. Moscatello noted that this could be over Christmas break. Other areas that will be worked on include the parking lot in front of the art room and about 7 spaces of the rear gravel parking lot, though students will probably not be affected by this. The Bartley Road construction will enable

the school to connect to the municipal sewer system. The current septic system of the school is over fifty years old and a more efficient system is necessary. The reaction to the construction has not been positive. The common sentiment among students and teachers is that the construction is taking too long and is an annoyance when traveling home from school. "This is the worst time of the year to ever start construction," says senior Greg Minerowicz. Another student noted she crashed her car on the Route 24 detour and thought that "it probably wouldn't have happened on Bartley."

English teacher Mrs. Michele Pastore also believes the construction is a bit frustrating. She notes that the construction is "slightly inconvenient," and that the detour "…makes my ride home a little longer, but more scenic."

Only three more months, and Bartley Road will be open for travel once again.

Celebrating past, present, future

by Kayla Booth
Major changes have swept through WMC throughout the years. Academic focus, social life, and the administration have altered drastically. Mrs. Barbara Salmon, a Spanish teacher for twenty three years, noted the many changes and identified the schools major turning point as Dr. Michael Reilly's, principal, entrance to the district.

"He brought a human touch to what was once a cold institution," she says. The academic curriculum has altered tremendously. Mrs. Salmon stated that the focus has been shifted towards teaching students skills they will need after they graduate.

"The way students go about achieving has changed. There is more pressure from both universities and within the school. Teachers are more responsible academically and socially towards students." Mrs. Michele Pastore, an English and Creative Writing teacher for thirteen years, attributes the academic changes to the rotating schedule, introduced in fall 1998.

"It changed the way teachers taught and planned their lessons. It changed the pace of the day, in a good way. There's time for involved discussions where students can think." The introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program has also improved our academics, according to Mrs. Pastore. "We've always striven for academic excellence, but the IB program highlights it."

Our schools social life has also changed over the last few decades. Fairs and carnivals have been replaced by other options, allowing for a wider range of social activity, according to Mrs. Salmon. "We have a very open environment; there's a push to have students and faculty become more accepting of each other," says Mrs. Salmon of our schools positive atmosphere.

Although we've made enormous strides, some things socially have yet to change. Old Highlander articles show that teen smoking has been an issue in the past, as well as the present. Although there are no longer "smoke filled bathrooms," we still haven't achieved a smoke free campus.

Today, as well as years ago, teens claim that their moral standards are underrated, and parking spaces are still an issue. Students still fret about financial aid applications, college acceptance, and final exams. Even in the 1970's, students suffered from the small disease called senioritis.

As for the future, there are still improvements to be made. "I would like to see a more even level of expectation for the general school population; I'd like to see all students take advantage of the same opportunities," says Mrs. Salmon. Mrs. Pastore added that she would like to see more authentic school spirit.

Student Profile Quiet rise to stardom

by Nicole Wadler
Erika Meling has surprised all with her success in her first season running cross country. Meling recently came in second at the Roxbury Invitational and was ecstatic. Other achievements include her third place win in the Homdel meet and becoming one of the top runners in the county. One of Meling's big fans, Principal Dr. Michael Reilly, comments on her achievements, "Erika is very quiet and unassuming so it is good to see her recognized for her effort." Meling decided to try cross country this year after two years of playing field hockey because she thought it was her sport. "I was a pretty fast runner so I thought it was something I could excel at," Erika explains. Not many can say that they love running, but Erika finds it enjoyable. "Running puts me at ease. I don't have to think about anything else so it relieves stress," Erika explains. Meling wants to run track in college and she is hoping to be noticed. "I hope Erika continues to enjoy the running. It is an area where she receives support," agrees Dr. Reilly.

Meling ran 18:42.61 to finish right behind the leader in her first varsity invitational meet. "My achievements have made me more confident that I could win something and be noticed for it," Erika explains. Meling is pleased to have helped put West Morris back in the running.

"It is always great to see someone who is unknown to most of us achieve such notable, recognized awards," praises Dr. Reilly. Erica hopes to end the season being in the top three of the conference and in the top five of the county.

Highlander cartoon
by Amber Cook

SPORTS
Editor: Tom Dianora

Pack primed to defend championship

by James Kratch
It had been 16 years since the West Morris Central wrestling team last won a conference championship, until last season, when first year head coach Mr. Ken Rossi led an underdog team on a torrid run, capturing a share of the Iron Hills Conference- Iron Division championship, and eventually falling to Parsippany Hills in the first round of the State Sectional playoffs.

Now, after the loss of several key seniors, the team will rely on returning letter winners and underclassmen to defend the championship. However, the Wolfpack isn't fazed at all.

"Yes, it's going to be very hard to repeat what we did last year. That's obvious. However, if the underclassmen who started varsity for the first times last year mature into solid wrestlers and us seniors step up, we can be successful", stated senior Kevin Coach Rossi's answer to how the team plans to deal with senior losses was blunt and to the point. "Hard work."

Another issue facing the Pack for this season is the fact they aren't going to sneak up on anyone this year. Coach Rossi said there would be no change. "I don't know if we have a target on our back. There are so many teams in the conference that can contend and compete on any night. If anything, we are looking to put the target on their backs." Karcich agreed, saying that the team will continue to do what they have been doing, which is try to win every single match.

A large part of last season's run was the rapid revitalization of the program. With new uniforms, shirt and chili giveaways at home matches, and the surprise success of the team, wrestling became the winter sport in vogue at Central. When asked if he had any sort of plan when he took over as coach, Rossi replied, "Definitely. My coach once told me, 'If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.' There is a very big plan behind all of this, and it's going to take a couple of years to carry out. Just because we won a championship in year one doesn't mean the plan changes. You do not deviate from your timeline. The next step is to become more involved with the youth programs in Long Valley."

The only real negative for the Wolfpack last season was the short stay in the state playoffs. However, that did not ruin the team's season in any way.

"After winning the conference, the playoffs were gravy" stated Rossi. "We accomplished our goal, which was to make the playoffs, and we ran into a very good Parsippany Hills squad." After last season's success, the team was able to send senior Dillon Landi to the State Wrestling Tournament. Landi, who now wrestles for the Fighting Camels of Campbell University, located in North Carolina, placed fourth in the 171 pound bracket. When asked who from this team had the best shot of going to the Boardwalk this season, Rossi answered without hesitation.

"Chris Cholish has our best shot. He has a tremendous work ethic and has put in the time. However, all of our seniors have shots, and a lot of younger guys, if they continue to work hard and step up they might have Atlantic City in their futures." This season definitely will be a challenge for the Wolfpack, having lost many seniors and set the bar so high for themselves after last season's championship run. However, the team is in no way concerned about a letdown year. "I think it depends on how you judge success. With the guys we have, I'm confident we will do well."

One thing the team knows it must have is the support of the school community. When asked about the support, Karcich replied, "The support last season from the school was amazing. It made the whole season unbelievable. We are very thankful for it, and we need it to continue!"

Girls' soccer forms family bond

by Noel Bolmer and Marissa Greco
When the clock strikes four, the girls' team takes the field, knowing that every game is a step closer towards their goals. With a winning record over .500, the girls were ready to do nothing less than their best. The team has learned not only about winning, but also that family comes along with their season. As senior midfielder Erika Pescatore states, "Glory lasts in the moment but family never fades."

Relationships with coaches and strength trainers are the extended branches of the family tree of the girls' soccer program. Coach Ken Rossi has been the head coach of the girls' soccer team for four years with the help of assistant coach Terri Miegherhoffer. "The coaches make us feel like we can talk to them about anything, they are our friends. We respect them and that is always important," remarks junior Kristen Conrad, an outside midfielder.

Not only do the coaches form personal bonds with the players, but also the strength trainers make an effort to do the same. Strength trainers Mr. Chris DelPriori and Mr. Kevin Staine say they love training the athletes because they like to give players a way to gain a competitive advantage. With stellar coaching philosophies and effective strength training workouts, the girls' soccer team was prepared to win even the toughest battles against teams such Mendham or Roxbury.

The final tie to this extended family is the players that make up the team. To start with, the twelve seniors day after day lead by example and carried the team to victories. The senior class has a lot of experience, especially the four captains. "This is the first group of girls that I have coached for four years. They embody our philosophy," states Coach Rossi. The junior class has nine girls whose attitude can be summed up in two words, as said by Samantha Glaubman, "Get wild." The sophomores and freshman add energy and youth to the team, which provides for a future foundation.

With a great ending to the season, the girls were the first team in school history to make it to the MCT finals.

Big shoes to fill as basketball season approaches

by Erin Murtagh
After the resignation of Mr. Kumpf as coach of the varsity girl's basketball team stunned both parents and players, Latin teacher and JV coach Mr. Gavin has accepted the head position. Last year, the players were both shocked and disheartened by the news that their beloved head coach had sent in his letter of resignation at the end of the 2005- 2006 season.

After much anticipation, players were relieved to hear that the infamous JV coach had accepted the position.

"When I heard that Mr. Kumpf was not going to be the coach, I was really upset. He contributed a lot to the team's improvement, and I've loved playing for him for the past three years," remarks senior captain Ashley Ryno. "But I think I speak for the rest of the team when I say that I have complete confidence in Mr. Gavin."

Looking to improve team strength and unity, coach Gavin is excited for this season. "The only advice I can offer is to strive to improve everyday," Gavin explains. "I also believe that Mr. Carraro will fulfill the coaching ideals fostered here at Central as he assumes the position of JV coach."

Volleyball dominates fall records

by Conor Murtagh
The girl's volleyball team has been turning heads with their almost perfect record this season. Under the coaching of Beth Grasso and Jim Ballela, the girls have been able to shut out almost every team they have played in only two games (quarters). "I wonder if there will ever be a team as good as ours because every time I go to a game we beat the other team pretty bad," commented senior super fan Mac D'orio.

Despite their exceptional game play, there was some skepticism before the start of the season. Losing four varsity starters from last year, the girls were unsure of how the team was going to compensate. However, this proved to be insignificant due to hard work in the off season. "I feel we are compensating well. The girl's who needed to step up and take leading roles did and it has worked out great so far," commented senior player Dana Caruso.

The girls, who have won every match except one, feel that the season is going extremely well overall and according to Captain Raeanna Gutkowski, as long as they remain confident and calm, they will achieve great success in the state tournament.

Hockey players reflect on past, look to future

by Kate Callahan
The field hockey team stepped up their game this season.They went 12-6-1, with two new coaches, Erin Ritt and Courtney Bertos joining Head Coach Traci Becker,along with the three senior captains, leading the team to a winning season.

"The team really excels in playing as an actual team. In most of the games, you don't just see 11 individuals on the field, you can tell we're able to work well with each other," says junior defender Emily Dumbrill.

"This year we all get along and have good chemistry on the field," adds sophomore forward Sarah Charles.

"As a new member of the team, I feel that we work well together," says Melissa Gutkind, a freshman midfielder. "We have a great sense of teamwork and friendship because we always find a way to work hard on the field, no matter what happens off of it." The team is not only unified, but they also possess great skills. Both Charles and Gutkind feel that the team is very fast. "Our speed is one of our biggest assets," the girls agreed. "It helps us with fast breaks, quick give-and-go's up the field, and beating the other team to the ball.

"I think sometimes we are too hard on ourselves. I completely understand when the team is upset over a loss, and I am definitely one of the players that beats myself up about it. I mean losing is really frustrating, but sometimes I think we just allow it to bother us more than it should," states Dumbrill.

They accomplished one of their major goals by finally beating Mount Olive, their biggest rival, in the Morris County tournament, knocking them out of contention for the title. "It was such a great feeling beating Mount Olive!" said Charles. "They are our biggest rival and it was so great to finally beat them. After that game, the whole team was excited and fired up for the rest of the season. It was as if we could win any game and it made us really optimistic about the future."

"I think that there is an amazing amount of talent on all three of the field hockey teams," says Dumbrill, "And judging by the skill seen by everyone in all four grades, next year's team has great potential and will definitely have a very successful and strong season."

Dear Rapunzel

Dear Rapunzel,
It's only the second marking period of school and I already have senioritis. I can't do homework, participate in class, or even get to school on time! I'm loving my senior year and I'm having so much fun, but I'm worried about getting into college. How can I keep having as much fun as I have been, but also make sure I get into the college of my dreams.
Sincerely,
Señor Senioritis

Dear Senioritis,
It seems to me that you have too much to do and too little time. In order to solve your early case of senioritis I believe that you should keep in mind the college of your dreams when you don't feel like putting effort into school. It will help you focus and remain on task. It's good to be having fun during this important school year, but too much fun can hurt your chances on getting into your top school.

Dear Rapunzel,
I am having a severe problem. Every time I try to exercise my freedom as a student in IRT I get shot down. One day I asked to go to guidance and was questioned on why I had to go. When I replied that I needed to talk about college I was given the answer "Hmm, yea, you know…this isn't a free period." ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? Last time I checked this was IRT: Independent Responsibility Time, and I was going to be independent and responsible in guidance. This is getting out of hand. Please Help.
Sincerely,
Aggravated

Dear Aggravated,
I am afraid you are not the only one who is having difficulties in IRT. You should talk to your guidance counselor about the issue and see if something can be done about your privileges. In the meantime you can get a pass from guidance allowing you to leave the cafeteria in order to meet with your counselor.

Dear Rapunzel,
My ex-best friend and I don't get along at all. She's been driving me crazy lately and I don't know what to do about it. She is constantly talking badly about me (sometimes when I'm right there) and she obsesses over me and what I do with my friends. How can I get her off my back?
Sincerely,
Fed up with the follower

Dear Fed up,
In order to get this ex-friend off your back you should try confronting her and ask why she feels the need to constantly talk about you. Be mature in the situation to avoid creating more drama. If this does not work ignore her comments and be the adult.

Dear Rapunzel,
My best friend and I like the same guy, except she doesn't know about it. I want to tell her, but I don't know if I should because she gets jealous very easily. I don't want to mess one of my closest friends. Please Help!
Sincerely,
Torn Tammy

Dear Torn,
You should talk to your friend and find out her true feelings for this boy. Then tell her how you feel and stress to her how you don't want this guy to get in the middle of your friendship. Hopefully if she's a true friend she will understand and things will work out for the best.

Dear Rapunzel,
Where is my guidance counselor?! As a senior this year I thought guidance would become more involved in my college search. I'm finding that I am the one doing all of the research and my guidance counselor has no idea where I want to apply or where my strengths really lie. How do I get guidance more involved in my college research and applications?
Sincerely,
Stressed Senior

Dear Stressed,
Stop whining and take action! As a senior you should be responsible in taking care of the majority of your college planning. Although your guidance counselor is supposed to help you through the process they have many other students to help out. In order to make your counselor become more involved in your college applications you should speak to them and show them your progress in the procedure.

News Crossword
compiled by Tom Dianora
Note: This crossword puzzle covers a wide range of current or recent news topics. If you don’t pay attention to the news, don’t bother trying to do this puzzle! Across
2. The Army is gearing up to keep troops in Iraq for ---- more years
3. Indiana Pacers player who was charged with criminal recklessness for a fight outside a strip club
6. New York Yankees pitcher who recently died in a plane crash
7. Turkish writer who recently won the Nobel literature prize
9. South American country where a multicolored bird was recently discovered as a new species
11. Former Virginia governor who has decided not to run for president in 2008
12. Senate Democratic leader who collected $1.1 million on a Las Vegas land sale even though he hadn’t owned the property for three years

Down
1. Country that recently conducted a nuclear weapons test
4. President of French Olympic Committee who was convicted on corruption charges
5. State where a 13-year-old boy was charged as a juvenile after firing an assault rifle inside a middle school
8. Team that eliminated Yankees in MLB playoffs
9. A new type of mouse has been discovered on the island of ------
10. Rock star who will be a guest voice on “SpongeBob SquarePants” next year

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Editor: Emma Hudson

New 'musicians' pollute listeners' ears

by Conor Murtagh
Summer is officially over so that could only mean one thing: a string of new musical artists that have been polluting our ears with mediocre music. Every summer at least five musical artists or groups become popular among teenagers, and I find myself asking the same question: Why? This summer was extra awful in the music world and can be accredited to five artists/groups in particular.

Number five on my list of "Top Five Worst Artists of the Summer" is Teddy Geiger. Teddy Geiger became popular a few months before summer. However, I feel as though music stations and TV channels waited until I was home everyday sitting on my couch to play his incredibly crappy music. Teddy, a musical genius according to some, sounds more like a mediocre Gavin Degraw to me. He should forget about mustering up confidence and focus more on mustering up some originality and talent.

Number four on my list is The Fray. Again, similar to Teddy, this musical "gift" to the world came out winter of last year. Despite this, it was not until I was working late nights at Staples that I was really exposed to their music. With this, I can honestly say that the only thing I found myself "in over my head" with was the kind of feeling that if I were to write about it, the school would send me away.

Number three is none other than Paris Hilton. There is not much to say about Paris as a musician because let's face facts: she's not. However, as a "film" star, she's alright by me.

Number two is a band that has been out for a while but thankfully has not gotten too much exposure. That is until the music stations got a hold of that pathetic excuse for a song "Lips of an Angel." That's right, you guessed it, the band at number two is Hinder.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this band, I envy you. The lead singer is quite possibly the lamest front man I've ever seen in my entire life. The rest of the band isn't too much better either. With their "sweet" pink tank tops and "totally radical" bandanas, they could not make it any more obvious that they are trying to lead a "PG" rated version of Guns' n' Roses career if they tried. Upon writing this article, I came across students who shared similar beliefs to mine about these losers. "Hinder really brought rock music down a level in 2006. I really feel sorry for their record label for signing them. I came to the realization that they were a pretty terrible band when my little sister started listening to them," commented senior Mike Ritt. Mike Ritt doesn't even have a little sister, but I think you get the point.

Number one on my list of worst artists of summer might even be number one on my top five worst artists of the century. This band has been generously gracing us with their "music" for about the same amount of time as the other artists, but their popularity has recently exceeded that of even a good band's. The group I am talking about is Panic! At the Disco. I hate this band. Their music videos look like a scene straight out of a carnival from hell. Whenever I hear the lead singer's completely abominable voice on the radio, I contemplate driving my car into a tree and/or small boulder.

However, since that would be both ridiculous and disturbing, I simply wish that I go deaf so I will never have to listen to their, or any of these other artist's music ever again.

Stick to what you're good at: a lesson from Robin Williams
movie review by Emma Hudson

When a high school senior and her 14 year old brother walk into a movie theater and the other five members of the audience are almost four times their age, chances are some of the punch lines are going to sail right over their heads. Don't get me wrong - Man of the Year is a good movie, full of all the witty one-liners that its

previews promised. Robin Williams, Christopher Walken, and Lewis Black all have their moments of hilarious political commentary throughout the 115 minutes. But where Man of the Year starts to drag is when it tries to actually be a hard-hitting docudrama on today's political world.

One message of the movie is that we should all stick to what we know best: politicians should stay on Capitol Hill and the comedians shouldn't leave their stages. But maybe the star of the movie needs to listen to his own advice more than the audience. Instead of making us fall over in laughter, Mr. Williams tends to branch into didactic and weighty monologues. More than once I found myself wishing I could fast-forward through the lectures and straight to the punch lines in the next scene.

Towards the middle of the movie - that would be about an hour into it - things start to pick up, but don't get too excited. The plot becomes so complex that I doubt if even the actors themselves knew what was going on half the time. Besides the obvious angle of the comedian-in-the-White-House, there's also a corruption scandal and some sort of murder/drug plot - all going on at the same time. It's like Hollywood schizophrenia; one minute it's a comedy, the next it's all action, and then the next it's a mystery-thriller. Overall, Man of the Year wasn't a bad movie - I mean, I got what it was trying to do and say. And I also understand that my brother and I aren't exactly the set demographic that the film is speaking to. But we're not neanderthals here, and I have been known to keep up with even the most moralizing and thoughtful of movies. But there's a difference between interestingly educational and just plain boring. Man of the Year has some great jokes in it, but they're far too short and rare. Instead of reaching for that coveted Oscar, how about we all just stick to what we're good at. Get it, Mr. Williams?

My rating: 3 out of 5

Who are we to judge?

by Kathleen Griese and Noël Bolmer
Long Valley, New Jersey and Hoover, Alabama have few things in common. One aspect that is blatantly different is the football team; but is it fair As avid watchers of "Two-A-Days" on MTV, (why, we have no idea) we found ourselves more and more frustrated with our team. The Wolfpack is a legitimate organization with great potential. We should be content with watching their games. Our senior school spirit is at an all-time high and we know that our classmates give it their all every game… but we can't seem to forget the fact that every Wednesday night the Hoover Buccaneers play exciting, high stakes games that keep us on the edge of our seats. Each week we are tainted by these images of football superiority and we wonder if airing a show like "Two-A-Days" is fair. Is the show a legitimate portrayal of high school sports or is MTV only worried about sucking in viewers like ourselves? Does MTV realize that a heinously small percentage of American high school football teams look like this? Senior Genna Goldner is not impressed with Hoover High at all. "Look at what we have," she says. "Look at the volleyball team: they're amazing. We have better academics and all they have is a football team." Senior Bryan Drummond has caught an episode or two and agrees that Hoover is nothing special. "Uh, [we have] regular voices without accents."

Southern slang or not, MTV's editors want to make us a bit jealous of the cliché Hoover high school experience. We wondered if Hoover has advantages that we don't. Central football player James Kratch shed light on the situation.

Long Valley, New Jersey and Hoover, Alabama have few things in common. One aspect that is blatantly different is the football team; but is it fair As avid watchers of "Two-A-Days" on MTV, (why, we have no idea) we found ourselves more and more frustrated with our team. The Wolfpack is a legitimate organization with great potential. We should be content with watching their games. Our senior school spirit is at an all-time high and we know that our classmates give it their all every game… but we can't seem to forget the fact that every Wednesday night the Hoover Buccaneers play exciting, high stakes games that keep us on the edge of our seats.

Each week we are tainted by these images of football superiority and we wonder if airing a show like "Two-A-Days" is fair. Is the show a legitimate portrayal of high school sports or is MTV only worried about sucking in viewers like ourselves? Does MTV realize that a heinously small percentage of American high school football teams look like this?

Senior Genna Goldner is not impressed with Hoover High at all. "Look at what we have," she says. "Look at the volleyball team: they're amazing. We have better academics and all they have is a football team." Senior Bryan Drummond has caught an episode or two and agrees that Hoover is nothing special. "Uh, [we have] regular voices without accents." "The way Hoover conducts themselves is like a college team. By having their own reality show they have a distinct and unfair advantage. Sports Illustrated did an article a few months on Hoover and many of their players are transfers. All they care about is winning."

Well, Hoover High, you may have a more peppy spirit week and more impressive football record, but Central students are not amazed. It is apparent that we have a dedication to our school. The Buccaneers draw enormous crowds to fill huge stadiums, but our bleachers are filled with cheering students who are there for the love of the game, not the fame.

The Strokes Album review by Jenny Shau The Strokes are the "saviors of rock" for their stripped down sound that was influenced by bands such as The Velvet Underground, The Doors, and Television. They formed in 1999 and rose to fame within two years as a leading group in the garage rock revival genre.

The Stroke's singer/songwriter Julian Casablancas has a hoarse and deep voice that gives the band a unique sound compared to the nasally obnoxious voices of many recent teenage driven angst bands.

The Strokes third and most recent album is First Impressions of Earth, it was released in January 2006. Although this album is the bestselling out of their previous three, the band has experimented with new sounds that are somewhat disappointing.

Their usual songs had many riffs and a more upbeat tempo, and were hard to find in this album. The majority of their songs sounded depressing a la Kurt Cobain, but they are not so horrible that they are unbearable to listen to. If you listen to the Ask Me Anything track, you may like it until you notice that he repeats the phrase "I've got nothing to say" more than a dozen times in an unlikely monotone voice. All though this album is not up there with the first two, it has some of its moments. The first three tracks were my favorite in the album: You Only Live Once, Juicebox, and Heart in a Cage.

The band's latest release is the third single off of the First Impressions of Earth album. It is called the You Only Live Once/Mercy Mercy Me . It was realeased io September 26, 2006. I was instantaneously drawn in to the You Only Live Once single. The song is catchy and the beat of the song is mind-blowing. The B-side track You Only Live Once featured Pearl Jam's frontman Eddie Vedder and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age. Mercy Mercy Me does not exactly stick to The Stroke's usual type of genre, but the duo of guitar riffs offers a rare and refreshing sound.

The song may sound a bit strange, even boring at first, but once I listened to it at least three times I was hooked.

Overall, The Strokes's third album, First Impressions of the Earth, is a great new release from this band. Although fans might be surprised at their new sound and genre, you won't walk away from this listening experience disappointed.

Local musicians offer diverse styles

by Jenny Shau
For eight WMC musicians, inspiration is drawn from a variety of influential artists of the past. The artists vary from Frank Zappa to Slipknot, and the genre is a mix of math rock and alternative. "Are they human?" is the reaction of Red Pyramid member Mike Alexander expects to come out of listeners who take notice of his band. "We really wouldn't put ourselves in a specific genre. But we do mostly heavy metal, alternative, math rock, punk," explains the band. The band started off with guitarist Mike Alexander and bassist Dan Moore in eighth grade. It progressed when drummer Max Bobinski and singer Greg Keating eventually joined. Once they were a settled band, they began to write their own music and do covers of songs by Mudvayne and System of the Down. "Our band is a combination of Primus and Slipknot," Bobinski clarifies. Red Pyramid performed recently at this year's Battle of the Bands.

Pat Nikel, another student musician, grew up wtih a father who played the guitar. He says that because of this, he was drawn to music at an early age. "I just want to be involved with anything that relates to music. I don't care what, just as long as it does," says Nikel. Although he learned how to play both bass and acoustic during his high school years, he was a quick learner. He was seen at the Battle of the Bands last year and performed this year as well.

Some other notable independent musicians are Nick Lom, Josh Mont, and Kyle Richards. Lom and Mont both play the guitar while Richards play the drums. They each have talent and play mainly rock and metal genres.

Sandy Hook trip teaches science classes

by Amber Cook
A cold and gloomy day welcomed eager environmental students anticipating an action-packed day at Sandy Hook. Despite a less than hopeful forecast, students and faculty nevertheless trudged on. An hour and a half later, the sandy destination was The Sandy Hook trip was offered to the environmental classes and the environmental club allowing students to apply what they learn. Ms. Bossart, Mr. Kling, and Ms. Biber were among some of the science teachers who attended the excursion.

After the weather made a huge turn around, the classes suited up in waterproof waders and began seining through murky water in hopes of an interesting catch. Here students would apply their common knowledge of the environment.

Atlantic silversides, shrimp, baby crabs, and various plant life were collected in the seining nets. The students and faculty members proceeded to examine the organisms and identify their species. "It was really interesting to see all the different animals when we pulled in the nets. Usually I take advantage of those things when I'm in the water," commented senior Heidi Naylor. Other students stood ashore observing the haul which was dragged from the Post-seining, the class headed to the twin lighthouse, also known as the Highlands Lighthouse. Here, they were allotted time to view Manhattan from the observation deck.

Upon leaving the lighthouse, the environmental students and faculty traveled to a nearby shore to eat lunch. A gentle breeze and a pleasant temperature embraced the class as they culminated their exciting day. "It was cool being able to eat lunch on the beach with my friends. It was fun." quoted senior Brian Hennebry. The trip was both entertaining and educational. Many students went on separate days, but hopefully all had an enjoyable day at the shore.

Exchange students endure culture shock

by Kate Callahan and Kim Brunner
Many exchange students are attending WMC this year: Pontus Arfwedson from Sweden, Evelyn Untigard from Norway, and Lisa Feldner and Carina Trautmann from Germany.

Coming to America is a bit of a culture shock to the exchange students because of the many differences between their country and ours. The students agreed that America is a lot stricter than the nations they come from, and that our school was big and confusing because of all of the hustle and bustle. "In Germany, the students stay in the classroom and the teachers have to move," said Carina. Pontus added that in America, we have a very strict schedule about how long classes are and how much time we have between classes, whereas in Sweden, the class periods are different every day. "One day I could have Physics for two hours with a half hour break between the next class, and the next day I could have Swedish for an hour."

Although there are many differences, the students really enjoy WMC. German native Lisa said "I love the school spirit and all of the sports." Evelyn from Norway added, "This school has an amazing principal. I have never seen a principal that cares so much." "I love lockers," Carina said. "We don't have lockers at my school."

Students sponsor cancer relief

by Erin Murtagh
After the devastation of cancer affected three local families, Central students took the initiative and founded the Blue & White Campaign to come to their aid. Founded by juniors Sean Murtagh, and Logan Wida, the Blue & White campaign is a non- profit organization founded in the name of cancer research and debt relief. "Logan and I noticed that a lot of our friends were personally affected by the disease, and we took it upon ourselves to get involved," explains Murtagh.

At the Don't stop 'till you drop 24 hour dance- a- thon held last year, over 150 people danced through the night to raise over $3,000 for the organization.

"Proceeds from that event last year went to help three local families pay for insurance and medical bills," says Wida, who hopes to help even more families this year with a Dance- a- thon II, Scheduled for November 10th.

Both Murtagh and Wida also divulged ideas for other upcoming events. "We hope to have a walk- a- thon, and a talent show this spring," says Murtagh. Both Blue & White crusaders encourage all students to get involved and show support.

SAT = OMG

by Marissa Greco
It's 7:00 a.m. My alarm clock rang relentlessly and a nauseous feeling started to come over me. This morning I had to take the dreaded SAT. After years of preparing and listening to all the pressures to do well on this test, I could not help but think what if I do badly on this test.

Thoughts of not getting into college started to cloud my head, but there was no turning back. Two weeks later I received a score that I was unsatisfied with.

Does this test really measure intelligence? No. Does it predict how college grades or future success? No. It measures nothing other then how well a person can take this specific test. Is there a better way? For all the worrywarts out there, an SAT score is not going to determine life plans. For example, as Conan O'Brien put it, "It has taken twenty years to forget the trauma of that damned test, and looking up my scores would be like going back to Vietnam."

Conan O'Brien's SAT score was very low and look at him now; he has his own TV show and is making millions of dollars. Not to mention one of the most praised presidents, John F. Kennedy only received a verbal score of 485. If just judged on SAT scores JFK would have never have become president. The SAT is the common yardstick that compares an "A" student at one school to an "A" student at another. However, now with the Princeton Review and SAT tutors the test no longer gives an equal opportunity to everyone.

The president and founder of the Princeton Review, John Katzman stated in a interview, "We're there to teach you to score better on this exam because this exam is going to determine where you go to college and how much financial aid you get." Clearly, a family with enough money to send their child to one of these courses gives their child an extra edge on the test, over someone who cannot afford to take that course. Colleges assessing high school students SAT scores should take into consideration whether or not that person took a course, which would make an even playing field for everyone.

How much do colleges really take the SAT into consideration? As it is different for all colleges, generally the bigger the school the more important admission criterias is. According to Katzman, most schools break it up as 50 percent is based on the high school record, 25 to 45 percent is based on tests such as the SAT, 0 to 20 percent is based on extra curricular activities and 0 to 20 percent is based on recommendations and essays. As one can see, a large part of getting into a college is based on your SAT score. What else can we do besides the SAT to evaluate who gets to college? Colleges around the nation should make four even criteria's in order to be accepted. For example, your SAT score, high school record, interview and recommendations or essay could each be 25 percent of being accepted.

By adding an interview colleges will able to get know the student better and accept people they might have overlooked if they just looked at their SAT scores. We could wipe out the SAT altogether but we would be forced to have a national curriculum in which an "A" student in Portland would match an "A" student in New Jersey.

If we are relying on the SAT to predict how someone will do in college and in life, the most powerful man once in the world, John F. Kennedy would have never become president.

The SAT should not be a major factor in gaining acceptance to major institutions around the country. It is no longer a standardized test because of SAT courses and measures nothing other then how well a person can take this test.