Table of Contents: 2010-2011 Final Issue

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Dear Readers,

Thank you for another fun and successful year!  The Tower Review  staff truly appreciates your support and your readership!  We hope that you have enjoyed our humor and interests, and that throughout the school year you have found something that spoke to you.  Please enjoy this last issue-until next year, anyway!  As always, happy reading!

We love you, Readers!

Sincerely,

Miss Howard and the Tower Review Staff

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Culture at Large
Guess Who… the RFH Staff
Ode to Summer by Sara Del Negro
10 Things to Do Over the Summer by Annie Hendrick
Teacherography: School Through a Teacher’s Eyes by Peter Lyden
A Collection of Poetry by Amy DiReda
A Selection of Poems by Jocelyn Delaney
Quite Invasive: A Ten Minute Play by Jillian Dinger

Happenings
Dr. Fico Honored with RFH’s Educator of the Year Award by Elsa Stoff
Not just a Badminton Tournament by Brooke Wheaton
Paint the Town Pink: A Community Success by Alyson Raywood
Stickball: A Tournament of Champions by Pat Gunther
RFH Graduation: 2011 by Peter Lyden
Phil Jackson: A Retrospective Look at the Zen Master’s Career by Pat Gunther
RFH Hosts Another Successful Student Film Festival by Nick Cognata
Spring Sports Recap by Devan Cappelli
RFH Art Show Lets Students Show Off Talent by Kelsey McCauley

Media
2011 Summer Movie Preview by Nick Cognata
Good Reads for the Summer Heat by Alyson Raywood
Summer Playlists by Alyson Raywood
Must-See TV: Pretty Little Liars by Caleigh Farragher
Summer Concerts: The Places to Be by Devan Cappelli
A History of the Masters by Mike Schutsky
Television Shows Worth Watching by Brooke Wheaton

Opinions
Most Memorable Class of 2011 Moments by Mike Schutsky
Prom-Why the Hype? by Annie Hendrick
Movie Review: The Hangover Part II by Nick Cognata
Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides by Elsa Stoff
Predictions: MLB Awards by Pat Gunther
Trader Joe’s Localizes in Shrewsbury by Elsa Stoff
Beach Club or Not to Beach Club: That is the Question by Brooke Wheaton
What’s Up with That?: The Royal Wedding by Mike Schutsky
Don’t Forget to Help Nationally, Too by Caleigh Farragher
Summer Trips by Peter Lyden
Increasing Shared Services and Privatizing by Nick Lenczyk

The Final Word
An Open Letter to Rebecca Black by Devan Cappelli
An Open Letter to June 17, 2011 by Annie Hendrick
Some Great RFH Staff by Nick Lenczyk
An Open Letter to the Fourth Marking Period by Caleigh Farragher
The Life of a Senior by Nick Lenczyk
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Guess Who…

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A real blast from the past…can you find the teachers and staff below?

• Mr. Barbiere
• Mrs. Beattie
• Mrs. Furey
• Mr. Herkimer
• Ms. Higgins
• Ms. Howard
• Mrs.  Kilar
• Mr. Lanzalotto
• Ms. Lerner
• Mr. Lippart
• Mrs. Maglione
• Mr. Pennetti
• Mr. Petrazella
• Mrs. Williams
• Mrs. Zalinsky

Ode to Summer

by Sara Del Negro

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The sun on your face
The sand on your feet
The crystal clear water
And blazing heat

Bright, blue skies
Sleeping in
Staying up late
And having tan skin

Hanging with friends
Waterslides
Ice cream, candy,
And amusement park rides

It only comes once
Every year
But I just can’t wait
Until summer is here

10 Things to Do Over the Summer

by Annie Hendrick

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The summer is all about relaxation – you’ve worked all year in school and now it’s time to take a break for three months, and then cram in your summer work the week before the next school year starts. The Jersey Shore is at our disposal – use it and get your GTL on!

1. Get a summer job (see “Four Easy Steps to Finding a Job”!)

Not to ruin the fun already, but you probably need money to do those things that require taking it easy and having a good time.  If you haven’t found a job yet, start looking. Working outside at places such as beach clubs gives you the best of both worlds; you can enjoy the summer while making money.

2. Go to the beach

We have the entire Jersey Shore to go tanning on. Take your pick where, just watch out for stepping too far up the beach where the clubs are. Take advantage of the ocean before it get’s too dirty to safely swim in.

3. Take advantage of “our” location

For people that live locally, we are right up along the shore and also right in between two rivers. Go sailing, kayaking, tubing, fishing, clamming – whatever it takes to get on the river.  A break from the crowded beaches can be a good thing.

Along with the two rivers, you can go hiking or go relax in the many parks and woods in our surrounding area. Hartshorne and Huber Woods are two very good places for hiking or running.

4. Go on vacation

Whether it’s a day trip, a few days, or weeks, take some time to get out of the place you’ve been stuck in all year. Go with friends, family, or yourself. Find a destination and just do it, it will be a good change of pace.

5. Get ice cream

Crazees, Gracie and the Dudes, Cherry on Top, but most importantly, The Lighthouse – all places that you can go and indulge in some ice cream.

6. Sports Games

If you’re into sports, there is always a game going on somewhere whether it’s the little leagues or the big leagues. Grab some food and enjoy the entertainment with friends.

7. Go to a concert

We have a lot of local venues that make it easy to experience local bands and music as well as bigger names. The Riverside Park in Red Bank and Pier Village usually provide great free music, and venues like the Stone Pony, the Asbury Convention Hall, and the Count Basie hold shows for more popular music artists.

8. Have a barbeque

Great weather and great food is an unbeatable combination. Host a barbeque and invite your family, friends, and neighbors.

9. Visit the boardwalk

Visit the Point Pleasant Boardwalk or the Seaside Boardwalk – both have ice cream, rides, restaurants, clubs, and of course the beach. Spend the day or night, and you’re bound to find something to do.

10. Go to a fair

Almost every town hosts a summer fair. Go to gamble, play games, go on rides, or eat the junk food (or do it all).

Whatever it is you’re doing, spend time outside doing it while you can because before you know it you’ll be back in school again stuck inside with the cold weather raging outside.

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Teacherography: School Through a Teacher’s Eyes

by Peter Lyden

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Teachers and students have very similar lives. They went (or go) to school and deal with the same types of peer pressure, stress, and other tension during the day. Many teachers at RFH share their own opinions about students and teaching. In this article, you will see how teachers at RFH started out and what led them into the teaching world.

Ms. Burke, always smiling while grading

Ms. Burke is an RFH English teacher.  Her favorite part about teaching is interacting with the students that she teaches and her least favorite part is grading essays; particularly because it is a very daunting task and can take a long time to do.  The positive aspect about essay grading is discovering some of the unique writing that students offer, as well as watching them grow as writers.  In her eyes, school is a place of opportunity for meeting new people and discovering the unique qualities people and the school environment can give you.

As a high school student, Ms. Burke was classified as “social butterfly.”  She loved every social event that high school had to offer.  She was a captain on the swim team and loved going to all the all types of sporting events.  In the academic world, she only particularly focused on the subjects she was interested in, such as English, History, and Biology.  She didn’t give as much attention to the subjects that she wasn’t interested in, such as Math and Chemistry. When she was in college, Ms. Burke’s mother suggested that she go into teaching, but she really think much of it at the time. She got a PhD in English Literature. After teaching a Freshman Writing Seminar to Boston College underclass graduates, she knew right then what she wanted to do. After she graduated, she went on to teach English.

Mr. Barbiere leads students to knowledge and lacrosse players to victory

Mr. Barbiere is a teacher in the RFH Social Studies/History Department. He always enjoys interacting with his students. His favorite part about teaching is discussing historical issues and having debates with the students. His least favorite part about teaching is the often overwhelming amount of paperwork that can sometimes be involved in teaching.  He is a very curious and avid learner, which helps to make him an effective and successful teacher.   He uses both a very professional enthusiastic and sincere approach to teaching and hopes his students will do the same.

As a student, it took Mr. Barbiere quite a while until he was in college to master academic habits and skills. However, he was interested in history and used that as a way to drive his academic success.  He always wanted to become a teacher. His parents were both educators, and the profession was, in many ways,  passed down to him.

Mr. Brown may look tough, but he cares

Mr. Brown is a teacher in the RFH Science Department. He teaches several levels of physics, which includes an interesting combination of math and science used and experienced in everyday life.  He has a fun time interacting with the students. The part of school he enjoys the least is grading papers. He enjoys the work as well as being around students as they grow and develop into successful young adults.

Some of Mr. Brown’s favorite parts of teaching is watching the kids perform well on the AP exams, receiving credits for the course, and moving onto studying physics and engineering in college. Mr. Brown originally got into the teaching world by working in engineering and wanted to follow his passion by teaching physics and coaching students in sports.

Ms. Hastings always creates a bright and enthusiastic environment for her students

Ms. Hastings is a teacher in the RFH Foreign Language Department, where she teaches Spanish.  This year she taught Spanish III, Spanish II Honors, and Spanish III Honors.  She always enjoys being around the students and meeting a new group of them every year. Her least favorite part about teaching is the amount of grading she does; there’s simply too much of it sometimes.

She views school as an opportunity for students to learn new things and explore Spanish culture. She really enjoyed school when she was younger and continues to take classes as an adult. The best part about teaching is introducing new students to a foreign language and culture. Her interest in teaching began when she was a student in high school who absorbed the love, passion, and enthusiasm her Spanish teachers had and wanted to pass that on to the students she currently teaches today.

Herk and Karp--an infamous duo

Mr. Karpell is a teacher in the RFH Special Education Department. His favorite part about teaching is the interaction with his students and his least favorite part is the all the grading. In Mr. Karpell’s opinion, school is a great opportunity to continue to give students skills that will help them to learn and achieve their goals. As a student, school was important but sports was the best part of the day.  Mr. Karpell originally got into teaching through the love of coaching and wanted to pass that on into the classroom.

Mr. Herkimer is a teacher in the RFH Math Department. His favorite part about teaching is the interaction with his students and watching them mature. His least favorite part about teaching is all the grading and paperwork that goes along with the job. As a teacher, he gives advice to students about how and what to do to excel in math.  The best part of teaching is when former students come back to visit and let him know how they’ve excelled in college and learning how he influenced them in their life.

As a student in high school, he was a nerd. He enjoyed school; especially math class where got a chance to FACTOR COMPLETELY!   Mr. Herkimer got into the teaching world when he was in college and he was tutoring students in math. Some of the students he tutored told him about how he explained math material to them and that he should get into teaching.

All of the teachers who teach at RFH have one big thing in common. They all enjoy the environment of being around students and helping them to grow as individuals inside and outside the classroom. They all have different perspectives on teaching, but they always put the students first. They teach different subjects, but they all have one particular thing they love, and that’s being around the school environment.

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A Collection of Poetry

by Amy DiReda

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Knowledge

Knowledge-
An important tool-
Burdens us.

By knowing too much,
We are a
Useless spout
of information.

What do we do
With all of that?
Those meaningless, valueless facts
Drain our minds,
Pollute our thoughts,
Inconvenience our reasoning, and
Trouble our mentality.

It is a necessity
To know
More than simplicity
But
Less than ingenuity.

Knowledge-
A powerful thing-
Causes an overload.

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Creativity Haiku 

Creation is key,
It is its own entity,
Creativity.

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Fade Away

Sand between your toes
Footprints left behind
Your mark in this world.

One by one
Each grain of sand
Counts every moment
Time and time again.

Waves crash ashore
Footprints fade away
Your mark forgotten.

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Ode to Kitchen

A room filled with pots and pans,
Sautés my every need,
Crackle of the fire,
Heat of the oven,
Chock-a-blocked cabinets,
Scrawled recipes on Post-It notes,
Spin Lazy Susan spin!
My obsession—
My favorite possession:
My kitchen.

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55-Word Story

“He’s gone!”
“You!” A young man in a guard uniform looks up. “Have you seen the prisoner?”
“Who me? No. What does he look like?” There is a flash of orange behind his back.
“He’s young, tall, and–Hey, what’s behind your back?”
“Oh these?” An orange jumpsuit and a guard’s gun.
Bang, bang.
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A Selection of Poems

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by Jocelyn Delaney

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Swimming

The end appears before my eyes
My hand reaches
One of many tries
But my body breaches
Through it in one small turn
And its proximity no longer remains.
I discern
The end once again and it strains
My body. Trapped in a maze
Everything repeats
And I plummet into malaise
Which beats
Away the ruse
I plunge further into alleviation
From the world, like a bird whose
In a freefall sensation.
Hypnosis empowers
All my movement
The end appears before my eyes
And my hand slams against it.

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The Situation

Here’s the situation:
He’s funny and of course I love his body.
My husband says
to go for it.
yea I’d date him
the ensuing naughtiness.
I plan
on giving him
my number.
I think he’s hilarious
I think he’s just really crazy and doesn’t care about what people think about him

I need a husband.
I love him so much.
I love his abs. He’s hilarious and Italian.
He doesn’t try to be anyone else
Which is a good thing because
America only has room for one “sitch”

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The Unknown Journey

Never knowing where or when
It’s the journey I love
the gusty winds against my spine
Give me tiny hints of where we’ll go.

It’s the journey I love.
The ups and downs and twist and turns
Give me tiny hints of where we’ll go.
Now I know unknowns I’d never known

The ups and downs and twist and turns
Like an eagles journey across the horizon,
Now I know unknowns I’d never known
The experiences are revealed.

Like an eagles journey across the horizon,
The enduring time slows down,
The experiences are revealed,
Fulfilled by the journey.

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Birthday Wish Come True

Four years of parties, easy classes.
His first birthday after graduating.

“Happy Birthday Brian! Make a wish”
“I wish I never have to work a day in my life.”
Eyes shut. Blew out the candles.

“Happy Birthday Brian! Blow out your candles.”
Eyes opened. There were nurses and a window that read “Denver Retirement Center.”

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For Rent

“Did you find everything okay today?”
“Yes, this will be perfect for this weekend”
“I agree, it’s a popular choice. Your total is $249.99.”
“I always wanted to be a singer. It’ll be nice to see what it’s like for a day.”
“Enjoy your time as Beyonce. Come back to Rent-A-Body soon.”

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Quite Invasive: A Ten Minute Play

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by Jillian Dinger

Cast of Characters:

Mother: Middle aged, well dressed woman
Richard: Messy, blonde 5-7 year old boy
Peter: Deep, male voice over

 

(Mother is center stage, visibly flustered and angry. Her hair is in a tight bun, and is wearing a grey sweater set and a black pen skirt. A piano is to her left, and broken glass is scattered on top of the piano and on the floor near it. A few roses are among the broken glass.)

Mother: (yelling) Richard!

(Richard runs in, one of his grey tennis sneakers untied. His striped shirt is wrinkled, his face smudged with the remnants of a chocolate bar.)

Richard: (out of breath) Yes Momma?

Mother:  Can you explain why my vase is broken? Your father bought me that from India. Do you understand how expensive that vase was?

Richard: (nonchalantly) Oh I’m sorry, Peter really liked the flowers.

Mother: Peter? Don’t be ridiculous. That vase was an anniversary present. Don’t you want Mommy to have nice things? Why did you break my vase?

Richard: (nervously) Well it was an accident.

(Mother raises her eyebrows, slightly squinting her eyes.)

Mother suspiciously) The vase was on top of the piano Richard. How could you have accidently knocked it over?

Richard:  I told you Momma, it wasn’t me. Peter wanted a flower.

Mother: Peter? Who is Peter? I didn’t say you could have a friend over. And why would you let him play around with Mommy’s expensive vase?

Richard: Peter’s my friend. He’s kinda bossy. Peter didn’t ask to come over. (pauses for a few moments, staring at his feet) He just showed up.

Mother: (outraged) what a rude little brat! Peter who? I want to talk to his mother.

Richard: Umm…

Mother: RIGHT NOW!

Richard: Peter doesn’t have a mother. I don’t think he does. (quickly) And he doesn’t have a last name either.

Mother: (annoyed, begins to smooth her sweater) Richard, do I look like I’m in the mood? If you knocked the vase over and are making this Peter character up you won’t have dinner for a week.

Richard: Peter knocked it over! I swear! I’ll call him over. (yelling) PETER! PETER! CMON OVER HERE MOMMA SAW THE VASE!

Mother: Peter’s still in the house? Seriously Richard this vase is coming out of your college fund. And I’ll never find one like it again. You really are a selfish nuisance.

Richard: Ok Mom… meet Peter!

(Richard pushes his hands toward Mother, as if he is holding something for her to grab.)

Mother: Peter?

Richard: Peter says he’s sorry.

Mother: Well Peter, you really should think before you go break people’s vases.

Richard: Peter’s just impulsive.

Mother: And awfully rude!

Richard: Ahhhhh!

(Richard drops his hands to the floor and starts weeping, rubbing his thumb convulsively.)

Mother: Richard are you alright?

Richard: P-p-p-eter bit me! He’s the worst friend ever!

Mother: Now, now I’m sure he didn’t mean it.

Richard: (still crying) No, you don’t know him like I do. Peter is a bad friend.

Mother: How so?

Richard: You know when the dishwasher was filled with carrots? And we couldn’t wash the dishes for months?

Mother: (looks up at the  ceiling, then nods) Oh yes, that was terrible. Thank goodness those carrots disappeared.

Richard: Yeah, well it was all Peter’s fault. He was storing his carrots in there.

Mother: Well that’s not a very good place for carrots. They could of gotten all moldy. Then poor Peter would have an awful stomach ache.

Richard: Peter doesn’t mind mold.

Mother: Where is Peter anyway?

Richard: He’s right there Momma. Don’t you hear him laughing at us?

Mother: He must have a soft voice.

Richard: All rabbits do. People think they don’t talk but they just aren’t listening.

Mother: I can understand why he broke my vase then. Poor Peter just wants to be noticed.

Richard: Um… I guess. Sure.

Mother: (kneeing down, speaking to thin air): Peter, I am awfully sorry you’ve felt neglected. It must be hard to be one of your kind. But that was my most favorite vase. They don’t make them like that anymore. I’d like an apology.

Mother stays kneeing, several moments pass.

Peter? You’ll have to speak up.

Mother stands up, enraged.

Richard! Tell your nasty friend to leave. I’ve had enough of his perpetual rudeness.

Richard: You better leave Peter.

(Peter points to his left, ushering the air to leave.)

Peter: Alright. I’m gone. What an ugly vase…looks much better broken.

End Scene

Dr. Fico Honored with RFH’s Educator of the Year Award

by Elsa Stoff

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Dr. Fico, formally known as Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School’s Student Assistance Counselor, recently won 2011 Educator of the Year.  This year’s honoree reminded us that our community functions because of the work of educators, and we can’t overlook the people that help our students and are not teachers by the conventional sense.

Dr. Fico was voted this year's Educator of the Year

Every year, students and faculty write in to nominate educators who they think do an outstanding job and are eligible for this award.   Then, a committee comprised of a variety of community members reviews the nomination letters and decides who will receive Educator of the Year.

This year’s Educator of the Year was awarded to Dr. Fico because she stays updated in her profession, connects to students on an individual level, and is successful in a variety of work throughout the community.  Many are not aware of the amazing work that Dr. Fico does in the school system.  For instance, in the past year, she ran another successful term of the Peer Leadership Program and various student discussion groups, such as Straight Edge Club.

She also accomplished the first Alcohol Awareness month efforts at RFH by asking students, parents, and community members sign pledges and getting both Rumson and Fair Haven boroughs to proclaim the month officially as Alcohol Awareness Month.  This is a huge achievement and step forward for our community.

Dr. Fico was not always an educator.  She started out in the business field and worked with City Corp, but switched her major to psychology, specifically family therapy and substance abuse.  This led her to a career as an educator.

She described her desire to be an educator as, “I always wanted to help people.”  This path led her to becoming RFH’s Student Assistance Counselor. She is extremely happy with where she is now, and this shines through in her work.   Dr. Fico reaches students through a combination of empowerment and empathy.

She stated, “It’s important to empathize with students as you empower them to reach their goals.”

Dr. Fico has a diverse and busy role in the community.  She has worked with mental health, students, attorneys, the alcohol awareness pledge, the town proclamations, and many more people within the school.  She tries to stay current in her profession by developing new programs.  Dr. Fico is an important asset to RFH, and she definitely deserves the honor of Educator of the Year.

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Not Just a Badminton Tournament

by Brooke Wheaton

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At the end of May, Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School hosted a badminton tournament that raised over $1,000 for charity.  Mrs. Fitzgerald, class advisor to the class of 2013, was in charge of the event. Along with Fitzgerald, class officers Monica De Los Reyes, Annie Gilbertson, and Amy Littleson helped participate in organizing the event.

Mrs. Fitzgerald is the Class of 2013 advisor

The proceeds went to the Cristine Meredith Miele Foundation and the Organic Farming Research Foundation. The sophomore class was in charge of raising money for these charities. The Cristine Meredith Miele foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 2010. It funds awareness, research, and prevention against breast cancer. The Organic Farming Research foundations studies and evaluates the efficacy and potential of a kaolin-based particle film coating. It promotes the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems.

The tournament consisted of sixty-two people. Individuals signed up by writing down their desired team, consisting of two players. Myles Donohue and John Edler were the sophomore badminton champions.

Moreover, Fitzgerald concluded, “It was very successful and the SGA girls were excited to help.”  It is even predicted the school will have more similar events to help charities. The event was entertaining and beneficial.

One team of fierce competitors

When schools raise money for charities it allows students to get involved in something worthwhile and meaningful. It is a productive and moral way of aiding those in need. When schools help foundations that pertain to their own specific students, everyone loves assisting the event and contributing to the cause.

However, the badminton tournament shows how RFH is unique. Numerous schools raise money and donate it to their own school related funds. Faculty and RFH students keen to help outside organizations.  RFH hosted a similar event, spearheaded by Character Education, a dodgeball tournament, to raise money for Charley’s Fund, which directs money to researchers that help find treatments for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.   The teams consist of ten people with the admission of fifteen dollars. People just watching pay five dollars.  The way RFH students are raising money for foundations are affective, which helps the school community along with people nationally dealing with the foundations.

For more information about these charities, visit: Cristine Meredith Miele Foundation, Organic Farming Research Foundation, and Charley’s Fund.

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Picture from:

http://www.psd202.org/pshs/depts/athletics/spring/badminton/badminton.jpg

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://o4.aolcdn.com

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