Table of Contents: Spring Edition 2012

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Tower Review Spring Edition 2012

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Happy reading, loyal Tower Review Fans!

I want to read the 'Tower Review,' but I can't see past my wrinkles!

Happenings:
RFH Honors Mrs. Fitzgerald as Teacher of the Year by Brooke
‘Jekyll and Hyde:’ A Spring Musical by Megan
RFH Blood Drive Saves 300 Lives by Megan
Summer Enrichment Program: A Chance to Continue Education by Davd
Bottle Cap Drive a Success for RFH Environmental Club by Devin
Dr. Seuss: A Legacy of Rhyme and Whimsy by Devin
Monmouth County SPCA Adotables by Madeline
A Westminster Dog Show Experience by Madeline

Culture at Large:
Weird NJ: Whipporwill Valley Road by Brooke
SOPA and PIPA: Acronyms Against Free Information by Alexandra
The National Cathedral: On Its Way Back to Stardom by Alexandra
Perspectives: Spring Break by Megan

Media:
Saying Good Bye to ‘One Tree Hill’ by Brooke
Titanic: The One Hundred Year Anniversary by Kaitlin
Naviance: A Site for College and Life Info by Kaitlin

Opinions:
‘The Hunger Games:’ All That It Looked to Be? by David
Van Gogh Up Close: An Exhibit Not to be Missed by Alexandra
Rumson-Fair Haven Turkeys: A Fight for Survival by Alexandra
Kitten Season is Fast Approaching by Madeline
Modern Day Fairytale: Real, or Make Believe? by Kaitlin

The Final Word:
An Open Letter to the Winter of 2011 by Megan
An Open Letter to Prom by Brooke
The Holiday Behind St. Patrick’s Day by Doug

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Picture:  http://www.animalwallpapers.us/images/wmwallpapers/Bulldog-puppies-1.jpeg

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The Tower Review 2011-2012 2nd Edition

Table of Contents

Happy reading, Readers!

 

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Culture at Large
An Introduction to New RFH Teachers by Brooke
The Theology and Social Justice Clubs: Creating Diversity at RFH by Alexandra
SATs: The Reason for Stressed Juniors by Brooke
Winter Themed Poems by Brooke
Student Submissions by Various Writers
Student Fiction: “Aquerina” by Kaitlin

Happenings
Fall Sports Recap: 2011 by Megan
PowderPuff Game at RFH: Fundraiser and Student Rivalry by Alexandra
RFH Musicians to Perform in Vienna by Alexandra
Tower Players Prepare for “Jekyll and Hyde” by Madeline
Prom is Here by Megan
Lego Lady: The Newest Edition to the Lego Family by Madeline
Fundraisers a Big Part of RFH’s Key Club by Kaitlin

Media
A Music Contribution: “How the Solar System was Won” by Andy Waldron
Preview of the Movies of 2012 by David
The Changing Tide of Communication by David
An Open Letter to Smart Phone Users by Doug

Opinions

Super Bowl Picks by Devan
A Day in Philadelphia by Alexandra
A Vampire Series…Without the Sparkle by Madeline
What’s Up with That?!  The UPs and Downs of the 2012 NFL Season by Doug
Black Friday: What’s the Big Deal?! by Madeline
Why Blame Barbie!? by Kaitlin
A Closer Look at the Marching Band by Kaitlin
Cars: Domestic and Foreign by Doug

The Final Word
Ode to 2011 by Megan
Happy Holiday Thoughts of 2011 by Megan
An Open Letter to Thanksgiving Feast by Devan
An Open Letter to Black Friday Shoppers by Brooke

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Student Contributions

Student Contributors

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Stranger

by Nicole Della Porta

Hello, I am a stranger
Please take my advice
I want to help, I truly do,
to help you live your life.
Smile just a little bit,
Keep that chin up high,
Life is too short to waste,
and soon you’re going to die.
 

Hello stranger, it’s me, myself
Stranger, it is I!
Your first mistake in reasoning,
is telling me I’ll die.
I’m breathing, thinking, speaking words,
and to me all you say is a lie.
I’m sorry, stranger, I really am
but I didn’t ask for advice.

 
My friend, why do you speak as such?
All I say is truth!
You need help desperately,
and your attitude is proof.
Live today as if it’s your last,
Go out and take a chance.
Why not love everything around yourself?
Hold pride in your current stance
Be happy, loving, care free
I’m telling you– it’s the way
Be thankful for every word I speak,
Go on and seize the day!

 
Stranger, this is quite enough,
I do not wish to do as you say.
For every moment that I am alive,
you can trust that I’m seizing away.
I cannot bring myself to act like you,
telling others how to live.
For every head that is skipped, perspectives are different,
leaving your advice in no room to give.
I understand your good intention,
it was a kind one at heart,
but stranger, it’s time I live my life,
stranger it’s time we part.

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Feast
by Melissa Cooper

In the heart of Rumson,
The corner of Bingham and Ridge,
The RFH bell tower rings,
Alerting the kids.
 
The fabulous feast has begun,
One million pounds of food,

Has put all these Bulldawgs

In a very good mood.
 
All the important people
Gather their trays
And like a herd of cattle
Make their way through the 2.50 maze.
 
Like a scene out of 1984,
This feast seems unreal,
The clank! Clank! Of trays,
Held by large boys with 10 meals.
 
And after polishing off these 10,
Excuse me- 11,
Every RFH student knows,
November brings cafeteria heaven.

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I wonder if it all is true
by Anonymous

I wonder if it all is true
If all my experiences have taught me this creation
If my dreams are worth taking time to pursue
I scramble around looking for my inspiration
Scanning the faces who to trust and that my trust is my core
Never knowing that right in front of me stands my motivation
Wondering what I should be working for
If a life is a life when moving too fast
Wondering if there’s something I’m missing, something more
Is every second a second past?
Will the clock stop for a moment I knew?
Will this moment ever last?
All my moments whether old or new
I wonder if it all is true

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Carpe Diem

by Anonymous

How do you live your life you ask?
I say treat every day like it is your last
Go in the lane that’s fast
And never look back
Although life has its ups and downs
Smile don’t frown
If it kicks you down
You get up
Live it up
Never say enough is enough
Strive to be the best person you can
To be the best man you can
The past is the past and cannot be changed
No one can be blamed
It is what it is
We all make mistakes as kids
That’s how we mature and become adults
Life’s a dance so do the waltz
Remember it’s not your fault
Live everyday like you won’t wake up tomorrow
Life is in the moment forget about tomorrow

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A Musical Contribution–”How the Solar System was Won”

“How the Solar System Was Won”  by Andy Waldron

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Click here to have a listen:  how the solar system was won (mp3)

Some information about Andy Waldron’s work:

The track’s title is a reference to Stanley Kubrick’s film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.  “How the Solar System was Won” was a working title of the film, and one of Waldron’s favorites.

Waldron made and arranged the instrumental entirely through Garageband on a Mac–the only “instrument” he used was the ‘ol computer.

Waldron began composing this piece late August in 2011 on vacation in California, and worked on it bit by bit through December, when he deemed it finished/acceptable.

For more of Waldron’s original tunes, go to his SoundCloud account at http://soundcloud.com/some_broken_noise/

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Table of Contents: 2011-2012 1st Edition

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Dear Reader,

We are kicking off another exciting year of the Tower Review, with a new staff and a new mission.  We hope that you enjoy our first edition, and that you find in it something interesting, informative, and entertaining.

Happy reading,

The 2011-2012 Tower Review Staff

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Table of Contents:

Happenings
The Tower Players Present a Winter Wonderland by Alexandra
RFH Respect Week: More Than Just a Week by Megan
Financial Literacy a New Course at RFH by Doug
Bullying Policy Upgrade at RFH by Devan
The RFH Marching Band Takes 3rd  by Kaitlin

Culture at Large
School Clubs: Are You a Part of One? by Brooke
Bulldawg Poetry by Madeline

Media
‘Real Steel:’ Not the Real Deal by David
‘Footloose:’ Not Quite the Original by Devan
Video Games: They May Not Turn Your Brain to Mush After All by Doug
Movie Remakes: Double Trouble by Devan
‘Jerseylicious:’ A Season Finale to Remember by Kaitlin
‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ is Still Alive and Kicking by Doug

Opinions
Friend or Foe-Food in the Classroom by Megan
Bangkok House: Eatontown Meets Traditional Thai Cuisine by Alexandra
Bye Bye, Books, Hello, Kindle by Madeline
‘The Lying Game’ Series by Brooke
New Fairwinds Deli is More Than Fair by Megan
Hillary Clinton: The Woman Who Should Have Been President by Alexandra
Lions and Tigers and Bears invade Zanesville, Ohio…but Why? by Madeline

Final Word
An Open Letter to the Spineless Parents in Aisle 5 by David
Ten Ways to End Writers’ Block by Madeline

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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

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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