The

Monroe FalconMonroe Township High School | 1629 Perrineville Road |Monroe Twp., New Jersey, 08831 | Vol. IX Issue 8 | June 16, 2008

The Monroe Falcon Staff salutes the 4,061 American Soldiers killed

in Iraq.

What’s Inside?Pg. 2 - Senior Prom continuedPg. 3 - Senior WeekPg. 4 - Senior PicnicPg. 5 - Staff Farewells- Editors-in-chiefPgs. 6-7 - Special Feature: Leaving for collegePg. 8-11 - Staff Farewells - EditorsPg. 12 - Teacher Send-offs

By Christine Schweitzer and Natasha Manolas

Editor/ Editor-in-Chief

Glamorous gowns and red carpet-worthy suits dazzled the streets

PROM ROYALTY: The Prom Court (from left to right) consisted of Christine Shatynski and Kyle Zablocki, Dan Palisay and Jackie Jesus, Sean Tamzoke and Kelsey Schobert, and Kyle Gigliello and Jackie Horvath waiting to hear the announcement of king and queen.

Senior Prom sweeps MTHS off its feetof Monroe Township the night of June 6. Ladies draped in dresses in an assortment of colors escorted gentlemen wearing corresponding vests and ties. Front porches became backdrops

for photo shoots of Monroe seniors and their stunning prom dates, attracting parent paparazzi. Long limos lingered in front of homes waiting to bring all attendees to the senior prom at the Excelsior in

Manalapan. Upon arriving at the Excelsior, students were greeted by dolled-up teachers and members of the administration. All were asked to vote for prom king and queen as

they signed in at the front table. After casting the ballots, guests were then invited up the stairs to the meet-and-greet area. Bars were set up in the reception

cont’d on page 2

Groundbreaking moment in history: On June 3, after the last democratic primary, Barack Obama effectively won the democratic nomination. He surpassed the necessary 2118

delegates needed to secure the democratic nomination for president at the democratic national convention in August. The contest in itself was historic as it was the first time in history that both a female and an African American male became the front runners for the presidency in a

mainstream aset record breaking campaigning expenses and debts.

Special Edition: Senior Week June 16, 2008Page 2

room at opposite corners, serving refreshing beverages of everyone’s favorite soft drinks. Candlelit tables for two were spotted throughout the area where couples could enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres. Professional photographers were set up in the back of the room, allowing couples to have their pictures taken. This setup captured the overall elegance exuded throughout the night. Around eight o’clock, doors to the main dining and dance hall opened, and students filed in ready to let the night commence. Making an attempt to convey the “One Night in Venice” theme, centerpieces of paper gondolas floated upon each table. Balloons of gold, silver, and black, the colors of the night, supplemented the centerpieces. The DJ began the music right away, posing as the unofficial “Hype Man” of the night. As students enjoyed their first course of salad, the DJ called people onto the dance floor, officially beginning the party. Indeed, it did not take long for the majority of the guests to begin to boogey. Taking a look around the jam-packed room, one could witness students “Gettin’ low,” “Pop Lock n’ Droppin,” “‘Jumpin’ around,” and maybe even “Two Steppin.” Nearly every seat in the room was empty until the DJ announced the main course was being served. Everyone came together around the tables to enjoy a palatable meal and pleasurable conversation. Penne a la vodka was served prior to the actual main course. Shortly thereafter, the Excelsior staff served the chicken and vegetarian dishes. Sides included string beans and highly-acclaimed potatoes. Senior Steve Poko commented on the food, saying, “The food is banging. This is the best potato I have ever had.” Plates were cleared and the dancing continued. Songs included “Cha Cha Slide,” “Please Don’t Stop the Music,” and “Bleeding Love.” Serena Tsang (08) talked about the songs, proclaiming, “Thriller was the best

dance of the night.” At various moments of the night, guests voted on an assortment of superlatives specific to the prom. The class officers, President Nicole Ragucci, Vice President Scott Oliva, Secretary Manisha Sashital, and Treasurer Teresa Askander, and the class advisors Ms. Quindes and Ms. Reiff were called to the center of the floor to announce the winners. Winners for the best hair category were Jackie Enriquez and Willie Alfonzo. Best dancers included Deanna Decaro and Mike Spisak, and best dressed was Christian Hanley and Jenna Mancuso. The cutest couple was Brian Taylor and Kristie Ciaston. Next, the senior prom court was announced and introduced. The couples were composed of Christine Shatynski and Kyle Zablocki, Kelsey Schobert and Sean Tamzoke, Jackie Jesus and Dan Palisay, and Jackie Horvath and Kyle Gigliello. Kelsey Schobert and Sean Tamzoke were crowned prom king and queen. The couple shared a dance to “All My Life” by KC and JoJo. Keeping the slow pace, the DJ then played “I’ll Be” as sang by Edwin McCain, opening the floor to all couples. The dessert was served shortly thereafter. The Excelsior served both chocolate and vanilla cake, alternating the flavor with each seat. “The cake was alright. I like cake. Cake is cake; you can’t mess cake up,” says senior Ryan Hussey. Guests went on to enjoy the last forty-five minutes of dancing. Students hit the floor with a tehno remix of “Sweet Caroline” as the last dance. Seniors then grabbed their champagne glass party favors and left the Excelsior with the impression of a very memorable night. Senior Ashley Palach concluded the night saying, “It was a really nice place for the senior class to spend its last moments together. It was everything I hoped it would be.”

Senior Prom cont’d from front page

HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS: Kelsey Schobert and Sean Tamzoke are crowned Prom Queen and King at the 2008 Senior Prom. Kelsey and Sean were also chosen as the high school’s “Lost in love,” and were also this years Homecoming King and Queen.

Editors-in-Chief:Kaivan Sattar : Natasha Manolas : Matt Steele

Executive Editors:Brittany Horowitz : Ryan Hussey:

Alejandro Sosa: Bill Domke

Editors

Features:Special: Rebecca ClaytonNews: Katelynn Rusnock

In-Depth: Executive Editors

The Monroe Falcon StaffSports:

Scott Oliva

Opinions / Editorials:Sean O’Connor

School News:Sydney Normil

Humor:Ryan Hussey

Entertainment:Christine Schweitzer

Photo:Ellie LoBello

Design:Kevin Quidor

Business Editors:Crystal CorderoKim Huggins

Jimmy Nemeth

Advisor: Sandy Appel-Bubnowski

sbubnows@monroe.k12.nj.us

Editorial Policy

The Monroe Falcon is a school newspaper dedicated to accurate,

ethical, and responsible journalism. Letters to the editor are encouraged and should be e-mailed to the editor

in-chief at KSATTAR@ACADEMIC.MONROE.K12.NJ.US. All letter are

subject to editorial review prior to publication.

Winners of the Columbia

Scholastic Press Association 2007 Bronze Medalist Certificate

Special Edition: Senior Week June 16, 2008 Page 3

By Natasha ManolasEditor-in-Chief

Photos and Captions By Elena LoBello

Photo Editor

The seniors of Monroe Township High School ‘scrambled over’ to the Crowne Plaza with enthusiasm on Friday, June 6 for the annual senior brunch. Students and chaperones boarded their assigned buses and departed from the school at approximately 9:30 AM. Upon arrival, everyone rushed into the designated room to assemble a table with his or her friends. The room consisted of a plethora of decorated round tables with two long buffet tables set up at each end. The appetizing food options were set up across the long tables. Tables were called up number-by-number to one of the two buffet setups. Scrambled eggs, pancakes, and french toast were all among the foods served. A plethora of bacon,

Senior brunch whets the appetites of MTHS Seniors

By Kaivan SattarEditor-in-Chief

Community benefactors, parents, students, and educators gathered at the Marasco Auditorium on May 29 to honor Monroe’s seniors with scholarships at the Senior Awards night. After class president Nicole Ragucci led the pledge of allegiance and introduced senior chorus members for a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” District Supervisor of Guidance Michele Critelli, Superintendent Dr. Ralph Ferrie, and Board of Education President Amy Antellis started the night with opening addresses to the students, congratulating them for being distinguished in a variety of fields. Award presenters seated themselves as they waited for their turn to walk to the front of the stage and shake hands with recipients—most students were nominated by private organizations for the awards they won, while others went through an application process and competed against others. Community organizations were the primary donors of awards to Monroe students. These groups gave awards for service and leadership, as well as achievement in the arts, world language, social studies, mathematics, science, and language arts, while other scholarships stipulated specific requirements. Monroe Township High School itself also awarded scholarships to students in these areas as well as for character qualities.

By Sydney NormilEditor

After celebrating prom weekend in various locations such as Wildwood, Long Beach Island, and Seaside, thirty two students returned to enjoy a dinner at the Cambridge Inn in Spotswood. Greeted by music teachers, Mr. Griffin, Mrs. Robinovitz, Ms. Alagna, and Ms. DiSalvio, students prepared for an extremely musically-orientated evening.

Senior Awards 2008

MTHS Music Dinner

REMAIN A LEGEND: Senior Ryan Walp’s #13 basketball jersey was retired at the 2008 Senior Awards. Recognized for his strength and courage, Ryan Walp accepted his jersey from Monroe Township Hoops Association member Joe Costa, and was overwhelmed in the best way possible by the roaring sound of applause and a standing ovation from everyone in the room as he made his way through the aisles.

Often, candidates for a scholarship must be accomplished in several disciplines and intend to pursue a particular career. For example, awards from police associations were given to students seeking careers in criminal justice, and premed hopefuls received recognition and monetary awards from medical associations and private practices. Says Lov Patel, winner of the Academic Achievement award from the Rossmoor Women’s Guild, “I am honored to have received this prestigious award. I didn’t even know I was in the running for it! I was pleasantly surprised.” “I’m grateful for all the scholarships I won, especially the theatre and music ones, because they give me reason to believe I’m good enough to succeed in the entertainment business, as well as some money to make the training I need a reality,” says senior Katherine Widmer. “I’m glad to be Italian,” laughs Joseph Caccio, winner of three Italian-American heritage scholarships. “I’m glad for the extra money, though. It’ll help me out in college.” In addition to awards given by the community, twenty one students received the Distinguished Scholar Award (Edward J. Bloustein) from the State of New Jersey, which is a $4,000 scholarship to a state school. Approximately $91,000 in scholarships was awarded to senior students at Monroe Township.

Accomplishment, achievement, and courage rewarded at the annual senior awards ceremony

After helping themselves at the buffet, students received a blue marble plaque stating their activities in the music department. While enjoying the dessert, members from concert choir performed a skit highlighting their experiences over the past four years. Finally, on behalf of other musical groups, Katie Kranz and Ashley Bonilla presented Mrs. “G” and Ms. Alagna with hand drawn caricatures created by members of the groups.

CHECK OUT THE TONICS: Seth Newton, Matt Raunick, Andrew Allen, and Anthony Leontiev excite the audience with a quick routine during the choir skit, led primarirly by seniors Jackie Spoleti and Katy Widmer.

Photo/ Katie Lepri

sausage, and bagels supplemented students’ plates as side favorites. Coffee, tea, and an assortment of juices, including apple juice and cranberry juice, were provided as well. The Crowne Plaza staff graciously served all the students as they walked across the long buffet. Mr. Murphy, a social studies teacher who was among the staff attendees, enthusiastically commented on the food, saying, “The food was great!” As students ate, a photo slideshow and accompanying music played in the background. Students watched in utter amazement as pictures of themselves and their friends flashed across the big screen. Giggles and chuckles were constantly heard among those seated, as the pictures brought back memories of everyone’s days at MTHS. Senior Ryan Fernando enjoyed the photo slideshow, saying, “The slideshow was sweet. It brought back some crazy memories. We were all cracking up at each other as the pictures kept flowing.”

After brunch, Mr. Hladek aided the TV production class in presenting a video yearbook. The video showed clips from sports games, drama productions, art displays, and musical shows. Pivotal moments in MTHS sports were relived as the clips were played. Students literally cheered athletes on as the video ran. The drama productions and music shows also stirred up a large response from those watching; students enjoyed seeing their peers on the stage for one last time. After the video was finished, Mr. Hladek passed around order forms for those interested in purchasing the video yearbook. Many students took no hesitation in filling out the order form and DID I HEAR “BUFFET”?: The seniors enjoy a wide variety of food at the brunch.

reserving a copy. Students alike agreed that the brunch served as a great time to reminisce about high school. Senior Teresa Askander enjoyed herself, saying, “The brunch was really a lot of fun. It was great for students to have the opporunity to sit with their friends and celebrate different aspects of their senior year.” Teachers also enjoyed their time with everyone at the brunch. The event gave them an opportunity to chat with some of their

most unforgettable students throughout the years. Mr. Murphy continued with his thoughts on the brunch, commenting, “It was really great spending time with the students.” At around 11:15 AM, students boarded the buses once again and were transported back to MTHS to be released on a half day schedule. Seniors hopped excitedly to their cars and ran home to begin their many preparations for the senior prom at the Excelsior that evening.

Special Edition: Senior PicnicPage 4 June 16, 2008

By Ryan HusseyExecutive Editor

“Splash!” sounded the water as Mr. Goodall jumped into the refreshing pool. The picnic at Frogbridge Day Camp for this year’s graduating class was a huge success, mainly because everyone just let loose and had a great time. Among the activities available at Frogbridge were basketball, football, volleyball, swimming, miniature golf, paddle boating, kayaking, eating, and good ol’ fashioned sitting around. Many MTHS seniors were defeated by the sun; however, some did actually manage to salvage some tan out of the day. Speaking of which, Tuesday the tenth hit a high of ninety five degrees and was practically the perfect day for a picnic.

Senior picnic rocks seniors’ socks

ALL SMILES: (above) Sydney Normil hangs by the poolside of the shallow end of the pool hoping to tan.

BOYS DAY OUT: (top right) A group of senior guys organize a game of volleyball on the hot sand. Most of them are more than eager to show off their “beach bods.”

I’M MELTING: (right) Some seniors get tired of the sun and decide to take a break in the shade to drink some much-needed water.

HIYA!: (far right) Matt DeSimone shows off his karate skills during a break in the action of a hardcore volleyball game.

SO CRISPY: (below right) Several seniors decide to use the picnic time to absorb some radiation and darken their skins.

I GOT IT!: (below far right) Billy Domke fights off a spike in professional fashion as teammates Bryan Blank, Ryan Hussey, and Chris Bryan watch in amazement,

SPLASH: (below) A group of seniors watch and laugh as someone obviously got a little too close to the edge of the pool.

SHOOTING THE BREEZE: (bottom) Bianca Modzelewski and Agnes Kumor take a rest from paddling and decide to shoot the breeze in the calm lake.

Last Words: Editors-in-Chief Page 5June 16, 2008

By Kaivan SattarEditor-in-Chief

My high school career has been littered with mistakes, failures—brief victories—and more mistakes. I came to Monroe a dedicated and accomplished student and left as a disillusioned and depleted one. I have learned many things in my sojourn here, and some of them are even academic! The first thing I learned, which sharply contrasts with the sarcasm of the previous sentence, is that every student (and person, for that matter) is responsible for his own success. It is sad to hear again and again the frustrated cries of, “My teacher hates me!” I am content to patiently wait for the day that these not-so-savants realize that perhaps not every teacher in the world desires to crush the hopes of budding adolescents. Secondly, I attempted, with meager amounts of skill but incredible levels of success, to juggle a rigorous academic schedule, night class at Middlesex, track, and multiple part-time jobs in addition to social and romantic lives. When I say I have succeeded in this respect, I mean that I have found the perfect manic mix of weightlifting at 3 A.M. and 6-hour energy shots to numb and get me through any situation (it is 2:25 A.M. on a Tuesday morning and I still have to do three more sets of weighted crunches after I write this). I learned that even terrible things can be done expertly when they are done with confidence. The clique, activities, and lifestyle with which a person aligns himself in high school are utterly unimportant; the success he enjoys will correlate directly to his self-confidence. Inborn talent matters to

By Natasha ManolasEditor-in-Chief

Never in my life have I found myself lacking inspiration when it comes to writing. As I look back on these last four years and sit before my computer, contemplating how I will transform my thoughts into words, for the first time in my life, I draw a literary blank. I realize that something c o m m e m o r a t i n g such a significant end takes time to perceive and express. Then, all of a sudden, I discover the essence of my problem. I am trying to commemorate the wrong event; this is not the end, but rather the beginning, and suddenly I am inspired.

The power of inspiration surpasses all other glories in life. This sense of purpose and motivation sends a person soaring—in my case, soaring through my thoughts, but, most importantly, soaring

through life. Inspiration allows me to see my past, my present, and my future, all the while pushing me forward in the direction I want to go now.

To the members of the Class of 2008, this is our now. This time in our lives is ours

a point, but not more than a strong sense of self-efficacy. My advice to the next wave of sterling students is to lighten up, put your SAT books away, and get detention. You heard me. Do something that merits s h a m e f a c e d l y being called down to the office in the middle of class. It will bring you down a peg, oh o v e r a c h i e v e r s , and give you a perspective on life outside of textbooks and report cards. My advice to detention inmates is to shape up and get the hell out of there—what are you doing?! In a few years, when you face the real world, nobody will gaze at you admiringly and think you tough and rebellious as you walk out of class. You will just be making a mockery of yourself. My experiences with the Falcon have varied

Disgruntled youth waves sad goodbye to MTHS

A tribute to our peers, our teachers, and the rest of our lives

over the years. The one constant, though, has been Mrs. Appel staying with us for hours after school and on Saturdays, motivating us to lay out the newspaper by ordering D&T’s

pizza and yelling at Alex for forgetting the

plates. In all seriousness, I recommend to all three of my readers, with all the experience of my seventeen years of wisdom, to not waste

time with things that do not matter. And when you have to do something you do not like, you should instead draw pictures in your calculus notebook that prompt your professor to ask if you can find your way to the drug testing center. Really, though, do the things that interest you. The last thing you want is to get stuck in a 9-5 job that you despise; this can be avoided by finding your passion early, translating it into a career, and pursuing whatever makes you happy—unless that something is illegal and/or very expensive. Use high school to experiment in your social, academic, and extracurricular lives. More importantly than anything else, lay the foundations for whatever it is you plan to do after these four short years, be it a one-man circus act or an internship as a fish caretaker for NASA. And with that, my

peregrines, I depart.

and only ours for the taking. The biggest question now is: where will we take it?

Robert Frost, a great American poet, once said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and

I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made the difference.” I, like Frost, say to take the road which will inspire you to reach the finish line, to achieve a goal, and to make a distinction.

As the quickness of these four years has illustrated, life is short and you only live once. Life has the potential to pass you by. My advice to you: don’t let it.

I hope that your high school career, like mine, was full of ups and downs, of twists and turns, and of smiles and tears. I hope you have had the chance to both celebrate and regret. I wish this upon you for the reason that I now hope you can take your high school experience and learn from your mistakes. Consider MTHS a dress rehearsal for a one-and-only opening night that is literally right around the corner.

And, once you move on to the next part of your life, live, laugh, explore, dream, and discover. Discover yourself and what it means to be you because graduation is truly only the very beginning.

To our peers: thanks for being there for us. Thanks for walking in our shoes, feeling both our joys and our sorrows.

To our parents, guardians, and relatives: thanks for supporting us, believing in us, and pushing us to limits even we didn’t

think were possible. To our teachers: thanks for inspiring us. To

you, we owe our greatest debt. You helped us gain the ability to think. You gave us the most useful gift: the key to our minds. We dedicate our higher education to you and to the eternal roots that you yourselves planted. You have made a difference, and we have seen it.

As I say goodbye to my school, my peers, my teachers, and even the Falcon, I am only saying hello to a new level of experience. The only thing I am truly leaving is my comfort zone. I will forever carry everything else with me, using the positives I have experienced for a smile when I crave it and the negatives I have undergone as a learning experience when I need it.

The difference between childhood and adulthood has nothing to do with age or size or even education. The difference is merely in the person’s state of mind. The time has come for us to take that scholarly leap across the bridge of life.

Some of us have already almost reached the other end of that bridge, while others are just taking off. Some are striding boldly across the planks, while others are shivering timidly from fear of the unknown. On graduation day, I say we all meet in the middle, and unite one last time… to cross… the bridge… together.

And, yes, when we reach the end, it will be the end. But, that one end will only signify the start of a new beginning.

Work hard to make every end an amazing new beginning. Work to guarantee your happiness. Inspire others, but most importantly, inspire yourself. Make the beginning worth starting from, the end worth reaching, and the middle worth journeying.

Making the journey worth it

Several tears shed, but wiped quickly, witnesses and onlookers report

Page 7Page 6 June 16, 2008

Taking the next step: seniors leave the Falcons’ nest

Outside the U.S.SpainSaint Louis UniversityBrandon Kenney

PolandUniversity of KrakowPeter Najiec

Puerto RicoUniversity of Puerto RicoJavier Pagan

New Jersey:Ocean County College, Toms River Mandy Tarantino Tyler WilliamsBurlington County College, Burlington Eileen RubinoRider University, Lawrenceville Tyler BrenmanJenifer SuchanJamkie NeuesKoby Wilden

Kristen CollinsBrookdale Community College, LincroftAnthony RestivoCourtney LaterraDhara DeakMatt Raunick Kapil VyasAdina SaftaMegan ThorneChris HandAndrew PileckiJackie EnriquezJenna MancusoNatalia Zultanky

Matt Wasek Jamie LabettiMatthew SaievaRyan MorrisJane DynowBianca NugentAlicia HymanScott BaronJim DennisSeton Hall University, South Orange Brian Taylor Heather RyanZach TadyKean University

Monika KupczakWillie AlfonsoJustin BarretJake NaleKyle GiglielloChris FaughnanEd JunquetDaniel SantallaDrew MulleryThe College of New JerseyNatasha ManolasTeresa Askander Alyssa TheinertChris BryanChristine Shatynski

Rowan UniversityRyan HusseyFrank OlexsonJenna CoopermanMark MagliaroRutgers University, NewarkMonica Rae PolickBobby SandhuRyan Clark Rutgers University, New BrunswickElena LoBelloUpasana NatarajanKelsey WanasVirginia Pastor

Jaclyn SpoletiKyle ZablockiPaul GrilloChris SnowAndrew KimNicole HeylJash VakilJohn BakerErika GulickNick TanziMatt DeSimoneAli AbidDanielle MendesJaclyn Hartman Kelly Cavanaugh Kristin Kasubinski

Amanda GallearSmeet BhimaniJonathon ChiuMatt SepeSerena TsangAmeer AliTori BartleyRyan DeitcheLeeAnne DeFazioBrendan HodelBecky Piester Farheen AjmeriRicky PatelKevin WohltmanEdgar WongPragnesh R. Patel

Matt SteeleRutgers University, CamdenMesum NakviMiddlesex County College, EdisonHeena KaziKaitlin JordanSean TamzokeLevent AkkayaRobert SardoneHenry RozmusJoe StancoCory WidomMarlene GrischukJessenia Carpio

Kristina GoffAmanda OestreicherJessica FischerMatt RestineSteve SawkaSean O’NeillJohn BurroughsShenaé MelvilleDiana MalchionnaFaizan KhanPaul ClawgesStephanie SalvadorCurtis WilchekRyan WordenMichael Nacanther Colin Riedel

Eugene Simmons Chen ZhangDanielle BollLyndee SperanzaJamie HimmelreichDevon HymanRachel Bodine Matt McNoltyKristen SanchezAdele UrbanoviczDeanna PerchianoThályta L.S. MarquesDavid ModzelewskiMarilyn VarelaErika StampoulosJesse Murphy

Fairleigh Dickinson University, MadisonElaine NeftelbergWilliam Paterson University, WayneKelsey SchobertDeanna LoMonacoMercer County College, West WindsorBrett MillerKevin MurthaJoshua BasizerDeVry University, North Brunswick

Karla VelazquezKevin AttidoreCrystal BrinsonMontclair State University, Montclair Linzy ReidCourtney MassanoSammi SkurkaAshley SenatoreNew Jersey Institute of Technology, NewarkAjooni KaurPaul Han

By Natasha ManolasGraphics by Matt Steele

Editors-in-Chief

The Class of 2008 will soon say good-bye to the halls of Monroe Township High School. In return, students will greet over sixty-eight different campuses around the world this fall as college freshman. The Monroe Falcon polled over 200 MTHS seniors and has received the results displayed on and around the map on this page. Of those polled, one hundred and forty-eight students will remain in New Jersey, keeping the Garden State close to heart. Thirty-eight students will venture to New York or Pennsylvania, remaining in the tri-state area. One student, Erica Gullo, will attend school in Maryland, while four others will study in Washington D.C.. Another four students will go to the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. Three students will open their books at two schools in West Virginia, and three students will attend Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Six students will study in Virginia, and one student, John Gasko, will attend Nascar Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina. Nahhee Sung and Dawn Tarabocchia will study in Connecticut. One senior, Preethi Kasireddy, will attend school in California at the University of Southern California, and another student, Mike Spisak, will study at the Universal Technical Institute in Orlando, Florida. Rebecca Schork and Rinku Patel will venture to South Carolina and Massachusetts, respectively. Three students will travel out of the country for their higher learning. Javier Pagan will attend the University of Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico. Brandon Kenney will study in Madrid, Spain at Saint Louis University, and Peter Najiec will attend the University of Krakow in Krakow, Poland. Robert J. Kibbee once said, “The quality of a university is measured more by the kind of student it turns out than the kind it takes in.” The students of MTHS are sure to make a mark on the school they chose to attend. And, even more importantly, each and every school will make MTHS alumni educated and experienced individuals. After all, college is the step between childhood and the rest of one’s life.

“I’m really sad to be leaving everyone, and I’m worried I won’t be able to see my friends again, but I hope we are all able to stay in touch.” -Christine Shatynski

“I can’t wait for college football.” -Matt Nawracaj

“I think it’s gonna be the best four years of my life.” -Ashley Senatore

“I’m gonna miss my friends. I don’t even wanna go to college.” -Travis Gregg

“I’m really excited to meet new people and learn new things.” -Erika Gulick

“I’m excited to go to college and meet new people, but I’m going to miss Monroe.” -Nicole Ragucci

“College is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” -Jason Tady

How do seniors feel about going to college?

Last Words: Executive EditorsPage 8 June 16, 2008

By Alejandro SosaExecutive Editor

When I first began working in journalism, I remember the early months as a tumultuous time. However, as my fellow journalists and I evolved and our work became more sophisticated, we began to work closely with the senior staff members. At the end of our first year, we had become close friends, and as I read their senior farewells, I wondered what mine would read like. Of course, as I sit here writing my senior farewell, I find myself speechless.

Oh well, here goes nothing.

E r n e s t Hemingway once wrote a story about a man who was injured on a hunt. The man has no means to treat the wounds; his leg begins to rot and d e a t h approaches.

In the last m o m e n t s of his life, a rescue helicopter picks him up and rushes him to the hospital. As the helicopter flies, the man looks outside the window. The last image he sees is of white capped mountains glistening in the sunlight and he thinks, “That is where I was going.”

This story has always struck a chord with me. It embodies the nature of humanity regarding the abrupt end of a journey. We inundate ourselves in the minutiae

of everyday life and forget that our time is extremely limited.

I know that has been my mentality for the past four years here at MTHS. I always put off commitments or procrastinated. I had set many goals for myself that were impossible for me to fulfill without dedication. Yet, I cannot say that I regret any of my decisions.

Despite my severe slacking, which any of my teachers can attest to, I wound up in the top 20% of the class, which is not necessarily anything to brag about, but with a 2020 on the SAT, I rank as a fairly decent student.

All of my d i s t r a c t i o n s have led me to a multitude of social e x p e r i e n c e s which have taught me i m p o r t a n t lessons that I will carry into college with me.

Hubris has led to the downfall of many great people and civilizations. It is important to stay grounded and remember that no matter how much

potential you have to be great, right now you are limited to the effort that you put into any specific area.

Remember to respect and appreciate your friends every day, because constant cynicism will strain even the best of relationships.

If nothing else, high school has calmed me and focused my energy. When I came in freshman year, I had a voracious appetite. I wanted to learn everything and break every

record. But by the time finals came around, I realized that breaking even a single record would take dedication that would have to endure over summer, time that I was not willing to sacrifice.

Entering sophomore year, my thirst for knowledge was limited to a few classes- English, Science/Chemistry, History, and Journalism. My desire for math had all but died and I regarded it as little more than a necessity to graduate.

Junior year left me exhausted; juggling work, community service, friends, sports, and school was a struggle. But I must say that community service is extremely important. While it may be necessary to gain entrance to certain honor societies, it also is extremely rewarding. You will meet people who can help you out later on in life, especially when it comes time for college applications. It is much better to devote yourself to a few key areas in life than to overextend yourself and try to do everything.

By the time senior year came along, I felt ready to leave. I still feel ready to leave and am actually anticipating the new beginning of college much more than I am excited for the end of high school.

However, in my tenure at MTHS, I must say that the most informative classes I have had were honors English sophomore

By Brittany HorowitzExecutive Editor

I can still remember my first day of high school. Before my new adventure began at MTHS countless people made the same comment to me, “These four years will go by quickly!” I hated that. I did not need anyone to tell me that the next four years of my academic career would fly by because I did not believe it. To my astonishment, all of those people were right, and I hate it even more. Do not get me wrong, I am not bitter for being proved wrong, rather I am saddened by the fact that my time as a high school student is coming to an end. The last four years of walking through the halls of MTHS can be described as surreal. I walked into the high school freshman year as a shy teenager, but in June, I will be exiting as a strong and educated individual who is prepared

to take on the world. My experience of growing up strongly relates to the process of painting a picture.

The canvas of my life was clean and u n t o u c h e d f r e s h m a n year. I had not been tainted by the harsh r e a l i t i e s of life yet and my life story was still being thought out in my mind. My painting pallet began to build through my g r o w i n g involvement in school a c t i v i t i e s . Dab some red paint for peer leadership, a tiny smudge of blue for field hockey, a whole tube

of green for the newspaper… let’s just say my pallet would include every color in the universe. And of course, as a true MTHS lover, there would be plenty of purple and gold. Rips in the canvas would represent those tough assignments I thought I would never complete. There would be plenty of tears soaked into the cloth to symbolize the rough times that made me stronger. And of course, there would also be stains of paint in the most awkward places to display how imperfect life can be. I love those stains, for they are the imperfections that have made me who I am today. As the globs of paint and designs begin to build on the canvas, an image formulates. The image is not decipherable yet, for there are many additions that still need to be made. Layers and layers of paint build upon one another to symbolize the thick skin I have gained from my time at MTHS. Who knew those red pen marks on my essays and corrections on my math test could help build the painting of my life? I would add some sparkle to show that I have truly shined throughout my four years.

I would also add some ribbon, because I needed a lot to hold myself together during the tough times. Pages of my favorite novels and quotes by my favorite authors would create a border on the edges of the canvas, for I have been shaped by their intelligence. By this time my painting will look like a four-year-old’s art project, but who cares? I have learned that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, and to me, my painting is a Picasso or a Rothko no matter what any art critic says. The finishing touches of gloss would be added and voilà! It is complete. So, what image has my four years created on my once untainted canvas? I cannot tell you. Sorry. It is a mystery to me as well because my story is not really complete. I have another adventure to begin in September. I can tell you one thing though: my suitcase for college will most definitely include a paint brush and a brand new pallet.

Painting a picture of high school

Insert witty pun/alliteration hereyear, AP U.S. History from sophomore to junior year, AP English and Composition, journalism, and AP Literature.

Nothing will improve your writing skills more than Mrs. Stout tearing apart your essays. Whenever I feel tempted to

experiment a little grammatically, my mind jumps back to, “It is painfully obvious that you are unaware of the proper usage of a semi-colon,” and I laugh a little inside. Taking all of those classes will inundate you

with so many essays that you will be able to churn out quality essays in ten minutes come the SAT or AP exams.

Well, that is about all that I can think of, and I am sure that the majority of you reading will disregard this anyway. But I would like to take my last paragraph ever written in journalism to thank Ms. Appel for bearing with us and allowing us a tremendous amount of discretion in running our paper. At the end of my time here at MTHS, I am extremely proud to have been involved in the Monroe Falcon and to have contributed over fifty articles. Peace, I am OUT!

“Remember to respect and appreciate your friends

every day because constant cynicism will strain even the

best of relationships.”

Making the most of your canvas

Executive Editor quits, subheadline not available for print

Last Words: Editors Page 9 June 16, 2008

By Ellie LoBelloPhoto Editor

I entered high school ready. I was prepared. I was under the foolish impression that John Hughes, the brilliant mind behind those classic 80’s teen movies, was the ultimate guide to high school. But he was not, and it did not take me long to discover that high school is more than just Saturday detentions and awesome days off. The typical high school teen movie usually focuses around unrequited crushes and, of course, that pivotal moment- prom. However, life at Monroe Township High School prepared me for the real world, not a world where no matter how weird I was, everyone would miraculously vote for me as prom queen at the end. I feel like I’ve spent half of my time in this school peering through a lens. I’ve seen the people who seem to come straight off a movie set, bringing to life characters who have not been seen since Dazed and Confused and The Breakfast Club. I have seen the people who would drop everything to help someone who has dropped his or her books and the people who would simply walk on by. I have often wondered why our pitiful pep rallies are not more like the ones on screen, but then I laugh and realize that I will always appreciate our dead-silent section of the school gym. It never stopped me from wondering, though, if perhaps all we needed was a little “Monroe High School Football Rules!” to pep up the class of 2008….

I often find myself trying to parallel my life to movies ranging from Rebel Without a Cause to Clueless. I have come to realize there is no established way high school is supposed to go. Which relationships are good relationships? Which friends are the ones who will stick by me through thick and thin? Maybe I have not found my Jake Ryan, but have I found my Duckie (or Duckies)? I have realized the road to high school happiness is not about popularity or how many dates you have been on in the past month. Hollywood lied. They taught us wrong. No, happiness in high school is just feeling content with your life. For me, it was enjoying the time in my own little Brat Pack (sadly, there was no Andrew McCarthy). It was striving to keep a good relationship with my parents, even if it felt like they were tearing me apart. I do not leave this school pretending there were not tough times, because there were. My school experience was plagued by blackouts, drills, deaths, and tears. Yet, I leave with nothing but appreciation. I have learned more about myself than I could have by simply watching Boy Meets World marathons on ABC

High school life- not just another teen movie

Family. I am not just ready for the future- I am embracing it. I know there is no way I, or any of us, can fail if we just hold onto those who have inspired us to come this far, and I

hope you, my fellow graduates, are leaving with the same expectations that I am. The only thing left to wonder is if my Mr. Feeney will follow me to Rutgers, too.

Episode 180 - My Senior MemoirBy Bill Domke

Editor

Not many people will admit it now, or in the distant future, but high school is a pretty nice time. You come in as a freshman (for the most part) utterly inexperienced, physically and mentally inadequate, and leave… well… you are definitely experienced before you leave. H o w e v e r , this is not saying that people do not grow into s o m e t h i n g better by the time they don the purple or yellow gown, because they definitely do. I came in as a freshman w h o s e r i o u s l y hated almost e v e r y o n e outside of my i m m e d i a t e group of f r i e n d s ( t o g e t h e r since first g r a d e ) . E v e r y b o d y else was stupid and did not think the right way, and there was nothing that could be done to help this. I believe the most common phrase I repeated to myself was, “just four years of this dump and then you are outta here.” My glass was

not half empty; I drank it all sometime when I was twelve. I faked almost everything. I pretended to be interested in sports that I honestly could care less about, and played video games almost all the time. But I prided myself on this. “High school would not change me,” I vowed. And freshman year, it really did not. What I probably did not know was that

high school is as much of a synonym for “change” as Tupac is dead, and that I was bound to change at least a little. Naturally, people will never stay put with a particular crowd, and I found myself and my friends doing this sophomore year. Knowing different people was nice and was a good change of pace o c c a s i o n a l l y . Still, it was always comforting to know that I still had that same crowd of friends on which to fall back. Sophomore year also changed me in some other

aspects. I started exercising and paying more attention to music. I found my niches- the activities that would define me for the rest of the four years that were starting to

seem less like a sentence and more like a genuine experience. By the end of junior year, I had rooted. I barely remembered my freshman year’s loathing and pessimism. I was far too preoccupied with the decent amount of friends I had made within the past two years. What happened to my original group of friends? We were still together. We still had each other. However, now we had other friends to see now and again, just in case we got tired of having the same old pizzas and playing the same old Goldeneye, SOCOM, and basketball games with each other. Looking back, it was rewarding to put myself out there. It is because of the little problems in my group (that we will not delve into now) that I was able to realize the importance of true friends. A group traveling through the high school years is bound to encounter rocky paths, boy/girl troubles, and even other problems- yet, each and every single time, we were able to fall back on each other. With that, here comes my first piece of advice to the typical high school student. Put yourself out there. Socialize and meet new people. But at the end of the day, realize who the truer friends are. You may not realize it yet, but you will only come across a precious few real friends in your lifetime. I believe the popularly dubbed term goes something like, “bros before (something that cannot go into the newspaper).” …Now that that little heart to heart is over, back to reality. Looking back from senior year, so many things have changed. There is not even space for juniors to park anymore (yes, they once were allowed to). The football team is actually good now (we had one win the entire season in my freshman year), and I (just barely) can still remember a time when school ID’s were given out just as a novelty and students would either put them in their wallets or throw them out.

I changed a lot too, I guess. I grew my hair out, gained a couple inches, and even know how to make small talk with absolute strangers. Truly, it must be these things that show I have matured somewhat. Other people are different. Some people change in ways you would never expect. If you told me at the start of freshman year that certain people would have relationship issues, and that others would do certain things (not to be vague or anything), I probably would have laughed in your face. Was not Britney Spears popular when my class came in? Was not Bon Jovi on Now That’s What I Call Music 11?! The world is always changing into something new. Every aspect changes. That was my senior quote, and I will stick to it. That, or never eat raspberries. The thing is, it is a person’s ability to adapt to these changes that makes them truly great. What does it matter if that person dumped you, even if it was on your birthday? Odds are, you are not going to remember much in five years, anyway. People move on, and that is just the way it is. Minimally speaking, high school is like the best metal rock show of the year. You will undoubtedly get pushed around by moshers. There will be a couple members of the opposite sex there that will pique your curiosity. You will be tired as (now really, I cannot say that) when it is over. But trust me, in a few years you will look back and tell yourself, “Wow. I almost died, but that was still one hell of a ride.” People who had fun experiences in high school might agree with this right away. People with somewhat less stimulating high school experiences may find it slightly hard to accept this. But from the looks of things, life only gets tougher from here on out. So why not just sit back, relax, and enjoy the metal for a while? At least until they cut the mics.

Photo editor bids farewell

Last Words: EditorsPage 10 June 16, 2008

By Sydney NormilEditor

The essence of what makes the world such a beautiful place is the differences that lie within every individual. As seniors at Monroe T o w n s h i p High School, we have all c o n t r i b u t e d the last four years and ourselves to c o n s t r u c t a beautiful mosaic that represents the g r a d u a t i n g class of 2008. Every page must turn in the book of life, and every new chapter must begin at the conclusion of the previous one. The end of our high school e x p e r i e n c e is drawing near, and we are about to embark on another journey in our lives. We are given a fresh start and the opportunity to evaluate exactly who we are and what we hope to be. High school is composed of the good and bad aspects of life. The break ups, fights, and detentions could never amount to the proms, parties,

By Scott OlivaEditor

So this is my first column and my last words in the Monroe Falcon. After four years, some of my questions have been answered, but many more questions have come up. However, my experience has played out like those of a lot of my class of ‘08 peers. Some of us decided to focus on schoolwork, some dedicated most of their school year to athletics, and a few just went through the motions and were faces in the crowd. These choices we made were not wrong, but only impacted our d e v e l o p m e n t into adulthood. Our childhood ends and the early stages of maturity begin in college. It is the beginning of a whole new life, but our foundation was built in the high school years. High school is nothing like the drama, violence and lies depicted in the “OC.”

Greatness is within our grasp

Don’t trip onyour way out

picnics, and football games. We are now being given the chance to determine our future. Every step taken will hopefully bring you where you desire to be, just as every event in the past has led you this far.

We are now able to shine our lights as brightly as possible and to display to the world that lies within us. Our dreams are on the verge of b e c o m i n g reality, and we are on brink of b e c o m i n g h i s t o r y . We are our biggest obstacles , and we m u s t remember to never l i m i t ourselves . We cannot just sit and

wallow here, but we must go out there and make things happen. Someone is going to become that world-renowned doctor and another will be the star of a Broadway hit. One of us will be a NBA player and another will host her own TV show. The possibilities are endless, but they are all

determined by us. We must have faith in who we are and from where we come. MTHS has prepared us to venture out into the “real world.” We are equipped with the necessary academic, communication, and relationship skills. Many doubt our generation and question what went wrong, but just by walking down the aisle on June 24, we have proven so many wrong. We are role models to future generations, and we are examples that will be referred to in the future. We must not let time pass us by, but instead make use of every opportunity presented. Henry Thoreau once said, “Only the day dawns to which we are awake.” We must take risks and not be afraid to follow our hearts. We must not be driven astray or detoured from our path of success. And we must remember that success is not always measured in wealth. It is the heart that truly counts, and good character can lead one very far.

We can not forget the memories that we shared within these walls. The hall decorations and locker gatherings must all resonate within us forever. Purple and gold are not merely colors but a message to others. Purple represents royalty, and gold represents genuinity. We represent Monroe Township, and we should do it with pride and dignity. We must be free to reflect but not so indulged in the memories that we fail to live our own lives. On graduation day, the mosaic will shatter, and we will be free. Our class has an enormous amount of potential built within us that is dying to be released. We are often questioned as to whether we are ready for the “real world,” but the better question is, is the real world ready for us? I wish the graduating senior class best wishes on all their endeavors and await the day that we reunite once again. If you follow your heart, you will end up where you need to be. Be safe, be true, be you!

Young teenagers branch out and go through changes. Freshmen look for cliques and “bf4l’s” to spend the next four years with. There are stupid fights due to immaturity and people acting tough to fit in, but all things considered, high school is merely a small scale version of the lives we eventually live. High school is the first time most people begin to have mature friendships and relationships. Parents loosen their grip

on the reins and u p p e r c l a s s m e n start to find out about themselves. We decide what we like and find others to share new interests. We think we are ready for the real world. When juniors start to think about college and the endless possibilities that come with the freedom, they are excited and want to get out of high school as soon as possible. However, as a senior who is about to live two hours away from the sanctuary of Monroe, I am only just now

beginning to realize all of the things I am

losing with the end of my high school years. Although I have not yet experienced college life, I know the fun it entails. The problem is, I also see the responsibility that I will have to assume in the span of one summer. I am not going to lie... I do not wash my own clothes, I do not wash my dishes and I clean my room only when I have to build pathways through my rug to get to the closet. These are small things that most kids from suburbia share in common with me, but the thing I know I will miss the most is the mental support system of my household. I will find new friends and new role models in college, but my new home will be in a dormitory with a roommate who is a stranger to me. This is a big change from the family that has supported me for eighteen years. This is not to say I am not excited for the next four years. College is a new frontier with thousands of new classmates and no one to tell me what to do. It is the first real challenge to succeed without the

aid of parents. A chance to put aside the impressions you have made on people and create new ones. We take the experiences we have had and experiment to find out more; a university offers the laboratory to do this. When I look back on my high school career, I have both amazing and disappointing

memories. I see it as a time of change. Freshman year was a time of Italian shirts and gelled up-spice hair. Sophomore year was the first year of varsity football and a few new friends. Junior year was a lot more of

the nightlife activities and the first time that we felt a little more superior to those lowly underclassmen. My musical tastes began to change. Senior year was the best year of my football career, although the first half of the academic year was completely absorbed in the college process. Throughout four years, the only certainty was that I would have new experiences. I remained in the same setting, but I changed. And so the best thing about leaving Monroe Township is the unexpected experiences that await.

“We take the experiences we have had and experiment to

find out more; a university of-fers the laboratory to do this.”

As we prepare to finally depart from the nest, we will carry not only the lessons that we have learned, but we will eventually carry the weight of the world upon our wings

Last Words: Executive Editors Page 11 June 16, 2008

By Ryan HusseyExecutive Editor

The fact that this is the last time I will have to format a Microsoft Word document like this is truly killing me. Never again must I use Californian FB size 10 font, justification, and format it into two even columns. But alas, this is it, so I might as well make it worthwhile. Before I begin this half-page of torture, I want to dedicate it to anyone I’ve encountered over the last four years. This is for my friends, my enemies, my stalkers, and the kids who had no idea I existed. It’s for the teachers that loved me, the teachers that couldn’t stand me, and even the teachers who never made it a priority to learn my name. To anybody who knows me, knows of me, knew me, or never had the pleasure— enjoy. As I’m writing this, I am remembering my four years at MTHS and asking myself a flurry of questions:“Have I changed?” … Yes.“Do I like the person I have become?” … Yes.“Did I use my time wisely?” … I’d like to think so.

“Have I made an impact on the school and/or the people with whom I’ve come into contact?” This is something that I cannot know the answer to just yet. In fact, I may never know. The only way for me to get a satisfied answer to this question is if someone,

anyone at MTHS hears the name Ryan Tyler Danger Hussey after I leave and simply smiles. It could be next year, the year after that, or even ten years from now; regardless, I want to be sure that I had the ability to make people smile, to change the way people think, act, perceive. Because, in reality, what’s the point of existence if you are unable to make a difference? Of course, the world needs its

conformists, and this movie called “life” could use as many extras as possible, but what’s the point of doing anything if you’re invisible? I just want the satisfaction of knowing that I left some type of footprint on this school and its students and staff. And I’m not talking about a little miniscule mark such as a school record or some mural that’s just going to be painted over or covered up

by lockers in the near future. I mean a true, permanent mark— something that changes the way people do things, something that forces a teacher to tell a story just because a certain word or phrase reminds them of me. Something that forces someone somewhere to mention me and think, “I wonder how he is now.” Believe me; I’m as happy as anyone to get out of this school (no, that was not some type of subtle shot at the administration). I just know I am going to miss high school— the feeling of becoming an adult while still being a kid, the feeling of acceptance, the feeling of rejection, the feeling of success, the feeling of failure. I am going to miss the feeling of walking down the hallways with my phone out sans ID with no regard for rules, tardiness, or the freshmen in my way, thinking to myself, “I own this place.” And I can’t help but think now, “Where did the last four years of my life go?” That question is answered every time I look in the mirror. I’ve changed every year, and I realize more and more differences every time I think about it.

Putting it into perspectiveDeparting senior makes you laugh, cry, and do other stuff for one last time

No longer am I shy and cautious. No longer am I calm and withdrawn. Now, I am outgoing and sometimes even arrogant. I am confident in myself and willing to take certain risks that I would have never even considered taking four years ago. But the most significant difference that I see in myself is that now I stand up for my beliefs and I take initiative when something needs to be done. No longer do I wait for someone else to take action. I have learned not to trust my expectations. Now, rather than waiting on the world to change, I simply get up and change it myself. And if I ever had to offer some corny, overly-abused cliché advice to those I am leaving behind next year, it would be this: Don’t worry about what people think of you. Don’t dwell on the past. Don’t let other people dictate your life. Use your years in high school wisely. In fact, don’t even listen to me. Create your own philosophy. Invent your own style. Establish your own character. You only have four years here (okay, maybe five).

By Sean O’ConnorEditor

Graduation day. Monroe Township High School. The day we leave the refuge this building has offered us for the past four years and enter the “real world.” Graduation from high school should not be seen as some great goal, but merely a benchmark upon the path of life. While for some it may be the entrance to adulthood, if senior year has taught me but one thing, it is that I have so much more to learn. I do not feel horribly unprepared for life and college, but I have spent many a sleepless night pondering the challenges ahead and wishing I had pushed myself further in high school. I hope the rest of the student body considers my thoughts when they enter the next stage of their life, be it college, military service, technical school, or some other vocation, and do not allow themselves to settle upon mediocrity. I hope they push themselves to truly realize their full potential. If my four years at Monroe have taught me one thing, it is that everyone here has the ability to do something meaningful with his

life; it is just a matter of being willing to work for it or being content with being a blundering idiot for eternity. Now that I have gotten this serious, I am leaving high school, what am I going to do with my life, cliché crap out of the way, I feel it is time to bid my classmates farewell. I have come to realize that senioritis is in fact a real disease. I do not know why, but

I find it so hard to concentrate and complete the simplest of a s s i g n m e n t s . (Teachers, this is no way a reflection upon you and your wonderful adeptness at teaching) But I digress. I have come to terms with the fact that there will be many of you I will not see for some time- until high school reunions or, more likely, a Facebook message (which somehow equates

itself with human contact to our generation). I have been lucky enough to develop a close group of friends who I know will keep in touch with me after I leave this building. There are those I thought I would be very close with long after high school ends, but as we prepare to depart, I know that just is not so. I guess that is another part of growing

A final farewell

up. I have realized who in my life genuinely cares about me, and those are the people I will keep in touch with for the rest of my life. As for the entire faculty of MTHS, it has been a w o n d e r f u l experience. I really will miss all of you just as much as I will miss my fellow classmates. I have developed some very special bonds with the staff at this building, and they have always been there to push and encourage me

Mr. Capitalist leaves MTHS with wisdom, legacy

to excel. For that, I shall always be grateful. How can one end the longest article he has

ever written for my beloved Monroe Falcon N e w s p a p e r (Which for some reason, a surprising number of students seem not to have realized has won a Bronze Medal from C o l u m b i a U n i v e r s i t y S c h o l a s t i c P r e s s

Association)? I honestly have no idea, so feel free to email any to SeanKOConnor@gmail.com.

“I’ve developed some very special bonds with the staff at

this building, and they have always been there to push and

encourage me to excel. For that, I shall always be grateful.”

Page 12 June 16, 2008