The Students Against Destructive Decisions, also known as the SADD club, is a club at Saint Rose that strives to encourage students to make the responsible choices when dealing with difficult situations in their life.

Mrs. Fallon, who is a guidance counselor here at St. Rose, is the moderator of the SADD club, and took the time to tell me everything a student needs to know about the SADD club. Mrs. Fallon said that SADD is an off-shoot of the club MADD, which stands for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The MADD club’s main focal point was to raise awareness against drunk driving, but eventually wanted to expand to make it a more comprehensive peer learning and leadership program, which is how the SADD club was formed.

When asked on who could join the SADD club, Mrs. Fallon said, “Any St. Rose student with a commitment to improving peer relations and educating students on making positive choices is welcome to join the club.” So, any student who has an interest in helping and enabling other students to make the right and healthy decisions when moving forward in their lives are welcome to become a member of SADD. The club is full of dedicated students who take time out of their busy schedules in order to better the lives of their peers here at St. Rose, which makes a big impact on everybody involved.

The SADD club organizes many different events in order to raise awareness on what means most to them; helping their peers make the right decisions. The biggest event and contribution the SADD club had to St. Rose this year was the Senior Transition Day, which was held in March of this year. Mrs. Fallon stated, “This year our biggest project was the Senior Transition Day. The club had arranged for four different speakers to come in and talk with the seniors about relevant topics and different aspects of their lives since they will be soon moving onto college. Some of the speakers included a lawyer, a recovering addict, a priest and a police officer against cyberbullying. The day was a success and the seniors benefitted so much from our speakers!”  Aside from organizing this big project, the SADD members also participate in workshops that are provided by local hospitals and community groups. Through the workshops, SADD members learn leadership skills that they can pass on to their peers. Along with all of this, the club is also planning to create a program in which students from the high school work and serve as mentors to children from St. Rose Grammar School.

“I think that our SADD club is a very beneficial one to join for many reasons,” Mrs. Fallon said. “It’s a very valuable club because it gives students the great opportunity to learn leadership skills that they can use for the rest of their lives. Also, it’s a service oriented club, so it looks really well on college applications!” Overall, the SADD club is a club that everyone could benefit from, so every student should strongly consider becoming a member!

By Emma Brenner ’16

Here at St. Rose, we have a very diverse student body with people coming from various districts. But there is one specific collection of students that are very unique and special here at St. Rose: the international students. St. Rose was lucky enough to have the opportunity to add these selected students from overseas to our student body. These international  students ventured from China or South Korea all the way to Belmar in order to be apart of the St. Rose community. It definitely was a major transition and a new sort of lifestyle was introduced to these students and one of my good friends Kevin Lou, who is apart of the St Rose graduating class of 2017, was able to sit down and give us local students some insight on his life as a foreign exchange student.

Since our discussion took place over the weekend, Kevin gave me the lowdown on what his Saturday schedule usually consists of: wake up, eat breakfast, watch some TV, have lunch, take a nap, study and do schoolwork, have dinner, play some video games, and then skype with his parents back home before going to bed. Sounds like a pretty normal day of any teenager, except for two things. Kevin, like his other international  friends, likes to watch television in Chinese so he can keep up with his culture. Whether it’s the news from back home or a Chinese cartoon, Kevin makes note to practice Chinese and incorporate normal things he would do back home into his life here in America. Also, unlike other St. Rose students who can talk to there parents over lunch or when they come home from school, communicating with his parents isn’t as simple. Kevin has to skype video chat with his family back home since they couldn’t be over here. Although it was difficult at first, Kevin no longer feels homesick and has adjusted to life in America very well.

When looking into Kevin’s school day, its evident he takes his studies here very seriously, as every student should. Kevin makes sure to study hard and do all his homework to the best of his ability. While earning good grades, Kevin also makes sure to get involved in St. Rose extracurricular activities such as sports. Kevin is on the St. Rose lacrosse team, soccer team, and winter track team…talk about a triple threat! One of Kevin’s major achievements in sports was when he won the indoor track shuttle hurdle state championship. When talking to Kevin about education, he said that schooling in China is different from the schooling here at St. Rose. “In China there are 6 classes each day, English, Math, Chinese, Art, Gym, and Science, with about 40 or more students in the room and instead of alternating classrooms, the teacher comes to us each period for whatever subject we are learning,” Kevin shared, “Lunch in China is an hour and 30 minutes long. We have such a long lunch so we can eat, talk, and do homework. If you don’t finish most of your homework then you will not finish it that night because you get so much.” Kevin also pointed out that in China school starts at 7:30 and doesn’t end until 4:30 each day. In order to clear their minds and take a break from their rigorous studies, Chinese students get the chance to go outside and relax for a little and even play some activities such as basketball.

Kevin really pointed out that he loves the community and friendliness of students here at St. Rose. “In China, my friends are not that friendly as my American friends” stated Kevin, “We do not give each other high-fives or say hello in the halls.” Kevin loves how nice and outgoing the students of St. Rose are and is happy to have been able to get the chance to make so many great friends. “My friends here treat me well. They are really friendly and funny. They help me with everything especially words I pronounce wrong. Everyone is just so nice.” Kevin also has made friends at his host family house too! His house parents are William and Colleen Brown. One of Mr. and Mrs. Brown’s children, William Brown, is friendly with Kevin and is fun to have around the house.

Kevin feels very fortunate to be apart of the St. Rose community and feels so lucky to have had the amazing opportunity to come and study in America. He loves coming here and misses the U.S. and his American friends when he goes home, but it gives him something to look forward to upon arrival for the school year. To sum up his experience here, Kevin said, “I came to St. Rose to get the chance to study in America but I got so much more then just a education. I gained many friends, am a part of many teams, learned many lessons, and made a new family. I am very lucky to be here and am thankful for these past three years at St. Rose and am very excited for an amazing senior year!”

By Hannah Gammond ’17

This sibling spotlight features the Maypother brothers, Riley and Brody, who are both members of the Saint Rose Class of 2018. Riley and Brody took the time to talk about what it’s like to go to school with a twin brother.

Riley and Brody have gone to the same school together for practically their entire lives. They both attended Central Elementary School from kindergarten to fifth grade, and then both went to Wall Intermediate School for grades sixth to eighth. After graduating eighth grade, Riley and Brody went to separate high schools for their freshman year. Riley started high school here at Saint Rose, while Brody went to Wall High School his freshman year. However, after freshman year, Brody transferred to Saint Rose as a sophomore. Brody talks of what it was like to be a transfer student, “Being a transfer student gives me the opportunity to see all of the differences between Saint Rose and Wall High School. My favorite part about Saint Rose is how different this school is from Wall, and Saint Rose is completely different from Wall.”

Riley and Brody both said that they enjoy going to school together, because it feels very normal and feels a little bit like home.  Both said that because they have gone to school together for their entire lives that still going to school together feel completely natural. Riley and Brody have a couple classes with each other this year, and both rely on their brother for help with homework and studying. Riley stated, “It’s nice because if I forget something from one of our classes he will remember and help me and it goes the other way, too. It’s really nice and helpful to have somebody I can always rely on.” Brody even said that he and Riley have gotten asked multiple times if they are twins since his coming to Saint Rose this year.

Aside from having a couple classes together, Riley and Brody participate in after school, extracurricular activities, specifically baseball. Both Riley and Brody play baseball as their main sport, and both enjoy playing the game with each other. Riley is a pitcher and Brody plays the position of catcher, so they spend a lot of time together practicing and actually playing the game. Brody stated , “Riley is a pitcher and I’m a catcher, so it works out great when we practice with each other and play together.” Riley says that his favorite part about going to Saint Rose is playing baseball with his team, especially his brother.

Both Riley and Brody have said that going to school with their twin brother is enjoyable and nice to have someone there for them a good majority of the time. With their sophomore year coming to an end they are looking forward to junior year together!

By Emma Brenner ’16

Sign language is for everyone! Here at St. Rose the Sign Language Club is great and learning how to sign brings a number of benefits.

The moderator for the club is Mrs. Martz; she works to schedule meetings with the help of senior, Gabby Reyes and junior, Bryn Onoshko. Gabby is the President and Bryn is the Vice President for the club. The sign language club consists of eighteen members from all different grades. “I like that all grades participate as well as some exchange students because it is a good interaction for the students. They are able to collaborate together and learn something new,” stated Mrs. Martz.

Similar to most clubs at St. Rose the Sign Language Club has their meetings after school. The meetings are held twice a month in Mrs. Martz’s room. During the meetings the club members learn new types of signs from the instructor, Mrs. Meade. The club has been around for seven years now and the very first teacher for the club was Mrs. Morrissey, then Mrs. Meade took it over. Mrs. Meade was born deaf so she has been familiar with sign language since a very young age.

As a translator and instructor Mrs. Meade has dedicated her time to teaching this language and from this experience the students are able to communicate with her and each other. She has taught the members in the club some prayers, including the Glory Be and the Our Father. She has also taught the Sign Language Club some Christmas songs during the holiday season. In the meetings Mrs. Meade has also touched upon signing the alphabet so that students can sign their names! After lots of practice and learning new signs the students in the club made a video of themselves signing the Pledge of Allegiance. This video was played for the student body on the smart board for the daily morning announcements.

The American Sign Language (ASL) is the 4th most studied modern/foreign language at colleges and universities in the U.S. It is nice that students at St. Rose are being exposed to the language at a high school level. Mrs. Martz stated, “This club will give them the background and basic knowledge of how to sign which may benefit them in college since now sign language is being offered as a language course.” This resource is also beautiful because it is allows millions of deaf people around the world an equal life and liberty.

The Sign Language Club sign language club is awesome and learning how to sign is also very fun. Senior Gabby Reyes expresses her thoughts about this wonderful club, “The sign language club has taught me an appreciation for the Deaf community and another form of communication. I am so happy that I chose to be a part of the club at St. Rose because it has broadened my horizons.” Gabby could not have said this any better the club truly is an amazing experience, so learn sign language it’s very handy!

By Clare Peropat ’16

Double Trouble: Reilly Edition

Once again at St. Rose High School the Reilly Family is represented!  This year Drew Reilly, Class of ’17, shares the school with his younger sister Taylor Reilly, Class of  ’18.

All four Reilly children have made their way from Wall Intermediate to St. Rose High School.  Both Reillys are avid members of various varsity sports teams at St. Rose including Tennis, Cross Country, Winter Track and Spring Track.  Being only one grade apart, Taylor and Drew have spent nearly every year attending the same school.  For Taylor, one of the times it paid off the most to have an older brother in the school was when she was starting her first year at St. Rose.  “Having someone older at school that I knew helped me feel more comfortable because I knew there was someone I could turn to for help.  Also it was nice to know Drew’s friends as well so I could be able to recognize some familiar faces in the halls.”

Having a younger sibling at the same school has taught Drew both responsibility and compassion.  “I love driving my sister to and from school every single day! This has taught me to be more appreciative of Taylor and more responsibility as an older brother,” Drew answered when asked about his high school experience with his younger sister.  Last year Taylor was starting her freshman year and had to overcome the various adjustments and obstacles faced when coming to a new school.  Drew was able to make this experience more relaxing for her by teaching her various tips to survive high school.  “Doing Metal Yoga together on the weekends has really helped Taylor adjust to the new, and sometimes stressful, high school atmosphere.  I think it really helps when I say hi to her in the hallways so that she is able to see a friendly face.  The best is when I pass her and I give her a big, loving hug and kiss on the forehead!”

As Taylor realizes next year is the last year of her high school career she will spend alongside Drew, she reminisces on the times they have experienced together.  “My senior year will very different without Drew because I am always with him throughout the school year.  The past two years were very memorable.  He is very entertaining at different school events and functions.  Thanks to my brother I have always enjoyed the trips to and from school as well as the study sessions we have for finals together.  Even though I will miss him it could be a good change for a little because I will be able to drive my friends to and from school instead of his,”  shared Taylor Reilly.

The Reillys are just one of the many examples of siblings in the St. Rose High School community. This family has been represented at this school for many years now starting with Liam Reilly ’13 and Bobby Reilly ’15.  Now Drew ’17 and Taylor ’18 are carrying out the tradition.

By Emma Winkley ’16

NYC, fighter jets, Halloween legends….oh my!

History Club has had a very fun and exciting 2016-2017 school year. Under the moderation of Mrs. Bordelon and Mr. Downey, Saint Rose Students have been exposed to many intriguing, fascinating lessons that are not covered in history classes. By learning and experiencing new historical facts, history club members have been able to learn new things, including current events, and even traveling to New York City.

On their trip to the city, SRHS’s international students and American natives were able to explore each other’s cultures. By visiting Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and Times Square, American students were able to proudly exhibit their nationality depicted in these places, and teach the international students more aspects of American history. In exchange, SRHS’s Chinese students were able to express their culture to their fellow students by touring Chinatown. Trips like these have excited history club members to explore the world and different cultures, while building last friendships and memories with fellow members and students.

As this school year came to a close, History Club council member, Evan Cantlon, reflects upon the club’s year, and describes it as a success! While Evan enjoys the annual history of Halloween presentation, his most favorite meeting of the 2016-2017 school year includes the science and history of Air Force fighter jets, which is a topic that he personally finds appealing. When asked what he, as a chair member, hopes to help the history club improve upon, he responds, “I hope to create a more consistent frequency of events for the upcoming year. However, I already enjoy this club immensely, and there is very little that I would want to ever change about it”.

History Club has had a very exciting year, as seen in their recent National History Honors Society induction ceremony on May 12. As the 2016 graduation date approached for SRHS History Club seniors, Leah Parentela looked back to reflect on her time in this organization, and shares, “I am truly going to miss discussing crazy history facts and spending time with Mrs. B. It has inspired me to hopefully join a history club in college next year, after I have became more knowledgable in many aspects through SRHS’s history club. My only tip for improvement for my club is to get out and have more field trips, although there is already so much opportunity”. History club will truly miss their seniors next year, but are proud to have made such an impact on their lives and the way they look at different events in the world.

By Margaret Hull ’16

As a member of the National Honors Society and as part of my religion classes throughout my four years at St. Rose, service hours and volunteering are part of my daily life. It has become less of an assignment and more of a lifestyle.

Volunteering is more than completing hours for school, or a means of adding to one’s resume. It is an opportunity to give back to the world we live in and change the lives around us. Whether helping to run a blood drive or volunteering at an animal shelter, every act of kindness is a chance to improve the world.

As a student, I volunteer at the Common Ground Grief Center, located in Manasquan, New Jersey. As a trained volunteer I work alongside grieving children who have lost a parent or sibling. Although this may seem to be an overwhelmingly sad experience, volunteering and working with the children has been an incredibly humbling and eye-opening opportunity; I am able to provide a safe and supportive environment where children may come to freely express themselves, and in turn, grow in their grieving process. I have inevitably developed a close bond with not only my fellow volunteers, but with all the children in our group.

Each child has something to contribute, and through their peer support, they help one another through their struggles. It is incredible to watch these strong, young children speak, share, support, and grow with one another; growth is what makes my volunteering rewarding. I am always left in awe as I watch the children interact and help each other, and in turn process and grow through their grief process. It is a feeling and an experience unlike any other, which words cannot truly describe.

Being a volunteer is the most humbling and rewarding opportunity. Life is not about money, fame, or status. Life is about being able to give back to the world and make an impact in the lives of those around us. Through volunteering I am able to give and share my most valuable gift, my time. I am very incredible thankful for my volunteer experiences because although I may have not changed the entire world, I have been able to make a difference and leave an impact in some lives’. As Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

By Kayla Stacy ’16

Olivia and Frankie Bellezza: siblings, friends, and now classmates once again! Olivia and Frankie are two of the many related students here at St. Rose.

For some, this sibling reunion might have happened for the first time ever in high school, but not the Bellezzas! The pair has been going to the same school together ever since their early days at the Avon Elementary School. Olivia is a year older than Frankie, so she was always there to guide her younger brother throughout schooling. Now she is a current sophomore, as Frankie is a current freshman.

With that being said, high school is very different compared to grammar school in the eyes of Olivia and Frankie. Avon Elementary School is a very small community, with about 150 students in total for kindergarten through eighth grade. So, when Olivia first came to the larger institution of St. Rose, she was excited to meet some new people. “After my freshman year at St. Rose, I was eager for my brother to come join the school,” stated Olivia, “I loved my first year and I knew Frankie would feel the same way. I really enjoy sharing in this new experience with him.” Although they do not have any of the same classes, they often see each other in the hallway or library.

The duo has shared more than just in-school experiences; they are both new additions to the swim team. This was yet another unfamiliar experience for the Bellezzas, because their elementary school never had co-ed sports teams. Olivia had joined the swim team her freshman year and loved it so much that she convinced her brother to join in on the fun. Both of them have turned out to be very important additions to the team, especially Frankie, who has become a fierce competitor in his signature 50-yard sprint event. In addition to participating on the swim team, the siblings are both very active in the St. Rose community. Frankie also plays JV baseball in the spring; Olivia plays fall volleyball and spring lacrosse. When they are not spending time in the pool together, they take turns watching each other’s sporting events. “I can always see Frankie in the volleyball stands with his family cheering his sister on. You can tell that the two are very supportive of each other,” stated senior volleyball captain Katharine Taylor.

Outside of their busy schedule consisting of school and sports you can often find Olivia and Frankie hanging out with friends and family. They have two younger sisters that are twins, in addition to a five year old brother. “We are a family of seven, so there is never a dull moment in our house,” explained Frankie, “Because Olivia and I enjoy St. Rose so much, we are excited for our younger siblings to grow up and experience it for themselves.”

It seems as though Olivia and Frankie are cherishing their time spent in high school together – so far so good! With three siblings left to get to high school, it looks like the Bellezza family will be an active part of the St. Rose community for years to come!

By Faith Westhoven ’16

Looking for a new club? St. Rose High School is full of extracurricular activities that will appeal to students of all types, from Helping Hands and Ambassadors, to Environmental Club, and the Chess Club! Joining clubs are great for students in order to expand relationships and integrate students into the St. Rose High School community. They give students many opportunities to participate in events and activities that they would not otherwise receive the chance to. And in the 200s, the Chess Club holds meeting biweekly on Wednesdays. The club is moderated by Mr. Downey, who invites all students to come to one of their meetings. Students can learn how to play, compete against each other in-club tournaments, and overall have a good time with fellow classmates.The students have many opportunities and academic benefits from joining this club.

Chess is a game of intellect, strategy, and skill, and is played between two players. Players have to be able to analyze situations presented in a game, in order to defeat their opponent. Chess players must be able to predict future moves from their opponent, or anticipate what moves are possible throughout the entirety of the game. From learning how to play chess, students can benefit mentally and academically, it is an activity that the school offers for them to participate in that will sharpen their minds and thinking strategies. Students in Chess Club can be taught how to analyze situations presented to them, whether it involves what piece to move during a match, to a more difficult challenge they are faced with later in life.

St. Rose’s Chess Club is small right now, but has more hopes to further expand for the years to come, including possible tournaments with other schools. It is a benefit for students to drop by meetings of this club, or any club offered at St. Rose in order to express your passion for something, make some new friends, and leave your mark on the school. Chess Club is highlighted by the benefits students can get from joining such a club that involves thinking about strategies. By participating in school clubs and activities, St. Rose students can expand their horizons in many directions and meet new people

By Lauren Kruthers ’17

The National Honor Society Executive Board is an organization that elects students to represent St. Rose High School and help throughout the school to run service projects and perform other leadership roles. These students are elected toward the end of the school year and are chosen through an election process that includes the four pillars of NHS: academics, leadership, character, and service.  The NHS Executive Board involves a group of outstanding students who are already active in the National Honor Society and have grown to become excellent representations of SRHS. St. Rose is excited to announce Katie Considine as the President, Caroline Lowry as the Vice President, Kirsten Heine as the Treasurer, Angelo Cifelli as the Secretary, and Griffin McDermott as the Parliamentarian.

The Executive Board is elected at this time of year for several reasons. They must be able to participate in the SHELF leadership camp, which is held in the summer and helps students learn how to be positive leaders in their school community. The Executive Board must help plan the NHS club activities for the following year and meet with the potential NHS candidates. As stated before, they must also help with Induction Ceremony planning.

Additionally, as part of the Executive Board, these students must work as a collective body to help whenever needed at SRHS. They promote the Honduran Vitamin Drive at St. Rose, and also help with the Induction Ceremony held the 3^rd week of September. Students are able to be inducted into the National Honor society in 10^th through 12^th grade, through a formal ceremony held by the school.

The election process includes a submitted essay which must address the four pillars of NHS (academics, service, character, and leadership). The students must also represent the four pillars of NHS through their schoolwork and actions as students of St. Rose. They cannot serve as another executive board member (student council) and also cannot be a member in the helping hands club. The students must deliver a speech and are voted on by their NHS peers and faculty, guidance, and administration based on the four pillars of NHS.

Mrs. Bordelon is the coordinator of NHS, and oversees all of the NHS initiatives throughout the year. She organizes the annual blood drive and is very involved with the election process of the Executive Board. “I’m thrilled to work with this year’s new board,” she adds. “They are an outstanding group of young men and women who bring unique talents, perspectives, and ideas to the organization and I’m sure will set the bar high as they model the four pillars of the organization and will serve as mentors to the members and the general student body.”

The National Honor Society organization  holds a major responsibility at SRHS. With their excellent leadership and service, they must facilitate the annual blood drive at SRHS by helping to plan, schedule the blood drive, and set up for the event. They must also escort students giving blood to and from the blood drive. As leaders, the NHS Executive Board checks on members of the NHS and NHS tutors to make sure that they are following through with their commitments. The Board is also trusted with the role of recording volunteer hours. Additionally, these students are chosen by the school to represent the NHS club and the student body in character, service, leadership, and high academic standards.

The NHS Executive Board represents the best of St. Rose and promotes leadership throughout the SRHS community. These students excel in academics, but also prove their service and unique qualities of character that make them prime examples of what a SRHS student is.  Best of luck to the new Executive Board in their upcoming year of service.

By Sydney Daniel ’17