Welcome to The (New) Criterion
November 2023, Issue #3 & 4
Spirit Week Takes Off
by John Daily
The November spirit week has been a staple of West events for a long time, and this year’s spirit week has come and gone by showing us the value of school spirit and fun. Every year each grade is recommended to take part in dress-ups each day for a week, leading up to the pep rally on the final day before Thanksgiving break! On top of that, there has also famously been hall decorating days where kids from each grade level can stay after school to decorate a small portion of the hall for their grade based on a prompt they are given beforehand that correlates with a specific theme.
This year’s hall decorating theme was based on board games, and each grade had a different one they had to decorate around:
Seniors - Candy Land
Juniors - Monopoly
Sophomores - Mouse Trap
Freshmen - Clue
Other than that, there were also multiple themes that each day of the week housed to dress up as. The themes that each day had associated with them this year went as follows:
Thursday, November 16th: Dress up as your Favorite Character
The students and teachers had many various characters on display throughout the day, showing off their skills in costume-making and personal tastes towards media. This theme also
encouraged many students to work together and come up with characters in groups that would go together, adding d to the level of detail that was present that day.
Friday, November 17th: Salad Dressing/Dress to Impress
This theme was all about dressing up as salad dressing! Between ranch and french, the students and teachers had many different dressings that they used to fuel their creativity in creating outfits for this theme! However, if you weren't into that, you could simply dress up nicely in some more regular attire for the day.
Monday, November 20th: Jersey Shore Day
This day prompted the students and teachers to dress up in Jersey Shore attire, whether that be based on people or general summer/shore clothing. Many had the inspiration necessary to blend in during the day and successfully made the school feel like a beach.
Tuesday, November 21st: BBQ Dad & Soccer Mom
The theme of Tuesday centered around the concept of dressing up as the many parent archetypes found throughout everyone's life, the barbeque dad and soccer mom! Many students and teachers had plenty to work with for this theme and came up with creative ways to visualize their view on how the outfits of these parents would look.
Wednesday, November 22nd: Color Day
For the final day of spirit week, all students were tasked to dress up in specific colors based on what grade level they were in. Seniors got camo, juniors got pink, sophomores got blue and freshmen got red. While many kids came in regular colored shirts and pants, some went all out with face paint and full costumes based on their color instead.
In the end, out of all the effort and creativity that each grade brought to the table during the week, the winners turned out to be the seniors! Even though each grade level put a rob og effort into participating during the week, the seniors have always been known to rise above and claim the victory, with this year being no different. Overall, this years spirit week showed that despite the changing times and perspectives, there is still many of those who understand the value of school spirit and how it helps keep the school lively throughout special events like these.
Nixon and Killian Crowned as Spirit Week Royalty
by Kamryn Mooney
TThis week in Hamilton West, we ended our last week of school before Thanksgiving break with color wars and an amazing pep rally. Freshmen wore red, Sophomores wore blue, Juniors wore pink, and Seniors wore camo. Alright let’s kick off this pep rally! First, we watched as our Hamilton West marching band performed one of their movements of their 2023 show carnEVIL, lead by Drum Majors Rachel Diaz and Anoop Singh.
Next, our lovely JV cheer team performed an amazing routine to pump up our football players for the upcoming game. Their routine had familiar songs, like First Class by Jack Harlow and Barbie Girl by Aqua.
Right after JV, our 2023 Varsity cheer team performed their 3rd place winning competition routine. They had songs like Still Into You by Paramore and Lose My Breath by Destiny's Child.
And now, the games!! And who won!
Balloon pop race - JUNIORS WIN
Hula Hoop relay - SENIORS WIN
Tug of War round 1 freshmen vs juniors - JUNIORS WIN
Tug of War round 2 sophomores vs seniors - SENIORS WIN
Tug of War final round juniors vs seniors - SENIORS WIN
After, we found out our Spirit King and Queen.. Congrats to RACHEL NIXON and MICHAEL KILLIAN!! There were many more activities, like an amazing Dance/Step team performance, announcing our senior football players and cheerleaders, and a pre game throw off from our senior line up. And our overall winners of Spirit Wars were of course our seniors
Winter Sports Preview
Hamilton West Wrestling Team is Back for Another Great Year!
by Nathan Barrett
As we approach the 2023 - 24 high school winter sports season, it seems that the Hamilton West wrestling team is looking strong. The team had lots of seniors graduate last year, such as Dontae Bryan who had a record of 14 - 5 at 175 and made it all the way to Regionals and almost won 3rd place. Even though he will be missed, they have promising wrestlers at that weight class. These include players such as Jamal Coates and Connor Gray who are ready to take the varsity spot. The team also has some key pieces in junior Dominick Johnson, who had a record of 8 - 6 in the 132 and 138 weight classes. Last season the team ranked 2nd among the school winter sports teams, with a record of 5 - 11 and they are hoping to improve.
Former head coach and teacher Matthew Minder has resigned his position as head coach as he goes on to another chapter of his life. This left former assistant coach Gerlardo Belviso to take over the position of head coach, where it also left the position of assistant coach open. However, teacher Seth Chorba jumped at the opportunity and secured the spot.
“I am excited to be back coaching wrestling after a few years away from the Hornets,” said Chorba. “Head coach G is not only very knowledgeable and experienced wrestler, but a positive, humorous and kind hearted human. I look forward to working with Coach G and setting the building blocks of a solid foundation to move the program forward. It will be a challenging journey, but one that is worth the struggle.
“Jordan Burroughs said it best, I want my wrestlers to ‘Fall in love with wrestling, not winning. The wrestler not afraid to get scored on is the most dangerous. The momentum doesn’t belong to the wrestler who scored last, but to the wrestler willing to wrestle hardest in the next position. The most important point is the next one.’”
This season, the team’s schedule is loaded as three more matches were added to the schedule. These matches include Bordentown, Point Beach, and Manasquan. The teams’ toughest match in the CVC division should be against Hopewell on the 10th of January. Last year the team had a record of 19-6, so it looks to be a great test for the team midway through the season. In conclusion, the Hamilton West Wrestling team should have a great season this year.
Q&A with head coach Gerlardo Belviso:
Q: How do you feel about becoming the head coach for the team?
A: It is an honor and privilege to take over the wrestling program. I was sad to see Coach Minder go, and wish him the best of luck in his new endeavors. I’m excited to be able to take on the challenge of continuing to grow the program, and be able to share my love of wrestling with the young men and women that enter our room. I’m grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait to see what the future brings.
Q:What are your expectations for the season?
A: When I hear the word expectations, it’s easy to let your mind wander to wins and losses. Everyone loves winning, but success isn’t always measured by wins and losses alone. This is especially true in the sport of wrestling. This sport is constantly demanding not just physical toughness, but mental toughness. I have seen this sport change the lives of so many through the years. My expectations are to be able to help prepare wrestlers for overcoming adversity on the mat and in life. When it comes to our lineup, we lost some high quality wrestlers through graduation and transfers, but I expect the new and returning wrestlers to step-up and surprise some people. Expect the unexpected!
Q: What do you think will be the best match of the season?
A: I think there are going to be a lot of close and exciting matches this year. It's hard to pinpoint an exact match, but I will say we usually always circle our in town rival matches with Nottingham and Steinert. Lakewood has also been a fantastic match the last few years. Hopefully we are able to come out on top!
Winter Sports Preview
Winter Track looks to hit the ground running
by Sean Collins
One of the most popular winter sports at Hamilton West is winter track. Involving activities such as running, pole vaulting, throwing, jumping, and hurdling, winter track is a sport for just about anyone, and is enjoyed by a large number of West’s students.
The season is going to be led by head coach Stephen Ziegler, who also coaches cross country, as well as coaches Gerardo Van Slooten and Michael Papero, who will lead the jumping and throwing teams, respectively.
This year, seniors Sean Collins, Quincy Moss, and Danielle Deane are expected to be captains of the winter track team. Collins, who was also captain of the cross country team this year, hopes to lead this year’s distance team in races such as the 800 meter (half mile) and 1600 meter (mile) race, while Moss and Deane hope to lead the sprinters in events such as the 100 and 200 meter races. Each of these captains are very optimistic about this year’s season, and have very high hopes for this year’s athletes.
Unfortunately, the team also lost a large number of promising senior athletes last year, which only means this year’s new group of seniors will have to work even harder this year to ensure a successful season.
Overall, this year’s winter track season is currently expected to be another success, as long as the new senior athletes are willing to rise to the challenge.
Winter Sports Preview
Hamilton hockey team ready to hit the ice
by Soleil "Milo" Szczkowski
Made up of students from Nottingham, Steirnert, and Hamilton West; the Hamilton Ice Hockey team is entering their 23-24 season. People may be confused about how the team works together with students being from different schools, but when asked about it, head coach John Patterson said it wasn't much different than any other team. “The combination of the three Hamilton schools has been a complete success. Our players consider each other members of one team, not three teams mixed together. They work for a common cause and the results have spoken for themselves.”
Coach Patterson highlighted a few notable players for the upcoming season. He said captain Ashton Truelove is one of the fastest players in the CVC. He also mentioned that Mason Caruso is taking over as the number one goalie this season. Zachary Meseroll has been their lead scorer of the past two years and Austin Kolczynski is one of the biggest hitters in the CVC. Assistant captain Justin Allen has played a major role in the development of new players.
Q&A with captain Ashton Truelove:
How are you feeling about being this season's team captain?
”I'm excited to be the team captain this year! It's a great opportunity to lead the team and help us achieve our goals. I’m looking forward to working with my teammates and coaches to make this season a success. I'm confident that we have a talented group of players who want to win and I'm honored to be chosen to lead them.”
Are you nervous at all about the pressure and responsibility of being team captain?
“To be honest, no. I've always wanted to lead a team. To have the opportunity to be captain of this team is an honor.”
How do you plan to improve on the amount of teamwork you guys had last year with the addition of new players?
”I plan on working with the new and upcoming players to fill in the void of the seniors who left last year.”
Q&A with goalie Mason Caruso:
Are you nervous at all about the upcoming season since you're no longer backup [goalie]?
“Not really, I've been playing hockey for over a decade and I will most definitely be able to handle it.”
Are you feeling more confident or nervous about this season knowing your track record of being such a valuable player?
“Definitely confident, I know what I’m capable of, we just need to go out here and execute.”
Overall the Hamilton Ice Hockey team is feeling confident about the upcoming season, they know what they need to do in order to reach their goals. Each player feels strength in what they're capable of and they're prepared to show off their skills. Taking over as team captain is not an easy job but Truelove is more than ready for it, just like Caruso is prepared to take over as goalie and finally show his full capabilities. The incoming players shouldn’t be nervous either; they’re entering a very welcoming environment that's ready to shape them into all.
“I believe our team can have a good season as long as we put in the hard work,” said Truelove. “It's going to be a good year again for Hamilton hockey.”
Winter Sports Preview
Coach Farina to rely on key returners for upcoming Girls Basketball season
by Alexia Gomez
With fall sports out of the way, the Winter Girls Basketball season is finally here. We’ve interviewed both a head coach and a player to give us an inside look at the new season ahead of us as well as a look back at their performance in the previous year.
Coach Farina
Q: What is your name and what do you do for the Girls' Basketball team?
A: I’m Coach Farina and I am the head coach of the varsity girls basketball team.
Q: How did you feel about last year's season?
A: Last year, we had a really solid season. We had nine wins, which was the most we’ve had in a decade. Actually, I think it’s the best we’ve had in nine years. So, we beat Trenton for the third straight year, we beat Nottingham. We had some huge wins against Princeton High, New Egypt we beat. We beat Bordentown, we won a Bordentown Christmas tournament last year which was really cool! We had a really solid season, our girls played really well. I was extremely happy with the way we played last year.
Q: Are there any notable players returning this year?
A: Our key player are Rachel Nixon, who is gonna play soccer next year at Kean University. She’s an amazing athlete, she’s gonna be one of our key senior guards. Morgan Bressler is another key senior player. Those girls are four-year varsity girls basketball players. Then we have a junior who is a really incredible athlete, Zairra Galloway, who is gonna be key to us having a really good season. We have a new transfer as well, another senior, Fayrouz Ahmed, she’s transferring in from Peddie. Unfortunately, she can’t play the first few games, but I’m very excited to see her on the court. We’ve got a ton of juniors and sophomores who are gonna contribute.
Q: I’ve heard that you’re getting another coach for the team, who are they?
A: Yes - Great Question. We will now have 3 coaches that work at Hamilton West. Previously it has been myself and Coach Bennett (she teaches Special Education Math), but this year we are adding Coach Washington, a technology teacher. We also have two other coaches who do not work at West - Coach Astore and Coach Martinez, who both went to Hamilton West, but work outside of our school.
Q: Do you have high expectations for this year?
A: Yes I do. I think I want us to be very competitive, I want people to hate playing us. We need to be a defensive team. So, we’re gonna be a very tough group of girls and I don’t want people to look forward to playing us anymore. They used to look forward to playing Hamilton West Girls Basketball, and we’re changing that.
Q: Are you excited for the new season?
A: I am. I’m very excited.
Summer Howard
Q: What is your name and what do you do for the Girls' Basketball team?
A: Summer Howard and I’m one of the players for West’s girls basketball team.
Q: How was the season last year? Tough? Enjoyable?
A: The varsity season was very good, we’ve had the best season we’ve had in ten years. I was a swing player towards the end of the year, although I started off as a JV player. The JV season we had was… I’m gonna be honest, it was ROUGH. But I know that all of us are just itching to get back up there, make a better name of ourselves on the JV team because I know we’ve all been working very hard.
Q: I’ve heard you’re getting another coach, know anything about that?
A: We are! We don’t know much about it yet, but our head coach told us that Mr. Washington, the graphics arts teacher, is gonna be our new coach. I had him as a freshman and his classes were really energetic so I’m expecting him to bring some of that to the team.
Q: Do you have any big expectations for this coming season?
A: I’m expecting us to beat Steinert this year because they’ve beat us the past two years on the JV team and each year we’ve gotten a little closer to beating them and I think that this year we’re gonna have it.
Q: Are you excited for this new season?
A: I’m very excited for this new season! I’m really excited to get a Junior season started, being an upperclassman, and also playing since I’ve been playing since I was six years old. So, this is kind of up there for me
Winter Sports Preview
Boys and Girls Swimming will rely on seniors for upcoming season
by Sean Collins
In order to gather some information on this year’s upcoming swimming season at Hamilton West, we interviewed senior Michael Killian to get some insight into the team’s expectations. Here’s what he had to say!
Q: Who are the coaches for this year’s swim team?
A: Coach Iorio and Coach Kontorowicz are running this season.
Q: Roughly how many members do you expect on the team this year (boys and girls)?
A: We expect about 30 swimmers on both teams this year.
Q: What distances do your team swim at meets?
A: There is a wide range of swimming distances spanning from 50 yards to 500 yards. Some other events include the 100, 200, and 400.
Q: Who are some of the most promising athletes you expect to return this year?
A: Seniors Maddie Harrison, Sophia Ensana, Michael Killian, and Colin McCormick are likely to make a reappearance.
Q: Do you have any other expectations for this year’s season?
A: We expect to have a fun season this year and build a nice family-style team, as well as to win a fair share of the meets. Coming from a small-sized team, we mainly focus on team bonding and a positive team mindset going into the season. We hope to have a few relays and individual swimmers make it to the county tournament as well.
Hopefully this preview offers a glimpse into what the Hamilton West swimming experience looks like, and provides a bit of information about what the team expects for this season. If you are not signed up for a winter sport yet, there are always spots open on the team!
Garden Club Project Bloom on Hamilton Campus
by Henry Fanders
The Hamilton West Garden Club recently conducted a cleanup that is the start of a chain of several new projects going to be completed during the 23/24 school year. It was mainly focused on refurbishment and beautification of the inner courtyard. With the planting of several different kinds of flowers and blooming bushes, contrasted by the black mulch. In combination with some weeding this is a step in the right direction, though lots more is needed to fully bring back life to the inner courtyard garden.
The cleanup is the second of two that happened during this school year. During the first event the club focused on preparing the grounds for a new bench that was being donated by an alumni from the Class of 1963. The pathway is spruced up compared to a normally dirt or concrete pathway. It has a gravel road lined with soon to be flowering plants that will be interesting to follow as they continue to grow over the next couple of years.
The bench and new raised beds are the newest of many improvements during the 2023 year. At the beginning of the year, Micheal Killian created the garden house located in the courtyard for his eagle scout project. This greenhouse is filled with four raised beds. Each bed hosts different green and hearty vegetables with a main sample being kale. As the year continues some prospective projects of the Garden Club will help fill out and refine both courtyard gardens. On the club's agenda is to paint the inner courtyard garden’s pergola, clean up the concrete bringing back original color. So it can contrast with the mahogany colored pergola and vibrant plants.
“The next big thing I want to focus on is to get a butterfly/pollinator garden,” said club advisor Mark Pienciak.
The Story You Didn’t Know:
SAG-AFTRA Strike is Why Your Favorite Shows are Missing
by Joshua Martinez
Have you been wondering where that movie you’re anticipating is? Many movies and shows, more notable examples being Kraven the Hunter, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spiderverse, and Deadpool 3 have paused production to comply with the guidelines given by SAG-AFTRA, a union of Hollywood’s actors, from A-lists to extras, who have recently gone on strike to fight for a better future for themselves.
As you may know, last year marked a head-turning event in the entertainment industry. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) launched their longest organized strike since 1988. Around 11,500 screenwriters participated across the nation this year, effectively halting production in Hollywood all together. Writers demanded changes such as higher pay, a mandatory number of writers hired per show, protections from artificial intelligence (AI) entering their jobs, among others. After a long battle of 102 days with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the two unions have reached a tentative deal as of September 27th of this year, the contract meeting surprisingly all of the guild’s demands. This contract is still under review, and has not yet been ratified by the WGA.
In a similar vein, SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) officially went on strike on July 14th of this year, not too long after the WGA’s own, which began on May 2nd. This strike is still ongoing, with SAG calling for changes such as better pay and working conditions, higher residuals for shows on streaming services, and stipulations in contracts regarding the use of artificial intelligence. As of October 4th, AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA had met for a full day bargaining session, but what SAG was asking for - cast members receiving 2% of residuals from a successful show that is on streaming services - was rejected by the AMPTP, due to their inherent stinginess with their money.
SAG-AFTRA says what they are asking for, in total, amounts to about 2% of what companies make on streaming services. In contrast, AMPTP does not believe in paying and treating its workers, the people who create the very content that earns them millions of dollars every year, a fair amount. These strikes are important, not just to secure a safe and stable job for writers and screen actors everywhere today and in the future, but to show that the working man has power, and if enough people band together, they can make drastic changes in the way they are treated in a work environment.
What is West Thankful for?
By Kaamil Hall
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Ever since the Mayflower touched down in America on November 21, 1620, the essence of this holiday is to recognize the things you appreciate in your daily life. With the season of giving thanks in mind, I decided to ask the West community what they are thankful for this year. Here’s what some people said!
“I am thankful for my family and the things they help me achieve.” - Brooke A
“I am thankful for life.” - Ed L
“I am thankful for having friends who care about and support me.” - Jordan C.
“I am thankful for sleep. It’s comfortable and energizing.” - Josh M.
“I am thankful for living.” (Again. Seems to be a theme.) - Michael S
“I am thankful that the band is working together and coming together nicely.” - Mr. Wheeler.
“I am thankful for my friends and family.” Mr. Kline
“I am thankful for my friends, family, and Diet Dr Pepper.” - Kelsey.
“I am thankful for life, my kids, and the opportunity to engage with this generation of kids at my old high school.” - Mr. Marvin.
Thanksgiving is both an individual and collective holiday. It makes you reflect on yourself and what you are thankful for, and it allows you to spend time with the people you care about the most. Whether you are grateful for your family and friends, or something more abstract (you will not believe some of the answers I got from people), I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.
OPINION: The Israel-Gaza Conflict: A call for Peace and Diplomacy
by Isabella Pranvaku
The Israel-Gaza conflict has been a longstanding source of violence and suffering, with innocent lives lost on both sides. As the world watches this tragic situation unfold. It is imperative to assess the root causes of this conflict and advocate for a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of all parties involved.
The Israel-Gaza conflict stems from deep-rooted historical and political grievances. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 led to the displacement of Palestinians, causing resentment and fueling tensions in the region. Over the years, both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered from acts of violence, retaliation, and lack of trust, perpetrating a cycle of never-ending conflict.
The most recent escalation in violence has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Civilians, including women and children, are bearing the brunt of this conflict, with reports of casualties and destruction becoming all too common. It is crucial for the international community to prioritize the protection of civilian lives and ensure immediate access to humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
The only path towards a lasting solution lies in diplomacy, dialogue, and negotiations. All parties involved must recognize that violence and military actions will exacerbate the situation and prolong the suffering of their own people. The international community, including regional and global powers, should actively engage in diplomatic efforts to facilitate a ceasefire and establish for negotiations.
This concept of a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully side by side, has long been advocated as the most viable path to peace. This solution would require compromises from both sides, including the recognition of Israel ́s rights to exist and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. International mediators should play a pivotal role in facilitating negotiations and addressing the concerns and aspirations of both parties.
The international community must step up its efforts to bring an end to this conflict. Diplomatic pressure, economic incentives, and targeted sanctions can be utilized to encourage both parties to engage in meaningful dialogue. Regional powers, such as Egypt and Jordan, also have a crucial role to play in mediating the conflict and fostering a peaceful resolution.
The Israel-Gaza conflict has caused immense suffering and destruction for far too long. It is high time for all parties involved to prioritize dialogue, compromise, and peaceful coexistence. The international community must demonstrate unwavering commitment to resolving this conflict through diplomatic means, ensuring the protection of civilians and a just solution that respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians. Only then can hope to achieve lasting peace in the region and pave the way for a better future for all.
----------------------If you would like to submit an opinion column, or write a letter to the editor, email your comments to hamwestcriterion@gmail.com.
That’s a Wrap - Girls Tennis Finished the Fall Season Strong
by Tiara Gonzalez
Tennis Wrap-up
The girls Tennis team, coached by James Ditmars, has ended their season with 2 team wins . We asked senior and team captain, Kimberly Sanchez, about the season:
Q: How many games did you win?
A: Team-2
Kim-6
Q: What was one of your biggest accomplishments this season?
A: Still being first singles. Also overcoming my injury as I fell during my first match of the season. I was able to recover and continued beating some teams that I hadn't won in my previous seasons. And I have never injured myself before in the other seasons.
Q: What do you believe to be one of your weaknesses this season and what are you doing to improve it?
A: Probably not practicing enough over the summer. I was mainly coaching so I didn't get to practice often. So while playing some of my shots weren't great. As of now, I'm trying to get more practice in and stay fit.
Q: How do you keep yourself and the team motivated after a loss?
A: Well, at times we already know if we are going to lose as some of the other teams are way stronger than us. We don't focus on winning overall, but we take joy when team members win with one game or they don’t lose with two “donuts” (0-6, 0-6). As long as everyone has fun, we don't take the loss into account and hope for the best next match. As a team, we also see what we may have to work on and use practice time on, which motivates us to do better in future matches.
Q: What qualities would you use to describe your team this season?
A: I believe this season our team was united and felt like a team. Everyone worked well with each other and encouraged one another. I can say that out of all my seasons, I enjoyed this team the most. Everyone worked hard and kept a positive attitude while playing. Everyone improved from how they first started. I will definitely miss playing with them and the loud chant we would give before every match
We also asked the girls tennis coach, James Ditmars, about the team and season:
Q: How many games did you win?
A: We won 2 games this season
Q: What was one of your biggest accomplishments this season?
A: Our biggest achievement this season was winning against New Egypt. It wasn't that we won, but the way we won with a total team effort.
A tennis match (team vs team) is which team wins the best of 5 matches, 3 Singles matches and 2 Doubles matches. This involves 7 varsity players. In our match vs New Egypt, Kimberly Sanchez won her match at 1st Singles and Angelina Goss won her match at 3rd Singles, giving us a 2-0 lead. Lucia Dabbene played a fantastic match at 2nd Singles, bringing the match to a third set deciding tiebreaker. Lucia came close, but fell short and lost in the tiebreaker. This made the score 2-1 in West's favor.
In 2nd Doubles, we lost another very close match, again in the third set tiebreaker. Score was now 2-2.
The deciding match at 1st Doubles took place right after we knew the score was 2-2, and we needed to win the remaining doubles match to attain victory. The doubles team of Solomia Khometskyy and Ava Bolognini took their match to yet another 3rd set tiebreaker, which not only would decide who would win their match, but also which team would win overall. The pressure was on, with Solomia and Ava fighting for the individual and team victory. Sure enough, the deciding tiebreaker was exciting and went down to the wire. Solomia and Ava won the tiebreaker in dramatic form and brought home the victory to Hamilton West! Now that was a nail biter and a strong performance by the entire team, a truly memorable event.
Q: What do you believe to be one of your weaknesses this season and what are you doing to improve it?
A: Our weakness as compared to many other schools is that no one receives private lessons or has a private tennis coach. Indoor tennis and lessons is an expensive proposition that not everyone can afford. Our girls work as hard as anyone and achieve to the best of their ability. I couldn't be more proud of each and every team member for their efforts and perseverance. We will continue to work hard in practice and have fun in the process. I always say that tennis is a sport you will play for the rest of your life- It will stay with you forever. That's our winning motto!
Q: How do you keep yourself and the team motivated after a loss?
A: We deal with losses in a realistic manner. As stated above, our team members do not have many of the advantages that players have at other schools. We realize that a player who has had years of private lessons and the resources to play indoors in winter has a distinct advantage over those that don't. We take all of that under consideration and judge our successes on how hard we try and how we play at every match. We count all of the high points that we achieve in every match despite the odds. That's what makes our girls special and a pleasure to coach.
Q: What qualities would you use to describe your team this season?
A: The qualities that make me proud of them is their willingness to compete against any level of player, that they look for the fun aspects of learning to play tennis, and their spirit of fun and enjoyment that I see every day at practice. These girls are fun, hard working, kind, intelligent, and caring people. They are a credit to Hamilton High West!
And with that, the season is finished! Great job and congratulations to the girls Tennis team.
Girls Soccer Wraps up the Fall Season
by Daniel Lopez
As the soccer manager of the girls soccer team, I have witnessed how the girls have repeatedly overcome so many different obstacles while playing on the field. Whether it was when Morgan Bressler, our lead scorer who got injured at the beginning of the season and did not play for numerous games, or when a few of our players got concussion scares. Even though they are at 2-13 record so far this year, this team has made great effort and done what they can with what they have.
I interviewed one of the soccer captains, Yatziri Mercado-Bonilla, and asked her a few questions about her experience on the team. I asked if Yatzi's experience on the soccer team has shaped her as a person, “It's humbled me and showed me that the goal of playing on the team shouldn't be about winning, but about improving as a player and enjoying yourself on the field.” Yatzi’s statement sets a good example of seeing the good in the bad. Even though the team loses often, she can still use that as a way to improve herself and remain optimistic.
As stated before, being the girls soccer manager has really given me the opportunity to watch these girls throughout the season. The way they play, interact, and talk to each other to improve and do better. Our most recent win was on Oct. 18, where the team ended the first half with a 1-1 score. When it was halftime the girls went to the corner and the varsity coach Staci Priestley encouraged the girls to dominate and that's what they did, scoring 3 more points, and ending the game at 4-1.
Image taken by Daniel Lopez | ig:moombasdigicam
Field Hockey Captains Reviews Their Season
by Riley Collins
With the closing of another great field hockey season, we interviewed the girls varsity captains to get their opinions on the year!
Miranda Sommer
Q: In your opinion, what was the best game you guys played?
A: Our best game in my opinion was our Nottingham game because I feel like it was one of the only games we really gave it our all in all four quarters.
Q: Any obstacles/mistakes you learned from as an athlete this season?
A: I learned to always keep pushing and trying my hardest because my team is relying on me.
Mallory Gavrish
Q: What have you learned about teamwork from your past experiences as a captain?
A: As a captain I tried to be helpful and create a happy environment for everyone. Also looking back on past seasons, I used that to make sure we worked on things to help us get better. It also helped having 3 more captains with me and being able to collaborate and work together with people to help the team.
Q: What are the most important qualities for players on this team?
A: Some important qualities are being a team player, asking questions, helping others, working hard, being passionate, having a positive attitude, and being able to adapt to certain situations.
Kelsey Egan
Q: What was it like being the captain of a team? Best and worst parts?
A: Being one of the captains of our team was overall an amazing experience! My favorite part was just being able to give back to the program I absolutely love. HHW field hockey has given me so much these past 4 years and I am so grateful that, as captain, I was able to share what makes the team so special with my teammates by always showing up for them both on and off the field. I would have to say the worst part about being a captain would just be the pressure. I soon realized the main reason I was picked for captain in the first place was just because I always try to make things fun so I put the pressure aside and played the game I was taught to play.
Q: Why did you choose to play this sport as opposed to others?
A: As for why I chose to play field hockey against any other sport, my reason has to be because of the bond between our field hockey girls. Field hockey at West is great because all of us start with little to no knowledge of field hockey. We all learn and develop as a team which forms an unexplainable bond between all of us. We also have our ribbon tradition where we buy a ribbon for each game to represent the unity of our team, they’re like tiny trophies to remember each game. Our team may not have always had the best record, but I have never regretted signing up for field hockey.
Melodie Arzayus-Rigelon
Q: What will you miss most about this season?
A: I’ll miss my teammates from this season the most. Playing is how I met my closest friends, and I’ll miss playing with everyone.
Q: How have past experiences made you a better player?
A: Playing in games, working with my teammates, and learning what works best for me as a player has helped me improve most I think.
New Cross Country Coach Leads West On and Off the Track
by Sean Collins
This year, winter and spring track coach Stephen Ziegler, as well as brand new cross country coach Matthew Richardson, led the season, and even trained alongside the team for several practices as well. Coach Richardson, for instance, once showed up to a team meet after having run 23 miles that morning, and Coach Ziegler, a former sub-3 hour marathoner, has been known to run with (and past) several team members during team interval workouts on the track. Needless to say, these coaches are no joke.
This year’s Cross Country season was one of the most promising Hamilton West has seen in years. For those who may not know, West’s cross country team trains to run 5-kilometer, or 3.11 mile, races throughout the season.
Ziegler and Richardson had the team run anywhere between 3 and 13 miles (a half marathon) for practices this year, and even set up relay races between the students and the coaches for speed training (which the students have yet to win).
Both coaches were very pleased with this season’s results as well, seeing as this was the largest cross country team Hamilton West has had in several years, and many athletes ran some promising times throughout the season. A few of the best times this year were captain Sean Collins, who ran the 5-kilometers (3.11 miles) in 20:19.7, and sophomores Franklin Pineda-Ramirez and Jonathan Gadie, who finished in 21:36.9 and 21:39.4 respectively. Freshman Aiden Dashevsky and Daniel Vergara were pleasant new arrivals to the team this year as well, and even ran in West’s “top seven” this year.
Overall, this year’s cross country season was a massive success, especially considering how almost every athlete ran a personal best this year, a potential sign that the best may still be yet to come for some of West’s younger runners. It seems we will have to wait until next season to see for sure!
The Hamilton West varsity boys’ soccer team finished with a record of 5-16 this fall. Senior Ethan Johnson had a remarkable season, leading the team in goals with 12 and assists with seven. He finished the season with 31 points, leading the team by far.
Senior goalie Sonny Panfill led the Hornets in saves with 139 in 18 games played. This is an incredible effort from the goalie this season and he will be missed when he graduates this year.
As competition grew throughout the season, the West boys soccer team did not back down and gave it their all. While the team does have seven players graduating this year, they have lots of promising talent in the juniors and sophomores on the team. Junior Mark Gavrish had six goals and one assist, equalling 13 points. Sophomore Sergio Ramos had six goals and two assists for 14 points. We should only see these numbers go up as they play a larger role next season.
While the team only ranked 12th in the CVC they still had a great season proving how they don’t back down and fight till the end of each game. Everyone on the team put in a tremendous effort and gave it their all every game. To end the season they had lost in a tough fought game with a score of 0 - 1 to Steinert.
“I think it was pretty good,” said senior Jaycol Coto Maradiaga, “we made it pretty far and of course were upset we didn't win against Steinert but I’m sure next year is going to be a better year for the team.”
Songs of the Season - How the Hamilton West Band Had a Great Season
by Ava Iorio
As we approach the annual West vs. Steinert Thanksgiving Game, we ought to mention West’s very own marching band! The Hamilton West Marching Band has had a great season this year, cheering on their football team and providing the cheerleaders with their tunes. Their horror-themed show, the CarnEvil, has been a great success as well, dazzling crowds at games and winning several competitions and awards.
The band began this year’s season on September 30th, where they finished with a score of 79.8 out of 100. They won 1st place at West Windsor High School, and 2nd place at Jackson Memorial School this year.
Unfortunately, not everything was in favor for the band, as the annual Cavalcade of Bands was canceled due to weather. However, the team continued practicing, and they finished the season exceptionally well despite this unfortunate hiccup.
The band’s final competition took place at Robbinsville High School, where they came in 2nd place, winning the award for Best Color Guard. For the second year in a row, the band won the WPST Bands & Fans Competition, beating numerous other marching bands with their amazing school spirit and winning $1,000 this year!
If you’re at all curious in seeing the Hamilton West marching band for yourself, be sure to check out the Thanksgiving Game on November 23. You won’t want to miss the halftime performance that’ll make you feel like you’re at a carnival rather than a football field!
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Editor-in-Chief: Sean Collins
Editors: Nathan Barrett, Riley Collins, Aileen Gomez, Alexia Gomez, Ava Iorio, Troy Vallery
Staff Writers: Ava Clugsten, Adreanna Cruzeta, John Daily, Sohaila Elkhateeb, Rheanna Feliciano, Tyler Fuller, Luna Garcia-Yax, Tiara Gonzalez, Yackelin Gramajo, Kaamil Hall, Maria Jagielska, Emilia Martinez, Kelsie Massingill, Mykayla Miles, Kamryn Mooney, Mahase Naitram, Ben Schafer, Kamaya Swain, Richardy Zambrano
Staff Photographers: Caleblyn Hall, Toka Gahin, Tiara Gonzalez, Joshua Martinez, Kamryn Mooney, Mahase Naitram, Jurne Palmer-McGriff
Advisors: Mr. Panfili, Mr. Patterson