INS IDE TH IS

I SSUE :

CLUBS 2

EDITORIAL 3

RED, WHITE, AND

BLUE NIGHT

4-5

ENTERTAINMENT 6

EDITORIALS 7-8

C E N T R A L

B U C K S H I G H

S C H O O L E A S T

THE PATRIOT F E B R U A R Y I S S U E

T H E P A T R I O T

EAST-HOLICONG TUTORING

Here at East, we have a variety of clubs for students. From athletic to academic to community service, there is sure to be something for everyone. The East-Holicong Tutoring Club is a perfect choice for someone who demonstrates strong in-terpersonal skills and it invites East students to reach out as mentors and tutors to Holicong students who may be strug-

gling in their classes.

“We were inspired by our own tutoring experiences where we found it incredibly rewarding to share our knowledge and experience with others,” said juniors Katherine Xu and Vivian Hu, who established the East-Holicong Tutoring Club

this year.

To become a tutor, interested students can sign up at tiny.cc/eastholicongtutoring. Once a Holicong student matches the East student’s interests, the two are paired and scheduled for their first meeting together. Currently, the East-Holicong Tutoring Club meets every Tuesday after school at the Holicong library, but tutors and tutees are encouraged

to create a schedule that is fitting for both people.

After joining the club and meeting her tutee, junior Bina Patel commented, "East-Holicong Tutoring is a great oppor-tunity to be able to help the future East kids and give them a better chance to become successful as they move through middle and high school. It's also a great way to be a leader and review some of the concepts that we have learned in middle school. East

students should definitely take advantage of this opportunity!"

To learn more, or to have any questions answered, students can visit the East-Holicong Tutoring Club’s website at http://eastholicongtutoring.weebly.com, email eastholicongtutoring@gmail.com, or see Ms.

Nickett in room D122.

BY MADISON DOKOS

P A G E 2

E D I T O R - I N - C H I E F :

E R I N F A R R E L L

C O N T R I B U T O R S :

M A D I S O N D O K O S ,

G R A C E H A N L O N ,

C A R L Y M I C H A E L S ,

C O N N E R A L L E N ,

A N N A C A R E G H I N I ,

S A M A N T H A T A I T ,

O L I V I A Z A R Z Y C K I ,

M A T T V E T T E R ,

L A U R E N H O L D E N ,

G R A C E W A D E ,

A M B E R W A R E -

S T I C K E R , P A T R I C I A

F A B O Z Z I , C H A D

G E L F A N D

A D V I S O R :

S T E V E N B E R C I K

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

For anyone interested in business, there is nothing more exciting than Wall Street. Suits, briefcases,

yelling, money: this is the place to be. If you go to visit while it’s not rush hour, it is two hours away.

However, that is a bit of a hike so to bring the action to your front door, students at the Central Bucks

High School East created their own mini market of stocks and bonds.

Proud Patriot sophomores Christian Hanna and Dylan Junkin are just a few of the many students who

love money, because who doesn’t? They turned their love of money into a love of school involvement.

For two sophomores it may seem daunting to talk to adults to make your own club, but these boys

braved the administrative waters and are taking a ride on the stock market ocean.

Once a month, 15 students (no more, no less) congregate with their game faces on for the showdown

of the ages. They meet with the school’s greatest and tallest finance guru, Mr. Campbell.

“We basically talk about stocks and are virtual millionaires,” flaunts founding father Christian Hanna.

“Making millions is fun, so this club is fun.”

Many East students are familiar with, and some have even taken, the personal finance course. In the

class, students discuss ways to avoid poverty and keep up with the stressful and expensive Bucking-

ham teenage lifestyle, because there’s nothing worse than not having money for some Chipotle.

This club is basically an extension of the class, except it’s even more fun because there are no grades

and you are with your chums. Aforementioned chums download the Market Watch application on

their phones and choose the stocks they wish to watch. Members pretend to invest in different stocks

and hope that they don’t end up in the red. The club is even rumored to get crazy at times.

“Oh yeah, the stock market club gets crazy at times,” divulges Tom “da Bomb” Hanlon. “We all want

to end up on top so we can enslave the others and their families to our multimillion dollar corpora-

tions.”

Some may not believe it, but finances are fun. Senior Mary Grace Alcaro couldn’t stop gushing about

how much she loves monitoring the Alcaro family stocks.

“OMG I love talking about stocks with my dad! I would say it’s def something that we bond over.

Know what I’m saying, GF?”

Here at The Patriot, we def know what Mary Grace is talking about. If you don’t, check out the next

month’s Stock Market Club meeting to support. These mini moguls are going straight to the top.

BY GRACE HANLON AND CARLY MICHAELS

The Patriot is a student publication

of Central Bucks High School East

2804 Holicong Rd

Doylestown, PA 18902

The opinions stated in The Patriot

do not necessarily reflect the

opinions of the students, admin-

istration, faculty, or staff of Cen-

tral Bucks High School East.

Interested in writing for The

Patriot? Anyone is welcome to

write. Email Mr. Bercik at

sbercik@cbsd.org. Come with

ideas for articles, photographs,

opinions, and more! Look for our

publication on the East website.

T H E P A T R I O T

P A G E 3

EDIT

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T H E P A T R I O T

A GUIDE FOR VALENTINE’S DAY BY SAMANTHA TAIT The best thing about Valentine’s Day is not only the generous discounts of half price chocolate boxes in the weeks afterwards, but also the excuse to binge-watch sappy chick flicks and eat Ben-and-Jerry’s ice cream. Well, if you’re single. As for couples and “almost couples” Valen-tine’s Day is a whole different story. For teens who are in “things” or “are talking,” the first question they find asking themselves usually is what do you get your significant other? Or do you even get them anything? No one wants to be the one who ends up coincidentally forgetting the other’s gift at home, but on the other hand no one wants to be the person who comes off too strong by purchasing gifts that say “I’m obsessed with you.” In this situation, everything should be in moderation. Don’t overthink it! Guys always love food. Make a guy some cookies and he’ll probably mumble something like “thanks fam,” but on the inside, he’s swooning. On the other hand, girls are a little trickier. An easy fix to getting your girl the perfect gift is just buying her flowers. Nothing makes a girl smile like a face full of pollen, even if you’re not really sure what you are yet. They don’t even have to be roses. Or maybe, this is a sign from the universe to just determine your relationship already. Don’t get me wrong, I love cute couples right out of a Nicholas Sparks novel just as much as the next girl, but everyone’s favorite couples are usually the ones who keep it at a balanced level of mushy and, well, normal. If you're in one of these so-called relationships and still don’t know what to get your bae, take a trip to your local Hallmark and pick out the sappiest thing you can find. Now if Valentine’s Day is making you a little weepy because you’re all by your lonesome, don’t fret. Being single on Valentine’s Day is underrated for many reasons. The first and ultimate reason why is simple: being able to watch any guilty pleasure sitcom or movie without feeling criticized by your signif-icant other. In addition to this freedom, picking the snacks doesn’t have to be an unsatisfying compro-mise. No one likes to settle on a candy they half-heartedly like, let alone share with someone you have to half-heartedly tolerate. Being your own Valentine is a gift in itself: there is no stress in happily react-ing to a gift because you can buy your own gift. When shopping for the best valentine you’ll probably ever have, I have one piece of advice: treat yo’ self. Whoever you’re with (or without), Valentine’s Day is a holiday that should be appreciated and cher-ished. Hating V-Day is cliché and should definitely be left in middle school.

Photo credit: eyesonnews.com

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE NIGHT

P A G E 4 F E B R U A R Y I S S U E

The sophomore boys hold their own in the Tug-of-War relay.

Sophomores get ready for the Yoga Ball race.

The junior cheering section was energetic and competitive.

Student Council members Joe Glauber and Sam Tait The donut eating contest was certainly the messiest competition!

Josh Powers competes in the Yoga Ball race.

Anna Careghini and Taylor Seguine

Juniors Paige Mazzacano, Cassidy Bonner, Lily Goldberg, and Callie Thompson

P A G E 5 F E B R U A R Y I S S U E

Juniors Megan Lapioli, Casey Zhang, Kayla Ventura, and Kaitlyn Mikalic

Student Council was integral in putting the night together.

The sophomore section had a great turnout. Brian Kelhnofer and Alicia Camut participate in the Twizzler-Marshmallow relay.

Tyler Brennan holds up a game plan for the Mat Folding relay.

Sophomores have a blast at Red, White, and Blue Night.

Mary Grace Alcaro and Pablo Padin

RED, WHITE, AND BLUE NIGHT

The seniors came ready to win Red, White, and Blue Night this year.

P A G E 6

CUT TOBEY MAGUIRE A BREAK

BY OLIVIA ZARZYCKI Everyone is familiar with the “Spider-Man” trilogy that began in 2002, featuring Toby Maguire as our insect-like hero. Over the past few years, following the re-lease of The Amazing Spider-Man in 2012, starring Andrew Garfield, I have found myself caught up in a repeated debate: who is the better Spider-Man? The answer is simple, and, in my opinion, non-debatable. Toby Maguire is, and will remain, the one true Spider-Man. The common reaction I get to this statement is usually a mixture of confusion and mild disgust. I’ve discovered that people seem to think that Toby Maguire is awkward and, frankly, a low-grade actor. On the contrary, it is a largely shared opinion that Andrew Garfield is the pinnacle of male beauty: attrac-tive, intelligent, quirky, and with an endearing British accent. For these reasons, I am told that Garfield takes the cake, along with the title as the “better Spider-Man.” Let me explain why this is wrong. Peter Parker, our protagonist turned hero, is described as “nerdy,” “shy,” and “awkward.” For the most part he is an outcast. While he is extremely bright and kind, he is uncomfortable and not too great in social situations. Doesn’t our adorably awkward Toby Maguire hit that nail right on the head? Scenario: you see Andrew Garfield skateboarding (as The Amazing Spider-Man portrays his Peter Parker persona doing in the film) through the halls of CB East. From the opinions I’ve collected about Garfield, people aren’t going to see him as “nerdy,” “shy,” or “awkward.” Rather, Garfield would absolutely be a social success, due to his appearance, grace, and cool fac-tor. Hence, Garfield has failed in playing the beloved classic comic book character Peter Parker. Maguire, on the other hand, has perfected the role, mastering the cute but dorky boy-next-door persona.

So, as you see, there really is no debate when it comes to the better Spider-Man. And hopefully after reading

this article, you will have developed a newfound appreciation for Toby Maguire, who is not only our Spider-Man,

but a successful and talented actor who has starred in several other great films, including the 2013 adaptation of

The Great Gatsby. True talent doesn’t always come along with great hair and an English accent, so we have to

appreciate Maguire’s accurate and tasteful portrayal of Peter Parker.

ENTER

TAIN

MEN

T

T H E P A T R I O T

BY MATT VETTER AND LAUREN HOLDEN

A NETFLIX POLL

Matt Bodick: “Walking Dead

because zombies are cool.”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SHOW ON NETFLIX?

Kelsey Mulholland and Sarah

Foti :“Grey’s Anatomy because it’s

cool to see a doctor’s point-of-view

of the world mixed with drama.”

Brian Damone: “Breaking Bad.

Walter White is the man.”

Margaret Dolan: “One Tree Hill

because I really like the characters.”

Everyone knows that Netflix is the best way to watch TV shows

right now: no commercials, binge watching, and pausing whenever

you want. The Patriot interviewed some students to see what

shows CB East is watching on Netflix.

AJ Ventresca: “The Arrow. I can’t

stop watching it.”

Kaitlyn Obetz: “Toddlers and Tiaras

because of how cute and funny the

little girls are.”

Photo credit: new.nster.com

P A G E 7

EDIT

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FAVORITE ROMANCE MOVIES BY PATRICIA FABOZZI AND AMBER WARE-STICKER

APPRECIATING UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE BY GRACE WADE There are many ages to look forward to in a lifetime. You have the 16th birthdays that usher in an age of independence, drivers’ licenses,

and some of the most lavish birthday parties known to mankind. Then, there’s the 21st birthday in which you proudly brandish your ID with

new opportunities. At 40, you’ve hit another milestone and are “over the hill” into the second phase of life. However, the most anticipated

of all ages has to be the 18th birthday. You’re no longer a certified child, but have crossed over into the big, bad, scary world of adult-

hood. Suddenly, you can buy a lottery ticket, rent a hotel room, and get that tattoo you’ve always wanted. The possibilities are endless as

suddenly all of that “grown-up” stuff is placed right at your fingertips. Nonetheless, a big privilege of the 18th birthday I believe a lot of

newly branded adults take for granted is the right to vote.

Being able to have a say in those who represent our country and govern us, is a truly incredible gift democracy has bestowed us with. The

story of universal suffrage has often been a tale filled with struggle, defeat, and remarkable persistence. Those who fought for a govern-

ment that was made by the people, for the people, gave us Americans a revolutionary form of democracy. Today, all American adults are

able to cast their ballot and have a say (no matter how insignificant it may seem) in who leads the United States of America. However, this

was not a privilege all people have always been given.

First and foremost arose the famous battle cry of, “No taxation without representation!” from the determined colonists of an unborn Ameri-

ca. Later, prior to the election of Andrew Jackson, universal male suffrage made its debut as property requirements were abolished, and

the “common man” was finally given the ability to cast his ballot. Less than 50 years later the Fifteenth Amendment was ratified by Con-

gress, which declared, “the rights of citizens to vote shall not be denied… on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” This

statement would not have been possible without years of turmoil and blood-stained conflict. Finally, in 1920, universal enfranchisement was

extended to women through the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment after decades of protests, speeches, and convention.

The history regarding voting rights makes me to feel absolutely devastated when young Americans fail to truly care about their ability to

participate on Election Day. Voting is a right that hundreds of men and women invested their lives into in order for it to be upheld and

fulfilled. That is why I find it truly discouraging when those who are eighteen care more about their first tattoo than a sought after right. It is

why I find myself so often urging my friends to pay attention to politics and genuinely realize how blessed we are to be citizens of such a

representative country.

T H E P A T R I O T

As Valentine’s Day approaches, for those who are single, the night

poses itself as an opportunity to indulge in excessive—and bor-

derline unhealthy—amounts of rom-coms. So, whether you’re

spending the holiday alone or catching a flick with other single

buddies, East students provided a few good examples of must-see

romantic movies for this special night.

Connor Larkin: “The Fault in Our

Stars”

Betty Wesney: “The Notebook”

Nicole Herdzik: “The Lucky One” Eric Chase: “Safe Haven” Brady Tillotson: “The Notebook”

EDITO

RIA

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RETURN OF THE ‘FRO

T H E P A T R I O T

BY CHAD GELFAND

P A G E 8

I’m back and I come bearing gifts… more questions and more answers. I know the question you all have is a second part really necessary? Is it

necessary for Dr. Dre to release his highly anticipated album Detox?

This is a rhetorical question. Obviously, the answer is yes, but lucky for you this article won’t take fifteen years to release like Detox; however,

unlike Detox, this article doesn’t contain all of life’s secrets.

How many inches does your hair add to your height? What a great question, a question that requires me to have a tape measure in my possession to answer accurately. Nonetheless, if I was to conjure a guess I would say it adds about two or three inches to my height. That’s my best guess; however, if you want a more accurate measurement, I encourage you to bring a tape measure in and see for yourself how much height it adds onto me. (Don’t actually do this.) How are you going to fit the cap on your head at graduation? I’ll do it through the power of positive thinking, a crane, and a tub of butter. All jokes aside, I’m pretty confident that I can fit a hat on my head. One thing is for sure though, the suspense will come to a crescendo on graduation day and because of that suspense it should be a packed crowd. People might not fill up the new stadium to see their children graduate, but they will to see if I can fit a cap on my head. I’ve done it before after all. If you don’t believe me,

check out my twitter page @ChadGelfand11. I probably won’t follow you back, but if you’re lucky, there might be a chance.

When are you going to cut your hair? When a single person tells me to. Eight years of growth all gone because one person tells me to cut my hair. Because hey, it’s not like someone has ever told me to cut my hair before, right? Well, it really would be cool if that was the case, but it’s not. I’ve probably been told about a hundred times to cut my hair. For some reason I’ve never listened to them (it’s probably the hair cov-ering my ears). I don’t really have an exact plan when it comes to cutting, but as I approach college I sense the career of the ‘fro

is winding down. If I had to give a definitive date for its retirement, I would give a two-year limit.

Six questions and two parts later, you now have learned all that goes into having this mop of hair on my head. Hopefully I have answered all of your questions. If I haven’t, then please use your imagination because it’s probably better than whatever answer I

have to your question.

To end, I’ll leave you with one thing: know where fun ends and trouble begins. And that trouble begins if you touch my hair without

asking.

Chad tackles round two of your most pressing hair questions.