Waldwick Unites to Honor Joseph D'Augustine
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| Students show support and pride by wearing red, white, and blue to school on Tuesday.Photo courtesy of Jessica Colucci. |
STAFF WRITERS
Recently, Waldwick resident, Marine Staff Sergeant Joseph D’Augustine passed away in combat. He served with the Marines since the day after he graduated high school in 2001. Today, April 3, 2012, his body is returning home and the entire Waldwick community will be out on the streets mourning his death and saluting his honor.
Around Waldwick High School and Waldwick Middle School, the day feels a little strange, but students and staff are wearing red, white, and blue to honor D’Augustine. “This is a very sad time for Waldwick because we’ve lost one of our own in this tiny community. So, while I am very upset about this, I am also so proud of him. It takes a brave person to go fight for his country,” said sophomore, Mike Avakian.
“I’m at a loss for words,” said senior Eric Ackerman.
Senior Natalie Tasci said, “I love how out small town can come together to honor a great soldier.”
“It's nice that the whole town is coming together to honor Joe. This is not a happy occassion, but I believe Waldwick is trying to make the best of it,” said junior Julia Montella.
These words are a testament that even when tragedy hits, the students and staff of the Waldwick school district, as well as members of the Waldwick community, come together to show their compassion. Although many current students may not have met him, they showed their support alongside WHS alumni who returned for the procession. It is amazing to see the community pull together and honor the memory of one of Waldwick’s bravest.
Physical education teacher, Mr. Hagen, who served in the Marines himself, had this to say: “I think the community and school is doing a tremendous job in giving a true warrior the welcome home he deserves. This is a marine that gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country, his family, his community, and his fellow marines. Semper Fidelis.”
HSPA week success at WHS:
Learning and Laughing
Mr. Carroll shared this great video with the staff that highlights activities from the week of March 5th:
Powerful leader removed from power by death
By Jess Niblo
NEW EDITOR
By Jess Niblo
NEW EDITOR
On February 17th, 2011, many Libyan people started rebelling again ruler Muammar Gaddafi. Gaddafi was in charge of the country since 1969, when he overtook the government. When he fell into power, he declared Libya a republic. His rule was the fourth longest regime Libya has had.
In February, Libya entered a revolution after the government opened fire at a protest. People in Benghazi began to rebel against his rule; deciding that they wanted a new ruler. Gaddafi automatically threatened death to anyone who protested him. From February to September, it is believed that 30,000 to 50,000 Libyan people lost their lives.
Gaddafi successfully escaped a US Predator Missile, but was quickly captured by a rebel militia. According to the rebels, he was found with a few body guards in a drain ditch in western Sirte. He was soon taken as a prisoner and eventually shot.
When Gaddafi was captured by Libyan rebels, he had a head wound. He was able to walk, but had multiple severe wounds. When they finally arrested him, his hometown was also falling to pieces. The United Nations is currently investigating whether or not the murder of Gaddafi was humane or inhumane. He was killed as both a war crime and without a trial. Because of the high degree of violence during his arrest, the UN has a strong belief that his death included a lot of violence as well. If the violence is true, it most likely means that that the new leaders will be extremely violent as well.
Now that Gaddafi is no longer in power, Prime Minister appointed a new cabinet. Prime Minister Abdel Rahim appointed the militia commander, Osama al-Juwali, to be the new defense minister. With the new balance of power, the Gaddafi regime and the new cabinet are fighting to share control.
WHS joins NJ schools in fight against bullying
Students showed support for Respect Week by wearing orange to school on Friday.
Photo courtesy of Ms. De Gironimo.
By Eric Ackerman
OPINIONS EDITOR
The Week of October 3rd was celebrated at Waldwick High School as a Week of Respect. Commonly called Respect Week, a new state law mandated that Respect Week be observed in October along with School Violence Awareness Week and Anti-Drug-and-Alcohol Week.
The new bullying law initiated for the 2011-2012 school year requires school faculty and staff to investigate any reports of bullying in a timely manner. Schools must also raise awareness to students and parents about the possible effects brought on by bullying.
Waldwick High School began its Anti-Bullying Program last year, beginning with special programs that brought to light effects that various forms of bullying can have. One such program included the film, Sticks and Stones. Based on a true story, the film features a boy, who after being bullied, commits suicide. This year, administration at Waldwick introduced a few new items to its bullying awareness program. For the first three days of the school week, homeroom teachers played YouTube videos selected by the administration that dealt with the idea of standing up to bullying. Such videos showed reenactments of bullying, tribute photos to American children who have committed suicide due to bullying, and celebrity endorsements about standing up to bullying.
In addition to viewing bullying awareness videos in homeroom, on Friday, a majority of the students and faculty wore orange in support of the cause and say “NO” to bullying.
