By Anthony Fuentes 

​The Scholastic Aptitude Test, also known as the SAT, is a required test that is needed for colleges. High school seniors and juniors (in the spring) take the test. Colleges use a process called super scoring to make judgements about your scores as a whole. A good SAT score to get ranges from 1390-1590 the highest you can get is a 1600. Most four year colleges use test scores in their admission decisions.
“The SATs are used by colleges to place students in Honors or College credit courses, and for 2 year schools if you take the SATs you may not have to take the placement test,” said Dr. Diodato, a school counselor at East High School.  Although test scores are not the most important factor, it is still important to try your best on each test.
In order to prepare, you can take a practice test. The Practice Scholastic Aptitude Test is a practice test to prepare you for the actual SAT. “It’s a good practice for the real thing,” said School Guidance Counselor Ms. McGrath. On October 11, 2017 the PSATs were administered to 9-11th graders from 8:00 A.M to 12:18 P.M.
The SATs will be given six times a year on various dates starting including October 7th, November 4th, December 2nd, March 10th, 2018, May 5th, 2018 and the final one is June 2nd, 2018. To sign up for the SAT see your counselor. Both tests are held at East High School. Taking the SATs are important even if you aren’t planning on going to college at the time because you might change your mind in the near future. 

By Aalize' Allen 

Senior meetings, Senior Class Trip, Senior class pictures, Prom, Fundraising, College applications, Scholarships applications, SATs, and last but not least, being accepted into our dream college. This is quite a list of “To-Do’s” for seniors who plan on graduating and continuing onto their next chapter in life. All the while we’re definitely reminded daily that money do not grow on trees. Make your favorite events a priority and remember, the sooner the better.
 
Senior meetings
Senior meetings are important so you can be involved in decisions. We will discuss topics dealing with prom, graduation, senior trip, and more. So be sure to clear your schedule and attend. We listen to the students so if no voices are heard and no ideas are given out, then do not complain if you don’t agree with what is chosen or done.
 
Fundraising
This is mandatory, just like we need oxygen to live we need money to get things going. So let’s get these gears turning and get a move on selling those coupon books.
 
Senior Yearbook Quote
“A Senior yearbook quote is the place to sum up your personal philosophy, your goals in life, or your time in High school, all in one place. Take advantage of this opportunity and be remembered for who you were and who you plan on becoming…”
Also there’s going to be a page included in the yearbook to dedicate to those teachers who held a special spot in your heart during your time at East High. So feel free to leave a recognition or shout out.
 
Deadlines
If you plan on applying for scholarships there are deadlines, some as early as December 31st. Please mark this down, January 18th is the deadline for Senior pictures, Baby pictures, your senior quote and/or Teacher shout-outs.
All submissions must be made by January 18th to Ms. DeHollander in room E109 or by email at dawn.dehollander@rcsdk12.org.

It’s that time of year for Senior Exit Interviews, which will be held on April 4th and 6th in the library. Seniors get to dress up professionally and get a practice interview so they’re ready for the real thing. The person interviewing the senior will write notes, and give feedback after the interview is completed. Seniors should treat it as if they are actually getting interviewed by a potential employer.
 
Senior Exit Interviews are important, and students need them to graduate. Seniors will sit down with professionals for practice interviews as if they were real job interviews. Mrs. Gilbert, a counselor here at East High School, explains, “You will be evaluated and you can use the interviewer’s feedback to improve your interviewing skills. You must have an updated resume and cover letter completed and given to your counselor before your interview.”  Seniors will work on this in their Senior English Class.
 
“Seniors should expect to present themselves as if it were a real interview. They should dress appropriately. They should make sure there are no errors in their resumes or cover letters. It’s a good idea to practice your handshake and your eye contact,” says Mrs. Gilbert. Practice different questions you may be asked in the interviews.
 
Preparing for your interview and learning from the experience is the first step toward future success.  So take this opportunity seriously and it will help you in the future.  Good luck, seniors!

Saranne Kaufman

Starting this year there will be an opportunity for seniors with high proficiency in two or more languages at graduation. The New York State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes graduating students with a Regents Diploma who maintain a high level of reading, writing, and listening in any other language in addition to English. Proficiency in another language means the other language can easily be one spoken at home or fluency in the language studied in school.

In order to get the NYS Seal of Biliteracy students must earn three points for each language. Students who would like to pursue the NYS Seal of BIliteracy would have to do a presentation on the language they were studying. For any students who would do the presentation in another language other than English there would be an interpreter in the one specific language.

Students who are eligible for this are doing their presentation in many different including Spanish and Somali. Once everything is done you have accomplished a seal on your diploma. For students who received the application and agreement and are interested, make sure to give the application to Dr. Boyle by April 1st or sooner. Counselors are encouraging the students eligible for this opportunity to take it. 

Wandalys Montero 

Senior Exit interviews are in the first week of April and you have to be prepared. The most important thing to remember is that first impressions count the most. This interview counts towards senior graduation and preparing for life outside of high school. So, it is important that seniors take this serious because it’s actually really beneficial. Students should look at the senior exit interview as more of an opportunity instead of “just another assignment.”

First things first: What should you wear? Your appearance means EVERYTHING! If you walk in with casual attire, you won't be taken serious. Do you want to be taken for a joke? No! You need something professional, but not too over the top. Things you should definitely not wear are jeans, leggings, shorts, or sweatpants. You should never show any cleavage or any other parts of the body that are inappropriate. Sagging is especially inappropriate. The shoes and accessories are usually the most exciting part to complete an outfit, but for interviews, you don't have to put too much thought into it. Sandals and sneakers are too casual and those fancy “club shoes” are too much. You don't need to go overboard for accessories either, there should be no big hoops or huge chains.

Now that you know what not to do, here's what you should do. You should wear slacks or dress pants. If you're going to wear a skirt or dress, make sure it's at least knee length. If you're going to wear pants, make sure to remember a belt. For the top, a nice blouse or button up shirt with a cardigan or blazer would be perfect. If you are wearing a sleeveless top, pair it with a cardigan or blazer. A basic pair of flats or heels will do just fine. For the boys, a nice pair of dress shoes will be perfect. And for the jewelry and accessories, less is always better.

Clothes aren't going to get you the interview though. Make a resume and cover letter and have a staff member you trust critique it for you. You can also go to http://m.snagajob.com/resources/job-interview-tips-for-teens/ to figure out how to physically and mentally prepare yourself for an interview. Always take advantage of the staff and sources you have around you. Remember to have positive energy, be engaged, and think. Good Luck!

Sonyalice McGrew

The class of 2017 has been having some trouble with raising money for prom. We've had a couple fundraisers such as selling candles, chocolate, and cookie dough. The next thing we’re going to sell, according to Missy, is pizza.
Seniors had many meetings to speak about out fundraising and what we can do to get more money for prom since we don't have enough money for prom.  We came up with some ideas that might help us. We talked about selling tickets for food for teachers after school like a nice BBQ. We also thought about talking to Ms. Blocker and asking her if she would give up one day to use the senior snack-bar and sell candy, food, drinks just to make some money that'll help us out.
The prom was in danger of being held in the gym, but the newest news is that the school was able to donate money to help us out with everything. There's one catch, the class of 2017 has to still raise money to pay back the school for helping us out.  So if you appreciate the loan so we can have a nice prom, be sure to get fundraising, seniors!

​Mariangely Cotto

A new change in the senior lounge procedures has many seniors upset.  Originally, there was a lunch line that formed inside the lounge, but now it is closed and the line has been moved outside of the lounge.

Cafeteria food service worker Shawn Ovington stated, “The main reason they closed the lunch line in the senior lounge was because we didn't have a computer for kids to put in their numbers in so they were getting lunch in the senior lounge then going out the original lines to get more food.” This is a problem for the food service providers because it makes their job of feeding the students more difficult.  Ovington goes on to state, “it makes it harder on me because I have only so many portions of food a day.”  This means that he has a certain amount of food for the day, and students grabbing double lunch complicates their inventory.

Several students voiced their concerns over these new changes.  Seniors liked the fact that they were able to get food apart from the younger kids, that it was easier for them and faster. Now that the line in the senior lounge is closed it makes it harder for seniors to get lunch due to the long line.  Also, younger students are still sneaking into the senior line.

Hopefully with our student government we can ask all the seniors to speak up and try to get the line back up. If this is an issue you care about and want the procedure changed, contact the student government president Hanzell Carrillo, or student government advisor Mr. Delehanty to bring your opinion and hopefully make change.

Mariangely Cotto

Currently, many students are overly stressed about getting into college and having a career. This process is not an easy one.  However, in the end, the hectic process is more than worth it. Here are some important facts that students need to know about the application process and the deadlines they need to meet.

The first step for applying to college is to read and pay attention to all of the instructions on the application. East High School counselor Mrs. Gilbert explains the application process and what it all includes. “Usually four-year colleges require you to include your SAT and ACT Scores, one to three recommendation letters and sometimes it is also advantageous to include a copy of a resume and a list of any activities and honors,” she states. 

In addition to all these documents you should compile, there are deadlines that must be followed.  Her best advice is, “Pay attention to the directions given by the colleges.  Most colleges require deadlines in January, some in February or March.”  One of the most important facts Mrs. Gilbert shared was the urgency for students to reach out to their counselors so that they can do their part in the process. 

Financial aid is also a concern for many students, which sometimes has a different deadline than the application process.  Mrs. Gilbert does on to say that technically there is a “Priority Date” that usually falls in February. “This is so the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can give students the most appropriate help and receive potential scholarships that each respective applicant may qualify for.”  There will also be a special event here at East High School on January 29th, 2017 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm for any students and parents who need assistance with applying for Financial Aid. There will be professionals to help out the parents and the students.

Lastly, the most important piece for applying to college is to take the SAT or ACT because most of four-year colleges require them. The next upcoming date to sit for the SAT is on January 21st, 2017 and there is also another one in March 2017 but that might be too late. Counselors are here to help but students need to take the lead if they’re serious about going to college. If students get all of the steps done in time, they will be on the road to starting a successful college career. 

​Melissa Caso

Are the cell phones the problem, or how we use them the problem? Over the last few years cell phones have become a major part of almost everyone’s life. In their eyes it’s an essential. Students are so used to having their phones and using them for anything they can, that when they can’t use them, they often get irritated, angry, and in some cases defiant. In school, cell phones are seen as negative things that distract students from learning, and are the cause of a lot of conflicts.

Cell phones were made to benefit people and now we can even organize our lives with our phones, but instead they’re being used for all the wrong things. The negative side of cell phones in school are using social media sites in class, listening to music while you’re supposed to be learning, recording fights, and cyberbullying.

If you’re going to use your cell phones in school, why not use them to be productive?  There are some apps that can help students organize their school lives. These apps include Google Classroom, which connects the student with their teacher and their classmates, the Homework App, which is an app that can remind students of any important assignments and homework due.  There is also App Flashcards, which generates flashcards that you can easily pull up on your phone and study anytime you need to.
There are also apps that are made to help out teachers. Kahoot is a fun and effective way for students to review in class. Teach-Learn-Lead is an app that connects teachers with other teachers who teach the same subject to share their ideas and to get and give support and feedback. Additio is an app that can help teachers organize and manage their classroom by keeping attendance, taking notes, and keeping track of assignments.

So cell phones themselves aren't really the problem; they can actually be pretty useful when used for the right things. Maybe it wouldn't be a big deal and discouraged if we stopped using our phones for the wrong reason and start using them to be productive.  The choice is up to us.

Sonyalice McGrew

​School has just ended, you threw your cap in the air, and got your high school diploma. Congratulations! You have completed a major step in your life. Now what though? Do you go to college immediately? Do you just hang out for awhile? For some people, the answer to these questions is the gap year.
Ah, the highly controversial gap year. Students can choose to have a year of free time before college. The possibilities are endless what you could do in that time. You could find a job and work, or travel around the world. Many students use this time to future progress in their academics by taking advanced courses. Occasionally gap years are urged to help build responsibility and preparedness for college life.
Taking a break from education is nice for some people, but others might disagree. You might find you get distracted from your goals in the long run and find yourself unmotivated when you return to college. Most teachers I have talked to have strongly advised against a gap year. In fact, every teacher I have talked to has advised me against it.
Overall, the choice is yours. Do what you feel is best and will help you in the long run. But’s it’s always comforting to know that you have options.

Henry Davis