The Beacon

A Student Publication of Shore Regional High School

Volume 50, Issue 2 Hurricane Sandy Edition

PLEASE SEE THE LAST PAGE FOR WAYS YOU CAN HELP SHORE’S VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY.

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Sea Bright Suffers After SandyBy KEVIN MAZZELLA & ALEX JOHNSON

The stretch of Sea Bright’s Ocean Avenue was a wasteland of sand and wrecked boats after Hurricane Sandy hit on Octo-ber 29th. There were wood and building supplies from all of the ruined beach clubs piled among the sand. Cars were pushed in the center of Ocean Avenue by water and buried by sand from the crashing waves. Steps that led up and over the sea wall were destroyed. The water was so high at points that the waves were crashing over the sea wall. Almost all businesses and homes in the midst of the town were badly damaged, some beyond repair. Firemen and police officers were allowed to inspect damage before the civilians. Residents were allowed to finally go back to their homes but a curfew remained in effect from 7am to 7pm for many days after the initial storm. The bar-ricade was finally lifted on November 14th, in the midst of the recovery efforts.

Relief Efforts Aid NJ Storm Victims

By DEREK JOYCE & GARRETT WAGNER

On October 29, the horrific super storm named Sandy devastated the New Jersey Shore. The communities of the Jersey Shore were overcome by strong winds and a massive record-breaking flood surge. Sandy left many New Jersey residents without homes, food, transportation, and hope. Despite all of the destruction and tragedy, the government and Department of Defense reacted immediately to support the East Coast. Relief efforts were set up quickly. Particu-larly in Monmouth County, NJ, a hard hit area of the storm, the US National Guard arrived to help local authorities and residents with aid. FEMA, a branch of the federal govern-ment also organized relief shelters, helped homeowners with paper work and collected and distributed supplies and dona-tions. These efforts by the federal government were appreci-ated by most New Jersey residents and communities, who benefited from the aid they received. Two members of the Shore community offered insight on their interactions with the National Guard and FEMA. Oceanport resident Georgie Junay, 45, says “its unbelievable the damage that occurs dur-ing a storm like Sandy.” Mrs. Junay suffered damage to her home after several trees fell during the storm. She believes she was “lucky” because she was able to receive food from a local shelter at Maple Place Middle School in Oceanport. Bob Thorton, 55, from Sea Bright, NJ, also believes he was “ a lucky one” simply because he and his family of four were safe. After their home was completely devastated by water damage the Thortons were brought to a Shelter constructed by FEMA in Oceanport. “The people were very generous and always happy to help us,” Thorton said of the hospitality of the FEMA workers and National Guardsmen. “Big Monmouth”

DestroyedBy KYLE GIRONDA & CLAY FLANNERY

On October 29, the horrific super storm known as Sandy devastated the entire Jersey shore. During high tide at 10 p.m. on the first night of the storm, the ocean and river levels started rising rapidly. By the time the storm actu-ally hit, water was intensely crashing over the sea wall. An important landmark for many Shore students, Monmouth Beach Bath & Tennis Club, was greatly affected by this storm. Affectionately known as “Big Monmouth,” the ex-clusive, private beach club is now devastated. Cabanas have been completely removed from the ground, the kitchen has been destroyed, the snack bar is gone, and the bar has been removed. Ocean Avenue, the street that the beach club is on, was left covered in more than a foot of sand.. Not only that, but the beach is mostly covered by ocean, and the boardwalk is completely ruined. This tragedy not only affects the mem-bers of this club, but also the employees.

Science Behind SandyBy ALEX PATTON

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy washed away a large portion of the Jersey Shore. The historic storm stretched 940 miles, a distance equal from New York to Atlanta. Due to a high-pressure system near Greenland, the storm was pushed inland. It was unusual for a storm of this size to move inland this late in the year. Though, before the storm made landfall, it lost some typical hurricane traits, like having thunderstorms around the eye, and winds started to weaken. Adding to its power, as Hurricane Sandy ap-proached land, a cold front was traveling from west to east. Many coastal areas saw up to six feet of water, while other areas inland saw snow. Since the storm moved so slowly the it was over land for several high-tide cycles and hit during a full moon cycle. There were storm surges up to eleven and twelve feet high. Because of funnel shaped bays and inlets, water entered and rose easily, but the water had trouble leaving.

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2 The Beacon Hurricane Sandy Edition

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SHORE REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Board of EducationRonald O’Neill, President

David BakerBeth J. Garrigal

Mary Lynn MangoDiane Merla

Anthony F. Moro, Jr., Ed.D.Frank J. Pingitore

Paul RolleriTadeusz Szczurek

AdministrationInterim Superintendent: Renae LaPrete

Business Administrator: Dennis W. Kotch, CPAPrincipal: Vincent G. DalliCardillo

Vice Principal: Harry S. Chebookjian, IIIDirector of Athletics: Nicholas Ciambrone

Director of Curriculum & Instruction: Bruce PrestonDirector of Student Personnel Services: Jon Warner

Technology Coordinator: Michael Vaccarino

The Beacon StaffAdvisor: Mrs. Victoria KoontzDesign Editor: Jenna Wyatt

Contributors: ALYSSA BARLOW, CASEY BIRDSALL, NICOLE CEBULKO, DANIELLE CIAGLIA, MATT COSENTINO, EMMAN-UEL CRUZ, CLAYTON FLANNERY, ROBERT GALLIGAN, KYLE GIRONDA, ALEXANDER JOHNSON, DEREK JOYCE, CLAUDIA LAMARCA, DANIELLE LANZANO, KEVIN MAZZELLA, ALEX PATTON, CONNOR ROGERS, CAROLINE SLATER, GARRETT

WAGNER

The Beacon is published several times a year by the students at SRHS, West Long Branch, New Jersey. The staff encourages letters and editorials from interested readers. Items for possible publication should be submitted to The Beacon Staff, c/o Victoria Koontz, Room A15, Shore Regional High School.

The views and opinions expressed in this paper do not necessarily repre-sent those of the staff or the administration of Shore Regional High School.

Driftwood Damaged By ALYSSA BARLOW & ROBERT GALLIGAN

Beloved local beach club, Driftwood, was another local landmark dev-asted by super storm Sandy. Located in Sea Bright, this establishment, which opened back in 1957, just finished celebrating its 55th year. Local beach goer and Shore senior, Marco Bongarzone, expressed how he was genuinely upset that his favorite beach club was now gone. He also said that if Driftwood cannot be repaired he wouldn’t know what he would do with himself during his summer vacation. The 17-year-old said that the day after the storm he went to the edge of Monmouth Beach and saw the unfortunate sight that was the Driftwood Beach Club. Bongarzone later stated that it looked like the beach club was on its side. Alex Pat-ton, a 15-year-old Shore freshman and Monmouth Beach resident took the picture above the day after the storm when he was on his way back to his house in Monmouth Beach. We asked what was his reaction to the damage of the storm, he said he was shocked because he did not think that Sandy was going to be as bad and destructive as it was. In addition to damanged Driftwood, there were many buildings destroyed, streets covered in sand and numerous power outages for over a week. Patton, a member of Driftwood, expressed how he’ll miss the club and have to change beach clubs come summertime. “I’ll miss all the good memories I had there with my family and friends.”

Chefs and Volunteers UniteBy EMMANUEL CRUZ & MATT COSENTINO

Chefs and employees of the many destroyed restaurants in Sea Bright united for a ‘cookout’ for firemen and cleanup workers at Sea Bright Fire-house during the days of the storm. Their idea was to help the many crew workers, volunteers, firemen, and homeless townspeople needing some-thing to warm their spirits. Surfrider head chef and West Long Branch native Pete Cruz led the charge, putting together materials and a staff to feed a wide mass of people in need. A leader in and outside the kitchen, he couldn’t just do all these good deeds by himself. Danielle Gallo, a Sea Bright Fire Department volunteer and Shore junior, was on the scene as well looking to aid the helpless and do whatever she could. “It was really bad, and very depressing to see Sea Bright in such bad shape..” said Danielle after she witnessed the gravity of the Sea Bright situation. Despite the damages, she seemed hopeful about the town’s recovery. An amazing, delicious, hot meal surely warmed their spirits and Chef Pete of Surfrider indubitably agreed. “When I got there, there were so many out of state workers helping out Sea Bright and they enjoyed the food tre-mendously.” Not only does such an act of generous warm one’s heart, but also aids the spirits of the hardworking people trying to do their part.

Monmouth Beach School Temporarily Relocates to ShoreBy CONNOR ROGERS & DANIELLE LANZANO

Monmouth Beach Elementary School was severley damaged by Hurri-cane Sandy and, since the school is currently being repaired and restored, the struture is unsafe to host students. Therefore, grades 5-8 have been welcomed to attend school here at Shore Regional. It has been quite an experience as children were brought out of their comfort zones and into a new environment, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and Shore staff, students and administration and pledged to do everything they can to help Monmouth Beach staff and students during their time here at Shore. When asked about the transition to Shore, Mr. Pete Vincelli a teacher from Monmouth Beach said, “The students feel it is easy and smoother than expected.” As for the teachers he said, “The transition has been easy as well because the Shore teachers are helpful and easy to get along with.” Fellow teacher Mrs. Denise Sullivan said,”Shore has wel-comed us with open arms.” When asked how she feels about the possibil-ity of not returning back to Monmouth Beach School until May 2013, she added, “It would be very difficult and overwhelming.” Both teachers and the student body have adjusted well to the Shore environment, but are understandably a bit homesick as they think about the possibility of a long stay here at Shore.

Hurricane Sandy Edition The Beacon 3

- Hurricane Sandy Edition -Local Landmark Lost

By CASEY BIRDSALL & NICOLE CEBULKO

During the difficult times caused by Hurricane Sandy during the week of October 28, 2012, many people from Oceanport, Monmouth Beach, West Long Branch and Sea Bright area were greatly affected. Ili-anna and Justina Anise, two Shore seniors from Sea Bright, were unfor-tunately evacuated from their home to The Comfort Inn in Middletown, NJ. Shortly after the storm when they returned to their home, they were devastated to see the remains of their belongings. Ilianna stated, “It was shocking, and it did not even feel like our home anymore. The windows were broken, causing water to rush right in and destroy basically every-thing on the first floor.” They expressed in detail how, when they were able to return to their home, the water line was three feet above the floor, which made all the furniture float to random parts of the house. Justina and Ilianna said that from the beginning, their mother was always ner-vous to live in between two bodies of water. If Sea Bright was to rebuild, they mutually agreed that they would not go back. Their plan is to move to an apartment in Colts Neck because of the local barn they rent.

Another senior student, Alyssa Barlow, was unfortunately affect-ed by the storm. Alyssa is from Monmouth Beach, and during the storm, her entire basement and garage were filled with water. “We were pretty lucky compared to our neighbors, though, because we didn’t evacuate for the storm or need to relocate after.” Alyssa and her parents spent count-less hours clearing both their basement and garage of their belongings that were ruined by the storm.

Oceanport resident Danielle Lanzano was also greatly affected by Hurricane Sandy. “Compared to everyone else, we lived on higher ground but still suffered immense damage.” Danielle’s family lost four cars, $450 of dance clothes and shoes, and the hardwood flooring on whole first level needs to be redone. “We stayed home for the whole entire storm, and it was the scariest thing in the entire world. I thought I was going to wake up with no house.” Thankfully the only damage done to Danielle’s house was able to be fixed.

These are only a few of the victims that were affected by Hur-ricane Sandy. Each day people from all over the country are working to “Restore the Shore” and return to what we know is normal.

Donovan’s Reef was in its 37th year of business in Sea Bright, NJ. It was a popular local bar. On October 29th Donovan’s was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy. It was said to have been leveled, with hundreds of bottles scattered around the remains of the establishment. Many lo-cal residents are used to driving bar the Shore landmark, and to see the destruction has been devastating to patrons and passersby alike. Several people affected by the loss of Donovan’s were interviewed by local pa-pers and we’ve included some of there thoughts here.

“I’ve got a lot of opportunities right now — I have no home, no car and no job,” said Lori Beth Giacumbo, a Sea Bright resident and a bartender at Donovan’s Reef bar and restaurant, which used to be on Ocean Avenue. “I’m free as a bird.”

Susie Markson, a manager at Donovan’s explained, “This was our 37th summer, and it’s become a real icon of the Jersey Shore. The thing about a place like Donovan’s is that everybody comes in: blue collar workers, cops and firemen, millionaires, billionaires. (Bruce) Springsteen plays here. We have a lot of people from all walks of life. We’re a very, very strong, tight-knit community right now, and we’re suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s unbelievable what happened.”

In a pile of debris next to Borough Hall after the storm, residents found one of the few recognizable pieces of Donovan’s Reef left after the storm wiped out the popular oceanfront bar – a piece of its sign, which now simply reads “Do.” Bob Phillips, owner of Donovan’s, said “We will start making plans once we get in there to see the damage, but make no mistake about it, we will rebuild.”

We personally interviewed a local resident by the name of Karen Apy. She grew up in Monmouth County and visited Donovan’s Reef many times. When asked how she felt about Donovan’s being gone for-ever she said, “I felt like a big portion of my life growing up was washed out to sea and its made me think about people that I spent time with from me and my friends hanging out and even my first date was there, so it’s a lot of my life, so its sad. On the positive side, a lot of my friends I haven’t talked to in 30 years have been writing on facebook about their feelings on that and we comfort each other”

When asked about how the pictures affected her she responded, “I looked at the pictures that were pictures of boards, just flat boards, but in my mind it built the bar back up. They had this deck that you would go to to hang with friends or if you’re on a date and it’s funny because even though it was gone I could see it so clearly, us dancing, music playing. When the bar closed at 2 in the morning we used to climb over the sea wall with blankets and we slept on the beach and we woke when the sun came up.”

Shore Students Share Storm Stories

By DANIELLE CIAGLIA, CLAUDIA LAMARCA& CAROLINE SLATER

4 The Beacon Hurricane Sandy Edition

The Shore Regional community has pulled together in the wake of this devastating storm. On Tuesday, November 20th, the staff and students hosted a community pasta dinner to bring the community together and raise funds for the Shore Regional Disaster Relief Fund. This event, in addition to the efforts of several other clubs and outreach events, includ-ing the collection of donations at the Shore vs. Keansburg football game, have combined to help us raise nearly $7,000 to help those families in our communities affected by the storm. If you would like to donate to this ongo-ing cause, checks can be made out to the Shore Regional Disaster Relief Fund and mailed to that attention at Shore Regional High School. Thank you to everyone in the community for your support of this cause!

(photo credits in this edition: Lauren Brit-ton, Ms. DePinho, Danielle Lanzano, Alex Patton, The Asbury Park Press, The Na-tional Guard)