Experiences at CHS influence seniors’ college decisions
June 20, 2019
When senior Michael Topper of Ocean commenced his college search, he wanted a school that was larger than CHS but not a “giant” school. “I was looking for something new,” Topper said. “Having the small atmosphere has been nice, but I needed something a little bigger.” Next year, he...
New state law causes PARCC changes for Juniors
June 20, 2019
Juniors in English III this semester lucked out when discovered they would not be taking the corresponding PARCC exam this year, unlike their peers who took the course in the fall. PARCC, short for the Partnership of Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, is a standardized test given to ...
Pledge causes students to stand up, or sit, for beliefs
June 20, 2019
Every school day at Communications High School begins with a “Good morning CHS, everybody please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance,” from Principal James Gleason. A brief pause follows the announcement as students shuffle to a stand, and then the school recites the Pledge. This is a pattern every...
Seniors consider benefits versus stigmas of art school
June 20, 2019
Out of 81 students in this year’s senior class, 11 made the decision to attend an art school. Six will attend Pratt Institute, two will attend the School of Visual Arts, and the others will attend Artcenter College of Design, the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design. It is no c...
Students face delays in event approval
June 20, 2019
It seemed like the perfect event; a small flag football fundraiser for the Student Government Association (SGA). The council was ready, the event was scheduled, and all that was necessary for preparation to begin was approval from Mr. Gleason. However, the approval never came and the SGA gave up on the...
Time to face the music: does music distract or aid students in their work?
June 20, 2019
Whether it’s curled up at home, reading a book while soothing music echoes through the speakers, or in a classroom, trying to squeeze out another page of a paper while drowning in the rhythm of rock and roll, people are constantly surrounded and impacted by music with the average person streaming mu...
Two’s company, three’s a crowd for new drivers
June 20, 2019
When Officer Alisa Antunez from the Ocean Township Police Department was a teenager in 2001, New Jersey state legislature introduced the GDL, or Graduated Driver License, for the first time. In conjunction with other restrictions, the GDL is responsible for the one-passenger limit placed upon drivers durin...
Weather or not? Does climate have an effect on creativity
June 20, 2019
Some say it’s a good idea to spend time outside in the warmth to gain inspiration. But can inspiration be obtained during unfavorable and turbulent weather conditions? Despite the fact that spring is known as a season of growth and positivity, the weather can actually reduce productivity, accordin...
Teens work hard and play hard this summer
June 17, 2019
To some, the end of the school year may mean no more waking up early for the next eighty days; nothing but sleep, eat, beach, repeat. Others, however, spend their summer days heading off to work. Freshman Drew Lepping of West Long Branch picked up a job for this summer at Joe’s Bagel and Grill in h...
Captain question: Why do you think your team will win Color Wars?
June 4, 2019
Blot photos by Will Carragher ...
CHS students take a hit from vape culture
May 10, 2019
“Honestly, I think for any high school kid in any climate, there’s this new stigma that it’s cool to vape… like every time you go to party people are always vaping,” said sophomore Hannah Arbeitel of Marlboro. But what Arbeitel referred to as party foul is now making its way into schools ...
E-cigs cloud judgment
May 10, 2019
Originally used by ancient Egyptians to cleanse the mind and soul, vaping has now become a substitution to traditional smoking. According to Vaping Daily, contemporary vaping devices date back to 1963, when Herbert Gilbert invented the first smokeless non-tobacco cigarette. In the 2000s, Chinese pharma...