The Valley Echo

The Valley Echo
The Valley Echo

The Valley Echo
The Valley Echo

The Valley Echo
Rachel Cohen

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief

Rachel Cohen graduated in 2020.

All content by Rachel Cohen
Pascack Valley students in the 1966 yearbook, "The Warrior." The Indian mascot was chosen in 1954 by a committee of PV students and faculty.

How the PV Indian came to be

Rachel Cohen, Former Editor in Chief
November 16, 2020
Arrow points on display at the Pascack Historical Society in Park Ridge. The Lenni Lenape inhabited New Jersey, Delaware, and eastern Pennsylvania.

The Indians of New Jersey

Rachel Cohen
November 12, 2020
The Oklahoma State University Pistol Pete mascot at a football game. Pascack Hills used a version of Pistol Pete as their mascot until 2005.

Phasing out the logos

Rachel Cohen, Former Editor in Chief
November 9, 2020
Native American mascots in professional sports

Native American mascots in professional sports

Rachel Cohen, Former Editor in Chief
October 30, 2020
gsspa_2017

Goodbye Smoke Signal, thanks for the best four years

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
June 15, 2020
Black Lives Matter protests planned across N.J. this weekend

Black Lives Matter protests planned across N.J. this weekend

Sarah Buttikofer, Ilmie Xhaferi, and Rachel Cohen
June 4, 2020
Residents met at Veterans Park in Hillsdale at 4 p.m. on Thursday to show support for the black community and intolerance against racism and police brutality. This gathering, along with protests across the country, are happening in the wake of George Floyd's death, a 46-year-old black man who was killed on May 25 after a white police officer kneeled on his neck.

Peaceful Black Lives Matter gathering held in Hillsdale

Rachel Cohen and Ellie Kim
June 4, 2020
Omar Jimenez, a CNN journalist, and his crew were arrested Friday morning while covering the Minneapolis protests. Editor in Chief Rachel Cohen sees this as a violation of reporters' First Amendment rights.

The arrest of CNN journalists is an affront to the First Amendment

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
May 29, 2020
Due to the coronavirus, the Class of 2020 has had to say goodbye to the clubs it was a part of throughout high school. Some seniors are highlighted below.

[Photo] Senior Clubs Send-Off

May 28, 2020
New Jersey schools can hold outdoor graduation ceremonies that comply with social distancing beginning July 6, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced Tuesday via Twitter. A hybrid ceremony will still take place, but an additional in-person ceremony may be a possibility.

[Photo] District to hold potential in-person graduation

May 27, 2020
Senior Rachel Cohen

‘Do not give up hope’

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
May 10, 2020
Seniors reflect on school year cut short

Seniors reflect on school year cut short

Rachel Cohen and Katie Mullaney
May 10, 2020
District Superintendent Erik Gundersen said he was “very disappointed” that Pascack Valley’s principal search did not turn out as he expected. Brian Hutchinson, the Emerson Junior-Senior High School principal, asked the Board of Education to rescind his appointment days after the community expressed support for Interim Principal John Puccio to take on the permanent position.

Gundersen ‘very disappointed’ in principal search

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
April 24, 2020
Hannah Epstein, Pascack Valley's CEO of the robotic team, leads the carpentry subdivision. Epstein, who is a senior, could have already finished her last year on the team after its first competition was cancelled and the season may not continue due to the coronavirus.

Robotics season brought to a halt

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
April 19, 2020
Pascack Hills Principal Glenn deMarrais is recommended as Pascack Valley’s principal for the 2020-2021 school year pending the Board of Education’s approval on Monday, April 13. The position became open after Tom DeMaio retired during the 2019-2020 school year.

DeMarrais to step in as PV’s principal

Rachel Cohen and Katie Mullaney
April 10, 2020
Caution tape surrounds the playground at Ann Blanche Smith School. All across New Jersey, parks and playgrounds are closed.

Photo of the Week

Matt Austin, Victoria Donofrio, and Rachel Cohen
April 9, 2020
Due to the coronavirus, It’s Greek To Me in Westwood has lost revenue and sent workers home, including juniors Emily Sohl and Julie Allmers. Pompilio's Pizzeria & Restaurant in Westwood and Francesca’s Pizza & Pasta in River Vale are also limiting their staff.

[Photo] Students dismissed from local restaurant jobs

Isabella Zuluaga, Staff Editor
April 8, 2020
Due to the coronavirus, colleges have shut down their campuses and moved tours and admitted student days online. Seniors Anna Urrea and Justine Tarabocchia share their challenges with picking a college.

Seniors face uncertainty in college decisions

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
April 6, 2020
"Thank you healthcare heroes" is written on the driveway of a house in River Vale. Hillsdale and River Vale residents have shown their support through chalk drawings and messages. 

Photo of the Week

Victoria Donofrio, Matt Austin, and Rachel Cohen
April 3, 2020
Liberty University remains open despite coronavirus pandemic

Liberty University remains open despite coronavirus pandemic

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
March 26, 2020
The Board of Education approved Brian Hutchinson, the Emerson Junior-Senior High School principal, as Pascack Valley’s permanent principal for the 2020-2021 school year at its meeting Monday afternoon. Over 70 community members, students, and teachers expressed their disappointment at the board’s decision to not choose John Puccio, PV’s assistant principal for the past 12 years, for the position.

Hutchinson named PV’s permanent principal

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
March 17, 2020
Bergen County made the right choice, although slightly late

Bergen County made the right choice, although slightly late

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
March 12, 2020
Seniors Jessica Flatley and Sam Klink help senior Erin Hollar get ready for the dress rehearsal of the spring musical, "1776."

Photo of the Week

Matt Austin, Rachel Cohen, and Victoria Donofrio
March 12, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-03-08 at 10.11.21 AM

District takes precautions against the coronavirus

Rachel Cohen, Isabella Zuluaga, and Katie Mullaney
March 6, 2020
Sally Frishberg tells students about her life during the Holocaust on Wednesday, March 4. She arrived in the United States in 1947, and since then, New York state has awarded her with the Yavner Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education.

Photo of the Week

Rachel Cohen and Matt Austin
March 5, 2020
Senior dance team captain Sarah Viceconte holds the trophy after winning the National Championship in Small Pom.

Photo of the Week

Matt Austin, Katie Mullaney, and Rachel Cohen
February 28, 2020
The Pascack Valley Regional Dance team performs their final routine during their send-off to nationals. The send-off was held on Thursday, Feb. 13, in the old gymnasium.

Photo of the Week

Evie Higgins and Rachel Cohen
February 20, 2020
Junior Jack Crown performing his "Love and Hate" stand-up comedy.

PV Choir holds annual Valentine’s Day Talent Night

Rachel Cohen and Olivia Moreno
February 12, 2020
Junior Elise Schicker sings "Rainbow" by Kacey Musgraves during the Lit Out Loud event on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Photo of the Week

Rachel Cohen, Katie Mullaney, and Matt Austin
February 6, 2020
Freshman Gabrielle Brayman plays the piano for "You Are The Reason" by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis.

PV Litmag hosts annual Lit Out Loud Event

Rachel Cohen, Matt Austin, and Ariela Alfonso
February 5, 2020
Freshman Lindsay Jennings drives to the basket for a layup before the girls basketball game against Northern Valley Demarest on Thursday, Jan. 16.

Photo of the Week

Rachel Cohen, Matt Austin, and Victoria Donofrio
January 16, 2020
A PV swimmer cuts through the water under the lights of the scoreboard. The girls swim team will utilize its depth in 2021, having 27 members.

Photo of the Week

Matt Austin and Rachel Cohen
January 9, 2020
Sophomore Jules Vassallo splashes a three-pointer to seal the game against Dwight Morrow on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Photo of the Week

Matt Austin, Victoria Donofrio, and Rachel Cohen
January 3, 2020
Physical education teacher Tom Gallione will become an acting assistant principal starting Tuesday, Jan. 7. Out of the three administrative positions at Pascack Valley, one is active and two are interims for the rest of the school year.

Physical education teacher tapped as interim assistant principal

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
January 2, 2020

DeMaio peaces out

Rachel Cohen, Matt Austin, and Hailey Migdal
December 20, 2019
Smoke Signal Wrapped

Smoke Signal Wrapped

Rachel Cohen, Katie Mullaney, BJ McGrane, and Spencer Goldstein
December 20, 2019

Choir sings in main office, PV principal surprised with cake

Rachel Cohen, Joselyn Yoo, Ilmie Xhaferi, and Matt Austin
December 18, 2019

Faculty decorates PV principal’s office, Bro Squad performs

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
December 17, 2019

Teachers drop off gifts in PV principal’s office

Rachel Cohen and Matt Austin
December 17, 2019
Assistant Principal John Puccio was approved as the interim principal from Jan. 2 to July 1 at the Board of Education regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 9. Current Principal Tom DeMaio is retiring after 18 years at Pascack Valley.

Assistant principal to become interim principal

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
December 9, 2019
Track Coach John Murtaugh's dog, "Doug the Pug," comes to track practice every so often and runs around with the team.

Photo of the Week

Matt Austin and Rachel Cohen
December 6, 2019
Senior Andrew Martinez cheers on his grade during the dodgeball game.

November 2019 Valley Cup Highlights

Rachel Cohen, Ariela Alfonso, and Evan Mathai
December 2, 2019
Editors in chief Rachel Cohen and Katie Mullaney sit at a news desk at the Newseum.

Smoke Signal attends NHSJC in Washington, D.C.

Rachel Cohen, Matt Austin, and Victoria Donofrio
November 25, 2019
Larry Elrich, Luke Pothen, and Jeff Patalano

PV’s ‘Project Runway’

Matt Austin, Victoria Donofrio, Rachel Cohen, and Katie Mullaney
November 22, 2019
Photo of the Week

Photo of the Week

Matt Austin and Rachel Cohen
November 14, 2019
Pascack Valley Principal Tom DeMaio is retiring after 12 years as principal and 18 years at PV. His last day is Dec. 20, the day before winter break.

‘This place is paradise’

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
November 6, 2019
Seniors show off Halloween costumes

Seniors show off Halloween costumes

Matt Austin, Rachel Cohen, and Ariela Alfonso
November 1, 2019
PV volleyball participates in Dig Pink Tournament

PV volleyball participates in Dig Pink Tournament

Rachel Cohen, Matt Austin, and
October 29, 2019
Former Principal Tom Demaio sitting in his office after 12 years of leading PV. Now the administration starts the process to find a new principal.

PV Principal to retire after 18 years

Rachel Cohen and Katie Mullaney
October 25, 2019
PV physics teacher Bill Koenig and senior and president of the homecoming committee Olivia Jones grill hamburgers and hotdogs during homecoming. The event was held adjacent to the football field from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.

PV students, alumni celebrate fifth annual homecoming

Rachel Cohen, Morgan Jones, Eva Senande, and Caitlin Slasinski
September 28, 2019
The Pascack Valley Regional High School District is hosting a college fair on Oct. 17. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the old gymnasium and new gymnasium.

[Photo] PVRHSD to host college fair at PV

October 1, 2019
The Board of Education is focusing on educating its staff members and students on implicit bias and ensuring that every student is treated equally. Administrators, supervisors, and teachers will be sent to a variety of programs, including a presentation by the Anti-Defamation League called “Echoes and Reflections” on Oct. 14.

Board of Education aims to promote equity within the district

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
September 25, 2019
Pascack Valley Regional High School District Data Services Manager Mary Camporeale is set to retire on Dec. 31 after being in the district for 24 years. As the data services manager, she managed all the databases, including Genesis, the portal in which Pascack Valley students utilize to access their grades, and Canvas, a district-wide educational learning management system, along with state reporting.

‘The job grew, and I grew with it’

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
September 17, 2019
A marmot eyes lunches near the summit of Grinnell Glacier.

Photo Gallery: Summer in Montana and Wyoming

Matt Austin, Rachel Cohen, and Katie Mullaney
September 16, 2019
Pascack Valley physics teacher Bill Koenig and physics and technology and Honors Engineering Design teacher Jim Kennedy grill hamburgers during homecoming. This year, homecoming will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.

PV to hold fifth annual homecoming

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
September 12, 2019
Ronald Villone was the Valley Cup director, participated in student government and executive council, played varsity soccer and baseball starting his sophomore year, and was the manager of the basketball team from his freshman to junior year while at Pascack Valley. Now, he is a new physical education teacher.

PV alumni return as physical education teachers

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
September 4, 2019
Jennifer Kuo has stepped in as the new PV guidance counselor after working at Northern Highlands, Park Ridge High School, and Maple Wood Middle School. She will be replacing former guidance counselor Taylor Henzel.

[Photo] ‘A great role model’

September 3, 2019
Danielle deQuintal is beginning her teaching career at Pascack Valley. DeQuintal said she became interested in STEM subjects since they involve hands-on learning and allow students to be creative.

[Photo] First-year teacher to teach new STEM courses

August 29, 2019
Christine Pollinger is the new assistant principal for the 2019-2020 school year. She originally was the program coordinator at Park Academy in River Vale.

New assistant principal finds passion in education

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
August 28, 2019
PVRHSD Supervisor of Social Studies and Professional Studies Joseph Orlak hands PV senior Bryanna Testino the Reverence For Life Award.

Senior Award Recipients

Katie Mullaney and Rachel Cohen
June 18, 2019
Israeli Veterans visited Pascack Valley to talk about their experiences on Thursday, June 6. The soldiers are a part of Zahal Shalom, an organization of families in Bergen County that allows soldiers to connect with people in the Untied States.

Israeli Veterans visit PV

Rachel Cohen, Staff Editor
June 6, 2019
Pascack Valley holds first lip dub

Pascack Valley holds first lip dub

Rachel Cohen, Staff Editor
June 6, 2019
May 2019 Valley Cup Highlights

May 2019 Valley Cup Highlights

Matthew Austin, Ilmie Xhaferi, Isabella Zuluaga, Rachel Cohen, Kayla Barry, Hailey Migdal, Julia Chiola, and Katie Mullaney
June 5, 2019
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, eight students told their stories of their struggles with mental health. Following these articles, PV junior Rachel Cohen and senior Kayla Barry talk about mental health resources, including hotlines and the Wellness Center.

This Is My Story: Mental Health Resources

Kayla Barry and Rachel Cohen
May 22, 2019
'A part of PV'

‘A part of PV’

Rachel Cohen, Staff Editor
May 19, 2019
This is the seventh installment of This Is My Story, an eight part series. In this article, Pascack Valley senior Olivia Stabile tells her mental health story with anxiety and depression.

[Photo] This Is My Story: Olivia Stabile

Olivia Stabile, PV Student
May 20, 2019
This is the sixth installment of This Is My Story, an eight part series. In this article, Pascack Valley senior Lauren Storm tells her mental health story with anxiety and depression.

[Photo] This Is My Story: Lauren Storm

Lauren Storm, PV Student
May 19, 2019
This is the fifth installment of This Is My Story, an eight part series. In this article, Pascack Valley senior Rachel McCambridge tells her mental health story with anxiety and depression.

[Photo] This Is My Story: Rachel McCambridge

Rachel McCambridge, PV Student
May 16, 2019
Senior Assassins, a game where seniors eliminate their targets using water guns, was canceled on May 15. Senior Assassins is student-run and the last team standing would have received a cash prize.

Annual ‘Senior Assassins’ game ends early

Rachel Cohen, Staff Editor
May 16, 2019
This is the third installment of This Is My Story, an eight part series. In this article, PV junior Julianna Tsokanos tells her mental health story with depression and anxiety.

[Photo] This Is My Story: Julianna Tsokanos

Julianna Tsokanos, PV Student
May 14, 2019
This is the second installment of This Is My Story, an eight part series. In this article, PV junior Lauren Smith tells her mental health story with an eating disorder.

[Photo] This Is My Story: Lauren Smith

Lauren Smith, PV Student
May 13, 2019
This is the first installment of This Is My Story, an eight part series. In this article, PV sophomore Elise Schicker talks about her journey with depression.

[Photo] This Is My Story: Elise Schicker

May 12, 2019
This is the first installment of This Is My Story, an eight part series. In this article, PV sophomore Elise Schicker talks about her journey with depression.

[Photo] This Is My Story: Elise Schicker

Elise Schicker, PV Student
May 12, 2019
Pascack Valley students pose with Yvonne “Tiny” DeCory and Eileen Janis on the Pine Ridge reservation. The students visited both the Cheyenne River and Pine Ridge reservations.

‘What it truly means to be an Indian in America’

Rachel Cohen, Staff Editor
May 7, 2019
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