Contributors

fall 2006 bios

Lauren Bull
Lauren Bull is a Senior English major and Creative Writing minor. Fingers crossed, she's graduating in May. Peace out!

Michele Calvo
Michele Calvo is surviving her first year as an Open Options student in the School of Culture and Society with dedication, sarcasm and copious amounts of coffee. Her interests include photography, poetry, leopard print, music, feminism and using "superfluous" in conversation and writing as often as possible.

Hollie Chicalese
Hollie Chicalese is an art education major with minors in sociology and photography. She loves to travel and take photographs in her spare time. She is currently student teaching and will be graduating this May.

Kristina Cusenza

I'm a freshman at the college of new jersey, studying English secondary ed
with a minor in creative writing. I'm a terrible speller. And I hate kids.
I'm an insomniac. I hate being poked. I hate looking at pictures of
friends when I'm not in them. I'm an optimist. I am allergic to lemons. my
favorite color is yellow. I hate any season that isn't summer. If I could be any animal I'd be a sea snake. i hate people who complain about their weight. I hate my thighs. my greatest fears in life are spiders, rapists, and Jack Nicholson (in that order). my hobbies include reading, writing, rowing and playing rugby. I love the ocean. I love my dog. My favorite word is sphere. The sound of babies laughing makes me smile really hard. I love words.
I'm a firm believer that anything you need to know about a person can be discovered on facebook.

Rob DeCarlo
I'm a sophomore communications major and photography minor hailing from
southern New Jersey. My interests include music, movies, and photography.
I'm a staff photographer for The Signal and have my own radio show on
91.3WTSR. I love life and life loves me.

Mary Fisch


Robert Farruggia

Robert Farruggia - As the son of Metropolitan Opera tenor Michele
Farruggia and sopranoe Barbara de Deo, Robert has been heavily involved in both singing and acting since a young age. He performed in the closing night of Les Miserables on Broadway and was a featured soloist at a national 9/11 memorial service at St. Patrick's Cathedral, performing for Mayor Guilliani, Cardinal Egan, FBI Direct Muller and others. As an English Ed. major, he enjoys writing and this particular piece is a true story that ties in his passion for writing with his passion for singing.

Jenna Garrison

Jenna is a sophomore graphic design major who likes the smell of old
books and loves watching the hit tv show GOLD CASE. She enjoys visiting nursing homes and thrift shopping.

Melissa Mijares
Melissa Mijares is five feet tall, though she prefers the term "fun-sized." Her hobbies include writing long, meandering poems, diagnosing herself and others with psych disorders, defending Lewis Carroll's honor, and finding nonexistent symbolism in ordinary occurrences.

Nicole Lyons

My name means "victory of the people".
The bones in my skin have never been broken.
I had too many crayons growing up.
I used to lay down in the grass late at night.
I carry Virginia's pebbles in my pockets.
I make art. It makes me.
I'm easily seduced through music.
I kiss with my eyes closed.
I never sleep as much as is healthy.
I love the shape of stars,
And I'm always looking for the light in shadows.

Samantha A. Negraval
Samantha A. Negraval is a freshman, political science major. Samantha is a product of 14 years of Catholic education. She frequently jokes: “These Catholic school kids should just get over it. I turned out okay!” Her very short story, Major of the Patio, centers on memories of childhood summers— central Jersey style. Samantha spent many afternoons with her grandparents, Margaret and William “Major” Hennessy in their Parlin apartment complex. As Grandma says: “Those were the good times.”
In addition to writing, Sam enjoys playing music, particularly the piano and the drums. Currently, she enjoys creating percussion concussions in the CCM liturgical band. Thanks to mom and dad for giving this turtle the WRITE stuff! I love you guys!

Brian O’Halloran

Brian O’Halloran may or may not have a beard. If he does, it’s red, which is peculiar because the hair on his head is brown. He used to have sideburns, but realized they were far too long, and far too red. He keeps his hair short now, because long hair, he has decided, looks a little odd if it’s not the right length, and he is too lazy to wait for that ideal length. Brian is a junior English Ed. Major and a Creative Writing Minor.

Josh Page

Josh Page is a junior at TCNJ. He is majoring in English and minoring in Creative Writing. He loves writing (obviously), reading, and music. :-)

Martin Perrotta

Mr. Martin Perrotta is 56 years old/young. He was born in New York City and emigrated across the Hudson in 1969. He attended Mercer County College, New York University and the University of Akron School of Law, in that order. He lives in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey where he is most happily married with three married sons and four adorable grandchildren. He stands 'on the cusp' of completing the Masters English program at The College of New Jersey.

Estephany Reyes

Estephany is a sophomore English and secondary education major with a minor in spanish. She currently holds a position as secretary in Union Latina and works as a Spanish conversation Leader on the side. She is a self declared bookworm and will read anything (not including textbooks, of course) put in front of her.

Whitney Sandford


Allison Singer

Allison Singer is a sophomore English major and Professional Writing minor
at TCNJ.Likes include: poetry, Chinese food, warm weather, good
conversation, and Charlie Kaufman. Dislikes include: ferris wheels, cold
pizza, mayonnaise, and Howie Mandel.

Sam Starr
(Matt Cohoke and Genrich Winters)
Sam grew up in the Laplands but went to TCNJ for college to
escape the bitter cold and frequent bear attacks.

Kate Straut

Kate Straut is a sophomore fine arts major. She would
like to dedicate this piece to Andrew.

Jason Toncic