The Wessex Wire

The Student News Site of West Essex Regional High School

The Wessex Wire

The Wessex Wire
JJ Rella

JJ Rella, Managing Editor

JJ Rella is a 2023-2024 Managing Editor for the Wessex Wire. When he isn’t playing baseball he’s most likely watching the Yankees game at home. He spends a lot of time watching and following other professional sports too, with his other favorite teams being the Packers and Knicks. He also never takes off his wireless beats headphones, listening to Tyler, The Creator, Drake, Frank Ocean and more on timeless loops.

All content by JJ Rella
Mr. West Essex 2024: The Wild Wild West Essex's Most Wanted

Mr. West Essex 2024: The Wild Wild West Essex’s Most Wanted

By Eliana Rosen, Gabby Angelo, Molly Wolf and JJ Rella
April 12, 2024
After the bills passage in the House, the West Essex commnity is becoming alarmed that a ban of the app could be coming.

NEWS COMMENTARY: National security concerns threaten TikTok’s future

By JJ Rella and Francesca Loffredo
April 11, 2024
On March 22, Future and Metro Boomin released their collaboration album "WE DON"T TRUST YOU."

REVIEW: Metro Boomin and Future’s new anticipated collab fails to boom

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
April 10, 2024

COMMENTARY: Expanding March Madness would ruin the NCAA

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
April 10, 2024
Managing Editor JJ Bella and staff from the Wire prepare for a press conference for Winter Varsity Media Day.

Varsity Media Day: Winter ’24

By JJ Rella, Ryan Conway, Sophia Duarte, Carly Levitt, Eliana Rosen, Brooke Cheifetz, Justin Misher and Logan Goldstein
March 14, 2024
Captains Devin Fogg (left), Emma Sceppaguercio (middle left), Asha Rastogi (middle right) and Aaron Blanco lead the Boys and Girls Winter Track teams to success

Winter Track excels at sectional championships

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
March 1, 2024
The Kansas City Chiefs came back after being down 10 points to win Super Bowl LVIII, 25-22, against the San Francisco 49ers

Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LVIII after a thrilling conclusion

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
March 1, 2024
Typically these comments are under women's basketball posts across popular outlets for sports content.

SPORTS COMMENTARY: Social media instigates toxicity from sports fans

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
January 30, 2024
The Knights finished ranked 16th in N.J. public school rankings by Northjersey.com after a successful season, and brought home a sectional championship for the first time since 2017. (Photo illustration by Logan Goldstein; game photos courtesy of Abby Zanelli and Floccovisuals)

Football Knights push uphill to make history

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
December 12, 2023
Fortnite OG Season makes waves in the gaming community not only at West Essex, but around the world.

Epic Games revives the popularity of Fortnite through new season

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
December 1, 2023
Brent Faiyaz's new mixtape, "Larger Than Life," was released on Oct 27.

REVIEW: You won’t be ‘Upset’ if you listen to Brent Faiyaz’s new mixtape

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
November 16, 2023
Varsity Media Day, Fall '23

Varsity Media Day, Fall ’23

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
November 2, 2023

Doubles in life and in tennis: Hain twins take the court

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
October 18, 2023
Math teacher Lorna Danckwerth, retiring after 19 years in the district, looks back fondly on her time.

Beloved math teacher Ms. Danck retires

By JJ Rella and Francesca Loffredo
June 8, 2023
The Wire reacts to the disappointing bracket challenge performance, seeing where it succeeded and failed to reach expectations

Wire Bracket reactions: Thoughts and regrets

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
April 19, 2023
People often do not allow themselves to absorb information from opposing view points.

Closed minded nature causes extreme divide

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
April 18, 2023
Princeton and Fairleigh Dickinson shocked the basketball world with their 2023 March Madness performances.

The shoe fits, and March Madness Cinderella is a Jersey Girl

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
April 3, 2023
KNIGHT TALK Episode 2: March Madness Sweet 16 and Elite 8 reactions

KNIGHT TALK Episode 2: March Madness Sweet 16 and Elite 8 reactions

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
March 31, 2023
The 2023 World Baseball Classic was filled with many thrilling and memorable moments which were enjoyed by baseball fans around the world

Japan finishes on top of the entertaining 2023 World Baseball Classic

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
March 29, 2023
KNIGHT TALK: March Madness Round of 64 and 32 Reactions

KNIGHT TALK: March Madness Round of 64 and 32 Reactions

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
March 24, 2023
Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl LVII victory over the Eagles on Feb. 12.

SPORTS COMMENTARY: Patrick Mahomes has solidified himself as one of the best ever

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
March 6, 2023

ROVING REPORTER: West Essex makes Super Bowl LVII picks

By JJ Rella and Ryan Conway
February 7, 2023
Damar Hamlin playing college football at the University Pittsburgh.

Damar Hamlin: A story bigger than football

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
January 18, 2023
2022 marks a year of record mass shootings

2022 marks a year of record mass shootings

By Lily Minish, Francesca Loffredo, JJ Rella, Gabe Herman and Brooke Kupferberg
January 9, 2023
Featured senior captains: Olivia Weiss (left), Jordan Cohen (middle left), Eliot Biggerstaff (middle right) and Corey Resnick.

SPORTS PREVIEW: Hoops returns to West Essex with high expectations

By JJ Rella, Ava Vigilante and Brennan Cunningham
December 22, 2022
The college football stage is underway, and the four schools are ready to battle it out for the college football championship.

SPORTS COMMENTARY: New faces headline fresh college football playoff

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
December 21, 2022
Drake and 21 Savage collaborate to put together a refreshing album for the rap scene.

REVIEW: ‘Treacherous Twins’ team up for unforgettable collab album ‘Her Loss’

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
December 5, 2022
Field Hockey Knights celebrate their fourth consecutive state championship.

Field Hockey Knights finish on top for fourth consecutive season

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
November 28, 2022
Pictured is Minute Maid park, where the Astros claimed their second World Series title.

The Astros make baseball history, winning their first title in five years

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
November 16, 2022
Albert Pujols (left) and Aaron Judge both had seasons for the history books.

The most memorable home run chases since ’98

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
November 1, 2022
(From left) Riley Ruane is commited to play boys lacrosse at Quinnipiac; Gianna Macrino is commited to play girls lacrosse at Rutgers; Jack Massotto is commited to play boys lacrosse at Lafayette; and Abby Zanelli is commited to play field hockey at Bucknell.

Division I commits break down the recruitment process

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
November 1, 2022
Albert Pujols rounds second base in a cardinals unfirom during his final season, while chasing history.

‘The Machine’ slugs his way to history

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
September 29, 2022
Baseball games are a great addition to a summer bucket list.

Try ‘catching’ a baseball game and it won’t disappoint you

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
June 17, 2022
Girls lacrosse celebrates a second straight county championship on May 10.

Girls lacrosse finishes atop Essex County

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
June 16, 2022
School Spotlight for spring 2022

[Video] School Spotlight for spring 2022

By Staff report
June 15, 2022
West Essex had multiple medal winners at the Super Essex County Conference American & Liberty Championships 2022

West Essex Track shows out at SEC Meet

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
June 13, 2022
REVIEW: 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers' is a touching and creative experience

REVIEW: ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ is a touching and creative experience

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
May 19, 2022
REVIEW: Jack Harlow disappoints with 'Come Home The Kids Miss You'

REVIEW: Jack Harlow disappoints with ‘Come Home The Kids Miss You’

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
May 19, 2022
“I love my co-workers," math teacher Lorna Denckwerth says. "The math department is, of course, the best department in the school, and the administration's wonderful. It's just a great, great place to work. And, did I mention the kids?”

Teacher feature: For Danckwerth, positivity is key

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
March 4, 2022

Henry Ruggs III drunk driving accident kills one and puts end to his career

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
December 20, 2021
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak turn a collection of songs into a story with their soul-R&B-pop hybrid "An Evening with Silk Sonic"

REVIEW: ‘An Evening with Silk Sonic’ is a soulful, delicately crafted journey

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
December 15, 2021
Volleyball Spotlight: Q&A with Natalie LiVecchi

Volleyball Spotlight: Q&A with Natalie LiVecchi

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
November 18, 2021
A story of dedication

A story of dedication

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
November 17, 2021
Varsity Midfielder V.J. Demirdjian talks about the West Essex season.

Boys Soccer spotlight: Q&A with V.J. Demirdjian

By JJ Rella, Managing Editor
November 15, 2021
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