No drugs. No alcohol. No smoking. It is clear that this does not describe the student body at Cherry Hill East. This does, however, explain a philosophy that emerged from the hardcore music scene of the early 1980s.

Hardcore music is often linked with people on the edge; however, for some this could very well be a straightedge. sXe is the acronym for the straightedge lifestyle.

The "X" in sXe symbolizes the common practice that began in the 1980s to mark minors with an “X” on their hands so they could not buy alcohol at all-age concerts. Eventually, with the expansion of the straightedge philosophy, the “X” became the straightedge sign for commitment to the movement, even for those of legal age to drink.

The straightedge movement is most often traced back to a band called Minor Threat. Ian Mackaye, lead singer of this hardcore band, lyrically expressed the ways of a "cleaner" lifestyle.

In the song "Straightedge," Mackaye sings, "I'm a person just like you, but I've got better things to do."

It is doubtful Mackaye was aware at the time that he was about to spur an entire subculture. It is a subculture that teens worldwide have taken upon themselves as a way of life.

East graduate Steve Goldberg ('03) began his involvement with straightedge when he was thirteen years old. Now a freshman at George Washington University, Goldberg still affiliates himself with the clean lifestyle that he adopted before entering East.

"A lot of kids got too into smoking weed and other drugs and I didn't want that for myself," he said. "Choosing not to do drugs has kept me out of a lot of potential trouble. It's not something I make a big deal of. I still go to parties and I don't have anything against anyone just because they drink or do drugs."

Chelsea Goodermuth (‘07) also associates with the straightedge culture.

"It started with the music," she said. "I think that you can listen to punk music without drinking. [Associating punk music with alcohol] doesn't make sense to me... Straightedge isn't a commitment; it's just a way of life."

Some students at East live the straightedge lifestyle even though they do not label themselves as straightedge or associate their way of life with hardcore or punk music.

"I just choose to be strong and resist every offer because that's who I am. I like to be different by not doing drugs," said Leah Sinai ('05).

Danielle Stein ('05) explains the benefits of this type of lifestyle as well.

"The person who drinks and smokes knows what it's like to depend on something. The person who commits themselves to [straightedge] is more independent," said Stein.

Specific bands who practice straightedge are a great force in the movement. One example is One Up, a band that has existed for over two years and tours the Philadelphia region.

Twenty-three-year-old lead singer, Greg Pollard, has been straightedge for ten years. He can attest to specific factors that can propel someone to take on such a rare life commitment.

"Members of my family are alcoholics. I've just seen first hand the effects of drugs and alcohol," he said. "When I hear bands like Minor Threat, Youth of Today and Earth Crisis, bands with such emotional intensity who were singing about stuff I could actually relate to, it really struck a chord inside of me."

One Up's music undoubtedly reflects the ideology of sXe, which can be best demonstrated through the lyrics in their song "One Up."

"You used to have such a grip on life, now you're just letting it pass you by. To me it's a waste living the way you do. Work all day, drink all night that way of life just doesn't seem right. I'll spend my days thinking straight," the band sings.

Pollard confirms his band's mentality, showing the importance of straightedge to their music.

"One Up is definitely a straightedge band. While it is an important part of the band, it's not the only thing we care about. We just want to have fun playing the music we love. But if I could turn someone onto living a clean lifestyle through our music and lyrics, that would be amazing," he said.

On the other hand, not everyone can see the joys of living this straightedge lifestyle.

"I think they're missing out on life. You only live once," said Dave Woo ('05).

In fact, many former straightedge participants "break edge" in order to see what they are missing. Some have other reasons for dropping their sXe label.

"I was in edge in eighth and ninth grade. I had the sense of belief to be pure. A lot [of people] didn't understand it," said Vince Veneziani ('04). "I [dropped the label] because I got involved with other things and there weren't enough other straightedge people around anymore. I don't understand why you have to give yourself a title, it's unnecessary. You can [be straightedge] without the title."

Title or not, what exactly makes a person straightedge? The basic tenants of a straightedge lifestyle are no drinking, smoking or drugs of any kind. Some tie in their straightedge life with no promiscuity, specific political and religious views and a vegan diet.

"As much as I love the straightedge lifestyle, I can't expect everyone to live that way. Straightedge is about three things: no smoking, no drinking, no drugs. Anything else that people want to add in is purely up to the individual. It has nothing to do with what you eat, who you vote for or what you do behind closed doors," said Pollard.

The line may be a bit cloudy on what exactly fits into the straightedge category, but the members who remain committed are certainly devoted to their lifestyle standard of living.

No drugs. No alcohol. Hardcore music. The only edge these kids are on is a straight one.