Our mission: to enlighten and to entertain
Volume 52, 53, Issue x1 GIRLS TEASER WIN
Dulaney High School Timonium, Maryland
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TO KNOW
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the number of seconds it took students to evacuate the building during the Sept. 21 fire drill
katie walters, opinion editor always consider picking up my backpack in case there really is a fire, but I normally just casually walk down the stairs,” said senior Maura Csipo. “I laugh and walk out,” said junior John Anukem. “I go to my friends and slowly walk out the door. There’s not really a fire or anything, so....” said junior Alex Mengers. Such responses to fire drills may need tweaking. In the wake of two gun related incidents in Baltimore County Public Schools—one student shooting another at Perry Hall High School Aug. 27 and a gun confiscated from a Stemmers Run Middle School student who reportedly threatened a teacher Sept.
11—the school superintendent has ordered enhanced safety measures. The county will provide metaldetecting wands to the school’s resource officer, assistant principal Tom Dugas said. He added that police officers should be dropping into the school daily and staying for unscheduled periods of time to inspect for concerns. Dugas, who is in charge of all safety drills here, said the school has a terrific track record, but it’s not without weaknesses. Safety drills provide an opportunity to eliminate those weaknesses, he said. Case in point: during the Sept. 26 lockdown drill, at least two teachers did not hear the announcement that the drill had ended. Additionally, teachers and students were to remain locked in-
Principal Lyn Whitlock is incident side classrooms, out of sight from commander, for example, and asanyone in the hallways. Almost everyone complied, Dugas said, but a sistant principal Elizabeth Stanley is media liaison. During the meetfew forgot. “When we come to look in the ing, Dugas told teachers to remind students of the need to window, don’t Do you feel safe report suspicious activiwave at us,” Duat Dulaney? gas said, indicatty. He shared a message for teachers to forward ing his message to students. for those who didn’t quite take “If something looks unusual, bring it to the drill seriously. someone’s attention,” he During a Sept. said. “It’s not snitching; it’s erring on the side of 14 emergency faculty meeting— caution and being safe. mandated by new Spot survey taken in B and C The person’s life you schools superin- lunches early September. may save might be your tendent S. Dallas classmate next to you.“ Dance – Dugas reminded teachDugas instructed teachers to be prepared for an emergency during ers of the organizational structure in place in case of an emergency. any time of day, even lunch duty.
Fundraising: it’s easy as pie
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see page 9
# TO KNOW
the number of seniors with school to career internships TRIATHLETE TEASER
see page 10
INDEX 2-3 4-5 6-8 9-12
news opinion sports features
He bellows, he bounces, he teaches
anna jensen, co-editor n his first period Advanced Placement Economics class, social studies teacher Phil Bressler’s booming voice startled his nearly comatose students from their morning hibernation. “Yay! Pizza and robots!” he exclaimed, pointing to a production-possibilities mapping the economy’s potential for manufacturing automatons against Italian dishes. “Say 85 percent of the world’s cows die of Mad Cow Disease,” Bressler began, bouncing on the soles of his shoes. “How does that affect the curve?” Senior Josh Cooper glanced at his paper. “Uh, pizza shifts inward. Robots stay the same,” he answered. Bressler paused for suspense. He smiled widely. “You got it.”
IPHONE 5 craze
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October Month dd, 12,20yy 2012
Incidents elsewhere heighten safety concerns
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see page 6
the griffin
See even more content on our website:
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FACE FULL OF FUNDRAISING. english teacher Elizabeth Benzinger helps junior Alexis Howatt smash history teacher Rachel Baikauskas in the face with a whipped cream pie, as part of of the Student Government Organization’s fundraiser for Perry Hall High School shooting victim. The event raised $50 at the Sept. 28 pep rally.
Last May, Bressler received the Legacy Award from National Recognition Projects; he was nominated by 2012 graduate Sam Fishman. see BRESSLER, page 2
photo by jen siegel
We Are One aims to lure all in
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ben merenbloom, staff writer hat do a new banner outside the cafeteria, team building games and a fist bump on the back of new school T-shirts have in common? Each is part of an administration plan to unify the school. The We Are One (WR1), All In campaign originated last spring, principal Lyn Whitlock said, partly as a response to uneven results on a school climate survey and partly as a response to ongoing concerns, like achievement and leadership gaps in segments of the school’s population. Yes, Whitlock said, something as simple as a slogan can make a difference. “Hopefully by having We Are One and All In all around and exposed so often, it’ll make all of us think,” she said, promoting questions, such as, “Who am I excluding? What am I doing to contribute to bringing
us all together and to the excellence of Dulaney?” Assistant principal John Billingslea, whom Whitlock credits with devising the campaign along with English chairman Beth Benzinger, said it should help a longlasting problem. “There’s a sense of community lacking here,” he said. “We’re divided.” As evidence, Billingslea cited underclassmen being scared of seniors and minority students being under-represented in Advanced Placement classes and school leadership positions. We Are One also comprises a committee of teachers and a student member and will eventually include parents, Billingslea said. The campaign unofficially spans old efforts, like a redesigned detention system, and new ones, like grants for minority students. see WR1, page 3
Seniors Jackie Scrivnor, DJ Arbalaez, Sanjay Kumar, Nick Kirby and social studies teacher Gillian Bourassa watch as senior Maggie Batton contemplates her next step in the team building game Silent Grid. Bourassa led her second period Economics and Public Issues class through the activity Aug. 31 to see how her students interacted.
photo by mazen knio
FYI: senior breakfast Oct. 17 Classic cafeteria 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
professional study day Oct. 19 No school
first quarter ends Nov. 2 Dismissal at 11:15
professional election day Nov. 6 development day Nov. 5 No school
http://my.hsj.org/md/timonium/griffin
No school
fall play: “12 angry jurors” Nov. 15-17 Auditorium 7:30 p.m.
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news
november 20, 2012
the griffin
He bellows, he bounces, he teaches BRESSLER, continued from page 1
“His passion and dedication to his students has caused me to consider a career as a secondary school teacher,” Fishman wrote on the application. Bressler, who has entered his third year of teaching here, said he was flattered but held little value for such prizes. “I was nominated by a student, so that’s touching. But awards don’t make students better. They don’t make me a better teacher,” he said. Good teachers teach because that’s what they want to do, Bressler said. That, he finds, is where his advantage lies. “If someone offered me the superintendant job— no, I wouldn’t do that,” Bressler said. “If someone offered me Orioles manager, no, I wouldn’t want that either. I want to teach.” Bressler, who majored in business at New York’s Baruch College, did originally want to coach a sports team. His first job was coaching basketball at Pace University, before he applied to Domino’s Pizza. It wasn’t long before he was the largest franchisee of the pizza chain on the East Coast. Soon, he was promoted to regional vice president and director. “But I always wanted to coach. And to coach, you have to teach,” Bressler said. He left Domino’s to teach American history and coach basketball at Lansdowne High School. He then transferred to teach psychology at Eastern Technical High School. It was former principal Patrick McCusker who convinced Bressler to teach economics here. Bressler hesitated. He had once been asked to rank the subjects he would like to teach. Economics sat below Latin. “And I don’t speak Latin,” he said. “But how often do I tell kids to do things they don’t like? So I called him up and said I’d do it.”
photo by becca king
scene
Social studies teacher Phil Bressler makes a point during his fifth period AP Psychology class last month. photo by jenny ingliss
As the rest of the school filters into the bus loop, Bressler’s voice thunders from room 107. He holds 7 a.m. pre-quiz reviews three to four times a week. “He does so much for his kids,” history teacher John Wagner said. “Not many other teachers would volunteer to hold reviews that often.” Bressler urges students to ask questions and draw ideas out on the board. “No one leaves my classroom without seeing the cow,” he said. “Seeing the cow” is the centerpiece of Bressler’s philosophy. On the first day of each school year, he projects an optical illusion onto his classroom screen. A bovine is hidden in the black and white speckles. Most students cannot see it at first glance, Bressler said. But once they consult with one another, the
entire class is in the know. His purpose is to foster collaboration between classmates. He encourages study groups, wanting students to work together until the entire class understands. Junior Andrew Oh, who took his AP Psychology class, described him as confident, knowledgeable and loud. Senior Elle Smiley agreed, adding that he is passionate and comedic. “He always asks me about my eating yogurt in class,” she said. “He asks when I will bring him some. So I’m thinking I will bring him some, probably when we take a test.” He’s focused, senior Eric Schaub emphasized. With Bressler, he said, nothing is about grades. “When you focus on the understanding,” Schaub said, quoting Bressler, “the grade will come.” Find the full story and“Bressler-isms” on our website.
alex boellner, deputy technician lans are underway to reposition the stadium and add an elevated press box, according to atheletic director Mike Lafferty. The repositioning will provide more space in front of the bleachers, creating a common area for teammates, fans, and parents to gather after games. The area is also expected to provide a space for cheerleaders and marching band to perform, Lafferty said. Plans have also been made for the addition of a press box above the bleachers. The press box is expected to be used as permanent storage for sound equipment and to provide a clear view for cameras to record games.
dulaney
Anyone may view these plans in front of the boy’s side of the gym in the display case. Construction should begin in spring once plans are finalized, Lafferty said. He added that Baltimore County Public Schools is not funding the project. Instead, the money will come from Sports Boosters, he said. A new press box that’s elevated would definitely help lacrosse, varsity lacrosse coach Kristi Korrow said. It would enable her manager–who videotapes every game—to get more global views of team play rather than the limited shots that they shootat field level. It will be beneficial to see the big picture, Korrow said.
SURVEY:
Students prefer Obama to Romney
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GUEST SPEAKER Evan Gardner, developer of the language learning
system “Where Are Your Keys?” plays a game with Latin 1 students Ryan Wells, Jesse Sachse, Travis Washington, Aaron Brave, Maiyah Hudson, Marin Langlieb, Alexis Goldring, Diamond Eley and Keona Carmichael to practice the fundamental rules of the learning system. These rules have hand signals for phrases like “slow down” or “again,” which students use to help Latin teacher Jason Slanga regulate his teaching.
photo by kyra twohy
stanley moving
Assistant principal Elizabeth Stanley is set for her Jan. 2 move to Australia, where her husband has accepted a new job. Stanley is retiring from Baltimore County schools , where she has worked for 23 years. She says she plans on looking for a new job there, possibly in schools or as a tour guide. Her last official day here is Oct. 31.
prices jump
Renovations coming to school stadium P
Athletic Director Mike Lafferty.
NEWS LINE
“If Romney handles our economy becca king, news editor esults from a spot survey – not a like he handles business, then it would scientific poll – found 295 votes improve,” junior Peter Foltz said. Math teacher Lynette Roller exfor the president and 145 votes for Mitt Romney. Ballots listing the pressed faith in Romney’s business Democratic and Republican nominees acumen and doubt about Obama’s were distributed to several tables dur- ability with the economy. “If Obama continues to print money ing both B and C lunches Oct. 2, before like he is, we will end up the first presidential dePresidential tally like Greece,” Roller said, bate. 295 referring to the EuropeMany students in C an nation still recovering lunch agreed the wide from its debt crisis. margin for Barack On the other hand, seObama was unsurprisnior Casey Lim indicating. ed that Romney’s wealth “We live in a blue state. 145 and inability to connect It shouldn’t be surpristo the middle class are ing to anyone,” sophodrawbacks. She added more Yusuf Mahmood that Obama’s progressaid. sive stance on gay marSome Obama support37 riage would likely earn ers, such as Isabel Garhim many votes. Lim, cia, said personal expewho labeled herself as riences impacted their obama romney other support. Ballots were distributed to liberal, said she support“As an immigrant my- selected tables during B and C ed the president’s health self, I support Obama’s lunches in both cafeterias Oct. care law and abortion immigration policies,” 2. This was not a scientific poll. stance. One student was honest Garcia said, referring about her lack of knowlto the president’s temporary policy change that will allow edge on both major party candidates. “I know nothing about them,” junior many illegal immigrants who came here as children to work, get driver’s Maddie Rodgers said. “I am a Republican because my parents are Republilicenses and enroll in college. Romney supporters tended to mir- cans. ror national polls showing that more see the Republican as better equipped Staff writers Isabel Griffith and Liz Fordyce contributed to this report. to handle the lagging economy. Find us on Edline under clubs.
Some snacks from the vending machines cost more this year. Thepriceofchipshasincreased from 50 cents to 60 cents, and the cost of Welch’s fruit snacks and Nabisco Wheat Thins has increased from 75 cents to 85 cents. According to cafeteria manager Evelyn Irwin, the price hikes are due to an increased cost from the school’s supplier are beyond the school’s control.
mic night scores Savin’ the Music, a club that raises money to buy band and orchestra instruments for underprivileged schools, raised $350 from Sept. 20’s Open Mic Night. With 18 acts, performances ranged from solo singers to guitar quartets. The club will soon name the school that will receive the money. The next Open Mic Night is set for Jan. 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the auditorium.
scholars named Based on their 2011 PSAT scores, nine seniors have been named National Merit Semifinalists. Kushal Byatnal, Minwei Cao, Helen Gao, Kevin Jia, Aysha Khan, Casey Lim, Amanda Olsen, Lisa Ann Tang and Gabrielle Welsh are now in the running for the National Merit Scholarship. For a complete list of the 29 National Merit commended students, see our website. Also recognized for their PSAT scores are seniors Zoss Assefa, Stephen LeBlanc, Michael Njau and Drew Wicks, who were considered outstanding participants referred to colleges by the National Achievement Scholarship Program.
sequel on tumblr The smartphone codes on neon squares of paper around the school are from Sequel, the school’s creative arts magazine. Smartphone users can take photos of the quick response (QR) codes with bar code-scanning apps to be linked to Sequel’s blog on Tumblr. Sponsor Meekah Hopkins and editors Elle Smiley, Corinne Butta and Soophia Ansari, devised the strategy as a way for those interested in the arts to share ideas. No smartphone? Access Sequel’s Tumblr at http:// dulaneysequel.tumblr.com.
edline going Principal Lyn Whitlock said Sharpschool will replace Edline, effective July 1. The switch will be an upgrade, she said, and the program will be easier for teachers to use. A Massachusetts middle school teacher’s Sharpschool website reveals its features are similar to Edline in a blog format.
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news
the griffin
october 12, 2012
We Are One aims to lure all in WR1, continued from page 1
According to Billingslea, Benzinger has secured a $3,000 grant designed to bolster achievement of black students while Spanish teacher Jennifer Audlin has secured a $10,000 grant to do the same for Hispanic students. Members each of those populations have taken field trips to Genessee Valley Outdoor Learning Center in Parkton for team building exercises. Such experiences teach an invaluable lesson, Billingslea said. “You can have fun and work hard at something too.” This kind of knowledge, which many students are able to learn at summer camps, can help at school, Billingslea said, adding that it helps students feel part of a whole. That in turn affects school climate. “People who misbehave feel disconnected,” he said. Senior Shakara Silas, student representative on the We Are One committee, was chosen by staff
members because of her leadership potential. Silas is a group leader in Spectrum, has an internship at the Baltimore County Public Defender’s Office and manages the school cheerleading squad. Silas said she believes in the group’s efforts. “We are trying to get as many people to have leadership roles by the time they graduate as we can,” she said. “We already know they are qualified.” But some students are skeptical. “We are taught to be an individual and stand out,” sophomore Michael McClelland said. “But the new motto promotes us to lose ourselves in the thousands of aimlessly milling students.” Sophomore Danielle Zarachowicz concurred. “It simply is not effective. There still isn’t any unity between the four classes, but there doesn’t necessarily have to be. There is such thing as good rivalry.” Staff writers Missy Elrick, Nick Bond and Isabel Grifftih contributed to this report.
Varsity and Junior varsity field hockey players chant a unifying cheer during a
September practice.
photo by kalie paranzino.
Stairway policy aims to clear congestion but burdens some
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sistant principal Tom Dugas said. Students katie boltz, staff writer p to speed on the stair policy? on the third level who need to go down to Roughly half of the 60 or so students the lower levels are to use the stairway by surveyed informally during B lunch room 300 or the stairways in the new wing. in the classic cafeteria last month had never Similarly, those who need to ascend to the second or third level heard of it. The rule created last from the first floor are year states that students asked to use the stairs by room 100 or those in the may enter the middle stairway in the old wing new wing. This policy, started by only from the second principal Lyn Whitlock floor. That means it is fine to head up the main to help decongest the stairs from, say, Donna traffic flow, is working well and has drawn no Weber’s room (209) to complaints to the adminget to Dirk Frey’s room istration, Dugas said. (308). But traveling from Phil Bressler’s room It’s intended to change (107) to Weber’s room A student walks up the middle staircase a problematic habit, he said. via that same stairway during C lunch. photo by emily park “Students are condiis off limits There is an addition to the rule this year, as- tioned to use the middle staircase, even if
the new building staircases are a faster way to class,” Dugas said. But several students did share complaints when asked about the new rule. “It makes me late to class every day,” junior Emily Pyne said. A few students actually reported arriving late to class. During the first weeks of the year, some freshmen said that they were late because they didn’t know the location of other staircases. Some students report that they avoid the middle stairway all together now and that this has jammed the other staircases. Sophomore Nicole Widner, for example, said she has been stepped on multiple times while on alternate staircases, causing her to trip. Several students said that the other three staircases are now stuffy, crowded and claustrophobic. Some like Trevor Morgen-Westrick said uneven enforcement led them to mistakenly
Find us on Edline under clubs.
Clockwise from top left: sophomore Nichole Widner, junior Emily Pyne, freshman Yasmin Asadi. photos by katie boltz
believe the policy wasn’t serious enough to bother with. “I was halfway down the stairs when I was made to stop and come back up the steps,” Morgen-Westrick said.
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opinion
EDITORIAL:
Air conditioning: Waiting is better than nothing
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fter years of parents petitioning, Baltimore County Public School officials have outlined a plan. We’ve has been slated at number seven of 46 schools on BCPS’s air conditioning priority list. Though the list is definitely progress, it hardly helps us. We’re set at the lowest priority of all high schools without air conditioning. And installation at one high school costs up to $25 million. Should the state cough up the required funds, underclassmen can expect full air conditioning by the 2015–2016 school year. Without funding for superintendent S. Dallas Dance’s proposal, we’ve only been promised short-term cooling by next school year, an expected $15,000–$20,000 expenditure. We’re not sure this meets BCPS’s goal of installing air conditioning in all schools in an “expeditious manner,” but we can wait our turn. Our school was founded in 1964; Colgate Elementary was founded 40 years before that. We can cope, if it means kindergarten classrooms are cooler. So thank you to Dance for recognizing the hazards of uncontrolled heat—migraines, asthma, lower academic performance, less teaching time—and making the effort to curb them. Hairston hadn’t even budgeted any money for air conditioning in his 2012–2013 fiscal plan; any plan to cool down schools is a step in the right direction. The projected jump from 91 to 116 air-conditioned schools between 2012 and 2016 is, therefore, impressive. Over 16,000 students will be learning in a healthier environment. We accept that our students won’t be among them this year.
the griffin
october 12, 2012
WR1 deserves the chance to work
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mattie gibbons, news editor ou’ve seen it everywhere. WR1 is not only plastered across the school entrance, but printed on just about every school-sponsored t-shirt. Even before the first day of school hit, many students had already passed uninformed judgment that WR1 was stupid and pointless. If we walk into this program having already made up our minds that it’s a failure, how will we see any progress it could have had? Senior Larry Walsky, echoing the thoughts of many students, said, “WR1 is a stupid waste of time and money that we could be spending on other important things for school.” But there’s a fundamental flaw in this logic. The money being put towards WR1 comes from grants given to us specifically for this cause. Teachers Jennifer Audlin and Beth Benzinger applied for these grants on their own time with the hope of seeing some change in our community. The school itself is “wasting” no money at all, and the time is not being stolen from the school schedule, but from students’ and teachers’ personal free time, only given up willingly. As a student facilitator, I participated in two boot camps this summer: one for my own training experience and the other to help train the school staff. The student facilitators
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were chosen based on involvement in one of many different clubs and interest in the program. During the staff training, I led team building exercises to 15 teachers. Our first challenge was to get everyone through a web made of string without touching the sides. My group found this frustrating; some teachers stormed off, others gave up mentally but remained close. After my group completed the task, I led a discussion comparing the web to school. Teachers were now able to relate to students feeling frustrated with a task, and we discussed ways that they could better handle these sorts of situations daily. We not only broke boundaries between teachers and students, but also learned about how we can interact in a respectful and assertive manner. This school is segregated. We are, however unconsciously, separating ourselves by race, by grade, by gender and by classes. Just look at the cafeteria during any lunch period. Asians gravitate toward the top left corner, with some other minorities thrown in; African Americans sit toward the back; whites in the middle. WR1 aims to integrate all of these people into one community. Those who call it stupid are either misinformed or stubborn. WR1 is unity. It is diversity, activity, communication and spirit. Why would anyone in their right mind argue against that?
If we walk into this program already convinced of its failure, how will we see any progress?
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
When students came in this year, most of us didn’t expect to find the saying “We are One,” written on everything we own: sports spirit wear, bracelets, T-shirts, even senior barbeque shirts. Many wondered what this means, and, to be honest, many are still wondering what this means. We get that we are trying to build up school unity with the slogan. But let’s be honest. When teenagers see a random poster in their school, they either don’t get it or don’t care. If the slogan had been student-created, then maybe we wouldn’t dismiss it as something the administration is forcing upon us. High school students want to be unique. We don’t want to be followers, especially of school-related things. This demeans our sense of control. Administrators forcing this slogan onto everything we do defeats the purpose of unifying the school. We don’t feel united, because we had no say in this slogan. So how do we bring our school together? We must embrace our school traditions, pump up social events and improve those big days like senior barbeque, dances, pep rally and sophomore retreat. If we want to be “one,” then students must start that process. Then we can appreciate our great traditions and excellence. — Tionne Barmer, junior OP ART:
katie walters
“WE ARE WHAT?” In Jodi Wicks’s Honors 11 English class, junior Chandler Harmeson composed the following poem. We are one Indivisible Crushing individuality Suffocating Destroying Inescapably united For all time Freedom for who?
Dulaney High School 255 E. Padonia Rd. Timonium, Maryland (410) 887-7633 co-editors Aysha Khan, Anna Jensen deputy editor Alison Kochesfahani business manager Yejin Yoon adviser Maria Hiaasen The Griffin’s mission is to enlighten and entertain.
photo by jen siegel
Despite benevolent intention, WR1 limited
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nikhil deepak, staff writer R1 is meant to make everyone buy into school unity by helping each of us take the same rigorous classes and get involved. It attempts to pull this off in part by inspiring under-performing and underinvolved students with activities like team building. But it takes more than team building to motivate and support disenfranchised students enough to enable them to thrive in Advanced Placement classes. Jumping to an AP class from a standard or honors class can be a culture shock. AP coursework is harder than routine high school courses. It can be challenging even for those who’ve been graced with more than a decade of higher-level classes. WR1’s major drawback is that it lacks a solid foundation. If under-performers are targeted in elementary school, and build their brain power and tolerance for hard work gradually from the get-go, they’d more likely succeed in high school. But according to assistant principal John Billingslea, the administration had no luck getting Cockeysville Middle School or Ridgely Middle School to buy in when they approached them last summer. Blame it on timing, lack of funds or lack of personnel. The bottom line is that the best opportunity for success was lost. When young children are exposed to different cultures,
opportunities and academics, they have years to absorb and internalize effective habits to succeed in school. This allows their self confidence to develop so when they hit those awkward middle school years, they’ll be more likely to stay balanced and continue working hard based on the belief that their hard work will pay off in the form of good grades and that school spirit makes the monotonous routine more exciting. Elementary children are just more adaptable. Even in your teens, you’re more set in your ways of thinking. This is why it’s mostly too late to transform the high school students who’ve taken up risky or unwise behaviors. This is why those who’ve chosen not to join clubs or show participate in school activities aren’t likely to change before their graduate from high school. This is also why such students are likely to hang with people who share their mindset and culture. So excuse me if WR1 doesn’t captivate me. I don’t see it transforming us into a unified student body. In fact, I’m afraid it could wind up nudging unprepared students into AP classes, dropping their grade point averages, swelling enrollments and hurting our education. WR1 could have been an amazing program. But as often happens in life, a good idea can turn into a flop due to a mismanagement of resources and bad execution by a bureaucracy.
news editors Becca King, Mattie Gibbons features editors Jessica Hung, Thea Zurek opinion editors Jenny Ingliss, Katie Walters sports editors Drew Van Wagner, Joe Pezzulla chief technician Leander Bechtold deputy technicians Rashid Taleb, Alex Boellner photography editors Emily Park, Jen Siegel online coordinators Lily Klein, Beth Vita copy editors Malik Peacock, Kyra Twohy, Isabel Griffith, Meghan Reinhardt, Nick Bond
The Griffin welcomes story ideas, commentaries and letters to the editor. These may be brought to room 115, placed in Maria Hiaasen’s mailbox in the office, or emailed to dulaneygriffin@bcps.org. All submissions are subject to editing and must be signed. The Griffin Editorial Board makes all final decisions regarding content.
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A good idea can turn into a flop due to a mismanagement of resources and bad execution by bureaucracy.
Find us on Edline under clubs.
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5
opinion
october 12, 2012
the griffin
We need to start talking about guns 10 percent sane,
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alicia winton, staff writer n the morning of Sept. 12, while listening to the radio, I heard the news reporter account yet another gun incident in a Baltimore County Public School, only two weeks after the frightening Perry Hall shooting. This time at Stemmers Run Middle School where a 13-year-old boy pulled a gun on his teacher and classmates. OP-ART: Thankfully, no one was injured. Now, kaeli o’connor I may be tragically behind the trends of today, but when did 13 year olds start running around toting guns? Personally, this violence is a lot more real after happening close to home. I can no longer sit at my house in my fuzzy slippers and cozy blue bathrobe watching the news thinking “that would never happen to me.” School resource officer Jen Berg will soon receive a metal detecting wand. Maybe there are no crazy people with easy access to guns at our wonderful high school. Maybe I’ll wake up tomorrow as a Disney Princess. With the presidential election so close at hand, the candidates have released no formal opinion on gun policy. In a New York Times article, Democratic candidate President Obama said “I believe the majority of gun owners would agree that we should do everything possible to prevent criminals and fugitives from purchasing weapons…should check someone’s criminal record before they can check out a gun seller.” Republicans said new gun control regulations weren’t the answer. In an interview with NBC News on Wednesday, Mr. Romney said “changing the heart of the American people,” not implementing more laws, may be the right way forward. The attitude of complacency is not uniform across the nation. Inspired by a total 400 murders so far in 2012, marking a 25 percent increase over last years numbers, the city of Chicago has turned to the ‘Twittersphere” asking residents to submit
Why ‘yes’ on Question 6?
ideas to decrease gun violence in their city with the hash tag “#WhatIfChicago.” Possibly, instead of putting our fingers in our ears and singing every time someone proposes taking away our rights, we should think about compromising on something promised to us in a document written over two centuries ago. The same document that counted blacks as three-fifths of a person in state population until being amended in 1865. Over the five years ending in 1997, the Justice Department says, there was an average of 36,000 firearmsrelated deaths a year. (Fifty-one percent were suicides, and 44 percent homicides.) As of 2012, the number of privately owned firearms in the U.S. approaches 300 million, including nearly 100 million handguns, the number of firearms rises over 4 million annually. There are between 7080 million gun owners in the U.S., 4045 million of whom own handguns, and 40-45% of American household have firearms. Some people may say that we need guns to protect ourselves in times of danger. But, honestly, how probable is it that an ordinary citizen will find themselves in danger in the suburbs? If we didn’t have guns in the home, violence, especially that of accidental family member upon family member, would dramatically decrease. I’m not suggesting a search and seizure for guns of every home in America, although in my perfect world no one would need guns and we would all run around eating rainbows and excreting butterflies. I know this isn’t realistic now. But we should consider stricter gun control laws so little children don’t decide to “take the law into their own hands” and bring a gun to school, packed away in their backpack with their lunch and school books.
Some say Question 6 is irrelevant to them. Well, there are people across the globe with no clean drinking water. But we, who drink clean water every day, raise funds to build wells for those
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j. gourdin, contributing writer n important civil rights issue appears on the state ballot. Question 6 regards marriage equality for gay couples. Recent polls conclude that solid-blue Maryland is practically tied on the issue. Maybe I’m biased because I actually paid attention in government class, but I can’t grasp why gay marriage, a basic human right, is even up for debate. Last I checked, our Declaration of Independence says all men are created equal, that they have the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For the past 200 years, America has torn down societal inequalities to uphold that statement. We made enormous leaps forward by giving women, then people of color, their due as humans – why stop at gay couples? By giving everyone the same rights, we’ll only remind the world of why America is such a great country.
OP-ART:
kaeli o’connor
communities. America goes out of its way to help solve problems that are “irrelevant” to it. Our soldiers are stationed in Iraq, trying to build up their government. But here at home, we don’t have the decency to ensure that our soldiers overseas have the right to marry whoever they
love. In a country that values diplomacy as much as we do, there is no such thing as irrelevancy, especially on our own soil. Some opponents use religion as backing for their dissent. Question 6 plainly states that “each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith.” Translation: don’t like gay marriage? Don’t hold a gay wedding in your church. The Constitution separates church and state for a reason. Question 6 doesn’t ask if your religion supports gay marriage; it asks if gay couples deserve the same rights as their heterosexuals. Support marriage equality for the soldier madly in love with his boyfriend, for the woman denied the right to visit her life partner in the hospital, for the man who has raised a child since birth and has no legal guardianship. Support marriage equality to prove to your peers that it really will get better. Support marriage equality because it’s a constitutional right. All men and women are created equal. Remember that when someone ask you this dumb question.
Pitching orange vocab books may seriously cost us
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malik peacock, copy editor y first time taking the SAT was bleak, boring and braindraining. I found myself dragging my feet, so to speak, through every section. But when I saw one of those big words on the multiple choice section, I had to do a double take. I couldn’t help but wonder, “Isn’t that a word we had to memorize for vocabulary in Mr. Frey’s class?” Although it was bane of my freshman year existence, the hideous orange monster probably did more good than harm for me. With an expanded vocabulary, I didn’t have to go on Thesaurus.com every time I wanted to use a more colorful replacement for a word like ‘sad’ or ‘happy’ in my English essays. But even though our school has thrown the books to the fire, my AP English teacher, Deborah Hamilton, still hands
us print outs of the vocabulary for us to study. So they’re by no means dead to me. Despite the fact that these vocabulary sheets will be the death of me, as the orange books were for two years in a row, I know I’ll be thankful for the torture. Other students, I know, would probably argue that the books were unnecessary evils, disguised as educational books. I’ve heard far too many call them a waste of both time and money. I’d like to counter with the obvious fact that the books present nothing but education and an expansion of the
vocabulary. There are a lot (seriously, a lot) of long, complicated words on the SAT. The spawns of Satan, known as the vocabulary books,did help me break down large words and examine these individual parts. So, no, these books are certainly not a waste of money. Education is never a waste of photo by emily park money. I have one thing to say to the orange vocabulary book: you were misunderstood. I agree that you were sent from hell, but you did nothing but help me. And for that, I am on your side. Team orange devil book, I am.
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90 percent Thea
Relieve summer stress the Martian way thea zurek, features editor h, the night before school starts, a time of peace and quiet. The backpacks are filled to the brim with shiny new school supplies, the twenty-seven tons of PTSA, nurse and Llama Immunization forms are neatly filled out and the lucky students have nothing to do but drift off into a tranquil slumber and dream of the exciting new year. At least, that’s what happens on Planet Mars. Here on Planet Earth, the last hours of school-free existence are occupied by screaming, crying, and mentally strangling whoever invented summer reading. I know I do. I never start my summer reading until the day before school starts. Last year wasn’t so bad, because the hurricane delayed the start of school giving me plenty of time to read three books. But this year, the selfish people of the Midwest refused to sacrifice their beloved family members to compensate for my procrastination, so I was forced to read 700 pages in three days. Now if you’re a freak of nature who does your summer reading during the—gasp!—summer, you’re probably wondering why I waited until the last minute to start mine. Well, there’s a perfectly logical explanation for my behavior: I’m an idiot. But in my defense, I didn’t plan to wait until the last minute. I stepped off the school bus on the last day of school with an infinite expanse of days to do all sorts of fun summer activities
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No stress, no procrastination, no late night coffeebean snorting...
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(sleeping, eating, etc.) and then my summer reading. As the summer stretched on, I didn’t worry, because I was confident I still had plenty of time to complete the assignment until I was on the bus, minutes away from school, and on page 12 of “The Grapes of Wrath.” It’s not that I have a problem with summer reading itself, although I do think it could benefit from a little diversity. Every summer reading book I’ve ever read in my entire life has had the same plot: there are some white/male characters and some black/female characters. No matter what, the black females are always depicted as the salt of the earth, and the white males are always portrayed as Satan—cheating, lying, listening to Justin Bieber, etc. My main problem with summer reading is that there seems to be a very limited amount of actual reading involved. What should take about 3 days (reading two books) morphs into the Postit noting, annotating, question-answering, testtaking, essay-writing, class-discussing Summer Assignment of Doom. Instead, I propose next year we just read our summer reading. Revolutionary, right? No stress, no procrastination, no late night coffee-bean snorting in a desperate attempt to read 70,000 pages in two days. Just a nice relaxing jaunt through classic literature. With a system like that, “summer” and “reading” could be allies, not rivals, the perfect combination of the cerebral and calm. There could come a time, in fact, where summer reading would not be a dreaded task but an eagerly-awaited activity that students rush to complete. It just takes a little compromise, and a bit of creativity and a tiny spaceship ride to Mars.
6 features
from
the griffin
bleachers
Watching patiently for wins drew van wagner, sports editor t hurts to see the football team winless, especially after taking homecoming last year. From my view, it seemed that interceptions and the inability to hold onto the ball are big contributors to the lack of success for varsity this year. After playing powerhouse programs like John Carroll, I think they have potential to turn it around. Their schedule looks promising with games against Patapsco and Loch Raven. But, oh. That homecoming game. Despite leading after the first quarter, the Lions were unable to pull away with the win against Pikesville Sept. 28 in tjhe annual homecoming game. To start the game, Dulaney was able to drive downfield and put up the first points of the game on senior Dre Lewis’s rollout and pass to senior running back Jamarr Bailey in the back corner of the end zone. Momentum then shifted after Pikesville was able to punch it in for touchdowns. At the half the Lions trailed 22-8 but looked to fight their way back in the third quarter. On the first drive of the second half for Pikesville, junior Stephon Smith was able to pick up his first interception of the game and return it deep into scoring territory. Senior running back Chris Davis was able to follow his blockers up the middle for a touchdown, decreasing Pikesville’s lead down to eight. Following the score, however, the Panthers were able move the ball downfield and overcome the Lions’ defense to pull away with the lead. Turnovers on our offense proved critical. Pikesville emerged with a 36-14 victory. Smith picked up another interception in the fourth quarter, and provided a nice spark to the defense at the defensive back position. “He’s a very good athlete who is giving it a lot of work this year,” head coach Chris Fallon said. “I think he will become a very good defensive back.”
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october 12, 2012
Field hockey tops Towson at home... Junior Lauren Batlas dribbles the ball down the field with her defender trailing closely behind during the second half of the varsity field hockey game Sept. 14. The Lions won 2-0. The team is undefeated in league play. photo by jen siegel
...while soccer falls short in overtime.
Senior Bobby Donald shows off his Nick Markakis replica jersey in the library. Markakis, now injured, is an outfielder for the Orioles. photo by alex wright
Orange Craze World Series or not, O’s fever has rocked the school. And why not? It’s been 15 years since the birds have had a winning season. One sophomore got a little crazy. After a September Orioles victory over our baseball division rival New York Yankees, Will Armstrong stopped by Wal-Mart and picked out wallpaper filled with the Orioles new logo and decided to drive to his friend’s house, a Yankee fan, and cover his car and front door with the design. Another sophomore can barely contain himself. “I’m going nuts while I can since it’s never happened before in my lifetime,” Sean Hoffman said. “I got to live it up.” For some, the sweet smell of success is almost too good to be true. “It’s still kind of crazy that they’re doing so well,” sophomore Justin Fitzgerald said as the season wound down in September. Let’s just hope the Orioles come back strong next year. I’d like to see Student Government declare Orange Days come the spring.
Senior Bryce Harrison takes control of the ball in hopes to escape Towson defender during the first half of the game on Sept. 14. The Lions lost 2-1 in overtime. The boys’ varsity soccer team is 6-6 with one game left in the regular season. photo by jen siegel
Badminton battles Parkville, wins Senior Krystal Vuong eyes her opponent as her partner, junior Mindy Cheng, aims for a drop shot in an away match at Parkville Sept. 11. The team won 11-0. The team’s record is 9-0.
Purple Fridays all the way to Feb. 3? After a colossal Orioles season, I’m ready for some Ravens excitement. I don’t miss kicker Billy Cundiff, but what will the loss of 2011 Defensive Most Valuable Player Terrell Suggs mean? Do we have enough firepower to get to Super Bowl 47? Tweet your thoughts to @dulaneygriffin.
photo by c.j. ormita
http://my.hsj.org/md/timonium/griffin
7 features
october 12, 2012
the griffin
Lions fight but can’t grasp another homecoming win
Senior Chris Davis eludes Pikesville tacklers during the first quarter of the homecoming game on Sept. 29. The Lions lost 36-16. The team’s record stands at 1-5 after a victory over Patapsco on Oct. 5. The Lions take on Randallstown at home on Oct. 13. photo by jen siegel
athletes
month
Sidelined captain inspires
beth vita, online coordinator leven seconds is all it took for senior soccer captain Olivia O’Brien to score her first goal at a home game against Franklin. But it took less than five minutes for her season to end. During an away game at Towson, O’Brien lunged as her defender bumped her right side, causing her leg to photo by jen siegel twist as she fell. O’Brien tore both her ACL and MCL and bruised the bone under her meniscus. “It was the worst pain I’ve ever been in,” O’Brien recalled. “I could not stop screaming.” O’Brien, who has been playing since age 5, hasn’t had enough yet. She has been a varsity starter for four years and a captain for two, and now has committed to playing for Elon University in North Carolina. “I wanted to play soccer ever since the first time my dad took me out in the backyard to kick the ball around,” O’Brien said. She added that she works hard during the off-season even though she plays tennis in the springtime. Teammates praised her leadership skills. Senior teammate Natalie Tinkham recalled a game during the previous season when the team was down 2-0. “The whole team wanted to give up because they were tired and thought there was no hope,” Tinkham said. But after a trademark O’Brien pep talk, the Lady Lions ended up tying the game 2-2. “She is the Ray Lewis of them all,” Tinkham said, referring to the Ravens’ linebacker. Head coach Steve Powers has been coaching O’Brien since her freshman year. Powers credits her success to her hard work on and off the field. “Her work habits serve as a guide to many young players,” Powers said. O’Brien, whose doctor is the orthopedic surgeon for the Baltimore Ravens, is scheduled for surgery Oct. 19. “I know my road to recovery will be a challenge but I am determined to get through it,” she said.
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Staff writer Sam Miller also contributed to this report.
His focus and drive motivate Junior Stephon Smith (33) receives the hand off from quarterback Pete Benzinger during the second quarter of the same game.
zoss assefa, staff writer enior athlete Chris Davis started playing football when he was nine. It was something he found came to him naturally, he said, and now he hopes to continue in college. Davis has been on the varsity team since tenth grade. Senior lineman Jonathan photo by jen siegel Dordai said Davis is highly motivated and puts in the work, especially in the weight room. Davis’ current best is 365 pounds for five repetitions on squat and 205 pounds for five repetitions on bench press. “I just realize that I have to get it done. Once it’s done it’s done,” Davis said of all the hard work he does. And, he said, all those hours of watching film, pulling sleds, flipping tires and lifting weights pays off. As a result, Davis starts at running back and strong safety. Teammates agreed that Davis is a team player. Coaches and players like his easy-going personality. Likewise, Davis said he loves his teammates and the coaching staff, adding that quitting has never crossed his mind. He tries to keep both himself and the team motivated. Senior tackle Reily Trawinski said, “He comes up with speeches to motivate us. He even wrote a speech one time.” Davis gave this speech after a loss in an attempt to “rally the troops.” Davis says he goes to every game focused and with the intent to win, although he admits he is not always so focused and driven. His joking personality gets the better of him sometimes, like when he gave his teammates humorous nicknames. He dubbed seniors cornerback Jamarr Bailey and linebacker Jazz Jacobs “The Brothers” due to their similar looks.Together, they are “Jazzmarr.” But when it’s game time, Jacobs said, Davis gets to business because he is integral in their efforts to win. In fact, he’s been given a nickname of his own: Mr. Irreplaceable.
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photo by jen siegel
Warming up for victory on the road Junior Darla Svoboda bumps the ball as the varsity volleyball team warms up for its Sept. 5 game against Mount Hebron High School in Howard County. The Lady Lions won the match in their first game of the season, 3 sets to 2. The team is undefeated in season play and will play Perry Hall, away, Oct. 16. photo by erin briggs
For junior varsity Athletes of the Month Ben Huang and Emma O’Grady, visit our website on Edline under clubs.
photos by jen siegel
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the griffin
sports
october 12, 2012
MEMOIR:
Swimming with Michael makes for unforgettable moments
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leander bechtold, chief technician t was just about a month ago. I was at swim practice, and there stood Michael, next to his black Escalade. He watched as his employees loaded boxes and boxes of trophies, papers and clothes. I tried not to gape and waved to him sheepishly. This was likely the last time I’d ever see him. Of course, he politely waved back, probably thinking, “Thank God I never need to see these kids again.” The experience triggered a memory from a year ago, when I swam with Michael for the very first time. My expectations of that first practice with the Michael Phelps certainly differed from reality. We started at 7:30 a.m. that day, and jumping into the pool one by one, much like animated penguins in a cheesy but fun Disney film. Well, almost each of us jumped in. Michael finally got in about 17 minutes after the rest of us. As you might expect, that didn’t go over well with his coach, the renowned Bob Bowman. Bowman was already on the edge with Michael that day since he had skipped the last couple of practices. Rumor had it that he had actually been gambling in Las Vegas. Now, it‘s true, really, that Michael was the hardest working athlete in the history of the universe from the ages of 13 to 23. But, after winning eight gold medals in a single
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Olympics, who wouldn’t want a break? Anyway, on that day a year ago, we could all tell he didn’t want to be there. Getting in late, slacking in the back of the lane and not trying aren’t exactly secret code. But I can tell you, they can add up to a disaster no matter how famous you are and how diligent you once were. So what happened? When the main set came around, mere teenagers were lapping him. And Bob snapped. He started yelling at the greatest Olympian of all time. As Michael tried to talk back, Bob threw a kickboard at him. And over and over again he kept saying, “Really, Michael? Really!?” It was an intense moment for everyone within a one mile radius of the pool. I empathized with Bowman. In fact, I have a healthy relationship with him. After all, he let me have a private interview with Michael for an eighth-grade project back in 2009, and yes, he coaches me occasionally. Of course, I was watching with my mouth open, trying to do the impossible and hide under the transparent water. But I could only stay under so long. And it took several awkward minutes for that scolding to subside. Eventually, Bob told Michael to get out of the pool. Michael complied. He leaped out of the water, dressed and sped away. And
I was watching with my mouth wide open, trying to do the impossible and hide under the transparent water.
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Senior Leander Bechtold joins Olympic medalist Michael Phelps following an interview for his eighth grade Oral History project in 2009. photo from bechtold
we Disney penguins? We did what we were told by the other coaches: we swam. Flash forward a week after that first Michael encounter. The angry young man I’d seen before came back transformed. He encouraged everyone and even called out the slackers. But that was a year ago. And now, he’s done swimming competitively. Done arguing with Bob Bowman. Done swimming sets with us. Done. And gone. A few hours after his employees had
lugged all his things to his car, I happened to check my Twitter account. I noticed a certain Michael Phelps had sent a tweet to my swim group. The message? He’s glad to be done swimming. I’m a little skeptical. Forget the message. What matters is that he tweeted us. Us. The Disney penguins who once swam with the greatest Olympian of all time. This is adapted from Bechtold’s college admissions essay.
Inconsistent enforcement of bus policy for athletes frustrates some
The junior varsity and varsity girls’ soccer teams ride the bus to Patapsco on Sept. 19. Lacking seating, many underclassmen tripled up in two-person seats. After the game, the team returned to school on the same bus. photo by becca king
becca king, new editor & franny brancati, staff writer Sophomore Casey Proefrock, a junior varsity field hockey player, and her teammate
sought to ride home with their parents from an away game. They both got notes signed by Athletic Director Michael Lafferty. But, in the process, Proefrock’s teammate lost
her copy of the note and eventually had to ride the bus home. The bus ride added half an hour to their trip. Proefrock is clearly frustrated. “I understand it being about team unity and all this stuff, but I mean it’s an inconvenience for us,” she said. “It just takes time out of when we’re doing our homework.” Baltimore County Public School policy states that a team must travel to and from away athletic events together. Lafferty claims that the policy has never changed, but it is now being more strictly enforced because of poor adherence to the rules. Lafferty argues that not everyone understands what the policy is truly about. On average, Lafferty said he spends $35,000 from his athletics budget on bus transportation for all sports’ regulation competitions each year. While Lafferty maintains he is sympathetic towards the special situations when riding the bus is inconvenient, liability is huge concern. Athletes tend to turn in permission forms at the beginning of the season without clarifying exactly which events they will be leaving with their parents, he said. “When am I going to know if I need a bus or not if the entire team turns in permission
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forms?” Some coaches have also formed strong opinions as they are the ones directly liable for the safety of the athletes. Kendra Zeller, varsity field hockey head coach, says the ride home on the bus is beneficial to athletes. “Thinking about the team bonding that goes on the bus ride is more beneficial than allowing them just to play the game and go home,” Zeller said that with 45 girls on the field hockey team, making sure everyone goes home safe is a lot to handle. Other coaches appear to be more relaxed. Some athletes said they weren’t aware of the policy. Some athletes from golf, football, badminton and cross country said that their bus policies have been more easygoing, while soccer and field hockey players said their bus policies are more strict. Although athletes are more concerned about time efficiency, Lafferty and coaches are more interested in team unity, liability and finances. “If we are not going to be riding the bus, we will cancel buses, and I’ll get my budget under control,” Lafferty said.
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features
october 12, 2012
the griffin
the post
alicia drechsler, a 10th and 12th grade English teacher, has begun her first full academic year here, having replaced the retiring Karl Froeb last December. Drechsler, a graduate of University of Maryland at Baltimore County, majored in English Communication. She spoke with online coordinator Lily Klein last month to talk about what she has been up to recently.
Reading? I read a book
called “Ready Player One�[by Ernest Kline]. It was about a utopian society where everyone takes part in an MMO game, which is like a
World of Warcraft type of game. Nobody is in the real world; everybody is online playing this video game, and the main character is trying to do an Easter Egg Hunt throughout the game to win a couple billion dollars. It was very good. It was like a sci-fi type of fantasy book.
Watching? I’m not a big television watcher. Moviewise I’m looking forward to “The photo by Hobbitâ€? jen siegel movie and “Life of Pi.â€? I’m looking forward to both of those books that are coming out as movies this year. I think The Hobbit will be as good as the book. I’m very curious to see‌ I think they might mess up Life of Pi, but we’ll see.
Listening? I’ve been listening to a lot of Jack White. He has a new CD out called “Blunderbuss.� I really love the song he has out right now it’s called, “I’m Shakin’.� Very good. He’s writing more mature music, so I feel like I’m kind of growing up with Jack White.
Left: Junior Sam Kamran proudly displays his new iPhone 5 during D lunch. The iPhone was released for pre-order on Sept. 21.
Following? I’m really interested in this
soda debate that’s going on‌ about the government kind of saying how much soda you can and cannot drink. And just I guess the idea is the government is going to start getting involved in—what I would consider—these very unimportant aspects of our life. That’s a story that I’ve been following to see what happens. I drink soda every day. I don’t drink coffee, so it’s my caffeine intake for the day.
Eating? I’ve been eating a lot of Tostitos. They have this new chip. It’s called Black Bean and Garlic, and I’ve been eating a lot of that with guacamole. I can eat it every day. I’d recommend them if you like Tostitos chips, but want a little more flavor on them, because sometimes they’re pretty plain. CHANGING? I got married this summer, and I got a new house. So trying to decorate my house and doing a lot of painting, and just the idea of being married is tricky‌ sometimes. It’s a lot of outside work doing a lot of work and stuff at home, but it’s nice to kind of chose to do things the way you want to do it is very exciting. I have a stylist and I love to look at her work. Her name is Emily Henderson. She has a blog and everything, so sometimes I’ll get some design ideas from her. She puts fashion and furniture and home design up there, so I love to look at her blog.
Above: Junior Andrew Oh holds his iPhone 5, his first phone in years. photos by joe pezzula
iPhone 5 frenzy hits students here
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joe pezzulla, sports editor o just how great is the new iPhone 5? Junior Mac McShane is one of many who lost sleep to pre-order his the night it was released. “I slept through the alarm I set for 3 a.m., and now I’m going to have to wait a couple weeks to get my phone,� McShane said. But don’t write him off as any old Apple fanboy just yet. McShane’s drastic measures were out of necessity. “I’ve always had a Droid, and I wanted a phone that lasts,� McShane said. “Droid software often outdates their hardware, so you end up being stuck with a phone that can’t handle itself for the 18 months until your upgrade. Apple consistently builds phones that last the full two years.� Junior Andrew Oh is another first time Apple customer, who found the new iPhone fits his growing need for advanced technology. “I haven’t had a phone for two years. I’m taking journalism now. I’m doing The Really Good Show full time, and a phone would be extremely convenient for me,� said Oh, adding that cost had held him back before. Oh said the most impressive feature of the phone is its speed. “I’m surprised at how fast it multitasks,� said Oh. “It can run tons of apps at once. There’s an ESPN app that has a fun fact on the loading screen, but I never have time to read it because it loads so fast.� Not all iPhone buyers are new to the product—Junior Sam Kamran is another owner of the new iPhone; his ninth iPhone
since sixth grade. “Apple is innovative. They can come up with new things to sell and they don’t have to copy technology like Samsung,� Kamran said. “I like how the new phone looks really nice and sleek.� But don’t make the trip to the Apple Store to pick up your own iPhone just yet. Despite rave reviews from many technology review sites, the iPhone 5 is not without its drawbacks. In fact, Apple’s Maps app is so troubleprone that the company apologized and recommended alternative in a statement Sept. 28. Apple seeks to compete with Google with its own map app. Oh is among who dislikes Apple’s version. “I don’t like how little features the maps have. At one point I wasn’t even sure it was taking me where I wanted to go.� Even Apple faithful Kamran has complaints about the new phone. “I wish it was capable of running Adobe Flash,� Kamran said. But none of them is returning his new toy. “Even though plenty of people are bashing the iPhone, I’m really okay with it. I have a right to be excited, and I am,� Oh said.
Junior Mac McShane exhibits his own iPhone 5, fresh out of the box. McShane chose the iPhone after having a Droid for the past two years. photo by joe pezzula
THIS WEEK ON
the really good show On Episode 17 of the school podcast, The Really Good Show, engineering and computer networking teacher Dave Schein discusses WR1, why Live on 5 has so many mistakes, the best marriage proposal ever, how he would survive a zombie outbreak, why he wears skirts and Hello Kitty belts, and more. The following is a short excerpts from the interview: Sterling silver charms from $25
Q: How’d you end up at Dulaney? A: ‌I get a call from the county, says, “Well, Dundalk’s offering you a seat. Dulaney’s offering you a seat. What do you want?â€? “So I’ll take Dulaney.â€?
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Q: That fast? You knew right away at that moment? A: I grew up in this neighborhood. I’ve intentionally or unintentionally set fire to every single sports field here‌ I’m home‌ I love this neighborhood. I’m part of this community.
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Q: WR1. Would you like to talk about that in length, or just [a] quick one sentence summary on your thoughts? A: It’s about damn time. To listen to the full interview, visit http://thereallygoodshow.com. Follow The Really Good Show on Twitter @dulaneypodcast.
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10
the griffin
features
an
october 12, 2012
among us:
Careful sketches create Lee’s distinct style
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jessica hung, features editor cene one: pencils litter a desk; defined shapes sketched on a large sheet of paper. Scene two: the shapes are coming into focus, wings drawn in graphite. You can see definite shapes of carefully sketched angel wings brought out by meticulous shading and pronounced feathers. She draws, sketches, and paints… all on a large scale. But that is all just a small part in the sketch-up that makes up senior Joyce Lee. You might have seen her artwork in the hallways or within the Studio Art Class. Just last year, one of Lee’s pencil drawings was featured in art department’s annual art show. Friends and fellow artists who know and have seen Lee’s artwork agree that her work is something to marvel at. Senior C.J. Ormita, who is in Advanced Placement Studio Practice with Lee, says her execution is noteworthy. “Whenever she draws a line on paper, it’s a line that you can definitely tell has been marked by using only a single stroke,” Ormita said. “Her works are so distinct that you could look at them and know that it’s a Joyce Lee artwork.” Lee’s Greek-mythology inspired works are carefully done in pencil, pen, or brush, with careful, deft strokes that begin the stretch to a masterpiece. Art teacher Dina Voluse remembers Lee’s dedication to perfection. “I think of her careful graphite drawings and the distinctive smooth texture she applies to her work,” Senior Joyce Lee, seen here in her Advanced Placement Studio Practice class, uses pencil to create realistic Voluse said. illustrations such as “Siren” (top), “Unnamed” (lower left), and “Tales of a Folk Song.” When asked about what makes her
work unique, Lee answered with a smile. She says she likes to use pencil and paper, work with large sizes that take a long time to finish. Lee adds that she also enjoys drawing inspiration from human actions, especially when actions speak louder than words.
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‘Technique is from the knuckles down. Art comes from the heart.’
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“Sometimes we’re insincere in what we do; at other times we’re so sincere that other people can see it. It’s kind of like the difference between a lie and the truth,” she says. Outside of the world of ink, pencil and canvases, Lee also dabbles in music, as she is an avid believer creation; she plays piano and harp among many other instruments. “You can memorize a thousand facts in the world, but no one can ever recreate what you have created. And that can be expressed through art,” she says. What does Lee have say to students aspiring to pursue art? “Technique is from the knuckles down. Art comes from your heart. You can always get better technically, by just practicing a lot and actually trying. Never say you’re bad at art. What is important is that art is the position of your heart when you are drawing.”
photos from lee
With help, Lauer wins at Iron Man
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meghan reinhardt, copy editor enior Shane Lauer has a disease that weakens muscles rapidly, yet he’s a marathon, triathlon and iron man competitor. He plans to do the Baltimore Marathon, and most recently completed the Ulman Cancer Half-Full Iron Man Race in Columbia Oct. 7. There, he placed first in his division in just under five hours and had the chance to meet Lance Armstrong. It started in 2009, when David Slomkowski, the executive director of Athletes Serving Athletes, asked Lauer to do the Baltimore Marathon. Lauer and Slomkowski then competed in a sprint triathlon in June 2010 and the Ulman Cancer Half-Full Ironman in October
2010. Lauer’s legal guardian Ben Mortenson and Mortenson’s friend, Chip Conner joined the team in 2011. The four men competed in an Olympic distance triathlon race in Jun. 2011. “My main motivation is to do this with Shane and for Shane,” Mortenson said. “It’s a reminder to all of us teammates that we get to live life to the fullest with him.” Their track record proves their commitment. Lauer’s team placed first in their division at the HyVee 5150 U.S. Championship in Des Moines, Iowa Sept. 2. They finished the Iron Man triathlon on Sept. 29 in 15:28 hours. Each man tried to train individually every day while Mortenson took Shane out on long
runs about three times a week. Just how does a wheelchairbound student pull off such achievements? Teamwork. In the triathlon, Mortenson said, Lauer sits on a chair on top of a raft while the swimmer, Connor, has a tether around his waist and swims. While Slomkowski bikes, Lauer sits on a seat in the front of the bike. Lastly, Mortenson runs, while pushing Lauer in a wheelchair. Former special education assistant Taylor Roberts said Lauer’s personality bolsters the team. “During his races he motivates you,” she said.” He loves racing and has a blast!”
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Ben Mortenson pushes senior Shane Lauer across the finish line in a recent race. photo from lauer
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the griffin
features
october 12, 2012
Fall shoe fashion: Look to leather
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1. Sophomore Jamie Freed struts the hallways in her Timberland combat boots. She spent $40 on this find at the Burlington Coat Factory about a month ago. 2. Though freshman Sharon Moenga is a fan of open-toed shoes, her mother bought her a pair of moccasins for the cooler weather. 3. After spending $80, sophomore Brian Kochesfahani sports his fresh new pair of Sperry Topsiders. Kochesfahani bought them prior to the school year and now owns three pairs. 4. Sophomore Nicole Miller didn’t just jump on the moccasin bandwagon. She outgrew her last pair and made this purchase of tassled moccassins at DSW. 5. Sophomore Teion Smith cruises the halls in 4-inch heels. She bought these booties at Marshalls. —ali kochesfahani, deputy editor REVIEW
Local eatery satisfies in a hurry
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katie nanasi, contributing writer ave you ever just wanted some comfort food? Of course you have. Whether it’s a weeknight and you don’t feel like cooking, or it’s the weekend and you’re tired of digging through your freezer, comfort food is all that’s on the menu at Original Giorgio’s in Cockeysville. With authentic tributes to slightly Southern Maryland cuisine like crab soup and chicken and waffles, you’ll be feeling full in no time. This sandwiched-in-betweenother-stores, carry-out or dine-in restaurant is all about simple American dishes. The food is delicious and filling, no matter what you’re in the mood for. The menu is jam-packed with appetizers, like crispy, golden fries (gravy optional, of course), onion rings, spicy jalapeno poppers and even breaded mushrooms. These delicious bites range in price from $1.95 to $6.95. After these starters comes the filling entrées, which are extremely hard to choose between. You could get a fresh, crispy Caesar salad, a large pizza with all your favorite fixin’s,
or, my personal favorite, a sub. I usually get a grilled chicken sub, provolone cheese melting off the sides and crispy lettuce lying below the top bun. When you put a handful of fries on the sub, you get the amazing taste of warm chicken, melting cheese, and a crunch of potato. Even better, it’s only $5.95, affordable every once in a while even on my teenage allowance. Then comes the conclusion to your mouthwatering meal—the dessert. Rice pudding, cheesecake, carrot cake—delicious, all-American dishes. Rice pudding is the best dessert you can get. When you taste their rice pudding, the homemade taste of vanilla and cinnamon fills your mouth, and the thick texture of this dessert will make you savor every spoonful. Original Giorgio’s is a neighborhood favorite, but the best part? You don’t even have to leave your house to enjoy it. Original Georgio’s is located on 14 Scott Adam Rd. (410-561-2114, Mon-Thurs: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Fri and Sat: 10 a.m. - 11pm, Sun: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m., Entrees $3.7524.95).
photo by katie nanasi
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12 features
the griffin
Find us on Edline under clubs.
october 12, 2012