The Here & Now Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
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Volume 59 Issue 1
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October 26, 2012
Making a splash in two parallel worlds by Aissa Claveria, Editor-in-Chief
Katie Ledecky ’15 says that “from my perspective, [my life] hasn’t changed much,” but she feels like she is a part of two parallel worlds. “There’s the whole swimming Olympic world and then there’s school and swimming.” In the past couple of months, she has gone from staying underground to attending over 30 events. Ledecky admits that facing the media “was a little scary at first.” She says that, “it’s just something that comes with a gold medal, you don’t go out and search for it.” She adds, “there’s nothing I don’t like about it or like about it. I guess it’s gonna die down, but I guess it will always be there.” One of the most hectic days for the 15-year-old was the day that she won the gold medal. After her race, she began answering questions for media both on deck and off deck. Her schedule for the rest of that day consisted of doing drug testing, going to a press conference, going to the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), and returning to the Olympic Village. In fact, the first time that she saw her parents and coach after the race was at the IBC. Ledecky says that while watching the Olympics when she was younger, “it never really clicked that it would ever be a possibility.” She didn’t expect to win the gold medal and break Janet Evans’ 1989 American record for the 800m free this go-round. Though she is half a second off of the world record, she says that “whether [I drop that half second] or not, I’ll be fine. I’m so happy with what I’ve accomplished so far.” National recognition may be a “whole new aspect [of her life] that has come on suddenly,” yet she knows it is important to be more cautious about what one says or does, “because you are supposed to be a role model and that is what I want to be.” She knows that some people, such as
Photo courtesy of Laura Garcia
Katie Ledecky and 10 Stone Ridge Students at the White House Event to honor US Olympic and Paralympic Teams
the Lower School students at school, will see her and say “Ahhhh! It’s Katie Ledecky!” But she says, “it means a lot to me that they look up to me.” Though she acknowledges that her whole life has changed, Ledecky says, “I just try to be myself and I think that’s just who I am. I love meeting little kids and everything. I am truly excited to meet them and hear their stories.”
During the first week of school, the Upper School community honored the accomplishments of Ledecky by proclaiming August 29, “Katie Ledecky Day.” A sea of enthusiastic students wearing Team Ledecky t-shirts piled into Good Hall for a special assembly. The Head of School, Catherine Karrels, welcomed Ledecky to answer questions. Ledecky, wearing a white
long-sleeved shirt with an American flag on the front, her uniform kilt, and her Nike sneakers, approached the podium. When Karrels noticed that Ledecky was not wearing her gold medal, Karrels asked her to put it on. Ledecky’s response to being asked to put on her gold medal reflects the “calm, funny, humble, and positive” attitude that Ledecky’s friend,
Sarah Dickey ’15 sees every day. Her lively sense of humor was contagious as she stood at the front of Good Hall. A student eagerly asked what her favorite thing to do at the Olympic Village was. Ledecky responded like a true Stone Ridge Girl and said, “Eat.” When talking about how she and the entire Olympic team all love the swag they receive, Ledecky took off one of her bright lime green Nike sneakers, in front of over 300 students and teachers, to show everyone that the inside of the right sneaker says “Home of the Brave,” and mentioned how the inside of the left sneaker says “Land of the Free.” After her Olympic endeavors, Ledecky says that she was ready to be back with her whole class, her whole school, and to be able to share her experiences. She says, “I knew that everybody would be so nice” and that “they would be normal around me.” The community at Stone Ridge is what stands out to her. Ledecky says, “I feel really comfortable here” and “I just love being here.” In addition, she loves “the fun that we have as an all-girl school and being able to relate to other people in ways even though we are all unique.” “Faith has always been an important aspect of my life,” says Ledecky. Attending Catholic school since Pre-K influenced Ledecky’s decision to join the school’s Campus Ministry Board (CMB). The director of the CMB, Teresita Gonzales, recited an excerpt from Ledecky’s application to the board to show why Ledecky stood out to her: “I just want to be involved and make a difference for others… while we are challenged by a strong academic program, we can cherish the time we are together in prayer, in social action, and in caring for each other.” This year, Ledecky is also looking forward to the Stone Ridge Swim Season, especially since the Ledecky continued on page 10
Measuring the intelligence of students with test scores by Olivia Jacocks, Copy Editor
The students in 1926 who sat for the first Scholastic Aptitude Test, also known as the SAT, were participating a test that quantified innate intelligence rather than school-acquired knowledge. The function of the test evolved, and what the test truly measures is shrouded in uncertainty. The heated and ongoing debate about the usefulness of the SAT not only revolves around the question of what the SAT really measures, but also how this test-taking process affects the students at Stone Ridge and beyond both academically and psychologically.
The function of the SAT, according to College Board, is as an indicator of future success in college. The president of College Board, Gaston Caperton, further defines the SAT as “a useful admissions tool” when considered with the rest of a student’s profile. The Director of the Office of Research at College Board attests that the SAT does not measure any innate, biological ability, but “developed reasoning.” Ms. Kathleen Glynn-Sparrow, a teacher and college guidance counselor at Stone Ridge, confirms that “the SATs provide a snapshot of some skills a student has learned in high school, but only a snapshot” and that “[they] do not measure multiple in-
telligences and are a limited tool.” A psychologist and neuroscience professor from Harvard, Dr. Howard Gardner, developed this theory of Multiple Intelligences in 1983, and developed a multitude of definitions for intelligence. According to the Public Broadcasting Service, these “multiple intelligences” could include musical, kinesthetic, spatial, naturalistic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal intelligence. That being said, is it possible to live in a world without the SAT? “Without a standardized test, colleges may have a tougher time determining who can handle the workload at their SAT’S continued on page 5
Photo courtesy of Aissa Claveria
Mia Flood ‘14 and Rachel Buggé ‘13 preparing for the next ACT and SAT
WORLD NEWS
METRO
SPORTS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
STUDENT INTERESTS
Syrian social issues continue to escalate because of increased violence. Numbers of refugees grows rapidly.
Students utilize varying forms of transportation to commute to Stone Ridge each day
Washington Redskins dream of a bright season with enthusiastic rookie, RGIII, as new quarterback.
Aspiring student artists work under the summer sun outside of the classroom furthering dreams of becoming artists
First edition of the interview column. Traditional English tea paired with creative questions for the new teachers.
Situation in Syria
Page 3
Daily Commute
Page 4
RG III
Page 6
Summer Artists
Page 8
Tea with Teachers
Page 11
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October 26, 2012
News
The Here & Now
The path to building the block schedule by Caroline Slowinski, Managing Editor
At the sound of the bell, SR high school students rush from assembly to start the first Day X. There is excitement along with negativity and indifference. The ten-day schedule this year includes eight days of 50-minute classes and two days of 75-minute block classes. Mr. McCluskey explained the process of changing the schedule to what we have now. At the request of Stone Ridge, a representative from Independent School Management visited and consulted with the administration to make sure everything was running smoothly. The school gets feedback during these meetings as well as advice for the future. As Mr. McCluskey stated, the SR administration “knew that there was a direct correlation between student stress and the schedule that seemed to come about.” This was confirmed when the ISM representative visited the administration because together they found students stressed over academics and homework.
A heavily proposed solution to this issue was to add a variant of a block schedule, which increased the time spent in one class so students
the schedule included the 50-minute classes with a 25-minute break and a 35-minute lunch. Ideas and opinions were thrown around, but ultimately
Photo Courtesy of Margaret Wroblewski
Mr. McCluskey takes a break from creating the schedule at his desk.
would not have to switch classes about seven or eight times a day. Last year, the administration chose a few students and teachers to join a discussion about the possibility of the change. At that point,
the administration had to decide among choices of adopting the new block schedule, keeping the one that has been in use for years, or compromising and finding a halfway point. According to Mr. McCluskey,
The block schedule would give students and teachers longer amounts of time in the classroom and would allow lesson plans to go deeper into the material. It would decrease transitions during the day. The administration believes that the final decision was a hybrid of short and block classes because it will lower the number of transitions between classes, increase time spent learning, and decrease stress levels among teachers and students. However, the way in which teachers and students utilize the block schedule will affect the positive and negative aspects. For example, if a teacher lectures the class for the whole 75 minutes, the majority of the students will probably zone out and lose interest. Same goes with students. If a teacher plans an activity and the students are not thoroughly engaged in it, the teacher may be less inclined to plan another one. The schedule as it stands could either take a turn for the worse or continue on the track to a better schedule at Stone Ridge.
Stone Ridge “Gangnam style” film goes viral
Issue 1
Fast Facts Tweets The Here and Now @SRHereAndNow
Apple releases an identical mini iPad. www.apple.com
The Here and Now @SRHereAndNow
Jessica Biel walks down the aisle in a petal-pink wedding gown, to Justin Timberlake. www.people.com
The Here and Now @SRHereAndNow
Tropical storm is tremendously increasing in Jamaica and several Cuban provinces. www.usatoday.com
The Here and Now @SRHereAndNow
Facebooks stock increase by 21% because of ad sales. www.thedailybeast.com
The Here and Now @SRHereAndNow
Surfer killed by shark off Vadenberg Air Force Base beach. www.abcnews.com
The Here and Now @SRHereAndNow
59.2 million people tuned into watching the Third Presidential Debate. www.thewashingtonpost.com
The Here and Now @SRHereAndNow
12 year old, Autumn Pasquale’s body was found in a recycling bin in New Jersey. www.cbsnews.com
The Here and Now @SRHereAndNow
Photos courtesy of Margaret Wroblewski and Youtube
“Gangam Style” is a popular song released by South Korean rapper PSY. The music video for the song reached over 520 million views on Youtube. A parody of the music video, starring Lisa Adam ‘13, pictured left, and directed by Margaret Wroblewski ‘13, reached about 3,000 views in under two weeks.
Taylor Swift releases her new album, Red. www.nydailynews.com
Señor Badue takes Stone Ridge Upper School by storm by Beki San Martin, Managing Editor
What one might already know about Señor Badue is that he is a new Spanish teacher in the Stone Ridge community. But one might not know is that he is [very] Cuban, speaks around eight languages, is an expert translator of novels and plays, and has made documentaries on a plethora of topics he is passionate about. Though Badue was born in the United States, his world at home was Cuban. “I was told that where I was born was a mistake” he stated. He recalls, that “this wasn’t permanent, we were always going to go back [to Cuba].” For this reason, Badue was never allowed to speak English at home. However, according to Badue, New York was the perfect place to learn a variety of languages, not just Spanish. “Every stop you got off, you were in a different ethnic neighborhood... Every metro stop had newspapers in thirty different languages… and you were just so interested!” This exposure to languages extended into his school life. Badue attended St. Ignatius and St. Regis school for boys, where his knack for languages flourished even further. “A lot of the guys…had parents who were Hungarians or Polish, and everybody spoke their own language at home, and then you’d go visit them, and so you ended up teaching each other.” Through this combination of pure exposure and taking actual classes, Badue acquired a high level of proficiency in English, Spanish,
Photos courtesy of Madi Kaiser and Senor Badue
Despite his identification with his Cuban heritage, Sr. Badue was born in the U.S and speaks eight languages.
French, Portuguese, Hebrew, Italian, Russian, and Polish. He calls these the languages that he “feels comfortable speaking over the phone.” After graduating from Georgetown University, Badue worked as a translator for the United Nations (UN) for a number of years. He then went back to school, beginning at Columbia University, in order to get his PhD. “I always thought I was going to be a doctor, everyone in my family was a doctor.” It was during this time that he needed to find a side job, and his friend suggested that he apply to be a substitute teacher, that way he could
work some days, and then spend the others in the library at Columbia. He applied, and after a little waiting, was offered a substitute position to teach
“...open yourself to the world and the world will open itself to you, and never forget your roots, your faith in God” Spanish and Hebrew at Stuyvesant High School. It was at this job that he discovered his passion for teach-
ing. He “fell madly in love with it.” Badue then decided to stop pursuing his PhD and switch to getting a Masters in order to teach Spanish. He has taught “everything from kindergarten to graduate school…the whole gamut.” His knowledge of languages has encouraged him to pursue a variety of other passions as well as teaching. Badue has translated, according to an American University feature on him, “everything from the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz to 2003 National Book Award winner Carlos Eire’s Waiting for Snow in Havana.”
In this field, though, he has also done translations for subtitles in commercials and movies, Badue’s favorite translations are the books or plays that are in English, but that are set in Spain. He enjoys bringing them back to their roots. His passion for languages, different cultures, and teaching all manifest themselves in his creation of various documentaries, with topics that range from the AIDS quarantine in Cuba, (the documentary he made on this topic actually stopped the Cuban government from quarantining the civilians) or the orphans of the Gulag in Russia. For being such an accomplished person, Sr. Badue is still extremely approachable, relatable, and friendly, according to Isabela Roa, ‘13. “After every class, I walk out amazed at all the tidbits of information that Sr. Badue knows and at his unique personal experiences. He manages to make class a comfortable learning environment where we can enjoy ourselves while still focusing on the important topics we need to cover.” Fortunately, Sr. Badue feels equally as blessed to be here at Stone Ridge, as our community is lucky to have him here. “This school is amazing, it really is, on so many levels.” Sr. Badue’s advice to the Stone Ridge girl on leading an accomplished life? “Open yourself to the world and the world will open itself to you, like the Pope John Paul II said to Cuba.” “And never forget your roots, or your faith — in God, in yourself…just don’t lose it.”
October 26, 2012
News
The Here & Now
3
Issue 1
The unrest in Syria ignites flight and rebellion by Caroline Slowinski, Managing Editor
A Syrian girl named Rawan is nine years old and expects that she and her siblings will not be able to go to school this year, according to ABC News. She is one of the 218,000 plus refugees who fled to Syria’s surrounding countries, a graph from The United Nations Refugee Agency depicts. Conditions worsen in the refugee camps, but more and more people are attempting to leave Syria as the violence increases. A statistic from The New York Times estimates that the number of refugees will increase to 700,000 by the end of 2012. As fighting continues, refugees from Syria try to find safety in neighboring countries and temporary camps. From ABC News, over 100,000 people have left Syria in August alone and this conflict has been significant since it affects more than Syria alone. To put the number of refugees during that month in perspective, about 100,000 people live in Columbia, Maryland according to Forbes data from 2009. Most if not all the children, like Rawan, are incapable of going to school and getting an education. Either the school was destroyed in fighting or a refugee camp does not have a school in the surrounding area. Predicaments like these are influenced by the political circumstances and compromise the children’s education. About 2,000 schools have been bombed while others are now housing
Photo Courtesy of Sean Long
A portrait of President Bashar Assad across the entrance to Souk al-Hamidiyya. These are ubiquitous through the one-party state. The United States government is currently taking action to support groups rebelling against him.
for refugees. The ones that are currently in process amount to a number of about 22,000 but more and more students attend these so it becomes another challenge of teaching all of them. Safety and priority are also issues because gathering in areas with higher populations than small towns is dangerous because they could be targeted. Leaders in the camps argue that priority lies with safety, food, water, and medicine over education at the moment.
Now that the weather is getting colder, more challenges are posed to refugees escaping Syria and neighboring countries. Lower temperatures could cause problems for Syrians living in refugee camps and reduce food options in the future. These events are results of tension that has been building between the government and rebels in Syria and in other surrounding countries as well. The civil war mainly began in
March 2011, according to CBS News. Since then, about 27,000 Syrians have been killed in the fighting. The Arab Spring, including Syria, is the name for a movement that involves people who support democracy in their respective countries. News of demonstrations in the Middle East and North Africa spread mainly through social networking sites, says The Guardian. As violence in demonstrations increased, the Syrian government gave
orders for forces to suppress the rebels. Both sides, however, do not want to face defeat and the violence continues. The fighting escalated to such an extent that fighting in the streets between groups is common. On one side, the rebels stand to protect their freedoms and rights as people who are constantly being oppressed by the Syrian government. On the other, President Assad and the government officials safeguard presidential power in order to keep their control over the people. President Assad stated in an interview with the New York Times in March 2012 that he supports the six-point peace plan, even though he has not acted in accordance with it. An ABC News article says rebels and their allies have reason to believe that President Assad will not comply with peaceful propositions for him to step out of office so they resort to military action with the help of foreign powers. The United States government wants to stay out of arguments within the Security Council to avoid conflicts with other countries that are allies with Assad such as Russia and China. The US is taking other actions to support rebel groups in Syria and take Assad from office. Syria and Turkey engaged in military action and shelling across the border as of the beginning of October, states the New York Times. Fighting between the two countries is significant because it could affect more alliances and involve a greater number of countries.
Is the iPhone 5 the biggest thing to happen to Apple? Social issues spark controversy by Maddie Greene, Staff Writer
Gay rights and women’s rights are two issues that many of the youth of the 21st century choose to fight for. Especially in an election year, with seemingly polar opposite strategies toward combatting these issues on either side of the party lines, these historical decisions escalate to become even more drastic. What exactly do these issues entail? Gay rights, for one, involve the legalization of gay marriage in order to obtain what proponents believe will be full civil equality as a nation. Republican candidate Mitt Romney has always opposed gay marriage and believes it should be constitutionally banned, stated in the Republican Debates in September 2012. In Ohio, a state in which Obama leads Romney by eight percentage points, 50% of voters say equal rights for all sexualities is a key issue in attaining their vote, according to a study released by Cleveland-based The Plain Dealer. Despite this statistic, Mitt Romney sticks to his guns: “You don’t change your positions to try and win the states or certain subgroups of Americans, you have the positions you have... I’ve made it very clear that I believe marriage should be a relationship between a man and a woman.” President Obama supports legal
recognition of gay marriage, and made a statement to ABC News in May that cemented his views on the topic: “I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.” Obama’s views not only directly impact the 1 in 10 Americans that identify as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered), but also all those who support the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which legally defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Nationwide, six states and the District of Columbia perform samesex marriages in the United States. However, these state-issued marriages are not recognized by the nation as a whole. Worldwide, ten countries have legalized gay marriage, in addition to several who provide gay rights through registered partnerships or civil unions. In terms of women’s rights, these include the woman’s right to choose abortion, the woman’s right to obtain contraceptives, and government funding to organizations that aid women in issues of sexual and reproductive health. Romney opposes abortion completely and states that under his presidency, he would end all funding to Planned Parenthood, which spends one third of its $11.4 million budget on contraceptives and 3% on abortions. Furthermore, Romney believes it should be in the states’ power to outlaw all contraceptives in general: a proposition that would directly
impact the 99% of sexually active women aged 15-44 who have used at least one method of birth control, according to the Guttmacher Institute. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Obama supports free choice for women in terms of abortion, and believes the law should require workplace healthcare plans to provide free birth control options. In a February 2012 White House press conference, Obama was asked about the constitutional implications of his birth control philosophy. The President replied, “The contraception mandate is an issue where people of goodwill on both sides of the debate have been sorting through some very complicated questions to find a solution that works for everyone. With today’s announcement, we’ve done that. Religious liberty will be protected, and a law that requires free preventive care will not discriminate against women.” If Obama is re-elected, up to 10 million women will have access to free birth control by 2014 through the Affordable Care Act, a statistic reflecting what advocates believe to be a huge step forward in women’s rights. Although most Stone Ridge students cannot yet vote, the student still has the right to become educated about these issues so that she can better understand the complexities of the 2012 Presidential election and its pivotal outcome.
by Madi Kaiser, Staff Writer
Sometimes good just isn’t good enough. With new technology coming out faster than the population can keep up with, it’s very easy to feel outdated in this fast paced world. Is the new iPhone 5 really worth the hype, or is it just another gimmick Apple is trying to get its audience to purchase? “The biggest thing to happen to the iPhone since the iPhone.” The iPhone 5 is advertised as slimmer, with a bigger and more high-definition display screen, complete with higher speed wireless that doesn’t affect battery life. The camera is even a higher quality. Not only is Apple releasing and trying to sell a new phone, but the bells and whistles that go with it can’t be forgotten. Apple is also advertising an enhanced audio system with the new iPhone, complete with state of the art headphones and noise cancelling technology. The new iPhone also boasts built in apps such as Passbook, which keeps airline tickets, movie tickets, and even gift cards in one convenient location. When it comes down to the difference between products, many of the changes are not noticeable. The new phone is the same width as the old phone, but boasts a “4 inch retina display screen” to enhance the iPhone experience. An A6 phone chip is said to elongate battery life. Three microphones, paired with cutting edge “EarPods” promise a new kind of music listening experience. Customers are even able to FaceTime without a wifi connection. So what does this mean for con-
sumers? It’s easy to feel out of date and irrelevant with newer and better products constantly coming out. Lauren DeVol ‘15 thinks the iPhone 5 maybe be an unnecessary consumer ploy. “I don’t understand what could be so different about the iPhone 5, that they couldn’t just give it in an update for the iPhone 4.” On the pro iPhone 5 team, Claire Whitnah ‘14 is a proud new owner of the latest Apple technology. Although
“Sometimes good just isn’t good enough.... it’s very easy to feel outdated in this fast paced world.” Claire agrees that this may be another tactic by Apple to earn more money, she is positive this is the most outstanding iPhone yet. “I love the turn by turn navigation.” Claire said. “I’ll never get lost driving again. And I also love my new phone because it has so much more room for my music.” She also appreciates the speed and slim style of the new phone. To buy or not to buy? There are pros and cons to every purchase, and although the Stone Ridge community may be split on whether or not the new iPhone is worth it, most can agree that Apple knows how to market a product.
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October 26, 2012
Metro
The Here & Now
Issue 1
Commuting: A “mourning” process by Margaret Wroblewski, Staff Writer
Whether one lives on the busy streets of Bethesda or in the fields of Olney, every Stone Ridge student has to commute. Location, weather, traffic, parents, injuries, and siblings affect the amount of time it takes to get to school. From students to the Upper School faculty, every person has different distance and amount of time to travel. The average amount of time spent in the car for students is fifteen to twenty minutes long, and the average time for Upper School faculty is the same. For one student it takes “thirty seconds” another it takes “hour and a half.” When Kristen Carlson ‘13 sat in Dr. Hogan’s Scripture class during freshman year, he once cracked a joke about Olney. “Everyone thinks Olney is farmland.” Carlson firmly stated. Olney does have a few cows, but in fact “the commute isn’t that bad” according to Kiley Pfeifer ‘13. On a good day it takes about twenty five minutes to drive to and from Olney — though sometimes it can take up to an hour. Clarke Jamison ‘13 knows how students in Olney feel about commuting. “I live near Six Flags, and it’s such a disadvantage to live far away because the traffic on I-495 is terrible during rush hour!” Jamison makes tremendous efforts to get to Stone Ridge on time. She wakes up at 5:30 am, leaves her house at 6:45, and arrives at school at 8:00 am, on a good day. After school Jamison has volley ball practice till 6:00 pm, leaves school at 6:15, arrives at her house around 7:30 pm, eats dinner, and then starts her homework at 8:30 pm. Commuting takes up a lot of Jamison’s day. Not only does she spend approximately two hours in the car each day, but she is usually up until one o’clock each night finishing her homework on time. On the survey, only 8.3% of teachers live in Bethesda, compared to
by Katy O’Brien, Staff Writer
You scream, I scream, for ice cream (nachos)!
Photo courtesy of Margaret Wroblewski.
The metro is another means of commuting that is not quite as popular among SR students, although teachers frequently use the metro system. Some include Mr. Przywara, Ms. Bosco, Mr. Rook, Ms. Ciccone and Mr. Hulseman.
26% of students who do. Most teachers live in the Washington, D.C. area, but hardly any students live there. “The commute to school is like standing in line for a popular roller coaster,” says Wumni Duyile ‘15. “Long, tiring and annoying. But once you arrive at the front — in my case the front of the Upper School building — it’s worthwhile.” Catherine Mondoa ‘15 and Pfeifer experience rough situations to arrive at school on time. During volleyball practice, Mon-
doa chased after the ball, aiming for a high serve. “I was running backwards and I turned to the right in an attempt to more effectively chase it, but I slammed down on my ankle, and now I have a curved crack on my fibula.” This painful injury currently affects her commuting. In the past she took two buses to school. Now she lives with her cousins, Ruth and Malaika Ngwana, ‘13 and ‘16. It was “pouring rain” on Kiley Pfeifer’s car on September 28, 2012.
The roads were slippery, and people were frantically rushing to go to work. “People don’t know how to drive under such dangerous weather conditions and rear end you and drive away.” Her car got rear ended by a speeding Audi, which immediately drove away. Commuting cannot only be extremely stressful but also dangerous. The atmosphere surrounding each student in the morning has an effect on the student’s ability to make it to school on time. It’s more of a factor than most think.
The White House real housewives
Photo courtesy of stevebott.
Photo courtesy of The U.S Army.
Left: Michelle Obama is introduced as the First Lady in the Democratic National Convention. Right: Mrs. Obama reads to children at an elementary school. by Jennifer Flanagan, Staff Writer
As presidential election season kicks into full gear, so do the perfectly appointed and well dressed political wives. As hopeful First Ladies, they are assigned a crucial role -- to provide a perfect balance to their husband’s campaign and to promote a sense of equilibrium in the relationship. Presidential candidates may depend on their wives to stabilize and even enhance their campaigns so they can appeal to every group. As a result, enormous pressure is put on the potential First Lady, and she carries with her a certain expectation. Michelle Obama is often considered an example of the “better half”
to her President husband Barack. Her law degree, her intelligence and her campaigns for poverty, awareness and healthy nutrition make her stand out as a First Lady. But she was reluctant to campaign on her husband’s behalf and undertake the political career full of handshaking and fund-raising. She agreed “if he would quit smoking she would endorse his run and campaign!” Now she has been named as one of the 25 most influential women in the world, as well as one of the best dressed. Jackie Kennedy, the wife of the 35th president John F. Kennedy, was thought to be a model of decorum and style. She brought subtle publicity to the campaign of JFK through
her fashion attitudes and soft spoken interviews. “I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris, and I have enjoyed it,” JFK once said after they traveled to France together and she received huge acclaim. All that pressure, however, pays off! It was said that Dolley Madison, the wife of the 4th President of the United States, was an amazing social hostess who “proved an asset to James’s career” and was undoubtedly “one of the reasons James won re-election in 1812.” But every now and then, the wife may actually sabotage her husband’s campaign. For example, Teresa Heinz, married to John Kerry, is a very formidable woman worth more than $750
million herself [ketchup anyone?]. She remained a staunch Republican and did not change her name or her political party until her husband ran for President in 2004. She is known in the media as a “direct personality” and once told a journalist to “shove it” on the eve of the all important Democratic Convention. For this and many other reasons, Teresa was often viewed as a hindrance to the Kerry campaign. First ladies clearly play a key role in the presidental campaign. Without them the campaign might have a slightly different tone, good or bad. While watching the campaigns, think about how the canidates would seem without their wives by their sides.
When thinking about sweet treats, ice cream usually springs to mind. Do ice cream nachos? For the people at Baskin Robbins they do! The ice cream store now sells “waffle chip dippers.” The idea is that triangles of waffle cone replicate the traditional tortilla chip, and a generous helping of vanilla soft serve is the dip. I went down to the Kensington Baskin Robbins to try this new spin on a traditional soft serve. I got there to find the place hopping. One family was having dessert before dinner. A couple next to me ordered an ice cream cake and asked to have “Happy 3 Months” written on it. Christian, my trusted assistant (brother) and I came for one reason only: to try the new ice cream nachos. As we walked in I saw a huge sign displaying what I had come to taste. A good omen, I thought. The shop assistants, twin sisters, asked me what I would like on my ice cream. There was a choice? Apparently, there is a selection of sauces for your nachos: chocolate syrup, hot fudge, caramel, the list goes on. After I chose hot fudge, I was then asked what toppings I would like. Another surprise! I was given a long list of all the possibilities, but in the end I just chose Oreo. The Baskin Robbins employee, handed me my ice cream, she said “this is made with lots of love.” The Baskin Robbins staff made me feel very welcome and excited to try their new concoction. Although I chose the hot fudge and Oreo, that isn’t the winning combination for everyone. The Baskin Robbins workers each told me their favorite grouping for the ice cream nachos, which they have only been selling for a week. The three girls thought that the ice cream nachos would be much more popular than they have turned out to be. They only sell on average 1 or 2 a day. I had a nice conversation with the vendors and went to sit at a newly-vacant table. I took my first bite and instantly fell in love with the sweet and delicate waffle cone chip. I asked my assistant what he thought after his first bite, and we were unanimous; he said “the chips are brilliant.” Before arriving at the store, I questioned Christian about his initial response when I said Baskin Robbins was serving ice cream nachos. He quickly blurted, “that’s ridiculous!” However, he and I had no problem quelling his suspicion that ice cream nachos were a crazy idea as we kept taking spoonful after spoonful of the delicious soft serve ice cream. So who knew that ice cream nachos would be so enjoyable? To try it out, go to the nearest Baskin Robbins that sells soft serve, and get your $2.99 ready. Don’t waste time though; this new invention will only last for another month until the next treat rolls in to the famous pink and purple stores.
October 26, 2012
Metro
5
The Here & Now
Issue 1
Colleges’ changing views of the SAT SATs continued from the front page
at their college,” says Ms. GlynnSparrow. Nevertheless, some colleges — such as Sarah Lawrence, Bowdoin, Bard, and Smith — have an SAT-optional policy. Reasons for not accepting the SAT vary. For example, Wake Forest University found that dropping the SAT requirement increased their student body’s diversity. In fact, opponents of the SAT often argue that the SAT is socioeconomically biased, since students who are able to afford tutors and SAT-prep classes often have a leg up over those who can’t afford it. However, even the idea of socioeconomic bias in sunder a considerable amount of debate. Researchers at the University of Minnesota challenged this claim with a 2012 study, revealing that “taking into account parents’ education and family income had little effect” on the relationship between income and SAT success. Furthermore, this research, published in a journal from the Association for Psychological Science, discovered that fewer students of low socioeconomic status were enrolling in college — which may be why they appear underrepresented in the college process. The study bore no mention of SAT preparation classes, however. “Moving away from standardized testing is a bold, admirable move in
my view,” says Ms. Glynn-Sparrow. “However, I understand why larger universities are still saddled with standardized testing as a tool for the time being due to the volume of applicants.” The aforementioned, non-SAT centered schools are all small liberal arts schools, and the quantity of applicants differs in the thousands from larger institutions. However, this has not stopped some of the larger schools from trying. In 2001, the President of the main University of California proposed that the California college system should no longer require applicants to take the SAT I. The president, Dr. Richard Atkinson, said, according to the New York Times, that “The SAT I sends a confusing message to students, teachers, and schools… It says that the grades they achieve can be devalued by a test that is not part of their school curriculum.” More reasons for this proposition include that it distracts students from their primary subjects, and that it makes it harder for many black and Hispanic students to get accepted into top colleges. Gaston Caperton, president of College Board and one of Dr. Atkinson’s main opponents, urged the system to stick with the SAT I test, saying that the SAT I is unmatched in its capability to evaluate a student’s “ability to think in words in numbers” and is overall the most accurate snapshot of how a
Photo courtesy of Aissa Claveria
Catie Ryan ‘13 taking time to review an information booklet about “Getting Ready for the SAT” during her free.
student thinks and performs in school. Their debate begs the question — whether the SAT is beneficial or harmful to the college process, what is the alternative? At the time, Dr. Atkinson proposed that the California system should rely solely on the SAT II Subject Tests, which evaluate achievement in specific subjects. However, he regards this as a temporary measure and is even more in favor of developing new exams that would specifically test what students learn in high school. Another popular test, the ACT, is
a widely regarded alternative to the SAT. It is already achievement-oriented, and according to the president of ACT Inc. Mr. Richard Ferguson, is “the equivalent of five SAT IIs.” But eleven years later, the California school system, and the majority of colleges, still use the SAT despite the ongoing controversy. Outside of the college admissions process, is the individual student affected in any other way? “I worry about students spending too much time prepping for the SATs and not enough time on their classwork,” says Glynn-Sparrow.
She also thinks that SAT preparation often conflicts not only with “down time” that seniors need during the college process, but also with the time needed to write college essays. Occurring over at least a twelve-year period, this debate is one that is not going away quickly. Students of Stone Ridge are obligated to take the SAT, regardless of its positive and negative aspects. Could the SAT be eradicated completely in the college process? And most importantly, how would that eradication impact the students both at Stone Ridge and nationally?
Neuro drinks: Fuel on the rise by Caroline Slowinski, Managing Editor
Photo courtesy of Katy O’Brien.
Katy O’Brien ‘13 meets with the director of the college counseling office.
The ultimate transition by Madi Kaiser, Staff Writer
High school graduation is a huge milestone that transitions students into a completely different walk of life: college. Although students have four years of intense academic preparation, some wonder if this is enough or if students are equipped well enough to adjust to a more independent lifestyle. Specifically, Stone Ridge prides itself on its one hundred percent college attendance rate. Stone Ridge is confident that all of its graduating students use every opportunity possible to prepare them for the next phase of their life. But can our school be sure that all of its students have made a seamless transition to college life? A recent Stone Ridge graduate, Hannah Greene ‘12 gives her opinion on how well she feels Stone Ridge prepared her for these upcoming years. Greene thinks that Stone Ridge has definitely prepared her for the workload. “Although Stone Ridge definitely prepared me for the workload, college assignments are a little bit different. There is less busy work. I can spend up to three hours on one assignment.” Time management is taken with a different approach in college. “You have a lot more free time on your hands, and you have to choose whether you will use that time to study, go to the gym, or hangout with friends. It’s less structured.” An often forgotten aspect of adjustment is the social transition in college. “I live on an all girls hall, and the all girls atmosphere there is
nice. Having guys in class again is weird, but none of the other Sacred Heart girls are socially awkward around boys, so it all worked out.” Greene doesn’t think there is much Stone Ridge could improve on in the college preparation process, but the one big transition she cites is the less nurturing and personal environment of college. “It’s a totally different atmosphere at college. Lecture halls are huge, the class sizes are shocking, and the teachers don’t know you. It’s all an adjustment.” Williams College freshman Taylor Jerome ‘12 agrees that Stone Ridge really prepares its students for college life. “There are just little things that Stone Ridge teachers do that you may or may not appreciate at the time but that are actually super helpful in college.” Jerome says that without Mr. Krakow drilling thesis statements into her head, she would not be able to write papers like she is able to now. Mr. Hudock’s calculus class was so helpful that Jerome is having her parents send her notebook from that class to Williams. All in all, college continues to open Jerome’s eyes to how well individual teachers prepared her for a different academic experience. In the eyes of these graduates, while Stone Ridge does a good job of transitioning its students to a new and exciting college life, a big adjustment to a new lifestyle is unavoidable. This is nothing a Stone Ridge girl can’t take in stride with help from friends, family, and teachers alike.
What are Kim Kardashian and Neil Patrick Harris drinking these days? One answer is a nutritional supplement Neuro Drinks that is not commonly known to the public yet. Celebrities show their support for this brand by taking pictures of themselves with the drinks or attending events for the company. Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Liam Hemsworth are among other supporters. The drinks are sold on the expensive end at $40 for a sample pack of every flavor and $30 for a twelve pack of one flavor. When twelve packs are compared, one Neuro Drink is about $3.30 while a can of Coca-Cola is more like 30 cents. The Neuro Drinks, according to the official website, allegedly have an effect on the customer’s attitude and body. The Neuro Drink company states that the drinks are not to be considered energy drinks but nutritional and dietary supplements, with each drink focused on a certain effect. They serve to customer’s flavor preferences and prospective changes in attitude. A danger to this drink is that the FDA, or Food and Drug Administration, has not approved it yet. According to the Neuro Drink official website, the brand sells seven flavors; some include caffeine but for others caffeine is not listed as an ingredient. NeuroBliss, NeuroSun, and NeuroSonic are among the seven. NeuroBliss focuses on relaxing the body and mind, as advertised. NeuroSun advertises that it assists the nervous and immune system in their processes. NeuroSonic supposedly enhances “mental focus and performance.” Vitamins, herbs, amino acids, and Alpha GPC that triggers neurotransmitters in the body are generally found in the three aforementioned drinks. NeuroBliss also includes chamomile that helps calm the body and is usually found in tea. Since
NeuroSun is focused on the nervous system, vitamin D is the overarching ingredient. NeuroSonic has other components like caffeine (about the amount in one cup of coffee) and an antioxidant called resveratrol. At the bottom of the Neuro Drink website, it is published that “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” Reviews of these drinks are all over the charts, with some people wanting to order more or others promising to never take another sip of one. Many people praised the company through Internet reviews for getting the right balance of good taste and generally pleasing results. Diana Sanela Jenkins of a blog called “Outnumbered 3 to 1” had nothing critical to say about effects of the drinks because they worked as advertised for her but she said the sweet flavoring of Neuro Trim was hard to overcome. However, there were some people who were not all for the drinks. On
“Energy Fiend,” Dusty Smith was satisfied with the calming Neuro Bliss, but when it came to Neuro Sonic and Neuro Sleep, results were unfavorable when he could not focus or sleep well. Side effects for his experience with Neuro Sleep included drowsiness and vomiting. Individuals create various opinions on what they ingest, so it is important to know that caffeine affects each person to a different extent, or not at all, since some Neuro Drinks contain caffeine. As for the image of the bottle, it is a sleek shape that is easy to hold, while the bright colors can easily catch a prospective customer’s eye. A Neuro Drink is 14.5 fluid ounces, which is slightly smaller than the majority of water bottles. Students can choose how to manage their time, and can choose what to drink while doing so. They have a choice between a Neuro Drink with caffeine and one without it. Whether studying or hanging out with friends, there are surely many choices available in stores and online.
Here & Now Staff Aissa Claveria - Editor-in-Chief Olivia Jacocks - Copy Editor Beki San Martin - Managing Editor Caroline Slowinski - Managing Editor Mackenzie Taskey - Lead Designer Mr. Sands - Faculty Advisor
Julia Ali - Staff Writer Jennifer Flanagan - Staff Writer Maddie Greene - Staff Writer Madi Kaiser - Staff Writer Katy O’Brien - Staff Writer Margaret Wroblewski - Staff Writer
A special thanks to our newspaper contributors and our part-time staff writer, Andrietta Dossenbach
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6
Sports
October 26, 2012
The Here & Now
Robert Griffin III: Hope for the Redskins by Julia Ali, Staff Writer
“Super Bowl.” The first thought that football fans have after their first season win. For the Redskins community, “Super Bowl” is the first thought that fans had when the Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III as their new quarterback. RG3, as he is known, was the second overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft. The Washington area is ecstatic to have RG3 join the Redskins family. RG3 attended Baylor University. There, he not only flourished in his football career, but he ran for the Track and field Team as well. He came in first in the 400-meter hurdles in the Big 12 Conference Championship and the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship meets. The track and field kept him in great shape for the football season. During the football season, RG3 had many accomplishments at Baylor, which lead to his receiving of the Heisman trophy. He led Baylor to a 10-3 record and to its first bowl win in 19 years. As the recipient of the 2011 Heisman trophy, RG3 comes with high hopes for this football season. This is the fourth time in history the Redskins drafted a Heisman trophy recipient. The other three Heisman trophy recipients that the Redskins drafted were Vic Janowicz 50’, Ernie Davis 62’ and Desmond Howard ‘92. In order to get RG3, the Redskins switched positions with the St. Louis Rams in the 2012 Draft. In doing so, the Redskins gave up two future first -round picks and a second-round pick. However, the Redskins envi-
Photo courtesy of Madi Taylor
Photo courtesy of Chris Vaccaro
Photo courtesy of Isabella Richardson
Clockwise: RG3 sits at a press conference right after being drafted by the Redskins. Natalie Gosnell ‘14, Lauren Devol ‘14, and Madi Taylor ‘14 pose at a game. Isabella Richardson ‘15 had a great view during a Redskins game.
sion RG3 as their quarterback for the next decade. So to the franchise, RG3 is worth the picks they gave up. RG3 signed a four -year contract worth $21.12 million. The Redskins feel that RG3 is an investment the team desperately had to make because of the lack of a consistent starting quarterback since 1991, the year of the team’s last Super Bowl vic-
tory. Since that time, the Redskins have had 23 different starting quarterbacks. The lack of stability influenced the Redskins in their decision to draft RG3. Isabella Richardson, class of ‘14, who is a season ticket holder, says, “Compared to our past quarterbacks, he is a lot more athletic and shows his enthusiasm.” In the national sports world, RG3
is at the center of attention. Whether it be a Subway or an Adidas commercial, RG3 is catching people’s attention. Robert Griffin III stands as a role model for young kids. Isabella Richardson, who is a season ticket holder, says “He’s a great success story”. “He is a good example for kids, he proves that hard work pays off.” His hard work is definitely “paying off” in her
Issue 1
eyes. “They look like a winning team” exclaims Isabella, who attends numerous Redskins games each season. What do Redskins fans have to say about their new quarterback? Well, Stone Ridge girls seem to be pumped for the upcoming season! “He works very well with the offense” says Blair Welch ‘14. Being that the previous season was a tough one for the Redskins, the fans are in desperate need of a light at the end of the tunnel. For fans everywhere, RG3 is the light they need. Redskins fans all over are preparing for the season with high hopes of a great record. Kiley Pfeifer, a hostess at the Greene Turtle in Olney, says “People were at the bar hours before the game. They had their Redskins jerseys on, ready to cheer!” The Redskins defeated the Saints 40 - 32 and lost to the Rams 31- 28. Over the course of two games, he threw for 3 touchdowns, averaged over 60 yards a game running and passed for over 500 yards. He has only thrown one interception over the past two games. After watching RG3 play in his first 2 games of the season, Isabella says “As he got pressured, he wasn’t afraid to run. He was relaxed.” On October 7, RG3 suffered a hard hit and was checked for a consussion. He had a mild concussion but ended up being able to play in the next week’s game against the Vikings. With the lead 31-26, the Redksins were at 3rd -and -6 and needed a first down. RG3 saw an opening and ran for 76 yards to deliver one more touchdown for the Redskins. TheSkins won 38-26 against the Vikings. There is much more of RG3 to see.
Opportunity knocks at Paralympics
Photo courtesy of nickmilleruk
Athletes take their mark during one of the track and field events. by Caroline Slowinski, Managing Editor
The Paralympic Games, a major international sporting event organized in parallel with the Olympic Games, involve athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities. They started relatively recently in comparison to the Olympics — about 52 years ago. The Paralympics officially began in 1960 in Rome, Italy for the summer competition and 1976 in Sweden for the winter games, according to Canadian Paralympic Schools Program. The Guardian states that Dr. Guttmann, good with medicine and with assisting patients, was the push behind it when he started games for people with disabilities. Dr. Guttmann’s inspiration came from his desire to help his patients recover and to allow veterans of World War II to have an event to work towards while they were in the healing process. Dr. Guttmann’s idea of creating an event similar to the Olympics enables participants as well as hopeful ones to see their ability to succeed.
In the beginning, only people in wheelchairs could compete. Today, the administration opened it up to people with disabilities in general that range from physical to intellectual. Types of sports in the games vary from sitting volleyball to wheelchair rugby. According to the London 2012 Paralympic website, when determining players for each team, specific classifications must be met. It places participants in groups of people with similar abilities so that individuals have an equal chance to stand out and succeed on an individual level too. According to the UK Huffington Post, the number of viewers and attendees of the Paralympic games increased from past years in Beijing and Athens. About 2.7 million tickets were sold, breaking the predictions for money earned. The article says that the difference of publicity between the Paralympics and the Olympics is a cause of concern. Even though statistics are improving, there is more room
for improvement because the United States televised the least amount of live coverage of Paralympic events when compared to other countries. Whether a person is born with a disease, injury, or becomes affected by one or the other later in life, the Paralympics play an inspiring role in lives. The vision is “To enable Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to inspire and excite the world.” Oscar Pistorius, also called the “Blade Runner” because he wears special kinds of prosthetic legs, shocked most of the world when he qualified to run in the Men’s 400-m Semifinals in the Olympics. To put his success in perspective, Pistorius won his first medal in the Paralympics at seventeen and now has four gold medals. Even though there are mixed emotions regarding whether he had an advantage with his special kind of prosthetic legs, an article by Louis Peltzman says that Pistorius had both legs amputated at an early age and managed to get from there to be noticed in the Olympic qualifiers while representing South Africa. As the Paralympics’ saying goes, Pistorius “inspire[d] and excite[d] the world,” but this did not happen without controversy and question. Some people believe that he has overcome a lot to get that far, earning his spot as a medalist in the Paralympics and a qualifier in the Olympics. On the other hand, some individuals think that he had an advantage with the prosthetics and they increased his ability to run faster than those with two legs. Questions and arguments like the one over his two prosthetic legs will likely still exist in the future as technology advances to new levels, but it is doubtful that hope for success will ever cease.
Photo courtesy of Keith Allison
Strasburg and teammates high five on the Washington Nationals’ field.
Washington Nationals ignite a great amount of attention in the D.C. area by Jennifer Flanagan, Staff Writer
When it comes to Washington, D.C.’s sports teams, there appears to be a lack of success in past decades for baseball. In fact, the nation’s capital was without a baseball team from 1969 to 2005. Now, seven years after their most recent debut, the Washington Nationals won the NL East Championship and secured a spot in the playoffs. Will the team be able to hold on? The team suffered from a myriad of injuries this year – Jayson Werth broke his left wrist and was out for three months, all-star hitter Ryan Zimmerman injured his shoulder and continually receives cortisone shots, and Stephen Strasburg was retired by team management for the season as a precautionary measure to protect his arm. Is it ironic that a team that has never even been to postseason, let alone the playoffs, now won first place in their division? It is the National’s unique characteristics that allow them to succeed. They are young players, but that may bring the passion. The injuries make it hard to field a team, but that may bring the joy of being on the field. This is their first time in the lead, but that may bring the desperate desire to stay on top.
Many fans credit the National’s unexpected rise to the team’s manager, Davey Johnson. He joined the team in their 2012 season after the previous National’s manager unexpectedly resigned, and he has not coached a Major League baseball team in ten years. Now, however, after a mere seven years, professional baseball’s oldest manager coached the Nationals to their first division title. Despite the champagne throwing and wild celebrations in Nationals Park after the team won their division on October 1, Johnson does not want any distractions. “Getting into the playoffs is step one,” he said. “Winning your division is step two. Winning the World Series is Step three.” Two steps down, one to go! This team’s achievement has transformed Washington from a football town of the Redskins into a baseballtown of the Nationals, and hopefully, World Series champions, though not this year. On October 12 the Nationals lost to the St. Louis Cardinals and ended their 2012 baseball season. Though they will not be World Series champions this year, many fans are excited for the great potential of this young, exciting team.
Sports
October 26, 2012
Stone Ridge Fall Sports by the Numbers
The Here & Now
7
Issue 1
10
hours of practice each week
9
fall teams
11
coaches
174
athletes
1
athletic trainer
1
mascot
∞
amount of SR pride!
Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Taskey
Left midfielder Lizzy Young ‘16 carries the ball down the field during the Georgetown Visitation game on October 10th that the team tied 2-2 in overtime.
Eleven freshmen light up varsity sports by Mackenzie Taskey, Lead Designer
Eleven freshmen made varsity sports this fall. With only having freshmen on field hockey and soccer, this is a unique and remarkably high number. On August 27th, numerous athletes, first to fourth academics, filled gym 3 for the athletic department meeting. Everyone was anxious and eager to get the season started. Freshmen Lea Barnes, Madison Carr, Lacey Foster, Anneliese Goetz, Sarah Johnston, Madelyn Lovett, and Madison Smith all made varsity soccer. Maddy Smith, from Our Lady of Mercy, has been playing soccer since kindergarten and has been on a travel soccer team, Bethesda Soccer Club, since third grade. Her hard work with dedication to soccer was revealed when she made varsity soccer as a freshman. On being a part of the team she says, “The older girls on the team are really nice and welcoming. They make you feel like a really important part of the team.”
While she is only a freshmen, in terms of pursuing soccer beyond high school she says, “Hopefully if I am good enough!” Onto field hockey, freshmen Dani Feller, Suzanne Antoniou, Lizzy Young, and Alice Felker all made varsity field hockey. Lizzy Young has been playing field hockey for about nine years, as field hockey was a main focus on her previous school, The Mater Amoris Montessori School. Besides the Stone Ridge team, Lizzy also plays for the club team Washington Wolves Field Hockey Club. On being a part of the varsity team, Lizzy says “I love how we manage to be intense, but fun at the same time!” She also adds that she would love to play field hockey in college. During the Georgtown Visitation field hockey game, Lizzy Young had some strong inserts on corner plays that exemplified her athletic composure and talent. She also had strong hits on the left side helping to bring the ball down the field
and
create scoring opportunities. Upperclassmen on the teams also attest to the talent of these freshmen and their impact on their team. Soccer player Katelyn Debakey (‘13) confirms that the freshmen on the soccer team have been a great help to the team. “I know I love the freshmen on the team. They all possess great soccer skills, no exceptions. Maddy Smith is always ready, to have a good laugh or to play in a soccer game like it’s a war,” Katelyn says. Field hockey player Charlotte Vitak (‘13) says, “Aside from Lizzy’s positive attitude on and off the field, her diversity as a player is what amazes me the most. She is able to play all positions with intensity and skill while making it look so easy, as if she could do it all in her sleep. I am amazed by her field hockey abilities on the daily.” Whether it be kicking the soccer ball or hitting the field hockey ball, these freshmen are proving to be an important aspect of their teams.
Freshmen Varsity Athletes
*Lizzy Young *Dani Feller *Suzanne Antoniou * Alice Felker * Lea Barnes * Madison Carr * Lacey Foster * Anneliese Goetz *Sarah Johnston * Madelyn Lovett * Madison Smith
New hockey team for Stone Ridge athletics by Julia Ali, Staff Writer
Stone Ridge athletics welcome a new sport this winter! Stone Ridge girls will no longer just be seen on the field or court, but on the ice as well. A group of Stone Ridge girls started an ice hockey team for anyone to join. Nicole Chapin Duke, mother of Camilla Duke ‘16, who has played hockey for 6 years, is organizing and handling the logistics for the team. She is conversing with Cheryl Leahy, mother of Wynne Leahy ‘12, who started an ice hockey team at The Mater Dei School. She says, “She has been very helpful in getting it going.” Mrs. Duke is also working with Mr. Bryant. She will be helping out with coaching before they find a permanent coach who can work with their schedule. The Mid- Atlantic Girls hockey League will be starting their first year as a League. Although Stone Ridge will not be a part of the League this year, they will still be playing the teams within the league. “We hope to make hockey a Varsity sport next year” says Duke. The team will be practicing at
Wheaton ice rink and the Laurel ice rink. Mrs. Duke said one of the biggest challenges is finding icetime. They are sharing ice-time with Holy Cross Academy, in order to make the costs less expensive. Expenses are often a challenge with the sport of hockey. However, Mrs Duke said there are some ad-
“Hockey is a growing sport. [The upcoming Stone Ridge team] brings another option and opportunity for the girls to explore.” vantages for starting a hockey team for girls rather than boys. She says, “A lot of girls have skated before and they get to the high school level and think, “‘Oh wow, that would be fun.’ It is normal for girls to be new to hockey at an older age.” Not only is it an advantage that we are an all girls school, but it also makes the
Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Taskey
Camilla Duke ‘15 announces information about the upcoming hockey team.
creation of the team unique. Very few schools in the area have girl ice hockey teams. The hope is for the sport to be-
come just as popular as it is for boys. The team had a welcoming meeting for the Stone Ridge students. They
had 26 girls come out. Out of the 26 girls, 6 or 7 have played hockey before. Mrs. Duke says, “I hope the team gets girls excited about trying at hockey. I hope it sparks people.” Why should Stone Ridge students be excited about this? Ice hockey is new to Stone Ridge, so it is something new for students to join. “I hope people will be interested, because if it gets going it will be a really fun program” says Camilla Duke. The creation of the hockey team will also offer another choice for a winter sport because hockey will be added to the list of winter sports along with basketball and swimming. Not only is this an addition to the athletic program but it is an addition to the sport as a whole. Mr. Bryant says, “Hockey is a growing sport.” The buzz about hockey has simmered since the Stanley Cup game in June. However, the buzz is just beginning here at Stone Ridge. “It brings another option and opportunity for the girls to explore” says Mr. Bryant. The new team will add another layer to the Stone Ridge athletic program as a whole. Keep your eye on this new team, it could be a Varsity sport in no time.
8
Arts & Entertainment
October 26, 2012
The Here & Now
Maximize your apps by Maddie Greene, Staff Writer
Contrary to what teachers and parents may say, the iPhone has a place in a student’s academic career: through apps and programs designed to help with school. In a world of rapidly developing technology, iPhones and Macbooks are two of the most widely used tools in accessing information and making social connections. Students do not need to cut themselves off from these tempt-
Clockwise from top left: summer artwork by Katie Mongoven ‘13, Megan Lewin-Smith ‘13, Laila Carter ‘13, Katie Mongoven ‘13, Megan Lewin-Smith ‘13
SR artists bloom in the summer by Olivia Jacocks, Copy Editor
From the dark to the vibrant, from the depiction of a rubber duck’s reflection to a skeleton wearing a hat, the paintings lining the first floor hallway are as unique as the artists — Katie Mongoven,‘13, and Megan Lewin-Smith,’13 — themselves. They are among the many talented Stone Ridge artists who cultivated their artistic capabilities over the summer in order to further their personal and creative growth. One piece that pops out in this colorful hallway is a series of five black and white pictures that Mongoven created during her time at the Rhode Island School of Design, one of the most prestigious art colleges in the country. “[It] addresses the problems I have as an adopted child,” Mongoven explains. “It basically is posing the question: why were these things accepted in China when I was not?” Many all-nighters were spent at RISD creating this art — but to Katie, it was all worth it. “It really helped me figure out who I am and what being an artist means. I was able to express a lot of the problems I had kept to myself.” The other contributor to this artfilled hallway, Lewin-Smith, undertook a program similar to Mongoven’s
at Carnegie Mellon University. However, instead of focusing on painting, she took a wider variety of classes in animation, communication design, photography, and sculpture. “In each class we explored each craft. There was little instruction, so we did not focus as much on technique as concepts,” Lewin-Smith explains. Her experience there helped her try to visualize her future career pathand one that is definitely not at an arts school. “I cannot deal with art all the time and nothing else. Also,” she adds jokingly, “artsy people are super scatterbrained, and I cannot deal.” Nevertheless, her experience did further her knowledge of and interest in communication design. After completing two major projects at Carnegie Mellon in that area, she is considering a degree in communication design in the future. For some students, planning for this future begins even earlier than senior year. Adriana Palomino,’14, completed the Young Scholars Program at the University of Maryland in Architecture. “After doing this program, I realized I want to go into Architecture,” she says enthusiastically. In this program, she designed an artist’s studio and a library from her drawn plans using Styrofoam models. She also
Issue 1
went on field trips with her class to practice drawing and taking photographs of the different buildings there. “I feel like I grew as an artist because I learned how to properly draw buildings from different perspectives… which I did not know how to do before. I also grew as a person because I discovered what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” Some students, however, embark on independent projects over the summer that are unattached to any particular program. Laila Carter,’13, worked in her sketchbook to develop her ideas. “By doing art without any guidelines over the summer, I found my true voice,” she says. Her distinct voice includes drawing stylistically instead of realistically, giving it “a touch of [her]self.” She also independently studies graphic novel and graffiti art. She says, “I could draw what I wanted how I wanted, and it really helped me find my style and my own look, which is necessary for every artist to have.” Whether students participated in college programs or in independent studies over the summer, whether they design comic books, buildings, or rubber ducks, all of them contributed to not only their portfolios, but to their futures in the artistic realmand to their own individual growth.
Funky Punky Krunky Beats with DJ J-Ali
ing technologies in order to succeed in school. In fact, many applications and websites are available to best utilize a student’s time and resources. With the intricate balance of social pressure and academic stress at hand, high school is often a time where students can go off track and lose sight of their goals. However, if time management and beneficial resource cultivation are applied to the rapidly advancing technological world, students can benefit tremendously.
The Self Control app, developed in 2009 by Steve Lambert for the common MacBook user, allows those in need of self control to block certain websites from their browser’s scope of accessibility. Also, users can set a select list of websites that will be their only Internet options. Both options are executed over a set amount of time, useful for when students need to cram for a history test or finish up that lengthy scripture homework. iTranslate for iPhone allows students studying foreign languages to decode unknown vocabulary words and phrases of jargon. With dozens of languages to choose from, finding out the meaning of that tricky vocabulary word has never been easier. Users can even utilize their phone’s microphone to speak into the app and receive an English translation of what they said. Evernote, an application for iPhone and Macbook, allows users to take notes, upload files and pictures, and work with classmates, meanwhile hosting everything wirelessly on an information cloud. With this program, students will never have to worry about losing files and information when laptops crash or backpacks are stolen- and they willl be able to access them on the go, whenever needed. In such a competitive world, students are constantly reminded that grades matter. Students can avoid being left in the dark about what their grades are in a certain class by downloading Grades 2 to their Phones. This free app lets users personalize what each class’s grade percentage breakdown is, allowing them to check grades and update it with each new assignment. Students can even calculate overall GPA and set reminders for upcoming tests and projects. Carrying around heavy paperback books and textbooks can be both physically and mentally exhausting. Stanza and iBooks are both free apps for iPad or iPhone, allowing users to download books straight to mobile devices for easy reading, annotating, and storing. Students simply need to remember to check with teachers before taking out an iPhone in class to download the latest assigned reading.
ins & outs The indie folk band released their new album “Babel”on september 25, 2012. Mumford and Sons is most known for their unique sound and contagious lyrics. Marcus Mumford’s voice in the album goes to an extreme and causes the lyrics to come to life. The first single of this album is “I will wait”. The song is almost a love ballad with is enriched by the use of the banjo. The instrumental background with the lyrics adds a great mix of emotion and indie flare. “But I’ll kneel down..Wait for now...I’ll kneel down..know my ground.” The lyrics in the song embrace the idea of waiting for your special someone. Overall, the album embodies all the aspects that previous Mumford & Sons have contained: indie flare, uniqueness, catchy beats, and emotion-filled lyrics.
This English rock band released “The 2nd Law” on October 2, 2012. The name of the album comes from the 2nd law of thermodynamics, which is referenced in the song “Unsustainable.” The main single of this album is “Survival”, which was the official song of the 2012 Olympics. The lyrics of “Survival” are very inspirational and go great with the olympic theme of strength and determination of athletes. However, some people are comparing the song to “The Hunger Games.” Also , the rest of the album is not very cohesive. There is a sense of aggression in the album, which makes it feel creepy and forceful The main theme throughout the album is DUBSTEP. The alternative rock band branches out in this album, however they come short of perfection.
The X Factor UK contestant released “Sticks and Stones” on October 2, 2012. Most known for her catchy single, “Want You Back”, Cher Lloyd shows the world what she is capable of through this album. Her funky and fun songs are catchy and have great rhythm.The album has a light-hearted and young feel. The song “Swagger Jagger” reveals Cher’s street style.Being just a teenager, Cher definitely knows what kids want to listen to with her fast moving beats and pop sound. The album embodies typical teenage angst and cutesy lyrics. Overall, I think the album was solid of such a new artist. It is definitely obvious that she is new to the music world but I have no doubt that there is much more to come from Cher Lloyd.
Recommeneded Track: Babel
Recommeneded Track: Survival
Recommeneded Track: Want U Back
-Revolutionaries -Snoop Lion -Staying at Home -Cher Lloyd -The Clef Hangers -Chipotle -Coconut Water -Kim+Kanye -The Mindy Project -#thestruggleisreal -Gangnam Style -Dance Moms -SNL Skits on Debates -Dance Dares at SR
SurvivorsSnoop DogHomecoming Nicki MinajDissipated 8ChipotleVitamin WaterKim+KrisThe Office#YOLOThe WopReal HousewivesPresidential DebatesDance Dares on Ellen-
Arts & Entertainment 9
October 26, 2012
The Here & Now
Issue 1
A local band, The Atlantic Light, makes waves by Aissa Claveria, Editor-in-Chief
With the vibrant voice of Sonam Wong, the detailed guitar parts from Johnny Chay and Casey Philips, and the contemporaneous rhythm from JJ Foley’s drums and Chris Ingram’s bass, The Atlantic Light, an up and coming band from Maryland and Virginia, reflects their musical influences from blink-182, All Time Low, and Boys Like Girls through their pop rock sound. These 5 guys, whose ages range from 19 to 23 years old, are aspiring to support themselves as musicians and to keep creating music for as long as they can. “It’s called the music business, not the music fun. You can do it for fun, but when it all comes down to it, if you actually try to make it a career, money goes in to get money out,” says Wong. In a study by Forrester Research, “U.S. Music Forecast 2008 to 2013,” industry analysts expected the U.S. music market sales to decline over a period of five years. Nowadays, many musicians, such as The Atlantic Light, produe music within the comfort of their homes by using programs such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools, and Garage Band instead of going to a recording a studio to produce an album. With regard to the music industry, Ingram says, “you have to want to take a gamble at a lot of things.” Prior to The Atlantic Light, each member
of the group had been in separate bands, whose sounds collectively reflected various genres, such as pop, rock, electronic, dance, and indie rock. Although they each took diverging paths in their musical careers, they were still able to come together to form The Atlantic Light. According to Wong, “each of us listens to a wide range of music.” Therefore, when it comes to musical influences, The Atlantic Light is inspired by a large spectrum of artists such as John Mayer, Young the Giant, Justin Bieber, and Drake. However, they agree that blink 182 and All Time Low are two bands that “everyone (in the band) listens to and everyone is inspired by.” Wong says that the band essen-
tially takes inspiration from Maroon 5. The reason why is that “they are a band that is up [on the music charts] with everybody else.” In a lighthearted manner, Ingram said that “Dancey,” “Poppy,” and “Catchy,” are the three words he would use to describe their music. However, ultimately, Ingram later on added that “we play what we think sounds good.” Over the summer, The Atlantic Light collaborated with two other upcoming local artists – Cameron Byrd, a singer and guitarist for the band, Hollywood Ending and Crush Atlantic, an electronic pop duo. Byrd’s band, Hollywood Ending, participated in a talent competition called Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing,
which showcases the music of young aspiring recording artists across national broadcasts and online platforms. However, Byrd is always up for collaborating with The Atlantic Light because he was previously in a band with Wong and Foley, called The Dukes. In July, The Atlantic Light and Byrd collaborated on The Atlantic Light’s first single, called “We Were Young.” Crush Atlantic, which consists of Chris Jones (the brother of Allison Jones ‘13) and Chris Lamore, collaborated with and produced The Atlantic Light’s first cover song, “Good Time by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen.” In September, Adam Young, the man behind Owl City, released a “Good Time Cover Contest.”
The Atlantic Light entered their own version of “Good Time,” in hopes of winning the grand prize of signed handwritter lyrics to a song off of Owl City’s new album, The Midsummer Station, as well as $100 merchandise coupon. On October 18, The Atlantic Light received feedback from Owl City via a twitter direct message, stating that they won the grand prize of the competition. Through this collaboration, The Atlantic Light also filmed their first music video. The overall process, according to Foley, was “a lot of fun, they’re really cool guys.” The band collectively admits that their expectations for the music video is not at all what they thought the outcome would be. “It was a good experience where we learned how to gage our expectations,” says Wong. In terms of music production, The Atlantic Light has been writing a lot and doing a lot of demoing, which is the process recording a song to illustrate the abilities of a musician. According to Wong, “the hardest step in being a band is that you have to invest so much money into it. It’s going to cost us a lot of money but we’ve been waiting a while to make these moves so once they’re done, it’s all about keeping the ball rolling and going on tour, then touring again and again. That’s where we are right now, by 2013, we hope to do this full time.
Not your mother’s closet by Julia Ali, Staff Writer and Beki San Martin, Managing Editor
Out-of-date. Drab. Tacky. Three words that come to mind when one thinks of his or her mother’s old stashed away clothes. Yet, time has told that trends come back around, so don’t write off that part of her wardrobe just yet. With fall comes change, and thus the perfect time to experiment and adapt your mom’s old pieces into trendy, fresh looks. This season, according to South Moon Under’s trend list, the favorites for this fall are leather, oversized coats, denim shirts, and gold accents.These trends do not have to cost a fortune, however. Instead of venturing to an expensive department store or boutique, take a gander at your mother’s old items to see what can be found.
Simple Yet Trendy Find simple yet trendy pieces from your mother’s closet. We found a denim shirt, a delicate blouse, a leather jacket, and gold earrings from Julia’s mom’s closet. These follow the fall trends, as mentioned before, of denim, gold accents, and leather.
TLC shows become OMG shows by Margaret Wroblewski, Staff Writer
Mix and Match
Embrace Denim
Pair these fabulous pieces with pieces from your own closet! We chose to pair the denim shirt and gold earrings from with a simple black maxi skirt of our own. We also paired the delicate pink blouse with the maxi skirt to create a dressier look.
The denim shirt can be worn many ways. We decided to tie it with the maxi skirt to make the look more casual.You can also pair a denim shirt with a dress to make the look more complete. Denim adds an edgy flare!
Contrast
We paired the leather jacket with a fun, flowy, basic white dress. The contrast of the hard leather with the feminine skirt makes a balanced look!
The television network, TLC often airs unusual shows to entertain their audience. TLC stands for The Learning Channel and was created to focus on education. Instead, the audience is educated about the lives of certain families in the United States, even though the impact the media has on these families is tremendous. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Sister Wives, Breaking Amish, 19 Kids and Counting, and My Gypsy Wedding are just some of the television shows that the network consists of. The shows are consisted of the television network “Life Surprises”, in 2008. TLC started to focus on personal family stories. The focus on family is becoming their core with shows on the normal such as Cake Boss and Little People Big World. The family aspect is shown through the bizarre television shows, but comparatively it does have a real impact on the families. For example, Here comes Honey Boo Boo, a new upcoming show was aired in the summer of 2008. The youngest daughter, Alana Thompson is featured on Toddlers and Tiaras. Her personality and behavior became such a pop culture nation wide hit that the TLC
network decided to make a television show for the Thompson family. The father or “Sugar Bear” of the family never graduated high school. The mother “mama” got pregnant at age 15 and dropped out of high school. She is the star of the show. Many of the television scenes consist of going to auctions, couponing, going to bingo, and cooking. The three other daughters’ nicknames include “Chubbs,” “Pumpkin,” and Chickadee”. Another television show that falls into the unusual category is Sister Wives. Robyn, Christine, Janelle, and Meri Brown are married to Kody. The strong bond between the “sisters” helps them through the struggles of being a polygamist family. “Being in my own house away from the main house or the big house I feel disconnected sometimes. One of the things I really loved about the family was the fact that Kody had access to wives and kids at all times,” Robyn, one of the sister wives, explained. These four women all raise their families separate from one another, and Kody travels to each house every few days. Television shows will continue to have controversy but it is the family’s decision to be on these shows and in the long run they will be affected by it.
10
Student Interest
October 26, 2012
The Here & Now
Community bringing two worlds together Ledecky continued from the front page
Issue 1
fun facts about Katie Ledecky Steak is her favorite food
Photos courtesy of Mia Flood, Maggie McMahon, and Katie Ledecky
Students invited to the White House event listening to the first lady, Michelle Obama, speak about the Olympics.
placed second in ISLs last year. “We’ll look to challenge for that top spot and I know that we have some really good freshmen this year and good returning people,” says Ledecky. Balancing her time to complete that Honors Algebra II homework, waking up at 4 am to go to Georgetown Prep for swim practice, and then returning to Prep in the afternoon for swim practice is something she has had “a lot of experience with.” She manages her time by taking advantage of every minute. Her experience with swimming dates back to when her mother, Mary Gen, would take Ledecky and her older brother, Michael, to the Sports and Health Club for recreational swimming. When Ledecky was 6 years old, she and her brother joined a pool at her brother’s request. Since they did not know any of the kids at their pool, they joined the Palisades Summer Swim Team. That winter, she and her brother began swimming year-round.
Though her family has “always liked the water,” Ledecky particularly loves “the whole atmosphere and competitive aspect of the sport.” With swimming, she says that “you can really see your progress every day in the pool and you’re always trying to work towards something.” She enjoys how swimming is both an individual sport, as well as a team sport. “That’s what I really felt on the Olympic team too, that it was a really team-oriented thing,’ says Ledecky. Her two parallel worlds collided when she was invited to the White House event held to honor the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams. This is Ledecky’s favorite event she has attended so far. Not only was she mentioned in President Obama’s speech and reunited with her Olympic swim team members, but she also got to invite some of her friends to the event as well. Ten Stone Ridge Students, the Director of Studies, Malcolm Mc-
She is nominated for two Golden Goggles awards
Cluskey, and the Head of School, Catherine Karrels, attended the event. When asked about his experience at the White House, McCluskey said that, “The amount of pride that I had to be with our students and have one of our students honored was surreal. To be in the same place with all of these Olympic athletes was just incredible. It was an amazing, unforgettable life experience.” Ledecky’s community unites her “two parallel worlds” together. Whether she is in London at the 2012 Olympics, or in Bethesda at Stone Ridge, Ledecky cannot stress how grateful she is for her community. Surrounding herself with her classmates, teammates, coaches, and teachers inspires her to be the best that she can be. “I really couldn’t have done it without their support” says Ledecky. Across the United States she may be known as “Katie Ledecky: the Olympic Gold Medalist,” but in Bethesda, she is a Stone Ridge girl.
Math and Science are her favorite subjects Call Me Maybe is her favorite song because it brings back Olympic memories
Students learning through the Network An exchange student’s perspective on the Global Network of Sacred Heart Schools
by Andrietta Dossenbach, Staff Writer
As a student at the Sacre Coeur in Vienna, Austria, I knew that I always wanted to be a part of an exchange program to learn about different cultures, habits, and school systems. The best way to become acquainted with a variety of different school systems is to take part in exchange programs within the Sacred Heart community. After many interlocutions with my headmaster and the director of the exchange program, I was allowed to go to the United States for 2 months and create memorable experiences. From the first moment I came to your school I felt like I was coming into a big family. Everyone instantly welcomed me. In the first week, I discovered and explored some differences between the United States and Austria, but I still seem to learn new things everyday. I really love being at Stone Ridge and I already know that it will be hard to leave. The bell rings, stressed students fill the halls, and everyone is trying to get through the crowds of people to make it to their next class. People are talking or eating snack, while lockers are opening and closing. Are we at Stone Ridge School in Bethesda? Sacre Coeur in Vienna? Sacred Heart School in Taiwan? This scenario is universal. Given these similarities, many people do not know how the sacred heart school systems differ from each other. In fact, the country you live in is what makes the huge difference.
In Taiwan, the teacher lectures by using microphones. Students do not ask questions. However, in Bethesda, some classes, such as the American Literature class, lets students vote on whether or not they would like to hold an open discussion. The grading system amongst the Sacred Heart School networks are also very different. In Vienna, big tests are on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 being the best, 5 being the worst.) On projects and quizzes, students given plusses, waves (the middle), or minuses. We get two report cards a year. Though the first one only shows us which grades we would potentially get, it still counts for our final report card. If you have a 5 in the first report card, you can pass the year if you put much of your effort in the second semester. However, if you have a 5 on the final report card but you do not pass the big test, then you have to repeat the whole grade. While there are differences between the Sacred Heart school systems, there is one thing that will always be the same. That one thing is community. No matter where you go for an exchange program, it important to know that the people you meet will be the ones who make your experience memorable. My two months at Stone Ridge have definitely been far too short. I wish I could stay longer. Although I miss my family and friends at home, it will be hard leaving Stone Ridge. However, I know that I will always have Sacred Heart sisters in Bethesda..
While at the Olympic Camps, her roommate was Lia Neal, a fellow Sacred Heart student She always says a Hail Mary before her races Her first race since London was the 1000m free on October 19 When she was younger, she also played soccer and basketball Her favorite radio station on Sirius XM is Hits 1 She is on the Gold Team She used to play the piano
Photos courtesy of Andrietta Dossenbach
Clockwise from top left: Dossenbach gives Ms. Morin a farewell hug. Dossenbach poses in front of one of Washington D.C.’s landmarks. The AP Psychology class smiles for a last day picture of Dossenbach’s exchange.
She was born on St. Patrick’s day
Student Interest
11
The hotspots for hanging out
October 26, 2012
The Here & Now
by Madi Kaiser, Staff Writer
by Katy O’Brien, Staff Writer
Tea With Teachers Getting to know the new music director \ I sat down to have some tea and to ask the New Music Director a series of questions aimed at solving this mystery: who is Mr. Thompson? When offered a wide variety of teas, Mr. Thompson chose the mint tea, whose packet reads, “fresh and flavorful with natural spearmint leaves.” Mr. Thompson added that the tea reflects his personality since mint is high in energy, just like him. When I was 17… He spent 18 days exploring, singing, and learning in the British Isles for his choir trip. However, when he raved about his favorite food he had while he was there — shortbread, his Stone Ridge compatibility became clear. In terms of pop culture in 1995, beyond Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Mr. Thompson highlighted the innovative movie graphics, such as those of Jurassic Park, asserting with pride that his generation was the “beginning” of that era. If you made a movie about yourself what would it be about? At first Mr. Thompson jokingly said that he would make a movie about a music teacher going to space, but then he came back to reality and said that he would want his movie to be about a teacher who inspired kids in school to achieve their dreams in music. What do you want your students to learn from you? Mr. Thompson had clearly thought about this question before because he had one enthusiastic answer readily available. He said that he wants to “educate the whole student so that they can become a better citizen of the world.” In other words, he wants students to become well rounded people able to make decisions for the world. This was a reason he was drawn to Stone Ridge because of the 5 Goals of the Sacred Heart and the spirituality the school community fosters. What did you love about Stone Ridge? On his first day interviewing for the position of Director of Music, Mr. Thompson said he met students in the hallway and got to interact with students in the classroom. He has great memories of both. He said his gut feeling was that Stone Ridge was a “warm, welcome environment that felt like home.” Welcome to the swamp, Mr. Thompson! Who would you have tea with and why? Mr. Thompson didn’t even hesitate when answering this question, he knew exactly who he wanted to meet: Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela. Basically, he wanted to meet someone who had “made an impact on our world.” When I asked him what he would ask them, he responded “I would ask them, how was their day?” Funny, I thought. He explained that they were normal people too, and that they “put on their pants one leg at a time.”
The Cube. The Cloakroom. The coveted senior lounge that everyone anticipates for three years. The student proclaimed hangout areas have become a part of the norm at Stone Ridge. These spaces are the unofficial “spots” for certain grade levels to congregate, unwind, and share about their day. They serve as a safe space where students can feel comfortable amongst classmates and a place away from the stress of the school day. The sophomore cube is the place to hangout when students have free time and aren’t necessarily motivated to go to the library. With the cube centrally located between the lower and high school, conflict has ensued about whether the students can congregate here. Last year, the sophomore cube was taken away indefinitely. There were recurring problems between teachers and students being able to pass safely through the hallways, along with worries such as noise level and the constant influx of lower schoolers. “Free the cube” was one of the slogans coined during this time of conflict. Though some sophomores put up signs protesting this arrangement, they ultimately agreed to certain parameters in order to keep their spot, such as sitting on one side of the cube, making way for the lower schoolers coming through, and generally had to modifying their behavior. Conflict between administration and students over hangout areas is a recurring theme, as just the year before, the juniors were temporarily evicted from the cloakroom.
Many students think the lack of space is an issue, not only for their fellow students, but for the teachers as well. Katelyn Debakey ‘13 thinks that the limited space affects teachers the most, because when they are forced to share classrooms with each other, they feel displaced and are not able to work as efficiently as they could. Allie Rock ‘14 agrees that space is an issue, and she looks forward to the day when she is able to lounge around at school, in a designated space, and be able to unwind without any noise restrictions. The Dean of Students, Laura Ingoldsby, acknowledges that space for students is an issue, but it gives the school the opportunity to be creative. The cube was taken away last year because it was messy and dirty, students were not sitting on the right side of the hall, and lower schoolers were scared to walk through. Ingoldsby believes that if students can adhere to the rules of the cube, then a happy medium can be reached between students and faculty. The Director of Studies, Malcolm McCluskey, says students “need a place to be students, and same for the faculty.” He also says that certain spots, such as the library have become more popular, which is a great use of the space, but we must respect the integrity of the spaces. The bottom line is that students of all grade levels want a place to call their own, and the places they designate as their “hangout areas” are places they feel comfortable in. Hopefully, in time, these student designated areas will be less of a point of contempt and more of a place to build community and make memories.
Issue 1
Photos courtesy of Katy O’Brien
Top: 4th Acs relax in their beloved senior lounge. Center: 3rd Acs press into the cloakroom. Bottom: 2nd Acs spend free time in the 3rd floor “cube”
Students pay the price for the rising cost of little free time By Jennifer Flanagan, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Mackenzie Taskey
Students use their school IDs in a Bethesda movie theatre to get a discount
Finding bargains all around Bethesda with student IDs By Mackenzie Taskey, Lead Designer
Student IDs. We all get one each school year, but why? Besides putting it in the ID slot in a wallet or using it to get into a mixer, why should we even have a student ID? Well, one great reason to have a student ID is because it can get you a discount at various places around Bethesda! Kayla Speros ‘15 says, “I had no idea that I could use my student ID to get discounts at places.” Cava Mezze Grill, a restaurant on Bethesda Avenue, gives a free drink with a purchase of another item when you show your student ID. To make double the use of your Student ID in one night, go to Cava on a Thursday and then go to an AMC movie theatre afterwards to catch a flick! AMC theatres offer student discounts on Thursdays only. A popular restaurant among Stone Ridge students, Chipotle Mexican Grill also gives students a free drink with a purchase when they show a student
ID. Sticking with the Mexican theme, show your student ID at Qdoba on a Tuesday and enjoy a half price burrito! It’s not only food and movies though, you can even get discounts on clothes with your student ID. Urban Outfitters, opening a location in Montgomery Mall in October, gives student who show their student ID a discount of 10% off on select days. J Crew, also in Montgomery Mall, gives 10% off with your student ID. Some Stone Ridge girls have gotten the opportunity to take advantage of student discounts. Erin O’Brien ‘13 put her student ID to the test at a Nationals game this past summer. “We went to the game not knowing about the discount so when the lady at the ticket office told us that we could get 50% of our tickets with our student ID I almost cried when I thought I didn’t have it. Luckily it was in my purse and we all jumped for joy!” Student IDs have more of a purpose than merely keeping them in your wallet. Use them to save money!
It all begins with morning rush hour: time to get up, eat a breakfast bar in the car, lug a backpack and sports equipment into school, and start the day. From running to Good Hall before the assembly bell rings, to slowly descending the hill after a long sports practice, the students of Stone Ridge, such as Hannah Engler ‘13 and Madeleine Engler ‘13 are sometimes exhausted
Photo courtesy of Aissa Claveria
A sophomore studies in the library.
and hungry by the time they get home. With limited free time, sleep and organization can help lead to decreased levels of stress that accompany any busy life. It is very easy to feel pushed to the max with homework, sports and afterschool activities. A lack of free time or a buildup of activities may cause stress in some students. Time management is instrumental to academic and social success. Francesco Obordo ‘14 remembers “I used to watch TV shows during my free periods, but as my workload began to increase, I realized how much stress I could relieve by doing work instead of watching TV so that I would have less work to do later on.” Using free periods to finish homework not only condenses the work at
home, but also allows for more time to have a better sleep. Though cramming in that extra hour of studying the night before a test may seem like a good idea, losing sleep is not. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 8 ½ to 9 hours a sleep a night for teenagers, but a survey at Drexel University reports that only 20% of teenagers are actually getting this amount. It is difficult, however, to balance sleep and workload, especially since teens today have 51% more homework than their parents, according to a University of Michigan survey. Stone Ridge alumna Julia Hilliard ’12 found this time management was worth it: “I cannot explain it in one sentence -- it was completely worth it. I am in a bio pre med program and there is so much work but I know how to handle it because Stone Ridge taught me how. I am able to realize when I
Photo courtesy of Aissa Claveria
Seniors sleeping in the library.
am stressed and can calm down. Basically I just have the confidence that I can handle it because of Stone Ridge training which I am so grateful for.” During a free period, finish homework instead of watching the latest episode of Gossip Girl, so a long night’s sleep will be waiting at home!
Gator Bytes
October 26, 2012
*SPECIAL* ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Here & Now
Issue 1
Random Student Profiles:
Bella Trujillo-Lederer: WILL YOU PLEASE GO TO HOMECOMING WITH ME? -Chase Castle YES
NO
THE HERE AND NOW’S TOP FIVE MOMENTS
1
¡VIVA LA REVOLUTION!
2
Lord Disick and Kourtney Kardashian welcome Penelope Scotland into the world
3
Heartfelt’s rendition of “Call Your Girlfriend”
4
Sophomores host “Save the Night”— a superheroes inspired mixer.
5
Malaika Ngwana Freshman
Caroline Caterini Sophomore
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius Favorite Food: “I like all foods.” Favorite Song: I’m Yours by Jason Mraz Celebrity Crush: “I like everyone in One Direction except for Harry. But Harry is attractive too...” Favorite Thing About SR: “Besides the food and the laptop program, I like advisory, X&Y days, and the people.”
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio Favorite Food: “Anything Italian” Favorite Song: The A Team by Ed Sheeran Celebrity Crush: Chace Crawford Favorite Thing About SR: “Everyone is really nice and really friendly”
Rachel Buggé Junior
Taylor Haist Senior
Zodiac Sign: Taurus Favorite Food: Dried Mango Favorite Song: White Blank Page by Mumford & Sons Celebrity Crush: Tom Hiddleston Favorite Thing About SR: “I can’t pick one! There are too many things! The girls here are angels and the food is great too!
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius Favorite Food: “I’m a Cake-a-holic” Favorite Song: Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men Celebrity Crush: Zachary Levi Favorite Thing About SR: “The support that people show for the sports at our school and the persistence of the Journalism class to interview me...every year”
WHAT’S COMING UP NEXT? find the upcoming school events
WORD BANK: • Bonfire • Christmas • Feast Wishes • Halloween • Hamlet • Spirit Week • Stress Free Week • Thanksgiving • Winter Ball • Winter Sports • Winter Uniform
The UNC acapella group, the Clef Hangers, visit Stone Ridge
Guess Who: Teacher’s Pet Edition
GRYFFIN & SCOUT They enjoy snuggles, green beans, and playing in the yard
LILY
She likes to “grade papers” and is a breast cancer survivor
KIJANI
Her name comes from the swahili word, which means “green”
JUICE
He loves to eat apples and he loves to give kisses
KITTY
She is a camera shy guinea pig who gets very nervous
ANSWERS: (from left to right) Gryffin & Scout = Ms. Fontanone; Lily = Ms. Whitmore; Kijani = Ms.Hau; Juice = Ms. Morin; Kitty = Mrs. Fitzsimmons