Issue 1

The Here & Now Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart • 9101 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814 • Vol.56 Issue 1

Back to School Interview with Mrs. Karrels Alex Gangitano Editor- in- Chief

Welcome Back! With the start of a new school year, a few remarks from our Headmistress:

Q: What was the highlight of your summer?

A: “My entire family took a trip to a Dude Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, then camped out on the Northern Rim of the Grand Canyon. There were twelve of us in all, including my parents, sister, brother, Jimmy, and Matthew.”

Q: What are your personal goals for this year?

A: “I would like to continue to build relationships within the community.

First, relationships with students, parents, faculty, and staff,

Q: What event are you most looking forward to this school year?

A: “There are a lot of exciting things happening this year; it is hard to pick one. This will be my first auction and I find the auction a great way for families to come together to celebrate the school. And Feast Wishes was the highlight of last year; it was wonderful how the girls worked so hard to give a gift to their teachers.”

then I would like to go beyond our community and build relationships with my colleagues at other peer schools.”

Q: What would you like to see coming out of the High School this year?

A: “I am especially excited about Goal 5, it is a very personal goal to me. I would like every student and member of this community to take it seriously and really think about it and take it to heart. Everyone is given the challenge to do

something personally and should take ownership of the opportunity to do so this year.”

Q: What would you like to see coming out of the Senior Class this year?

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Work hard and play hard, while praying hard

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A: “Always from the Senior Class, I would like the girls to recognize the positive potential of their leadership. The rest of the school community looks to seniors as role models, so set the tone as good students while seeking balance between fun and work. Work hard and play hard, while praying hard.”

CONTINUED KARRELS Page 5

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Karrels

How Will Rising College Tuition Affect You? Jenn Ferrigno

World News Editor

The increase in college tuition, along with the current state of the economy, is causing many students to consider public colleges over private colleges, and is forcing the government to explore new means of funding. As a high school senior or even a junior, you and your parents might find yourselves asking, “Why is college tuition increasing if we are in a recession?”

This is a good question to ask, but the answer is not so simple.

In a recession, one might think college tuition would decrease, but in reality the opposite is true. In fact, because of the recession, states are forced to cut their budgets, leaving less money to fund education. Colleges have the same

In This Issue:

costs as before, but not as much funding from the government to cover the costs. In an effort to close the gap, colleges have started to focus their funds on certain programs and cut those that have become too costly. However, there are still large gaps in coverage, resulting in increased tuition. Many students that graduated from high school in 2009 enrolled in public or community colleges instead of private colleges as a result.

Two-thirds of all American students must borrow money in order to pay for college. However, according to a recent survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 90% of responding colleges faced

Swine Flu Page 2

an increase in financial aid applications. The Obama administration recognizes this issue and devised a plan to increase financial aid for all students in need. Their solution is a bill that provides $40 billion in Pell grant scholarships, for lowincome students. With this plan, colleges will also be required to convert to the Federal Direct Loan Program. The Obama administration claims that by converting to this program, it will save $80 billion over the course of ten years.

Ideally, students would no longer need to take out private loans in order to pay for college. Studies find that many students who take out private loans cannot pay off their debt after graduating. The plan

Strategic Plan Page 4

Boys Page 7

proposed by the Obama administration allows students to pay off their loans at a lower interest rate, which will decrease their post-college students debt.

This plan sounds as though it may help many students seeking financial aid, but it won’t go into effect until July 1, 2010. This year’s high school seniors will likely not be helped by the plan until their sophomore year of college. However, high school seniors can expect continual increases in college tuition, and will see the effects of budget cuts on public colleges.

CONTINUED TUITION Page 3

New Teachers Page 9

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World News

Here and Now Issue 1

Swine Flu

Obama Approvals

Photo Editor

Metro Editor

Margret Crilley

Today, with thirty-seven states

reporting “widespread influenza activity,” the appearance of H1N1 in one hundred and ninety-one countries, and the deaths of almost four thousand people, doctor’s appointments and hospitalization rates for influenza are soaring and are higher than what is expected among adults and children during the fall season. The scare that comes with H1N1, otherwise referred to as Swine Flu, is causing much commotion, especially among schools, which are the keepers of those that are far more susceptible to the virus than anyone else: children. Schools everywhere are doing as much as they can to reduce the spread of this disease, as well as the threat to shut down their facilities.

In Maryland, thus far, the 2009 H1N1 Virus alone has caused two hundred and fifty-seven hospitalizations and ten deaths, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In addition to these discouraging statistics, many schools have been closed since the pandemic’s inception, including Milford Mill Academy (Baltimore County), Rockville High School (Montgomery County) and St. Vincent Pallotti High School (Laurel). Fortunately, we have been lucky enough to not experience this disease drastically enough for it to cause a prodigious effect on our school, but should we be worried that Stone

Anna Dunlavey Ridge could be next? More importantly, is there a plan if that were to happen?

Mrs. Pitcher, Stone Ridge’s school nurse, said, “First, Stone Ridge would need to be given permission to close, which is done through contacting the Health Department and Archdiocese.” Other schools, such as John Carroll, state that classes will continue as long as there are teachers available.

Mrs. Pitcher continued, saying that if half or the majority of the faculty became ill, the school would close but continue learning through “e-learning” and everything would be done over the internet. Overall, she believes that Stone Ridge is prepared for this, but it is looking more and more likely that we will not need to close. Fortunately, according to Mrs. Pitcher, “Most adults have been around long enough that their immune systems have seen the H1N1 strains, so they are less susceptible. School age kids do not have this immunity.” In addition, Mrs. Pitcher has offered many precautions for students including maintaining good hygiene and pumping in with hand sanitizer; “Going to bed late, fatigue, being around kids who are sick and the immature immune systems of children are ways the disease is spread.”

Mrs. Pitcher recommends receiving the 2009 H1N1 Vaccine, which is available in both a shot and a nasal

spray; “I encourage anyone who can to get the vaccine. It’s comprised of H and N and that is what is in every flu shot. This vaccine is just a new strain of H and N. It is already offered in Montgomery County, specifically at many local high schools. Stone Ridge, however, will not be administering it.”

The question of whether or not to vaccinate a child is up for debate.

Michael Specter, writer for The New Yorker states, “a national poll conducted by the University of Michigan found that only forty percent of American parents plan to vaccinate their children against H1N1. This news is all the more distressing because the virus affects children and young adults far more powerfully than it does older people. Half of those who participated in the poll expressed concern about possible side effects.” Specter continues in his article, saying that, “the odds that a flu vaccine would cause more harm than the illness itself are practically zero. [In addition], the Internet’s facility for amplifying rumors has also played a role.” Specter, and various advocates of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, are trying to convey that the only thing getting in the way of getting vaccinated is that, as Specter puts it, “[people] fear vaccines more than the illnesses they prevent.”

Legands Lost Alex Gangitano Editor-in-Chief

L

ooking back through the list of public figures who passed away this summer, we are affected by some more than we realize. Of course, Walter Cronkite, referred to as one of the greatest journalists, is considered an idol in my eyes. But then we have the Kennedys, idols? John F. Kennedy definitely held a title worth looking up to, but The Kennedy family title does not have the best reputation. Regardless, the two we lost this summer are, without a doubt, people to admire. Granted you may not agree with their political views, or past actions, Eunice Shriver and Ted Kennedy shaped our lives and those of the American people. I hold true the belief that their legacies of positive work for America make them great role models.

Eunice Shriver, the sister of former president John F. Kennedy and mother to Stone Ridge alumna, Maria Shriver, died August 11, 2009. Like her daughter, Eunice Shriver also attended a Sacred Heart School, the Convent of the Sacred Heart in London. Two of Shriver’s other five children attended Georgetown Prep and one attended St. Albans.

In 1962, Shriver founded the precursor for the Special Olympics and in 1968, helped in spreading the Special Olympics movement across the United

Article based on September polls

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resident Barack Obama’s job approval ratings fell to their lowest point yet. In the Gallup poll, the president’s job approval is at 52%, while disapproval is at 42%. (6% had no opinion.) The affects of this decrease could alter later policies and bills in Obama’s term.

This is not the only poll where President Obama’s rating has decreased. He has dropped in all polls since the start of his administration, as presidents usually do. In some areas, disapproval has surpassed approval.

The most extreme example is his handling of the federal budget deficit, where approval is only 38% and disapproval is 58%. Other areas where there is a higher disapproval rating than approval rating include the economy and healthcare.

Although this does not bode well for President Obama’s policies in the short term, it certainly does not mean that his popularity will stay low, or that he cannot win reelection. Only four months into his presidency, Bill Clinton’s approval rating had fallen below 50%, which Obama’s has yet to do, and Clinton did win a second term.

Obama does not face reelection for more than three years, and anything can change in that time.

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Eunice Shriver and Ted Kennedy shaped our lives and those of the American people.

States. Her work with the Special Olympics still lives through with her son, Timothy Shriver, now the chairman of the Special Olympics. Adding to the huge steps his mother took in providing opportunities to people with disabilities, Timothy Shriver publically argues against the “R word”, condemning it as highly offensive. Recently, he boycotted against the 2008 movie, Tropic Thunder, telling CNN, “the use of the word ‘retard’ together with the broader humiliation of people with intellectual disabilities in the film goes way too far.” Besides her work in politics and her Sacred Heart background, Shriver can relate to us as an athlete as well. In 2002, Shriver became the 35th recipient of the NCAA’s Highest Honor, the Theodore Roosevelt Award (also known as “The Teddy”).

telegraph.co.uk

This award is given to a former college student- athlete who continues work with physical fitness and sport.

Shriver swam and ran track at Stanford University, and pursued her interest in physical fitness, but more admirably, in association with disabled people.

Clearly Eunice Shriver makes our Sacred Heart order proud.

Two weeks after Shriver’s death, Teddy Kennedy, the brother of former president John F. Kennedy, passed away on August 25, 2009 after a long fight against brain cancer. Aside from his devotion to the US Senate from 1962 to 2009, representing Massachusetts, Kennedy also affected the lives of students across America.

Gaining a more liberal reputation, Kennedy worked hard on improvements for education and health care. In 2001,

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Kennedy sponsored President Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, which was signed into law on January 8, 2002. This act requires states to assess students in certain grades before the state is eligible to receive federal funding for education. Therefore, academic standards are not set by the national government, but by the state.

Since the law has been passed, the federal funding of education has increased from $42.2 billion (2001) to $54.4 billion (2007). As privileged students, it is comforting to know that other students are given the same opportunities we are. After all, in order to reach our full potential, heavy competition is required. Thank you, Teddy Kennedy for giving us more competition. And thank you Kennedy family for leaving a palpable mark on our country that continues to be imprinted in each one of us.

Stone Ridge October, 2009

World News

Editorial: The End of Ettiquette in America?

Alex Gangitano Editor-in-Chief

As a Sacred Heart girl, I have

come to find that tradition is a fundamental aspect of my life at Stone Ridge.

We may not always stop to think about traditions like Gouter, Ring Day, and Prize Day, but we know what they require frim us. Every established institution has a set of traditional values, but it is up to the members of that institution to uphold them. Recent events crossing different parameters of American news have made me question whether the people involved have any idea of what a tradition entails. These people show that they simply do not adhere to the values of their respective institutions. And these incidents have made citizens question, have we reached the end of etiquette in America?

In politics, Republican congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina felt the need to respond to Obama’s statement that healthcare would be denied to illegal immigrants with, “You lie!” This outburst not only interrupted the President, but it also did so in the middle of a national address to Congress. The British Parliament allows for statements from the audience, but speeches to US Congress were never a “call- and- response” forum. So why is it acceptable now? According to my government book (Magleby’s Government by the People), as members

of Congress become more and more attached to their careers, old norms of behavior are abandoned. Two of these norms are the ‘norm of apprenticeship’, that people wait their turn to speak, and the ‘norm of courtesy,’ which is to never criticize anyone personally. Is an attachment to one’s occupation an excuse to ignore the rules surrounding that occupation? What provokes someone, who is clearly aware of the acceptable actions and “norms” of Congress, to perform such a disrespectful act? My only answer to this question: etiquette in America is dwindling.

During the US Open, a respected female American athlete, Serena Williams, reacted to a referee call with an outbreak of anger. The call was, as Williams described, an unfair foot call. But her response to the call is what I consider unfair, as she is quoted as saying, “I swear to God I’m... going to take this ball and shove it down your... throat, you hear that?”

This statement is simply rude and unnecessary, but one must also take into consideration that she made it during a professional tennis match, which appeared on millions of televisions across the country. Tennis players hold a certain composure, differing greatly from the accepted composure of an ice hockey player, and Serena Wil-

liams has been a tennis player for long enough to know this. She knows that cursing, yelling, and even questioning a call in any way that is less than polite is unacceptable. So why did she do it?

Etiquette is just not on our to- do- lists these days.

Finally, Kanye West shocked viewers of the 2009 MTV Music Awards by taking the microphone away from Taylor Swift as she accepted her award. The MTV Music Awards is understandably more relaxed than an award show such as the Grammys or Oscars, but an award is an award.

Taylor Swift won best female music video and Kanye West felt the need to make a statement, saying that Beyonce had the greatest video of all time. He took advantage of his position as a celebrity and felt that his self- serving opinion should be known, no matter when or where. When someone accepts an award, doesn’t he or she deserve the respect of everyone else? West denied Swift of this respect, and simply did not have the right to do so. What provokes someone to not only disrespect the system, but also disrespect a fellow artist, and person? Etiquette… it barely exists these days.

And so my fellow Americans, that leaves us with a challenge: bring back etiquette.

Invisible Children are Visible at Stone Ridge Elana Gambon Journalism Club

Invisible Children, a group

at Stone Ridge dedicated to helping end the war in Uganda, has taken off and become one of the most influential student-run social justice groups in the school. As a new group last year, it had many successes, including the bracelet campaign and benefit dinner that featured the Invisible Children Roadies. I interviewed the group’s leader, Cynthia Betubiza, to find out what makes this cause so important to her and thousands of other students. Cynthia stated, “I wanted to reconcile the detachment I felt from my Ugandan culture.” Cynthia initially hoped that focusing on this humanitarian issue would bring her closer to her roots, but

hend Joseph Kony. Such a feat is impressive considering the movement is almost entirely run and advocated by young adults. Cynthia suggests that the support base of students and kids is one of the reasons the movement as a whole is so successful. “There is an assumption that the American youth is very apathetic, but I completely disagree with that…seeing other kids your age being so passionate gives you the desire to take action.”

So, what is ahead for Invisiblechildren.com soon realized that it was much Stone Ridge’s Invisible more important then her own Children group? The search for identity. It was a fight for main objective will continue to be human dignity that was getting surprisraising as much awareness as posingly no attention from the world. sible. There will be a few key events

“The war could go on forever including another benefit dinner with and Americans’ lives would not be the Invisible Children Roadies on changed…so it’s never in the newsNovember 17th. Cynthia says that her papers or on the television,” Cynthia chief goal is to have the entire school states. This shocking reality has watch the original Invisible Children prompted students and kids to take a stand and speak out about the injustice, forcing the adult community and international governments to pay attention. One event organized by Invisible Children, named “How it Ends,” even prompted the creation of a bill that aims at formulating a plan to appre-

video. It’s only a small step, but it is the buildup of those small steps that ultimately makes a difference.

(Note: Invisible Children meetings are on Friday’s during break)

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CONTINUED TUITION

State schools in California re-

port that, due to budget cuts, they will be accepting fewer applicants. However, other colleges have reported that in order to even reach enrollment goals, they will be increasing the number of accepted applicants this year.

In addition to tuition increases, students can expect an increase in class size at most colleges and universities around the country. In an effort to cut back, colleges are forced to cut staff jobs. This means there are fewer teachers and more students, resulting in larger classes. They can also expect fewer course options for the 2010-2011 school year because of the cuts schools are making in programs.

The current state of the economy is causing many families to agonize over how they will pay for their children’s college education. We can only hope that the Obama administration’s plan will lighten the burden placed upon many families and provide more students with the opportunity to pursue higher education.

Quick News Lindy Firstenberg

Assistant Sports Editor

1.

Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize (10.09.09).

2.

Dow Jones (a collection of stocks that will give you a sense of the market) started at 14,000 precrash and dropped to 6,600. It is now back to 10,000. (Signs that the market and the economy are looking up.)

3.

Pakistan Army offensive starts against the Taliban (10.15.09).

4.

Republican Senator Snowe, from Maine, supported President Obama’s Health Care Bill allowing it to pass through the Senate Finance Committee.

5. Representative Joe Cribson has received more funding ($2.7 million) for his senate bid after screaming, “You Lie!” during President Obama’s address to Congress.

6. Joe Biden’s son, Beau, who is the Attorney General of Delaware, is likely to run for his father’s senate seat.

7. Swine Flu vaccine shots start (week of 10.12.09).

8. In CO: a 6-year-old boy floated off in a homemade helium balloon was found in a cardboard box in the family’s garage attic. (10.15.09).

9. Three runners died in the Detroit Marathon (10.18.09).

10. TLC is canceling “Jon & Kate Plus Eight” and suing John for breach of contract.

Metro

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Here and Now Issue 1

Strategic Plan 2015

Bienvenue Stone Ridge!

Jenn Ferrigno and Laura Kraisinger

World News Editor and Special Interest Editor

S

aturday, October 3, 2009 kicked off Stone Ridge’s Strategic Plan with its Launch Celebration! The festivities began with welcoming remarks and introductions for a look into what the Strategic Plan means for Stone Ridge, and it ended with a beautiful liturgy. In between these two events, the Stone Ridge campus was flooded with great activities for all ages. Some of the activities included a velcro wall, moon bounce, airbrush tattoos, and many more amusing activities. When asked what his favorite activity was, Patrick Zorc (age 5) answered, “the moon bounce! And I like seeing my friends that I used to go to school

with!” Mrs. Ronan Karrels, Stone Ridge Head of School, called the event a “great success!” and went on to say, “I am blown away, everything looks great and there was a huge turnout!”

Others present at the event said they were happy to see such a large turnout, especially because the Strategic Plan is so important for the growth of the school. When asked what the Strategic Plan meant to her, Helen Felker ’12 responded, “It means that we can grow as a community and implement changes to provide the best education possible.” Overall, the event seemed to be a great way to introduce the strategic plan to the community.

Going Green at Stone Ridge Melissa Nemati

Caitlin Baschuk

Assistant Copy Editor

Sports Editor

Going green is the new trend

these days, so why not go green in our own community? Stone Ridge is in the early stages of discussion about changing practices that are harmful to the environment. For example, we use toxic Expo markers to learn math problems and Styrofoam plates to pile on chicken tenders and French fries. Both are not eco-friendly. Schools like Georgetown Prep have an environmental club wthat has recently introduced a recycling program on campus. Gonzaga has not only a recycling program focused on paper and plastic, but also an active environmental club. What we can do to better improve our environment is

to emphasize during assembly the need to quit certain practices such as using toxic Expo markers and Styrofoam plates, among a variety of other things.

It is our time to get eco friendly and top Prep and Gonzaga’s green tactics to improve our community. If not, the health of the environment will soon diminish faster than you can say, “chicken tenders and French fries please!”

Margaret Crilley

Taylor Mauk

Child Care Center Photo Editor

S

tone Ridge’s “Strategic Plan” will bring much change to the Child Development Center, in addition to various aspects of the school. Mrs. Bonner, Head of the Lower School, says that, “The idea behind changing the Child Development Center is to incorporate the life of the Lower School so it has more of a home within the whole school community. This will allow their program to grow and essentially make it a feeder for the Lower School.”

The goals that the Strategic Plan will hopefully bring with the changes in the Child Development Center will be overall growth in the program, an increase in enrollment, and further development in the curriculum.

Rumors have been spread-

ing that Navy Med wants to expand onto Stone Ridge land. These rumors are in fact true. Navy Med announced that they want to expand the intersection between West Cedar and Rockville Pike, mainly to save about 6,000 people a day 3 ½ minutes each, twice a day. They also are keeping in mind the safety of the people, due to the fact that the fire exits from the station currently do not comply with fire safety laws. Through this expansion, they

wish to fix this predicament. While this may benefit Navy Med, what about our community? Take a deep breath, because we have a dedicated committee who has been focusing on making sure the needs of the school are considered first and foremost before signing any documents. The committee works with lawyers to make sure that we get our moneys worth, as well as ensuring how much land we want to keep.

This should be an exciting change and we are looking forward to seeing the outcome!

New Buses Interactive Lead

S

tone Ridge has implemented a new bus system as a part of its 2015 strategic plan. Two buses are available for students: one school bus picks up girls in Virginia and the second, a Stone Ridge “mini bus,” is used as a Metro shuttle bus.

Megan Keehan ‘12 catches the bus every morning at 7:10 a.m., which departs from St. Luke School, a Catholic school and church right next to the beltway. Her favorite part is thst “it’s peaceful and relaxing; you can nap or do homework without being distracted.” Keehan also mentions that “[she does] have to get up earlier than many of [her] classmates, but it is worth the lack of sleep for the convenience.” She believes the bus could improve “if it had two stops, we would have at least four more people which would make such a huge difference.”

The Metro shuttle bus picks up students from the Medical Center station at 7:40 a.m every morning. It drops-off the girls at the Lower School Circle, just in time for the bell to assembly!

BRAC

Photo courtesy of Laura Kraisinger ‘11

Photo courtesy of Laura Kraisinger ‘11

Stone Ridge October, 2009

French in the Lower School

Metro

Anna Dunlavey Metro Editor

In previous years, foreign lan-

guages were not part of the curriculum for lower school students. This year, however, all lower school students are taking French classes. The fourth grade class is taught by Madame Watkins, and the younger grades are taught

by Madame De Merlis, who taught kindergarten in France. It was decided that French would be the language for all the girls to take because, as Madame Watkins says, “French is part of our heritage. St. Madeleine Sophie came from France and there is a lot of French culture in our school.”

Hamilton House

5

Carolyn Ruocco Copy Editor

Right now, French is the only language offered, but more languages are planned to be added in the coming years. Madame Watkins believes that the girls like learning French because, “We make it fun. We learn through singing, games, and activities. We also come during their lunchtime and try to start small conversation, to show them that French is not only a classroom subject, it’s life.” Madame Watkins believes that, so far, the program has been a success, and she “hope[s] that by the time that the girls graduate, they will be bilingual.”

One aspect of the Strategic Plan was the redecoration of Hamilton House, which is the staple of Stone Ridge’s campus. As the original building of the school, Hamilton House has a rich history in our community. Walking into the parlor upon its redecoration, you might not notice a difference or even remember exactly what it used to look like. However, you are certain to experience a refreshing feeling of openness and brightness. According

to Miss Dunn, who happened to be in the parlor at the same time I was, Hamilton House was redecorated as a sort of revival of what it used to look like back in its early days.

“The goal,” she said “was to make it lighter, more refreshing.” And the goal was certainly achieved. With buttery yellow walls, red curtains, and classically smooth furniture, the new and improved Hamilton House beautifully mirrors the goals of the Strategic Plan as a whole.

Summer Faculty Workshops Kirsten Ruginski Design Lead

Over the summer, not all of the teach-

ers were at the beach or teaching summer classes, they were back at Stone Ridge – for us! The faculty at Stone Ridge took part in a workshop focusing on differentiated learning, or recognizing how students learn in a variety of ways. Run by the “All Kinds of Minds” organization, teachers learned about student differences and various strategies to effectively engage students.

They focused on how to see students in a different way, especially if they are struggling.

Split into two sessions – one at the beginning of summer and one at the end – the teachers participated in a three day workshop. They worked on

Laptop Program Danielle Anane Style Editor

What does

the school plan to accomplish by incorporating these new Macbooks into the curriculum starting with the current First Academic?

Besides the sense of unity among the freshman class that Angelique McKenna and Sofia DiBari agree it brings, these laptops also serve as part of a bid to modernize the Stone Ridge High School by 2015. The new Macbooks serve as an aid in directing the school in a more technology-based direction. Charlotte Vitak understands this stating “that it is less difficult for Mr. Sands and other teachers to coordinate activities and fix the computers”. No, the school isn’t trying to conform to more materialistic standards or trying to create a robot image, it is simply trying to take Stone Ridge in the direction that it should be at in this ever evolving technology based society. Alexis Iderman adds about the laptop program, “the real reason is to use technology to enhance our learning experience in the upper school.”

group projects, watched videos, examined case studies, and learned a system of vocabulary to talk about the various challenges every kind of student faces.

Ms. Morin, Head of Upper School and participant in the workshop, says that “All schools need to do a better job so that all kids get the most out of education.”

The teachers learned how to recognize and utilize students’ strengths and weaknesses so students can get the most out of their education and reach their full potential. As part of the Strategic Plan, the workshop aimed for better professional development and improvements for “best practices.”

Our teachers want to be “the best they can be” for us, says Ms. Morin, as we all try to achieve our greatest potential together.

The Future of the Strategic Plan Alex Gangitano Editor-in-Chief

Every different aspect of the

Strategic Plan is aimed at the success of one main goal: building our Stone Ridge community. In the long run, the plan will create cohesiveness among the lower, middle, and upper schools, so that each division will act as a building block as students approach the next level. Every aspect of this Strategic Plan will make Stone Ridge a unified and interconnected home for all students.

Head of School, Mrs. Karrels, believes 20 years down the road Stone Ridge will continue “to foster community in a way that reflects and sustains the values of a Stone Ridge education.

As this institution’s first lay head, I am committed to the energy and emphasis on traditions of Stone Ridge and how that lives out in the 21st century. The most important long lasting impact of the Strategic Plan is to stay true to the Stone Ridge mission and what that looks like in the 21st century.”

Photo courtesy of Laura Kraisinger ‘11

CONTINUED KARRELS

Q: What is your fondest memory of High School at Stone Ridge?

A: “It is more of a collective feeling of having a second home. It was a comfortable place where I’m loved, I could be myself, I can grow through mistakes without being judged, and I’m provided with safety and security. And I always remember laughter, laughing and enjoying time with my friends.”

Q: What is your fondest memory of Senior Year?

A: “The spring time, as we were preparing for graduation. It was an exciting and fun time because we all knew what we were going to do next. We could celebrate together, take a breath, and enjoy what we accomplished in our time here. We also grew an appreciation for what a great place this is and

how lucky we are.”

Q: What is your favorite Stone Ridge tradition?

A: All school masses when the girls read the petitions. Seeing all of them stand together, of different age ranges, all speaking confidently in public and joining together as a community in prayer, it is like watching a passing of history.”

Q: Any closing remarks?

A: “I am very excited about another great year and in particular, launching the strategic plan. We are building on the traditions of Stone Ridge in innovative ways, so we can be a great 21st century educational institution. Last year we created this vision and now we can turn it into something real.”

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Weekend-To-Do’s

Style

Gator Girl

Carolyn Ruocco Copy Editor

I

t might be hard to believe, but even with the intense workload at Stone Ridge, students seem to always manage to find time on the weekends to wonder what they should do for fun.

Since hanging out at Bethesda Regal is “so middle school,” and the mall just tempts us to spend money that we should really be saving, it’s difficult to find new and exciting things to do.

Luckily, there are tons of new, different, and inexpensive things to do that can spice up your weekend.

As residents of the DC Metropolitan area, we are lucky enough to have three very unique resources: the Capital Crescent Trail, the C&O Canal, and the DC Metro System. Since, as they say, “half the fun is getting there,” these transportation methods can really add a new element of fun to your activities. On a nice day, grab your bike (or rollerblades or a scooter) and a few friends and take the Crescent Trail into

Passion For Fashion

Georgetown for lunch and shopping.

You could even pack a picnic and eat lunch by the water when you get there if you’d rather not spend money.

If the idea of riding your bike isn’t an appealing one, you can hop on the Metro and spend the day exploring the city that’s always been right there at your fingertips. You could get off the Metro at Dupont Circle and enjoy the scenery and the optimum “peoplewatching” location of the fountain.

Bring a camera and take some artsy shots of the statues and shops that are found all around the Circle. For a quick (and healthy) bite to eat, stop by Teaism, an Asian teahouse on R Street, right off Dupont Circle.

If you feel like you’ve done all you can do in the city on a Saturday, don’t miss out on the Flea Market at the Eastern Market on Sundays. Just off the Eastern Market Metro stop, the market features a wide variety of vendors that sell clothing, jewelry, antiques, and

many other items. Of course, there are many food vendors at the Flea Market, including sorbet, donuts, and kettle corn. Also, on nice days, the Flea Market features live music that can liven up your overall experience.

Once you’ve had about as much as you can take of DC, be sure to take advantage of the farms in Maryland. Spend a nice fall day with your friends picking apples or buying pumpkins at Homestead Farm in Poolesville. Enjoy the Hayrides that run all day throughout the fall, or munch on a delicious caramel apple. With all of your apples, head over to the farm store to find classic and unique recipes to bring home and bake an autumn treat with your friends and family.

Keep these suggestions in mind as you plan your weekend, and remember to think outside of the box. We have a fascinating city and a beautiful countryside right in our backyards, so take full advantage of it!

Danielle Anane Style Editor

W

hat drives a celebrity to create a fashion line? They already have the fame from other ventures so why don’t they just leave designing to well, designers? Skepticism often causes us to miss out on the hot trends, not allowing us to venture outside of designers that we are already familiar with, face it, unless you are a fan of the celebrity with the line, most people would rather shop from a more established line. Doubters: worry no more because this guide is just for you. The fashion faux pas have already been weeded out, and some of these celebrities have, let’s just say, both wicked and cute pieces in their lines.

Gwen Stefani (for the edgygirl):

You may know her as lead singer of the hit 90s group, “No Doubt” and her own solo ventures, but now she’s a mother, wife and more excitingly, a fashion designer. Gwen Stefani recently debuted her Spring 2010 line at New York fashion week, given the title L.A.M.B. because it expresses the things most important to her: love, angel, music, baby. Her heels are said to be killer, so the next time you’re looking for a pair for homecoming, winter ball, or prom, check out her selection sold exclusively at Macy*s, Bloomingdales, Saks, and Nordstrom.

The new spring line is tamer, and catered more towards the more chic individual. The designer herself said in a recent statement during fashion week about the line, “It started with an African Eighties feel. In the past, the clothes were a little more theatrical, but this collection is all about being real.”

These pieces are to die for from the two lines, and the best deals in town. Although both lines are quite pricey, they say quality over quantity, right? That’s the motto.

Here and Now Issue 1

coquette.blogs.com

fashiontribes.typepad.com

Jessica Simpson (for the preppy

chic/ country girl):

Some still refer to her as “Nick Lachey’s ex”, “the blonde from that show ‘The Newlyweds’ or more recently, “Ashlee Simpson’s sister”.

Regardless of what you may think of her, what you may not know about her is that she has her own fashion line.

Although right now she only specializes in certain areas of the fashion spectrum, the pieces she has debuted so far show that the line has potential.

From bags to heels and other accessories, the older Simpson, seems to be orientated towards creating unique and detail friendly pieces. Her distinctively crafted boots can turn any fall drab day from gloomy to fabulous. Literally her boots are “made for walking” but, most importantly, for turning heads. Jessica Simpson’s fashion line was created for others with taste similar to hers that just can’t find what they are looking for when they go out shopping. To see even more clothing from her collections check out her website: www.jessicasimpsoncollection.com Look out for urban fashion in the next issue with a look at celebrity designers: Beyonce Knowles, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Nelly (the rapper), and Pharell Williams. Their lines are more “hood fashion” and reasonably priced.

Music Shuffle Melissa Nemati

Assistant Copy Editor

Logging onto iTunes and

downloading music by artists such as Lady GaGa may be fun, but it’s cool to explore some unknown artists like Katie Herzig and Hey Champ.

Katie Herzig, is the female version of Jason Mraz, but with a slight bubbly twist, who proves that you don’t need a wild amount of attention to be successful as her treasure chest of albums suggest. Katie is a new artist, who started out in a Colorado band, Newcomers Home. On the side, Katie recorded her own solo record in her bedroom, Weightless. Her tracks from Weightless have been featured on Grey’s Anatomy. Recently, Katie has created a new album, Apple Tree, which has been described as brightly textured acoustic pop that’s clever yet sincere, and sunny, but grounded. Some of her popular songs from the album include “Forevermore”, and “Hologram”, which she teamed up with two members of the The Fray to create.

Next time you log onto your iTunes account, side step the norms, and check out Katie’s fruitful Apple Tree.

Time to stop listening to 3OH!3, and start listening to Hey

Dear Gator Girl, I am having so much trouble balancing my academics and sports and I have not received the grades I have wanted so far. I need a way too boost up my grades. What should I do?

-Anonymous Dear Anonymous,

Your concern is common amongst Stone Ridge students. Being on a sports team is a big time commitment, but it can also help you relieve school-related stress. Think of sports practice as a break or a breath of fresh air from all your studies. As for raising your grades, the key to solving your problem is to utilize all the resources that Stone Ridge has to offer. You might not have very many free periods, but everyone has a few, so take advantage of them by either getting some homework done early, or talking to a teacher to get extra help in classes in which you need improvement. Also, remember that you have time between when school ends and practice starts that you can use to finish a worksheet or any other short assignment.

Staying organized is key.

Creating a to-do list or keeping a calendar with due dates will help you feel less overwhelmed by all of the work you have. Try dividing up your work for each class in time increments each night so that no subject gets overlooked. Most importantly, don’t let yourself get bogged down by all of your work. As long as you get organized and establish good relationships with your teachers (so they can help you!), your work WILL get done, and your grades will improve! Good luck! xoxo, Gator Girl Champ. It all started out in Rockford, Illinois, where two guys, Saam, age 16, and Jonathan, 13, were inspired to start their own band. 8 years later, they traveled to Chicago under the band name, “Hey Champ”. It wasn’t easy building a band out of just two members, so Jonathan called up his old Princeton chum Pete to help out on the keyboard. The trio became known for their pop savvy and production expertise. Summer 2008, that the guys got a call from Lupe Fiasco, who saw “Cold Dust Girl” on youtube. Hey Champ was soon on a nationwide tour opening for Lupe and they started to record their first album. These guys started out small in Rockford as high school kids with a dream, but ended up ruling the world with their talent and passion for music.

Melissa’s Playlist Everyone Nose- N.E.R.D. Her Diamonds- Rob Thomas She’s Got You High- Mumm-Ra Cold Dust Girl- Hey Champ Fireflies- Owl City Forevermore- Katie Herzig Oxford Comma- Vampire Weekend

Style

Stone Ridge October, 2009

Body Language: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

7

Margaret Crilley and Lindy Firstenberg Photo Editor and Asst. Sports Editor

W

e girls are constantly trying to decode the male species and, lucky for us, being able to understand one’s body language allows us, for the most part, to be spot on. However, unfortunately for us, the male persuasion tries to be mysterious and aloof when trying to draw girls in. Therefore, it is vital to know boys’ natural tendencies for their different emotions and moods, and to know what our own tendencies mean so we do not give our feelings away.

Body language represents over fifty percent of non-verbal communication. It allows one to perceive how attracted he or she is to another person.

For John Marvin (Gonzaga ’10), body language is the first thing he notices all the time, even more in girls. A Landon ’13 student, who has asked for anonymity, says that “[Body language] is very important when you are communicating with boys or girls. It shows the level of interest in the conversation.”

One’s gestures or tendencies can show that one is truly uncomfortable, confident, interested or even cocky. Brendan Cobb (Georgetown Prep ’11) says that, “[One’s body language] depends on the person’s self esteem or confidence, and how one carries himself or herself in conversation.”

Males, as confusing and unpredictable as they may be, might actually be being blunt with their emotions, but girls just simply do not understand what their actions mean under the surface. When a male’s hands are on their belt or belt buckle, when they are stretching or when they perform any action that makes themselves seem “bigger”, these boys are emitting interested vibes. Cobb says, “ I would be noticeable in how I look at her… We might be more touchy feely.” This accidental contact triggers subconscious and conscious emotions and desires that a female might not have known existed- this is what is referred to as “the spark.”

Eye contact speaks volumes.

When one is attracted to another, his or her pupils will dilate- a sure sign of interest because it is one of the few things people cannot control. Words to the wise: dilatation of dark eyes is hard to detect and long, deep stares lasting more than five seconds are unnatural

I’ll Take the Road Less Traveled...

and forced. If longer, it may be an indication of lust or dramatic effect, rather than the desire for a natural, genuine relationship.

The difference between wanting to remain friends and wanting a relationship can be tricky and stress inducing. It’s the playful factor that makes the difference. They range from playing hard to get, to teasing each other. When Cobb is interested in someone, he reveals that, “[It’s all about how you smile or look at her. I also would make sure that I am focused and respond in the situation so that I don’t appear too awkward when talking to her. I’ll get really distracted if I’m not really into whoever I’m talking to.” In addition, he says, “Trying to be friends with a girl and trying to be someone’s girlfriend will have different body language. It’s all about how you carry yourself.” When asked how he would express that he wants a relationship with someone, Marvin said, “I would give them personal attention. I would ask her to hang out one on one instead of with a group of friends.”

However, now that we know that boys will go out of their way for us, we need to reciprocate the feelings. Marvin reveals, “Guys need to be loved. We’re fragile creatures that want nothing more than companionship”

Boys and their hair prove to be a big debate between the sexes. As noticed by many girls, boys each have their own hair “thing”. This is most noticeably seen through that sweep to the side, a flip from left to right, rubbing it back to front, patting it down flat in front, and the list goes on forever. Girls notice it, boys deny it. When asked about this phenomenon, Cobb simply answered, “I’ll kind of run my hands through it sometimes, but it’s just a habit I have.” Denial. However, once Landon Bear was posed the same question, he responded, “I have noticed in some situations that guys tend to stroke their hair, mostly its when they’re anxious or nervous, but for other’s it’s a habit.” Some researchers believe it is similar to a security blanket, but attracted to their bodies and on top of their head. Security blankets can be any familiar object whose presence provides comfort or security to its owner.

When asked about this, Landon Bear said, “I could definitely see it as being a security blanket, like someone who is worried about how they look or is uncomfortable or something along those lines.”

Looking into the foreign world of males, one can only imagine how we come across to them. Boys are difficult for us to understand, but not nearly as difficult as we make it for them.

sharing that “you drive 5 to 12 hours every night and sometimes end up sleeping in the car. Then you have to get up at 7 the next day and set everything up, it was a lot of work”.

Besides the work and trying to sell the skins at their booth, Lucy spent some time observing and interacting with some of the bands, “the big bands were full of themselves and the small bands were chill. During the day you didn’t see the big bands [All Time Low, 30h!3] but at the end of the day its like they aren’t bands anymore they are all really chill. It was like they were normal people”. If you had any doubt that your favorite rock stars probably didn’t share the average Stone Ridge girls likeness to books, Lucy made clear of this, “I doubt most of them read. A lot of them have Xboxes and PSPs on their buses so they play video games”.

Another interesting part of Warped Tour for Lucy was being able to meet the more known bands but she mostly appreciated the smaller bands

because they were more down to earth, “the bigger bands were on the bus a lot so I didn’t really get to meet all of them.

But they got skins from us. The blonde dude from 30h!3 now has an Obama skin on his laptop”.

So the next time your looking for a concert to go to or find yourself presented with an opportunity for an unbelievable experience, remember sometimes the more mainstream things are the less memorable that exposure can be. Lucy wanted to share one last piece of information as a quick plug-in “check out my brother’s website [www. music-skins.com] and If you want a skin you can get 20% off by typing in the code gators. As for warped tour I would definitely check it out next time, it’s during the summer. Great way to find new music, I never listened to any of that music so by the end of it you kinda like it. So check it out you never know”.

Danielle Anane Style Editor

Photo courtesy of Lucy Bartozzi ‘11

I

sat down with junior Lucy Bartozzi to get the low down on how she spent her summer while on the Warped Tour. It’s always cool to know people in our community are spreading that girl power beyond our sacred wall.

Lesson learned always take opportunities that are thrown your way because you never know where they will lead you. Sometimes these opportunities present themselves when you least expect them, for Lucy it was her brother that allowed her this experience, “[he]

owns a company called Music-Skins, which are vinyl skins for your laptop, cell phone, and iPod. The company had a booth on the tour, so I helped him out”.

Dedication is often a factor that determines how meaningful your experience is, Lucy worked “all the dates from July 7th to August 4th”, showing that a little flexibility in your schedule can lead to a once in a life time experience. Life behind the scenes was anything but boring with the bands keeping their fans and each other amused while on tour, “one day a whole bunch of people from other bands during 30h!3 set put on clothes from this company called Atticus and bum rushed on stage and 30h!3 had no idea they were coming on. Sometimes band members switched places with other band members during their sets.”

But besides the fun and entertainment on Warped Tour there was also a lot of work involved, Lucy became familiar with this during her time on the tour

Ins:

Tay Swift Senator Olympia Snowe Twitter Dropping Classes Saving Money Ankle booties Natural Hair Shades Neon Brights Asymmetrical silhouettes

Outs:

Kanye West Congressman Joe Wilson MySpace Adding to the Load Over-Spending Uggs Dark Hair Shades Dark Shades Empire waist

Lucy Bartozzi’s Playlist February Air - Lights Get It Get It - TV/TV Sugar Rush - Cash Cash Downfall of Us All A Day to Remember Winter - Bayside Girls Do What They Want The Maine

8 student interest

Here and Now Issue 1

The Truth Behind Texting While Driving Random Student Profiles Caitlin Baschuk

Kirsten Ruginski

Sports Editor

Design Lead

Katie Suarez ’10

Step one: get

into car, step two: turn ignition on, step three: drive and answer new text message. What’s wrong with this situation? In 2007, the use of cell phones for calls or text messaging while driving resulted in about 1,000 crashes involving teenagers. A survey conducted by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society states that, “drivers talking on cell phones are 18% slower to react to brake lights, and take 17% longer to regain the speed they lost when they braked.” Currently about 85% of drivers throughout the United States talk on their cell phones.

Thanks to facts such as these, as well as a recent startling PSA (Public Service Announcement) made in England, the issue of texting while driving has become the new “hot topic”.

In order to better understand the issue at stake and how it relates to teenage drivers, a poll was taken of current student drivers in our community asking if they themselves text while driving. The results varied and were evenly distributed: 39% said yes, 52% said no, and 9% said only at stop signs or stop lights. As of September

Photo courtesy of Katie Suarez ‘10

Birthday: August 14, 1992 bluenwhite.files.wordpress.com

28, 2009, Maryland states that anyone caught texting while driving will be fined five hundred dollars. Shockingly, this only applies to the physical act of sending a text and not reading texts.

Stone Ridge realizes that this is an issue that cannot be ignored and, as a result, have come up with some solutions. Not only has the school recently placed signs banning the use of cell phones while driving on school property, but the leaders of the SCG SADD, Kirby Greissing and Emily Valaik, will be focusing on this issue of texting while driving as an example of a destructive decision. They plan on providing informational videos, facts, and possibly peer sessions to discuss the problem throughout the year.

Midsummer Nights

Where We Work

Metro Editor

Anna Dunlavey

Every November, Stone Ridge

Upper School students organize and perform a play in the Sophie Center.

This year, the play is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and some changes have happened to the production. First, the play was cast last spring, “so that the cast members would have their roles over the summer, and could become familiar with the play,” said Mrs. Blakeslee, the director. She feels that this decision has helped the actors, and she, “can definitely see evidence that actors worked on their roles over the summer.” Second, this is the first joint production between the Middle School and Upper School. Grades 5 through 12 will share the stage for this performance, which is a rare occasion. Mrs. Blakeslee believes that the younger students fit right in. “Midsummer is a perfect play to have the younger students in. There are some very strong middle school actors working with us.

I am glad to be getting to know them and getting to work with them early.”

The play will also be a more modern production, with sets and costumes of contemporary styles. Cast members are excited, and Mrs. Blakeslee claims, “Fun should be had by all.”

Caitlin Baschuck Sports Editor

Annually around June 10th,

teenagers around the country experience what is known as summer fever.

However, after the first couple weeks, their parents tend to tell them to get a job. Most jobs consist of working at Gifford’s Ice Cream Parlor, being a Lifeguard, or working at the latest clothing boutique. Bebe Albornoz ’10 decided to do something a little different.

While many of us love shows like CSI or Law and Order SVU, Albornoz got to witness this in action when she was given a paid internship at the Criminal Investigations Unit at the IRS headquarters in D.C., which she was pleased to share with us was “more than minimum wage!” Located in Room 2232, cubicle number 7, Albornoz felt like a part of the team, “attending department meetings, organizing data into spreadsheets, setting up conferences, researching new programs for the department,” and of course grabbing a couple treats from the candy bowl “several times a day.” Albornoz explained that while the job was fun for the summer, the majority of the people working with her were a good twentyfive years older than her, and had been working there for about thirty-five years. But she explained she could be one of them too if she kept it up now!

So stay on the School President’s good side, gators, because you never know what the future entails.

Elizabeth Williams ’11

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Williams ‘11

Birthday: November 28, 1993

Favorite thing about Stone Ridge: random male faculty, conges

Favorite thing about SR: It’s a small school, so you can know everyone in your grade

What food do you wish SR served: out to lunch food, ice cream

What food do you wish SR served: order out food once a week

Favorite color: Orange

Favorite color: red

Robert Pattinson or Taylor Lautner: Taylor Lautner

Robert Pattinson or Taylor Lautner: Robert Pattinson

Chaila Fraundorfer ’12

Ana Bengoechea ’13

Photo courtesy of Margaret Crilley ‘10

Photo courtesy of Ana Bengoechea ‘13

Birthday: March 26, 1994

Birthday: August 12, 1995

Favorite thing about SR: The people

Favorite thing about SR: The people

What food do you wish SR served: Pizza Favorite color: Purple Robert Pattinson or Taylor Lautner: Taylor Lautner

What food do you wish SR served: CPK Chinese chicken salad Favorite color: Light green and light blue Robert Pattinson or Taylor Lautner: Taylor Lautner

Q & A with Little Shop of Horrors stars Alex Gangitano and Joey Allaire

Editor- in- Chief and Georgetown Prep’s Editor- in- Chief

Little Shop of Horrors is

Georgetown Prep’s fall production, which will be released November 19- 21.

Two Stone Ridge girls, Blair Galiber ’10 and Suzanne Emerson ’10 have been cast in this play. Galiber plays Audrey, the show’s lead female role. Georgetown Prep’s Nathan Kam ‘10 plays Seymour, the show’s lead male role. Both characters are secretly in love with one another and are both searching for a way out of the town in which they live.

As Galiber and Kam attempt to relate to their characters, they both hope they’re not half as clueless and awkward as Audrey and Seymour.

Galiber attended St. John’s production of Little Shop of Horrors last year and immediately wanted to be Audrey. She tells us that she youtubed all the songs so she could learn them. Since she’s been cast as Audrey, she learned about her character from the 1950s movie, other shows, and her research of life in the 50’s. Kam on the other hand found

Photo courtesy of Joey Allaire

it hard to develop his character and is not yet pleased with what he has done with it.

As they joke around and are readily willing to mock a comment the other makes, the off screen chemistry between Galiber and Kam is palpable in the room. Both actors balance their leading roles with the stress of Senior Year, but each a little differently.

Galiber explains that acting is an outlet from stress in school and other activities.

CONTINUED HORRORS page 9

Stone Ridge October, 2009

student interest 9

New Teacher Profiles

The Truth About Trendy Vaccines

Editor-In-Chief

Interactive Lead

Alex Gangitano

Mr. Krakow

Photo courtesy of Laura Krasinger ‘11

M

r. Krakow is a member of the History Department at Stone Ridge.

He teaches World History to 10th graders and US History to 11th graders.

And Mr. Krakow is also the JV Volleyball coach (See New Coaches page 11).

Q: Where did you teach before coming to Stone Ridge?

A: “Central High School in Providence, RI. I moved from Providence to DC four years ago on July 7, 2006.”

Q: Where did you grow up?

A: “LA.” Q: Were you interested in history then?

A: “No, I was interested in science. I thought history was dull.”

Q: What did you want to be when you grow up?

A: “A marine biologist.”

Q: One word to describe yourself in high school?

Halloween Frenzy

A: “Jock. I played volleyball.”

Q: Who was your senior prom date?

A: “Alexis Spraic, my girlfriend at the time.”

Q: What college did you go to?

A: “Brown University and I majored in Africana Studies.”

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: “I do not own a TV. Q: Are you married? Have kids? Have pets?

A: “Not married, no kids, and no pets. But I did just join a group for those who are raptured and those who are not. The raptured are concerned their pets will be left on Earth when they leave, so the non raptured, like myself, take care of their animals. I am due to get a lab and golden retriever mix.”

Q: What are the 3 most played songs on your ipod?

A: 1) Catbird Seat Podcast

2) Neko Case Album

3) Songs by Orishas” Q: What was the first concert you ever attended?

A: “I never actually got to go.

When I was 11 my friend Aaron and his father invited me to a Guns and Roses and Metallica concert. My father originally said yes but then decided I was forbidden. My most recent concert was a Mirah concert.”

Q: If you could switch places with any celebrity, who would it be?

A: “Wendell Berry, a writer from Kentucky.”

Check out Issue 2 for another new teacher interview.

Taylor Mauk

From catchy slogans to metro

train advertisements, our world has become quite obsessed with the world of vaccines. You’ve probably seen Gardasil®’s “One Less” commercials and heard about the developing cancer vaccines in the news. But what exactly do these trendy vaccines offer us?

Let’s start with the basics.

As defined by the National Cancer Institute (N.C.I.), vaccines are “medicines that boost the immune system’s natural ability to protect the body against “foreign invaders” that may cause disease.” The science research community has long been aware that the immune system’s role is to protect one’s body against microbes.

Now, scientists have discovered that the immune system can also defend the body against threats from certain kinds of abnormal and diseased cells, such as cancer cells.

The National Cancer Institute classifies cancer vaccines as “medicines that belong to a class of substances known as biological response modifiers.” Researchers at N.C.I. have found that effective cancer treatment vaccines are challenging to develop because some cancers can escape detection by the immune system or weaken natural immune responses against cancer cells.

Yet, many doctors are finding large success in these experimental forms of therapy, using the body’s own immune system to fight against the disease, especially in Lymphoma and high-risk breast cancers.

Gardasil® was approved by the FDA for its use in preventing HPV (human

Laura Kraisinger

Student Interest Editor

With all of the stress of

school, you definitely do not need to wait until the end of the month to start having fun. Take part in the Halloween spirit! There are plenty of things to do in our area that will keep you occupied through the entire month of October, and of course on the big night of the 31st.

For a day and night that is sure to give you an adrenaline rush, you can head out to Six Flags in Baltimore for their annual Fright Fest. This year’s theme is “Thrills by Day, Chills by Night” and includes the three new additions to the park. The new attractions Claw’s Revenge, Mr. Six’s Spooktacular Street Party, and Paranormal Studios: A Haunted Tour are three new attractions that will enhance this year’s amusement park thrills. Fright Fest is open Saturdays and Sundays from October 3rd and until November 1st, with the addition of the night of October 30th.

If you want to enjoy some wild times, literally, be sure to check out Boo at the Zoo at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The Zoo has been decked-out with Halloween decorations and multiple activities have been planned, including trick-or-treating,

animal encounters, keeper talks, and haunted trails. Boo at the Zoo takes place October 23-25 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. To get in on the fun, tickets are required and can be purchased online or at the National Zoo’s Visitor Center.

But hurry, they sell out fast!

For some Halloween classics, take a night out at the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring or the E Street Cinema in D.C. These two theatres feature the classic horror films Shaun of the Dead (2004), An American Werewolf in London (1981), and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975).

For a real scream head out to the Field of Screams at the Olney Boys and Girls Club (OBCG) where you are guaranteed to be scared on your walk through the forest. The Haunted Trail, Haunted House, Haunted Hayride, and the Corn Maze are the four events located within the Field of Screams. The gates open at 9:30 p.m. each weekend throughout October.

For a more family-oriented event, a great thing to do is visit a pumpkin patch such as family-run Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, which holds its annual pumpkin festival each weekend throughout October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pick your own pumpkin

from the pumpkin patch, take a hayride, and even try your luck in a hay maze.

Then of course there is the question of what to do on the night of Halloween itself. This year Georgetown Prep’s homecoming happens to fall on the same night. Attending the homecoming, including pre and after parties, forfeits any participation in the usual Halloween activities, so it is up to you to decide if it is worth it or not. Sydney Pothier (’12), who attended Prep Homecoming last year, says, “I would definitely rather have a usual Halloween night, homecomings are just not as fun.” Then there is always the classic Halloween hangout spot in Kensington, around Holy Redeemer, where a crowd is always present. Whatever you decide, it is sure to be a fun-filled month of October!

papillomavirus), associated vulgar and vaginal cancers, in 2008.

Kirby Greissing ‘10, who interned at the NIH, helped conduct research trials on the Gardasil® vaccine this past summer. She shares her knowledge and experiences with The Here and Now. Greissing said that the typical side effects of the trial volunteers were “minimal; sometimes patients were a little sore or itchy at site of injection but that was it.” After discussing the common fears of getting the vaccine with teenage girls, Greissing said that their parents were hesitant about getting their daughters vaccinated because they were afraid that “they’d start to act promiscuously after getting the injection. The girls would think that they’d be totally protected under the vaccine.” She believes that parents should disregard this phobia because “this vaccine is leading up to preventing HPV or cancer. Parents need to protect their daughters and vaccinate them. You need to look into the future to see what could happen to you, you need to be protected.” When asked about the future of Gardasil®, Greissing mentioned that “the FDA is starting to encourage boys, ages 12-26, to also get the vaccination. Gardasil® is leading up to preventing HPV or cancer.”

All in all, Gardasil® is a safe vaccine that protects one against the four most common types of HPV, whose causes range from genital warts to cervical cancers. In the end, one’s choice to get vaccinated should be a personal choice, not as a way to follow a trend.

CONTINUED HORRORS She is doing what she loves to do, making it neither stressful nor demanding. But Kam is feeling the pressure.

He explains that he is applying to 10 colleges and has at least one line on every page of the show’s script. He adds that he knows it will progressively just get harder as it gets closer to the show.

Will we be seeing Galiber and Kam at the Academy Awards one day? That is something Galiber is on the fence about. Her opinion on the issue is that acting is good for maybe 10 years, but one can only go so far. She is hesitant about the short career that it entails and the luck associated with “making it big”. Galiber would instead like to go into medicine and major in bio, a “more stead fast job”. Kam is pursuing his future, just not in acting. He tells us that music is actually his thing; he plays the guitar and writes music.

And on top of that, Kam would like to go into engineering in college.

As these two actors reluctantly prepare for rehearsal, they laugh with their director, Mr. Watson. The energy in Georgetown Prep’s Performing Arts Center is noticeably enjoyable, even to an investigator looking in. And considering the atmosphere at a mere practice a month before the show, Little Shop of Horrors is definitely a show worth seeing.

10

Athletes of the Season:

Sports

A Year for Seniors

Here and Now Issue 1

Fall Sport Wrap-Ups

Caitlin Bashuck

Field Hockey

Soccer

World News Editor

Journalism Club

Sports Editor

This fall season many mem-

bers of the class of 2010 are stepping up athletically. The following athletes are not only an asset on the team, but are doing their duty as seniors and leading their respected teams. As Senior Night for every team has already happened or is approaching, we all realize how much the seniors will be missed.

Volleyball : Erin Matthews ‘10 Q: How long have you been playing Volleyball?

A: “Since seventh grade.”

Q: What position do you play?

A: “I’m the setter, which is basically the quarterback.”

Q: How many games have you won so far?

A: “We’ve won four.”

Q: What game are you most looking forward to?

A: “I’m looking forward to the seniors’ last home game which is against Maret on October 29.”

Cross Country : Mattie Snider ‘10 Q: How long have you been running cross country?

A: “I have been experiencing the intensity of XC since sophomore year. Freshman year I didn’t know anything about preseason or how to sign up and wasn’t able to hop on the XC train. Huge regrets!”

Q: What’s your favorite thing about the team?

A: “My co-captain, Taylor Mauk – the yin to my yang. The cross country team is terrifically quirky and different. I think the word we use is “alternative.” I feel like nobody really feels uncomfortable or left out, which makes for a unified, amazing team every year.

I could probably talk about this forever, so I’ll just stop now.”

Q: How many meets has the team won so far?

A: “We’ve won two meets at Landon and one at Episcopal. But, the team has placed in at least the top 10 at every meet this year.”

Q: What meet are you most looking forward to?

A: “Well, there’s only one more to look forward to, which is ISL’s at Episcopal! Hopefully Gaby and Margaret will make identical T-shirts.”

Jenn Ferrigno

Soccer : Meghan Conley ‘10 Q: How long have you been playing soccer?

A: “Since Pre-K or kindergarten.”

Q: What position do you play?

A: “I play a little bit of everything, newly this season I play center attacking mid, but sometimes I play left or right defense or defensive holding mid, and this season for the first time I played a wing position.”

Q: How many games have you won so far?

A: “We are 5-3-1.”

Q: What game are you most looking forward to?

A: “I guess Holy Child, because that was a tough game for us last year and we as a team will most likely destroy them.”

Tennis : Emily Aguggia ‘10 Q: How long have you been playing tennis?

A: “I’ve been playing sine I was eight.”

Q: What position do you play?

A: “I play four singles.”

Q: How many matches have you won so far?

A: “Four.”

Q: What match are you most looking forward to?

A: “NCS.”

Field Hockey : Kimmy Horning ‘10 Q: How long have you been playing Field Hockey?

A: “I think since 7th grade, because that’s when I started OBGC (A field hockey league in Olney for middle school girls).”

Q: What position do you play?

A: “I am center mid.”

Q: How many goals have you had this season?

A: “I have had two goals and two assists.”

Q: What game are you most looking forward to?

A: “I am most looking forward to the Visitation game, because they are definitely our biggest rival.”

S

tone Ridge field hockey won their first league game in an aggressive match against Madeira School. After keeping the ball on offense for the majority of the first half, Ellie Beckler ‘12 scored the first goal of the game, giving Stone Ridge the Photo courtesy of Rick Gannon

lead at half time. In the second half, Alex Gangitano ‘10 came out strong, getting the rebound of a missed shot, and scoring a second goal for Stone Ridge. Madeira fired back with a goal of their own, but Stone Ridge held strong and kept the ball on offense for the remainder of the game. The game ended with a score of 2 to 1, and a Stone Ridge victory!

Captains for the Gators are Liz Kane ’10 and Kimmy Horning ’10, both leaders on and off the field. Kane endured an injury in the game against Sidwell Friends, but than fully for the gators was back on the field within two weeks.

Be sure to come out to see more great field hockey and cheer on the Gators as they play in the ISL Tournament.

Dylan Williams

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arsity soccer player Courtney Grafmeyer ’11, says this years team of superstar players has been doing very well this season. “We’re doing a lot better than last year.” This positive outlook is due to their recent 2-1 win against Sidwell Friends, who defeated the Varsity team last year by four goals.

Returning this year as coach is Travis Beardall, and senior captains Meghan Conley ‘10, Emily Millet ‘10, and Hilary Rushton ‘10. Despite some losses and one tie, Varsity has had a steady and successful season. With limited girls on the bench, the Gators showed real heart in their loss against rival NCS, however they made a strong comeback with wins against both Holton (1-0) and Madeira (4-0).

While the girls have tremendous chemistry together and have been playing beautifully, the team has a secret weapon that has been contributing to the team’s success, freshman Ana Bengochea ‘13. If making Varsity soccer, as a freshman isn’t enough, Bengochea was recently named “player of the week” by D.C. Sports Fan.

As for JV soccer, they too had a few losses and ties at the beginning of the season but they pulled it together and managed to win four games without giving up a single goal. Some of the most exciting games have been the one against Sidwell, which ended with a tie 2-2, and a shot at the last second by Glenna Thomas ‘13. Another memorable game was the 4-0 win to Holton, usually a well-matched rival for the gators, whom they tied to 0-0 last year. Overall the soccer season for both teams has been triumphant and we hope in the final games to come they can keep up the good work. Great Job Gators!

Photo courtesy of Sophie White ‘10

Cross Country Taylor Mauk

Interactive Lead

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n September 26, 2009, the Stone Ridge cross country team once again left their competition to eat their dust. The varsity team won its race, beating Saint Stephen Saint Agnes, Holy Child, and Maret. Diana Pressel ’11 came in first place with a time of 21:58.17 for the 5K. She was followed by sophomores Gaby Keane, Chloe Nickens, Meghan Pfeifer, Margaret Jones, and Mary Creel.

The JV team placed second in their race. Beth Glowacki ’11 led the way in fourth place, followed

by Grace DiBari ’12, Kelly Falvey ’13, Mattie Snider ’10, Adrianna de Lucio ’13, and Anastasia Pressel ’13. Overall, the entire team (encom-

passing both varsity and JV) won the Landon Invitational. This has been one of the best years for the team, taking home wins in an earlier Landon meet and an Episcopal meet. The rest of the season can only go up from here! Come support your fellow gators at their ISL meet on Halloween at Episcopal High School.

Photo courtesy of Taylor Mauk ‘10

Sports

Stone Ridge October, 2009

New Coaches Come to Stone Ridge Jenn Ferrigno

Volleyball

Kelly Seegers

Journalism Club

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his is an exciting year for volley ball. Both varsity and JV have new coaches. The JV’s new coach is the one and only Mr. Krakow, who is also teaching 10th and 11th Photo courtesy of Alex Gangitano ‘10 grade history. The new coach for varsity is Jason Monges.

Varsity got off to a great start by beating The Jewish Day School, the team that Coach Monges formerly coached. The captains of Varsity are Susannah Spruill, Erin Matthews, and Caitlin Wiernicki, and the captains of JV are Caroline Wiernicki and Lucy Bartozi.

The highlight of the season for JV was their exciting win against NCS. The game went to 3 sets, and all of them were very close, but the JV team worked hard and won. It was a very suspenseful game, and everyone played great. After the varsity’s win against one of their biggest rivals, Holy Child, the team has since become a force to be reckoned with. Clearly, it has been a gripping season for both teams, way to go Gators!

Photo courtesy of Alex Gangitano ‘10

Tennis

Kelly Mulquin

Journalism Club

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he Stone Ridge Varsity tennis team started the season off on a rainy note, with their first two matches postponed due to heavy rain. Despite a disappointing 5-2 against Flint Hill, the 2007 Virginia State Champions, Stone Ridge has regrouped with a four match winning streak. All four wins have been convincing, with Stone Ridge defeating Madeira, Georgetown Day, Visitation, and Potomac handily either 6-1 or 7-0. The Gators have been anchored by experienced seniors with co-captains Elizabeth Gerber and Emily Aguggia at Nos. 3 and 4 singles.

The lineup has also gotten a boost from Su Ghosh and Kelly Mulquin in the first two singles spots, Emily and Anabel Hallewell at first doubles, and Kelly Haglund and Grace Nowlin who remain undefeated at second doubles.

Upcoming matches against ISL rivals Holton Arms, NCS, and Bullis will determine whether Stone Ridge will overcome last years fourth place finish.

World News Editor

With the start of the new

school year, we not only have new faces in the building, but also on our court and fields. As our athletes enjoy learning from their new mentors, we took the oppurtunity to learn from them as

Jason Monjes: Varsity Volleyball

Kim Goh...

A Legend.

11

Alex Gangitano Editor-In-Chief

well.

Jae Ko: JV Tennis

gocrimson.com

Photo courtesy of Alex Gangitano ‘10

Q: How many years have you been playing volleyball?

A: “It’s been like 17 years.”

Photo courtesy of Alex Gangitano ‘10

Q: How many years have you been playing tennis?

A: “I’ve been playing for about 14 years now.”

Q: How many years have you been coaching?

A: “This is my first year coaching at a school, but I’ve been coaching for like six years.”

Q: Where did you coach before Stone Ridge?

A: “The Skip Jackson Tennis Academy, It’s in Florida.”

Q: What are your goals for the 2009 season?

A: “I want all the girls to hopefully make Varsity next year, and I hope we end with a winning record.”

Q: How many years have you been coaching?

A: “I’ve been coaching for around 13 years now.”

Q: Where did you coach before Stone Ridge?

A: “I used to coach at Trinity College (DC) and after that I coached at Jewish Day School.”

Q: What are your goals for the 2009 season?

A: “My goal is for our team to be able to play consistently throughout an entire match.”

Q: What do you like most about your team?

A: “I really like that we’re starting to build chemistry, we already had it off the court, but now we’re finding it on the court.”

Q: What do you like most about your team?

A: “All the girls on the team get along really well. There’s no animosity and we have a lot of fun.”

David Krakow: JV Volleyball Q: How many years have you played the sport?

A: “I played for 6 years on a club team, and then 1 year in college, so seven total.”

Q: How many years have you been coaching?

A: “I’ve been coaching for 1/12 of a year (this is my first year).”

Q: Where did you play volleyball?

A: “I played for my high school, and then I played for a year at Brown.”

Q: What are your goals for the 2009 season?

A: “I want the team to develop into confident players. I want them to be able to serve overhand, to pass well, and to be loud.”

Q: What do you like most about your team?

A: “That’s hard, there are so many good things. I think it’s a lot of fun to work with young players, and that they enjoy it.”

(Picture found on page 9)

Congratulations Ana Bengochea!

Named Player of the Week for Girl’s soccer by DC Sports Fan

As the Stone Ridge Field Hockey team stood in the freezing, pouring rain October 15th at Good Council, they had to listen to the Falcon’s presentation of “Senior Night” before the game could begin.

The speaker discussed each senior on their team and 4 out of 11 of them were going onto play a sport in college. As the Gator’s were both impressed and overwhelmed, the name Kim Goh comforted the team.

2008 Stone Ridge Field Hockey Star makes it big: the very missed Kim Goh.

Goh is playing Division I field hockey for Harvard, where she committed to before her senior year at Stone Ridge. She tells us, “the recruiting process is mostly making sure you get seen by coaches at various tournaments and camps”, and the biggest attributes coaches want to see from a player is passion and dedication. At Stone Ridge, Goh showed nothing short of complete passion and dedication on and off the field. The Harvard Field Hockey team consists of 15 girls, all of whom spend a lot of time together at pre- game meals or pre- game psych ups. Pre- game prep starts 3-4 hours before each game, at which time the team watches video and reads scouting reports. Away games are usually 2-3 hours away and unfortunately, the closest game to Maryland is at Columbia University. Looking back on her experience at Stone Ridge, Goh misses that “if there was a game, everybody knew about it”. She continues, “Harvard is so big that it’s hard to get the word out when you’re having a game”.

Goh’s advice to prospective college athletes: “be ready to really dedicate a lot of time to the game and the team. It’s completely 100% worth it”.

Support our other college athletes: Sam Firstenberg (Colgate Lacrosse) and Brooke Blue (Boston College Lacrosse)!

Stone Ridge October, 2009

Student Work 12

Maddy Boardman ‘10, Catherine

Graphic Design: Giving Art a New Perspective Alicia Hai and Catherine Kan Journalism Club

In Graphic Design, Mrs.

Doxey guides us through the use of Adobe Photoshop. One of our first projects, exploring color through the elements and principles of design, helped us grasp the concept of design. We each chose a specific color and element of design to work with. We then made various sketches of ideas that came to mind. After presenting our ideas to Mrs. Doxey, we made our final masterpieces using hot-pressed paper and Prisma Color fine tipped

Deryn Thomas ‘10, Untitled markers. Below: Marshal Farmer ’10 (Brown Form) & Liz Master ’12 (Black Space) We are currently using Adobe Photoshop to recreate company logos or design of our own. Our class looks forward to our future projects, which include designing stamps, typography, posters, hangtags (which are decorative tags found on clothing), CDs, and our choice of a final project.

Kirsten Ruginski ‘10, Alice

Madeleine Gerrick ‘13, Untitled

The Here and Now Staff:

Alex Gangitano ~ Editor- in- Chief Kirsten Ruginski ~ Design Lead Margaret Crilley ~ Photo Editor Taylor Mauk ~ Interactive Lead Carolyn Ruocco ~ Copy Editor Melissa Nemati ~ Asst. Copy Editor Mr. Sands ~ Faculty Advisor

Jenn Ferrigno ~ World News Editor Anna Dunlavey ~ Metro Editor Danielle Anane ~ Style Editor Laura Kraisinger ~ Special Interest

Editor Caitlin Baschuk ~ Sports Editor Lindy Firstenberg ~ Asst. Sports

Editor