Volume 42, Issue 1

e • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcompl rrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hin fficient • Communism • Fascism Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Impriso e • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Lim e • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcompl rrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hin fficient • Communism • Fascism • Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Impriso e • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Lim e • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary •Overcomplic rrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hin fficient • Communism • Fascism Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Impriso e • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Lim e • Assigned • Un-American • • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • nnoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • R ed • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Ch • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-Am ng • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Sho • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Commu Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Re ed • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Ch • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-Am ng • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Sho • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Commu Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Re ed • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Ch • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-Am ng • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Sho • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Commu ctatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Res ed • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Ch • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-Am ng • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Sho • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Commu ctatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Res ed • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Ch d • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limi Ineffective • Assigned • Un-Americ g • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Shor • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Commu ctatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Res ed • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Ch • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-Am ng • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Sho • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Commu Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Re ed • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Ch d • Controlled • UptightSecondary • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No 9200 • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • ting • Ineffective • Assigned Burke Lake Road • Burke • Virginia • 22015 Lake Braddock School • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • C nnoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient •

10. 07. 14.

The Bear Facts

The Future and

Failures

of Bruin

Block

Contents / 10.07.14.

8

BEHIND THE COVER

17

The Bear Facts

10. 22. 14.

Bruin Block*

35 The Failure and Future of Bruin Block Lake Braddock Secondary School

9200 Burke Lake Road • Burke • Virginia • 22015

“I saw what Josh had made and didn’t like it.”

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Demeaning • Unfair • Sa Demeaning • Unfair • S Ineffective • Assigned • Sad • Hypercontrol li Un-American • Dem

Principal Thomas weighs in on why he made alterations to Bruin Block and his goals for it.

11 Weighted Grades Students and teachers alike get accustomed to a new grading policy.

13 Bryan Holland Subschool 6 welcomes its new administrator.

16 Evan Granrud Meet the only male member of LBVC. 2

The Bear Facts

7 October 2014

17 ‘1984’

32 Doppelgangers

LBT has chosen 1984 for its fall Cappies show.

Students around LB are connecting with unexpected twins.

18 Teen Activism Celebrities are targeting teens to get the word out about big issues.

34 Coach Art

24 Ray Rice

35 Cross Country

Is society treating victims of domestic violence the right way?

27 ISIS Is Obama’s plan for dealing with ISIS going to be enough?

The JVGB team remembers their coach.

The boys’ cross country team is ranked 23 in the nation.

36 Kyle Edwards Junior Kyle Edwards is in the spotlight as the starting quarterback.

rkill • Insulting • Restricting • • Overkill • Insulting • asteful • Productive • Boring atorship • Pointless • ring • Cruel •

6 Bruin Block

in d g Di eri

r l is

Issue 1

g• nn

“I took all the words that he had complied, and I arranged the words into the shape of a lock to communicate how I felt about Bruin Block.”

Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism • Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary •Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American • • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism • Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism • Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism • Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limi Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism • Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • UptightSecondary • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No 9200 • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • ting • Ineffective • Assigned • UnBurke Lake Road • Burke • Virginia • 22015 Lake Braddock School American • Demeaning • Unfair • Sad • Hypercontrolling • Small-minded • Necessary • Overcomplicated • Awful • Terrible • Chaos • Short • Annoying • Counterproductive • Horrendous • Unnecessary • Restrictive • Illogical • Hindering • Cruel • Efficient • Communism • Fascism Dictatorship • Pointless • Incorrigible • Violation • Wasteful • Productive • Boring • Rude • Overkill • Insulting • Restricting • Organized • Disappointing • Dreadful • Inconvenient • Frustrating • Sucks • Stop • Imprisoning • Debatable • Oppressive • Changed • Depressed • Controlled • Uptight • Tedious • Dumb • Bad • No • Helpful • Homework • Limiting • Ineffective • Assigned • Un-American

10. 7. 14.

The Bear Facts

The

Future and Failures

of Bruin

Block

“I then made a whitewash with the list of compiled words and put it behind the lock and added a key to emphasize how Bruin Block should be free.” quotations and cover by Jesse Sands

The Bear Facts Staff & Corrections Volume 42, Issue 1 Staff Writers Tom Anderson, Marianne Beveridge, Ian Bivona, Gerardo Cerna, Ayman Farid, Kinaya Hassane, Claire Hollinger, Kevin Hua, Michael Galligan, Jake Gold, Daniel Jarris, Spencer Jolley, Katie Karlinchak, Demetris Karounos, Aya Khaznadar, Lucia Kim, Maggie Komoniewski, Devon Lee, Anne Merrill, Alex Nestrovich, Connor O’Neill, Zelgai Saleh, Bunyamin Sevim, Nikki Sheppard, Maddie Sievers, Elena Simon, Jordan Stone, Nathan Zelalem

Management Editors-in-Chief Ben Tobin and Josh Wartel Managing Editors Sara Kim and Emily Migdal Copy Chief Thomas Kendziora Web Editors Ryan Mullins and Katie Vinson Photo Editor Amanda Hendrix Assistant Photo Editor Andrew Clinton Art Director Jesse Sands Business Manager Jake Hruska and Hao Nguyen

Editors Opening Remarks Editors Megan Cantwell and Dinali Dassanayaka News Editors Marcell Subert and Marleen Tipu Profile Editors Steve Hong and Yaitza Lopez Arts Editors Patrick Kearney and Vickie Park Comment Editors Paul Barnhill and Ben Concepcion Style Editors Hannah Lim and Michael Murphy Sports Editors Tu Lam and Jordan Small Adviser Kathryn Helmke

S T A F F

Corrections

Notice any mistakes in the Bear Facts?

Email bfacts@gmail.com or drop off a note in L202.

Senior Hao Nguyen (Co-Business Manager)

P R O F I L E

As his first year in journalism, Nguyen did not expect to get a position as a co-business manager. He has “fun going around talking to businesses, seeing if they want to advertise for the Bear Facts,” he said.

In class, he discusses with his co-business manager, Jake Hruska, and the adviser, Kathryn Helmke, about updates and different ways to reach companies. During the weekends, he visits shopping centers around the area to see if they want to advertise.

“I usually go around with my friends so I can have fun while doing my job,” Nguyen said.

His sign signifies his love for bagels. As a member of the varsity boys’ tennis team, bagels are provided at every match.

“I believe in bagels, because they help us win,” he said.

7 October 2014 The Bear Facts 3

News: Future and Past

Numbers To Know

O

n Oct. 23, the Fairfax County School Board will vote on start times for the 2015-2016 school year. If they vote in favor of changing it, high school will run from 8:10 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. The change would impact the bell schedule and sports practices.

1

O

n Sept. 22 at approximately 3 p.m., the Burke fire department received a call from the Burke Nursery, just minutes from Lake Braddock. The nursery experienced a fire allegedly due to a propane tank explosion, but the cause has not been confirmed. Video taken by a local shows a mix of white and grey smoke coming from the fire, which resulted in structural damage and the loss of a good portion of the plant life at the nursery. On its website, the Burke Nursery thanked the Burke Fire Department for their quick response. The nursery has reopened.

T

he Bruin Pride committee is naming the major hallways after the five core values. By naming the hallways, the committee strengthens the use of the core values, as well as attempts to make it easier to navigate through LB’s many hallways, though not all hallways will be named. The committee plans to put the use of the names into action this year.

T

photos by Emily Migdal (1,2) photo courtesy of Greg Zelkin (3)

he BYOD policy has been changed for the 2014-2015 school year.

Rather than bringing in a device to get registered with a sticker, students only have to login to the network to register their devices. The revised policy allows students to use phones, laptops and other devices in class when teachers permit.

This gives teachers the opportunity to use technology to enhance learning in the classroom.

A

suspect has been identified in the kidnapping of UVA student Hannah Graham. Graham, who went missing on Sept. 13, has still not been found. The suspect, Jesse Matthew, who attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia for two years then Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, has a history of sexual assault charges and a possible link to a murder case from 2009. Matthew has been charged with abduction and attempt to defile.

A

lleged perpetrator of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s trial has been delayed by two months from its original date. It is now set to take place on Jan. 5.

Tsarnaev’s request to have the trial delayed because of “overwhelming presumption of guilt” in the state of Massachusetts was denied by federal judge George O’Toole, who said that Massachusetts’ diverse population would be sufficient to find a fair and impartial jury. Tsarnaev has plead not guilty to 30 federal charges, including use of weapons of mass destruction. Tsarnaev could face the death penalty.

2

4teamThehas.number of wins the football It has won games against West Potomac, Stone Bridge, Westfield and Annandale high s-chools.

120 The number of minutes spent in assigned Bruin Block every week.

Before this year, these hours were used as self select by students.

2students The number of new counselors. For with names Martin-Oro, Ameen

Jackson has taken over. Sam Ramatowski is now the counselor for Orp-Roj.

65 The percentage change of Republicans gaining the majority in the U.S. Senate in the November midterm-elections, according to The New York Times.

1Bill The number of granchildren born to and Hillary Clinton on Sept. 25. Her name is Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky.

3

A

long with the change of assigned Bruin Block, the administration has set up an eighth period for Bruin Block. Instead of the typical homework time, eighth period requires silent reading in third period. This period is assigned once every two weeks, but the hope is that it improves student literacy, which will help lead to higher SOL scores. This time provides a built-in block that can be used school wide for lessons or assemblies.

1. Students use their silent-reading Bruin Block to get reading for classes done. 2. Commonly used hallways, such as the upstairs main hall, will be named after one of the five core values by the end of the year. 3. Senior center Randy Bills prepares for a play.

4 The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

This page was compiled and written by managing editor Emily Migdal and staff writer Alex Nesterovich.

Opening Remarks

Physics teacher Bill Meyers assists his students during a Wednesday free choice Bruin Block period.

Change to Bruin Block ignites controversy

by Megan Cantwell and Dinali Dassanayaka Opening Remarks Editors

T

photo by Andrew Clinton/graphic by Jake Gold

he ring of students’ laughter echoes through the empty hallways as the bell rings. Students frantically run to their destinations while clutching all their heavy textbooks in their arms and hauling their massive backpacks on their shoulders. The sound of the bell fades away as the students quickly saunter into their classes with bitter frowns on their faces. It is the start of a brand new year, with many brand new changes. To the dismay of most of the students, one of those changes has caused a significantly greater impact than others: the assigned Bruin Block.

Bruin Block has become a trademark part of a student’s day. It is a much-loved period of time that many students have come to rely on; however, during the years it has gone through a multitude of changes. This year, the administration decided to change the Bruin Block schedule by assigning students’ locations.

Students responded largely negatively to the changes, stirring dissent among the student body. However, their dissatisfaction was not enough to compel the administration to reassess their decision.

During the summer, the school’s leaders met to discuss the changes they felt needed to be made in order to bring Bruin Block back to its original purpose: Allowing students to meet up with teachers in order to get the help they need.

“I do not think [the new Bruin Block] will improve my grades since I can’t always go to the subjects I need help on and make it a priority,”

6 The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

99%

of students dislike the new system

1%

of LB students like the new Bruin Block system

This survey was done by visiting classes and asking students to raise their hands if they were not in favor of the assigned Bruilock. The number of students who were in favor and the number of students who were not in favor was recorded on a sheet of paper. This survey was done on the third week of school. 250 students were surveyed.

junior Leah Choe said.

Principal Dave Thomas said the reasons for the Bruin Block change include accountability for students, discipline and the problem of struggling students not attending the classes that they were assigned to go to during Bruin Block.

Thomas conducted an experiment at the end of last year to see if seniors would go to their assigned Bruin Block class. He picked 25 seniors who were assigned to a

I do not think [the new Bruin Block] will improve my grades since I can’t always go to the subjects I need help on and make it a priority.

- Leah Choe, 11 Bruin Block class that they needed help in, he said. When he went to the classes to see if the students were present, he found that only one student had actually attended their assigned location.

“I strongly dislike the new Bruin Block because it’s taking my own personal study time away,” Choe said.

“I have to work all my extra help and tutoring hours around a single Bruin Block rather than five.”

The disciplinary issues that Thomas spoke of are security issues as well.

Students were leaving school grounds and doing things that they shouldn’t be doing, or things that could get them in trouble with the law, Thomas said.

The biggest thing I do as a principal is to make sure that you [students] are safe, and I can’t make sure that all 4,000 students here are safe if I don’t know where you are.

- Dave Thomas, principal If students need to meet with other teachers, they have the flex-out option. The flex-out works when a student needs to attend another class during an assigned Bruin Block. The teacher who the student needs to go to has to email the teacher that the student is supposed to go to, and if both teachers agree, then the student will be able to go to the other class.

“If [teachers] have specific kids that you need to get to your class, it’s as simple as sending an email,

and I even showed [teachers] a quick and dirty way to generate an email that they can send to teachers to say ‘Hey, I need this student in my class on these days,’” Thomas said.

The last facet of the administration’s reasoning is the security of students. Thomas said that parents would call asking for their child, and the administration would have no idea where they were.

“The biggest thing I do as a principal is to make sure that [students] are safe,” Thomas said, “and I can’t make sure that all 4,000 students here are safe if I don’t know where you are.”

So far this year, the Bruin Block change has received a mixture of good and bad responses. The administration’s goal is to have a Bruin Block that has a little more structure than last year’s Bruin Block. Staff meetings were held where teachers were informed of the administration’s vision for what Bruin Block is supposed to look like, Thomas said. The teachers are adjusting to the change along with the students.

“I think that the students that are prone to doing work in Bruin Block are the same students that did work last year during Bruin Block,” AP Language teacher Julie Evans said.

On the whole, students seem to be very against the new Bruin Block. According to a survey done by The Bear Facts, 99 percent out of 250 students surveyed are against the change. The eight people in favor are generally freshman who have had assigned locations for the past two years in middle school, so the change is not new. The others in favor simply don’t have much of an opinion, or they have similar beliefs to the administration.

“The harsh reality is: You’re not always going to get what you want. We prioritize safety over free choice,” junior Omar Elhaj said. “We should be thankful that we get Bruin Block—students still have the ability to do whatever they want. Students just want to go places and talk. The entire point of Bruin Block is to work, so students get what they want.”

Choe, however still sees fault in the new system.

“There are a lot of drawbacks, such as not being able to go to my class that I struggle with and not being able to tutor people for various honor societies and clubs especially because not everyone has time after school [to see teachers],” Choe said.

Whether students like it or not, the administration is not planning on making any changes to the Bruin Block system any time soon.

Bruin Block Facts 1. Students can use the ‘flex out’ option to go to their other classes 2. Both teachers need to confirm the flex out option via email 3. Students can go to the library during Bruin Block 4. Teachers are not allowed to teach new material during Bruin Block 7 October 2014 The Bear Facts 7

News

Inside 9 • Yellow Poles 9 • Microwaves

10 • AP Scores 11 • Brick Walkway 11 • Weighted Grades

Online:

Reading Period

Homecoming goes to the Greek

by Claire Hollinger - Staff Writer

allow the boys to cross dress, and the routine will not be as inappropriate as years past.” ith the beginning of On the night of the game, there’s the the year and fall sports homecoming parade, which has in full swing, students from the JROTC program there’s another marching, the marching band, thing on high schooler’s minds. floats from each grade and the One crazy football game, members of homecoming court. parades, fancy dresses, dinners “It’s really nice riding in the out with friends, after parties you homecoming parade,” sophomore (might) remember for the rest of Erin Griel said. “I like watching your life and a fun night filled all the little kids wave and riding with dancing, music and laughter. in the car. I got to do it with one Homecoming. of my best friends [Taylor Fick] Although it is early in the last year, and that just made the homecoming season, social media experience all the more better.” sites such as Twitter, Tumblr and After the parade, there’s the Instagram have been buzzing homecoming game.This year’s with the homecoming equivalent homecoming game is Oct. 24 at of promposals. For some, the home versus T.C. Williams, and most exciting part of the event is the dance is the following night, being asked to the dance or doing Oct. 25. the asking.

“There’s a little more “I would love to have a date to excitement, but it’s not too much homecoming; I think it’s safe to Sophomore Jessica Berlin creates a banner for homecoming week. different,” senior A.J. Alexander say girls would love to be asked,” senior Taylor Day said. “From what boys who want to participate dress said, “There’s just a little more pressure I’ve learned from my guy friends over flamboyantly and perform a dance that the to win because [it’s the homecoming the past few years, they secretly love dance team has choreographed for them. game], and we win to keep the mood and coming up with their big mastermind However, last year, South County High energy high for the rest of the weekend.”

School had an exceptionally provocative The football team has won its proposals, too.”

Homecoming kicks off with a spirit performance. This inappropriate version homecoming game for the past five years week, and the theme of each day is of BVD got it banned from the school. and hope to continue that streak this year.

The final, and to some, the most chosen by the SGA. This year, the Because of this, some questions have theme of the dance is My Big Fat Greek been raised as to whether or not LB important part of the whole weekend is Homecoming and the spirit week theme will be having BVD this year, not only the actual homecoming dance. Students is “Greek Week”. The themes of each because of the South County incident spend hours getting ready for the day are Mediterranean Monday (beach but because of complaints about gender dance that usually lasts about three to four hours. Most girls get their dresses wear), Toga Tuesday (wear a toga), Rush neutrality.

“There was a major issue at South from popular department stores such Wednesday (play off of college Greek life), Hercules vs. Socrates Thursday County High School with their version as Nordstroms and BCBG, but online (jocks vs. nerds) and Gods vs. Titans of BVD and it caused a major fire shopping has slowly grown in popularity. because of the cross dressing and that’s “I get my dresses from promgirl.

Friday (school-wide blackout).

“Spirit week is tricky; everyone has just not acceptable in this day and age,” com,” freshman Nicole Partyka said. something they like and don’t like so we student activities director Mark Martino “They’re really affordable and have such try to take that into consideration when said. “I’m a big believer in tradition and cute dresses.”

From shopping for spirit days, to deciding the themes,” senior class officer what kids want to do, as long as you Madison Shock said. “We know certain don’t cross the line. [It’s fine] as long as the hours of prepping before the dance, to the final score of the football game days are more popular than others so it’s done the right way.”

Ultimately, it’s not up to Principal and all the energy brought upon Bruin we try to make it so that there can be Dave Thomas, Martino, assistant Nation by the festivities of the week, majority involvement.”

On the last day of the spirit week, director of student activities Mike Clark, LB students really know how to do there’s always a pep rally to get or any of the other LB Administrators; homecoming.

“The whole weekend is just pretty everyone excited about the game and it’s up to the county.

“Even if we’re allowed to go through great,” sophomore Zach Silva said. “We the rest of the weekend. The cheer and dance teams both perform, as well as with BVD this year, there’s gonna be all come together as a school and get the Lake Braddock Chorus Singers, and some major changes,” senior Mackenzie hyped for the game and the dance and all the homecoming court for each grade is Williams said, “For instance, we won’t that and it’s just a great time.”

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photo by Jake Gold 8

The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

announced. The most popular event at the homecoming is easily BVD, or Boys’ Varsity Dance.

BVD is a tradition where all senior

Yellow poles spring up over summer

by Jake Gold - Staff Writer Students returned to Lake Braddock after summer vacation to discover that the school had been silently renovated.

Water fountains were surrounded by yellow posts, a new ramp appeared outside entrance 17, and signage adorned the walls, indicating assistive hearing devices and the elevator’s location.

Rumors flew around in an attempt to explain the change.

“This summer, every FCPS school received ADA upgrades,” associate principal Rob Sanders said. “This includes the yellow bumpers by the water fountains, the bump-out table at the snack bar, the new ramp for wheelchairs, the support bars in the bathrooms.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal mandate ensuring that Americans with disabilities in schools can be given “equal access” or giving those students the same opportunities that non-disabled students have. The revision to school facilities is based on the United States Access Board’s Uniform Federal Access Standards (UFAS). This complex list of mandatory

changes goes from very broad to very specific—it ranges from the requirement to have pathways accessible to someone in a wheelchair to the direction which the grating on the floor is oriented. The water fountain posts have garnered more attention than any other alteration.

“The posts are there because the water fountains are too high off the ground for a blind individual to find with a cane,” Sanders said.

After the ADA overhaul, students were kept in the dark on the reasoning behind the placement of the yellow poles. That didn’t stop them from generating their own theories.

“I think they’re there to stop people from bumping into them,” junior Frank Wheaton said.

Other students were closer to the mark.

“There’s a new blind student, I think,” junior Ryan Sander said.

Another major source of confusion with the ADA renovation was the exception of certain water fountains from receiving yellow posts. The UFAS guidelines state that a water fountain or any other protrusion from the wall cannot exceed 27 inches off the ground

without having yellow pylons on both sides. A couple of fountains around the school do not exceed 27 inches, and therefore did not receive the posts.

While Lake Braddock does not currently have students that need ADA modifications, the school is now prepared for the possibility.

The new yellow poles were a big change to students as they returned from summer vacation.

Microwaves bring lunch reinvention

lunches and the traditional sandwich brought from home. Now students can heat up some pizza, pop some popcorn or hen students were welcomed cook some soup. to the new school year with “I haven’t used the microwaves yet, unpopular new rules and but I plan to,” sophomore Michael Garcia policies like no soda sales until 2:40 p.m. said. “[I’d like to] cook mac and cheese.” and assigned Bruin Block, they were Dwindling options in pleased to see something the lunch lines also made new in their favor: the microwaves welcome Microwaves were added to alternatives. the cafeteria thanks to the Due to new policies, Class of 2014. popular lunch choices are The four black being dropped in favor of microwaves were given to new, healthier options. These the school as a class gift changes aren’t very wellfrom the outgoing Class of received among students, 2014. Class gifts are all over and many are looking at the school, like the benches the microwaves as a viable donated by the class of 2007. substitute to the lunch lines.

The microwaves were paid “I’d definitely use [the for with the remaining funds microwaves] if they got rid after the seniors graduated. of tacos,” sophomore Tyler The gift is decided by Krogel said. the senior officers and is a With a school year filled unique opportunity for the with unpopular changes, seniors to leave a mark on students at least have their school. something to smile about.

“I think microwaves Students hope that the were a fantastic idea for a student gift,” alumnae Junior Faith Huddleston takes advantage of the microwaves donated by the class microwaves will be here to stay.

Kristina Randall said. “It’s of 2014.

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a product that can be used for years to come. Microwaves would have let me have much tastier lunches.”

Alumni weren’t the only ones that were excited by the microwaves.

Students were also enticed by the possible alternatives to the school-served

7 October 2014 The Bear Facts

photos courtesy of Jake Gold (top) and Kaitlyn Conti (bottom)

by Thomas Anderson - Staff Writer

9

AP Scores: A 2014 Breakdown

by Ayman Farid - Staff Writer

of 3 or higher, including AP Calculus AB and BC, the latter of which had a whopping 48.3 percent of students achieve 5s.

“I think it’s a good reflection of how good our math teachers are at this school,” senior Matthew DelVecchio said.

Other courses that saw improvement

I

Microeconomics, Psychology and German.

“Personally, AP Physics B was the hardest AP course I’ve taken at LB,” DelVecchio said. “The concepts were much more difficult, and we went very indepth into multiple subject areas.”

In the past few years, there have also beensome impressive differences inhow many students took AP exams. During the past decade, the number of students who ools graduate from high school having taken at least one AP course has nearly doubled, with 33.2 percent of the class of 2016 having taken at least one in high school. In fact, according to collegeboard.org, during the 201213 school year, 3.9 million different exams were graded.

“I think it’s a result of it being more competitive to get into college now, with many people trying to add one more thing to push them over the edge,” Ges said.

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n a highly competitive area such as Northern Virginia, the scores students receive on AP tests can be very important. Research shows that students who succeed in rigorous AP courses are more likely than Mea their peers to earn college degrees on Sc time, due to obtaining college-level knowledge and skills while still in 2 .9 high school.

6 3 x 2,0 “In a competitive area like 7 3 Northern Virginia, students are ia 2 n 7 i , encouraged to take AP classes 2 ir g 15 34,09 because colleges like to see students 5 take a challenging schedule,” AP World and European history teacher Gary Holtzman said. “AP classes give students an opportunity to understand a subject on a much deeper level and develop the critical thinking skills that are not only important for college and virtually any career, but also make included Comparative Government, English Language and Composition, learning much more interesting.”

There were many noteworthy trends Environmental Science, Macroeconomics, this past year in AP scores. One such Music Theory and Statistics. exams ,199,4 2 4 The Wo l d - 4 Despite all these example was the AP World History exam. r According to a collection of tweets from increases in high scores, College Board’s head of AP, Trevor however, there were still 785 Packer, the AP World exam had the lowest a few drops in average ,123 percentage of 5s - the highest score a scores as well. For example, European History student can get - out of any AP exam in AP 2014 with 6.4 percent (although Biology experienced a dramatic Mean Sco finished right behind it with 6.5 percent). decrease in scores of 4 and e: 89 However, the overall percentage of 3s, 4s 5, and a dramatic increase and 5s increased USA 4,084,37 dramatically 5 exa ms 2 from years o h c S 6 3 8 n prior, with an impressive 53.9 percent of students getting 91 a 3 or higher on 6, 63 6 the exam, which is considered “passing” the exam.

“If you look raddock at the national ke B trend, students a L are doing better overall in AP World,” in 1s. In 2013, Holtzman said. “AP World is not only 25.1 percent of one of the hardest AP courses, but it is students obtained also the first one that most students take, scores of 1 on the so scores will naturally be lower than in AP Euro exam, while in 2014, other subjects.”

Students agree that AP World is among that number rose the most difficult of classes offered here up to 28.7 percent of students. at LB. “AP World was definitely the hardest Similarly, there class I’ve taken in high school so far,” were also fewer 5s in Spanish junior Nicholas Ges said.

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The Bear Facts

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Brick Walkway lays down new path for LB

by Ian Bivona - Staff Writer

be a brick wall, made of all the donor bricks with the names engraved onto them. Now that the fundraiser has finished n the summer of 2013, construction and the bricks have been installed, began on the Lake many students are questioning why Braddock Turf there is no wall.

Field Project, costing an “I was under the impression that it estimated $1.2 to $1.4 was going to be a huge brick wall,” million, which was needed Shock said, “so I was kind of let to build two turf fields at down when I saw that people would LB. be walking all over in.”

As a way to raise Along with installing the turf money for the project, the field, some of the money was used to Lake Braddock Athletic improve the stadium. One thing that Booster Club (LBABC) was improved was the home side held a fundraiser in which concession stand, shich was paved participants could purchase with asphalt. this left an empty patch personalized bricks, which of gravel in between the brand new are now installed in front paved walkway and the handicap of the home concession accessible ramp, and the Booster stand.

Club decided this would be the “I think [the brick perfect spot for the bricks. project] was a good idea “When we looked at what we had because it helped upgrade to work with,” Activities director the stadium and create a Mark Martino said, “we believed better experience for fans,” that a walkway would be a better way junior Matthew Lipovski to remember students, teachers, said. and alumni. It is also right in the During the fundraiser, The new brick walkway will become a staple of student life at LB. more than 160 bricks were donated. A Madison Shock said, “so letting them middle of a spot where a lot of people are wide range of messages were engraved put their name on Lake Braddock during home games.”

Many people have seen the new from families and sports teams, local permanently is the best possible way to businesses and commemorations of raise money and students get what they walkway and believe it is a great addition.

“I think it turned out great,” Martino former alumni, and so on. During this want.”

During the original campaign for the said. “Mr. Thomas has seen it as well and past summer, the bricks were installed in bricks, the final project was promised to thinks it looks great as well.” front of the home-side concession stand.

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“I think it was a great idea because everyone likes to think they’ll leave a legacy after they graduate,” senior

by Anne Merrill - Staff Writer

T

he start of a new school year always brings changes and new challenges different from the year before.

This year, teachers, students and parents were greeted with a change in the grading system. Any teachers that previously used a point system for their grades are now required to use weighted grades.

The uncomplicated difference between weighted grades and the point system is that with the point system, a one-point homework assignment would be worth the same as a onepoint test. However, the weighted grade system makes a test, quiz or exam worth substantially more than a homework assignment because tests and quizzes make up a percentage of the grade rather than a certain number of points.

“I don’t think there is a greater effect with weighted grades than there was before with total points,” AP Statistics teacher Kim Hammond said.

“The total points was designed so that a certain number of points was for tests and a certain number of points was for homework, so a weighted grade is basically the same thing.”

The opinions among teachers and students are divided. Teachers and

“I don’t think there is a greater effect with weighted grades then there was with total points.”

- Kim Hammond, teacher students both recognize that it makes grading more equal for students taking the same class but with different teachers. But learning how to use the new system is proving difficult for some teachers.

“I think it makes it more equal for

[students],” AP Calculus teacher Davis May said. “It doesn’t matter what teacher you have. For calculus, if you have any of the four teachers all the weights are the same.”

With the new weighted grades, all students taking the same classes will have equal chances to succeed.

However, like the teachers, it does take time for students to adjust to the change.

“I think it impacts me if I don’t do well on the test,” senior Bronwyn Neal said. “But I think all around it makes it a more even playing field because it’s the same for everyone.”

As the year continues, May said teachers will adjust to the new system.

It takes time to get used to change, he said, but in the end it will benefit the students.

“I think the con is that it’s gonna take everyone some time to get used to it,” May said. “Especially the teachers that never did it this way. I think it’s good for students because you guys know that all your grades are being weighed the same.”

7 October 2014 The Bear Facts

photo by Amanda Hendrix

Weighted grading system anchors itself to students

11

Profile

Inside

14 • Nick Layendecker 15 • Brett Garner 13 • Subschool 16 • Evan Granrud Principal

Next Month:

Italian exchange student

A Trip to the Land of the Rising Sun

Members from the National Japan Bowl visit Princess Takamado at her residence.

by Devon Lee - Staff Writer

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his past summer, some of LB’s Japanese students found themselves in a plane heading to Japan.

They were able to have a once-in-alifetime opportunity to visit Japan, to learn more about Japan’s culture and to put to practice what they learned in the classroom.

“Because my team and I placed in the Japan Bowl,” sophomore Mimi Le said, “My teammates and I had the

Left to right: Mimi Le, Julia Kelly, Chae Un Park and Japanese teacher Yuki Melvin at the Japanese Bowl Reception

photos courtesy of Yuki Melvin

chance to take a prepaid trip to Japan, we only had to pay for souvenirs.”

Japan Bowl is an annual academic competition for high school students who are learning Japanese. Le and her teammates placed third against Japanese students from all across the country.

Those who placed in the Japan Bowl weren’t the only ones to have this amazing opportunity. Other students had a different way of getting a chance to go to Japan. Some students were able to visit Japan because of

12 The Bear Facts 07 October 2014

Japanese teacher Keiko Abram’s, store, and we were alone. We were connections to Whitman High School, trying to go back to the hotel, but we a high school in Japan. A teacher from remembered the location of the hotel Whitman High School organized the because it was the tallest building trip, and the opportunity will not be in that area,” Park said. “But when available next year. However, LB’s we came out of the store, there were Japanese teachers are thinking about several tall buildings, and we didn’t organizing their own trip if there are know where to go. So we were lost enough people willing to pay to pay in Japan at 10 p.m., and it had just for it. started to rain. We eventually made “People from Japanese 1 to AP it back to the hotel with the help of a and even students who don’t take college student.”

Japanese were allowed to participate Mills stayed with two host families in the program,” junior Jennifer Mills during the course of three and a half said. weeks.

Le enjoyed her trip because she was “They were all very nice, and I able to directly apply the knowledge sent them postcards saying thank you she learned in when I got back, school to real but I haven’t life. heard from them I enjoyed learning about “I enjoyed yet,” Mills said. l e a r n i n g Le was able the daily lives of a typical about the to visit Tokyo, Japanese. I also enjoyed daily lives Osaka and Kyoto, the quietness, neatness of a typical all of which she Japanese,” enjoyed.

But and the uniformity of the Le said. “I out of the three, country. also enjoyed Tokyo and Osaka the quietness, stood out the n e a t n e s s most to her.

- Mimi Le, 10 and the “In Tokyo, I uniformity of was able to go to the country.” all these touristy While Le places like liked that cultural aspect of Japan, temples, museums and festivals, and Mills found other parts of Japan more Osaka is where my host family lives,” fascinating.

Le said. “But if I could go to Japan “You could really see the culture again, I would go see my host family through the temples and shrines,” and visit Tokyo again.”

Mills said.

For two days, Le stayed with a host family and was able to experience the daily life of Japanese people. She was able to effectively communicate with them, but they also spoke a little bit of English when she had some trouble understanding.

“When I was at my host family’s house, I wanted to play on their piano,” Le said. “I asked if I could play on the piano, but I accidentally used the wrong verb. So instead of asking, ‘Can I play the piano?’ I actually said, ‘Can I make a piano?’ The host mom just kind of starred at me, and it was a very funny experience.”

One of Le’s teammates, sophomore Chae Un Park, also had a memorable Left to right: Yuki Melvin, Chae Un Park, Julia Kelly, and Mimi Le pose in front of a historical moment during the trip.

“We went to a Japanese dollar Japanese palace

Junior Dequan Terry receives assistance from Holland. The new Subschool 6 principal, Bryan Holland, opens himself to students by helping students reach their full potential.

by Nikki Sheppard - Staff Writer

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or many years, high school students who frequented subschool 6, whether to turn in a note from their parents or to sign out from school early have seen Cynthia Prieto working in the office, but now there is a new face to greet these students: Bryan Holland. With a new member on the administration team, staff, students and the other administrators are eager to discover what Holland has to offer LB as the new subschool 6 principal. “[We plan to work with Mr. Holland] collaboratively,” subschool 4 principal Peter Kelly said. “He brings in fresh ideas, and he really fits in. Other students I’ve talked to said he was nice.

[As administration], we want to be approachable. I think he fits that model.

He’s going to fit LB well.”

LB students and staff have wondered what Holland thinks of education and how he plans to help the students of LB reach their full potential.

“I am excited to be at LB; the reputation of the students, teachers and administration is exceptional inside and out of Fairfax County,” Holland said.

“In my short time here, I have found

that the reputation is well-deserved. My and became an assistant principal at hopes and goals are simple: I want to be Franklin Middle School. I believe that an active member of Bruin Nation and middle school can be the toughest years make a positive difference in the lives of for students.” students, staff and parents.”

With Holland’s experience with Holland has 12 years of working in both a high school and middle school high school and six years of working in environment, he found himself best middle school. Because he is experienced suited to fit in well in a secondary school, in both middle where the two and high school environments environments, clash together “I am so excited to be he understands to make the h o w perfect range at Lake Braddock; the relationships in of ages to reputation of the students, middle school manage. form cliques in “ W h e n teachers, and administration high school.

I saw the “My career p o s i t i o n is exceptional inside and out started at here at LB, Chantilly High I thought of Fairfax County.“ School, where that with my I spent 12 years middle and - Bryan Holland, SS6 being heavily high school involved in the experiences principal high school that it would culture,” he be a good fit said. “I taught for us both,” marketing he said. “Now education, coached varsity boys’ soccer, I have the luxury of interacting and sponsored the SGA, and later became the getting to know middle and high school assessment coach. I then left Chantilly students in the same building.”

7 October 2014

photo by Aya Khazandar

New Year at LB, a New Face in SS6

The Bear Facts 13

senior Nick Layendecker

Dropping a beat, dropping the skateboard and he broke off from his parents’ more traditional musical talents.However, this new interest took the back seat when he Performing music and landing gigs discovered a new passion. at popular concert venues is something “After quitting violin after six most high school students can only years, I was playing electric guitar, dream of. For senior Nick Layendecker, planning on going in the direction of however, this has become a reality. music my siblings influenced me into,” Layendecker is no stranger to musical Layendecker said. “Music for me was talent. Both his parents possess immense always there even when I branched out musical talent. His father is a pianist, a through [skateboarding]. I would watch former Air Force band conductor and professional skate videos that had a lot George Mason University’s School of of hip-hop or punk-rock music in them, Music director, while his mother is a and then imagine my own skate video violinist. His family history influenced with a picked-out song.” his interest in music from a young age.

When Layendecker began to face “[My mom] got me started on the slipping grades in his middle school violin,” Layendecker said, “which I years, an opportunity to reignite his passion for music presented itself.

“It’s about the middle of the year in Mr. Katz’s civics class, and I was aiming at a grade of a D, and the only way I could bump this grade up was to do an extra credit assignment: ‘Make a Rap about the Preamble.’ I said, ‘YES, I can do that.’ I stepped into class with a Mickey Avalon instrumental on my little ghettoblasters and started rapping my verse to the class,” Layendecker said, “Everyone was so hyped, and they told me how good it was.”

Later, Layendecker was once again influenced by his peers and, as a result, his passion for music was fully reignited.

“Fast forwarding to when I’m 15… it was when I met Neel [Pillai] at the end of ninth grade,” Layendecker said, “He kind of got me back on board with continuing music, and particularly rap. Everyday I’d be at his house with new lines that really kind of sucked, but I definitely feel like I got a better grip on things…I also started making beats. The traditional way of making them is sample-based and steers away from actually playing instruments and knowing the music entirely.”

At this point, Layendecker’s roots in music began to resurface.

“I’ve actually gone to playing classic piano so I can better understand how music indeed works, but of course I still keep up with the simple repetitive beats everyone loves, and I love as well,” Layendecker said, “Neel and I have formed our own rap group, [called ADHD], and we’ve been in the During his free time senior Nick Layendecker (bottom) skates through the streets of Burke seeking any long process of just getting a certain opportunity to improve his skills. Layendecker (right) was inspired by professional skate videos that sound we feel attracted to. School tires used hip-hop and punk-rock music. Layendecker (left) continues to make music with his rap group and us out, but we try to create as much music as we can, but all I’m going to imagines himself to skating to his own song one day. say is senior year is ours.”

by Marianne Beveridge - Staff Writer

photo courtesy of Nick Layendecker

14

The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

despised at age 6.”

The presence of elder siblings in the Layendecker household introduced Nick to new genres of music.

“I also grew up with five siblings in the house, three of which listened to the music I know about now, such as punk-rock, hip-hop, alternative, and a lot of 90s-2000s stuff up until now,” Layendecker said. “Any trip we’d take to D.C. to see my dad in concert, I’d bring my Spongebob CD player in the car with the Sum 41 Does This Look Infected disc in it or just music my parents didn’t even know I listened to.”

Layendecker’s introduction to new music resulted in an intense interest in it,

From LB to JMU, now coming back Brett Garner continues to bleed purple and gold after graduating LB and returning as a staff member

by Maddie Sievers - Staff Writer

A

s an alumnus from Lake Braddock and James Madison University, it seems Brett Garner, the new Systems of Support Advisor, is determined to bleed purple and gold forever.

Although it is not widely known what exactly his new job is, rumors that Garner has taken over as dean of students are false.

“Mr. Henderson’s job was the dean of students, and we do have a dean of students here,” Garner said. “I work hand in hand with Mrs. Rottenecker [current interim assistant principal and dean of students] helping to support students who are having issues with attendance...[However] I [also] figure out a way to help and support them with whatever they should need to get them in school.”

His experience as a student helps Garner relate to the students. During his days at LB, Garner not only excelled in athletics, including varsity baseball, but also in academics.

“What drove me here at LB was athletics,” Garner said. “My goal was to always play baseball, so I knew I had to take care of my business in school.”

His skills in baseball earned him offers to play for many large Virginian schools such as ODU, VCU and JMU, but ultimately he chose JMU. There, he became the starting catcher and senior-

year captain of the baseball team.

Winning many athletic-scholar awards, he kept his focus on school because he knew he needed a backup plan in case professional baseball did not pan out.

After graduating with a degree from the Physical Health and Education Teacher Education program, he came back to where his family and home was: Burke. To him, the transition back to Lake Braddock was one that came naturally.

“When I heard there was an opening [at LB], there was no way I wasn’t

“When I heard there was an opening at LB, there was no way I wasn’t going to come back here because I had such a fantastic experience being a student here.”

-Brett Garner, systems of support adviser going to come back here because I had such a fantastic experience being a student here,” Garner said. “It was a no-brainer.”

The transition from student to staff was eased when Garner became re-

involved with athletics as the head coach of varsity golf and an assistant coach for varsity baseball.

After four years as a physical education teacher, the time came for Garner to take the next step in his career.

The newly created job of Systems of Support Adviser opened a position that Garner felt his abilities in connecting with students would prosper.

“He’s good [at] that... [and] at keeping people in line,” sophomore Lamont Atkins said.

Atkins had Garner as his P.E. teacher for the past two years.

Although not all the students know him as well as Atkins, they do have a faith in his abilities.

“He seems caring, [that] he’ll be able to...catch on fast,” junior Malena Dicson said.

In his current position, Garner provides more personal support for the students than he would as dean of students.

“I can sum up my new job in two phrases: To support teachers and to provide support and interventions for students,” Garner said.

With his new position, he has the ability to create his own “class” by making connections with different students.

“Because I went here and I understand the good and bad things that Lake Braddock brings, I can connect with [the students] better,” Garner said.

photos by Amanda Hendrix (;eft) and Elspeth Ripley (right)

Systems of Support Adviser Brett Garner high-fives sophomore Julia Manuel (right). Garner (left) meets with teachers.

7 October 2014 The Bear Facts 15

Real men cheer: Granrud joins LBVC

by Anne Merrill - Staff Writer

T

he cheerleaders walk onto the track every Friday evening before the start of the game as the sun sets behind the tennis courts. As the fans scan the crowd from right to left they notice something different about the team this year: Junior Evan Granrud is the only male cheerleader on the team.

“I’m very excited to perform our routine at the pep rally, to compete at districts, and show all the other schools that the Lake Braddock cheer team is going to get first this year.”

- Evan Granrud, 11 “I decided I wanted to try cheer after I went and saw the team compete at districts last year,” Granrud said. “They looked like they were having so much fun, and their routine looked amazing.”

Lake Braddock Varsity Cheer is usually a team of all girls, but in the past three years it has had two different male cheerleaders. Matt Clift, who graduated in 2014, joined the team in 2012, and

Granrud is on the team this year.

“I really don’t mind [being the only guy on the team],” Granrud said. “I’m really close with a lot of the girls on the team, so a lot of times I don’t even notice.

But it would be nice to have another guy to chat with at practice.”

Granrud’s teammate, senior Taylor Day, said people in the past have been closed-minded towards male cheerleaders and often stereotyped them simply because of the sport they chose to participate in.

“Since this [closed-mindedness] has started to slowly dissipate, I think most guys have the confidence and tenacity to become a part of this sport,” Day said.

The addition of Granrud to LBVC has brought a reassuring confidence to the team. He is able to support and motivate the rest of the team and installs a sense of fearlessness in everyone.

“The best part about having Evan on the team is that he’s probably one of the most motivational and hilarious guys out there,” freshman Krista Vanderpuye said.

“So he adds a lot of extra personality to the squad. I can’t imagine LB Cheer without him.”

This is Granrud’s first year of cheer; prior to this year he had never participated in the sport. Granrud began cheerleading during green days at the end of last May and was put on the varsity team at the end

photos courtesy of Gregg Zelkin

Junior Evan Granrud (bottom) looks out at the football field awaiting the chance to cheer and show his spirit along side cheermate junior Samantha Orellana. Granrud (top right) works with his stunting team of Samantha Orellana and Riley Renzi to cheer on the Bruins. Granrud and Orellana lift Renzi (bottom right) in the air.

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The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

of tryouts in August.

“Sometimes, I think we all forget that it’s Evan’s first year on LBVC because we’ve gotten so much out of him since the first green day,” Day said. “For someone who basically learned an entire new sport in a matter of months, he’s doing an incredible job.”

The cheer season continues through the rest of the fall, and LBVC can be seen under the Friday night lights cheering on the Bruins or at the various competitions and pep rallies throughout the year.

“I’m very excited to perform our routine at the pep rally and [to] compete at districts and show all the other schools that the Lake Braddock cheer team is going to get first this year,” Granrud said.

Arts

Inside 18 • Teen Activism 19 • Fall Movie Preview

Pages 20 and 21:

Lake Braddock’s Fantastic Photography

LBT to perform ‘1984’ and ‘Rumors’

by Jake Gold - Staff Writer

Senior Zach Peek (top) speaks during rehearsal for 1984. Theater students (middle) go through a warm-up activity during class. Theater students do an exercise (bottom) before rehearsing in class.

7 October 2014

photos by Jake Gold

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ake Braddock’s thespians convened on the afternoon of Sept. 8 for theater information, games and most importantly, the announcement of this coming year’s theater season. Lake Braddock Theatre, informally known as LBT, is entering its 42nd year of performances. This season’s lineup consists of 1984 in the fall and Rumors in the spring, in addition to their “laboratory” winter production of Fully Committed and the one-act productions, De Dondé and Of Mice and Men. After a brief slideshow hinting at a performance of Much Ado About Nothing with a Guardians of the Galaxy twist, theater director R.L. Mirabal revealed the actual performances that LBT will be showing this year. But that wasn’t the biggest surprise of the afternoon. Mirabal told the applauding audience that the Cappies show will be performed in the fall instead of its usual spring showing.

The Cappies, a group of student theater critics, attend the season’s best show. In this case, it is 1984, a story about a rebel in a totalitarian, dystopian world.

“I decided to take the earlier Cappies slot,” Mirabal said.

“So I wanted something that would draw everyone in. 1984 will do that.”

The theater participants were as excited as Mirabal and his executive board had hoped they would be. As the video announcement unfolded, the clapping and cheering did not stop.

“This season is gonna kill,” said senior Levi Meerovich, cast as O’Brien in 1984. “We have three shows that will utilize this year’s talent.”

Another lead, senior Marissa Chaffee (portraying Julia in 1984), shared Meerovich’s excitement.

“It is going to be stellar,” Chaffee said. “I think that since we have such a big new cast…It’s going to be awesome.”

The executive board was delighted with the season’s program as well.

“I’m really excited,” junioe Kyle Dannahey said. “I think it’s gonna be our best season in awhile.”

The group spoke animatedly about the performance of 1984 in particular. 1984, based off a novel with the same name by George Orwell, has become iconic in the world of government surveillance and security.

“You read it in English, and now it’s on stage,” junior Idan Woodruff said.

Auditions for 1984 were held on Sept. 15, and the cast list was finalized on Sept. 19. “[Auditions] were really interesting because I didn’t realize how much of a range some people had,” said stage manager Tonia Tempesta, senior. “I was really surprised. I thought they went really great.”

After the initial read-through, Meerovich’s excitement did nothing but grow.

“I loved hearing everyone take on all their roles. The cast sounds great, and I know this show is gonna be awesome,” Meerovich said. “We’re gonna be putting in a lot of work to make sure it will be the very best it can.”

The Bear Facts 17

celebrities fight to erase indifference Beyonce, others help highlight feminism and homelessness to next generation

by Kinaya Hassane - Staff Writer

E

photo courtesy of MCT Campus

very year, the MTV Video Music Awards leaves some sort of mark on the public memory because of an outrageous display. In 2001, Britney Spears featured an Albino Burmese python in her performance. In 2009, Kanye West hijacked Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech. This year lacked one specific event that will go down in history, but there was one unlikely, recurring theme: activism.

Bombarding otherwise apathetic young people with these messages would seem futile, but organizations and celebrities have taken a new approach. An anti-smoking organization called “The Truth” aired creative, eye-catching ads featuring photos of prominent celebrities with cigarettes in hand calling them “unpaid tobacco spokespeople.” In addition to this, they called on teens to take action in the “revolution” against teen smoking (which has fallen from 23 to 9 percent since 2000) by changing their Facebook profile picture and sharing the #FinishIt ads via email or Twitter.

During the show itself, Miley Cyrus, instead of accepting her award for Video of the Year, sent her date, a homeless young man, to accept the trophy on her behalf. He gave a brief speech on the plight of homeless teens in Los Angeles and how Cyrus was enlisting her fans to help the cause. Most memorably, Beyoncé, during the performance of her song “Flawless”, made a very strong feminist declaration, garnering a lot of the

18 The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

attention on social media that night and the day after.

“I think the [homeless] adolescents topic was pretty interesting to see because I feel like not many people think of teens becoming homeless,” sophomore Sana Ahmed said.

These tactics raise the question of whether or not teens really pay attention to the issues brought to light, however.

“People were surprised by what she [Cyrus] did, and I think that it sent a positive message. But Beyoncé’s performance appealed more to the audience,” sophomore Lisa Ringwood said. “I also believe that people are more focused on feminism than the problem of being homeless because of social media.

So in the end, I think that both messages were great, but Beyoncé’s performance made more of a statement.”

So teens may be listening, but does this new technique of making activism more glamorous make them genuinely care?

“It’s an interesting tactic that more organizations are looking into marketing toward teens or gaining their support, but there are definitely obstacles in the way,” said senior Eriko Spurlock, founder of the LB Students for Gender Equality, “one of the main ones being indifference.”

As shown by the wildly successful ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, there was varying interest in the actual cause; young people were often completing the challenge because they felt obligated. But despite the lack of awareness, the end likely justifies the means as organizations and celebrities are able to spread their causes and achieve their goals by making activism attractive to an otherwise apathetic audience.

Promotional posters for three of the most anticapated movies of the fall: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Interstellar and Gone Girl.

by Daniel Jarris - Staff Writer

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ith the summer coming to an end, so are the big money blockbusters.

Oscar season is approaching, and with it will come the release of the premier titles of the year.

Look out for the release of the following movies in the coming months.

Gone Girl (Oct. 3) In David Fincher’s new thriller, Ben Affleck portrays a husband whose wife has disappeared. Upon investigation, it appears as if the husband may have murdered his wife. Will he be able to proclaim his innocence?

The main selling point of this film is the director, David Fincher. Fincher is yet to disappoint, with previous titles such as Fight Club, The Social Network and House of Cards. Look for a strong performance from Ben Affleck.

Fury (Oct. 17) In his highly-anticipated action movie, director David Ayer looks to accurately portray the last months of the European Theater of World War II and highlight how war pushes the ethical boundaries of soldiers. After his iconic performance in Inglourious Basterds,

Brad Pitt returns to the front lines of the Second World War to command a tank platoon of five misfit soldiers.

With similar enunciation to his character in Inglourious Basterds, Pitt will have to make sure to distance his new character, Wardaddy, from Aldo Raine. This movie looks incredibly promising and is sure to give a raw, powerful look into war.

Birdman (Oct. 17) Michael Keaton takes center stage in this satirical film about a washed up Hollywood star attempting to make a comeback on Broadway. After his role as “Birdman,” Keaton’s character’s career began to tank. Realizing that he has majorily fallen off, he struggles to make himself relevant once again.

After it debuted in August at the Venice Film Festival, Birdman received a great amount of praise. Although it may not be as widely anticipated as many of the other listed movies, Alejandro G. Inarritu’s film may be one of the surprises of the season.

Interstellar (Nov. 7) In this science fiction film, a wormhole is discovered, allowing people to travel through spacetime. A collaborative effort is put forth to harness

the advantages of this discovery. We follow the protagonist Cooper, portrayed

by Matthew McConaughey, as he leaves behind his two children to journey into the unknown.

Out of all the fall blockbusters, Nolan’s Interstellar is probably the most highly anticipated. It has been almost a year since the first trailer was released in December 2013, and the excitement has been building ever since. McConaughey and Jessica Chastain take the lead along with Nolan regulars, including Anne Hathaway and Michael Caine. This film appears as if it may win the director his fourth Oscar.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (Nov. 21) After the dramatic end to Catching Fire, The Hunger Games returns with the second-to-last installment of the series.

In this film, Katniss Everdeen is declared an enemy of the state as she takes part in a revolution against The Capital and seeks to rescue Peta from their grasp.

With the return of the same cast and director, viewers of the franchise know what to expect from Jennifer Lawrence and Co. Expect this film to live up to the hype created by the first two movies of the franchise.

7 October 2014

The Bear Facts

photos courtesy of Lions Gate Entertainment, Paramount studios, 20th Century Fox

5 movies to watch for this fall

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Photography (top left) by senior Colleen Murphy, (top right) by senior Elena Simon, (bottom left) by junior Karlyn Crum and (bottom right) by senior Daniel Jarris.

Lake Braddock’s Fantastic Photography

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his year Bruin Publications will be introducing a photo board outside of room L202 to promote photography and give the photographers of the school a place to display their work.

Open to all students and faculty, anyone who wishes to submit their pieces to the board should contact a Bruin Publications staff member or teacher in 7 October 2014

The Bear Facts

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L202. Physical submissions require the photographer’s full name on the back so that they may be returned or collected later.

In addition to the board, the Bear Facts newspaper will include a page in the Arts section each issue to display LB’s best submissions of the month.

Anyone wanting to have their work displayed in the paper should submit

digitally. This requires the owner to send them via direct message to our twitter account @breakingbruin, or to our Facebook via the messaging system. Each photo should include a brief description for the publication. All submissions will be reviewed prior to the publication of the paper and photos that get published is by choice of the staff.

Photography (top left) by senior Daniel Jarris, (top right) by senior Colleen Murphy, (middle left) by Jarris, (middle right) by junior Karlyn Crum, (bottom left) by senior Carly Shapiro and (bottom right) by Crum.

7 October 2014

The Bear Facts 21

Comment

Inside

24 • 25 • 23 • College Essay 26 • 23 • Net Neutrality 27 •

Domestic Abuse Michael Brown Obama and ISIS Defeating ISIS

Bruin Block: Change too extreme The Bruin Connection

by Paul Barnhill - Comment Editor

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he changes made to the high school Bruin Block system have not been well accepted by students. The Bruin Block system used by middle school students for the past two years has now been put into effect for high schoolers. Under this system, students are assigned a location to go to during Bruin Block on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The only day that students are allowed to choose where they go for Bruin Block is on Wednesdays, when the period lasts for 50 minutes rather than 30. A new “eighth period” Bruin Block has been created as well where students attend third period and engage in silent and sustained reading.

The lack of choice with regards to where

The Bruin Connection is a regular feature in The Bear Facts that addresses schoolwide issues at LB.

high school students can go for Bruin Block four out of five days a week has been quite unpopular.

The students of Lake Braddock generally loved the system of Bruin Block where they could choose where they would go the entire school week. If a student had to make up a missed assignment or receive help on material they didn’t understand, he or she could walk into that teacher’s class for Bruin Block and do said assignment. They could also receive needed one-on-one instruction any day of the week instead of having to go after school or waiting until Bruin Block on Wednesday.

“Students had a freedom not seen outside of a college campus,” principal Dave Thomas said.

Two years ago, the assigned location system was introduced to the middle school students, and was met with positive reviews from middle school teachers.

“I think it’s helpful to [middle school] students because some students had trouble deciding what’s important for them; sometimes they would go to hang

photo by Andrew Clinton

Senior Brandon White is just one of many kids that are frustrated with this new Bruin Block policy. It has interfered with student work and flexibility.

22 The Bear Facts

7 October 2014

out with their friends,” eighth grade science teacher Eric Eichelberger said. “If they’re given a little bit of guidance on where they should go, I think it helps them make sure they’re completely caught up in all their classes.”

So why did the system so adored by high school students change? Thomas said it was an issue of accountability. During Bruin Block, some students would not be in any of their classes and could not be found on school grounds. Locating students during Bruin Block in case of an urgent issue was difficult and timeconsuming because attendance was poorly recorded and enforced.

While there was definitely an accountability issue involving Bruin Block last year, it wasn’t necessary to take it to the extreme. The exact same accountability issue still exists on Wednesdays, as students do not write down where they are going for Bruin Block with their morning teachers, and therefore they are still difficult to locate during that time. The new system has unwarrantedly limited the useful freedom every day of all high school students, and it hasn’t solved the accountability problem of a few in return; the problem has simply been mitigated to one day a week. Moving towards a more open system would not only return back some of the freedom students feel they deserve when they’re almost adults, but it could more effectively solve the accountability problem than the current implementation as well.

Instead of assigning students to a certain Bruin Block, the administration could have made it a bigger issue for teachers to make sure their students not only signed up for Bruin Block, but also turned in their sign-in sheets to administration so students who lied about where they were going could be disciplined accordingly.

This would have solved the accountability issue involving Bruin Block if teachers cooperated and made it a big issue for students.

The UnCommon APP

by Nan Denette - Guest Writer

I

read the first page of David Foster Wallace’s 1079 page novel Infinite Jest in November of my sophomore year. I was stopped when my dad, standing in the doorway, laughed and said dryly “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I wasn’t.

“It’s fascinating so far,” I explained, wishing I had some dark-framed reading glasses to take off in annoyance as I closed the book and looked up at him. “I’m in English Honors, you know.” Dad shook his head, and returned a minute later with a smaller paperback. “These are some of Wallace’s essays. Why don’t you start with something more manageable.” I sighed, picking up the book and thumbing through it. 213 pages.

I looked at the larger book in my lap (that, in hindsight, made me look like a toddler stomping around in her parent’s oversized shoes) and decided, grudgingly, to take Dad’s advice.

One novel, eight short stories, and many essays later, I was thoroughly convinced that Mr. Wallace was the only person who understood humanity’s great and terrible flaws. I plucked words out of everything from Big Red Son to Broom of the System, taking phrases like “banal platitude”, “transcendence of sentiment” or “capital-T Truth” and forcing them anywhere I could.

The Uncommon App showcases the college essays of current and former LB students.

This, unfortunately, earned me quite a few red-penned question marks on essays the following months. But I didn’t care. I was finally ready to start page 2.

I decided the extra three pounds I carried in my backpack were definitely worth being able to pull this literary leviathan out at lunch just so people would see me reading it. I soon realized, however, that Infinite Jest wasn’t the type of book that you could jump in and out of any time.

It demanded a comfortable armchair or a table at a coffee shop, and much more than five or ten minutes at a time. Because of this, my bookmark didn’t pass page 91.

I would try again every few weeks, but no matter how hard I pushed I couldn’t make my way through the two-inch brick of paper and into the world of the Enfield Tennis Academy and Hal and those two detectives, whatever their names were, and the meth addict from chapter two, andgod, why couldn’t I remember any more of the characters? They had all felt so lifechangingly important when I was reading about them, but now they were just strange, misshapen fragments of something I could no longer piece together. What was the Jest? What was so Infinite about it? What was the man taking meth for 59 straight pages going to teach me about the human condition? Eventually, I resigned myself to

The Futurist

not knowing. As it sat on my desk collecting dust, Infinite Jest turned into a symbol for failure, and I kicked myself for failing to get through even a tenth of it.

There was absolutely nothing I wanted more than to read the final sentence of the novel, sit back in my chair, and feel the harsh realizations, the tragic heartbreak, the imminent gravity of everything Mr. Wallace had poured into this elaborate universe of a book. Surely, I told myself, absorbing this sheer magnitude of aureate prose would saturate me with literary brilliance through some kind of ink-and-paper osmosis.

(The meth-addict character had become strangely relatable.) I wasn’t enjoying any parts, just grasping at the whole and failing miserably. I had been reading Infinite Jest in a desperate attempt at enlightenment.

And that’s not what reading should be. It’s supposed to be exciting, fun, challenging, and every other type of rewarding there is.

As long as the experience is about the novel itself, and not the grandiose idea of it.

I still haven’t finished Infinite Jest. I have 821 pages left, but I’m in no hurry. I am not setting out to finish 821 more pages of heavy prose; I’m setting out to finish a novel.

Nan Denette is freshman at the College of Wooster and this essay was submitted as her Common App essay.

The Futurist will focus on technological innovation.

Net neutrality: The foundation of modern liberty

by Zelgai Saleh- Staff Writer

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osing the battle for net neutrality, free and open data access, could very well mean the end of the internet as we know it. In the next couple of months, easy access to information and entertainment for the everyday consumer of the internet could be a thing of the past.

Huge companies like Times Warner and Comcast have continually overstepped their bounds and have shown little to no regard to their customers. They’ve showed interest only in making money. The loss of net neutrality is just another way for these companies to make more money at the

expense of their customers who in many cases don’t have another choice.

Many probably don’t know how the loss of net neutrality would affect your daily lives. Imagine going online to try to order some Chipotle, but it’s so slow that you can’t even connect. Then you go to look up where the nearest Taco Bell is as a reluctant alternative, and the connection to Taco Bell’s website is blazing fast. Why? Because without net neutrality, companies can basically sell “speed” to the highest bidder.

If Taco Bell decides to pay Comcast and Chipotle doesn’t, the scenario above could become a reality. This could happen with Netflix, Hulu, Facebook, Twitter and many, many more places across the internet.

The end of net neutrality means the end of free and open internet. It will mean the end of unrestricted information travel. The era of free and open information will end.

The consequences will be devastating.

You’ll only be able to view data from companies that pay the most; you’ll only be able to consume entertainment from the richest and more powerful companies.

Imagine only being able to watch movies and TV shows that pay for fast lanes or being able to stream music from artists that can afford the fee to have their music expedited. These companies have already taken so many steps to destroy all the good things about the internet, the principles the internet was founded upon. This is the last step. Don’t let them destroy the internet as we know it. Stand up and take action.

Two months ago Senator Ron Wyden wrote on Reddit: “Speak up and tell the FCC to protect the freedom to compete online & to preserve the Internet as a platform for speech, learning, & commerce. Your voices matter.” You can always write your congressmen and you can submit comments to the FCC at: www.fcc.gov/comments. Make sure your voice is heard.

7 October 2014

The Bear Facts 23

Beyond Good and Evil

Beyond Good and Evil highlights moral, ethical and religious issues in society.

Domestic Violence: Not a black and white issue

by Kinaya Hassane- Staff Writer

“

photo by Fox/MCT Campus

If he even raises a hand at you, leave.”

Every young woman is familiar with this mantra. But as obvious as it sounds, statistics show that it’s much easier said than done.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, abused women will leave their partners nearly seven times before they leave permanently. Despite this statistic and many others that paint a very vivid portrait of domestic violence, people have publicly attacked Janay Rice after her recent defense of her husband, former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, on Instagram. What the public lacks is a basic understanding of abuse, and if society were more educated on this issue, the treatment of Janay Rice would be entirely different.

The most alarming signal of society’s complete ignorance regarding domestic violence is reflected in the NFL’s inquiry into the elevator incident during which Janay Rice was knocked unconscious by her then-fiancé. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called a meeting after learning about the incident to question her. The event was hardly private; Rice was surrounded by several men, including her husband. She proceeded to blame herself for the incident claiming that she had fallen during the fight, thus knocking herself out.

The inclusion of the perpetrator in this meeting is already appalling enough, but what’s even more shocking is that Goodell accepted this explanation and gave Ray Rice a slap on the wrist with a meager two-game suspension. Anyone who understands domestic violence even to a basic degree would know better than to place a victim in the same room as her abuser and expect her to recount what happened in an honest way.

In response to Janay Rice’s angry Instagram post in which she defended her husband, people have questioned her judgement asking why she married him after the incident and why she took to the

24 The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

social media site to stand up for the very man who punched her in the face. But we can’t criticize women who choose to stay with their abusers, although leaving them is what we believe to be common sense. In situations of domestic abuse, all common sense flies out the window. Battered women’s loved ones, people they trusted deeply, are the ones hurting them in every manner possible through physical abuse and manipulation. As the popular hashtag “#WhyIStayed” has shown, most women in abusive relationships are constrained by the fear of stigmatization, humiliation, and the inkling of hope that their partners will change.

Not only must Janay Rice be experiencing denial, but she’s probably also faced with the dilemma of her husband’s indefinite unemployment and the risk of leaving him, which could both endanger her and throw a wrench into their son’s life. Her decision to marry and stand by the man who physically assaulted her may come across as a bad example to

young women everywhere, but society needs to stop portraying both women and men in situations of domestic violence as foolish or weak.

In situations of domestic abuse, all common sense flies out the window.

Instead of making their actions examples of what not to do, we need to teach victims to seek help. By entitling ourselves to these uninformed opinions on a complicated issue, we are creating a hostile, victim-blaming environment where more and more people will never feel safe enough to take the steps necessary to escape these toxic relationships.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice smiles before a pre-season game Aug. 23 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.

Beyond Good and Evil

Murder is murder: Why character doesn’t matter

W

hat determines the value of one’s life? Does it fluctuate based on their success in school? Or whether he or she had a sense of humor or a short temper? As absurd as this seems out of context, all of these things were implied in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s murder last month. The press focus on his past is not only futile: It is racially charged and destructive. His past, or anyone’s for that matter, does not make his murder any more just.

In the wake of the killing in Ferguson, the so-called robbery committed by Brown was talked about everywhere. In the hours prior to his death, Brown was seen stealing a box of cigars from a local convenience store. Stills of the incident were released by the police and shown on every major news network, as if this petty crime was a major part of his murder.

This misdemeanor has been vastly blown out of proportion. The police officer who

to find sense in senseless killing. In no situation should an unarmed teen be shot to death, especially by a law enforcement officer. By fixating on the microscopic details of the victim, resources and attention are being taken away from the actual problem at hand. It was the police officer who killed Brown, not Brown who got himself killed. He just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It could’ve been anybody in his situation.

What he did or didn’t do in the previous 18 years of his life did not play a part in his death, so why should it be plastered on the front page of every major news source?

We, the viewers, cannot allow the media to get away with this. Just like any other business, the purpose of the news is to make money, which is constantly usurping the creation of quality content as the primary goal of networks. By tolerating the media’s focus on trivial details, we are essentially telling them that it is okay to forego the concrete, relevant evidence. The only way to stop this from occurring is to demand nothing less than quality content. We must ignore these biased reports in hope that it will cause the ratings to plummet. Only if news stations see that they cannot get away with this sub-par, tabloidesque coverage will they produce respectable content.

Protester Anthony Shahid leads marchers as they confront Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers in front of the Ferguson, Missouri, police station on Monday, Aug. 11, the day after the rioting and looting began.

7 October 2014

The Bear Facts

photos by Cohen/MCT Campus

by Daniel Jarris - Staff Writer

shot Brown, Darren Wilson, was unaware of the shoplifting incident, so how is it relevant to the coverage? This event was used to draw the conclusion that he was a bad kid, that he was going to go on to be a menace to society. This is disgraceful.

It is as if he was given the death sentence for shoplifting.

In an Aug. 25 New York Times article titled “Michael Brown Spent Last Weeks Grappling with Problems and Promise,” the author, John Eligon, said that Brown is “no angel” and “dabbled in drugs and alcohol.” Later in the article, the author changed his tone and said, “He was pointed...towards a successful life.”

This article is poor journalism at best, offensive and victim-blaming at worst.

Why does any of this matter? Brown’s character doesn’t change the fact that an unarmed teen was shot and killed by a police officer.

Humans are dynamic; we change.

One’s past does not determine one’s future. A high school valedictorian may go on to a live a life of crime. Likewise, someone with a criminal record in their younger years can go on to succeed and greatly benefit society. Brown was young. His life wasn’t destined to go one way or the other because of his previous actions, so dwelling on them is trivial.

The focus on Brown’s past takes away from the tragedy that occurred. It tries

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Battleground USA

Battleground USA, a regular column of the Bear Facts, focuses on national news and issues.

President not justified in actions against ISIS

by Alex Nesterovich- Staff Writer

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n order to combat the Islamic State, President Obama said he would order a “systematic campaign of airstrikes” and commit 475 servicemembers to Iraq.

Citing the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) law passed on Sept. 14, 2001, President Obama said he has “the authority to address the threat from ISIL.” Though he said he would rather work with Congress to defeat the terrorist organization, it is important to examine his claim that he has the authority to combat the Islamic State without congressional approval. While the Islamic State certainly poses a threat to stability in the region, is the AUMF enough to conduct attacks against the group?

President Obama’s assertion that he has the authority to commit force to the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters along a frontline position protect the main highway between Kurdish occupied Kirkuk and the capital of the Kurdish Regional Government in Irbil.

photos by Prothero(top) and Douliery(bottom)/MCT Campus

President Obama reacts after the U.S. Senate approved his plan for training and arming moderate Syrian rebels to battle Islamic State militants on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, at the White House in Washington, D.C.

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7 October 2014

region may be on thin ice. The 2001 law passed by all but three Congress members allows for the President to use all force necessary to combat people and groups found to have “authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.” The law was not written to be an enduring, broad authorization for the use of force towards any target deemed dangerous. The law was written directly in response to 9/11, authorizing attacks only toward Al-Qaeda and Al-Qaeda affiliates.

To call the Islamic State an AlQaeda affiliate would be a stretch at best. In the wake of the beheading of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri said, “[Al-Qaeda] does not have an organizational relationship with [the Islamic State] and is not the group responsible for their actions”. The Islamic State has gone far beyond the ruthlessness demonstrated in the past by Al-Qaeda, slaying anyone deemed even the slightest threat to the group’s mission to establish

an Islamic caliphate.

While the rapidly growing threat of the Islamic State makes it appealing to interpret the use of force law in a way that would justify an attack, the wording of the law should not be stretched to be able to justify use of force against any group deemed dangerous.

President Obama said himself that “we can’t erase every trace of evil from the world,” so why is military force the standard solution every time a threat emerges?

Clearly, the Islamic State presents a danger that will continue to grow if not addressed, but surely it detracts from the value of written law when a broad use of force law is justification for attacks on a group unrelated to Al-Qaeda.

The President and Congress must find another way to address the threat of the Islamic State, because narrow use of force laws written 13 years ago in response to attacks from an unrelated group are not enough to justify relatively large scale attacks on the Islamic State.

The Modern World

The Modern World, a regular column of the Bear Facts, focuses on international issues.

No clear choices in battle with ISIS

D

uring the last four years I’ve been to Turkey three times, volunteered at a refugee camp twice, and crossed the Syrian border once. I’ve seen people who’ve faced war and death time after time as their countries were ravaged by forces inside and outside their borders. And time and time again, I’ve heard people calling for the United States to either take down General What’s-his-Face, and people calling for the United States to stay out of “our” business.

What Americans tend to do is see the Middle East as a black-and-white issue. Either we go in there guns blazing or we timidly stand down; either

Shiite militiamen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada Sadr enter Amirli, Iraq, on Monday, Sept. 1 after helping to liberate the town from a nearly three-month siege by Islamic State militants.

penetrated deep into the heart of Syria and Iraq, capturing weapons, and modern engines of war. These aren’t poor radicals depending on scraps from kings and princes in the Middle East; these men have tanks and anti-aircraft batteries, battle hardened warriors and recruits from all over the world.

A group of men that have no qualms about killing aid workers and civilians and have dared the world to take them on.

The fact of the matter is that entering the Middle East is a difficult decision for the U.S. government, and the Islamic State has thrown the West a metaphorical curveball. The IS is smart and strong and is willing to do whatever it takes to impose its corrupted version of Islam across the The United States is unprepared to handle the problem of ISIS, as this political cartoon Levant and ultimately shows. There is no clear solution to this problem. the Middle East. In a

show of brazen boldness, they executed two American citizens and invited the United States to enact its wrath.

The problem is, this isn’t an issue that will be solved by concentrated airstrikes, as Obama might believe. His proposal for an international coalition, for airstrikes against ISIS targets, can be nothing more than a stopgap measure. Promising to “not put boots on the ground” is a noble endeavor, but it is ultimately what’s going to be needed to combat an enemy that numbers in the tens of thousands. And in the end, there’s a good chance that no matter what we do, there’s going to be backlash from the international community.

This isn’t a black-and-white issue like many Americans believe. If we do nothing, the IS will continue its conquest unabated and entering into another war will only cause more problems.

The Islamic State might fly a black flag, but the issues surrounding it are colored gray.

7 October 2014

The Bear Facts

photos by Beeler (bottom) and Bengali (top)/MCT Campus

by Bunyamin Sevim - Staff Writer

we respect sovereignty or we protect the people of the region.

Both camps have their own merits, of course. In the early 2000s, we took down Saddam Hussein, a dictator who had no qualms about gassing his own people. Of course, the Iraq war led to the deaths of thousands of American soldiers, and tens of thousands (or hundreds of thousands, depending on the source of your statistic) of Iraqis, be they soldiers, terrorists and civilians.

It could have been much worse; Hussein would most definitely had stayed in power without the United States intervening. But since 2001, it hasn’t gotten much better for the Iraqi people.

Enter a group of men preaching the word of the Prophet, men who start wiring villages for electricity and building roads, men who declare, for the first time since the Ottoman Empire, a Caliph.

Enter the Islamic State.

Made up of the Islamic hardliners that were too radical for even Al Qaeda, ISIS has

27

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The max photos and words are merely guidelines. For example, if you increase the number of photos, you’ll want to decrease the number of words and vice versa. Not sure? Come to Senior Ad Night on Oct. 8, and let us design it right in front of your eyes!

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Please send your meesage to lbseniorads@gmail.com and include your senior’s name in the subject line. Remember to adhere to the guidelines on the number of words as listed above. Consider a greeting (“Our Dearest Sophie”) and a salutation (“Love, Mom & Dad”).

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1 $50

2 $95

Submit Your Photos

Submitting Digital Photos: Save photos at resolution of 300 dpi. Files must be in .tiff

or .jpeg formats. The name of the file should be the senior’s first initial and last name followed by the number of the photo. (John Smith picture #1 = jsmith1.jpg). Save the photos to a CD and submit with your order form and check or e-mail the photos to lbseniorads@gmail.com with your senior’s name in the subject line.

Submitting Conventional Photos: Submit hardcopy photos printed by a commercial

4

photo printer (i.e., Walmart, Costco). Do not print from your home computer and inkjet or laser printer, submit photo proofs from Prestige, cut the photo into weird shapes or crop the photo in any way. Print the senior’s name lightly on the back of the photo in ink.

We will not return hard copy photos. If you are submitting photos that cannot be replaced, please do not send the original photos.

Submit Your Order

Please email your pics and text to lbseniorads@gmail.com and/or mail your order form and payment to Yearbook Ads, Attn: Yearbook Adviser, Lake Braddock SS, 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke VA 22015. Checks should be made out to LBSS and include your senior’s name in the memo line.

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Bring your ads to Senior Ad Night on Wednesday, Oct. 8, and discuss your ad with a yearbook staffer to avoid any problems. We will be accepting ads in Room L202 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m..

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Gwyneth Pic

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What a delight it has been watching our little princess grown through the years. You are the heart and soul of our lives, and we could never imagined a more perfect daughter.

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Two Unit Actual Size = 5.5” x 2.53”

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FAQ

Do all the parents buy these?

Not all, but about 75 percent of parents will buy at least one grad ad for their graduate. Some will buy 2-4.

What size of ad should I buy?

The average ad size is a 2-unit ad.

Some parents buy bigger; some buy smaller. It depends on how many photos you have to submit and what you want to say. It’s better to buy bigger so we don’t have to edit your message.

Can I buy more than one ad?

Most certainly. Many parents do.

If your child lives in more than one househould, it’s OK for him to have more than one ad. And don’t forget to

buy an ad from siblings, grandparents, pets, etc.

Do I design my own ad?

No. To keep some consistency in the ad section, we’ll design for you. Just submit your photos and text.

copy or email it to us.

Can you make sure my child doesn’t see the ad before it prints?

We’ll do our best, but we’re just kids and sometimes make mistakes.

Can I submit embarrassing pictures? Most certainly. However, nudity is not allowed, even for babies.

Why are your ads so expensive?

They’re not. Compared to other schools that print similar yearbooks our size, our ads are actually cheaper.

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No. Poems, lyrics, and copyrighted works are not allowed. If you want to write your own, please do!

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I’m confused. Email us at lbseniorads@gmail.com or come to the Senior Ads night on Oct. 8 from 3-7 p.m.

Style

Inside 30 • Hackbarth 31 • Devoti

Next Issue:

32 • Doppelgangers 32 • Teen Tattoos

Thanksgiving DIY

Walking: You’re doing it wrong

od bless America. One of the founding principles of America is our rights. We drive on the right, we bike on the right, we walk on the right. Sticking to the right is the right thing to do. Next time you’re tempted to push against the crowd on the left, stop traffic, and make everyone mad, remember where you live. If you don’t like it, move to Britain.

I

t happens everywhere in the school, but particularly right in front of the freshman hallway. People stand around in a narrow chokepoint and block all possibility of getting by. They stand around laughing while you try to struggle past, and they smile and ignore you as you’re late to class. Whoever you guys are, you need to stop.

S

W

E

A

alking on the right is always the right move. Think of the hallway as a highway, it has many of the same characteristics. Both involve massive amounts of people trying to reach their destination in a minimal amount of time. There are car accidents on the highway, and spills in the hallway.

Calmly divert your course from the area affected and carry on. You will never find someone driving on the wrong side of the highway, so why do it in the hallway?

ffortlessly sliding through the hallway should not be an impossible idea. If you’re going to talk with your friends, refrain from standing in the middle of the hallway.

The selfishness of the groups causes many students to be late to their class.

If you’re going to stand and chat with friends be considerate, make sure to position yourself near the lockers and stand along them instead of jetting out and disrupting the traffic.

topping everyone in the hallway to take a selfie is just obnoxious. You don’t have to take a picture of yourself every step you take, that’s what the NSA is for. Texting, Snapchatting and doing anything else with your phone in the hallway just makes everyone behind you mad. Wait until next class, lunch or the bus.

novel concept, walking at a constant speed in the hallway without diversions. Unfortunately, students must often alter their course due to other students on their phone.

The use of an electronic device is prohibited, so no one should be taking selfies in the first place. Treat the hallway like a highway. You wouldn’t text and drive, so don’t text and walk in the hallway. People who use their phone in the hallway often slow the traffic down.

7 October 2014

photos by Hannah Lim

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The Bear Facts 29

The Maestros of Fashion

Teacher Michelle Devoti and counselor Dylan Hackbarth reveal their true colors What is the biggest wardrobe no-no?

Sweatpants in public; they’re for sleeping. I refused to wear them in college. I thought I could at least wear something with a button today.

Another no-no is socks with sandals.

Who’s your favorite designer?

If I can afford it, I prefer J. Crew. I love how you can buy one thing and wear it multiple ways. I don’t have a favorite particular designer; I don’t really care about that.

What do you think of your style?

[My style is a summation of] a lot of things I’ve collected over time.

I was into thrifting in high school, and I would get into things. For like six months, I would be really into vests; another six, I would be into belt buckles. If I could live in Mad Men, that’s where I’d want to live.

Whats your favorite outfit?

I just got this tweed tie from J. Crew that I’m dying to wear. I can’t say I have a favorite outfit, but I have ones that I’m excited to wear.

30

The Bear Facts

7 October 2014

Dylan Hackbarth Would you say you have any competitors for dressing so fabulous?

[My biggest competition is] Mr. Garner. I think that in the school he dresses really well.

Favorite fashion season?

[My favorite fashion season is] fall because I like the fall colors and sweaters over other clothing.

What is your favorite fashion trend.

I’m really into glasses, and I like how people are unafraid to wear bigger glasses with thick frames. They show your individuality through something you need.

What is your favorite hair product?

I was honestly blessed with curly hair, but I use a shampoo called Redken.

My aunt is a hairstylist in Wisconsin, and she mails it to me every three months.

Would you say you have any competitors for dressing so well?

Definitely. My sister is somebody that I think of when I shop. When I buy stuff for myself, I tend to think: [Is] this something Sarah would buy or wear? I look up to my sister.

What is the biggest wardrobe no-no?

The biggest no-no would be wearing something you aren’t confident in.

Whether it’s physical or confidence, if it doesn’t make you feel good, take it off and buy something else. Stuff you have on should make you feel like the best version of yourself.

Favorite fashion season?

I like fall because the colors are richer. I love a good sweater. Spring pastels wash out my complexion. I like fall and anything associated to it including its fashion trend.

Who’s your favorite designer?

Kate Spade. I like the clean lines, that it’s not boring and that a lot of prints have many colors as well as a good incorporation of color, texture and shine.

What is your favorite fashion trend?

A couple years ago, it seemed like navy and white was everywhere.

Half of my closet is navy blue, so I was pumped when that became a thing.

I also really love putting a feminine twist on menswear, for example oxfords with silver patent leather.

Whats your favorite outfit?

My favorite outfit is a Virginia Tech t-shirt I bought with my thenboyfriend, now-husband at a VT football game in 2006, and jeans.

Michelle Devoti

What is your favorite hair product?

[I like] bright pink coloring in my hair. I like to do something fun and a little daring but still look serious and put-together. Coloring is something I’ve always had since my junior year in high school.

7 October 2014

The Bear Facts

photos by Andrew Clinton

What do you think of your style?

One of my former students said I dress kind of preppy. I like to pull from lots of different styles if I feel I can incorporate it. I wear what I like. I’m open to lots of influences, don’t know if I have a label.

31

Left to right: Alexis Runk (11), Daytona Gransback (11), Alex Petrovich (12), Mallory Niehoff (11), Casey Manya (11), Jordan Tautges (11) pose.

Bruins face a case of double trouble

by Gerardo Cerna - Staff Writer

H

aving someone confuse you for someone else can be fun at times, especially if they confuse you for one of your closest friends.

Juniors Casey Manya and Jordan Tautges often experience cases of mistaken identity.

“We have the basic brown hair, brown eyes, tanned skin look,” Tautges said.

These best friends don’t mind, though. They even call themselves “the Kardashians.”

“We have similar features, and the fact that we’re always together causes people to mix us up,” Manya said. “I don’t mind [the confusion] because we are basically

the same person, and we think it’s funny when people confuse us.”

Just a few lockers down, juniors Alexis Runk and Daytona Gransback have been confused for each other since their middle school days.

“Back in middle school, Alexis and I looked very similar to each other,” Gransback said. “We both have wavy brown hair and almond-shaped eyes and tanned skin.”

Although they looked alike in middle school, things have changed.

“Daytona and I looked a lot alike back in middle school,” Runk said. “I think because we’re both half-Asian; our features are very similar.”

Having your friend look like you

is fun, but dancing with a look-alike is even better. Junior Mallory Niehoff and senior Alex Petrovich not only share a passion for dancing, but they also have similar looks.

“I guess we both look alike,” Niehoff said. “We both have blond hair and blue eyes, and we’re pretty close in height.”

But looking alike doesn’t mean two people are alike.

“People will think I’m Mallory from the side, or if my back is turned away,” Petrovich said. “I feel like even though we look alike, we’re kind of opposites.

I’m very girly and preppy, and she’s kind of relaxed and not as girly as me.

I think we’re two opposites that look a lot alike.”

always known I wanted one, and my dad and grandpa have the same one.”

With parental permission, a teenager can get a tattoo starting at age 16. Once 18, teens can get a tattoo on their own whim. While some parents dislike the idea of their kids getting tattoos, others are accepting and understanding.

“I got my mom’s name on my ribs and I plan to get the Roman numeral three for my little brother who’s the third child in the family,” junior Sammy Orellana said.

Since she is only 16, Orellana was accompanied by her older sister, who served as her guardian so that she could get the tattoo.

While tattoos may still seem counterculture to many parents, teens see them as a way to express themselves and their individual personality.

“My main reason for getting the quote ‘Imperfection is Beauty’ is because I often have to remind myself that being perfect is impossible,” senior Tori Krugh said.

“You have to learn to be comfortable in your skin in order to be happy.”

What many teens to do not pay attention to or realize are the dangers of getting a tattoo. Because tattooing involves a needle breaking the skin, it has health risks ranging from allergic reactions to infections of the skin and bloodstream.

“I don’t really care if it’s permanent as long as my parents support me and don’t mind,” senior Robert Sherwani said.

Regardless of the possible dangers and negative attributes of tattoos, they have become more popular than ever among teens, who use them as a permanent way to express themselves. With the increase of teens with tattoos in recent years, it seems that this popular form of art and expression is here to stay.

“I’m getting a tattoo to represent my family origin and the soon to be country of Kurdistan,” Sherwani said. “Regardless of what people think, I am proud to have that permanently inked on my body.”

Teens spill the ink about tattoos U

by Demetri Karounos - Staff Writer

photos by Andrew Clinton

pon turning 18, several high schoolers make the decision to go out and get a tattoo. Tattoos, although always relevant, have had a recent spike in popularity in mainstream culture. The tattoo industry has seen an increase of interest in recent years.

According to The Harris Poll, people between the ages 18 to 24 with tattoos have increased from 13 percent in 2003 to 22 percent in 2012.

“The tattoo is of my family crest, an oak tree, with the words ‘Stand Sure’ below it, which means to be confident in all the decisions I make,” senior Connor Anderson said.

Many students have personal reasons for getting a tattoo, whether it’s dedicated to a family member or a personal message that inspires them. “[The tattoo] meant a lot to myself and my family,” Anderson said. “I have

32 The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

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Inside

36 • 37 • 36 • QB Legacy 38 • 38 •

Volleyball Boys’ Cross Country Coach Poythress Field Hockey

Athlete:

Haley

Hopkins

Coach Art Steffen (center) talks with the basketball team during a time out during the JV basketball game vs. West Springfield on Dec. 20, 2013 of last season.

After coach dies, JV team remembers

by Katie Karlinchak - Staff Writer

T

photo courtesy of Robert Greenwood

hree months ago, on June 15, a very important part of the girls’ junior varsity basketball team passed away when coach Edward Arthur “Art” Steffen died of a sudden heart attack. For all who knew Steffen, they remembered him as a loving and caring coach who was always smiling.

He led the girls’ basketball team to a record of 9 wins and 6 losses.

“He was a great coach for us, but it was even bigger than that,” junior Jordan Small said. “He gave us someone to talk to, and never pressured or yelled at us.”

The day of his passing, junior Elizabeth Fitzpatrick was one of the first to know.

“My AAU coach pulled me out of first period and told me,” she said.

Fitzpatrick then told English teachers and JV assistant coaches, Katelyn Touhey and Krista Gallagher, who had the job of telling the team.

“I was shocked and immediately went to confirm it with what was told to me,” Touhey said. “I then met with Coach Gallagher about telling and counseling the girls.”

34 The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

Steffen graduated from West Springfield High School, then attended Virginia Tech. He received his master’s degree in education at George Mason University.

He also played rugby and taught in Fairfax County for 28 years before retiring. He then subbed at Lake Braddock and other schools and took the head coaching job for girls’ JV basketball starting in 2013.

“There are so many good memories for only knowing him for a short time,” Touhey said. “Art really made an impact on myself and many others. The other coaches and I always laughed because no matter where we went Art always knew someone and could be genuinely happy to see them. It was insane how many times we heard him say, ‘Hey, they were in my wedding!’ ” His funeral remained lighthearted.

Many wore Hawaiian t-shirts, brightcolored shirts, Virginia Tech-colored shirts, basketball jerseys amd rugby shirts.

“It was more of a celebration of life,” Fitzpatrick said. “It was really nice. There were so many people that a lot of them had to sit or stand outside. His friends also told stories about him.”

As for the team, they begin their season this winter without their No. 1 supporter.

For remembering him, many of the girls will wear ribbons on their bags that say ‘In memory of Coach Art,’ Fitzpatrick said.

They will also be remembering him every time they step out on the court.

The team will soon be holding tryouts and begin their season, but it will have to press forward without its former coach and leader.

“Basketball will never be the same without Art,” Fitzpatrick said. “I looked forward and enjoyed every single practice, and I can’t say that about all the sports team I’ve been on. I have faith in Coach [Gallagher] to make me feel the same excitement that I did with Art during the season” Gallagher will take over as head coach.

Steffen will also be remembered by the team for sending out countless emails that always made the girls laugh.

“I miss him sending out emails on Sunday nights,” Small said. “They would always have the schedule for the week on them, but then he would always finish it by telling us about what he was doing or what he watched on TV that weekend.”

The girls plan to start up a scholarship program in his memory, Touhey said.

Boys’ cross country ranked 23 in nation

by Jordan Small - Sports Editor

C

ross country has been a talking point during the fall for many years. This season is no different, with the boys’ team ranking No. 23 in the nation, according to MileSplit. com. This year’s team has many returning runners and is led by seniors Alex Corbett and Kevin Monogue.

“There definitely has been a lot higher expectations and pressure on our team.

We take practices more seriously.”

- Evan Chase, 10 A few weeks ago, the team traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to compete in a race. The boys’ team finished sixth in the Trinity/Valkyrie Invitational, which took place on Sept. 20.

“Each year we take a big trip,” head coach Mike Mangan said in an interview with MileSplit.com. “This year we wanted to come to some place new, and this meet looked pretty awesome online. So we

figured we’d try and add another state to our list.”

The Louisville race allowed the team to compete against a bigger field of runners and on a brand-new course.

“The meet itself was really cool,” Monogue said. “It was the biggest meet any of us had ever been in with up to 700 kids in some of the races. The competition was crazy, and it was definitely a new and learning experience for most of us.”

With many returning runners, the team has become stronger with leaders emerging.

“This year, we’ve had a lot stronger leadership and depth than our team last year,” sophomore Evan Chase said. “Some of the senior captains this year, especially Kevin Monogue and Alex Corbett, really push us as a team.”

One of the highlights of the season for the Bruins was the Monroe Parker Invitational. The team finished first overall in the second race of the season.

“I’d say [the] highlight of the season so far would be the Bruins taking the victory at the Monroe Parker Invite earlier this month at Burke Lake,” Corbett said. “It is a very competitive meet featuring all the top teams in Northern Virginia.”

LB participated in the first annual DCXC Invite on Sept. 27 in D.C. The race included runners from D.C., North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Corbett set a personal-best in the 5K at 15:17.

“With combined results [traditional scoring] the boys varsity won the meet by a good amount,” Corbett said. “Most of our guys set new personal records.”

definitely had an impact.”

Sadly, the team was not able to make it through to regionals. In golf, an undefeated season earns your team an automatic bye into the regional round of the championships. If you don’t go undefeated, the team has to play in districts. If the team finishes in the top two teams, then they go to regionals.

Also, the top six players that were not on a regional qualifying team, make it through as individuals.

“Our goal each season is to improve from the season before,” Garner said. “Of course, we always want to win districts and make it to regionals.”

However, no individuals made it to regionals. Despite this, the team still accomplished one of their goals.

“I think we underachieved as a team,” Garner said, “We did improve from last year with a 3-3 record [this year], but it definitely was not our full potential.”

However, there are some other positives that can be taken from this golf season.

With several players returning next year, the team will have the experience they need, as well as others things.

“We did a really good job with camaraderie with our team this year,” Garner said. “The players hung out in school and did stuff outside of golf, which was unique to other years, and I hope that this will continue on in future years.”

Junior Ben Fogg crosses the finish line in the Monroe Parker Invitational on Sept. 6.

With the national rankings comes higher expectations, Chase said.

“There definitely has been a lot higher expectations and pressure on our team,” Chase said. “We take practices more seriously, and our coaches, especially Mr. Switzer, push us to our limits.”

The Patriot Conference championship meet will take place on Oct. 30 and the 6A championship will take place Nov. 5.

by Spencer Jolley and Connor O’Neill - Staff Writers

E

very team strives for greatness, and the golf team was no different this year. Even though the team came up short of their goals, there were still some solid performances by some of the players on the team.

The expectations for the year were that the team would be able to potentially place second in districts behind South County, a powerhouse in the sport, earning themselves a spot in regionals.

The districts tournament was held Sept.

29 and 30. However, Matthew Bandman, arguably the best player on the team, was sick and unavailable to play, creating a large hole in the team.

“Matthew was our No. 1 golfer,” head coach Brett Garner said. “He shot consistently low all season long, and I think that not having him really did hurt our chances. I think we still had a good chance to do well without him, but it

Senior Niall Kingdale lines up for his tee shot in a match last year at Twin Lakes.

7 October 2014

photo courtesy of Greg Zelkin and Lifetouch

Golf team’s season comes to early end

The Bear Facts 35

Next man up: Edwards takes the reins

by Tom Anderson - Staff Writer

“I think that the adjustments we made in that fourth quarter to score all those points helped us beat Westfield, so now we know what we’re good at and what we need to work on,” Edwards said. “I think if we see Robinson again it’s a different ballgame because we made adjustments and now we know what it takes to beat them.”

With the experience he gained in the first four games, Edwards is looking forward to the rest of the season. With only Lee and T.C. Williams left to play

I

n a season exemplified by the mantra “next man up,” no player exemplifies that line more than junior Kyle Edwards. Former LB quarterback Caleb Henderson, one of the top ranked high school QBs in the country, left Burke for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Henderson’s departure left a void at the quarterback spot, and junior Kyle Edwards has stepped up to fill the hole.

Last season, Edwards played safety as well as backing up Henderson. He played in some of the Bruins’ blowout wins. The experience Edwards gained from last year helped him to understand the difficulty of playing quarterback. “[I learned] the speed of the game, and how physical it is playing with juniors and seniors,” Edwards said. “So now being a junior, I have a lot of experience playing at that level.”

Edwards debuted on Aug. 29 against West Potomac, passing for 104 yards as the Bruins won comfortably 30-6. Despite the task of leading the team, Edwards wasn’t intimidated by the pressure.

“I was used to the speed so I just had to transfer what I did in practice to the Friday nights,” Edwards said. “[I felt nerves] a little bit, and then once I started playing it just went away. We were playing football, having fun.”

The next game was a physical matchup against Stone Bridge. The Bulldogs boasted a highly-ranked defense that would pose a challenge to the offense. Edwards

Edwards sets up to throw against Robinson.

passed for 126 yards, a touchdown and threw an interception but generally looked good against a tough Stone Bridge team.

“Stone Bridge has a very good defense-they have four guys up front that are going to play college football, and two linebackers that are going to play college football, so they were really good,” Edwards said. “The defense played great.

That was a really tough game, but I think we played alright.”

After Stone Bridge, the Bruins faced Robinson. The Rams held LB scoreless for a large part of the game, and intercepted Edwards. In the fourth quarter, the offense made adjustments, and Edwards almost led the team back in a late game surge.

The the Bruins ultimately fell 19-17.

The next week, the Bruins went to play highly-touted Westfield on the road, where Edwards and the offense put up 36 points in a resounding victory. Edwards credits the win to the lessons the team learned in the Robinson game.

“Once I started playing, [the nerves] went away. We were playing football, having fun.”

-Kyle Edwards, 11 at home, Edwards is looking forward to playing in front of the Lake Braddock crowd.

“Playing for Lake Braddock, it’s a different experience than [playing for other schools around] the region because we have a big community,” Edwards said. “Playing on Friday nights is always special, so there’s always a rush of adrenaline right before the game. And then once you get going, the crowd gets into it. It’s a lot of fun.”

Vo l l e y b a l l s e t t i n g u p f o r s u c c e s s

by Katie Karlinchak - Staff Writer

W

photos courtesy of Amanda Hendrix (top) Gregg Zelkin (bottom)

ith a new season and a new team, the varsity volleyball team has high hopes of taking a strike at districts. A younger and less experienced team this year, the Bruins still boast an impressive 12-6 record with just four weeks remaining in the season.

“So far, Madison [has been] the hardest team to beat]. They have a lot of people who have varsity experienAce, which we don’t have,” senior Rachel Tuck said. “In our game, we hung with them until the end.”

Although this team is younger than it was in past year, all the members seem to get together on and off the court. Senior captains Tuck and Jenn Stoddard, as well as junior captain Tara Wulf, often encourage the girls to do their best at all times.

“We are all very friendly. On the court

36 The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

Junior Tara Wulf dives to keep a ball alive against Edison.

it is really supportive. The girls are very nice and they tell me a lot about high school,” freshman Katie Hibner said.

The team will hold its annual Dig

Pink game against West Springfield this Thursday. They support the Dig Pink tournament every year in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“My favorite thing about Dig Pink is many people come out and support this cause,” junior Victoria Briden said.

“Also, I love seeing everyone wearing pink and pink all over the walls.”

With districts slowly approaching, the girls hope to spark a winning streak and place well in Conference 7. After the Dig Pink game, LB will play five more games to end the regular season, with senior night on Oct. 29 against Annandale. Tuck said that many of the rival teams are of the same caliber as her current team, so she hopes that the team will at least place first or second in the district.

“Hopefully we will win the first game [in districts], and if we can get first in our district, then we will have a good chance at going further,” Briden said.

Going Pro

The uncertain future of RG3

by Spencer Jolley - Staff Writer

Senior Nick O’Conner poses with the state championship trophy in June after the Bruins beat Langely.

After state title, boys’ tennis basks in victory, looks forward to spring

by Connor O’Neill - Staff Writer

L

ast spring season, the boys’ tennis team had a perfect overall record of 18-0, and was led by alumnus Jacob Daugherty all the way to state championship.

During their journey to the title, Daugherty and the rest of the team faced some of the top schools in Virginia, such as Yorktown, McLean, Western Branch and Langley. They made quick work of the competition, making a clean sweep in the top three singles players matches thanks to Daugherty, now-senior Alex Nesterovich and now-sophomore Eric Yoo. In doubles, Nesterovich and Yoo teamed up and quickly put away the set against the first pair of Langley players, which left the fate of the title in the hands of the then-senior and team captain Scott Belcher and now-senior Nick O’Connor in one final doubles match.

And after three long sets against the Saxons, Braddock scored the final point and became state champions. But as so many former players graduated, a lot of the players are worried about how they will fare in 2015 without any of the seniors who helped bring the team all the way to states.

“We won last year thanks to a lot of our

seniors, and hopefully, we will be able to repeat it this upcoming season,” Yoo said.

“But it’s going to be a lot tougher now that three of our top six are gone.”

Not only in the postseason, but also in the regular season many seniors on the team made strong appearances and helped win matches against rival schools.

Some of the top performances were when then-senior Long Huynh crushed Annandale’s Douglas Nguyen for a 10-0 win at a meet during the regular season, or Belcher winning against South County’s Josh Stromberg in a slightly closer but still strong win of 10-3 in another regular season win. These two, along with Daugherty, helped lift the team to a state championship.

Other very influential players were Yoo, Nestrovich, O’Connor and now-junior Dominik Renteria, all of whom made multiple appearances in regular-season matches and a few helped out in the final matchup with Langely for the title.

“We lost three of our top six this year,” now-sophomore Brandon Em said. “We are going to have our work cut out this upcoming season without them, but we aren’t out of it yet.”

Hopefully, the 2015 season will be able to turn the same results out as last year when the Bruins start their first season as defending state champions.

Going Pro is a regular sports column that analyzes professional sports.

7 October 2014

photo courtesy of Josh Wartel

T

he year is 2012. The Washington Redskins had been plagued with quarterback issues in previous seasons, and it became apparent that they would need a new one to place them in serious playoff contention. So they gave up some talent to the St. Louis Rams in order to gain the second overall draft pick in 2012 and land a big fish. The Redskins knew that there was no going back after their pick. The Redskins selected the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Robert Griffin III, and fans became instantly optimistic about their chances for the next year.

The year started out as good as it could get for RG3. In his debut game against the New Orleans Saints, he threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns. The Redskins started 3-6 but would win their next seven games to make the playoffs.

However, Griffin twisted his knee and had to come out of the week 14 game against the Baltimore Ravens. He sat out the following week and recovered from his injury, returning in week 16. Griffin led the team to victories in both the remaining games and into the playoffs. However, a bad snap on a late drive in the wild card game against the Seattle Seahawks would cause Griffin to injure both his ACL and LCL ligaments in his knee.

After a lackluster sophomore season, hopes were higher for this season. Griffin started the year at quarterback, but after rolling out on a play-action pass in his second game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he dislocated his ankle and is now out for an undetermined time, but likely somewhere in the range of four to six more games. The backup quarterback, Kirk Cousins, has had up-and-down spells. But when facing the Eagles in Week 3, he threw for 421 yards and three touchdowns. His game against the Giants, however, was marred by turnovers, as he threw four interceptions and fumbled once. When Griffin has been healthy, he has played well. His Heisman Trophy shows us that. But he has yet to play a whole season in the NFL, and this may play in Cousins’s favor. Either way, the Redskins face a tough future without a great quarterback.

The Bear Facts 37

Football adds a new stable of coaches

by Ryan Mullins - Web Editor

I

n the world of sports, seasons come and go, players move on to bigger and better things and coaching staffs change to adapt to the sports games that are ever evolving. LB is no exception to these transition stages of teams as the LB community has seen Division 1 players leave, state championship-caliber teams disband and this year a major change in the coaching staff.

Coach Rickey Lewis discusses techniques with senior Steve Moreno.

When comparing last year’s football coaches to this year’s staff, there are multiple names missing and several new names added to the roster.

“We have four new guys helping out,”

football head coach Jim Poythress said.

“They are a little bit younger, and they bring a lot of emotion and spirit.”

The coaches who have been added to the team are defensive assistant coach Chris Rainey, linebacker coach Rickey Lewis, offensive line coach Brendan Ginley and receivers coach Dante Davis, who was brought on to the coaching staff partway through the season.

These new coaches provide the team with valuable knowledge and passion for the game. Lewis in particular is familiar with the way in which the program works, as he has worked with Poythress before.

“I played under coach Poythress at Garfield High School,” Lewis said. “It was his last year [at Garfield] before he came here.”

Along with the new coaches this year, LB still has several returning coaches who have been part of the program for many years. These coaches include defensive coordinator Billy Edwards, defensive coaches Frank Gilmore, Mel Morgan and Leland Lambert and offensive coaches Steve Price, Lonnie Lambert, BJ Quigley and Greg Quigley.

“There’s familiarity with a lot of the staff,” Poythress said, “but then there’s the infusion of some young bucks.”

While the new coaches may be young, what they lack in experience they make up for in drive and the desire to constantly improve.

“What I like about being here is that everyone wants to learn and improve,” Lewis said. “One thing I want to bring [to the program] is more intensity and hustle.”

Once the work is put in, the drive to win takes over.

“No. 1 is to make the playoffs,” Ginley said, “and then you go from there.

Then it’s region and on.”

Though there are major changes to the football program, the mindset for the season remains as it always has been for the team.

“Our goal is to win that game,” Lewis said. “I look forward to the next game, but win that game right there and get better every day, every week. Don’t worry about that next game because you might not get there.”

With the intention to focus and win the game at hand, the Bruins look to continue their winning streak and improve with each coming team that they face.

“We’re continuing to tweak the system and try to find the things the players do well,” Poythress said, “and throw out the things that have not gone so well.”

Fi e l d h o ckey p e a k s a t t h e r i gh t t i m e

by Ian Bivona - Staff Writer

C

photos courtesy of Gregg Zelkin (top/bottom)

oming off a 9-11 season and a loss in the first round of the regional tournament to Herndon in 2013, the field hockey team took on the 2014 season with high hopes.

“My goal for this season was definitely to win districts,” senior Hannah Weidinger said.

Weidinger is one of the 12 seniors who make up more than half the team.

The high influx of upperclassmen makes LB one of the oldest and most experienced teams in the conference.

“I think it makes for a more experienced team,” sophomore Bailey Edwards said. “We have 12 seniors, and most of them have played before.

It helps to have someone older than you to look up to.”

Following their scrimmages against Herndon and Princess Anne high schools, LB opened their regular season on the road against the Langley Saxons, winning 3-1. Unfortunately, the Bruins would hit a slump and lose their next five games, which comprised of a 9-2 loss to Westfield in their home opener, a 3-1 loss to Fairfax High

38 The Bear Facts 7 October 2014

School, and three straight 4-0 losses to Tabb, Fairfax and Trinity in the Westfield tournament.

“We opened the season well [against Langley], but we had a very tough schedule in the Westfield Tournament,”

Senior Kristen Wolfe prepares to pass the ball against West Potomac on Sept. 26.

sophomore Haley Hopkins said.

As with every sports team, players have to work as a team to play at their best and bring home wins.

“We need to work on working together,” Weidinger said, “rather than taking the ball and trying to score on fast breaks.”

This season has seen the Bruins opening strong and jumping out to early leads only to relinquish them as the game progresses. This is a trend that many players want to buck soon.

“We need to work on staying in the game,” Edwards said. “We come out strong, maybe scoring a goal or two, but we let the other team come back in it. That’s why we’ve had a lot of overtime games.”

After starting slow with a 1-5 record, LB has clawed its way back towards .500, and they now sit at 6-7 with three games remaining. “[Our best game was] against Woodson,” Hopkins said. The team defeated the Cavaliers 3-0 on Oct. 1, and was in control for the entire game.

As the regular season begins to come to a close, the many players are looking forward to the district tournament, where they will face South County.

Hoping for Haley How long have you been playing field hockey, and how did you get into it?

I started playing field hockey when I was in the third grade.

My sister got started playing field hockey when she was scouted out

by Lake Braddock field hockey coach at the time, Diane Miller.

Diane and my mom were close friends so [my sister] Brittany gave it a shot and so did I. You also play soccer. How long have you been playing?

I have been playing soccer since I was able to walk. Growing up, I had always played soccer, as did my brother and sister, because both of my parents had very successful careers in it. My mom played at George Mason and my dad at South Carolina.

Now, since I am older and have a year of varsity high school sports under my belt, I have more of a sense of how things work. High school sports are vastly different than club, and now that I have figured that out, things run a lot smoother.

Athlete of the Issue: Sophomore Haley Hopkins

photo courtesy of Gregg Zelkin

This is your second year on varsity field hockey. How has your role changed from last year to this year?

7 October 2014 The Bear Facts 39

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