Volume 42, Issue 6

03. 09. 15.

The Bear Facts

THE

MAIN THING

AUTHENTIC COLLABORATION IN THE ARTS

Lake Braddock Secondary School

9200 Burke Lake Road • Burke • Virginia • 22015

Contents / 03.09.15.

7

BEHIND THE COVER

13

29 “I wanted to make my own version of last years ‘The Main Thing’ logo, so I decided to make it more modern.”

Volume 42, Issue 6 6 New Courses AP Human Geography is being offered in the 20152016 school year.

12 Mulvaney

24 Photoshop

Find out how this geosystems teacher is impacting his students.

See the top entries and the winner of the photoshop contest.

7 Spring Dance

13 The Main Thing

26 DIY

The administration has approved a spring dance to take place in May.

Students collaborate from all departments to create a unique art show.

Learn how to make two easy treats to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

8 Handwriting

15 Harper Lee

29 Zelkin

Handwriting is a dying art, but does it still have meaning in our society?

Find out about Harper Lee’s new novel Go Set A Watchman.

This photographer attends all sporting events to get pictures of athletes.

10 Nathan Bender

19 Meninism

31 March Madness

Find out how this junior started his own landscaping business.

Does this twitter account take things too far by promoting men’s rights?

Learn about the regional teams playing in this basketball tournament.

“I tried to find a modern text to complement the minimal design, as well as add slight effects to the background.”

“I then wanted to depict the different art forms that the ‘The Main Thing’ seeks to embody.”

Illustrations and quotations by Jesse Sands

Managing Editors Volume 42, Issue 6

The Bear Facts Staff Web Editors Ryan Mullins and Katie Vinson Photo Editor Amanda Hendrix Assistant Photo Editor Andrew Clinton Art Director Jesse Sands Graphic Assistant Maddie Sievers Business Managers Jake Hruska and Hao Nguyen

Editors-in-Chief Ben Tobin and Josh Wartel Managing Sara Kim and Emily Migdal Copy Chief Thomas Kendziora Adviser: Kathryn Helmke

1st Period Editors News Marcell Subert News In-Depth Megan Cantwell Arts Vickie Park Comment Paul Barnhill and Ben Concepcion Style Hannah Lim and Michael Murphy Sports Jordan Small

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 Nesterovich, Connor O’Neill, Zelgai Saleh, Bunyamin Sevim, Nikki Sheppard, Elena Simon, Jordan Stone, Nathan Zelalem

2nd Period Editors News Marleen Tipu News In-Depth Dinali Dassanayaka Profile Steve Hong and Yaitza Lopez Arts Patrick Kearney Sports Tu Lam Photo Amanda Hendrix

Staff Writer of the Issue

Junior Nikki Sheppard joined journalism four years ago because she likes “writing about the news that gets people excited because I’m the one who gets to tell them,” she said.

In the future, Sheppard wants to become a novelist because she thinks that life stories can get boring.

“When you can make a world that anything can happen in, why not let others join in?” she said.

Sheppard has been playing the guitar for several years. She usually jams by herself and performs at Unplugged.

Briefs / Page 4

The Timeline Feb. 2015 KC Man.agement bids on renovation Feb. 11 Meeting at Pohick draws 100 people Feb. 11-23 Save Burke Lake Facebook page garners 2,000 followers

For the Lake’s sake

Feb. 23 Supervisor Pat Herrity announces plan has been rejected

After a sudden backlash, plans to expand golfing at beloved Burke Lake Park fall apart

O

n Feb. 23, the Fairfax County Park Authority confimred that it did not plan to move forward with the renovation of the Burke Lake Golf Course. Although there will be another proposed golf renovation in the near future, controversey brewed over plans to disrupt the scenic envirorment with signifigant construction.

Initially KC Management LLC, via the Virginia PublicPrivate Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA), constructed plans for renovating the driving range at Burke Lake into a Topgolf-like facility combined with a restaurant.

KC Management intended on making the new driving range

facility with 72 hitting bays, a sports-themed restaurant and 380 paved parking spaces. The new parking spaces would take up a significant amount of space from the natural, scenic routes that surround Burke Lake.

This was very controversial among the community surrounding Burke Lake because it was 86 spaces above the required county code.

On Feb.11, a meeting at Pohick Regional Library drew more than 100 community members, including some parents of the LB cross country team.

On Feb. 20, there was a community meeting held at Burke Lake where community members could come out and voice their opinions. Springfield

District Supervisor Pat Herrity came and listened to the differing views presented to him by the community.

“A downside to the Burke Lake renovation would be the obstruction of the XC course,” senior XC runner Rachel Phandinh said. “This was the detrimental part of the argument against the construction because the Burke Lake XC course is part of 30 years of unforgettable memories.”

Even outside the track and cross country community, some students saw the negatives of the renovation outweighing the positives. “[Burke Lake] is a habitat for a variety of animals,” senior Mackenzie Williams said. “The waterfowl refuge in the middle

of the park, Vesper Island, which could be removed or disrupted through this renovation, can be extremely detrimental to wildlife in the park.”

As stated by KC’s proposal, they claimed that all environmental impacts will be mitigated as required by federal, state and county requirements.

According to KC’s proposal, the “year-round operations and a wide range of target games and skill levels will allow and encourage increased use to all players of all different skill levels.”

“Burke Lake places vital importance in our community because it is a beautiful escape and habitat to many,” Williams said. It would be a shame to see it go.”

Page 5 / Briefs

Introducing the Animal Welfare Club

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new club, started by junior Emelyn Kim and sponsored by science teacher Mark Khosravi, is focused on aiding animals and the environment. The Animal Welfare and Wildlife Club, will hopefully start accepting new members in the third quarter and aims to create opportunities for students to help make a change in the lives of animals and to assist the environment.

“The main goal of this club is to make a difference,” Kim said.

“In the most idealistic scenario, our members will succeed in lending a helping hand to our local (or global) wildlife organizations, conservations, animal shelters, etc. by service, donation or simply bringing awareness about relevant issues that we can help resolve through simple matters.”

Kim wants to maintain the club’s relaxed standard, she said. Currently, there are no requirements or enforced rules of the club, and it will be very easy for members to attend meetings and important events.

“This club is special because I personally believe that it takes an extraordinary individual to express such compassion, gratitude and respect for things that we cannot fully communicate or empathize with,” Kim said. “These are the kind of people that this club will be made of.”

Kim plans on creating fundraisers and providing opportunities for members to meet and listen to specialists and activists.

“I wanted to create this club to hopefully provide manageable opportunities for those who share the same passion,” she said (photo by Michael Buontempo).

Ready. Set. Code.

FCPS authorizes construction

I

n the recently renovated hallways of LB, it’s easy to lose sight of the poor condition of other Fairfax County schools. The truth is, many of them are in tatters. However, the Fairfax County school board is doing something about it. On Jan. 22, the board voted on and passed an $856 million “Capital Improvement Plan” for the fiscal years 2016-2020. The plan aims to relieve overcrowded schools as a result of an increase in FCPS enrollment by 2,000 students between school years 2013-2014.

A school bond referendum, which passed in 2013, comprises $250 million of the plan, which will fund the building of one new elementary school and over 10 capacity increases and improvements in FCPS. The rest of the $856 million plan is unfunded, so other renovation projects will have to be delayed because there is a $155 million limit on school bond sales and school-related projects take priority.

“The Infrastructure Finance Committee recognized that the bond items, which pertain to replacement of key infrastructure such as roofs, parking lots and mechanical systems was delaying the implementation of school renovations,” Fairfax County Superintendent Karen Garza said in a memorandum to the school board.

LB will not receive funding for expansion because LB is running at an 84 percent capacity utilization rate, so there is no need for a capacity capability increase. However, nearby West Springfield and Langley high schools will receive funding to expand as they run at 104 percent and 101 percent, respectively.

“Our current and anticipated enrollment increases continue to present a major challenge as we struggle to provide space for all of our students,” Garza said. “FCPS faces a critical shortage of facilities as our student growth is outpacing available classrooms and facilities.”

Though LB students won’t be directly affected by the plan, students should understand the squeeze that overcrowded classrooms have on the quality of education. Quality education is one of the core building blocks to society, and the Capital Improvement Plan will effectively relieve inflated classroom sizes and provide a quality education for students all across FCPS.

$856 million

Proposed Capital Improvement Plan budget

$155 million Limit on school bond sales

I

n the new Ready. Set. Code. club, some students learn how to code or learn a new programming language while others work on their own programming projects. The club utilizes online programming tutorials such as code.org, codeacademy and appInventor.

“It’s quite challenging,” junior Elissa Cariaga said. “Not only do we need programming skills, but logic, math and problem-solving skills as well.”

Sometimes students work together to try to solve programming problems.

“Even those that don’t know how to program can contribute,” sponsor Eva Anderson said, “because much of programming is about finding straightforward and efficient algorithms to solve complex problems.”

Although in its first year, the Ready Set Code club plans on attending the VCU High School Programming Contest. The event took place at VCU School of Engineering’s computer labs and will last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 6.

LB is sending in two teams of four students each. The leaders of the two groups are sophomores Michael Kelly and Laura Sizemore.

The teams of four students must work together and in three hours solve 10 problems using the coding language Java. They will be judged on their correctness. and speed of solving.

There are no prizes but students who enter receive a T-shirt and lunch.

“I think the only prize is bragging rights,” Anderson said.

LB competed against local computer science powerhouses like Thomas Jefferson and Montgomery Blair.

“I am so impressed with the students’ bravery and willingness to try something new, Anderson said.

News

Page 6

Human Geography maps the way forward

by Devon Lee - Staff Writer

throughout all three sessions.

However, some ext year, students will have the opportunity to take students may have been another social studies class, misinformed about AP AP Human Geography. This Human Geography.

“A confusion that will be the first year LB is offering this some of the seniors course, and interest is growing quickly.

“AP Human Geography introduces might have is the that AP students to the patterns and processes thought Geography that shape humans now and historically,” Human substitute AP World teacher Michelle Devoti said. can government Devoti took interest in this class when their she took it in college. She found the class requirement,” Devoti fascinating and had a passion to teach it said. “However, that is not true. AP Human to other students at LB, she said.

“The class is interesting because it is Geography is just an an intersection of economics, resource elective course.”

The success of the use, physical geography, population electives fair led to movement and culture,” Devoti said.

The process to get this class in the students from Devoti’s curriculum was not easy, and Devoti had current and previous classes to ask about to work hard. She first had to be trained the new class.

“It sounds a lot like what we learned to teach the class. She then saw that in AP World,” junior Julia Donlon said. other FCPS schools offered this course.

However, Devoti was not exactly sure “I think it really explains events that are about how to start a class. But she got going on right now.”

Donlon compares this class to help from others, and it finally happened.

“The new social studies department AP World and sees similarities and head chair, Kathleen Young, really differences between the two.

“It seems like a lot less stressful of a class,” Donlon said.

“AP Human Geography seems as if it is based more on movement of people, and I like that because it explains how the world got connected.”

Devoti is excited to teach this class next year, but she hopes that she won’t have to teach two AP courses next History teacher Michelle Devoti has introduced a new AP course to the school’s year. curriculum for the 2015-2016 school year. Photo by Andrew Clinton. “ Te a c h i n g pushed for this course and made it two AP classes is very challenging,” possible for it to be offered at school Devoti said. “A couple of people in the history department are doing this, and it next year,” Devoti said.

At the electives fair in January, is simply not possible for them to be the Young’s room was used for AP Human best teacher that they could be. I want Geography. After it was over, Young to teach a class that I am familiar with told Devoti that her classroom was full while teaching this new class.”

N

“The chapters are too small to take weekly notes.”

- Michelle Devoti At the end of taking an AP course, students have to take the AP exam. The AP Human Geography exam is similar to the AP World exam. The AP exam has a multiple choice and free response section. Students will have an hour for 70 multiple choice and 75 minutes for three free-response questions. The freeresponse question portion is not to be written in a formal structure. Normally, students will be given a visual or graphic to base their response off of.

The workload of the class also seems manageable and not too time consuming.

“The No. 1 question I get is whether or not students will have to take notes for every chapter in the textbook like in AP World or AP U.S. History,” Devoti said.

“The answer is no. The chapters are too small to take weekly notes. This makes it a bit more difficult for me because students will have to learn the material in a new way. They will have to view history and current events through a new lense.”

Teaching this is going to be challenging, but Devoti is up for it.

“I want students who are excited about the interdisciplinary nature of the class,” Devoti said.

Page 7 / News

The spring dance returns—with a twist

by Hao Nguyen - Staff Writer

I

n 2012 and 2013, LB hosted one of the most-hyped spring events, Glo and then Fusion. These outdoors dances were held under a large tent where students could dance and listen to the DJ as if they were at a concert.

The actions of the attendees, though, created controversy with the administration and resulted in the absence of a spring dance 2014.

“Both LB’s previous spring dances were very impressive,” senior Jasmine Tesfa said. “It was a night where everyone could come out and hang out with good company. Plus, the idea of having it outside was a nice twist.”

This year, after a long, thought-out proposal by SGA, the concept of Red, White and Boom has finally been accepted. Red, White and Boom is scheduled to be in May and will be partnered with SGA’s Military Appreciation Week.

After a week filled with acts of kindness for active-duty military members and for our veterans, students can let loose and enjoy a night with their fellow classmates. SGA is not allowed to use the name Fusion or Glo this year. SGA wants to plan these events so that student participation will be at a maximum. Even though the date and name are still being solidified, the concept, as well as the new rules and regulations, will remain constant for all of the upcoming spring events.

“The major rules are just addressing problems we had in previous years,” senior SGA officer Rory Hatch said. “There is to be no crowd surfing, throwing of objects or jumping on other people.”

No tent will be allowed this year, Hatch said, but rather a foldout stage where the DJ will stand and students and will beforbidden. With these

Students dance vigorously under a tent at Fusion in the spring of 2013. The future of these festivities hang in the balance as SGA solidifies plans. Photos by Lifetouch.

standards and rules in play, some students see this as an opportunity to mantain the same safety measures while still providing entertainment.

“I think that the new rules will make it safer and make it more enjoyable for everyone,” sophomore Elyse Nguyen said. “Also, taking out the tent means

that there is more room so people wouldn’t have to be crunched together.”

Most students agree that the new rules would indeed make the dance safer, however senior Rachel Phandinh sees some of the rules as unnecessary.

“I don’t see what’s wrong with having balloons or

beach balls flying around the dance area to make it seem like we’re at a real concert,” Phandinh said.

Phandinh also added that getting rid of the tent would make it hard to differentiate where the dancing area is versus the area where you can just stand and talk to your friends.

In-Depth / Page 8

As the use of technology grows, it has caused many long-standing traditions to become obsolete. Will handwriting be the next victim of the computer age?

by Kinaya Hassane - Staff Writer

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n Feb. 17, Alex Rodriguez released a handwritten apology note to the fans of the New York Yankees for his violation of Major League Baseball’s performance-enhancing drug policy, which led to his suspension from playing during the 2014 season. This decision to release a handwritten note was an unusual one and prompted analysis of Rodriguez’s personality from handwriting experts.

The study of handwriting is called graphology. While it is largely considered pseudoscience, it is still used for some psychoanalysis along with other personality assessment tools. It has also been used in employment to weed out potential candidates according to what their handwriting might reveal about their personality.

To profile a person, analysts look at the way they space their words and letters, the neatness of their letters and how these things reveal their state of mind and even their upbringing.

What place does graphology hold in our society today, however, when most pieces of writing are typed up on a computer? While many of us can remember spending a great deal of time during our formative years learning how to write in print and cursive, children in elementary school today are not obligated to do the same.

“I think it [handwriting] is important to keep in our curriculum,” English teacher Ann Partlow said. “It offers a sense of history when you look at someone’s handwriting from the past.”

Despite the fact that handwriting and graphology are being squeezed out of the mainstream, there is plenty of new technology on the market that utilizes stylus pens and even smart pens, which sync what one writes on paper to a computer, phone or tablet. So while there is no way that typed writing will lose its place in society, there still is hope for writing traditionalists who still believe strongly in the power of the pen.

“It offers discipline which can be applied to a variety of aspects of life,” Partlow said. “Why wouldn’t we want to celebrate something that shows personality?”

Signatures

Handwriting: The power of the pen

“I like my signature because it’s pretty short and simple and describes my personality”

Kirsten Chase, 11

Page 9 / In-Depth

“An elderly man I respect helped me make this signature. I didn’t know what to do with it, but the signature stuck, and I began to like it.”

Augene Lee, 11

Mokshu Poudel, 12

“I learned how to write cursive when I lived in Utah in fifth grade, and my signature is just my name in cursive.”

Peyton Bishop, 11

The misread handwriting of doctors kills 7,000 plus people annually and injures 1.5 million (according to Time magazine)

Be

ar Fa c

ts

Complications

Th e

“I came up with my signature when I was 10 so it looks awful.

All that my signature says about me is my name.”

25-33% of students struggle to achieve competency in handwriting (according to Educational Summit study)

Messy handwriting can lead to slowed writing development, low selfesteem and poor school performance. Graphic by Maddie Sievers.

Dysgraphia is the “bad handwriting” disease

Profile This Land is His Land Page 10

Bender constructs his own landscaping company

by Marianne Beveridge - Staff Writer

J

unior Nathan Bender seems like the average high school student. He spends his days balancing rigorous classes and JROTC, and he spends his free time playing video games with friends.

However, one thing sets Bender apart from most other students: He has his very own landscaping company.

“I cut grass, mulch, shovel snow in the winter and things like that,” Bender said. “[I started because] I needed money, and video games got boring. It’s not too hard to do during the school year, [as long as] I keep up with homework.”

Bender put forth immense effort in order to get word out about his business, and it wasn’t easy.

He spent a large amount of time just trying to get it started.

His advertising efforts varied in style, but they all shared one quality: effectiveness.

I enjoy doing everything I do for the company. I plan to continue the business until I go off to college.

“I just started knocking on doors and putting up flyers first,” Bender said. “Then I began putting ads in newspapers and eventually got business cards.”

With the advertisements flowing, the landscaping business began to get its first customers. The hard work and dedication demonstrated by Bender paid off, and he continued to serve the same customers he began with.

“I have regular customers now,” Bender said. “But I still advertise as much as I can. I didn’t really have to learn anything new for the work aspect of it. I just used the skills I already had from helping out my parents with yardwork.”

Despite the time commitment and effort required to keep the business afloat, Bender has no complaints about the landscaping company he has built at only 16 years old, and he believes it will continue to be a big part of his days in high school.

“I enjoy doing everything I do for the company,” Bender said.

My least favorite is probably the advertising. I plan to continue the business until I go off to college.”

Get in contact with Bender’s Landscaping company if you need assistance with cutting grass or mulching in the spring/summer and shoveling snow in the winter. photo illustration by Amanda Hendrix and Elena Simon

Page 11 / Profile

Huddle Up, It’s Halftime at Harvard In his first semester at college, alumnus Ryan Antonellis finds his place on the Crimson football team and at Harvard University.

by Anne Merrill - Staff Writer

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n signing day last year, 2014 graduate Ryan Antonellis committed to play football at Harvard University. In August, Antonellis left for the prestigious university and began his collegiate football career. Now that his busy football season is over, Antonellis decided to participate in the variety of clubs that Harvard has to offer.

“There is a structure and a sort of schedule that is laid out for every studentathlete to balance athletics and academics,” Antonellis said, “but in the end, it’s up to the athlete to keep up in the classroom as well as on the field.”

The first semester of his freshman year was filled with football, academics and his participation in the re-opening of Harvard’s Delta Kappa Epsilon chapter.

He spent up to five hours per day training for football and found himself rushing between classes and meals in his free time.

“As far as the football aspect goes, practices, meetings, workouts, etc. are more structured at the collegiate level, and the time spent at the football facility is utilized more efficiently than at the high school level,” Antonellis said. “If there is one thing that my high school coaches most well prepared me for, I would have

5:45 Wake up

to say it’s the fast pace at which practice is run in college.”

Along with the countless hours Antonellis spent on the field and in the weight room, he was also the vice president of the Delta Kappa Epsilon chapter that he re-opened at Harvard.

LB alumnae Ryan Antonellis participates at convocation at Harvard University. Photo courtesy of Ryan Antonellis

Delta Kappa Epsilon was founded on June 22, 1844 at Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut.

DKE, as it is frequently called, has known five of the 44 U.S. presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt and George W. Bush.

The Harvard chapter of DKE was

unrecognized about 50 years ago due to its stance on dual membership with other fraternities.

“A few of my buddies and I decided to bring back the DKE chapter at Harvard that had ended about 50 years ago,” Antonellis said. “Unfortunately, I had to step down during the third week of pledging for personal reasons. I’m still close with many of those guys, and they were able to successfully become a chapter just a short time ago.”

Despite stepping down during the first semester, Antonellis is going into his second semester and looking forward to the additional extracurricular activities Harvard has to offer.

Antonellis spent his first semester at Harvard adjusting to college life and his hectic practice schedule, but now that his season is over he will have more time to dedicate to other activities.

“I’m now a member of dorm crew, so essentially I’m a janitor,” Antonellis said.

“I’m also looking to become a member of HMAR (Harvard Men Against Rape) this upcoming semester as well as a representative for the DAPA program (Drug and Alcohol Prevention Awareness).

Now that I’m out of season and I have a semester under my belt, I not only have a better understanding of what I can handle but also what I’m passionate about and what I want to become involved in.”

“I’ll give you a typical Tuesday [schedule]”

I’d wake up, get dressed, and walk down to the football facility across the river, which is roughly a 15- minute walk.

6:30 Morning Workout I’d have a morning workout with the team and our strength and conditioning staff.

8 Therapy Afterwards, I’d receive treatment from the training staff if I needed it, and I would take a shower and walk back across the river to breakfast.

9 Break Before Class

2:30 Football Practice

7:15 Dinner

I’d eat breakfast and then I’d meet with teachers or study/do homework until my first class of the day at 12.

Special teams meeting was 2:30-3 and position meetings were from 3-3:55. Every meeting the coaches had the right to start 15 minutes early, and even though often times they’d only start 5-10 minutes early you should always plan to be places 15 minutes ahead of time. Practice was from 4-6 ,and then after practice I’d go in, shower. Depending on who we were playing that week we may have to watch film for an hour.

After I’m done in the locker room, I hustle back across the river before the dining hall closes.

12 Class Either before my class at noon or after my 2 p.m. class I’d grab a quick lunch at the freshman dining hall. If I grabbed it at 2 I’d have to hurry and make it across the river to my special teams meeting that started at 2:30 so generally I’d eat before my class at noon and maybe bring a snack with me to meetings.

Rest of Day After dinner I’d generally go over to the math help center and ask any questions I had regarding the problem set due the next day. Finally, I’d go home and chill out. Maybe finish some homework for my other three classes, catch up on reading, or if I had free time I might hang out with roommates or friends.

Profile / Page 12

A Brief History of Mulvaney Geosystems Teacher Robert Mulvaney

Geosystems substitute teacher Robert Mulvaney came to LB to cover for Genyne Malin who is on maternity leave. In addition to teaching, Mulvaney works on his own independent projects at home, while at the same time supporting various artistic productions within the community. Photo by Patrick Kearney.

by Maggie Komoniewski - Staff Writer

A

fter geosystems teacher Genyne Malin left to have a baby, geosystems substitute Robert Mulvaney joined the LB family on Nov. 7, excited to share his passion for science and technology with students.

Mulvaney discovered his appreciation for the science and engineering fields early on in his life.

“I was fortunate enough to have several wonderful teachers during my formative years,” Mulvaney said. “They fostered my sense of curiosity and helped me develop the skills to not only appreciate what the sciences had to offer, but also gave me the tools to actively pursue different interests within these disciplines.”

He also credits his mother for supporting and nurturing his interest all these years.

When he was younger, she would buy him rocks and minerals, microscopes, books and other scientific instruments.

His interest developed over time by the encouragement of his teachers and events that occurred during his childhood, including the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 and the Space Shuttle program.

“I am at heart a curious, inquisitive person and feel that there is something to learn or explore in any scientific discipline,” Mulvaney said.

In his free time, Mulvaney enjoys working on science and engineering projects.

Among these projects is a headset. Using a pair of ski goggles, cardboard from a shoebox and duct tape, he constructed a basic

frame for the goggles. He then built in a pair of small credit-card style magnifiers into a lens array that was seated between the goggles and the frame. This project took him less than three hours, and he was assisted by his 8-year-old twin sons.

“I have long been interested in the idea of using different technologies for educational purposes and a VR headset was a manifestation of this thinking,” Mulvaney said.

Mulvaney’s projects demonstrate his dedication and interest in science and engineering, as well as his imagination. He has built tools and gadgets for his classroom out of materials including balloons, projectors and infrared pens.

“To me, one of the most remarkable things about the sciences it its capacity to stimulate the imagination,” Mulvaney said.

He also built a home-made smartboard computer interface by syncing a Wii controller to his laptop via bluetooth in order to use it with a projector and an infrared pen to project an interactive computer screen onto any surface. For another, he is awaiting approval from the FAA for his plan to launch a telemetry package for a weather balloon experiment 10 and 20 miles above campus. He hopes to broaden students’ perspectives on science and engineering through his experiments and projects in the classroom.

“To a student I would say ‘Look up at the sky. Look at the immensity of life around you at any point in time. Look at the highway road cut rock and imagine its story,’” Mulvaney said. “‘Ask questions. Participate. Be curious. You just have to take the time to look around you once in a while.’”

“Look at the immensity of life around you at any point in time.

Look at the highway road cut rock and imagine its story. Don’t ever limit yourself by saying ‘this isn’t relevant to me’. Make it relevant.”

Arts

Page 13

Alumnus Noah Woodruff uses color in response to the energy of music during the Main Thing in 2014.

Photo by Jake Gold.

T he Main Thing is making a return to Lake Braddock. Led by English teacher Bill McCabe and a clever advertising campaign, last year’s event showcased great performances of the collaborative arts. Everything from dance to writing to even choral and instrumental performance was presented, and McCabe is hoping to recreate the excitement this year.

“I think last year was a phenomenal success,” English teacher Bill McCabe said. “We didn’t know how it was going to end up when we planned it, but it exceeded all expectations.”

The Main Thing is a chance for students to show off the talents that can’t be measured on a test or collected in data by administrators. Students of all grades and teachers of all subjects had the chance to join forces and collaborate freely with one another.

“There are too few opportunities in school anymore for students and teachers to work outside of the box,” McCabe said. “We are usually stuck trying to teach to a test.”

This year, The Main Thing is hoping to display even more collaboration than the last.

“Last year we had a lot of standalone acts,” McCabe said. “They were wonderful, but there are already events like this (for example, Unplugged). We wanted to give students a chance to show

The Main Thing - 7 p.m. on March 25

The Main Thing is still the Main Thing

By Nathan Zelalem - Staff Writer what they can do together.”

McCabe is hoping to see students of different talents in diverse media to create new collaborative projects. Many students already took this opportunity last year by working together on stage.

“I wrote background music for Nan Denette’s short film about her essay, ‘Infinite Jest,’” senior Bianca Thurgood said. “I enjoyed it immensely because I want to go into composition one day, so I felt appreciated and professional in that moment. I highly recommend it it to anyone else because I think it’s a brilliant way for people to expose their area of art.”

This year, Thurgood is planning to participate in The Main Thing again by

collaborating with another student.

“I will be performing a spoken word poem that I wrote,” senior Michelle Garcia said. “Bianca Thurgood is working with me to compose background music. Over the next few weeks, I have to memorize my three and a half minute poem, as well as rehearse with the music to get the timing right.”

During the first annual The Main Thing, about 1,500 people saw the performances. For its second run, McCabe expects the same number, if not more, he said.

There will be a performance during second period and sixth period on March 25 in the Little Theatre, and another performance will be at 7 p.m. on the same day for the community to attend and enjoy.

Arts / Page 14

Final Curtain Call: Levi Meerovich

Q: A: Q: A:

After a captivating performance as O’Brien in Lake Braddock Theatre’s 1984, senior Levi Meerovich has returned as Lennie in LBT’s one-act rendition of Of Mice and Men. This play has already won the VHSL Patriot Conference Championship, earned second place in the VHSL Northern Region Championship and is now moving onto states, on March 7, for the first time in 11 years. Along the way, Meerovich was voted the best male actor in the conference competition, nominated again at regionals and selected to the all-star cast in both.

Does the fact that this is a timed play with increased scrutiny add to the pressure to perform?

Well, whenever you do a competition show, the pressure is higher. Everyone wants to do well with the judges. But one thing I like to remember is that we don’t do theatre for prizes or for competitions: We do it because we love it, and because it’s such a huge part of who we are. Everything else is just an added bonus.

As a senior looking back on your theater career, what role are you most proud of?

I’ve played a lot of roles in LBT, and I put my heart into all of them. A few stand out in my mind, of course: Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, my sophomore year, is what really got my career started. It’s a role I have really fond memories of. It was incredibly fun, and I learned a lot doing it. I also am really very proud of O’Brien, in 1984. That was some of the hardest work I put out on that stage, and I was very satisfied with the result.

Q: A: Q: A:

O’Brien is such a dominating and manipulative character, as compared to Lennie, who is very submissive and helpless. How did your preparation differ for the roles?

Actors need to be versatile; it’s basically in the job description. You can’t get stuck on roles you played in the past and let them influence roles you’re currently playing. But the preparation is different for each role; for O’Brien, I really had to think a lot about his motivations, try to get into that twisted mind. Lennie is simpler.

He really just wants a nice life with George, and he’ll do what he needs to get it. He doesn’t want to disappoint George, or make him mad.

He just wants that nice life. I think all of us are a little bit like Lennie.

Do you plan to continue to pursue the performing arts after high school?

I do. Theater is such a huge part of my life, and I can’t wait to pursue it. It’s really become who I am, what I do. I can’t imagine being who I am today without theater. compiled by Daniel Jarris

‘Fully Committed’ To Putting On A Great Show

by Jake Gold - Staff Writer

lines.

“We really just read through the scripts and work on how to ake Braddock Theatre’s Laboratory Theatre puts say our lines in the way that would be the funniest,” said junior on a show every winter that is, like the name Max Grove, who voices Bob, Mrs. Buxbam and Sam’s Dad. For the leads, it may seem that being the only actor on the suggests, experimental. This year’s production, Fully Committed, is just that. Fully Committed follows a day in the stage would be a harrowing experience. However, Lunardi life of Sam Peliczowski, the man (or woman) who works behind disagrees.

“I think I feel less pressure, the reservations line of a top actually,” Lunardi said. “The beauty restaurant in Manhattan. Sam “The beauty of this script is that of this script is that it’s designed to juggles reservation calls from carry itself because there is only one the New Yorkers desperate for it’s designed to carry itself because person providing physicality for it the perfect reservation, as well there is only one person providing all. It doesn’t feel too different from as handling his or her egotistical a traditional play as a whole either, boss and life issues. However, physicality for it all.” mostly because I’m still interacting this production is different: with other people, despite them There is only one actor onstage.

- Kaitlyn Lunardi being faceless.”

The other characters—there are Other actors find the new style of 40 of them—are all voice-overs. theater to be vastly different from The lead will be played by senior productions.

Nick Edwards for two shows and senior Kaitlyn Lunardi for the p r e v i o u s “I think it’s an entirely new way to act, one that I haven’t other two.

“It’s definitely different,” Edwards said. “It’s weird being done before,” said junior Meghan Landon, who plays the sole source of physical acting, but everyone works really Paramount Lady and Gloria Hathaway. “You can use crazy facial expressions or weird gestures that you wouldn’t normally hard…Being good just comes naturally with everyone else.”

Rehearsals for Fully Committed are being run in a special be able to use when you’re performing on stage.”

With its novel nature and formidable cast, Fully Committed way to accommodate the unique show. Lunardi or Edwards stands at a desk—the show’s sole set piece—while the other promises to be a show worth watching. Fully Committed will characters are behind a music stand backstage reading their be showing in the Black Box Theatre on March 19 and 21.

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Page 15 / arts

Harper Lee returns with new novel

Harper Lee in Monroeville, Alabama in 2001. Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service.

by Bunyamin Sevim - Staff Writer

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n the world of literature, the “one-hit wonder” is rare; most authors, especially famous ones, release multiple novels, barring death or illness. So it was something of a mystery that Harper Lee, author of the renowned novel of racism in the South, To Kill a Mockingbird, retreated from public life after she became an overnight sensation in the 1960s. Some speculated that she had used up her creative energy, while others said that her advancing age was the culprit. Whatever the reason, few expected her revelation in early February that she was ready to re-enter the literary world with a new novel, Go Set a Watchman, which stars Scout, the protagonist in To Kill a Mockingbird.

The novel, which is a sequel to her first work, was actually written before To Kill a

Mockingbird; her editor at the time asked her to expand on flashbacks the main character Scout has of her hometown, which prompted Lee to write a book based on Scout’s childhood. To Kill a Mockingbird was renowned for its detailed description of discrimination in the South, and the tale of a lawyer trying to defend an innocent black man resonated with Americans sick of the racism inherent in their society.

“I thought [To Kill a Mockingbird] was great,” senior Thomas Tyra said. “I can’t wait for her next book.”

Some greeted Lee’s announcement with fanfare, others’ reactions were more subdued.

“I heard it was written before [To Kill a Mockingbird],” senior Katherine Avery said. “I don’t think people will consider it as good as To Kill a Mockingbird because of that.”

Avery said she probably wouldn’t read the book anytime soon.

Still, others viewed the imminent release with suspicion; Lee is 88, ailing and living in an assisted-living facility. Her eyesight and hearing are failing, and while she remains mentally sharp, many believe that her agent, Tonja Carter, pushed for the release of Go Set a Watchman against Lee’s wishes. The manuscript was discovered by Carter.

“I really don’t think she just decided to release the novel, especially this late in her life,” senior Joseph Spitek said. “I think her agent had a large say in the release.”

Regardless, Lee’s novel is sure to garner large sales, and even larger buzz, as its July release date nears.

Spring Concerts

Neil Diamond April 4 Verizon Center

Iggy Azalea w/ Nick Jonas May 12 Verizon Center

Tiny dancers learn from Golden Girls in clinic

Junior Mallory Niehoff at the Golden Girls workshop.

Photo courtesy of Mallory Niehoff.

by Devon Lee - Staff Writer

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fter a long day of learning new dances and meeting other girls who have the dream of being on the LB varsity dance team, future Golden Girls excitedly performed a routine during a girl’s varsity basketball game against West Springfield on Feb. 1. “[My daughters] both get very excited about the workshop,” math teacher Davis May said.

“They like to dance, and they enjoy seeing the older girls.”

Not only did May’s daughters learn new dances, but they get a lot more from these workshops.

“They look up to the older girls a lot, and they see how talented they are,” May said. “They learn and understand the value and importance of practice.”

All of the girls on the team must help out and volunteer for the workshop.

“I never went to one of the workshops when I was younger, but I know that a lot of other girls on the team went when they were younger,” sophomore Noelle Baker said.

The workshops have new themes every year, and the songs used and the dances choreographed depend on this theme.

The workshops are usually a huge success.

Generally, there are about 80 to 100 girls who come.

Rather than having one huge group to have to choreograph for, the girls participating in the workshop, who are between the ages of 4 and 12, are divided into groups depending on their age.

The younger girls who participate in the workshop have the opportunity to meet and learn from the Golden Girls on the current team.

“It is perfect how the younger girls learn from teenagers,” May said. “They work with adults all of the time, and learning from a teenager is different, which I think is a good thing.”

Pentatonix May 19 Patriot Center

Dave Matthews Band May 23 Jiffy Lube Live photos courtesy of official Neil Diamond Facebook, MTV, official Pentatonix website, official Dave Matthews Band website.

Arts / Page 16

Lake Braddock’s Creative Commons Place

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wanted a really colorful portrait to pop out against the darkness, which is like she is letting go,sophomore Allison Yeh said about her drawing.

H

T

e looked dope, senior Colleen Reilly said about her photo.

o find this spot called Mormon Row took us hours driving along dirty roads. I was stunned that these barns and shacks are still standing today, Emma Holzer said about her photograph.

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Page 17 / Arts

ach of the totems represents a person in my family. the color corresponds to their personality, junior Kat Deppmeier said about her ceramics

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went to London for Thanksgiving last year, and I thought that some of the most iconic pictures I could take was of this, sophomore Faith Hoover said about her photo.

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t’s a representation of sibling rivalry and it’s supposed to show our struggle, said senior Emily Pascual about her ceramic.

SUBSCRIBE TO The

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Wellness is our goal.

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Comment

Page 19

Meninism: Trivializing Feminism The Staff Editorial

Feminism is a serious subject and should be treated as such

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imply labeling something as satire does not make it satire.

The primary purpose of satire is to expose the flaws of a system or movement in an entertaining way. Meninism, the self-proclaimed satirical Twitter movement that is mocking feminism, is not satire; it is a harmful farce that is trivializing serious societal issues.

The majority of the things most “meninists” say are exactly the things that misogynists say. The tweets constantly refer to women in derogatory terms. One specifically offensive tweet from @TheMeninism reads, “I don’t understand why women wear watches when there’s a perfectly good clock on the stove.” Joking about issues such as

graphic by Maddie Sievers

sexual assault and domestic violence is unacceptable. Prefacing these statements with “parody” or “sarcasm” does not excuse their harmful nature. This is essentially the same thing as punching a stranger in the face and expecting it to be excused because it was intended to be a prank. Not only are these Twitter accounts perpetuating the objectification and shaming of women for their sexual activity, but they are also furthering misconceptions about the feminist movement, depicting it as an extremist cause that is about bringing men down, instead of bringing women up.

As it stands, feminism is extremely necessary in our society and will remain necessary until serious progress is made.

Women make significantly less than

their male counterparts, are forced to walk the streets in fear of being sexually assaulted and are constantly put down for embracing their body. This, among many other things, is what feminism is working to change. Asserting that the struggles faced by men in contemporary America are anywhere near as serious as those faced by women is distasteful and largely false. There is, of course, a place to critique the modern feminist movement, but this is not what meninism is doing or even attempting to do. Although it may have started as an attack on third-wave feminism, it has digressed into a breeding ground for misogyny. It is acting as if the struggles faced by women in our society are not serious, which is nothing but harmful.

Comment / Page 20 Beyond Good and Evil

Battleground USA

Hospital reform gone mental Mass murder: Mental hospitals need help, too

A comment on gun

ate last year, I voluntarily sought help after a suicide attempt, and was subsequently checked into a local hospital’s adolescent unit for mental health care. As I walked in for the first time, the adolescent unit (“AU” in hospital lingo) seemed exactly like I would’ve expected it to be: white walls, dead silent.

My stay was helpful, no doubt, but it also made me realize how much about mental health care needs serious reform.

ust when Americans might have thought that gun violence in America had calmed a bit, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill shooting happened. This episode of hideous violence was particularly gruesome. Craig Hicks, the suspect of the shooting, is a self-proclaimed “militant atheist” who dreamed of eradicating religion from society.

One of his many problems: The word “militant” was taken completely literally.

In the days after the shooting, there was much debate about the motive of Hicks’ act. Some speculated that the shooting was caused by a parking spot dispute, while others believed it to be a hate crime. Both reasons are pathetic excuses for a tragedy that caused three young people with bright futures to lose their lives, but there’s a pattern with gunrelated crime in America. It’s so easy, too easy, to take several people’s lives in a matter of seconds. A fit of rage, however it’s sparked, a gun, and it’s a done deal.

Three people are no longer with us.

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the preordained idea that everyone with a mental illness is dangerous, unlikeable or pathetic. The problems with these stereotypes are numerous, but one major problem stands out: People who would ordinarily seek help for depression are scared off by the idea of being seen as an outsider. This toxic mindset prevents people, especially teenagers, from getting the help they desperately need.

While inside the AU, there was a rigid schedule to follow. Some amount of time per day was designated for expressive therapies. This included visual arts, music and physical therapy. We also had group discussions with the social workers. Rarely, if ever, are there individual counseling sessions. When we weren’t in therapy or a meal, we spent our time in one of two places: the common room, which had a bunch of chairs and occasionally a TV or radio playing, or our rooms. We spent a lot of time in our rooms. Two or three hours a day. It was terribly boring, and personally, I didn’t get anything out of it. Any of it.

The first time I got real help from the hospital was when I saw an M.D. and started taking mood-stabilizers and antidepressants. The fact of the matter is, I shouldn’t have had to come to the hospital to receive that medication. Had the school provided a list of doctors A graphic of sad children hiding behind happy masks. Illustration local clinics or even just a

by Tribune News Service message saying “Medicine My room had three beds and no clock. can help you; it’s not hopeless,” it’s There were words, generally profane, possible that I wouldn’t have ended up in written on the wall, probably written with the AU in the first place. a stolen pencil (pencils are considered a I don’t mean to say that mental hazard and must be kept in the common hospitals are a bad place. In fact, they room at all times). My roommates switched can be immensely helpful, especially for constantly—especially towards the end of people who might need time to “relax.” my visit, when my roommates switched However, that’s not to say they don’t nearly every day. I didn’t particularly need serious help. With the school’s mind. That was my biggest shock when new awareness of depression-related I stopped isolating myself and began to issues, we’re getting closer. But until the socialize: Many of the people were truly school system prioritizes seeking help for likable people. I honestly didn’t expect to students, the broken system isn’t going to like the people I met. This stigma against change. the mentally ill is the biggest hurdle that people seeking help must overcome— by an Anonymous Writer

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After the Sandy Hook shooting in December 2012, Americans overwhelmingly showed their support for stricter regulation on guns and ammunition. What happened? Nothing.

Gun rights advocates massively outfundraised gun control advocates, and that’s how the issue was put to rest. With money. Our respect for the Constitution can still be preserved when Americans support background checks and the prohibition of certain firearms. It’s time to take action against gun violence that will not end so long as access to a gun is as easy as it is to pull a trigger in a fit of rage.

by Alex Nesterovich Staff Writer

Page 21 / Comment

The Modern World

Boko Haram

The terrorists you don’t know about

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uring the week of Jan. 4, two us much more than the idea of African horrific terrorist attacks took and Middle Eastern citizens’ lives being place. In one, a total of 17 in peril. In addition, due to both a lack of people were killed at the Paris offices of modern safety measures in some African French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and Middle Eastern areas, as well as in an isolated (albeit horrible) attack by incompetent leadership in others (for two gunmen. In the other, possibly up to example, Nigeria’s Goodluck Jonathan), 2,000 innocent citizens of the Nigerian killing unfortunately happens much more town of Baga were killed in the latest often, making us almost “used” to the installment of a continued effort to idea of violence in Africa as an everyday enforce loyalty to an African terrorist occurrence. As a result of this unfortunate group, Boko Haram. Therefore, how does apathy, the media has seemingly deemed it make sense that one of these issues has Western lives to be worth more than come to the forefront of the Western news media, while the other continues to fly under the radar, as do many attacks in Africa and the Middle East, allowing its perpetrators to continue on their path of destruction?

I use the issue of the Charlie Hebdo shooting not to diminish its significance—as it was an absolutely horrific incident itself—but simply to serve as a contrast. The attack in Paris received thousands of front page headlines, as well as a march attended by 1.5 million people. The only time Boko Haram’s attacks have even come close to A map of Baga and Doron Baga, Nigeria where Boko Haram burns achieving such notoriety towns. Illustration by Tribune News Service. in the news was the brief #BringBackOurGirls campaign on African and Middle Eastern ones, simply Twitter. While that campaign did certainly because that is what will garner a bigger have a large reach, the worldwide concern reaction from readers. about that has seemingly not carried This, quite frankly, is the underlying over to the group’s other attacks. The issue. As fellow human beings, we fact remains that people worldwide, should be concerned with the plight of particularly in the West, are still woefully our brothers and sisters in Africa. We under-informed about Boko Haram, as should be concerned that a terrorist group well as other non-Western terrorist events, is running roughshod in the country with which is something that needs to change. the biggest economy in Africa. We were The unfortunate fact is that many outraged when two gunmen attempted to Americans simply don’t empathize challenge “freedom of speech” in with Nigerian citizens as much Paris. Why are we not nearly as as they do with, for example, outraged that a terrorist group Parisians, because Parisians has been waging a war in think more like us and live Nigeria while attempting to more like us than Nigerians do the exact same thing? do. Because we can relate more to Western citizens such

by Ayman Farid - Staff Writer as those in Paris, the idea of their lives being in peril scares

The Futurist

Constant campaigning

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merican politics carries an interesting peculiarity regarding campaigns, one that exists nowhere else in the democratic world. Well over a year away from the upcoming election, we constantly hear about where our preferred candidate is and what he or she is doing, as if it’s breaking news. How did this come to be?

Why in America do you find ridiculously outlandish campaigns and campaign spending?

The constant campaigning exists among all levels and branches of our government, stemming from a few factors.

Loose campaign finance laws pressure politicians to spend enormous amounts of their time seeking money to increase their chances of reelection. Without money, it becomes much more difficult to run a campaign, and, therefore, there is less of a chance of winning an election.

This is extremely problematic, especially when the candidate running for office is also the incumbent. He or she is forced to spend time in office fundraising rather than governing, which is the job he or she was elected to do. In the 2016 Presidential election, the incumbency problem won’t be relevant, but it’s still frustrating that the election covers so much news so far away from the voting date.

Other countries don’t have this problem. In Canada, campaigns are not limited in how long they can last, but they are limited heavily in how much money can be spent. This leads to a campaign season that usually lasts a brisk two months.

In England, it is illegal to run an individual campaign ad on a national station, and there is no local television broadcasting. An election can be called just a month in advance, which is plenty of time for voters to make an informed decision.

There are two main ways to fix the constant campaign problem in America: Limit the amount of money or limit the total money that is allowed to be spent on campaigns.

Democracy will be thankful.

by Alex Nesterovich Staff Writer

Comment / Page 22

The Uncommon App

Why do you do what you do?

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photo by Jake Gold

by Sharon Garrott - Guest Writer Senior Sharon Garrott submitted this essay as part of her successful application to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

ilence.

Absolute silence envelops me. As I stand with heavy, gleaming coils of silver in my hands— my euphonium—and my body shakes uncontrollably, I wonder desperately, Why do I do this to myself? Facing the black screen set up haphazardly in a high school fashion and design classroom, I stare at the two pairs of feet that protrude from below. Anticipation builds. I fixate on the figure wearing poorly-laced boat shoes—a convenient distraction. The voice behind the curtain, like the great and mighty Oz, commands me to play a G-flat major scale. In any other setting, this request would be as simple as turning over the pages of Melodious Etudes, but here, in this audition, I am in another world.

My lungs have collapsed upon themselves to become tulips shying away from the morning frost. Air moves in and out, more and more quickly. Surely, there isn’t enough oxygen in the room for three people to survive. The judges must be able to hear the deafening echoes of my heart pulsing against my ribs—an aggressive tempo of 220 beats per minute. Seconds tick. Still nothing has come out of my horn, and I can feel their expectations hanging in the air. My eyes sweep the room; a blank-faced mannequin gazes at me with cold indifference. Suddenly I feel a nauseating surge through my digestive system; it’s as if my stomach has made a desperate leap for the door.

I lick my lips for the seventh time but

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, [Regarding the article “Gas Prices Plunge”] I don’t understand why you only got quotes from freshmen about the gas prices. None of them drive themselves to and from school. They do not pay for gas at all. The quote from Declan Deady does not have any business here. Declan does not drive as a freshmen, thus he does not pay for gas himself. Quoting him stating because of the gas price drop, he now has more money to spend on stocks and bonds does not make sense. Also, stocks and bonds have nothing to do with this. You should have quoted seniors, juniors and teachers who drive instead of the economically unexperienced freshmen of the school.

Get people who actually understand what it is like to have a job and pay for their automobiles.

Devin Whitmer Senior

Dear Editors, I have read Kinaya Hassane’s article on racism. There are many confusing and distorted aspects to this article.

Hassane mentions that Harvard’s study on race and belief of wages earned can explain the complete denial of America’s reality. How exactly is white Americans’ view of themselves earning more or less than African Americans have anything to do with belief in discrimination? Also, what did you mean by 37 percent of whites believe the same thing? That African Americans earn less and white people earn more? Because if white people believe that they make more than African Americans, then that has nothing to do with discrimination.

Please be [clearer] on this. And finally, I want to add that it seems like you think African Americans are not getting fair treatment in this era regarding education, publicity,

still they don’t feel slick enough to buzz into the mouthpiece coolly extending from my euphonium. Then, smooth metal connects with my fleshy lips and as a resonant sound flows out, finally, my anxiety ebbs away.

I remember that beyond this bleak classroom bathed in an apathetic, fluorescent glow, there are times that I hold this horn and feel invincible. When the air is more cool and crisp than an autumn apple, when the first stars of the evening are twinkling far above the football field, when the crowd is energized as a single, throbbing mass of cheering and waving, I step out in front of the marching band and music from Les Misérables wails from my horn. I wait for the downbeat to fall, then the drum major points to me.

In that moment, nothing else matters than the vibrating sound waves that travel through my euphonium and cut the chilling air. My voice is replaced by the euphonium’s tone, magnified by my own thoughts and emotions. I forget about the distant stomach pains and the worries of failing as adrenaline rushes through my body like a drug. There are no obstacles standing in my way; the audience is at my command. It is this exhilarating feeling that negates the nervousness of auditions and sweeps away the stresses of the week. Playing music is what I love to do, whether on the field, in my basement, in band class, and even in auditions; it is an absolutely invigorating experience like no other. etc. That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard because there will always be racism towards a foreigner depending on which country you reside in. America has done its best to rise from the roots of slavery, and yet you are complaining about something that has significantly improved over the decades. The problem with the whole [Bear] Facts is that the writers are all one-sided and biased. You guys will probably write back about how you all try not to be biased, but clearly you haven’t. Do you ever notice how most of the letters to the editors complain about one-sided, opinionated articles?

Yeram Yoo Senior

Style

Page 24

A Photoshop Fight

In Honor of Photoshop’s 25th birthday, we asked LB students to Photoshop a picture.

We recieved several entries and chose these as the top two.

The Queen of Instagram Senior Jade Samec takes the cake for students on Instagram Followers: 1058 Reason: “Well, usually, when people tag me in photos, especially those that have a lot of followers, I notice that I get a lot of requests. Especially when I go to concerts [and] music festivals I talk to a lot of cool people and like to meet up with them again, so the easiest way is to find each other on social media.”

Winner - Junior Hongnhung Dang Caption: “This is Braddock.”

“It was Greek Week that time, after all. It really was the context of the homecoming picture. 300 provided the perfect Photoshop fodder.”

Runner-Up Senior Connor Anderson Caption: When you’re trying to hit seventh speed but a bear gets in the way.

“I thought to make it because the picture seemed like a good chance to make it about one of our inside jokes.”

The Original

by Junior Jake Gold Caption: Senior Ben Peters duels with Bear-costumed Principal Dave Thomas.

“I thought that the sword fighting was a very interesting thing to do during the pep rally.”

360 “Every year I watched Mrs. Reid take solo shots for the seniors in the sports I played.

It felt so weird when I was getting this taken right before a home game and having all the underclassman watch us.”

349 “This is one of my senior pictures. It took too long for me to decide which one I wamted in the year book so I ended up just closing my eyes and choosing one.”

327 “This was right before I left my house to go to prom my junior year with one of my best friends.

My parents are always so annoying with taking a bunch of pictures of me before dances.”

Page 25 / Style

Everything’s Mint This March

RAINBOW MINT ICE CUBES

MINT MILKSHAKE

Add a simple and cool addition to any beverage!

This minty milkshake will shake up your world!

What you need:

What you need:

Instructions:

Instructions:

Water Mint leaves Food dye Ice cube tray

1. Fill an ice cube tray with water 2. Use one drop of food dye per cube 3. Stir the food dye so that the color is evenly spread out 4. Place a mint leaf on top of the water in each cube 5. Place in freezer for 45 minutes or until frozen 6. Take out the ice cubes from the tray 7. Place in drink

Mint chocolate chip ice cream 1/2 cup of milk 1/4 cup of mint leaves Blender 1. Put two scoops of ice cream, mint and milk into a blender 2. Blend until all the ingredients are completely mixed 3. Add more milk to blender if too thick or add more ice cream if too watery 4. Blend 5. Pour and serve

Style / Page 26

A Tour of this Town

Washington, DC

Capitol Hill & Eastern Market

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by Marcell Subert News Editor

A Tour of this Town is a semi-regular column that appears in the Bear Fact’s style section. News editor Marcell Subert, our writer, travels to different regions of the District and reporting the do’s and don’t’s of each region. The goal of this column is to expose students to the fantastic destinations the District offers in hopes that students will explore them.

eastern market

Capit al Hill Neig hborh ood

he U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. is home to the nerve center of the legislative branch of our federal government. As the tiring day draws to a close, scores of Senators, Representatives, staffers and interns flock to the nearby neighborhood appropriately named: Capitol Hill.

Panning out largely in the District’s southeast quadrant, the architectural style of the homes in this area bear resemble to that of similar residences in Georgetown. In between the classy dwellings of this quarter, are well-to-do restaurants, such as the Monocle and Charlie Palmer Steak, where many Congressional representatives and staffers share their ideas over glorious meals. Tucked away along the ghostly quiet streets are also small coffeehouses and shops for a calm weekend retreat. Indeed, the neighborhood can be a haven that seems miles away from the noise of Congress, while still being within walking distance to the Capitol.

All of this changes, however, as one nears the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and 7th St. SE. On a weekend morning and afternoon, the area changes into a busy hub, as families and ordinary citizens enjoying a Saturday morning stroll gravitate toward the gem of Capitol Hill: Eastern Market.

Standing at 225 7th St. SE since 1873, this market has become the cultural magnet of the entire locality. From Tuesday through Sunday, the market’s South Hall is home to dozens of vendors selling everything from raw meats to fresh local vegetables.

On weekends, the action moves outside as the green metal awning in the front of the building shelters a copious amount of local artists and handicraft makers. One can replenish the calories lost during an extensive roam through the streets at any fine establishment along 7th and Penn.

Food trucks line the small plaza behind the market serving a variety of local favorites from Creole comfort food to gourmet pretzels and vegan delights. One can find all forms of interesting clothes, among other fascinating gadgets, at the outdoor flea market behind Hine Junior High School on 7th.

All of these amusing activities are adjacent to the Eastern Market Metro station, which serves the orange, blue and silver lines. Ideal for any weekend warrior, the Capitol Hill neighborhood is a wonderful part of Washington to ease into a slower pace and enjoy some time off.

The Bottom Line Pitango Gelato: Homemade gelato crafted with fresh local ingredients, 660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington D.C. 20003 Barrel: Gourmet American eats and a broad wine selection, 613 Pennsylvania Ave SE Washington, D.C. 20003 Seventh Hill: Terrific pizzeria with many vegetarian options, 327 7th St SE Washington, D.C. 20003

Top: A banner welcomes residents to the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Middle: A Persian rug shop along 7th St. Bottom: A weekend flea market behind Hine Junior High School. Photos by Sandor Subert.

Page 27 / Style 1. A superabundance; an excess.

3. Mr. VanDoren was enlisted in which military service.

4. Animated superhero comedy film inspired by Marvel was produced this year by Disney.

9. The upstairs main hallway was named ______ st.

10. This teacher attended Va. Polytechnic Institute with a full scholarship for track and field.

13. Shooting at satirical publication occurred in this country.

15. The ___ ____ will be held on April 10.

16. This news anchor has been put on a six-month leave.

18. This is Mrs. Symonette’s ______ fashion show at LB.

Across

2. FCPS superintendent.

5. This teacher is the adviser of the newspaper.

6. To stick fast or together.

7. Current President of Venezuela.

8. Jesse Sands is the ____ ________ for the Bear Facts.

11. Won record of the year at the Grammy’s.

12. Econ/history teacher Mr. Hoppock’s nickname.

14. Infamous by way of being extremely wicked.

17. Morbidly sluggish or drowsy.

19. Senior A.J. Alexander signed to this university.

Answers found online at lbssnews.com.

The Crossword Puzzle

Down

compiled by Elena Simon

compiled by Maddie Sievers

Hey Juniors—it’s a New Year!

Time to Get Serious about SAT and ACT! Top Six Questions:

1.

How do I know which test is best for me?

Compare your percentile score from each. (In other words, you have to take BOTH to know.)

Do all colleges accept the ACT? BREAKING NEWS! More colleges now accept the ACT than the SAT. Should I take the ACT? YES! About 33% of students score BETTER on the ACT! Does this mean I DON’T have to take the SAT? NO! About 33% of students DON’T score better on the ACT. (The other third score about the same.)

What’s the difference between the tests?

ACT SAT

2.

3.

4.

5.

Top score?

Penalty for wrong answers?

How long does the test take?

Number and length of sections?

Contains Reading, Writing, Math, and Essay?

Contains science?

6.

Can Mindworks help me do my best?

YES

Test Date: May 2 SAT May 2 SAT May 2 SAT

2015 Small-Group Course Schedule for Juniors Class Day: Class Time: Start Date: End Date: Sundays Sundays Tuesdays

9 AM – 12 PM 12 – 3 PM 3 – 6 PM

March 22 March 22 March 24

April 26 April 26 April 28

36 NO ALL morning (about 200 minutes) 5 sections: each 30 minutes or more YES YES



No Class:

April 5/Easter April 5/Easter March 31/Spring Break

*students who are out of town on March 29 may attend a free make-up class on Tuesday, April 7 from 3-6 PM

No need to take another class to prepare for the ACT! Take our one-day ACT Seminar and use everything you learned in SAT class (plus a few additional strategies and concepts) to ROCK the ACT!

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Sports

Page 29

Zelkin combined a passion for photography with his daughter Annina’s participation in multiple sports as a way to give back to the LB sports community. Although Annina participates in track and field and field hockey, Zelkin makes an active effort to photograph as many sports as possible. Photos courtesy of Gregg Zelkin (top) and Annina Zelkin (right).

Capturing the moment: the man behind the lens

by Jordan Small - Sports Editor

L

ooking down the sideline at any LB sporting event, a familiar face is often found. Gregg Zelkin began taking photos of LB sporting events three years ago when his daughter, junior Annina Zelkin began playing field hockey and participating in track and field. Zelkin began just shooting his daughter’s teams before he decided to pursue other sports. Now Zelkin shoots events at LB four to six days a week.

“I spent too much time at work, and my photography helps reduce my stress,” Zelkin said. “I enjoyed shooting all different types of sports and wanted to shoot a variety of LB sports.”

Zelkin’s passion began when he took a photography class in high school. That passion continued when he went to Penn State, where he began working for the school newspaper.

He began taking sports photography because of the challenge it presented and the great photos that came as a reward.

With that reward came some challenges.

Because of the fast pace of the athletes, sports photography can be very difficult. Zelkin, however, finds this as one of his favorite parts, he said.

“I have two favorite things about photography,” Zelkin said. “First, the challenge of capturing an athlete’s emotion in the moment of a great individual or team victory. Second, I enjoy being able to share what I do with athletes, coaches, families and friends as a way to give back to the community.”

Zelkin shoots many different sporting events such as football, swim and dive, basketball, track and field and tennis. He takes between 1000 and 2000 photos at each event he goes to. From these he takes the best 200400 and posts them on his Shutterfly account where the public can access the photos.

“I do take many pictures at every event to insure I have a good selection and pictures of as many athletes as possible,” Zelkin said. “The longer the event or the more the athletes, the more photos I end up taking.

Editing takes several hours after the event.”

Zelkin said the easiest sport for him to

cover is tennis because it is always played in nice weather and it is easy to see the athletes’ faces. Many other sports present difficulties, often times due to the angles or lighting.

“Most indoor sports and events at night are difficult because of the lighting,” Zelkin said. “Wrestling is difficult to get the best angles. Lacrosse is very fast, and swimming has most athletes with their heads underwater most of the time.”

Although most of his photography is sports related, Zelkin also enjoys taking pictures of animals and other elements of nature. Soon he will be shooting his first wedding, an LB graduate who enjoyed his sports photography. Many parents have said to Zelkin that they like his photography because it allows them during the game to watch their athletes compete knowing he will have captured great moments for them to cherish for a long time.

“It’s great having a photographer at the games because he can take pictures of us in action,” junior Glenn Vega said. “We can show them to people so they can come to our next game.”

Sports / Page 30

1 question, 4 quarters

How did you prepare for this season?

Nick O’Connor, 12 Boys’ Tennis photo by Gregg Zelkin “I trained at my local club to work on my serve. I also played a lot of matches to get more experience. I focused a lot on conditioning so I could last longer in my matches.”

Junior Sam Quinteros pitches during a game against T.C. Williams on April 22, 2014. Photo courtesy of Gregg Zelkin.

Baseball gets into the swing of things

by Anne Merrill - Staff Writer

Amanda Hendrix , 12 Softball photo by John Lorence “I spent a lot of time on my own hitting and pitching at a few venues over the winter. Over the winter, I ran whenever the weather allowed to keep my stamina up.”

Julio Negron, 12

Boys’ Crew photo by Ismael Negron “I erged, worked out and ran a lot. There’s a major emphasis on upper body, legs and cardio. Conditioning started in December, and the training has gone well.”

Julia Speranzo, 11

Girls’ Track & Field photo by Gregg Zelkin “[I] practice after school [with the team and] focus on the fundamentals, so a lot of running and plyometrics to get in shape. We also have practices on technique daily.”

A

s the snow covering the baseball diamond starts to melt and spring sports teams begin their workouts, the baseball team is already in shape and ready for its first game. After a 12 win, 9 loss season last year, the team hopes to hit the field this year in the best form possible.

“We started our off-season training about a week after last year’s season ended,” senior Matt Supko said. “We went all through the summer and fall and continued to workout during winter.”

The purpose of the workouts is to keep the players in shape and make sure they are ready for anything the season puts in front of them. They work to get stronger and improve the basic skills before in-season training starts.

“During the off-season, we spend a majority of our time lifting and conditioning before we even pick up a bat or ball,” Supko said. “That’s mainly for injury prevention purposes so that our muscles are used to the kind of force we put on them during baseball-related work.”

The first baseball game of the season is a scrimmage scheduled for Saturday, March 7 against James Madison High School; by then the team will have been training together for about nine months.

“I love that we get to start baseball season fairly early in the year, but it seems that we always run into weather at the beginning of the year,” senior Nick Neville said. “We won’t even be on our field until a week or two before the first game.”

Most spring sports started the season on Feb. 23.

Teams will be training hard for the next few weeks just to be prepared for their first games. In addition to the physical benefits of the early-training regime, the team also feels there were benefits to being able to practice as a team for such a long time before the season began.

“I think the fact that we were able to be together as a team really helped us develop and build chemistry,” Neville said.

Hopefully, the team gained as much strength as possible during the off-season to allow it to begin the 2015 season with a win.

Page 31 / Sports

Numbers To Know 84.4 Points per game scored on average by Northwestern State, the highest scoring team in the country.

49.9 Virginia Commonwealth’s Jared Guest takes a shot during a game vs. Richmond on Jan. 31 (left).

Maryland’s Melo Trimble reacts as a second-half run forces Indiana to call a timeout on Feb. 11. (right). Photos by Scott Brown (left), Karl Merton Ferron (right).

March To Madness Looking at the local teams going to the Big Dance

by Spencer Jolley - Staff Writer

T

he NCAA basketball tournament is set to kick off on March 17, with the final selection to be made the Sunday prior. The selection committee has to seed and select the 68 teams that will compete. The tournament will feature several local teams, including Virginia, VCU and Maryland. All of these teams have enjoyed successful seasons, and that should be reflected come Selection Sunday.

This year, Virginia has had to face some stiff competition playing in the ACC with teams like Duke, North Carolina and Louisville. They’ve been able to get through the season with a 281 record as of March 3, which is good enough to likely earn them a No. 1 seed.

There is an adage that says that defense wins championships, so if Virginia keeps playing the great defensive basketball that they have been playing, then they should be able to make a deep run.

VCU is currently 21-8 as of March 3 and has been ranked in the top 25 for much of the season. However, the Rams have not been able to get many high-quality wins. The only ranked team that VCU has

beaten was Northern Iowa on Dec. 13, and that game required double overtime. VCU has also gone 4-5 in its last nine games.

However, if the Rams can win the Atlantic 10 Conference’s postseason tournament, then VCU will have an automatic bid into the national tournament. However, even if they are upset in the Atlantic 10, they will likely still be able to make the tournament.

Maryland has also had a solid season, and as of March 3 is ranked in the top 10 after an upset win over Wisconsin last week. Playing well in the Big 10 is much easier said than done, but the Terrapins have been able to do just that. They are in second place in the conference only to No. 6 Wisconsin. However, Maryland will have to avoid being upset by unranked teams if it wants to stick around in the tournament.

If any team in the state has the chance to win the tournament, it will likely be Virginia. The Cavaliers’ defense was able to hold opponents under 50 points per game this season. An explosive Louisville offense was held to a mere 13 points in the first half against UVA on Feb. 7. However, the tournament seems to not care about logic, as evidenced by all the upsets every year, so it’s best to just sit back, relax and let the Madness unfold.

Points per game allowed

by UVA, the lowest points against allowed by a team in the country.

0 Number of losses Kentucky has this season as of March 3. Indiana was the last team to finish with an undefeated record in 1976.

11 Number of national championships won by UCLA, the most in college basketball history.

2002 The last year a local team won the National Championship. Maryland won that season.

Evan’s Perfect Execution

What is your favorite part How long have you been Who is your role model about being on the swim diving and who/ what is when it comes to diving? and dive team at LB? your inspiration?

Greg Louganis is my role My favorite part about I have been diving for six model. I have a shammy LB Swim and Dive is years and my inspiration that I had him sign, the team bonding that has been my friend Leah and it’s now my lucky we do. Diving is more Turner. She just started shammy. In my opinion, of an individual sport, diving and got third at he is the greatest and during club season I states.

American diver, if not forget what it means to the greatest diver ever. be part of such a great photo courtesy of Gregg Zelkin team that LBSD is.

Athlete of the Issue: Junior Evan Granrud