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Students rehearse for "The Wizard Of OZ." Read more about the spring musical on pages 3 and 4. Cover Photo taken by Hailey Bullis
Mountain View High School 2135 Mountain View Road Stafford, VA 22556 @mvtheviewpoint
STUDENT NEWS Magazine MVHS APril 2015 extra
Fit to commit Seniors spend the majority of their final years of high school on the hunt for their future, but there are definitely mixed feelings on the next step once they find their by Reagan King dream school.
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fter acceptance, prospective students will formally commit to the school, which binds them to that college or university. Some students are eager to commit to their dream school, while others take their time to make their final decision. Senior Caroline Koscheski will be studying Elementary Education at Baylor University in the fall. Koscheski committed to Baylor back in October without any hesitation. Like many other seniors, there was no waiting when it came to confirming her attendance to her dream school. “I sent in my deposit about two minutes after I got my acceptance letter,” said Koscheski. Seniors like Koscheski needed nothing else than their acceptance letter to decide on their future. Koscheski said that the formal commitment has made her so much more excited for college, but her time in high school seems to be taking way too long. Not only has the official commitment weakened the load of stress on many seniors like Koscheski, but it has definitely brought on a strong case of senioritis. While for some seniors the acceptance letter was all they needed, others are in no rush at all to commit, even if it is their dream school. Senior Carson King is planning to study Food Sciences at Clemson University in the fall. King received her acceptance letter back in February, but has decided to wait on formally committing. “I pretty much know that I’m going to Clemson, but I still want to make sure I’m thoroughly exploring all of my options and not passing up on something better,” said King. Some seniors, like King, may feel hesitant to commit because they do not want to feel tied down to one school. King also stated that not committing to a school somehow makes her feel like she is still in control of her future. Unlike some seniors, the acceptance letter was all King need2 l the viewpoint EXTRA l
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ed to feel secure in her future, rather than formally committing. With the acceptance into her top schools, King has predicted that officially committing will not make her feel more secure in her future, but rather excited to attend college like Koscheski. “For a while I was worried I wouldn’t get into a school at all, so just getting the letter was a huge relief, and I feel like I have an easier choice knowing that all of these places are within reach,” said King.
“I just want to lie in my bed until college” -Senior Caroline Koscheski
Senior Randi Thomas is taking a different route with her future that does not involve a formal commitment. Thomas is doing a two-year program at Germanna Community College studying Child Development to prepare her for her dream of operating an in-home day care. Even without any way of committing, Thomas is still set on following through with the program, and that alone lifts the stress. “I do wish there was more of a commitment because it would make me feel a little bit surer in my future, but I know what I want to do and I know that I’m following through with this,” said Thomas. Thomas stated that the nerves about her future definitely disappeared with her decision to do the program, and she is now ready to be done with high school and onto pursuing her dream. With the relieving decision, however, almost always comes the drainage of motivation to finish out the school year. “I’ve missed more school this year than I have all four years combined, so just finishing it out is my main goal at this point,” said Thomas. Whether it was formally committing, receiving the acceptance letter, or making up your mind, finishing the plan for the future has been a stress relieving experience for many seniors.
Photo by Michael Goffus
There’s no place like Mountain View’s Theatre Department Mountain View’s drama club the Wild Acts prepares for their spring musical, The Wizard of Oz. By Michael Goffus The Wizard of Oz isn’t in Kansas anymore; it’s at Mountain View High School. The school’s drama club, the The Wild Acts, is rehearsing for their Spring Musical: The Wizard of Oz. Since auditioning, the Wild Acts have had about 15 rehearsals over three weeks. Since the production is a musical, the group has to learn their songs, dances, and lines all at once over a short period of time. According to Georgia Cary, who works as a stage manager for the production, pulling curtains and changing sets. She, along with the other members of the Wild Acts, hope their efforts show when the play premieres. The actors are working their hardest to recreate the sights and sounds of the original Wizard of Oz movie. Those with more complex roles, such as Meredith Speet, who plays the Mayor of Munchinkin Land, not only have to learn their lines, but also their songs and dances. Speet says the hard work is worth it. “It’s fun being around people
who are in to musical theatre like me,” said Speet. “I decided to audtion because I was involved in Blow by Blow, the school’s one act play, and I really loved working with the Wild Acts. The group has a lot of talent.” The cast is a diverse, charming band of students. At reherasals, the Wild Acts work hard but still manage to have a good time. Behind the curtain, there’s always a group of people making jokes and cracking up. Whether they’re in tech, production, or on the stage delivering a performance, the entire club just seems to have an unspoken bond. The Wild Acts hope that their dedication will soon pay off when The Wizard of Oz premieres this spring. The cast will soon trade empty-auditorium rehearsals for full house performances. “You can expect to see lots of colors, movement, fun, and talent from this production,” said Speet. “Make sure you get your tickets to see the lively show.” april 2015 l the viewpoint EXTRA l 3
Mikayla Coghill
Behind the scenes, students are working hard to create the set and props for the upcoming play at Mountain View.
Behind the curtains
By: Mikayla Coghill
Lights! Camera! Action! The play begins as the actors perform their roles to the best of their abilities and the crowd watches hanging on their every word. Actors work extremely hard on and off the stage with having to memorize lines, practice, and perform live in front of numerous people, but the people working behind the curtains are just as important as the actors on stage. Jobs such as set building, tech, prop managers, costumes, and makeup all take place behind the drama curtains. “I feel like sometimes we aren’t thought about, but we do put a lot of hard work into the plays to make everything run smoothly,” said Grace King, a freshman stage manager. All of the jobs that take place behind the curtains is what truly makes the play come together. Even though most of the behind-thescenes jobs go unnoticed and people aren’t 4 l the viewpoint EXTRA l
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ould ought it w t th i e s u a c e wha y be es and se in the pla n e d c e s lv e o v th get in behind “I chose to pportunity to be curtain.” o hind the e d b o e o k g li a ’s e g b ever ythin ing - Grace K
lined up to watch them do their part in the play, they’re just as important as anyone else working for the play. Another factor that takes behind the drama curtains is the bond the workers/students make when all working together for the play. “I love the people that work backstage, we all love joking around and having fun until its time to get to work,” said King. The students not only get the chance to produce plays, but they also make new friendships and gain new experiences throughout it all. Overall, there are a lot of different activities that take place behind the drama curtains, but they all contribute to the success of the play.
Do you know Dodd? Chris Dodd, a gym teacher at Mountain View, shares his reasons why he is a teacher. BY BROOKE HANSON
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oach Dodd graduated from High Point University, completing his degree in Administration and supervision. He teaches Health and Physical Education and Drivers Education for tenth grade. As well as being the Department Chair for Health and Physical, he is the Assistant Athletic Director.
1. When did you decide to be a teacher? My junior year of high school, 1987
Photo by Brooke Hanson
2. Is it hard balancing being an Assistant Athletic Director and a teacher at the same time?
Yes it can be time consuming
3. On average how late do you stay at the school?
It depends on the events, usually 9pm-9:30pm, if it was a home football game, they are easily until 11:30pm12pm.
4. What does being Assistant Athletic Director entail? Help in the supervision of athletic events, scheduling, assign other teachers to work events, assisting Mr. Margheim in various business aspects: ticket sales, and advertising sales for the program.
8. What made you choose to teach at Mountain View? There was a coaching opportunity. My first year I coached as the girls basketball assistant coach, then later on I progressed into coaching football.
9. What does being Department Chair for Health and Physical Education mean?
6. How long have you been teaching?
I became the Department Chair this year. I go to various meetings with other school department chairs and give out information to others, make schedules for the department, and buying things for the department.
7. What do you do to make your class fun?
10. Do you have a lot of classroom disruptions?
5. What do you enjoy most about being a teacher?
Working with the kids and getting to know them.
20 years, all in Stafford.
I like to add in anecdotes to make it fun, like how my wife is a terrible driver.
It depends, they are normally well behaved. april 2015 l the viewpoint EXTRA l5
How To:
Successfully Babysit.
By: Ashley Finley
“These kids I’m watching are crazy!” Have you ever thought that to yourself while babysitting either your siblings or someone else’s children? Dealing with other people’s children can be stressful and crazed at times, no matter the age. Check out these few tips to have an easier time dealing with children that are too much for you to handle. The first step to a successful night of babysitting is to make sure you have all the necessities. This includes a fully charged phone, a phone charger as needed, emergency numbers, snacks, drinks, and a great attitude coming in. The second step is to get to know your children. “Every kid is different. You need to get to know their personalities; you have to find things that work for that specific child,” said Leslie Finley, the Assistant Director of Kids on the Move Preschool. For example, when you are working with shy kids, you have to become their friend and establish a relationship with them before anything else; show them a more caring, nurturing side of you. On the other hand, with energetic kids, try playing games and using ways to let them release some of the excessive energy, and end your night with a movie. Once you have determined what personality your child has, you should definitely plan your activities for the night. Some effective indoor activities include painting, colouring, making crafts, reading books, watching movies, playing board games, baking, dancing, racing cars for your boys, painting nails and doing hair for your girls, and much more. Additionally, some effective outdoor activities include climbing small trees, playing tag, playing sports, jumping on trampolines that have the proper safety nets, and many more recreations. However, before you go outside, you must make sure you have permission from any parent or guardian before taking their child outside with a possibility of no adults being home. Also make sure to always have your phone with you if you were to go outside, keep a careful eye on everyone, and be sure to set boundaries for a playing area as well as rules to follow. Other tips for having a great night include be caring, stay focused, and have fun, but also be firm with the child so they understand who is in charge. “When dealing with kids, you have to be firm from the beginning. They need to know that you mean what you say. You also have to gain their trust and let them know they can come to you for anything; if they hurt themselves, if they broke anything, or if they have a question or need anything,” said Finley. By following these few, simple tips, you are sure to have a great night dealing with otherwise hard-to-handle children.
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Stuck in a study rut?
Photo by Allison Stout
Helpful tips for a successful studying session. By Allison Stout
You have a huge test coming up and promise yourself that this time you’re going to study, but of course you don’t; now it’s test day and you wish you had. Many students in high school have trouble focusing while studying. Every teen can get distracted by their own personal lives or something they think is more important than studying for a test. A huge distraction in this time is social media and technology. If you find yourself reaching for your phone, TV remote, or just not studying at all, this is for you. HOW TO: Study for a test (with no distractions!) 1. Eat a snack before or bring one with you. Often time’s teens will make an excuse that they
are hungry just so that they can get up to get a snack. When you leave from studying, your brain breaks its focus. Plus, you’re not going to want to go back to studying after getting food. If you get a snack, it also energizes the brain, and holds you over until you are finished. 2. Turn off your cell phone. It sounds over the top, but it will help because there’s no way onto social media. Now that there are no more social media distractions, you can start studying. Turning off your phone also gives you no excuse to look away from your studies. 3. Make flashcards and other study tools. From personal experience, flashcards make such a difference in helping to study a subject. They can help learn, quiz yourself, and review. Study tools such as Venn diagrams can compare and contrast what you are studying. Try making a list of things you need to work on and crossing it off when you’ve gotten the hang of it. 4. Have time management. A big mistake of studying is not having good time management. Focus on the things you need to work on first, and then maybe look over the subjects you already know. Don’t spend too much time on one thing because then you won’t be able to study anything else. 5. Take good notes to study off of. Pay attention in class! If you take good notes, then it will be easier to make study tools to pass the test. Studying will not be so hard if you take well written notes and understand the material. Ask your teacher if you don’t get something in class before you go home. You can’t study something you don’t know.
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What to do with your eggs Spring is coming and so is Easter. Have some fun making themed decorations and toys. By Rachael Daywalt It’s Monday morning and you still have those plastic Easter eggs from hiding candy for your siblings or some local kids in the neighbourhood. After buying so many eggs, they take up space and it’s a waste of money to throw them away. Take some time and turn them into beautiful arts and crafts projects for everyday use. Easter wreaths are great for future Easter decorating. Turning plastic eggs into tea light candle holders would be a great gift for mother’s day or a birthday. Kids will also love sound shakers made from the colorful plastic and it’s cheaper than buying in a store.
Now use the pencil to push the grass with the easer into the gaps of the wreath. Start with the top layer and on the outside rim of the bottom layer. In the gaps put a dab of glue, let it cool for a few seconds then place the grass. Make sure to trim any fly-a-ways on the outside and inside of your wreath. Then you can make a bow with your ribbon and place it on a space not covered by eggs and add the wire or pipe cleaner to make a hanger. Supplies you will need for candle holders are plastic eggs (bottoms only), tea light candles, a piece of wood, super-glue, and if you want spray paint for the eggs. First you’ll paint the eggs with spray paint specifically for plastic with about 3 coats or however many that gives it the colour desired. After the paint has completely dried, which might take drying overnight, the next step can be taken. Find a small piece of ply wood for your candles to be placed on. Start by gluing the center of the egg to the center of the wood and a dot of glue on the side of the egg so they can stick together. Wait twenty-four hours before putting in the tea lights, then place them in the best spot of the house.
Supplies you’ll need for a wreath are cardboard, plastic eggs, Easter grass, I ½ inch wide ribbon, wires or pipe cleaners, hot glue, scissors and a pencil with a fresh easer. The grass and ribbon should be in the same colour family but not necessarily. Cut the cardboard into a circle as big as you want your wreath to be. If the cardboard is not very sturdy you can use two and put them together. Recommended size is the outside of the circle is 12 inches and the inside circle is 9 inches. Place hot glue on the cardboard frame in waves. Then you can start placing your eggs. Put a dab of glue on the egg so that when it is placed on the frame it is not standing up or titling, but laying on its side. Then place them horizontally in two rows on top of each other and use glue anywhere an egg touches the frame or any other egg. The outer row should have the fatter side towards the center and the inside row should have the fatter end facing towards the outer row. Next place a layer of eggs on top of the first layer. They can be placed at random, preferably over any obvious gaps between eggs. Make sure to use glue anywhere they touch another egg. 8 l the viewpoint EXTRA l
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Supplies you’ll need for sound shakers are the plastic eggs and different items for the sound. Some people use sea salt, paper clips, almonds, and beads. Others prefer to use marbles, beans, rice, coins, and jingle bells. Experiment with the sound before you seal the eggs so you know how much to put inside. Then run a bead of hot glue along the inside edge of the top side of the egg. Finally carefully place the top on and check that it is on tight and straight. You can also use old egg cartons to store them. Remember to have fun with these projects and maybe get some of your family members or your neighbours kids involved in the fun too.
Getting started with: Photography Taking a selfie for Instagram is a whole different ball game when it comes to photography. Are you willing to look through a different lens and see the world in a different perspective?
What exactly is DSLR?
DSLR stands for “Digital Single Lens Reflex”. In simple language, DSLR is a digital camera that uses mirrors to direct light from the lens to the viewfinder, which is a hole on the back of the camera that you look through to see what you are taking a picture of.
Getting Started.
When you’re first interested in photography, you must understand that it is a very expensive hobby. After buying your first SLR camera, you've committed yourself to buying into a "system" of lenses and flashes that work only within the walls of your own brand. Look into buying used lenses. It might be intimidating at first, but it will save you in the long run. When you look into buying a camera, it doesn’t really matter what brand you get, but what brand you get will affect your future purchases. A great idea is to go to a store where you can hold the camera itself and take a few photos with it in the store. Get a feel of what it’s like to take a picture with it. And you must, muST, MUST read the user’s manual before messing with the settings. The last thing you want to do is change something and not know how to use it.
Understanding the fundamentals
In order to take beautiful pictures you must first understand light. Once you learn how to manage light, you can take stunning photos and your gear won’t matter. A high key is where the scene is flooded with light, creating a bright and open-looking scene. Low key is where the scene is flooded with shadows and darkness, creating suspence or suspicion. Bottom or side lighting is where direct lighting from below or the side, which ofter makes the subject appear dangerous or evil. Front or back lighting is soft lighting on the actor’s face or from behin gives the appearence of innocence or goodness, or a halo effect. Knowing your camera functionality and technique are second. Most people that shoot with point and shoot cameras don’t even know their own cameras! They just put it in “Auto” mode and don’t bother to figure out important camera settings and modes. True, “Auto” modes are great, but if you look back at all your photos, did your camera produce great photographs every time you took a picture? I’m sure it didn’t!
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Combating Senioritis By: Sydney Grossweiler
Sydney Grossweiler
It is six-thirty in the morning and you roll out of bed to get ready for school. As you start to brush your teeth, you realize that you did not read the chapter for history and you have not done the literature analysis questions that are due second block. As you rush to get ready, you end up leaving the house late and get stuck in traffic. You sit there behind the wheel sipping coffee while cursing your teachers and all your classmates you do not want to be around for seven hours. To pass the time, you plan your dream dorm room and think of your perfect roommate. Many high school seniors find themselves in situations like this : falling behind in homework and Senior Brooke Hanson trying to finish a last minute procrastinationg projects and papers until the night project early in the morning. before, dreading being around many other classmates, and constantly thinking about the future. Senior Brooke Hanson said, “The most difficult part (of senior 4. Spend time with family For so many of us, once we graduate high school, year) is how bad my procrastination has gotten.” we will be entering adult life and leaving our homes 1. Set Rewards behind, whether you are entering the military service, Any final project or reearch paper can seem joining the workforce, or heading off to college. Do not dauting as the deadlines loom closer and closer. Break forget to make some time for your family. It can be as down the large task into samller tasks, and set up simple as asking your parents how their day went or rewards for yourself as you complete each task, such as treating your sibling to ice cream Friday after school. five minutes on Twitter or a short cat nap.
5. Focus on doing well and having a good time
Senior year is supposed to be fun and you are supposed to have fun. You are not meant to spend 22 The cell phone is the downfall of so many hours a day worrying about college, school, and summer students. People spend hours on social media or jobs. Do not let silly drama or one bad test grade ruin playing games on the phone. All this time spent on your final year, but do not let one bad test become an F phones comes at a sacrifice to school work. So turn off in the course. Stay focused but have fun. your phone for at least one hour a day and you will be amazed at how much you can get done. Remember, almost all seniors experience senioritis at least once during senior year, but that is okay. 3. Remember to relax But do not let poor decisions, like not turning in por With senior year comes the dreaded mental jects or simple homework assignments, or even spiking breakdown. It is midnight and you stress yourself out the punch at prom prevent you from getting your diploabout papers, scholarships, and college applications. ma or walk across the stage atr graduation. This is a lot to worry about, but crying and stressing Senior Kayla Moss said, “ Continue working out does not actually help you accomplish any of these hard.” tasks. So next time you feel a breakdown start to hap- Stay safe, make wise choices, and have fun. pen, remove yourself for five minutes, calm down, and refocus yourself.
2. Turn off your phone
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