Contents 6.
As if the hallways weren’t crowded enough, an increase in student population for the upcoming years is posing as a problem to the space FHS offers, and the faculty numbers already in the building.
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January 25, 2010
Is It Worth It?
The Theater 2,3,4 classes performed their adapted version of the classic play “Romeo and Juliet” on Janaury 20 and 21.
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The Fashion Marketing classes organized the annual Fairfax Fashion Show on January 14.
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The girls basketball team has had their best season in the past decade, maintaining a winning record overall, and placing within the top three of the district.
Rebel Roar Staff 2010-2011
VHSL First Place in Newsmagazines 2009-2010
Editors-in-Chief Sports Editors Staff Writers Emily Buzzard Sam Brott Suha Akhandker Jordan Sharpe Walker Carlson Brandon Blankenship Managing Editor Copy Editors Natalia Colon Emily Stone Rachel Tran Helena Contes News Editor Nikki Strickland Kristina Hurd Aneela Wadan Art Directors Steven Kendall Commentary Editor Toni Rayder Elliot Meyer Matt Reihing Jordan Rummel Gabrielle Severson Entertainment Editor Business Manager Daniela Torres Zafar Shaw Jessie Mason Features Editors Advisor Emily Robinson Carl Irvin Emily Stone
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12. & 13.
Studies have shown that 80% of the population admits to texting while driving. And 50% are teens. Simply placing your phone in the backseat while you drive can save lives and lower the number of deaths caused by this distraction. Be the change, it can wait.
Editorial Policy
The Rebel Roar is a published forum of student expression. Letters to the Editor are encouraged. Only signed leters are considered for publication. The editors reserve the right to edit all material in the interest of clarity and space. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the staff or school administration. The staff writes unsigned editori-
als on a majority basis, The Rebel Roar accepts all advertisements deemed appropriate for a public forum meant for young adults and are subject to the discretion of the editors. Students are encourgaed to take an active voice in the student publication. Questions, comments, and letters can be e-mailed to FHSRebelRoar@gmail.com.
Corrections and Clarifications for Rebel Roar December issue: “The Buzz” was referring to Brett Favre, not Brett Farve. Cover photo was taken by Helena Contes. Back cover photo taken by Emily Stone.
letter from the editors
F
rank Lloyd Wright, American writer and architect once said, “I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.” In order to be successful in life, you must first be dedication to what you have to do. You won’t get anywhere in life without working hard and setting your priorities to achieve. Dedication makes up a huge part of what we are as Rebels. Our Theater Department has dedicated months of preparation to their “Romeo and Juliet”. Our sports team practice day after day, and our baseball team has been conditioning and preparing to achieve greatness. They all dedicate their time, effort, and abilities to excel in their given field. This past month the Fashion Marketing classes dedicated great amounts and time and energy to produce the show. Every month members of our staff dedicate class time, and time after school to create and publish the Rebel Roar for our readers. Our teachers and faculty dedicate time to educate, inspire, motivate, and push us to make the most of our high school career, and whether we like it or not, we must be dedicated to ourselves to achieve and accomplish what we are capable of. In the end dedication pays off. Seniors, the four years we’ve all spent here, all the time, effort, hard work, sleepless nights, worrying, motivation, and dedication to grades and extracurricular activities will pay off in five months. Underclassmen, stay dedicated to your schooling and making the most of high school. Times fly, and from all the hard work in high school, to college, the more prepared you will be for the real world, a job, and a family. Congratulations on staying dedicated throughout the first semester.
3.
obituary
Scott Wedell
A Somber Remembrance to the World’s Greatest Jets Fan
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round four years ago, I truly starting branching out in my quest for sports knowledge, and I ran into an argumentative figure known to me at the time as only ‘NYSR’. He and I butted heads on nearly everything NFL related, if I said the grass was green, he would say it was forest green. Eventually the place we communicated shut down and we didn’t see each other for a year or two. Little did I know that my former adversary would turn into one of my best friends, and yeah – I understand how some of you may feel about ‘online friends’ but when you talk to someone day after day, share personal thoughts, plans, hopes, dreams, etc. then you’re friends – online or not, then you get close to them. When I met him again on a website that I formerly co-owned, www.sportsjabber.net, I began to learn about the real Scott Wedell. We seemed to get along better, we seemed to agree more on things and developed a great friendship to the point where we’d call each other every other week or so and just catch up, talk some New York Jets-Pittsburgh Steelers smack from time to time, you know – stuff that friends do. When I learned that in the two years that I hadn’t talked to him that he was fighting cancer, I was floored. I could try and tell you his story, but he told it better than anyone, and you can read it here: http://forums.sportsjabber.net/sjforums/showthread.php?t=30847 Months later, after not being around for awhile, he came back and told us that he didn’t know how much longer he’d be around. He couldn’t eat, he could barely drink, he was in bad shape – that was in July of 2010. Scott finally found himself at peace on January 17th, 2011, after leaving a lasting impression on every
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heart that he touched. He never complained. He never whined. He never felt sorry for himself. He accepted his life for what it was and made the most of it. I tried countless times to contact the Jets organization to see if they could do something for him, and they always said they’d get back to me. They’ll be getting call after call today until something gets done. Scott had something in him that a lot of us will never experience – a love and appreciation for every breath. He was the epitome of David VS. Goliath. He was the Miracle on ice. He was the Jets versus the Patriots. My life will be forever changed because of the impression that he left on it. He taught me that you can never give up. He taught me that you have to continue fighting even if all hope is gone. He taught me that survivor’s come in all shapes and sizes. I don’t know if there is a heaven, a hell, a God, or a devil. But, what I do know is that the world got a little darker when Scott left. And wherever he is now, just got a lot brighter. When the Jets come to Heinz Field to play my very own Pittsburgh Steelers, I hope they bring it. I hope Scott guides them to play their best. I hope they make him proud. I won’t be doing play by play for the game this week, I’ll be sitting down, watching the game with a candle lit beside of me in remembrance of one of the best friends that I’ve ever had. Until the New York Jets exit the playoffs, the banner on SteeHurtin.com will remain what it is. In tribute to one of my best friends, the greatest Jets fan of all time, an inspiration, and my hero – Scott ‘NYSportsRule” Wedell. Goodbye Scott, I’m going to miss you, I’m never going to forget you, your story, or your fight.
Written by TJ Jenkins Originally Published for Steelhurtin’.com
News Briefs FHS’ classes will be renumbered at the beginning of the third quarter. As you enter the building the letters will go clockwise starting from the left, with the auditorim being “M” and the library will be “L.”
news Former coach and teacher Peggy Aderton and former athletes Joe Fitterer, Sean Doolan, Chuck Freeman, Carissa Mirasol and Matt Johnson were inducted into FHS’ Athletic Hall of Fame on January 21 during halftime at the girls’ basketball game against Marshall.
Upcoming Events 2010 Census Figures Unveiled
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he results for the 2010 census came out right before Arizona, and Utah all gained one seat. In the end, the Winter Break and an obvious population increase reapportionment of the House will end up affecting the was seen. National Census Day was April 10, 2010 Electoral College in the 2012 election. and now all the information can be viewed in the public Compared to the 2000 census, however, the populadomain. As predicted, Southwestern states saw an av- tion increase was not as drastic and the overall percenterage increase of 13.8%. Southeastern states grew by a age increase decreased on average. The final population percentage of 14.3%. count was recorded at On the other hand, 308,745,538 with a 9.7% the once-populated increase. In past years, Northeast and Midthe census has rewest had increases of ceived a lot of backlash only 3.2% and 3.8%, for their undercountrespectively. ing of minorities and Politically, the cenpoor people. This time sus data is used for around, the Census Bureapportionment in reau attempted to work the House of Reprewith community orgasentatives. Usually, nizations such as most states remain Changes brought by the 2010 Census. Photo courtesy of 2010.census.gov/2010census churches, chariwith the same numties, and firms to ber of representahelp with recordtives. States that gained seats included Nevada, Texas, ing undocumented immigrants, impoverished citizens, and Florida. States which lost seats included New York, and individuals of color. Michigan, and Pennsylvania. A pattern has been spotted Not only is underrepresentation an obstacle for the by demographers; an increase in population in southern Bureau, but citizens who simply do not care enough to states like Texas and Arizona was so large that multiple fill out the census form are also creating problems. seats were gained in the House of Representatives. Texas gained four seats, Florida gained two, and Nevada, Zafar Shaw ‘11 . Entertainment Editor
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news
Crowded Hallways Epidemic
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s freshmen classes continue to grow in size, crowding in the halls will also continue to grow at Fairfax High School in years to come. Lanier Middle School, the major feeder school to FHS, contributed to this year’s 543 freshmen, as Lanier’s 8th grade class last year contained 464 students enrolled. This year the eighth grade count at Lanier is 595 students, an increase of 28%. “There are currently 13 high schools in Fairfax County Public Schools that opened the school year over their capacity. We will join this list next year,” said FHS Principal, David Goldfarb. With 2,385 students currently at Fairfax, the halls between classes always seem to be congested after each class period. The constant crowding makes it difficult for students to change classes with the seven minutes allotted students have said. It takes sophomore Sydney Kim almost five minutes to get to classes within short distances. F H S sophomore Jenny Nguyen said, “I don’t feel like anything is being done and they’re just stuffing kids into classes.”
ber Jean Naka said, “Middle schools and high schools will not be impacted at all by the study.” Therefore, FHS students will not need to worry about being redistricted to different schools. Though redistricting will not be an option for relieving the crowds at FHS, the administration at FHS is aware of the issue and has been developing different solution. Goldfarb said that the master schedule for next year will result in open classrooms for fewer periods next year. He said, “Trailers may become a necessary option if our student enrollment increase requires even more classrooms.” Goldfarb also said that the added D lunch this year provided positive results the staff had hoped for. Though the population increase may seem like a burden to students trying to make it to class on time, Goldfarb said that there are also some positive aspects to student growth. “One of the advantages of having more students is that we have the opportunity to hire teachers.” He said the “beautiful facility, positive school climate and impressive record of student achievement,” at FHS makes it easier to bring in highly talented teachers into the curriculum. The principal said he was proud to see that though crowding is a struggle, students continue to create a positive atmosphere as they manage to share the halls with their peers. “The halls are the worst part of FHS,” said Junior Ken Ta. However, the administrators say they will continue to develop new options and solutions to put an end to the constant congestion between classes.
Jessica Miers ‘13 Staff Writer
FHS hallways cause longer for students to get to class. All photos by Paige Dunlevduy
Teachers have also noticed the impact of large classroom sizes this year. For Ms. Diane Pederson’s Spanish classes, the extra number of students meant textbooks would only be offered as a class set this year, instead of students being able to leave them at home for use like last year. “It does make teaching more difficult because you can’t give as much individual help during class” Pederson said. Students say they have begun to wonder what the possible solutions might be to relieving the crowds at Fairfax. Rumors about boundary lines being redrawn for students became a concern after the launch of a study called the South West Boundary Study in 2009. . South West Boundary Adhoc Committee mem-
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Vacant halls are rare here at FHS.
entertainment
Emily Over: A New Start!
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t’s a new year and it’s time for a new beginning! This month I made over Erin Sullivan with an easy and colorful make up look that is very wearable, with a casual side messy bun that still looks super cute! Step four: Take a large fluffy Step three: Take a deep Step two: Apply a Step one: Apply eye crease blush and dip it into a brown or black and apply on shimmery neutral shadow base. bright color eye shadow, and color all over the lid. to the crease. lightly sweep above the crease.
Make Up:
Step five: Apply a white eyeliner below lower lashes. Then take an eyeliner brush, dip into the bright color, and go over the previous white line.
Step six: Apply mascara and eyeliner to your water line.
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When doing step five you can use any eye shadow as an eye liner.
Hair: Step one: Brush or comb hair till tangles are undone.
Before:
Step two: Take a flat iron (or curling iron) and curl the ends of your hair inward.
Step three: Part hair to one side, and then part hair in half as if you’re doing a half up-do, then section that piece off.
Step four: Take the lower section and start twisting that piece of hair toward the side of your hair.
Step five: Take the upper section and start twisting and wrapping it around the section you just did. Then use hairspray for hold.
After:
Emily Robinson ‘11 Features Editor
7.
entertainment
Starcrossed Lovers Hit FHS
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he tragic tale of “Romeo and Juliet” has been studied in many high schools around the world. At Fairfax High School, it is part of the 9th grade English curriculum. For those who are not familiar with this story, “Romeo and Juliet” is about two families that are filled with distaste for each other and refuse to let their children marry. This conflict leads to misunderstanding and grief. This year, FHS theater department reenacted this tragic story on January 20 and 21. What is different about this play is that it is being performed in two casts that alternate. On the first day the modern version is performed where the swords are exchanged for modern weapons and their old garments for the modern attire. Since there are so many students enrolled in theater, it was decided that it would be best to stage two productions to give more students a chance to be involved. There are two directors that made this play possible. Ms. Wendy Knight, who is FHS’ theater teacher, directed the classical play. Ms. O’Neill, a guest direct who works at
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Fairfax Community Center and is a middle school teacher, directed the revamped and contemporary version of the play. Senior, and the classical Romeo, Reza Supandi said, “We have different approaches to Romeo and
Romeo (Reza Supandi) and Juliet (Angela Weichbrodt) agree to a secret marriage. Photo by Aneela Wadan Juliet and two different styles. Ms. Knight’s, which is my category, focuses a bit on comedy. We real-
ize that Shakespeare may not be intriguing to high schoolers so we tried to add comedy without changing the script. Old school with more laughter.” The audition process was quite simple according to the cast. The whole class was instructed to memorize 14 lines of Shakespeare’s play and do research on the writer, himself. Then in class they had cattle call auditions, where everyone was randomly selected to present their work. All the roles were determined by the end of the period so the rehearsals could start the following class. Harry Weger, the modern Romeo, said, “I played Orpheus in “Eurydice” and other community shows like “Wizard of Oz. That background and past experience help in roles like Romeo. “ The cast was also taught in stage combat by of Mr. Craig Lawrence. Lawrence demonstrated how to deal with the massive swords and weapons during the battle scenes.
Aneela Wadan ‘11 News Editor
entertainment
Pretty Big Liars: TV Review
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he mid-season premiere of Pretty Little Liars occurred on January 4th, and if you didn’t know about it, you probably weren’t on Facebook that night. Or maybe you weren’t even alive, because with the deluge of Facebook updates and excitement over a mid-season premiere, you would have thought that Pretty Little Liars was the first show on Oprah’s new network. If you want to catch up on what has happened in the first season so far, the Rebel Roar is here for you. Premise: The background story of the series begins with the friendship of five girls: Aria, Hanna, Spencer, Emily, and their leader, Alison. The girls, then in middle school, decide to play a practical joke on Alison’s neighbor Toby Cavanaugh, after Alison claims that she saw
him spying on them. The girls plant a stink bomb in Toby’s house, causing his garage to explode and blind his step-sister, Jenna Marshall. The girls agree to keep it a secret, but Toby knows they were behind it. Alison blackmails Toby into taking the blame for the explosion after telling him that she will reveal he hooked up with Jenna. The girls have a sleepover which Alison disappears from in the middle of the night with a scream. A year later with Alison still missing, the girls begin receiving mysterious text messages signed “A”, that mention the girls’ darkest secrets. The girls believe the sender is Alison until Alison’s body is discovered buried in her former backyard. Pretty Little Liars airs on ABC Family on Mondays at 8.
Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale) -
Hanna Marin
The series opens with Aria returning from a year in Europe with her family. It is revealed that Aria knows that her father is having an affair. Depressed over her former best friend’s disappearance, and her father’s cheating, she goes to a bar where she meets Ezra Fitz and tells him she is a college student. The two end up making out in the bathroom of the bar. During her first day back at school, Aria reunites with her old friends and discovers that Ezra Fitz is her English teacher. At this point, he breaks off the relationship, but in later episodes their affair continues on and off. Aria eventually tells her mother about her father’s affair, which ends in their separation.
Emily Fields
(Shay Mitchell) - Emily Fields is a star swimmer, and has a popular boyfriend, but she begins questioning her sexuality when Maya St. Germain moves in to Alison’s old house. Emily and Maya begin a relationship, and it is implied that Emily had a crush on Alison before she died. Photos courtesy of www.abc.go.com
(Ashley Benson) -After Alison disappears, former chubby girl Hanna slims down and becomes the most popular girl at Rosewood. Hanna tries to get attention from her absentee father by shoplifting. Later in the season, it’s revealed that her mom, who she lives with, is having money problems. In the mid-season finale, Hanna gets hit by a car driven by “A” as she tries to reveal A’s identity.
Spencer Hastings (Troin Bellisario) - Overachiever Spencer feels pressure from her parents to perform as well as her older sister, Melissa. At the beginning of the series, Melissa, who has always had a poor relationship with Spencer, moves back home. With Melissa comes her new fiancé, Wren. Spencer is attracted to him, and they end up kissing. Melissa discovers Wren and Spencer together and makes Wren move out.
Emily Stone ‘12 Features Editor
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commentary
Strict Curriculum
The Structure of the school curriculum has been freedom to teach what he wanted, the world would under fire for years, but what would it take to make have a more diverse population of students. an actual change? Many teachers such as Mr. Peterson Mr. Cribbs, a math teacher agrees that students would fell strongly about this topic, and even have ideas for benefit without this structure. He would cover less mahow to change this trend. Peterson says that we should terial; however he would make sure students mastered “Create different types of schools in every topic. Cribbs would use real world the county that focus on the different applications of this material which would styles of learning”. Schools attendance teach kids how to use important mathematic based on boundaries saves money. The skills. Some of the aspects to his class would question is what is worth more, discovremain the same, for example the basic pracering the true potential of children, or tice associated with mathematics would still saving money? Mr. Peterson says that be used to help students learn the material. without the structured curriculum given FHS Principal David Goldfarb believes the to all core teachers in Fairfax County, he school curriculum is fit to teach students. He would completely change his current states “As a public school, there are state and AP classes. In order to truly uncounty guidelines to what should Mr. Peterson believes that teachers derstand the concepts he teaches, be taught in our courses (Virginia should be able to come up with their he would have a project based Standards of Learning, FCPS Proclass where students can work on own curriculum. gram of Studies). There are many something they are interested in, benefits to course standards. I do or can relate to. In addition to a better not believe that curricular standards and enunderstanding, students would also gaging instruction are mutually exclusive. As be more enthusiastic about the subject a teacher, I have rarely felt restricted in how I they are learning. The main cause of this could help students develop skills and interstructured curriculum is the standardact with content. Furthermore, I have watched ized tests being implemented by the many of our teachers effectively differentiate state, and colleges. “Sometimes students their instruction and help their students meet are motivated by these tests because it high standards.” While our current school gives them something to work for” says curriculum does meet the highest standards Mr. Peterson. While this may be true put in place by the state and county, there is for some students, it would benMr. Cribbs would like to base his always room for improvement. efit students to have the option of curriculum on real world applicawhether they would attend a project tions, so students will be better Steven Kendall ‘11 based school, or one based on tests. prepared for life after high school. Staff Writer Peterson, like many other teachers, believes that if he was given more
Cookie Monsters Take Away Cookies
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fter my former hero’s (Brett Favre) little texting incident, I had to find a new a role model to look up to. It wasn’t hard though, as I knew that the one thing that could never disappoint me was Otis Spunkmeyer. Otis Spunkmeyer, the company that created the greatest cookies in the world, knew exactly how to brighten my day. Warm, gooey, chocolaty cookies were the way to go. I have suffered as of late though, as Fairfax County, along with their food services team, has declared the cookies to be too unhealthy to sell in schools. What I want to know, is what kind of world it is that we live in where we can’t even get a decent cookie at lunch? The new cookies are sugar free and disgusting. In
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fact, after recently receiving six cookies from my good friend Eduardo, I gave them all away because they were horrendous. I miss my four-cookie days where I would relish in the warm gooeyness that would ooze lusciously from the warm piece of heaven. According to the head of the food services team, sales have dropped in all FCPS schools by nearly 50%. Therefore, I would like to give a shout out to all my fellow students who have joined me in sending a message to FCPS. Boycotting bad cookies is the way to go. C is for cookie, but that’s not good enough for me.
Sam Brott ‘11 Sports Writer
commentary
The Buzz
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ecently, a girl on my hockey team from southern Virginia taught me how to talk “their way.” Northern Virginia, according to her, is compiled with a bunch of elitist and entitled brats, and we express our brattiness through our diction. I say “you”, she taught me to say “chu.” I say “you’re,” she taught me to say “cha.” I learned that eschewing the words “you” and “you’re” from my vocabulary makes me seem so much more down to earth and intimidating. So next time chu wanna talk smack, shut cha face up.
HOT Science Olympiad Everyone knows that the Science Olympiad kids are the coolest people in the school. Not only do they have intense science competition, which they generally win, but they are also really, really ridiculously good looking and the full package is complete with their great personalities. Now will someone PLEASE help me with my physics grade!?
5 Gum Honestly, 5 Gum doesn’t taste that much more spectacular than any other gum. However, 5 Gum has the best packaging which adds immensely to the “cool factor”. Yes, judging gum by its cover is the best and most practical way to get the most spearmint for your buck. I’m superficial, deal with it.
Hoarders
This show is ridiculous. I don’t understand how people can be hoarders. Although hoarding things is technically a psychological disorder, it’s still repulsive, whether or not these people can help it. Why did I put it in the “Hot” column? This is simply because it makes me feel better about my own life. Thank you, A&E for broadcasting this so people like me can be confident in their own sanity.
NOT Science Fair This year, I made the mistake of taking honors physics and I now realize that there is nothing worse or more stressful than having to invent a problem and try to find the best solution, and then displaying all of your work on a backboard. Why do we need a backboard? Do you think real scientists go to Office Depot to find the cutest way to display their work? No, they don’t. We shouldn’t have to either.
Extra Dessert Delights Gum There is nothing more disgusting than chewing Key Lime Pie, Strawberry Shortcake, or Mint Chocolate Chip gum. If I wanted the real thing, I would eat the real thing. If I wanted gum, I would eat gum. I don’t want both. That’s nauseating.
New Jersey I must admit that even I, a well known intellectual, used to enjoy watching The Jersey Shore every so often, but the New Jersey obsession is getting out of hand. I refuse to reward these people who drink so much alcohol that their livers are rock solid, by watching their reality T.V. shows. Therefore, I declare a New Jersey boycott from now on. Anyone who wants to join me is invited.
Emily Buzzard ‘11 Editor in Chief
11.
Texting While Driving: Photos courtesy of sshep.com, heraldsun.com
while texting and driving. Senior Kristina Hansen was the victim of an accident causing by texting and driving just a few weeks ago. “I was stopped at a red light, minding my own business, when a big van came flying down the street and smashed into the back of my car. There was nothing I could do, and I hit the car in front of me.” The driver was a middle-aged man, and admitted to texting as the reason for the crash. The driver’s car was totaled, and Hansen’s entire back of her car needs to be replaced. This accident has transformed Hansen’s view on texting
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How would you feel if you killed someone because you were texting while driving?
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W
e’ve all seen it happen. Your friend is driving you home from a basketball game and gets a text message. She reaches over, read the message, and then uses her thumb to respond. In that one second, she swerves. This situation is not uncommon, it happens every day. Whether you are driving or are a witness to the crime, texting while driving is a growing epidemic. Texting while driving is not only extremely dangerous, it is illegal. According to the Code of Virginia, “it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a moving motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth while using any handheld personal communications device to manually enter multiple letters or text, or to read a text message.” If the threat of harming others or yourself is not enough, you could get a ticket for sending that “Haha” text message. In March 2010, AT&T began a campaign, “It Can Wait” that features “The Last Text,” a video about the victims of the texting while driving epidemic. In this video, a teenage boy, who was sending a text message reading “LOL” hit and killed a biker. He said that before the accident if someone told him to close his eyes for five seconds while driving he would refuse, but if that same person told him to send a text message while driving he would do it, no problem. Cancer, diabetes, heart attacks; these are things that kill, and the victims have no control over them. Texting while driving kills, but you have control to change your habits and influence others to change too. How would you feel if you killed someone because you were texting while driving? Not only are you a risk for hurting someone while texting and driving, but there is always a chance of another driver hurting you
while driving. It can happen to anyone. So the next time you are driving home with a friend and he or she reaches for their phone, make it your responsibility to stop them. If you know that someone is texting you while they are driving, save their life, don’t respond or tell them to text you when they have reached their destination. Also, have a designated texter and ask your passenger to send the text for you. These are small solutions that can help avoid this danger. Kristina Hurd & Toni Rayder ‘11 Staff Writer and Art Director
Is it Really Worth It ? Victims of Texting While Driving
Reggie Shaw Age at time of accident: 19 Shaw was on his way to work when he was sending a text message and swirved and hit an oncoming car, killing two passengers. Shaw was sentenced to 30 days in jail, and 200 hours of community service.
Ashley Johnson Age at time of accident: 16 Johnson was texting while driving. She crossed over the center lane and hit a truck head on. Johnson remained in Intensive Care for several days before she eventually died.
Sarah Edwards Age at time of accident: 18 Edwards was texting while driving when she swirved into oncoming traffic and was struck by a truck and killed instantly.
Brittany Johnson Age at time of accident: 16 Johnson was texting while driving when she hit a utility pole and was killed on the scene.
Photos courtesy of nytimes.com, northcarolinainjuryattorneysblog.com, cellphonemonitor.net, wect.com
“Stay Alive, Don’t Text and Drive”
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eniors Grace Oak, Rachel Kim, and Shirly Son decided to promote awareness on the texting while driving issue for their DECA manual project. Their goal is to reduce the amount of participants who text while driving at Fairfax High School. With the help of SGA, SADD club, and Youth of Virginia Speaks Out, they have been able to accomplish their goal. Friday January 14th, SGA and YOVASO helped to make banners, ribbons, and key chains, for the “black and yellow” spirit day to raise awareness for this issue within the school. This was just one step in accomplishing their goal. From participating in this project, Grace Oak’s views on texting while driving have completely changed. “I see people doing it all the time who don’t realize the consequences, and because of this project I have stopped.” Oak says, “Please don’t text and drive, take it seriously.”
Students sign the banner to never text while driving during lunches. Photos courtesy of Kristina Hurd.
op-ed
The Situation:
2010:
The Obama Administration repealed DADT, allowing gays and lesbians to openly serve in the U.S. military.
1778-1993:
Gays were not allowed to serve in the military, even if they hid their sexuality.
1778:
The first soldier was discharged from the U.S. military for sodomy.
1993:
The Clinton Administration enacted the Don’t ask, don’t tell (DADT) policy. This allowed gays to serve in the military, as long as they didn’t tell people they were gay.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Debate Open homosexuals serving in the military could be destructive to moral
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Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is discriminatory
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he Don’t ask, don’t tell piece of legislation that was instituted, not to discriminate against the homosexual population, but to just make life easier for all of the service men and women. With the repeal of the legislation, service members may learn things about their military counterparts. Knowing that fellow servicemen and women are homosexual could make relations among certain service members tense and uncomfortable. Also, some military members may feel uncomfortable knowing that they have squad members who are openly homosexual. These tensions could escalate to verbal confrontations and trust problems on the battlefield, something that our military cannot afford to waste time on. In the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, while being a large step for the gay rights movement, should be reconsidered because by repealing it, a whole new can of worms is being opened that could complicate relationships among soldiers in the field and add tensions to an already extraordinarily stressful environment, something our armed forces cannot waste time amending and shouldn’t have to deal with. The proponents of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’s repeal have a valid point. Why should homosexuals be barred from joining or being in the military? The thing is, they shouldn’t. At the same time though, there is a time and place to be open about one’s sexual orientation, and the battleground is just not the place for it. I’m definitely not saying that people with different sexual preferences should not be allowed or not join the military, if they want to defend and serve their country, that’s great. But if they do end up enlisting, it would make everyone’s life and job easier if everyone just kept their sexual orientation to themselves.
on’t ask don’t tell was the nation’s most inherently prejudicial law until recently repealed. It is blatantly discriminatory and undermines many of America’s key ideals. Any law which dismisses and bars someone from the military based solely on an attribute of that person, which has nothing to do with their capabilities (like their sexual orientation) cannot be called anything else but wrong on principle. Since grade school, we have all been taught to treat others with equality. No matter whether we agree with or like someone, we strive to treat everyone with the dignity and respect that that they deserve. Why then have we allowed this law, which violates every rule that has been instilled in us, to persist? Not allowing gays to serve in the military sends a clear message to every LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) youth that it is not just on principle that the law should be rejected. We are taught to look up to the troops as defenders of the freedom our country was built upon. “Support Our Troops” bumper stickers are seen on the backs of cars everywhere, and this support applies to all troops, even gays. No one joins the military to prove a point about their sexual orientation or to find a safe haven away from gays. They join because they want to serve their country. The deficit of those few soldiers that decide not to enlist because of their hatred will be far outweighed by the new openly gay recruits. However, if anyone decides not to enlist because the military will no longer ostracize a gay man, then they fail to understand one of the founding principles that America was built on. Freedom.
Matt Reihing ‘11
Steven Kendall ‘11
Commentary Editor
Staff Writer
14.
features
Eubin Jin: The Magic Man
A
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ccording to Wikipedia.com Card Manipulation, known more commonly as “card tricks,” is the “branch of conjuring that deals with creating magical effects using a deck of playing cards.” According to senior Eubin Jin, a card trick is any trick that involves a card. More specifically he thinks magic, “is any performance that involves making a spectator or spectators revert to a state or wonderment and disbelief.” If you search “Card Tricks” into Bing there are 83,500,000 results most of which are websites devoted to publishing the tutorials and tricks for magicians to learn. If you search for card tricks at FHS, you’ll find one kid who can master these tricks, challenging to most individuals, but card tricks are just part of life to Eubin Jin. Jin first started doing card tricks six years ago. He was inspired by TV magicians such as David Blaine, and became amazed by their tricks. Taking this inspiration, Jin began teaching himself simple card tricks. “I usually find tricks on the Internet, and being the prodigy I am, I usually figure out a method I can use,” he said. Since then, this hobby has intensified into a passion. Jin carries a deck of cards around with him, and frequently awes friends, peers, and teachers with his skill. “[My favorite part] is definitely the reactions I get. The looks of disbelief and astonishment make me keep doing what I do,” he stated. I was recently made the volunteer to Jin’s tricks, and my mind was blown. The first trick he showed involved me signing my name on the back of the card. He showed me the backs of every card in the deck and there was no writing on any of the other cards. The card I chose, a three of hearts that bore my signature on the back,
was then shuffled into the deck. Upon shuffling the cards and showing me other cards that were still clean, he pulled out the three of hearts again and this time made me pick another card; I chose the Ace of clubs. On the back of my original three of hearts was no longer my signature, but the signature of Jin, and on the face of the three of hearts was my signature. On the Ace of Clubs? My signature! It wasn’t smeared or blurred at all, so he didn’t just brush it up against the original. It looked as if my signature was just printed on the card. Not only did the second card have my signature on it, but also my name written in the
Senior Eubin Jin is a card tricks expert. Photo by Sam Brott
Jin’s handwriting on the back as well. I swear I didn’t blink at all either. Other tricks Jin can do include separating the deck into two piles with the black queens in one, and the red queens in the other. He then has the volunteer select a numerical card, for example the six of spades. Unknown to how he can do this, Jin shuffles each individual deck making the six of spades show up in between the two black queens once, and then into the other deck between the two red queens. Card tricks present an illusion that allows the observer to believe the card they chose, or the card in the deck changes during the shuffle, and Jin most definitely creates that idea of disbelief and awe in the volunteers and observers who witness his tricks.
Jordan Sharpe ‘11 Editor-in-Chief
features
True Life: I’m On True Life
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he television program, “True Life”, follows M: How did you get selected to be on “True Life”? young individuals as they deal with certain R: I had gone to a FAAN (Food Allergy And Anaphyconditions that set them apart from the average laxis Network) conference the weekend after I was teen. The episodes focus on these individuals during diagnosed. I was connecting with people like me, who a certain part of their lives and focus on how their lifehad very severe allergies. Upon returning home from style varies from what a “normal” young adult experithe conference, I got an email from FAAN saying that ences. MTV was looking to do a special on kids with severe Senior Raelyn Layne is one of these individuals. She allergies. This opportunity kind of “found me.” was selected by MTV to be part of a special about rare M: What was filming like? Are they finished with it? allergies. I recently sat down and talked to Raelyn R: Filming is not over yet, they’re coming back at the about her selection process, filming, and what her aller- end of the month. It’s been exhausting and scary, I’m gies are like. letting people into a vulnerable Matt: So exactly what is the part of my life while sharing it name of your condition(s) and with the whole nation. what are they like? M: Do you think your special will Raelyn: I have a couple of benefit others with the same or conditions that all relate to my similar conditions? allergies: R: I do think it will benefit people Idiopathic Anaphalaxis with allergies. Because of the (IA)— Essentially means that conference I went to, I’ve realI am allergic to anything and ized that they (everyone with everything but the doctors can allergies) have the same feelings not pin point what is causing of loneliness and isolation that the reactions thus causing it to I do. I’m hoping my experience change daily. I am also off the can be positive and be a light to charts allergic to shellfish and those who may not have one, crawfish. we’re all living with something Dermographism—I am in a that is very challenging and scary. permanent state of hives, evM: How have you dealt with erything that comes in contact your condition? with my skin, I have an aller- Senior Raelyn Layne is featured on the MTV R: I have a lot of support from my gic to. I take Zyrtec everyday show True Life for her unusual allergies. family, friends and people that Photo by Matt Reihing to treat my condition, but if I’ve met this year at school. I’ve I miss a dose it feels as if bugs are eating me from the dealt with my condition through the support, love, and inside out. openness of others. And especially my faith. God has Asthma/Acid reflux—I have really bad asthma and brought some phenomenal people, opportunities, and reflux, so I carry an inhaler around with me at all times. hope into my life. M: When were you diagnosed with these conditions? M: What was it like to have the film crew watching you R: I was diagnosed with Dermographism at age 12, all the time? asthma and acid reflux at age 14, shellfish allergy at age R: I was mic’ed 24/7, when I was blowing my nose or 15, and IA on October 21 2010. even using the bathroom. They really got to know who M: How have these diagnoses affected your life since I was. It was so surreal, that would probably the best then? way to put it. It was humbling, but at the same time, R: Everything except IA has been fairly manageable empowering, but I would definitely not want to have and has not extremely affected my life. But with IA it’s my own reality TV show because it gets very exhaustchanged the entire dynamics of my whole life. I may ing. not be able to go to college, going out to restaurants is M: When can we expect to see your episode? very tricky, I’ve had to readjust my entire diet, and I R: It’ll probably air from somewhere from 6 to 9 just can’t live a carefree life. It’s affected me emotionmonths, they have to finish filming me and the other ally and mentally, back in October my doctors told me featured person. that what I have is a death sentence. I have to always Matt Reihing ‘11 make sure that I am with someone responsible who can Commentary Editor take care of me if I go into anaphylaxis.
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features
Fairfax’s Next Top Hero Fashion Show Goes off Seamlessly
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very January the fashionmarketing program at Fairfax High school puts on a fashion show, and every year the show is a hit from the trendy clothes to the effortless poses. What people don’t get to see is all the hard work and effort that goes into making the show. The scene directors had to pick a theme for the scene, select models, contact stores, and coordinate rehearsals all in about a month’s time. This past month I was in the fashion show, so I witnessed firsthand how much work goes into making the show. Each scene only had four rehearsals to figure out clothes and choreography. This year’s theme for the show was “Fairfax’s next top hero,” a play on “America’s Next Top Model.” Each scene had to demonstrate what they think a hero is. There were six scenes in the show; child hood heroes, environmental, law enforcement, fire fighters, teachers, and the senior scene. The first scene, childhood heroes was made up of princess inspired clothing and super hero dress. The second was environmental, which was bohemian style clothes. Next was the law enforcement; models dressed like lawyers and police. The fourth was fire fighters; the models rocked clothes that mimicked the color scheme of fire fighters. For the fifth scene teachers modeled a dressier professional look. The last scene was the senior scene. Seniors got Photos by Brandon Blankenship
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to dress up as what they would like to be when they grow up to convey that any profession can be a hero and we are the future. “The show was awesome, the theme was so unique and I loved all the clothes!” said senior Arenn Martin. Maybe from the audience view everything looked seamless, but chaos doesn’t even begin to describe how hectic back stage was. Thankfully The Paul Mitchell School came to do hair and makeup, which really helped with getting people ready. When the show began everything became even crazier, especially if people were in more than one scene and had to run back stage to change quickly. Thankfully there were no major mishaps and the show seemed to be a hit!
Emily Robinson ‘11 Features Editor
features
Previewing Fairfax’s Got Talent
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merican Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, and America’s Got Talent ain’t got nothin on the Fairfax Talent Show! I mean, who needs shows comprised of annoying judges, talentless wannabes, and commercials every ten minutes when you can just attend the Fairfax Talent Show. There you’ll waste no money, no time, and it’s presented in REAL LIFE! Forget high definition when you can actually be there! Come see the best of our local talents in a night that will be fun for your whole family. Enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment including:
Guitar Performances Group Acts: Acapella group Rockin’ by: Rebels Ram Flores Reid Frankhauser Matt Reihing Walter Martinez
Pop/Rock band “The Symptom”: Hillary Essis (Vocals) Sean Blinder (Drums) Kay Alyemni (Guitar) Duets, Including: Walter Martinez and Tim Cole (Bass) Cameron Hair The Vocal Stylings Katie Derrick and Jamie Boyd of: Sophomore Felicia Junior Walter Martinez and Emily Robinson acFelicia Clark Clark is going to sing Sophomore Cameron Hair companied by Katie Danielle Spriggs a solo. are performing as a duet. Derrick Micaela Soto Photo by Emily Robinson Photo by Emily Robinson Amanda Kelley and Leen Badeem “We just wanna breakout,” says Kay Alyemni about Michael Smith Angie Arredondo his recently formed band. “We just came together one day, entirely random, and the fact that we’re all so amazing just proves that it was meant to be.” And for their first public performance, they’re doing well, and ready to make your money worthwhile. “I was sick of guys doing me wrong, and then trying to come back and think they could just take me away. Like no, you’re dead to me,” said Hillary Essis about her first single “Baby, You’re Dead” which will be performed full-length, for the first time during the talent show. It’s a fun group, with catchy melodies, a rhythmic guitar solo, and an upbeat tempo that will have you searching iTunes for countless days. Pop/Rock band “The Symptom” is performing as a group for the Come out for these acts and many, first time at the talent show. many more including Raelyn Layne’s Photo by Brandon Blankenship presentation of slam poetry, which is sure to be a hit. So join us, Saturday January 29th, 2011 (OBVI) for what is sure to be the best night of your life, a day more significant than your own birth! Come rock your face off with “The Symptom,” enjoy the heavenly sounds of Micaela Soto, and immerse yourself into the wonderful world that is to be the Fairfax Talent Show. Come, or you’re not invited to my birthday party. Brandon Blankenship ‘12 Staff Writer
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sports
Bowl Season Wrap-Up
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ver the past few years, hardly anything in the sports world has come under as much scrutiny as college football’s bowl system. Even the United States Congress has tried to break it with an anti-trust law inquiry, putting the Bowl Championship Series on dangerously thin ice. After all, a system in which an undefeated team doesn’t even get a chance to play in the national championship is probably an unfair system.
THE ROSE BOWL-
While that may be true, college bowls are among the oldest and most traditional institutions in American sports. From the Rose Bowl – The Granddaddy of Them All – in Pasadena to the somewhat less prestigious Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in St. Petersburg, it would be a shame to see them go. So here’s a recap of this Bowl Season – because there might not be many more of them.
Walker Carlson ‘13 Sports Editor
Texas Christian 21, Wisconsin 19
On New Year’s Day the tiny TCU Horned Frogs took down the Wisconsin Badgers, a much larger school with much larger players, in what was the closest Rose Bowl game since 2005. Despite having fewer total yards than the Badgers and having the ball 13 minutes less, the Frogs beat Wisconsin where it counts – on the scoreboard. After the two offenses scored four times in a row to start the game, Wisconsin’s Philip Welch missed a 39-yard field goal in the second quarter, giving TCU all the room they would need. The TCU defense, led by linebacker Tank The packed house at the 2011 Rose Bowl saw one of the great Carder, was able to keep its team ahead for the upsets of the year, even though TCU was ranked higher than Wisconsin. Photo courtesy of sportige.com rest of the game.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPAuburn 22, Oregon 19
With the best quarterback in the NCAA, Cam Newton, on one side, and the fastest, highest-scoring offense in the league on the other, this game between Auburn and Oregon was set to be a certain shoot-out. But after more than a month since they last played, these two offenses seemed out of sync. There were 3 turnovers in the first quarter before Oregon put the first points up with a field goal. Newton woke up in the second quarter, throwing two touchdowns. After Oregon scored a late touchdown to knot the score at 19, Auburn put together a thrilling drive, led by freshman running back Michael Dyer, not by the Heisman-winning Newton. The 57 yards Dyer ran that drive helped get Auburn down to the two yard line, where kicker Wes Byrum nailed an easy field goal with time expiring to The controversial and elecgive Auburn its second national championship. trifying Cam Newton poses with the Coaches’ Trophy.
T H E
B O T T O M L I N E The Winners: The South Eastern Conference
Photo courtesy of news.blogs.cnn.com
With Auburn taking the National Championship, teams from the SEC have been champions five years in a row.
The Losers: The Big Ten Conference
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The Big Ten went 0-5 on January first. New Year’s resolution: Get to bed on time next New Year’s Eve.
sports
Championships are Won in the Offseason
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ven though the start of the season is a month away, the Fairfax baseball team has already begun preparing for dominance in the district. In preparation for the 2011 season, the team has conditioned three days a week after school since the fall, and will continue to do so until tryouts in February. Only last spring did the Rebels reach the regional quarterfinals, finish the season at 9-9, and set the bar for future teams at FHS to reach. This year they plan to have the same impact within the district and go much farther in postseason play. New to Fairfax baseball this year is the face of the team. Last year’s head coach, Kevin Simonds, was promoted to head football coach following Coach Haddock’s move to Centreville. The Rebels are now led by a familiar face, Rick Freeman, who previously coached at FHS. This year, Freeman returns after being at Flint Hill to coach the Rebels to victory, “I am looking foward to being back in the FHS program and community,” he said. On Mondays and Fridays the team does power lifting, and on Wednesdays, they are whipped into shape by Lanier Middle School P.E. teacher Mr. Bill Wilkinson, who has worked with the baseball team on strength and conditioning training. The Rebels also worked out four days a week over the summer, “Our kids have worked extremely hard in the offseason. I’m interested to see the effects of all their hard work,“ Coach Freeman said. These conditionings and boot camps are never empty. Every player who played or tried out last year has been attending and the freshmen and future members of the team have also attended. The team’s motto is “What do we bleed? Rebel Blue.” As senior Tyler Lescure explains, “It’s our thing. It reflects our dedication and huge commitment to the game.”
Photo by Sam Brott.
Not only does the offseason give the players time to work themselves into shape, practice basic fundamentals, and stay in shape, it also directly affects team camaraderie. “Baseball might be the most dedicated sport in the school. I want to give a shout out to my team,” said Lescure. “Especially after our Florida trip last year, this is the closest knit team I’ve ever been on. Even when we’re not playing we still talk to each other. We’re all a bunch of goofballs,” he added. One of the most important things for a team to have is great camaraderie. This adds to the selflessness of the team and an overall supportive structure within the athletes and coaching staff. Like last year, the Rebels plan to have another successful season acknowledging the strengths on their roster. “We have a really strong lineup, solid both on offense and in the field, so all we have to do is work hard to reach our potential, execute, and back up Big Vandy on the mound,” Lescure said. “Big Vandy” refers to senior pitcher Joseph Vanderplas who is already committed to play baseball in college for The University of Tennessee. Although the team may have lost many standout seniors last year, with the upcoming talent from sophomores and juniors and the leadership of the senior class, they will have no problem finding their place this spring. The team knows they can make a big impact in district and regional play. Junior Alex Glaum hopes for a championship ring for him and his fellow teammates come states, “I’m really looking forward to the new experience Coach Freeman will bring and I am excited to play for him.“
Jordan Sharpe ‘11 Editor-in-Chief
21.
sports
Lady Rebels Basketball success have been the additions of senior Meredith Mesaris from Paul VI and freshman Kylie Murphree. Murphree has played extremely well for the Rebels at point guard this season despite her being a high school rookie. She has excellent ball control and sees the floor very well.
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he Lady Rebels have been on fire this season and are currently in second place in the Liberty District. Led by captains senior Jordan Sharpe and junior Liz McNaughton, the team is 10-5, including five wins and two losses in the district. The ladies also had two wins and one loss in the Lady Rebels Winter Classic tournament. Fairfax hosted the tournament over Winter Break and placed second. In the first round the Rebels blew past Falls Church in an easy 69-33 win. The semifinal turned out to be another great win for the Rebels as the team came back from an eleven-point deficit to beat Lake Braddock 45-42. The ladies fell in the championship to Stone Ridge, however, losing 2943 in a game where very few shots fell. “The season has gone very well so far,” Coach Marcus Konde commented, “the team has come together and gelled really well.” Two key factors in this season’s
Our team has a lot of talent... we can beat anybody when we play at our maximum potential. -Taylor Intermill “Kylie is a key piece to our offense,” Konde added. “She is the most composed point guard I’ve coached in a while. She plays great defense and averages five steals per game. She even averages four assists compared to only two turnovers per game. At a 2:1 ratio,
that’s really impressive for the high school level.” With less than a month left in the season, the team begins to look ahead to the postseason. According to Konde, “Our playoff success will ultimately depend on the play of our captains. They are examples both on and off the court and their work ethic is contagious. The whole team seems to feed off of their energy.” Up until the Rebel’s loss to Stone Bridge on January 12, the team was first in the district. Now (as of press time) the team is in third place. “Our team has a lot of talent,” sophomore Taylor Intermill said, “we can beat anybody when we play at our maximum potential.” With only six games left, all of them district games, the Rebels continue to make a strong push for a high seed in the playoffs.
Sam Brott ‘11 Sports Editor
Senior Meredith Mesaris shoots the three with perfect form.
Junior Liz McNaughton lays the ball in for two.
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All photos by Sam Brott.
Freshman Kylie Murphree blocks Lake Braddock’s buzzer shot to ensure the Rebel victory in the Winter Classic semifinal.
humor
Zodiac Signs Gone Awry
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he entire world hiccupped for a second earlier this month when the Minnesota Planetarium Society announced that the moon’s gravitational pull on Earth changed everyone’s destiny forever. As President Obama put it, “This whole fiasco is just a sign that the world will in fact end in 2012.” All the recent zodiac fuss boils down to the fact that there is now a new sign, Ophiuchus, which falls between Scorpio and Sagittarius. Although no one knows what exactly this new sign is, it has been confirmed that Capricorn: the “Big O” Jan. 20-Feb. 16 is responsible for screwing everything You have the inclinaup. tion to become a great Students are feeling plains farmer. the cosmic waves even here at
This Month’s Horoscope
Fairfax. “My Facebook news feed exploded!” sophomore Janie Jill said. “I didn’t know what it was about, so I just made my status something random about the zodiac, too.” While there are some who don’t even know what a horoscope is, there are many who do not know how to move forward in their lives. Even Lil Wayne isn’t quite sure what to do. In an interview earlier this week he described his life as “a stopped-up toilet.” “My life is just all clogged up,” the star rapper shared, “it’s not moving anywhere and I don’t know how to plunge it. My old horoscope said that I was supposed to creative, so I became a singer and songwriter, but my new horoscope says that I’m supposed to have knowledge beyond all mortality… maybe I’ll just become a rocket scientist or something.” Sadly, there are many more just like Lil Wayne who have dedicated their entire lives to fulfilling their horoscope. We can only hope that someone will step it up and return the world to its rightful state. Until then, good luck to all.
Sam Brott ‘11 Sports Editor
Celebrating Groundhog Day
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t’s almost February! So bundle your coats, prepare your valentines, and get ready for Punxsutawney Phil! As Groundhog Day nears, people all around the country are close to peeing their pants in excitement. Much controversy has recently been raised however, over which is the true American holiday: Groundhog Day, or Columbus Day. Many students and teachers alike here at Fairfax are firm in their beliefs that there is no better holiday than Groundhog Day. “Groundhogs are the best!” shouts FHS English teacher Ms. Faux. “I mean, how cool is it that a groundhog can predict the future?!” “In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Groundhog Day is like the next Thanksgiving,” one Pennsylvania official that wished to remain anonymous explained. Men meet on Groundhog Day dressed in ugly
costumes that make them look like Abe Lincoln wannabes. In fact, they even hold a “Breakfast with Phil” where people actually pay $7.50 per person just to eat breakfast with the little rodent. Despite these positives to Groundhog Day, many refuse to abandon their joy of Columbus Day. “Columbus Day is still my favorite day of the year!” exclaims sophomore Ricky Bobby. “Mine, too!” adds Ricky’s friend Richard, “I love how we always get out of school!” For some, like Richard, Columbus Day is all about getting out of school early. For others though, it is about the chance to celebrate a rich Italian-American heritage. Just like Grundhog Day, people like to take the opportunity to dress up. Many people like to dress up as fifteenth century weirdos and prance around
on old ships. Others like to use the holiday as an excuse to feast with a nice bottle of aged Italian wine and party all night long. So which is the true American holiday? Only you can decide the truth.
Sam Brott ‘11 Sports Editor
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A New Face to Fairfax face of intimidation
soft smile
rock solid abs
flabs (flabby abs) From smiley to fierce; from scrawny, to ripped. The new Fairfax mascot is a force to be reckoned with. This new and improved lion was revealed for the first time during the halftime show of the December 17th home varsity boys’ basketball game. For years, the FHS mascot has been the same old lion. With the unveliling, there seem to be conflicting opinions about the sudden change. While the old lion was always loved, this one is much more ferocious and strong- two characteristics that many find important for a mascot. Some people may ask why the Fairfax Rebel’s mascot is even a lion to begin with. The lion was taken from the last four letters of the word rebellion. But when creating the lion, was the inclusion of rebel spirit apparent enough to suit a school of Rebels? Friendly verses ferocious. While both are valuable qualities, which makes for a better mascot is a matter
bulging biceps
the newer, more intimidating mascot
the older, less intimidating mascot
cheerful eyes
no one can agree on. Sophomore Katie Rossbach preferred the old lion because of its more friendly nature. “This one kind of scares me,” she says, “I won’t want to high-five it at football games anymore.” Sophomore Sam Zelenack, however likes the new lion because “it intimidates the competition with its rock hard abs and sharp teeth.” A lot goes into choosing a new mascot. To pick out this new lion, junior Alex Glaum stepped up to the job. “The power cat lion,” Glaum said, is very “intimidating.” According to FHS Leadership teacher, Mrs. Nancy Melnick, the new lion was chosen due the combination of the wear and tear of the old lion, and this one’s ferociousness. “Knowing the kids at this school, all three will be continued to be used with ‘Pride,”’ says Melnick. By Nikki Strickland ‘13 Copy Editor